The epidemiology of inflammatory diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS) in dogs is largely unknown. We aimed to report the relative proportion of different causes of inflammatory disease affecting the CNS in dogs and identify predictors for infectious vs. immune-mediated conditions and predictors for the most common diseases affecting the brain and the spinal cord. This was a retrospective cohort study over a 10-year period in 2 referral institutions using multivariable and multinomial logistic regression for identification of risk factors. In total, 1,140 client-owned dogs diagnosed with inflammatory disease affecting the CNS were included. Fifteen different diagnoses were identified, with immune-mediated (83.6%) disease being more common than infectious conditions (16.4%). The most common immune-mediated conditions diagnosed were meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (47.5%) and steroid-responsive meningitis–arteritis (30.7%), and the most common infectious conditions were discospondylitis (9.3%) and otogenic intracranial infection (2.2%). Older age (p < 0.001, OR = 1.019, 95% CI: 1.014–1.024), higher body weight (p < 0.001, OR = 1.049, 95% CI: 1.025–1.074), male sex (p = 0.009, OR = 1.685, 95% CI: 1.141–2.488), longer duration of the clinical signs before presentation (p < 0.001, OR = 1.011, 95% CI: 1.006–1.017), progressive nature of the clinical signs (p < 0.001, OR = 2.295, 95% CI: 1.463–3.599), identification of a possibly associated preceding event (p = 0.0012, OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.159–3.213), and hyperesthesia on presentation (p < 0.001, OR = 2.303, 95% CI: 1.528–3.473) were associated with a diagnosis of infectious diseases. Our data shows that immune-mediated diseases are more common than infectious conditions as a cause for inflammatory CNS disease in dogs. The risk factors for the most common diagnoses were identified from signalment, history, and findings of the physical and neurological examinations to give valuable information that can guide clinicians with their investigations.

Background Non‐traumatic spinal cord hemorrhage (NTSH) is an uncommon cause of myelopathy in dogs. Objectives Describe the clinical characteristics, concurrent medical conditions and underlying causes, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and outcome in dogs with NTSH. Animals Dogs diagnosed with NTSH using gradient echo T2‐weighted (GRE) sequences with or without histopathological confirmation of hemorrhage were included. Dogs with a traumatic cause were excluded, including those with compressive intervertebral disc extrusion. Methods Retrospective descriptive study; the databases of 2 referral hospitals were searched between 2013 and 2021. Results Twenty‐three dogs met inclusion criteria. The onset of signs was acute and progressive in 70% of cases; spinal hyperesthesia was variable (48%). Hemorrhage was identified in the thoracolumbar spinal segments in 65% of dogs. An underlying cause was identified in 65% of cases. Angiostrongylus vasorum represented 18% of the total cohort, followed by steroid‐responsive meningitis arteritis (SRMA; 13%). Overall, 64% of dogs had a good or excellent outcome, regardless of cause; which was increased to 100% for SRMA, 75% for A. vasorum and 75% for idiopathic NTSH. Outcome was not associated with neurological severity. Recovery rate was 67% and 50% for nociception‐intact and nociception‐negative dogs, respectively. Conclusions Larger prospective studies would be required to define prognostic factors for dogs with NTSH, but outcome appeared to be most influenced by the underlying cause, as opposed to neurological severity at presentation.

To describe the clinical presentation, imaging findings and histopathology of three cats with limited dorsal myeloschisis.

No abstract

A 4-year-old, female, neutered, domestic shorthair cat presented with a 5-day history of progressive inappetence, obtundation, vestibular ataxia and tetraparesis. Neurological examination findings on presentation were consistent with a multifocal localisation (central vestibular with cerebellar involvement). Magnetic resonance imaging of the head showed diffuse brain parenchymal swelling, foramen magnum herniation, diffuse meningeal contrast enhancement and lymphadenopathy (enlargement and marked contrast enhancement of the parotid, mandibular and medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes). Fine-needle aspirates of the retropharyngeal and prescapular lymph nodes showed macrophagic and eosinophilic inflammation with multiple yeast organisms on cytology, consistent with Cryptococcus spp. The cat suffered a cardiopulmonary arrest following diagnosis, suspected secondary to severe brainstem compression. The findings emphasise that systemic cryptococcosis can cause severe clinical signs, including presumptive central nervous system dysfunction, as in this cat. Furthermore, this case adds to the limited descriptions of neurological presentations and imaging findings associated with cryptococcosis in companion animals in the United Kingdom. BACKGROUNDThis case report describes the clinical presentation, imaging findings and outcome of a cat diagnosed with multifocal Cryptococcus spp. infection with suspected central nervous system (CNS) involvement. While rarely reported in the United Kingdom, mycotic disease could be considered as a differential diagnosis in cats presenting with progressive multifocal neurological signs. A diagnosis of cryptococcosis was obtained by peripheral lymph node cytology in a cat with no known history of travel outside the United Kingdom.

No abstract

Case series summary The aim of this case series was to describe the clinical presentation, imaging findings and histopathology of three cats with limited dorsal myeloschisis (LDM). The history, examination and MRI sequences were reviewed in three cases presented to a single referral hospital. The surgery report and histopathology were described in two cases. All cats were young (10 weeks old, 5 months old, 4 years old), presenting with varying degrees of progressive paraparesis. All had a midline skin defect overlying the spinal column that was either sunken or saccular, containing fluid thought to be cerebrospinal fluid. MRI sequences demonstrated tissue extending from the dura through an overlying bifid spinous process and attached to the dermis, with associated spinal cord tethering, atrophy and syringomyelia. Lesions were located at L2–L3, T8–T9 and L4. Histopathology described a fibroneural stalk with a glio-ependymal lining, surrounded by glial nests and nerve fibres. The youngest and most severely affected was euthanased, while the other two underwent surgery. Both regained independent ambulation with persistent paraparesis; however, one required ongoing management of urinary incontinence. Relevance and novel information LDM is a primary neural tube defect that may result in neurological deficits, including bladder dysfunction, and is characterised by a fibroneural stalk between the dermis and the spinal cord. Distinct MRI features, such as a visible intrathecal tract, dorsally tethered cord and syringomyelia, help distinguish this condition from the clinically similar dermoid sinus. The presence of progressive neurological signs, with a palpable midline defect overlying the affected spinal cord segment, may raise suspicion for this clinical entity in veterinary patients.

No abstract