Medical records of 144 small-breed dogs (< or =15 kg) and 46 medium- to large-breed dogs (>15 kg) with surgically confirmed, Hansen type I, cervical intervertebral disk extrusions were reviewed. The most common clinical presentation was cervical hyperesthesia. The most common sites affected were the second (C(2)) to third (C(3)) cervical intervertebral disk space in small-breed dogs and the sixth (C(6)) to seventh (C(7)) cervical intervertebral disk space in the larger dogs. Following surgery, 99% of the dogs had resolution of cervical hyperesthesia and were able to ambulate unassisted. Seven (4%) dogs required a second surgery; four of these were large-breed dogs.

For dogs with CSM at a single level, the use of a spinal locking plate in combination with a cortical ring allograft can be an effective surgical treatment. Costs of the implants as well as anatomic differences in dogs make this type of surgery less appealing.

Sex-linked muscular dystrophy associated with dystrophin deficiency has been reported in several breeds of dogs and is best characterized in the golden retriever. In this case report, a young, male Labrador retriever with dystrophin-deficient muscular dystrophy is presented. Clinical signs included generalized weakness, lingual hypertrophy, and dysphagia. Electromyographic abnormalities including complex repetitive discharges were present. Serum creatine kinase concentration was dramatically elevated. Histopathological changes within a muscle biopsy specimen confirmed a dystrophic myopathy, and dystrophin deficiency was demonstrated by immunohistochemical staining. While X-linked muscular dystrophy has not previously been reported in the Labrador retriever, a hereditary myopathy with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance has been characterized. A correct diagnosis and classification of these two disorders are critical for breeders and owners since both the mode of inheritance and the prognosis differ.

Data were consistent with results of experimental rodent spinal cord injury studies that indicate that MMP-9 is expressed early during secondary injury.

A modified lateral approach to the cervical spine can be successfully used in dogs of all sizes to treat caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy, other anomalous conditions of the cervical spine, intervertebral disc disease, and spinal neoplasms. Although long-term follow-up was not available for all patients, outcomes were generally favorable.

The objective of this study was to describe the pharmacokinetics (PK) of cytarabine (CA) after subcutaneous (SC) administration to dogs with meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown etiology (MUE). Twelve dogs received a single SC dose of CA at 50 mg/m as part of treatment of MUE. A sparse sampling technique was used to collect four blood samples from each dog from 0 to 360 min after administration. All dogs were concurrently receiving prednisone (0.5-2 mg kg day ). Plasma CA concentrations were measured by HPLC, and pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling (NLME). Plasma drug concentrations ranged from 0.05 to 2.8 μg/ml. The population estimate (CV%) for elimination half-life and Tmax of cytarabine in dogs was 1.09 (21.93) hr and 0.55 (51.03) hr, respectively. The volume of distribution per fraction absorbed was 976.31 (10.85%) ml/kg. Mean plasma concentration of CA for all dogs was above 1.0 μg/ml at the 30-, 60-, 90-, and 120-min time points. In this study, the pharmacokinetics of CA in dogs with MUE after a single 50 mg/m SC injection in dogs was similar to what has been previously reported in healthy beagles; there was moderate variability in the population estimates in this clinical population of dogs.

Nasopharyngeal polyps are non-neoplastic masses, originating from the mucosa of the nasopharynx, the tympanic bulla or the Eustachian tube. Inflammatory polyps extending into the tympanic bulla cavity are a common cause of otitis media in cats. In dogs, however, occurrence of middle ear polyps has rarely been reported. The present report describes the findings of the clinical examination, diagnostic imaging and histopathological appraisal of a ten year old male dog with an inflammatory middle ear polyp arising from the mucosa of the Eus-tachian tube. Clinically, the dog displayed a peripheral vestibular syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a hyperintense soft tissue mass filling the right middle ear cavity. Following ventral bulla osteotomy, a polypoid growth with a stalk arising from the auditory tube was surgically excised from the tympanic bulla. Histologically, the polyp was composed of a fibrous connective tissue stroma with discreet infiltration of inflammatory cells and an overlying surface layer of partially ulcerated respiratory epithelium. Similarities and differences between the histological appearance of the present case and the few previously reported records of canine middle ear polyps are discussed, along with a comparative review of etiological, pathogenetic and therapeutic aspects of middle ear polyps in cats and dogs

Objective Identify acceptable implant corridors in the normal canine thoracic vertebrae (T) from T1 to T9. Study Design Retrospective study. Sample Population Computed tomographic (CT) studies of normal canine thoracic spines (n = 39). Methods CT imaging studies of normal T1‐T9 canine spines were evaluated by five independent observers. Each identified a proposed corridor, measured the width, length, and angle off mid‐sagittal that the corridor occupied. Results CT studies were from 39 dogs weighing 3.19–60 kg (mean 10.72, SD 9.9 kg). Vertebral corridors ranged in average width from 3.8 to 5.2 mm, the widest being located at T1. They ranged in average length from 13.3 to 17.5 mm, shortest being T1 and longest being T6. The angle of corridors varied the most between individual vertebrae at T1‐T3. The average corridor angles were: T1 = 38°, T2 = 32°, T3 = 27°, T4 = 26°. T5‐T9 angle ranged from 23° to 24°. Conclusion The average dimensions of corridors measured in dogs weighing 3.1–60 kg were consistent with those of commercially available cortical screws and pins. Clinical Significance Corridor trajectories identified in this population can be achieved from a dorsal approach between T5 and T9. A dorsal approach for implant placement would be challenging for T1‐T4 due to the variability found in these vertebrae as well as regional anatomical constraints.