Objectives This study aimed to test the extensor carpi radialis and cranial tibial reflexes in cats before and after anesthetic block of the brachial and lumbosacral plexus, respectively, to determine whether they depend on a myotatic reflex arc. Methods Fifty-five cats with a normal neurologic examination that were referred for elective gonadectomy were divided into group 1 (29 cats) for testing the extensor carpi radialis reflex, and group 2 (26 cats) for testing the cranial tibial reflex. In group 1, the extensor carpi radialis reflex was tested after anesthetic induction and 15 mins after brachial plexus block with lidocaine. In group 2, the cranial tibial, withdrawal and patellar reflexes were elicited in 52 hindlimbs and retested 15 mins after epidural anesthesia. Results In group 1, before the anesthetic block, 55.17% of the cats had a decreased and 44.83% had a normal extensor carpi radialis reflex. After the block, 68.96% showed a decreased and 27.59% a normal reflex. No cat had an increased or absent reflex before anesthetic block. In group 2, prior to the anesthetic block, 15.38% of the cats had a decreased cranial tibial reflex and 84.62% had a normal response, whereas after the block it was decreased in 26.92% and normal in 73.08% of the cats. None of the cats had an increased or absent reflex. Regarding the presence of both reflexes before and after anesthetic block, there was no significant difference at 1% ( P = 0.013). Conclusions and relevance The extensor carpi radialis and cranial tibial reflexes in cats are not strictly myotatic reflexes, as they are independent of the reflex arc, and may be idiomuscular responses. Therefore, they are not reliable for neurologic examination in this species.

The objective of this study was to compare waveforms obtained with a new device for the non-invasive monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) in dogs with and without neurological disease. Materials and MethOds:This prospective study was conducted on both neurologically normal dogs and dogs with neurological diseases. First, non-invasive ICP waveforms were recorded in normal dogs using the Braincare® BcMM 2000 monitor while the dogs were under general anaesthesia induced for procedures unrelated to this study. The dogs were positioned in lateral recumbency, and the sensor was placed over the skin of the parietal region. Secondly, non-invasive ICP waveforms were monitored in dogs with brain and spinal disease until waveforms with characteristic peaks were acquired. All the recorded signals were amplified, filtered and digitalized, by the device, and then transferred to a computer for analysis.results: Normal pulse waveforms indicating normal brain complacency were observed in eight neurologically normal dogs. In six dogs with brain disease, abnormal pulse waveforms were observed suggesting increased ICP and decreased brain complacency. Four dogs with spinal disease undergoing myelography, had normal waveforms before contrast medium injection and abnormal pulse waveforms during contrast medium injection, indicating a potential increase in ICP. clinical significance: Based on these preliminary observations, this method was capable of detecting abnormal pulse waveforms that suggested increased ICP.

Spinal cord trauma induced by ballistic projectiles is considered uncommon in domestic animals, particularly in cats. Outdoor, and indoor-outdoor cats are at greater risk of receiving gunshot wounds. Despite their small size, moderate speed and poor aerodynamic design, projectiles from compressed air guns (pellet guns) can cause severe injury. Treatment and prognosis of animals presented with gun-related injuries can vary considerably, depending on the affected spinal segment location of the lesions, and extent of tissue damage. Due to the unusual occurrence, of this type of trauma in feline patients, the goal of this report is to describe the neurologic, radiographic, and surgical findings in five cats with spinal injury secondary to air gun projectiles.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar o número de discos intervertebrais da coluna toracolombar mineralizados em cães jovens da raça Dachshund, que receberam ou não suplementação com sulfatos de condroitina, glicosaminoglicanos e manganês. Vinte filhotes de quatro meses de idade foram divididos em dois grupos de dez, sendo a seguir submetidos a dois protocolos de tratamento durante 240 dias. Grupo nutracêutico (GN) recebeu um tablete, ao dia, por via oral, contendo nutracêuticos e excipientes. Grupo controle (GC) recebeu um tablete, ao dia, por via oral, contendo os mesmos excipientes do GN. Imagens tomográficas foram obtidas nos momentos zero e após oito meses de tratamento. O percentual de animais classificados com mineralização foi mais elevado no GC quando comparados com GN (64,3% x 44,3%), diferença esta que para a margem de erro fixada (5%) se mostra significativa entre os grupos em relação à presença de mineralização (p < 0,05 risco relativo igual a 1,45 com intervalo que exclui o valor 1,00). No GN as maiores frequências de mineralização ocorreram no disco intervertebral T09-10 (70,0%), T11-12 e T13-L1 (50,0%) e, no GC, T09-10 (90,0%) e T10-11 (80,0%). Pode-se concluir que a administração da associação de manganês, sulfatos de condroitina e glicosamina, durante o primeiro ano de vida, em cães da raça Dachshund Miniatura, diminuiu o número de mineralizações discais na coluna toracolombar.

Background: Traumatic abdominal hernias result from trauma which causes muscular and fascia rupture, with dislocation of viscera into the subcutaneous space without perforation of the skin. Paracostal eventration, occurs due to avulsion of the abdominal external oblique and abdominal transverse muscles from their insertion point at the ribs, resulting in dislocation of the abdominal viscera into the subcutaneous region, lateral to the abdominal wall; however, there are few reports in the literature describing this type of lesion in dogs, especially when the herniated content is a gravid uterus. The purpose of this paper is to report a case of traumatic paracostal hernia of a pregnant uterus in a dog.Case: A 2-year-old pregnant bitch weighing 8.9 kg was presented with a sudden increase in abdominal volume lateral to the left thoracic wall which, according to the owner, started after the dog was hit by a car. On physical examination, the dog had a greenish vaginal secretion and the increased volume on the left paracostal region mentioned above. Laboratory exams showed normocytic normochromic anemia, slight leukocytosis without a shift, and a discreet increase in creatinine, urea, and alanine aminotransferase. Abdominal radiographs showed a lack of continuity of the left abdominal muscle wall, with passage of the uterine horn into the subcutaneous space lateral to the rib cage. After stabilization of the patient with fluid therapy and analgesia, the bitch was anesthetized with propofol intravenously, and maintained with isoflurane diluted in oxygen. Cephazolin was administered intravenously 30 min prior to the surgery as prophylactic antibiotic therapy. An exploratory celiotomy was then performed, where a defect in the internal and external oblique abdominal muscles and transverse abdominal muscle was observed at their point of origin and insertion at the thirteenth rib. The left uterine artery and vein were also observed to be compromised, with several areas of hemorrhage noted on the left uterine horn. Surgical repair of the muscle defect was performed, anchoring the affected muscles to the rib. Ovariohysterectomy was performed after fetal death was confirmed. Patient recovery was uneventful after the procedure.Discussion: Paracostal eventration is the rarest type of herniation in small animals, and the fact that the uterus was dislocated in this case makes it even more atypical. A complete physical examination with special attention to the abdominal contour is extremely important in patients that have suffered trauma. The most characteristic sign of paracostal eventration is the change in abdominal and thoracic wall contours, as observed in the present report. Exploratory surgery is recommended as quickly as possible and as soon as the patient is stable enough to be anesthetized since this is an acute eventration with a risk of incarceration of the affected organs. In the present case, because it was a pregnant uterus, there was the risk of organ rupture or toxemia due to fetal death, which could bring more complications to the patient; these risks justify a ovariohysterectomy. The transverse abdominal and external and internal oblique abdominal muscles were anchored onto the last rib, as described in the literature. In conclusion, diagnosis of a paracostal eventration was possible from the medical history, physical exam, imaging studies, as well as exploratory celiotomy to evaluate the extent of the muscular defect and visceral damage and also to allow surgical correction. Suture of the abdominal musculature with anchorage to the thirteenth rib was an effective treatment.