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Abstract Background Vertebral infections, including vertebral osteomyelitis, septic physitis, and discospondylitis, are rarely reported in goats, and when reported, have been largely limited to necropsy case reports. Objective Describe clinical findings and outcome in goats with vertebral infections evaluated by computed tomography (CT). Animals Five goats with vertebral osteomyelitis, septic physitis, and discospondylitis evaluated by CT. Methods Retrospective case series. Results The most common presenting complaints were progressive weakness, paresis and recumbency. Three goats were tetraparetic and 2 goats had pelvic limb paraparesis. Clinicopathologic findings included leukocytosis, mature neutrophilia, and hyperfibrinogenemia. The most common vertebrae affected were C7‐T1. All 5 goats had discospondylitis with or without vertebral osteomyelitis and septic physitis. Computed tomographic evidence of spinal cord compression was present in 4/5 goats. Medical management (antimicrobials, physical therapy, analgesia, supportive care) was attempted in 4 goats, and 1 goat was euthanized at the time of diagnosis. All 4 goats that were treated regained ambulatory ability and survived to hospital discharge. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Despite severity of CT imaging findings, goats with discospondylitis, septic physitis, and vertebral osteomyelitis can successfully return to ambulatory function. Additional studies are required to determine ideal treatment regimens.

Abstract Ultrasound‐guided cervical centesis has gained popularity as a method for collecting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from standing horses. There are anecdotal reports of neck stiffness, regional swelling, sensitivity to palpation, and fever after the procedure. We report 2 horses with complications that occurred within days of C1‐C2 centesis and ultimately resulted in euthanasia. Both C1‐C2 centesis were performed routinely, with CSF cytologic analysis providing no evidence of blood contamination. Post‐mortem examination revealed equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy as the primary disorder causing Horse 1's initial neurologic deficits, whereas Horse 2 did not have a distinct lesion explaining the horse's deficits. Both horses had evidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage at or near the centesis site with Wallerian axonal degeneration in the cranial cervical spinal cord. Although hemorrhage with associated axonal degeneration at the cervical centesis site appears to be rare, this complication of C1‐C2 centesis should be considered as this technique gains popularity.

Abstract Background Reduced pelvic limb reflexes in dogs with spinal cord injury typically suggests a lesion of the L4‐S3 spinal cord segments. However, pelvic limb reflexes might also be reduced in dogs with a T3‐L3 myelopathy and concurrent spinal shock. Hypothesis/Objectives We hypothesized that statistical models could be used to identify clinical variables associated with spinal shock in dogs with spinal cord injuries. Animals Cohort of 59 dogs with T3‐L3 myelopathies and spinal shock and 13 dogs with L4‐S3 myelopathies. Methods Data used for this study were prospectively entered by partner institutions into the International Canine Spinal Cord Injury observational registry between October 2016 and July 2019. Univariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between independent variables and the presence of spinal shock. Independent variables were selected for inclusion in a multivariable logistic regression model if they had a significant effect (P ≤ .1) on the odds of spinal shock in univariable logistic regression. Results The final multivariable model included the natural log of weight (kg), the natural log of duration of clinical signs (hours), severity (paresis vs paraplegia), and pelvic limb tone (normal vs decreased/absent). The odds of spinal shock decreased with increasing weight (odds ratio [OR] = 0.28, P = .09; confidence interval [CI] 0.07‐1.2), increasing duration (OR = 0.44, P = .02; CI 0.21‐0.9), decreased pelvic limb tone (OR = 0.04, P = .003; CI 0.01‐0.36), and increased in the presence of paraplegia (OR = 7.87, P = .04; CI 1.1‐56.62). Conclusions and Clinical Importance A formula, as developed by the present study and after external validation, could be useful for assisting clinicians in determining the likelihood of spinal shock in various clinical scenarios and aid in diagnostic planning.

Abstract Background Sidewinder gait in horses is poorly understood and characterized by walking with the trunk and pelvic limbs drifting to 1 side. Hypothesis/objectives To report causes, clinical and diagnostic features. Animals Horses examined at 2 institutions. Materials and Methods Retrospective study (2000‐2019). Cases with sidewinder gait, neurological and orthopedic examination, and diagnostic work up or postmortem evaluation were included. Descriptive statistics were performed. Results Twenty‐four horses (mean age 18.9 years) of various breeds and both sexes were included. Onset was acute (N = 10), subacute (N = 6), and insidious (N = 8). Electromyography and muscle biopsy supported neurologic disease and further aided in localizing site of lesion (N = 9/9). Neurologic causes included dynamic thoracolumbar spinal cord compression (N = 5), equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (N = 4, confirmed and presumed [2 each]), thoracic myelopathy of unknown etiology (N = 4), gliosis (N = 2), and thrombosis of thoracic spinal cord segments (N = 1). Non‐neurologic causes included osteoarthritis of the coxofemoral joint (N = 4), multiple displaced pelvic fractures (N = 2), bilateral rupture of the ligamentum capitis ossis femoris (N = 1), and severe myonecrosis of multiple pelvic limb muscles (N = 1). Case fatality was 79%. Conclusion and Clinical Importance Sidewinder gait is usually observed in older horses and can have neurologic or musculoskeletal etiologies. Electromyography can be used as a diagnostic aid to determine neurologic versus non‐neurologic disease and further localize those of neurologic origin. The condition often has a poor prognosis for function and life.

Abstract Background In contrast to dogs, the causes and outcomes of urinary incontinence (UI) in cats are largely unknown. Objectives To determine the causes, identify comorbid conditions, and assess outcomes of cats with micturition disorders presenting as UI. Animals Forty‐five cats with UI. Methods Retrospective study. Medical records of cats presented from January 2006 to December 2017 were searched using 45 keywords related to UI. History, presenting complaint, and physical examination findings were used to confirm a diagnosis. Cases were categorized based on functional and anatomic localizations. Results Forty‐five cats met inclusion criteria. Spinal cord disease was the most common cause of UI (n = 18), followed by urethral (n = 17), bladder (n = 9), and ureteral (n = 1) disorders. Proportions of voiding and storage phase disorders were similar (53% and 47%, respectively). However, voiding‐phase disorders were observed more frequently in males and younger‐aged cats (P

The constructive interference in steady state (CISS) sequence has been widely used in human neuroimaging. It has been shown to be advantageous in the evaluation of intra-axial and extra-axial cystic abnormalities, arteriovenous and dysraphic malformations and disturbances of cerebrospinal fluid circulation. To assess the utility of this technique in small animals, interpretations based on this sequence were compared with those based on T2-weighted (T2W) sequences in 145 dogs that underwent MRI of the spine for suspected spinal cord disease. Two sets of images (T2W and CISS) were reviewed separately by three observers in random order and intraobserver and interobserver agreements between both sequences were evaluated for several categorical variables. The overall agreement between T2W and CISS sequences was good. The highest agreement was observed for lesion diagnosis (0.739