To assess the feasibility and outcome of pedicle screw implantation on sixth lumbar vertebral body fractures.Materials and MethOds: Dogs with sixth lumbar vertebral body fractures stabilised using L6 and L7 (±L5) pedicular implantation via a dorsal approach preferentially and conventional vertebral body implantation otherwise were reviewed. Coaptation was made with bone cement. Complete neurological examination, pre and postoperative imaging consistent with L6 body fracture (radiographs ± CT scan) and follow up including clinical examination and radiographs 3 to 5 weeks post-operatively were required as inclusion criteria. When available, owner interview and/or clinical examination and imaging (radiographs ± CT scan) at least 1 year after surgery were reported.results: Five dogs met the inclusion criteria. Dorsal pedicle screws implantation was feasible in all L7 vertebrae and in four L6 vertebrae. Adequate implantation was observed in all of the post-operative radiographs and on all of the three CT scans available. At 3 to 6 weeks after surgery, neurological status and locomotion were normal in four dogs, while one dog suffering from severe sciatic neuropathy did not regain normal locomotion. At least 1 year after surgery, clinical outcome was excellent for four dogs and imaging by radiography and CT scan were available for three dogs and showed complete healing of the fracture and correct positioning of the implants. The dog suffering from sciatic neuropathy had a further trauma and was euthanased 7 weeks after the surgery. clinical significance: In this case series, pedicle screw implantation achieved stabilisation of L6 vertebral body fractures, with full recovery observed in four out of five dogs. Further studies are required to confirm the safety and the effectiveness of this intervention.

Case summary An 18-month-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat was presented with a 2-month history of collapse and severe weakness, particularly affecting the pelvic limbs. A biceps femoris muscle biopsy revealed excessive variability in myofibre size, mild necrosis, minimal centronucleation and scattered 10 μm intracytoplasmic oval inclusions. The inclusions appeared amphophilic with haematoxylin and eosin, blue with Gomori trichrome and unstained with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase tetrazolium reductase staining. ATPase staining revealed a normal mosaic pattern and atrophy of both type 1 and 2 myofibres. The pathological diagnosis was a myopathy with inclusions. In contrast to previous feline myofibre inclusions previously reported in the literature, inclusions were not identified after immunohistochemistry using anti-desmin, tubulin, spectrin, laminin, LAMP and LC3 antibodies. After supportive care and corticosteroid treatment, clinical improvement was noted and the cat was discharged 10 days after initial presentation. Clinical and neurological re-examinations were performed at 1, 3, 6 and 9 months after discharge. Owner contact at both 10 and 30 months post-discharge confirmed that persistent muscular weakness was present. Relevance and novel information This case report describes a novel and slowly progressive feline myopathy associated with oval amphophilic inclusions unreactive to immunostaining, which have not been previously reported in feline myopathies.