Chylopericardium is an extremely rare disorder in dogs, and its underlying mechanisms and optimal management strategies remain poorly defined. This report describes a dog with chylopericardium complicated by concurrent chylothorax, bilateral brachiocephalic vein thrombosis, and mesothelioma. A 6-year-old neutered male Shiba Inu presented with respiratory distress and was diagnosed with chylothorax and chylopericardium based on fluid analysis. Computed tomography revealed multiple thoracic ducts and bilateral brachiocephalic vein thrombosis but no definitive site of lymphatic leakage. Surgical management included thoracic duct ligation, subtotal pericardiectomy, and cisterna chyli ablation. Histopathological examination of resected pericardial and mediastinal tissues confirmed mesothelioma. Postoperatively, pleural effusion initially decreased but subsequently recurred, and intrathoracic chemotherapy with carboplatin was administered, resulting in long-term control of chylous effusion. Antithrombotic therapy was also initiated for venous thrombosis. The dog remained free of chylous fluid accumulation until death from an unrelated disease. This case highlights the complex interactions among lymphatic, vascular, and neoplastic disorders and suggests that a comprehensive, multimodal diagnostic and therapeutic approach may be effective for managing complicated cases of chylopericardium in dogs.

This retrospective study described clinical outcomes of combining local recombinant feline interferon-omega (rFeIFN-ω) injection with oral prednisolone in the management of canine aural hematoma. The medical records of dogs presented to a private veterinary hospital between January 2019 and January 2026 were reviewed. Thirty-one dogs underwent the treatment protocol, of which five were lost to follow-up, leaving a final cohort of 26 dogs. The protocol involved a local intralesional injection of 10.0 MU of rFeIFN-ω without fluid evacuation alongside concurrent oral prednisolone (1.0 mg/kg once daily) without anesthesia at 1-week intervals. Complete initial resolution was achieved in 21 dogs (80.8%) with a mean of 2.37 ± 1.14 treatment sessions, whereas 5 dogs discontinued therapy prematurely prior to complete resolution because the owners declined further treatment visits, leaving their final outcomes undetermined. Recurrence was documented in five of the 21 complete resolution cases (23.8%), spanning from 2 weeks to 1 year post-resolution. Two of these dogs underwent re-treatment and achieved complete clinical resolution during the available follow-up period. No clinically relevant adverse effects occurred. While the independent therapeutic efficacy of rFeIFN-ω remains unproven, these preliminary findings suggest that the combination protocol may represent a feasible, non-surgical outpatient option for managing canine aural hematoma.

A 5-year-old toy poodle was referred for progressive non-ambulatory tetraparesis caused by cervicothoracic syringomyelia associated with Chiari-like malformation. At presentation, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow pattern was atypical on time-spatial labeling inversion pulse images with evidence of greater volume flow through the mesencephalic aqueduct and atypical to-and-fro flow in the fourth ventricle and into the syrinx. In this dog, the definition of CSF flow pattern using this imaging technique before surgery aided in classifying pathogenesis and suggested the utility of ventriculoperitoneal shunting, which normalized CSF flow and resulted in a good clinical outcome.

Tracheal stent fracture is a major complication of endoluminal tracheal stent (ELS) for canine tracheal collapse, and optimal management strategies remain unclear. A 4-year-old Yorkshire Terrier presented with respiratory distress caused by complete ELS fracture. Imaging and bronchoscopy revealed intraluminal protrusion of fractured stent segments, ventral tracheal cartilage invagination, and marked luminal deformation. A parallel loop line prosthesis (PLLP) was selected as an external tracheal support. Its continuous band-like structure allowed broad and uniform reinforcement of the tracheal wall and redistribution of mechanical stress. PLLP placement successfully restored a near-normal tracheal contour and stabilized the fractured stent without introducing additional intraluminal material. Postoperative bronchoscopy confirmed improved tracheal patency, and no further deformation or stent damage was observed despite several months of altered airway dynamics associated with laryngeal paralysis. This case suggests that PLLP may represent a valid surgical option for managing tracheal stent fracture in dogs.

ABSTRACT Background The comparative effectiveness of radiotherapy and surgery for treating intracranial meningioma is unknown. Objectives To compare survival after treatment of suspected intracranial meningioma by either surgery or radiotherapy. Animals Two hundred eighty‐five companion dogs with suspected intracranial meningiomas presenting to 11 specialty clinics in three countries. Methods Parallel cohort comparison study on retrospective data. Dogs diagnosed with intracranial meningioma by board‐certified veterinary neurologists or radiologists and treated by radiotherapy or surgery were identified through medical record searches and presenting and survival data extracted. Lesion site was classified as rostro‐ or caudotentorial and size was measured on contrast magnetic resonance images. Outcome was all‐cause death. Analysis of survival by Cox proportional hazards, including selection for optimal multivariable model using lasso, counterfactual modeling including variables associated with treatment allocation and survival. Results One hundred sixty‐eight dogs received radiotherapy and 117 received surgery. All analyses indicated reduced survival associated with surgery compared to radiotherapy. There was a median survival after surgery of 297 (IQR: 99–768) days compared with 696 (IQR: 368–999) for dogs treated by radiation, associated with a univariable hazard ratio of 1.802 (95% CI: 1.357–2.394). Counterfactual modeling estimated a mean survival of 480 (95% CI: 395–564) days after surgery and 673 (95% CI: 565–782) days after radiotherapy, representing a decrease in survival of 29%. Location and size of the lesion were not associated with survival duration. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Dogs with suspected intracranial meningioma have substantially superior survival after radiotherapy compared to surgery.

Although many interventions for acute spinal cord injury (SCI) appear promising in experimental models, translation directly from experimental animals to human patients is a large step that can be problematic. Acute SCI occurs frequently in companion dogs and may provide a model to ease translation. Recently, incision of the dura has been highlighted in both research animals and human patients as a means of reducing intraspinal pressure, with a view to improving perfusion of the injured tissue and enhancing functional recovery. Observational clinical data in humans and dogs support the notion that it may also improve functional outcome. Here, we report the results of a multi-center randomized controlled trial of durotomy as an adjunct to traditional decompressive surgery for treatment of severe thoracolumbar SCI caused by acute intervertebral disc herniation in dogs. Sample-size calculation was based on the proportion of dogs recovering ambulation improving from an expected 55% in the traditional surgery group to 70% in the durotomy group. Over a 3.5-year period, we enrolled 140 dogs, of which 128 had appropriate duration of follow-up. Overall, 65 (51%) dogs recovered ambulation. Recovery in the traditional decompression group was 35 of 62 (56%) dogs, and in the durotomy group 30 of 66 (45%) dogs, associated with an odds ratio of 0.643 (95% confidence interval: 0.320?1.292) and z-score of ?1.24. This z-score indicates trial futility to reach the target 15% improvement over traditional surgery, and the trial was terminated at this stage. We conclude that durotomy is ineffective in improving functional outcome for severe acute thoracolumbar SCI in dogs. In the future, these data can be compared with similar data from clinical trials on duraplasty in human patients and will aid in determining the predictive validity of the ?companion dog model? of acute SCI.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation diseases, such as hydrocephalus and syringomyelia, are common in small-breed dogs. In human patients with CSF circulation diseases, time-spatial labeling inversion pulse (time-SLIP) sequence performed to evaluate CSF flow before and after treatment allows visualization of the restoration of CSF movement. However, studies evaluating CSF flow using the time-SLIP method in small-breed dogs are limited. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate intracranial CSF flow on time-SLIP images in small-breed dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, as an alternative model to healthydogs.Time-SLIP images were obtained at two sites: 1) the mesencephalic aqueduct (MA) area (third ventricle, MA, and brain-base subarachnoid space [SAS]) and 2) the craniocervical junction area (fourth ventricle, brainstem, and cervical spinal cord SAS) to allow subsequent evaluation of the rostral and caudal CSF flow using subjective and objective methods. In total, six dogs were included. Caudal flow at the MA and brain-base SAS and rostral flow in the brainstem SAS were subjectively and objectively observed in all and 5/6 dogs, respectively. Objective evaluation revealed that a significantly smaller movement of the CSF, assessed as the absence of CSF flow by subjective evaluation, could be detected in some areas. In small-breed dogs, the MA, brain-base, and brainstem SAS would be appropriate areas for evaluating CSF movement, either in the rostral or caudal flows on time-SLIP images. In areas where CSF movement cannot detected by subjective methods, an objective evaluation should be conducted.

Idiopathic non-infectious meningoencephalomyelitis (NIME), which is thought to be an immune-mediated disease, is a common inflammatory disease in dogs. Meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin (MUO), a subgroup of NIME, consists of necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME), necrotizing leukoencephalitis, and granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis. Recent studies have shown associations between disease development and dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) class II genes in NME in Pugs and in NIME in Greyhounds. This study focused on Chihuahuas, which have a high incidence of MUO and are one of the most common dog breeds in Japan. Because the development of MUO seems to be associated with DLA class II genes, we aimed to evaluate the association between DLA class II genes and MUO development in Chihuahuas. Blood samples were obtained from 22 Chihuahuas with MUO (MUO group) and 46 without neurological diseases (control). The allele sequences of three DLA class II loci were determined, and haplotypes were estimated from these data. In total, 23 haplotypes were detected. The frequency of one haplotype (DLA-DRB1*015:01--DQA1*006:01--DQB1*023:01) was significantly higher in the MUO group than in the control group (odds ratio, 7.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.37-36.81; P=0.0141). The results suggest that the development of MUO in Chihuahuas may be associated with DLA class II genes. Because the identified risk haplotypes differed from those of other breeds, the pathogenesis of NIME-related diseases may differ among dog breeds.

Journal of Small Animal PracticeVolume 64, Issue 2 p. 118-118 IMAGES IN SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE Myxoid meningioma in a dog N. Sekiguchi, N. Sekiguchi Laboratory of Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 Japan Contribution: Data curation (equal), ​Investigation (supporting), Writing - original draft (supporting)Search for more papers by this authorN. Shiozawa, N. Shiozawa Laboratory of Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 Japan Contribution: ​Investigation (supporting), Visualization (equal), Writing - review & editing (supporting)Search for more papers by this authorC. Ishikawa, C. Ishikawa Laboratory of Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 Japan Contribution: Data curation (supporting), Visualization (equal), Writing - review & editing (supporting)Search for more papers by this authorM. Kitagawa, M. Kitagawa Laboratory of Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 Japan Contribution: Funding acquisition (equal), Supervision (supporting), Writing - review & editing (supporting)Search for more papers by this authorT. Nakayama, T. Nakayama Laboratory of Veterinary Radiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 Japan Contribution: Project administration (lead), Supervision (supporting), Writing - review & editing (supporting)Search for more papers by this authorD. Ito, Corresponding Author D. Ito [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0002-3671-1889 Laboratory of Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 Japan Laboratory of Veterinary Radiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 Japan Corresponding author email: [email protected] Contribution: Conceptualization (lead), Data curation (equal), Funding acquisition (equal), Project administration (supporting), Supervision (lead), Writing - original draft (lead), Writing - review & editing (lead)Search for more papers by this author N. Sekiguchi, N. Sekiguchi Laboratory of Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 Japan Contribution: Data curation (equal), ​Investigation (supporting), Writing - original draft (supporting)Search for more papers by this authorN. Shiozawa, N. Shiozawa Laboratory of Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 Japan Contribution: ​Investigation (supporting), Visualization (equal), Writing - review & editing (supporting)Search for more papers by this authorC. Ishikawa, C. Ishikawa Laboratory of Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 Japan Contribution: Data curation (supporting), Visualization (equal), Writing - review & editing (supporting)Search for more papers by this authorM. Kitagawa, M. Kitagawa Laboratory of Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 Japan Contribution: Funding acquisition (equal), Supervision (supporting), Writing - review & editing (supporting)Search for more papers by this authorT. Nakayama, T. Nakayama Laboratory of Veterinary Radiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 Japan Contribution: Project administration (lead), Supervision (supporting), Writing - review & editing (supporting)Search for more papers by this authorD. Ito, Corresponding Author D. Ito [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0002-3671-1889 Laboratory of Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 Japan Laboratory of Veterinary Radiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 Japan Corresponding author email: [email protected] Contribution: Conceptualization (lead), Data curation (equal), Funding acquisition (equal), Project administration (supporting), Supervision (lead), Writing - original draft (lead), Writing - review & editing (lead)Search for more papers by this author First published: 25 November 2022 https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13576Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL No abstract is available for this article. Volume64, Issue2February 2023Pages 118-118 RelatedInformation

Appendix A Parameters of Time-SLIP sequence: repetition time 9600 milliseconds; echo time 80 milliseconds; field-of-view 13×13 cm; matrix 160×192; slice thickness 4 mm; labelled pulse (tag) width 10 mm. Inversion time was increased in 30 increments of 50 milliseconds, starting at 1500 milliseconds. Video S1. Video S2. Video S3. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.

This study investigated causes of attenuation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) signal on heavily T2-weighted (T2W) images in dogs with thoracolumbar disc extrusion. Medical records and magnetic resonance images were retrospectively reviewed. Dogs were classified into the following grades; grade 1, non-ambulatory paraparesis; grade 2, paraplegia with deep pain perception and grade 3, paraplegia without deep pain perception. The length of intramedullary T2W hyperintensity of the spinal cord, cranial/caudal expansion of extradural compressive materials (ECM), and the CSF signal attenuation were measured. Ratios to the second lumbar vertebra (L2) were calculated for the length of intramedullary T2W hyperintensity (T2W:L2), cranial/caudal expansion of ECM (ECML:L2), and CSF signal attenuation (CSF:L2). The dogs were classified into focal or extended T2W hyperintensity groups according to the length [focal, shorter than length of L2; extended, longer than L2]. The area of EMC and the spinal canal were measured on transverse images at the lesion deriving occupancy ratio. The correlation between CSF:L2 and other data were analysed, and CSF:L2 was compared between the grades. In dogs with intramedullary T2W hyperintensity, the locations of CSF attenuation and the hyperintensity were compared if those locations were matched. Fifty-five dogs were included, 36 of which showed intramedullary T2W hyperintensity. Twenty-two of 36 dogs were considered as match of the location of the CSF attenuation and hyperintensity. CSF:L2 was significantly correlated with T2W:L2 in dogs with extended T2W hyperintensity (p = 0.0002), while CSF:L2 was significantly correlated with ECML:L2 in dogs with focal or no T2W hyperintensity (p = 0.0103 and p = 0.0364, respectively). CSF:L2 in grade 3 was significantly greater than those in patients who were grade 1 or 2 (both p < 0.001). In conclusion, higher CSF:L2, which was frequently seen in grade 3, would be most consistent with a higher T2W:L2 which might indicate spinal cord swelling.

A 3-month-old male cross-breed dog presented with signs of progressive diffuse brain disease. Noncommunicating congenital hydrocephalus concurrent with cervical syringomyelia was diagnosed on magnetic resonance images. On time-spatial labeling inversion pulse (Time-SLIP) images CSF flow through the mesencephalic aqueduct was poorly defined and there was flow into the syrinx across the craniocervical junction. After percutaneous ventricular drainage and ventriculoperitoneal shunting, CSF flow through the aqueduct was clearly detected and flow into the syrinx disappeared. In addition, CSF flow in the subarachnoid space at the pons and ventral aspect of the cervical subarachnoid space was restored. Signs of neurological dysfunction improved after ventriculoperitoneal shunting and the cerebral parenchyma was increased in thickness on 2-year follow-up computed tomography images. Patterns of CSF flow on Time-SLIP images before and after CSF drainage or ventriculoperitoneal shunting aid in clarifying disease pathogenesis and confirm effects of CSF drainage.

The ideal treatment for intracranial histiocytic sarcoma (HS) remains unclear. Herein, we report a case of intracranial HS that was successfully treated using prednisolone and radiation therapy. The patient was a 9-year-old spayed female Pembroke Welsh Corgi that presented with epileptic seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a contrast-enhancing mass adjacent to the right piriform lobe. Prednisolone administration (1 mg/kg/day) decreased the lesion size. Additional palliative radiation therapy (total dose, 37 Gy) resulted in complete disappearance of the lesion. However, on day 164, the dog’s neurological signs deteriorated, and she was euthanized. Necropsy revealed an intracranial metastasis of HS via the cerebrospinal fluid without any extracranial metastasis. Nonetheless, combined prednisolone and radiation therapy might be effective in treating intracranial HS.

Journal of Small Animal PracticeVolume 62, Issue 10 p. 930-930 IMAGES IN SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE Simple ectopic left kidney in the pelvic cavity in a cat D. Ito, Corresponding Author D. Ito itou.daisuke@nihon-u.ac.jp orcid.org/0000-0002-3671-1889 Laboratory of Veterinary Neurology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 Japan Corresponding author email: itou.daisuke@nihon-u.ac.jpSearch for more papers by this authorN. Shiozawa, N. Shiozawa Laboratory of Veterinary Neurology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 JapanSearch for more papers by this authorN. Sekiguchi, N. Sekiguchi Laboratory of Veterinary Neurology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 JapanSearch for more papers by this authorC. Ishikawa, C. Ishikawa Laboratory of Veterinary Neurology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 JapanSearch for more papers by this authorN. D. Jeffery, N. D. Jeffery Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843 USASearch for more papers by this author D. Ito, Corresponding Author D. Ito itou.daisuke@nihon-u.ac.jp orcid.org/0000-0002-3671-1889 Laboratory of Veterinary Neurology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 Japan Corresponding author email: itou.daisuke@nihon-u.ac.jpSearch for more papers by this authorN. Shiozawa, N. Shiozawa Laboratory of Veterinary Neurology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 JapanSearch for more papers by this authorN. Sekiguchi, N. Sekiguchi Laboratory of Veterinary Neurology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 JapanSearch for more papers by this authorC. Ishikawa, C. Ishikawa Laboratory of Veterinary Neurology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880 JapanSearch for more papers by this authorN. D. Jeffery, N. D. Jeffery Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843 USASearch for more papers by this author First published: 16 May 2021 https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13357Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume62, Issue10October 2021Pages 930-930 RelatedInformation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause chronic paralysis and incontinence and remains a major worldwide healthcare burden, with no regenerative treatment clinically available. Intraspinal transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) and injection of chondroitinase ABC (chABC) are both promising therapies but limited and unpredictable responses are seen, particularly in canine clinical trials. Sustained delivery of chABC presents a challenge due to its thermal instability; we hypothesised that transplantation of canine olfactory mucosal OECs genetically modified ex vivo by lentiviral transduction to express chABC (cOEC-chABC) would provide novel delivery of chABC and synergistic therapy. Rats were randomly divided into cOEC-chABC, cOEC, or vehicle transplanted groups and received transplant immediately after dorsal column crush corticospinal tract (CST) injury. Rehabilitation for forepaw reaching and blinded behavioural testing was conducted for 8 weeks. We show that cOEC-chABC transplanted animals recover greater forepaw reaching accuracy on Whishaw testing and more normal gait than cOEC transplanted or vehicle control rats. Increased CST axon sprouting cranial to the injury and serotonergic fibres caudal to the injury suggest a mechanism for recovery. We therefore demonstrate that cOECs can deliver sufficient chABC to drive modest functional improvement, and that this genetically engineered cellular and molecular approach is a feasible combination therapy for SCI.

A 3-month-old male cross-breed dog presented with signs of progressive diffuse brain disease. Noncommunicating congenital hydrocephalus concurrent with cervical syringomyelia was diagnosed on magnetic resonance images. On time-spatial labeling inversion pulse (Time-SLIP) images CSF flow through the mesencephalic aqueduct was poorly defined and there was flow into the syrinx across the craniocervical junction. After percutaneous ventricular drainage and ventriculoperitoneal shunting, CSF flow through the aqueduct was clearly detected and flow into the syrinx disappeared. In addition, CSF flow in the subarachnoid space at the pons and ventral aspect of the cervical subarachnoid space was restored. Signs of neurological dysfunction improved after ventriculoperitoneal shunting and the cerebral parenchyma was increased in thickness on 2-year follow-up computed tomography images. Patterns of CSF flow on Time-SLIP images before and after CSF drainage or ventriculoperitoneal shunting aid in clarifying disease pathogenesis and confirm effects of CSF drainage.

Corpus callosotomy (CC) is an established palliative surgery for human patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), especially those with generalized seizures and multiple or unknown epileptogenic focus. However, there are no reports to describe CC in canine patients with epilepsy. Three client-owned Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with DRE are included in this case series. In presurgical evaluations, an apparent epileptogenic zone was not detected in each dog and CC was conducted. Total CC was performed in one dog, whereas the other two received partial CC. One dog recovered from surgery without any complications, but died suddenly by an unknown cause at 10 h after surgery. For the other two dogs, postoperative evaluations including seizure outcomes, complications, and quality of life of the dogs and owners were assessed for at least 12 months. Both dogs showed a remarkable decrease in seizure frequency (averaged 80.3% reduction) and severity after surgery. The antiseizure medications were maintained, and not only the mentation and activity of the dogs, but also the quality of life of dogs and owners were improved postoperatively. Although technical improvement and more large-scale studies are needed, CC is a treatment option for dogs with DRE in veterinary medicine.

A 30-month-old Maine Coon presented with progressive proprioceptive ataxia, paraparesis, thoracolumbar pain, and decreased appetite. An extradural mass was detected within the left side of the 13th thoracic vertebral canal that compressed the spinal cord on magnetic resonance (MR) and was considered to be mineralized on computed tomography (CT) images. The resected mass was diagnosed as a vertebral vascular hamartoma. Clinical signs improved, but recurrence was diagnosed by MR and CT imaging at 7 months after surgery. Repeated excisional surgery yielded the same diagnosis and the clinical signs abated. Fifteen months after the second surgery, there was apparent vertebral deformation, but there was no further change on CT images by 29 months.

OBJECTIVE To report recovery of ambulation of dogs treated with extended thoracolumbar durotomy for severe spinal cord injury caused by intervertebral disc herniation. STUDY DESIGN Descriptive cohort. ANIMALS Twenty-six consecutive paraplegic dogs presented with loss of deep pain sensation after acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation. METHODS Each dog underwent routine diagnostic assessment and surgery for removal of extradural herniated intervertebral disc, followed by a four-vertebral body length durotomy centered on the herniated disc. Each dog was followed up until it was able to walk 10 steps without assistance or until 6 months after surgery. RESULTS Sixteen of 26 dogs recovered to walk unaided (all but one also recovered fecal and urinary continence), and six dogs did not; four dogs were lost to follow-up. One dog was euthanized because of signs consistent with progressive myelomalacia. There was no evidence of detrimental effects of durotomy within the period of study. Using Bayesian analysis, we found a point estimate of successful outcome of 71% with 95% credible interval from 52% to 87%. CONCLUSION Extended durotomy seemed to improve the outcome of dogs in our case series without increase in morbidity. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Extended durotomy appears safe and may improve the outcome of dogs with severe thoracolumbar mixed contusion and compressive injuries associated with acute intervertebral disc extrusion.