In the present study, presence of aplastic or hypoplastic articular processes in the thoracolumbar region did not always produce neurologic signs. However, fibrous constrictive myelopathy should be considered in Pugs with pelvic limb gait and postural reaction deficits and lack of hyperpathia upon palpation of the vertebral column. Additional studies are warranted to further characterize the disease process and determine the most effective means of treatment.

In dogs that require surgical stabilization of the AA joint, a right parasagittal approach should be considered. This approach offers advantages over the standard ventral median approach by improved surgical exposure, less dissection, and provides protection of vital structures during insertion of fixation devices used for ventral AA stabilization.

Dogs receiving any type of treatment for central nervous system lymphoma lived longer than cases described in previous historical reports. Further studies are needed to elucidate the importance of specific treatment modalities.

Clinical and morphologic features of a progressive polyneuropathy in young mature Alaskan Malamutes are described. Clinical signs included progressive paraparesis, synchronous pelvic limb gait, exercise intolerance, hyperesthesia, hyporeflexia, muscle atrophy, and tetraplegia. Electromyographic testing revealed diffuse fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves in limb muscles, especially in muscles below the elbow and stifle. Pathologic findings in skeletal muscles and peripheral nerves included neurogenic muscle atrophy, focal or diffuse loss of myelinated nerve fibers, myelinoaxonal necrosis, and variable demyelination or remyelination. Ultrastructural changes included axonal degeneration, presence of numerous Büngner bands, and denervated Schwann cell subunits. The nature and distribution of abnormal electrophysiologic and pathologic findings were suggestive of a distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy, which we have termed idiopathic polyneuropathy of Alaskan Malamutes to distinguish this condition from hereditary polyneuropathy of Norwegian Alaskan Malamutes, last described in 1982.

OBJECTIVEThe diagnosis of glioma remains disheartening in the clinical realm. While a multitude of studies and trials have shown promise, improvements in overall survival have been disappointing. Modeling these tumors in the laboratory setting has become increasingly challenging, given their complex in situ behavior and interactions for therapeutic evasion. Dogs, particularly brachycephalic breeds, are known to spontaneously develop gliomas that resemble human gliomas both clinically and pathophysiologically, making canines with sporadic tumors promising candidates for study. Typically, survival among these dogs is approximately 2 months with palliation alone.METHODSThe authors have completed the first stage of a unique phase I dose-escalating canine clinical trial in which the safety and tolerability of M032, a nonneurovirulent oncolytic herpes simplex virus–1 vector genetically engineered to express interleukin-12, are being studied in pet dogs with gliomas undergoing maximum safe tumor resection and inoculation of the cavity with the viral infusate.RESULTSTwenty-five canine patients were enrolled between January 2018 and August 2020. One patient was electively withdrawn from the trial by its owner, and 3 did not receive the virus. For the 21 dogs that remained, 13 had high-grade gliomas, 5 had low-grade gliomas, and 3 were undetermined. According to histopathological analysis, 62% of the tumors were oligodendrogliomas. At the time of this report, the median overall survival from the date of treatment was 151 days (± 78 days). No significant adverse events attributable to M032 or dose-limiting toxicities have been observed to date.CONCLUSIONSIn this largest study of oncolytic viral therapy for canine brain tumors to date, treatment with M032 did not cause harm and the combination of surgery and oncolytic viral therapy may have contributed to prolonged survival in pet dogs with spontaneous gliomas. Forthcoming in-depth radiographic, immunohistochemical, and genetic analyses will afford a more advanced understanding of how this treatment impacts these tumors and the immune system. Our goal is to utilize these findings bitranslationally to inform human studies and refine therapies that will improve outcomes in both humans and pet dogs with gliomas.

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Lateral fenestrations of intervertebral disks T12-13 through L2-3 were performed on 16 1 -year-old chondrodystrophoid dogs. The disks of five dogs were fenestrated by removing the core of disk material with a 20 gauge spinal needle, six were fenestrated in the same manner with a 14 gauge spinal needle, and five were fenestrated with a 14 gauge spinal needle and a tartar scraper. Forty-two of 48 disks had radiographic evidence of narrowing following surgery. Microscopic examination of the disks indicated that the nucleus pulposus was nonreactive tissue and that fenestration did not incite an inflammatory response that resulted in dissolution of the nucleus pulposus. Results of histochemical analyses of the fenestrated disks were not different from those of control disks. The only effects observed during a 24 week period following fenestration were

The advent of advanced imaging techniques in veterinary diagnostics has broadened the scope of our diagnostic capabilities. MRI is one of the newer advanced imaging techniques, and its characteristics differ considerably from CT or conventional radiography. This article presents an introduction to MRI and interpretation of MR images.