Abstract An 11‐month‐old, neutered, male Maine Coon cat presented with paraparesis, anorexia, lethargy, pain and difficulty defecating. A computed tomography scan 10 days after initial signs revealed alveolar hyperattenuation, but no spinal lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging 15 days post‐onset revealed two well‐defined, extra‐axial, plaque‐like mass lesions in the brainstem and right parietal region, associated with focal bone changes. Additional findings included a multifocal, intra‐medullary lesion causing hyperesthesia of the mid‐caudal thoracic spinal cord, enlarged lymph nodes and a tubular T2w/STIR hyperintense structure near the liver and gall bladder. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was inconclusive. A conjunctival mass was noted, and fine‐needle aspiration confirmed large cell lymphoma. The cat received oral lomustine without neurological improvement and was euthanased 18 days later due to progressive clinical decline. This case highlights large cell lymphoma as a differential for feline neurological dysfunction, regardless of age, chronicity, breed or viral status.
Abstract Pentatrichomonas hominis is generally regarded as a commensal organism in dogs; however, its clinical significance in diarrhoea and optimal treatment strategies remain unclear. A 6‐month‐old female Shiba dog presented with persistent diarrhoea. Despite prolonged treatment with metronidazole, febantel and fenbendazole for giardiasis, as well as prednisolone for suspected chronic inflammatory enteropathy, the clinical signs did not resolve. Faecal PCR testing, including testing for trichomonads, detected P. hominis . Treatment with ronidazole resulted in marked improvement in faecal consistency and clearance of P. hominis on follow‐up PCR testing, without any adverse reactions. The dog was later diagnosed with food‐responsive enteropathy. This case suggests that P. hominis may have been associated with diarrhoea in dogs with underlying disease or immunosuppression. In addition, ronidazole may be a therapeutic option when the organism persists despite metronidazole treatment. P. hominis infection should be considered in dogs with persistent diarrhoea, particularly when conventional treatments fail.
Abstract A 3‐year‐old, male Anatolian shepherd dog presented with acute left forelimb lameness. Radiography, ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed multiple mineralised bodies within both bicipital tendon sheaths, subchondral erosions of the humeral heads, and features likely consistent with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). An open left bicipital tenotomy with extraction of all mineralised structures was performed. The dog regained limb function within 24 hours and showed near‐complete resolution of lameness at 6 weeks. The mineralised nodules were consistent with secondary synovial osteochondromatosis, possibly related to displaced OCD fragments migrating into the bicipital sheath. Open biceps tenotomy with removal of mineralised material resulted in an excellent short‐term outcome in this large‐breed dog.
Abstract A 5‐year‐old alpaca was presented with a 2‐week history of progressive pelvic limb ataxia and paresis. Neurological examination localised the lesion to the thoracolumbar spinal cord. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine revealed no abnormalities; however, contrast‐enhanced sequences were not performed due to restrictions on drug use in farm animals. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed marked eosinophilic pleocytosis, supporting a presumptive diagnosis of cerebrospinal nematodiasis (CN). Antiparasitic and anti‐inflammatory therapy resulted in partial improvement, with neurological deficits persisting long‐term. This case illustrates the clinical features and diagnostic approach to CN in an alpaca, emphasising the value of MRI in excluding structural causes and its limitation in detecting small larval lesions. As alpacas gain prominence as companion and breeding animals, documentation of MRI findings is becoming increasingly valuable. To our knowledge, this is the first MRI evaluation in an alpaca with suspected CN.
Abstract A 5‐year‐old, neutered, male domestic shorthair cat (5.0 kg) was presented for acute lethargy and inappetence after a suspected traumatic event. The cat was painful over the caudal abdomen and lumbar region, with superficial abrasions. Thoracic and abdominal radiographs were unremarkable, and serial abdominal point‐of‐care ultrasound examinations identified no free fluid. A point‐of‐care complete blood count/chemistry panel (VetScan/Zoetis [Abaxis]) repeatedly reported potassium greater than 8.5 mmol/L approximately 2 hours apart, with only mild haemolysis. Electrocardiography documented normal sinus rhythm without changes associated with severe hyperkalaemia. The cat was treated with intravenous fluids and analgesia and improved rapidly. A reference laboratory chemistry panel performed on the initial sample later confirmed normokalaemia (4.1 mmol/L) and markedly increased creatine kinase activity (132,450 IU/L), consistent with severe traumatic muscle injury. Alternate analytic testing should be performed when the reported potassium concentration does not align with the clinical findings and electrocardiogram.
