Rationale Tick paralysis has not been reported in horses in North America. Clinical Findings Two American Miniature horses were examined for progressive weakness and recumbency. Numerous ticks ( Dermacentor variabilis ) were found on both horses. Horse 1 was recumbent (grade 5/5 gait deficit) on presentation, whereas Horse 2 was standing but ataxic (grade 4/5 gait deficit) and tetraparetic. Both horses had decreased tongue and tail muscle tone, and had normal spinal reflexes. Cerebrospinal fluid cytology was normal. Equine herpesvirus‐1 testing was negative. Pertinent Interventions Ticks were removed within 24 hours of presentation. Both horses were treated topically with permethrin. Supportive care included fluid therapy, treatment for corneal ulceration, and frequent repositioning during recumbency. Outcome Within 48 hours of tick removal, both horses were neurologically normal. Clinical Relevance Ours is the first reported case of presumptive tick paralysis in horses in North America. Although rare, tick paralysis should be considered in horses presented with acute‐onset weakness progressing to recumbency.

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An 18-year-old Hanoverian mare was referred to the North Carolina State University Veterinary Hospital for removal of an intraabdominal mass after an initial assessment for a 6-month history of stallion-like behavior, including increased kicking, striking, biting, and bucking when riding. Rectal palpation and ultrasound revealed a large multicystic mass in the region of the right ovary. Physical exam

Background The diagnosis of neoplastic cavitary effusions requires the identification of neoplastic cells in effusions, yet the cytologic appearance of neoplastic effusions can be highly variable due to the varied mechanisms of formation. Additional parameters might aid in the interpretation of equivocal cytologic results. Objectives Our goal was to evaluate whether total protein concentrations can be used to support the diagnosis of neoplasia in the peritoneal and pleural effusions of dogs with lower cellularities (≤5000 nucleated cells/μL). Methods Pleural and peritoneal fluid analyses from dogs presented to the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 2014 and 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. Effusions were categorized as neoplastic or non‐neoplastic based on histology or cytology. Non‐neoplastic effusions were subcategorized according to mechanism: decreased oncotic pressure, increased hydrostatic pressure, increased vascular permeability, leakage of urine, and leakage of lymph. The TP and blood albumin to fluid TP ratio (Albblood:TPfluid) were compared among groups. Results Twenty‐seven neoplastic and 65 non‐neoplastic cases were evaluated. TP was higher in the neoplastic group (P = .001) than in the non‐neoplastic group. Neoplastic effusions had a lower Albblood:TPfluid than non‐neoplastic (P = .001), and effusions with Albblood:TPfluid of ≤0.6 were 5.6 times more likely to be neoplastic (95% CI 1.69–17.36; P = .003). Conclusions Fluid TP concentrations were significantly greater in neoplastic than non‐neoplastic effusions; however, given the considerable overlap between groups, the diagnostic utility of this difference is low. A neoplastic etiology might be more likely in cases with an Albblood:TPfluid ≤0.6.

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