Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate if a combination of discrete clinical characteristics can be used to identify the most likely differential diagnoses in cats with spinal disease. Methods Two hundred and twenty-one cats referred for further evaluation of spinal disease were included and categorised as follows: non-lymphoid neoplasia (n = 44); intervertebral disc disease (n = 42); fracture/luxation (n = 34); ischaemic myelopathy (n = 22); feline infectious peritonitis virus myelitis (n = 18); lymphoma (n = 16); thoracic vertebral canal stenosis (n = 11); acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion (n = 11); traumatic spinal cord contusion (n = 8); spinal arachnoid diverticula (n = 7); lumbosacral stenosis (n = 5); and spinal empyema (n = 3). Information retrieved from the medical records included signalment, clinical history and clinical presentation. Univariate analyses of variables (clinical history, breed, age, sex, general physical examination findings, onset, progression, spinal hyperaesthesia, asymmetry, ambulatory status and neuroanatomical location) were performed, and variables were retained in a multivariate logistic regression model if P <0.05. Results Multivariate logistic regression revealed that intervertebral disc disease most often occurred in middle-aged, purebred cats with a normal general physical examination and an acute onset of painful and progressive clinical signs. Ischaemic myelopathy occurred most often in older cats with a stable or improving, non-painful, lateralising, C6–T2 myelopathy. Spinal fracture/luxation occurred most often in younger cats and resulted most often in a peracute onset, painful, non-ambulatory neurological status. Concurrent systemic abnormalities or abnormal findings detected on general physical examination were significantly associated with feline infectious peritonitis virus myelitis, spinal lymphoma or spinal empyema. Conclusions and relevance This study suggests that using easily identifiable characteristics from the history and clinical examination can assist in obtaining a preliminary differential diagnosis when evaluating cats with spinal disease. This information could aid veterinary practitioners in clinical decision-making.

The age associated decline in immune function is preceded in mammals by a reduction in thymic output. Furthermore, there is increasing evidence of a link between immune competence and lifespan. One approach to determining thymic output is to quantify signal joint T cell receptor excision circles (sj-TRECs), a method which has been developed and used in several mammalian species. Life expectancy and the rate of aging vary in dogs depending upon their breed. In this study, we quantified sj-TRECs in blood samples from dogs of selected breeds to determine whether there was a relationship between longevity and thymic output. In Labrador retrievers, a breed with a median expected lifespan of 11 years, there was an age-associated decline in sj-TREC values, with the greatest decline occurring before 5 years of age, but with sj-TREC still detectable in some geriatric animals, over 13 years of age. In large short-lived breeds (Burnese mountain dogs, Great Danes and Dogue de Bordeaux), the decline in sj-TREC values began earlier in life, compared with small long-lived breeds (Jack Russell terriers and Yorkshire terriers), and the presence of animals with undetectable sj-TRECs occurred at a younger age in the short-lived breeds. The study findings suggest that age-associated changes in canine sj-TRECs are related to breed differences in longevity, and this research highlights the use of dogs as a potential model of immunosenescence.

Objective French Bulldogs are predisposed to humeral condylar fractures. Computed tomography (CT) in English Springer Spaniel elbows has allowed identification of humeral intracondylar fissures (HIF), which can cause lameness and predispose to condylar fractures. This study aimed to evaluate CT characteristics of non-lame French Bulldog elbows, to determine the presence of underlying elbow disease. Study Design Retrospective evaluation of CT images from elbows of non-lame French Bulldogs from scans obtained for soft tissue or neurological evaluation was performed. Images were evaluated for the presence of HIF and other elbow abnormalities: condylar and supracondylar remodelling, humeral condylar sclerosis, elbow incongruency, medial coronoid process disease and elbow osteoarthritis. Descriptive statistics were performed. Results Computed tomographic scans from 37 dogs (74 elbows) were reviewed. No HIF were identified, although 28/74 elbows had an intracondylar sclerotic band. Medial coronoid process disease was noted in 16/74 elbows, and small osteophytes were present in 21/74 elbows, suggesting a degree of subclinical elbow disease. Widening of the caudolateral aspect of the radial incisure was identified (37/74) as a breed normal. Elbow incongruency was otherwise rare. Conclusion Non-lame French Bulldogs showed a low prevalence of occult elbow disease but a proportion had radial incisure widening. Although humeral intracondylar sclerosis was present in over a third of dogs, no HIF were identified and therefore no clear cause for their increased risk of humeral condylar fracture was identified.