Preliminary evaluation of a non-invasive device for monitoring intracranial pressure waveforms in dogs.

OBJECTIVES: 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.

Total vertebrectomy for stabilisation of chronic spinal lumbar luxation in a paraplegic dog without nociception.

An adult male crossbred dog was referred with a history of a road traffic accident that took place 1 month earlier. Neurological examination revealed paraplegia with absent nociception in the pelvic limbs. On epaxial palpation, significant curvature of the anatomical axis of the spine between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae was observed, with the presence of a bone end almost piercing the dog's skin. Survey radiographs of the lumbar spine revealed severe dislocation between L3 and L4 vertebrae. During surgery, the spinal cord was not visible between the dislocated segments. Because of difficulties in reducing the lumbar luxation during surgery, vertebrectomy and vertebral shortening were performed. After alignment between vertebrae L3 and L5, eight cortical orthopaedic screws and bone cement were used for fixation. After 30 days, the dog started to use a wheelchair and was considered by its owner to have a good quality of life with no evidence of pain. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of severe luxation treated by total vertebrectomy and spine shortening in a dog. This surgery can be considered as an option in the management of severe spine luxation when the spinal cord is physically transected.

Mucopolysaccharidosis in dog report of two cases / Mucopolissacaridose em cão Relato de dois casos

Mucopolissacaridoses são um grupo de afecções hereditárias do armazenamento lisossomal, causada por deficiência de hidrolases lisossomais, necessárias para a degradação das glicosaminoglicanas. Neste relato são escritos dois casos de mucopolissacaridose em cães: Um cão macho, Pitbull, de 60 dias, foi atendido devido à dificuldade de locomoção com os quatro membros e aumento de volume articular. No exame clínico constatou-se aumento de volume e deformidades em articulações e pectus cavinatum. Nas radiografias do sistema esquelético observou-se disostose multiplex. O outro paciente, uma canina fêmea, Rottweiler, de oito meses, foi atendida devido à dificuldade progressiva de locomoção. No exame clínico constatou-se tetraplegia, opacidade corneal, aumento de volume em língua e deformidade em crânio. Para triagem de mucopolissacaridose, realizou-se na urina dosagem qualitativa e quantitativa de glicosaminoglicanos e ensaios enzimáticos no plasma para dosar a atividade de enzimas lisossômicas. Apesar da confirmação de mucopolissacaridose com os testes de triagem, não foi possível diferenciar entre os tipos II ou VI.(AU)

Mucopolysaccharidosis are a group of inherited lysosomal storage disorders caused by deficiency of lysosomal hydrolases needed for the stepwise degradation of glycosaminoglycans. In this report we describe two cases of mucopolysaccharidosis in dogs. A two-month-old male Pitbull was referred with difficulty in locomotion in four limbs and swelling in joints. Clinical examination showed increasing volume of articulations, bad limb angulations with ambulation difficulties and pectus cavinatum. Radiographical exams of the skeletal system showed dysostosis multiplex. The other dog was an eight-month-old female Rottweiler that was referred due to progressive difficulty in walking. Clinical examination showed tetraplegia, corneal opacities, enlarged tongue and skull deformities. For screening mucopolysaccharidosis, a qualitative and quantitative measurement of urinary glycosaminoglycans and plasma enzymatic assays to evaluate the activity of lysosomal enzymes were made in both dogs. Despite the confirmation of mucopolysaccharidosis with the screening tests, the type between II and VI could not be distinguished.(AU)

Mucopolysaccharidosis in dog – report of two cases / Mucopolissacaridose em cão – Relato de dois casos

Mucopolissacaridoses são um grupo de afecções hereditárias do armazenamento lisossomal, causada por deficiência de hidrolases lisossomais, necessárias para a degradação das glicosaminoglicanas. Neste relato são escritos dois casos de mucopolissacaridose em cães: Um cão macho, Pitbull, de 60 dias, foi atendido devido à dificuldade de locomoção com os quatro membros e aumento de volume articular. No exame clínico constatou-se aumento de volume e deformidades em articulações e pectus cavinatum. Nas radiografias do sistema esquelético observou-se disostose multiplex. O outro paciente, uma canina fêmea, Rottweiler, de oito meses, foi atendida devido à dificuldade progressiva de locomoção. No exame clínico constatou-se tetraplegia, opacidade corneal, aumento de volume em língua e deformidade em crânio. Para triagem de mucopolissacaridose, realizou-se na urina dosagem qualitativa e quantitativa de glicosaminoglicanos e ensaios enzimáticos no plasma para dosar a atividade de enzimas lisossômicas. Apesar da confirmação de mucopolissacaridose com os testes de triagem, não foi possível diferenciar entre os tipos II ou VI.

Mucopolysaccharidosis are a group of inherited lysosomal storage disorders caused by deficiency of lysosomal hydrolases needed for the stepwise degradation of glycosaminoglycans. In this report we describe two cases of mucopolysaccharidosis in dogs. A two-month-old male Pitbull was referred with difficulty in locomotion in four limbs and swelling in joints. Clinical examination showed increasing volume of articulations, bad limb angulations with ambulation difficulties and pectus cavinatum. Radiographical exams of the skeletal system showed dysostosis multiplex. The other dog was an eight-month-old female Rottweiler that was referred due to progressive difficulty in walking. Clinical examination showed tetraplegia, corneal opacities, enlarged tongue and skull deformities. For screening mucopolysaccharidosis, a qualitative and quantitative measurement of urinary glycosaminoglycans and plasma enzymatic assays to evaluate the activity of lysosomal enzymes were made in both dogs. Despite the confirmation of mucopolysaccharidosis with the screening tests, the type between II and VI could not be distinguished.