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6 pages, 2834 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Polioencephalomalacia in Buffaloes in the Amazon Biome

by José Diomedes Barbosa, Fernanda Monik Silva Martins, Carlos Eduardo da Silva Ferreira Filho, Camila Cordeiro Barbosa, Eliel Valentim Vieira, Ruama Paixão de Lima Silva, Cinthia Távora de Albuquerque Lopes, Natália da Silva e Silva Silveira, Carlos Magno Chaves Oliveira, Marilene Farias Brito and Felipe Masiero Salvarani

Animals 2023, 13(19), 3131; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13193131 - 7 Oct 2023

Viewed by 870

Abstract

The epidemiological and clinical pathological aspects of polioencephalomalacia (PEM) in five buffaloes in the Amazon biome are described. Epidemiological data were obtained during the clinical visit in which buffalos were submitted to an examination of the nervous system. The diagnosis of PEM was [...] Read more.

The epidemiological and clinical pathological aspects of polioencephalomalacia (PEM) in five buffaloes in the Amazon biome are described. Epidemiological data were obtained during the clinical visit in which buffalos were submitted to an examination of the nervous system. The diagnosis of PEM was based on epidemiological, clinical–pathological, and histopathological findings, similar to findings in other ruminants. In the clinical examination, all buffaloes had a body score between 2.5 and 3 (scale from 1 to 5), with decreased alertness, postural changes, marked hypermetria when stimulated to move, total or partial blindness demonstrated by colliding with the corral structures, head pressing and circumduction of the hindquarters when supported on the thoracic limbs, opisthotonos, muscle tremors, convulsions, paddling movements, sialorrhea, decrease in palpebral and pupillary reflexes, and eyeball rotation placing the pupillary slit in a vertical position. At necropsy, mild lesions characterized by edema and flattening of the cerebral convolutions were observed. A histopathological examination showed laminar necrosis of the cerebral cortex. The cause of PEM in the studied buffaloes was not established, which indicates the need for further studies to elucidate this disease in the species, particularly in the Amazon region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Veterinary Neurology: From Diagnosis to Treatment)

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11 pages, 966 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predictive Value of Acute Phase Proteins for the Short-Term Outcome of Meningoencephalitis of Unknown Origin in Dogs

by Aurora Cocchetto, Andrea Zoia, Rita Aragão, Laura Ventura and Marika Menchetti

Animals 2023, 13(16), 2575; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13162575 - 10 Aug 2023

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Abstract

Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) is one of the most common inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). The study evaluates the possible increase and the potential role of acute phase proteins (APPs) and other inflammatory serum parameters as biomarkers predicting the [...] Read more.

Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) is one of the most common inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). The study evaluates the possible increase and the potential role of acute phase proteins (APPs) and other inflammatory serum parameters as biomarkers predicting the short-term outcome of dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO). A retrospective cohort study was designed. The APP profile and other markers of systemic inflammation of forty-eight client-owned dogs with a new diagnosis of MUO were compared between 7-day survival and non-survival dogs diagnosed with MUO. Thirty-nine (81%) dogs were alive at the end of the 7-day follow-up period, while 9 (19%) dogs died or were euthanized because of MUO. None of the 11 markers of inflammation studied were different between the survived and non-survived dogs; for this reason, none of them could be used as a predictor of the short-term outcome based on the results of the present study. This confirms that even though MUO is often associated with a severe inflammatory status of the central nervous system (CNS), this condition is probably isolated exclusively to the CNS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Veterinary Neurology: From Diagnosis to Treatment)

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11 pages, 3082 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Clinical Evaluation of a New Surgical Augmentation Technique for Transarticular Atlantoaxial Fixation for Treatment of Atlantoaxial Instability

by Franck Forterre, Ligita Zorgevica-Pockevica, Christina Precht, Kati Haenssgen, Veronika Stein and Pia Düver

Animals 2023, 13(11), 1780; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13111780 - 26 May 2023

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Abstract

The feasibility of a newly developed augmentation of ventral fixation technique for surgical stabilization of atlantoaxial instability was clinically evaluated in a cohort of eleven dogs, and long-term clinical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. The new technique combines wire/suture fixation through a transverse hole [...] Read more.

The feasibility of a newly developed augmentation of ventral fixation technique for surgical stabilization of atlantoaxial instability was clinically evaluated in a cohort of eleven dogs, and long-term clinical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. The new technique combines wire/suture fixation through a transverse hole in the axis anchored by two screws placed in the alae atlantis or at the cranial end of plates used to bridge the atlantoaxial joint ventrally. A previous biomechanical study demonstrated good stability of this technique during shear loading, comparable to the stability achieved with other standard techniques. Ten dogs improved clinically after surgery and returned to a normal life within 3–6 months of surgery. One dog developed aphonia, dysphagia, and died of aspiration pneumonia three days after surgery. The augmentation of conventional ventral atlantoaxial fixation with the transverse bony corridor of the proximal axis body may be a valuable way to enhance stabilization of the atlantoaxial joint. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Veterinary Neurology: From Diagnosis to Treatment)

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14 pages, 3120 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Inflammatory Myopathy in the Dutch Kooiker Dog

by Yvet Opmeer, Guy C. M. Grinwis, G. Diane Shelton, Marco Rosati, Vanessa Alf, Hille Fieten, Peter A. J. Leegwater, Kaspar Matiasek and Paul J. J. Mandigers

Animals 2023, 13(9), 1508; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13091508 - 29 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2732

Abstract

The Dutch Kooiker dog (het Nederlandse Kooikerhondje) is one of nine Dutch dog breeds. As of 1960, a number of heritable diseases have been noted in this breed. One is an inflammatory myopathy that emerged in 1972, with numbers of affected dogs gradually [...] Read more.

The Dutch Kooiker dog (het Nederlandse Kooikerhondje) is one of nine Dutch dog breeds. As of 1960, a number of heritable diseases have been noted in this breed. One is an inflammatory myopathy that emerged in 1972, with numbers of affected dogs gradually increasing during the last few decades. The objective of this paper is to describe clinical signs, laboratory results, electromyography and histopathology of the muscle biopsies of the affected dogs. Method: Both retrospectively as well as prospectively affected Kooiker dogs were identified and categorized using a Tiered level of Confidence. Results: In total, 160 Kooiker dogs—40 Tier I, 33 Tier II and 87 Tier III—were included. Clinical signs were (1) locomotory problems, such as inability to walk long distances, difficulty getting up, stiff gait, walking on eggshells; (2) dysphagia signs such as drooling, difficulty eating and/or drinking; or (3) combinations of locomotory and dysphagia signs. CK activities were elevated in all except for one dog. Histopathology revealed a predominant lymphohistiocytic myositis with a usually low and variable number of eosinophils, neutrophils and plasma cells. It is concluded that, within this breed, a most likely heritable inflammatory myopathy occurs. Further studies are needed to classify this inflammatory myopathy, discuss its treatment, and unravel the genetic cause of this disease to eradicate it from this population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Veterinary Neurology: From Diagnosis to Treatment)

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22 pages, 2889 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neuropathology of Central and Peripheral Nervous System Lymphoma in Dogs and Cats: A Study of 92 Cases and Review of the Literature

by Niccolò Fonti, Francesca Parisi, Çağla Aytaş, Sara Degl’Innocenti and Carlo Cantile

Animals 2023, 13(5), 862; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13050862 - 27 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3040

Abstract

The literature about nervous system lymphoma (NSL) in dogs and cats is fragmentary, based on a few case series and case reports with heterogeneous results. The aim of our study was to retrospectively analyze 45 cases of canine and 47 cases of feline [...] Read more.

The literature about nervous system lymphoma (NSL) in dogs and cats is fragmentary, based on a few case series and case reports with heterogeneous results. The aim of our study was to retrospectively analyze 45 cases of canine and 47 cases of feline NSL and compare our results with previously reported data, also providing an extensive literature review. Breed, age, gender, clinical signs, type, and neurolocalization were recorded for each case. The pathological patterns and phenotype were assessed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. The occurrence of central and peripheral NSL was similar between the two species in both primary and secondary types. NSL occurred with a slightly higher prevalence in Labrador Retrievers, and spinal cord lymphoma (SCL) was associated with young age in cats. The most frequent locations were the forebrain in dogs and the thoracolumbar segment in cats. Primary central nervous system lymphoma (CNSL) in cats most frequently involved the forebrain meninges, particularly as a B-cell phenotype. Peripheral NSL mostly affected the sciatic nerve in dogs and had no preferred location in cats. Nine different pathological patterns were identified, with extradural as the most prevalent SCL pattern in both species. Finally, lymphomatosis cerebri was described for the first time in a dog. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Veterinary Neurology: From Diagnosis to Treatment)

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19 pages, 13862 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Porcine Model of the Growing Spinal Cord—Changes in Diffusion Tensor Imaging Parameters

by Karolina Barbara Owsińska-Schmidt, Paulina Drobot, Anna Zimny and Marcin Adam Wrzosek

Animals 2023, 13(4), 565; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040565 - 6 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1998

Abstract

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is an advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that has promising applications for the objective assessment of the microstructure of the spinal cord. This study aimed to verify the parameters obtained using DTI change during the growth process. We [...] Read more.

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is an advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that has promising applications for the objective assessment of the microstructure of the spinal cord. This study aimed to verify the parameters obtained using DTI change during the growth process. We also wanted to identify if the DTI values change on the course of the spinal cord. The model organism was a healthy growing porcine spinal cord (19 pigs, Polish White, weight 24–120 kg, mean 48 kg, median 48 kg, age 2.5–11 months, mean 5 months, median 5.5 months). DTI parameters were measured in three weight groups: up to 29 kg (five pigs), 30–59 kg (six pigs), and from 60 kg up (eight pigs). DTI was performed with a 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance scanner (Philips, Ingenia). Image post-processing was done using the Fiber Track package (Philips Ingenia workstation) by manually drawing the regions of interest (nine ROIs). The measurements were recorded for three sections: the cervical, thoracolumbar and lumbar segments of the spinal cord at the C4/C5, Th13/L1, and L4/L5 vertebrae levels. In each case, one segment was measured cranially and one caudally from the above-mentioned places. The values of fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were obtained for each ROIs and compared. It is shown that there is a correlation between age, weight gain, and change in FA and ADC parameters. Moreover, it is noted that, with increasing weight and age, the FA parameter increases and ADC decreases, whereas the FA and ADC measurement values did not significantly change between the three sections of the spinal cord. These findings could be useful in determining the reference values for the undamaged spinal cords of animals and growing humans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Veterinary Neurology: From Diagnosis to Treatment)

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11 pages, 9225 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 Myeloencephalitis in the Brazilian Amazon

by José Diomedes Barbosa, André de Medeiros Costa Lins, Henrique dos Anjos Bomjardim, Natália da Silva e Silva Silveira, Camila Cordeiro Barbosa, Edsel Alves Beuttemmuller, Marilene Farias Brito and Felipe Masiero Salvarani

Animals 2023, 13(1), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010059 - 23 Dec 2022

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Abstract

An investigative and epidemiological study was carried out for equine herpesvirus type 1 (HVE-1) in 10 outbreaks of neurological disease from different farms in the state of Pará, Brazil. 25 horses were studied: six male and 19 females, aged between one and 13 [...] Read more.

An investigative and epidemiological study was carried out for equine herpesvirus type 1 (HVE-1) in 10 outbreaks of neurological disease from different farms in the state of Pará, Brazil. 25 horses were studied: six male and 19 females, aged between one and 13 years. A necropsy of six horses was performed, and the others recovered either with or without treatment (T1—vitamin B1 + dexamentasone; T2—vitamin B1 + flunixim meglumine). Animals that received treatment recovered after eight days. The main clinical signs observed were motor incoordination, progressive paresis, thoracic and/or pelvic limbs abducted after induction of clinical examination, knuckling of the hind fetlocks, sagging and swaying of the hindquarters while standing or walking and paresis. All animals were positive: 88% (22/25) in nested PCR and 72% (18/25) in serum neutralization (including three negatives in serology). Focal brownish areas compatible with hemorrhage were found in the white and gray matter of the spinal cord of two animals. On histological analysis, there were perivasculitis and neutrophilic vasculitis in the gray matter of the spinal cord and brain. Based on the evidence, this work proves the circulation of HVE-1 in the Amazon biome, mainly in the state of Pará, Brazil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Veterinary Neurology: From Diagnosis to Treatment)

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12 pages, 6326 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Clinical Presentation, MRI Characteristics, and Outcome of Conservative or Surgical Management of Spinal Epidural Empyema in 30 Dogs

by Carlos Blanco, Meritxell Moral, Juan José Minguez and Valentina Lorenzo

Animals 2022, 12(24), 3573; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12243573 - 17 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1828

Abstract

Spinal epidural empyema (SEE) represents a neurological emergency in veterinary medicine, but information on this condition is limited to date. This retrospective case series study describes the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features, and the outcome of conservative or surgical management of [...] Read more.

Spinal epidural empyema (SEE) represents a neurological emergency in veterinary medicine, but information on this condition is limited to date. This retrospective case series study describes the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features, and the outcome of conservative or surgical management of SEE in 30 dogs diagnosed with SEE from September 2015 to March 2020 at one referral neurology centre. The most frequent clinical sign was pain 28/30 (93%), and 22/30 (73%) showed neurological signs with ambulatory paraparesis/tetraparesis 15/30 (50%), monoparesis 1/30 (3.3%), non-ambulatory paraparesis 3/30 (10%), or paraplegia 3/30 (10%). MRI was valuable for the diagnosis and in the follow-up. In this group of dogs, 24/30 (80%) were conservatively treated and 6/30 (20%) were surgically treated. The outcome was considered favourable in all dogs: 20/30 (66.6%) achieved full recovery (3 surgically treated and 17 medically treated) and 10/30 (33.3%) dogs had an improvement in the neurological signs with residual ambulatory paresis (3 surgically treated and 7 medically treated). Surgical treatment showed better short-term (7 days) outcomes than medical treatment in non-ambulatory paraparetic or paraplegic dogs (33%). Nevertheless, this study suggests that a good recovery may be achieved with conservative treatment even for non-ambulatory or paraplegic dogs. Further prospective studies, with a standardised protocol of diagnostic tests and a homogeneous distribution of conservatively and surgically treated dogs, are needed to establish treatment guidelines. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Veterinary Neurology: From Diagnosis to Treatment)

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