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Idiopathic generalized tremor syndrome is a disorder characterized by an acute onset of full-body tremors, sometimes accompanied by vestibulo-cerebellar signs, that is responsive to treatment with corticosteroids. Although considered to have an overall good outcome, relapsing and persistent mild clinical signs have been described. So far, little is known about the etiopathology of this syndrome, but it is believed to have an immune-mediated origin. In human medicine, description of numerous autoantibodies involved in certain non-infectious neurologic disorders has revolutionized understanding of their pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. In this multicenter retrospective study, we aimed to describe the clinical signs, course, and outcome of dogs with idiopathic generalized tremor syndrome and correlate potential findings with the presence or absence of autoantibodies associated with autoimmune cerebellar syndromes in humans. Information regarding signalment, history, clinical signs, laboratory findings, diagnostic imaging and testing for regional infectious diseases was gathered and the remaining serum and CSF samples were then analyzed for neural antibodies against targets associated with autoimmune encephalitic diseases of humans. Thirty-three dogs were included, and screening for neural antibodies was performed in 30 of those dogs. The analysis showed an increased titer of mGluR1 antibodies in two dogs, GFAP and later in the course of disease mGluR1 antibodies in one dog and an increase in unspecific autoantibodies which could not be further classified in two dogs. Dogs with detectable neural autoantibodies always had cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities in the form of a pleocytosis, with or without increased protein concentration, and tended to present with hyperthermia, potentially indicating a more severe clinical form of idiopathic generalized tremor syndrome in these cases. In conclusion, idiopathic generalized tremor syndrome is proposed to be an immune-mediated disorder potentially mediated by neural autoantibodies in a subgroup of dogs.

Abstract Background A head turn is a clinically relevant abnormality identified on neurological examination and historically has been an isolated or concomitant sign of ipsilateral forebrain dysfunction. Experimental studies in quadrupedal mammals suggest that changes in head posture may be identified as originating in other parts of the central nervous system (CNS). Objectives To identify whether other locations within the CNS could give rise to a head turn and whether the head turn identified is isolated or concomitant with other deviations in head and body posture. Animals Forty‐nine client‐owned dogs with a presentation of a head turn, from 6 veterinary referral centers. Methods Multicenter observational prospective study including dogs with photographic evidence of a head turn, full neurological examination, and advanced imaging. Results Of the population, 15/49 had head turn only, 9/49 had head turn and head tilt only, 12/49 had head turn and body turn only, and 13/49 had head turn, head tilt, and body turn. Nearly all dogs with forebrain disease (23/24), and, all with brainstem and cerebellar disease, had an ipsilateral head turn and body turn (if present). In the cerebellar group, all head tilts were contralateral to the lesion location. In the cervical spinal cord group, all head turns, body turns and head tilts were contralateral to the lesion location. Conclusion A head turn, although most likely associated with, is not exclusively seen with forebrain disease. Certain combinations of head turn, head tilt and body turn suggest a neurolocalization other than the forebrain, with appropriate classification needed.

Abstract Background Orthostatic tremor (OT) is a rare movement disorder characterized by high‐frequency (>12 Hz) involuntary, rhythmic, sinusoidal movements affecting predominantly the limbs while standing. Objective To describe the signalment, presenting complaints, phenotype, diagnostic findings, treatment, and outcome of a large sample of dogs with OT. Animals Sixty dogs diagnosed with OT based on conscious electromyography. Methods Multicenter retrospective case series study. Dogs were included if they had a conscious electromyography consistent with muscle discharge frequency >12 Hz while standing. Results Fifty‐three cases were diagnosed with primary OT (POT). Giant breed dogs represented most cases (83%; 44/53). Most dogs (79%; 42/53) were younger than 2 years of age at onset of signs, except for Retrievers which were all older than 3.5 years of age. The most common presenting complaints were pelvic limb tremors while standing (85%; 45/53) and difficulty when rising or sitting down (45%; 24/53). Improvement of clinical signs occurred in most dogs (85%; 45/53) treated medically with phenobarbital, primidone, gabapentin, pregabalin or clonazepam, but it was mostly partial rather than complete. Orthostatic tremor‐plus was seen in 7 dogs that had concurrent neurological diseases. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Primary OT is a progressive disease of young, purebred, giant/large‐breed dogs, which appears to begin later in life in Retrievers. Primary OT apparently responds partially to medications. Orthostatic tremor‐plus exists in dogs and can be concomitant or associated with other neurological diseases.

IntroductionThis retrospective multicentric study aims to evaluate the ability of CRP concentration to differentiate between dogs diagnosed with IMPA and SRMA. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation widely used in two of the most commonly diagnosed immune-mediated diseases in dogs—Immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) and steroid responsive meningitis arteritis (SRMA).Materials and methodsData collected from medical records of 167 client-owned dogs included age, breed, gender, neuter status, body weight, body temperature, CRP concentration, month and season of diagnosis. CRP was measured quantitatively in 142 dogs (84%) and semi-quantitatively in 27 dogs (16%).ResultsSRMA was diagnosed significantly more often in dogs < 12 months old and IMPA in dogs ≥12 months old (P < 0.001). Dogs diagnosed with SRMA had higher CRP concentration than dogs diagnosed with IMPA (P = 0.02). This difference was influenced by the dog's age–when a dog was

There is limited information on canine spinal epidural empyema (SEE). The aim of this multicenter retrospective study is to describe the clinical presentation and outcome of dogs undergoing spinal surgery or conservative management for SEE. Forty-one dogs met the inclusion criteria; the SEE was treated surgically in 17 dogs and conservatively in 24 dogs. Two dogs underwent spinal surgery after failure of conservative management, meaning that 19 dogs in total had spinal surgery. Long-term (i.e., >6 months) follow-up was available in 35 dogs (19 conservatively treated and 16 surgically treated dogs). Recovery to a functional pet status was achieved in 15/19 (78.9%) conservatively treated and 12/16 (75%) surgically treated dogs. There was no significant difference (p = 1.000) in long-term outcome between conservatively and surgically treated dogs (78.9 and 75%, respectively). However, significantly more surgically treated dogs were non-ambulatory at presentation (9/17 vs. 5/24, p = 0.048) compared with conservatively treated dogs. This study suggests that conservative treatment may be appropriate for dogs with SEE that are ambulatory at presentation and that surgically treated dogs generally have good outcomes. Age may be a negative prognostic indicator as dogs with poor long-term outcomes were significantly older than dogs with a good long-term outcome (p = 0.048). A larger prospective randomized study may provide further insight on treatment and outcome of SEE in dogs.