Intervertebral disk disease in dogs with signs of back pain alone: 25 cases (1986-1993).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the population characteristics, historical, clinical, and diagnostic findings; and treatment outcome of dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) whose only clinical signs were those of back pain. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: Dogs with IVDD and clinical signs of back pain only, without neurologic deficits, in which survey radiography of the vertebral column and diagnostic myelographic studies were performed. PROCEDURE: Review of the medical record, evaluation of survey radiographs of the vertebral column, evaluation of myelograms and estimation of apparent extent of spinal cord compression, and follow-up information provided by telephone contact with owners. RESULTS: Spinal cord compression was detected on myelography in 20 of 25 (80%) dogs. Treatment included decompressive surgery in 18 of 25 (72%) dogs and all dogs underwent intervertebral disk fenestration. The condition was improved in 24 of 25 (96%) dogs after surgery. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Dogs with thoracolumbar IVDD that have clinical signs of back pain alone, without neurologic deficits, may have substantial compression of the spinal cord.

Renal allograft survival in outbred mongrel dogs using rabbit anti-dog thymocyte serum in combination with immunosuppressive drug therapy with or without donor bone marrow.

Therapeutic renal transplantation in dogs is currently being investigated as a treatment for endstage renal disease. This pilot study examines the effect of donor bone marrow (DBM) infusion and antithymocyte serum (ATS) in combination with immunosuppressive drug therapy in prolonging renal allograft survival in dogs. Seven normal outbred mongrel dogs received an unmatched renal allograft. All dogs received rabbit anti-dog thymocyte serum (RADTS), prednisone (Pr), cyclosporine-A (CsA) and azathioprine (Aza). In addition, three dogs (group 1 test) received DBM and four dogs (group 2 control) did not receive DBM. Serum CsA levels were measured throughout the study. Immunosuppressive therapy was gradually reduced with Pr, CsA, and Aza withdrawn at 200, 450, and 680 days, respectively. Allograft rejection was treated with prednisolone sodium succinate. One dog in group 1 and one in group 2 died as a result of infectious canine rhinotracheitis and rejection early in the study. Renal allograft torsion occurred in one group 1 dog. The remaining four dogs survived the 2 years of the study. The dogs in group 2 (three dogs) all rejected the renal allograft after total drug withdrawal, the surviving dog in group 1 did not. This study demonstrates that RADTS, Pr, CsA, and Aza in combination can prolong renal allograft survival in mongrel dogs, whereas DBM may enhance the unresponsive state.

A clinical comparison of oxymorphone-acepromazine and butorphanol-acepromazine sedation in dogs.

Oxymorphone (0.2 mg/kg, maximum 4.5 mg) or butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg, maximum 4.5 mg), with acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg) and atropine (0.02 mg/kg), was administered intravenously to 106 healthy dogs undergoing radiographic examination of the pelvis. The dogs were returned to their owners after the examination and opioid reversal with naloxone (0.02 mg/kg intravenously, maximum 0.4 mg). Questionnaires were completed by the radiology staff and owners of the dogs, and results were coded by one person, all of whom were unaware of the treatment used. There was a lower incidence of temporary excitement upon injection and less panting in dogs sedated with butorphanol than with oxymorphone. There were no significant differences in degree of sedation, response to noise or manipulation, vocalization, defecation, heart rate, reversibility, sedation after reversal, or personality. Both forms of chemical restraint were satisfactory for radiographic examination of the pelvis, with no significant side effects in healthy dogs.

Outbreaks of rinderpest in wild and domestic animals in Nigeria.

Rinderpest, although eradicated from Nigeria in 1974 after the JP15 campaign, was reintroduced into Sokoto state in 1980 and again into Borno state in 1983. The latter outbreak spread rapidly throughout Nigeria and severely reduced the cattle population. An estimated one million cattle were lost. An outbreak occurred at the Maiduguri zoo, in Borno state, in January 1983 and killed 15 elands and six sitatungas. In March 1983, rinderpest appeared in Yankari game reserve in adjoining Bauchi state and caused mortality in several species of wildlife. A total of 207 buffalo, 20 warthog, eight waterbuck and two bushbuck carcases were recovered. Rinderpest did not occur in wildlife in Nigeria after it was eradicated from cattle. In the Nigerian situation, the rinderpest appears to have been transmitted from cattle to wildlife. Vaccination of zoo animals and valuable animals in game reserves, preferably with a killed vaccine, and ring vaccination of livestock around game reserves can help to protect wildlife from rinderpest.

Cervical chemonucleolysis in the dog. A surgical technique.

Cervical chemonucleolysis performed surgically in 16 clinically normal 4 and 10 year old Beagle dogs was well tolerated. The dosage of chymopapain per intervertebral disc was 200 or 500 U. Disc space narrowing was radiographically visible by day 1. By gross and histologic examination, there was lysis of the nucleus pulposus (NP) and perinuclear annulus fibrosus (AF). No observable differences due to ages of the dogs or doses of the enzyme were seen.

Vertebral canal and spinal cord mensuration: a comparative study of its effect on lumbosacral myelography in the dachshund and German shepherd dog.

One hundred noncontrast spinal radiographic studies followed by myelography were evaluated to compare vertebral canal size and spinal cord location and size in a chondrodystrophic breed (50 Dachshunds) with those variables in a nonchondrodystrophic breed (50 German Shepherd Dogs). Measurements were made of the sagittal diameter (height) of the vertebral canal, sagittal diameter (height) of the spinal cord, and transverse diameter (width) of the spinal cord in the lumbar and sacral regions. Differences were detected in the craniocaudal location of maximal vertebral canal height and maximal spinal cord height. The spinal cords in the Dachshunds terminated further caudally than those in the German Shepherd Dogs. Location of maximal spinal cord width was different between the breeds, consistent with the apparent, more caudal termination of the cord in the Dachshunds. The ratio of spinal cord to vetebral canal heights was notably greater in the Dachshunds than in the German Shepherd Dogs. These differences in vertebral canal and spinal cord mensuration may influence the choice of radiographic technique and its interpretation. Injection sites may be selected further cranially in German Shepherd Dogs (L4-5) than in Dachshunds (L5-6).

A comparison of manual and electronic counting for total nucleated cell counts on synovial fluid from canine stifle joints.

Synovial fluids collected from the stifle joints of 20 physically normal adult dogs were subjected to cytological examination. A total nucleated cell count was performed on each sample using both an electronic cell counter and a hemocytometer. The mean of the total counts done with the electronic counter was significantly higher (1008 cells/microL) than that obtained manually with the hemocytometer (848 cells/microL).

Intra-articular tissue response to analytical grade metrizamide in dogs.

The effect of analytical grade metrizamide (AM) injected into the canine stifle, for purposes of arthrography, was studied in 12 adult dogs using saline solution as the control solution injected into the contralateral joints. The AM was used at a concentration of 280 mg of iodine/ml and was administered at the dose of 0.3 ml/cm thickness of the stifle joint. For each joint, arthrocentesis was done before and 7 days after injection of either the contrast medium or saline solution. Physical, biochemical, and cytologic examinations were done on the synovial fluid while the synovial membranes and femoral articular cartilages were sectioned, stained, and examined for histopathologic changes. At the 95% confidence level, significant differences in the total and differential mononuclear cell counts were not seen between the AM- and saline solution-injected joints. However, some subtle changes in the synovial membranes were observed. Intra-articular injection of AM or saline solution initiated a mild inflammatory response, the AM causing slightly more response than the saline solution.

Evaluation of analytical grade of metrizamide for canine stifle arthrography.

The use of analytical grade of metrizamide as contrast material in canine stifle arthrography was evaluated in 27 stifle joints. A concentration of 280 mg of I/100 ml was prepared, and the material was injected at a rate of 0.3 ml/cm thickness of the lateral to medial measurement. Acceptable arthrograms were produced in 22 (81.5%) cases. The mediolateral radiographic view was useful in demonstrating the cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments, the infrapatellar fat pad, and the tendon of the long digital extensor muscle. The caudocranial radiographic view was useful in demonstrating the medial and lateral menisci, the articular surfaces of the femoral condyles, and the outline of the joint capsule. Radiographs made within 15 minutes after injection of the contrast medium were acceptable, thus setting this period as the limit for obtaining useful arthrograms. The double contrast technique was found to be of little value.