BackgroundAcute intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH) is a common cause of spinal cord injury in dogs and currently there is no proven medical treatment to counter secondary injury effects. Use of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) or polyethylene glycol (PEG) as neuroprotectants is advocated but controversial because neither treatment has been tested in placebo‐controlled, randomized, blinded trials in dogs.HypothesisPolyethylene glycol will improve the outcome of severe spinal cord injury caused by IVDH compared to MPSS or placebo.AnimalsClient‐owned dogs with acute onset of thoracolumbar IVDH causing paralysis and loss of nociception for <24 hours.MethodsDogs were randomized to receive MPSS, PEG, or placebo; drugs appeared identical and group allocation was masked. Drug administration was initiated once the diagnosis of IVDH was confirmed and all dogs underwent hemilaminectomy. Neurologic function was assessed 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively using an open field gait score (OFS) as the primary outcome measure. Outcomes were compared by the Wilcoxon rank sum test.ResultsSixty‐three dogs were recruited and 47.6% recovered ambulation. 17.5% developed progressive myelomalacia but there was no association with group. There was no difference in OFS among groups. Although full study power was not reached, conditional power analyses indicated the futility of continued case recruitment.ConclusionsThis clinical trial did not show a benefit of either MPSS or PEG in the treatment of acute, severe thoracolumbar IVDH when used as adjunctive medical treatment administered to dogs presenting within 24 hours of onset of paralysis.

Dysautonomia was diagnosed in 11 young (median age, 14-months), predominantly medium-to large-breed dogs from 1988 to 1995. Clinical signs caused by autonomic dysfunction of the urinary, alimentary, and ocular systems were most common. Dysuria, mydriasis, absence of pupillary light reflexes, decreased tear production, dry mucous membranes, weight loss, and decreased anal tone were present in over 75% of affected dogs. Ocular pharmacological testing with a dilute (0.1%) solution of pilocarpine was used to demonstrate iris sphincter receptor function in all dogs. A low-dose 10.0375 mglkg SC) bethanechol test and pharmacological ysautonomia is a general term for dysfunction of the D autonomic nervous system. It can be secondary to other systemic or neurological diseases,'-6 but primary dysautonomias are relatively rare in both people and animals. Equine dysautonomia (grass sickness) is the most common of the dysautonomias in animals and was described in horses in the British Isles during the early twentieth centu~-y.~-~ Dysautonomia has since been reported in nondomestic equines and in wild European hares.''-'' Dysautonomia was described in cats in the United Kingdom in 1982.''-15 Additional affected cats, were later identified throughout Europe, Scandinavia, New Zealand, and the United States.''-*' The first case of canine dysautonomia was reported in England in 1983." Since then, 9 other dogs with dysautonomia have been reported from Scotland:' Belgium,".25 Nor~ay:~,'~ and France?' In 1991, a dog with suspected dysautonomia was reported in the United States, but the diagnosis was not confirmed histol~gically.~~ The purpose of this report is to describe and correlate the clinical and pathological findings associated with this neurological disorder, describe diagnostic tests of the autonomic nervous system that are helpful in obtaining an antemortern diagnosis of dysautonomia, and compare canine dysautonomia with other known dysautonomias in animals. Patients and MethodsTen of the 11 dogs studied were presented to the University of Missouri for evaluation of autonomic dysfunction ( Table 1). Physical and neurological examinations, and ocular pharmacological testing were performed by the authors in these 10 dogs. Dog 3 died before referral, and for this patient the results of the physical and neurological examinations and of ocular pharmacological testing obtained by the referring veterinarian were recorded. Necropsies were performed at the University of Missouri on all 11 dogs. Electrocardiographic, radiographic, clinicopathologic, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, and ultrasonographic findings were reviewed when available. Cisternal CSF was analyzed for total nucleated cell count, RBC, protein concentration, Pandy reaction, and color and transparency prior to and after centrifugation.Physiological and pharmacological testing was performed in patients prior to euthanasia or death. One to 2 drops of a 0. so that urinary bladder distention was subjectively quantified ultrasonographically before and after voluntary ...

The primary study objective was to determine whether clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can underestimate canine gliomatosis cerebri (GC); we also investigated immunohistochemical features. Seven dogs with GC were studied; four recruited specifically because of minimal MRI changes. Neuroanatomic localization and the distribution of MRI, gross and sub-gross lesions were compared with the actual histological distribution of neoplastic cells. In six cases, clinical examination predicted focal disease and MRI demonstrated a single lesion or appeared normal. Neoplastic cells infiltrated many regions deemed normal by clinical examination and MRI, and were Olig2-positive and glial fibrillary acid protein-negative. Four dogs had concurrent gliomas. GC is a differential diagnosis for dogs with focal neurological deficits and a normal MRI or a focal MRI lesion. Canine GC is probably mainly oligodendrocytic. Type II GC, a solid glioma accompanying diffuse central nervous system neoplastic infiltration, occurs in dogs as in people.

Postoperative changes of the caudal border of the CTM reflex are an early indicator of outcome in dogs with severe acute IVDE. Cranial movement of the CTM reflex is significantly associated with the development of ascending myelomalacia. Caudal movement is significantly associated with improvement, but not associated with a long-term successful outcome.

A 6-year-old 5.5-kg female spayed domestic short-haired From the Veterinary Neurological Center, Phoenix, AZ. Dr Longshore is presently affiliated with Gulf Coast Veterinary Surgery, Houston, TX.