Aquatic Therapy in Companion Animal Rehabilitation

Advances in Small Animal Care · 2025-07-16 · 1 citations

Prognostic Utility of F-Waves in Paraplegic Dogs With Absent Pain Perception Secondary to Intervertebral Disc Extrusion

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine · 2025-04-11 · 1 citations

BACKGROUND: Approximately 50%-60% of paraplegic deep pain negative (DPN) dogs secondary to thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (TL-IVDE) recover ambulation after surgery. Mean F-wave duration has been associated with injury severity in TL-IVDE in dogs, but the relationship to outcome is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the prognostic utility of F-waves in DPN dogs secondary to TL-IVDE treated surgically. ANIMALS: Thirty client-owned, acutely paraplegic DPN dogs secondary to TL-IVDE were managed surgically. METHODS: Multi-center prospective and observational study. F-waves were performed at baseline (within 24 h post-operatively), 2-4 weeks and 3 months post-operatively. Outcome was categorized as successful or unsuccessful, with success defined as independent ambulation at 3 months post-operatively. F-wave variables were compared between dogs with a successful or unsuccessful outcome and over time using generalized estimating equations. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were generated for baseline F-wave variables. RESULTS: F-waves were well-tolerated in all dogs. Of 30 enrolled dogs, 12 dogs had a successful outcome, 10 dogs were unsuccessful, and 8 dogs were removed from outcome analysis (3 progressive myelomalacia, 1 severe spinal shock, 2 technical error, and 2 unknown outcome). Baseline mean F-wave duration (displayed as median (range)) was longer in unsuccessful dogs (31.7 (11.4-60.8) ms) versus successful dogs (19.6 (10.8-27.3) ms), p = 0.003. Mean F-wave duration > 28.5 ms was 70% sensitive (95% confidence interval (CI): 40%-100%) and 100% specific (95% CI: 100%-100%) in predicting an unsuccessful outcome. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: F-waves performed shortly post-operatively could aid in predicting outcomes in DPN dogs secondary to TL-IVDE treated surgically.

Disseminated Neospora caninum Encephalomyelitis and Myositis in a 3-Month-Old Cane Corso Puppy

Veterinary Sciences · 2024-11-06

We present a case of fatal disseminated neosporosis in a 3-month-old Cane Corso puppy. The puppy presented to the Purdue Veterinary Hospital emergency service with a 1-week history of progressive left hindlimb lameness. On presentation, the puppy was nonambulatory paraparetic. Signs progressed over two days to nonambulatory tetraparesis, and decreased to absent limb reflexes, cranial nerve deficits, and dull mentation. Blood work showed eosinophilia, elevated ALT, and extremely elevated creatine kinase at 36,000 IU/L (reference interval 22–491 IU/L). Two days after diagnostics were performed, the puppy experienced acute cardiac arrest, and the body was submitted for necropsy. At necropsy, skeletal muscle in all four limbs was diffusely pale tan. Tan streaks were disseminated through the diaphragm, abdominal wall, and myocardium. Histologically, Skeletal myocytes and cardiomyocytes were frequently degenerative, with abundant lymphohistiocytic inflammation and fibrosis. White matter within the brain and spinal cord was inflamed and contained frequent dilated myelin sheaths and spheroids. A few protozoal cysts were within the brain and skeletal myocytes. Antemortem antibody titers were positive for IgG against Neospora caninum (dilution titer of 1:4096, baseline 1:32), confirming protozoal cysts as Neospora caninum. Disseminated neosporosis is an uncommon but important clinical differential for ascending paresis in young dogs.

Rehabilitation and pain management for veterinary patients

2024-09-27

Harnessing the power of physical rehabilitation: a chapter of therapeutic insights. Exploring physical rehabilitation: your guide to pain relief. Discover the world of physical rehabilitation for pain relief in veterinary medicine. This chapter unveils practical techniques like massage, joint mobilization, stretching and range-of-motion exercises that are essential tools in managing pain. Delve deeper to understand physical agent methods that offer comfort. From warm and cold packs to therapeutic ultrasound, shockwave therapy and laser treatment, various options are explored. Electric stimulation, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, aquatic therapy and acupuncture also find their place. Learn who benefits most from physical rehab: those with orthopedic or neurologic conditions. Get a clear roadmap on applying these methods effectively for pain control. By the end of this chapter, you’ll be updated on the latest in physical rehab. You’ll have a practical toolkit, integrating these techniques with earlier chapters, to better manage and prevent pain in your furry patients.

Clinical Findings and Outcome in 30 Dogs with Presumptive or Confirmed Nerve Sheath Tumors

Veterinary Sciences · 2024-04-28 · 6 citations

Nerve sheath tumors (NSTs) are well-recognized primary nervous system tumors, but there is relatively limited information in dogs including comparison of NSTs in different anatomical locations. This retrospective study describes the clinical features and outcomes in a group of dogs with NSTs affecting the cranial nerves or spinal nerves. Thirty dogs were included, 25 with a presumptive diagnosis and five confirmed by histopathologic analysis. Seven dogs also had cytology of tumor samples, which were supportive of the NST diagnosis in four. Eight dogs had cranial nerve-associated NSTs, with six involving the trigeminal nerve. Twenty-two dogs had spinal nerve-associated NSTs including 13 invading the spinal canal and nine peripheral to the spinal canal, with the majority affecting nerves or nerve roots of the brachial plexus. The prognosis was poor, with dogs being euthanized eventually because of disease progression. Among dogs alive 1 week after diagnosis, the median survival time was 4 months but ranged from 2 weeks to >2 years. While there was a broad overlap between NST locations, survival was generally longer for dogs without spinal canal or intracranial involvement. The results expand available information on NSTs in dogs but should be interpreted with caution given the small number of dogs with a definitive diagnosis. Further investigation is warranted to determine how tumor location, invasiveness, and treatments pursued impact outcome.

Emergency Approach to Acute Seizures in Dogs and Cats

Veterinary Sciences · 2024 · 19 citations

• Medicine
• Intensive care medicine
• Pediatrics

Seizures are a common presentation seen in small animal practices. Seizures require prompt management including initial interventions for triage, stabilization, and treatment with first-line anticonvulsant (AC) drugs like benzodiazepines. Concurrently, ruling out metabolic or extracranial causes with point-of-care diagnostics can help guide further diagnostics and treatments. Analysis of the history and a physical exam are also necessary to rule out common "look-alikes" that require specific diagnostic workup and treatments. Typically, causes of seizures can be grouped into intracranial and extracranial causes, with the latter being easier to diagnose with commonly available tests. This review presents a systematic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of single seizures, cluster seizures, and status epilepticus in dogs and cats.

Acupuncture and herbal therapies for pain management in small animals

2024-09-27

Unlocking the world of acupuncture and herbal therapies for pain relief: a chapter of insights. With roots tracing back centuries, acupuncture has seamlessly woven itself into both human and animal healthcare. In the past decade, it's gained a steadfast foothold as a routine treatment for our beloved companions. Within these pages, we embark on a journey to unravel the essence of acupuncture, unraveling its intricacies in the realm of companion animals. Two distinctive pathways emerge in acupuncture—traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western or medical acupuncture. TCM, steeped in holistic principles, embraces the harmony of energy and balance, while the Western approach, firmly anchored in linear logic, views it through a mechanistic lens. Venturing deeper, we dive into the varied facets of acupuncture techniques. From dry-needle methods to the electrifying realm of electroacupuncture and the precision of laser acupuncture, this chapter paints a vivid canvas. The exploration continues by spotlighting moxibustion, the art of gold-bead implantation and the gentle practice of acupressure. Real-world application takes center stage as we journey through a table offering point selections for common pain conditions. But that's not all—our exploration unfurls further into the herbal realm. Herbal therapies and their combinations, each bearing analgesic potential, carve a prominent presence. As the chapter concludes, a panoramic vista of knowledge awaits. Readers emerge equipped with insights into the diverse dimensions of acupuncture, herbal therapies, and the symphony of their combined prowess in curbing pain.

Management of neuropathic pain in dogs and cats

2024-09-27

Exploring the world of pain management, this book turns its attention to a crucial topic—neuropathic pain. After discussing the body's response to acute injuries and surgical trauma, this chapter focuses on a different kind of pain that lingers long after. It's called neuropathic pain, and it arises when regular pain signals go haywire. This chapter looks closely at what causes this kind of pain. It examines problems in the nerves outside the spinal cord, the spinal cord itself, the discs between the backbones and even the part of the brain called the thalamus. It also looks at how this pain can spread from one area to another. The chapter doesn’t stop there. It gives a clear list of common medicines and their right amounts to help with neuropathic pain. It also talks about medicines for everyday pain in dogs and cats. And if that wasn’t enough, it also talks about other ways to help with neuropathic pain that might not involve medicines. In a nutshell, this chapter is a quick but helpful guide to neuropathic pain. By the time you finish reading, you'll have a good idea about what neuropathic pain is and how to treat it.

Use of levetiracetam for the successful treatment of suspected myoclonic seizures: five dogs (2016‐2022)

Journal of Small Animal Practice · 2024-04-02 · 4 citations

OBJECTIVES: Myoclonic seizures are considered a type of generalised seizure characterised by brief, jerking movements of the body. The aim of this study is to describe cases of suspected canine myoclonic seizure of idiopathic aetiology and to discuss the successful use of the anticonvulsant levetiracetam as treatment in each of these cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dogs with epileptic myoclonus suspected to be idiopathic in aetiology were considered for inclusion. Medical records were reviewed for physical and neurologic examination findings, clinicopathologic results, and diagnostic imaging results. All included dogs were treated with levetiracetam, and their response was reported. RESULTS: Five dogs were included, all of which had suspected myoclonic seizures either observed in-person or on video recording by a board-certified veterinary neurologist. The duration of myoclonic seizures preceding treatment ranged from one day to one year. One dog also experienced a generalised tonic-clonic seizure. All dogs were treated with levetiracetam. Two dogs experienced long-term myoclonic seizure freedom (duration seizure-free of at least 1 year), and two dogs experienced marked decreased myoclonic seizure frequency. One dog experienced immediate abatement of myoclonic seizures, although levetiracetam was only utilised for 1 month following onset of myoclonic seizures in this patient. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Myoclonic seizures can be idiopathic in aetiology. Levetiracetam can be used effectively to rapidly stop myoclonic seizures and to decrease the frequency of myoclonic seizures.

Data from Vaccination for Invasive Canine Meningioma Induces <i>In Situ</i> Production of Antibodies Capable of Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity

2023-03-30

<div>Abstract<p>Malignant and atypical meningiomas are resistant to standard therapies and associated with poor prognosis. Despite progress in the treatment of other tumors with therapeutic vaccines, this approach has not been tested preclinically or clinically in these tumors. Spontaneous canine meningioma is a clinically meaningful but underutilized model for preclinical testing of novel strategies for aggressive human meningioma. We treated 11 meningioma-bearing dogs with surgery and vaccine immunotherapy consisting of autologous tumor cell lysate combined with toll-like receptor ligands. Therapy was well tolerated, and only one dog had tumor growth that required intervention, with a mean follow up of 585 days. IFN-γ–elaborating T cells were detected in the peripheral blood of 2 cases, but vaccine-induced tumor-reactive antibody responses developed in all dogs. Antibody responses were polyclonal, recognizing both intracellular and cell surface antigens, and HSP60 was identified as one common antigen. Tumor-reactive antibodies bound allogeneic canine and human meningiomas, showing common antigens across breed and species. Histologic analysis revealed robust infiltration of antibody-secreting plasma cells into the brain around the tumor in posttreatment compared with pretreatment samples. Tumor-reactive antibodies were capable of inducing antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity to autologous and allogeneic tumor cells. These data show the feasibility and immunologic efficacy of vaccine immunotherapy for a large animal model of human meningioma and warrant further development toward human trials. <i>Cancer Res; 73(10); 2987–97. ©2013 AACR</i>.</p></div>