Results of this observational study suggest that surgical cytoreduction and radiotherapy are effective at improving survival in dogs with CSN, and that ID-EM tumors may be associated with a more favorable prognosis than IM neoplasms.

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ObjectivesTo compare the proportions of dogs with thoracolumbar disc extrusion that lose pelvic limb pain perception if surgery is performed on the day of admission or delayed overnight. To describe the outcome of those dogs that deteriorate to lose pain perception.Materials and MethodsRetrospective, single centre study on 273 client‐owned dogs with thoracolumbar disc extrusion and intact pain perception, but inability to walk unaided on their pelvic limbs. Dogs were subdivided into two groups: early surgery (spinal decompression between their examination at day of admission and the following morning), and delayed surgery (did not undergo surgery between admission and the following morning). The proportion of dogs that lost pelvic limb pain perception overnight was compared between the early and delayed surgery groups.ResultsSeven of 151 dogs in the early surgery group lost pain perception overnight compared to 15 of 122 in the delayed surgery group (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.025). Number‐needed‐to‐treat analysis suggested that 14 dogs (95% confidence interval: 7–106 dogs) need early surgery to prevent one losing pain perception overnight. Five of the seven dogs that lost pain perception in the early surgery group recovered pain perception by 3 weeks post‐operatively, compared to eight of 14 in the delayed group.Clinical SignificanceThis study suggests that an overnight delay before spinal decompression increases the risk of clinically meaningful deterioration in dogs unable to walk following thoracolumbar disc extrusion.

Two Patterdale terrier siblings presented with a progressive history of a spinocerebellar ataxia present from 15 weeks of age. Both dogs had daily episodes of myokymia affecting all four limbs. The female dog had a history of three neuromyotonic attacks and was euthanased due to extreme hyperthermia during one attack. Both were homozygous for the genetic mutation of the KCNJ10 gene, which was previously reported in the Jack Russell terrier. This case highlights the clinical reasoning of abnormal gaits and abnormal episodes. This is the first report of this mutation in the Patterdale terrier.

The magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of a cerebral hemangioblastoma in a 9-year-old dog are described. Imaging revealed a well-defined contrast-enhancing lesion of the rostral forebrain that appeared extraparenchymal. Histopathology of the excised mass showed clusters of small blood vessels interspersed with interstitial cells staining positive for neuronal specific enolase, features consistent with a cerebral hemangioblastoma; the mass also appeared intraparenchymal after further immunohistochemistry study. This neoplasm should be considered a rare differential diagnosis for intracranial masses in dogs.

Case summary A 14-month-old male castrated domestic shorthair cat, which 2 months prior to presentation underwent hindlimb amputation following a road traffic accident, presented for investigation of four suspected generalised tonic–clonic seizures. Neurological examination was unremarkable. Routine blood work (haematology, biochemistry, ammonia, preprandial bile acids) was unremarkable. MRI of the brain identified marked symmetrical T2-weighted hyperintensities of the cerebellum and brainstem, mainly affecting the grey matter. Urine amino acid and mucopolysaccharide levels were unremarkable. Urine organic acids on two separate samples, 35 days apart, identified highly increased excretion of 2-hydroxyglutaric acid, indicative of 2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria. The cat was started on anticonvulsant therapy with phenobarbitone, which, at the point of writing, has improved seizure control, although the cat has not achieved seizure freedom. Relevance and novel information This case report describes the first reported case of a 2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria, an inherited neurometabolic disorder, as a cause for seizure-like episodes in a cat.

ObjectivesC-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein used in multiple canine inflammatory conditions including steroid responsive meningitis-arteritis, immune-mediated polyarthritis and bronchopneumonia. The aim of this study was to assess whether serum CRP is elevated in cases of diskospondylitis.MethodsMedical records from 2010 to 2019 were searched to identify dogs diagnosed with diskospondylitis based on findings consistent on CT or MRI and with CRP tested.ResultsA total of 16 dogs met the inclusion criteria. All cases had back pain. Fourteen cases had elevated CRP, with a median value of 100.7 mg/l (reference range for CRP values: 0–10 mg/l), 12 were pyrexic and six had leucocytosis. The two dogs with normal CRP were normothermic and did not have leucocytosis. CRP was measured four to six weeks into antimicrobial treatment in eight of 14 dogs and was normal in all cases. One dog developed a suspected bacterial empyema diagnosed on MRI; this occurred two weeks after antibiotic treatment was discontinued based on a normal CRP level at follow-up.ConclusionsSerum CRP is elevated in cases of diskospondylitis and may be clinically more useful to screen dogs with back pain than pyrexia or leucocytosis alone. Further long-term clinical evaluation in a prospective study is needed to assess its use as a treatment monitoring tool and in decision making.

To report the surgical techniques being used to treat single focal spinal intra-arachnoid diverticula in dogs, their complications and immediate postoperative outcomes.Materials and MethOds: Retrospective multi-centre case series across four referral centres.results: Fifty-seven dogs were included in the study. The most common type of surgery was durectomy (28 dogs) followed by marsupialisation (11 dogs), durotomy alone (seven dogs), shunt placement (six dogs) and stabilisation (five dogs).A higher proportion of intra-arachnoid shunt dogs became unable to walk in the immediate postoperative period (24 hours postsurgery) (4/6, 66%) compared to all dogs five of 57, 9% (2/7 durotomy alone, 3/28 durectomy alone). Of the nine dogs with immediate postoperative deterioration, seven had improved, walking without assistance, by 3 to 5 weeks postoperatively.clinical significance: This study does not identify an influence of surgical technique on short-term outcome. Dogs with a thoracolumbar intra-arachnoid diverticulum that undergo a shunt placement are likely to deteriorate neurologically in the immediate 24-hour postoperative period but appear to improve by 3 to 5 weeks after surgery. Further work is required to evaluate whether one surgical technique is superior for preventing or reducing long-term relapse.