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BACKGROUND Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate concentrations increase after seizure activity in many human patients independent of the underlying disease process. The effect of seizure activity on CSF lactate concentration in dogs is unknown. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES Cerebrospinal fluid lactate concentration is unaffected by seizure activity in dogs and is more dependent on the underlying disease process causing the seizures. ANIMALS One-hundred eighteen client-owned dogs with seizure disorders. METHODS Case series. Cerebrospinal fluid lactate concentration was determined using a commercially available lactate monitor. Seizure semiology, time from last seizure to CSF collection, number of seizures within the 72 hours preceding CSF collection, and clinical diagnosis were recorded. RESULTS Dogs with focal seizures had higher CSF lactate concentrations than did those with generalized seizures (P = .03). No differences in lactate concentrations were found among dogs with single seizures, cluster seizures or status epilepticus (P = .12), among dogs with CSF collection at different time points after the last seizure activity (P = .39) or among dogs having different numbers of seizures within the 72 hours preceding CSF collection (P = .42). A significant difference (P = .001) was found in CSF lactate concentrations among diagnostic groups, and dogs with inflammatory and neoplastic disease had higher concentrations than did dogs with idiopathic or unknown epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Cerebrospinal fluid lactate concentration is minimally affected by seizure activity in dogs and increased concentrations are more likely associated with the underlying disease process.

Objective To compare the Lactate Plus handheld monitor to a reference blood gas analyzer for determining plasma lactate concentrations in canine whole blood. Design Prospective observational study. Setting University teaching hospital. Animals Ninety-four dogs hospitalized or admitted through the emergency service provided 125 blood samples. Only dogs that required a venous or arterial blood gas evaluation as a part of their diagnostic assessment or ongoing management were included. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results Canine whole blood samples were assayed for plasma lactate concentration with a reference blood gas analyzer and the Lactate Plus monitor. Correlation and Bland–Altman analyses were used to compare results between the 2 methods. A subset of blood samples was repeatedly analyzed with the Lactate Plus to assess monitor precision. Plasma lactate measurements from the Lactate Plus monitor showed excellent correlation with those from the reference analyzer (ρ = 0.98, P 5 mmol/L. The coefficient of variation ranged from 0–26.2% (median, 3.7%) and was

A 4-year-old female spayed Pomeranian presented for being unable to use its pelvic limbs after a fall. The dog was paraplegic with absent pelvic limb nociception and a Schiff-Sherrington posture. Radiographs and Computed tomography showed a T11-T12 luxation. Spinal stabilization was performed for pain control. Twenty-four hours following surgery the patient lost pelvic limb reflexes. Twelve hours later she lost cutaneous trunci and forelimb proprioception and had increased respiratory effort. A diagnosis of progressive myelomalacia was made and the patient was euthanized. Most cases of progressive myelomalacia in dogs are due to intervertebral disc herniation. To the authors' knowledge, myelomalacia secondary to spinal fracture has not been reported.

BACKGROUND Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate concentration may be a useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in dogs. Previous studies have used methods requiring relatively large sample volumes or prolonged storage prior to analysis. An effective method to immediately quantify lactate in smaller CSF volumes would be beneficial. OBJECTIVES The main objectives were to evaluate the utility, accuracy, and precision of a portable meter for CSF lactate analysis in dogs and to develop a provisional RI using this device. A secondary objective was to assess the effects of different storage conditions on lactate concentrations. METHODS The Lactate Plus device was used to analyze CSF samples. Device accuracy and precision were assessed by spiking CSF samples with concentrated sodium lactate solutions and by repeated analysis of samples, respectively. The provisional RI was generated using CSF samples from dogs with unremarkable laboratory data, central nervous system imaging, and conventional cytologic and chemical CSF analysis. Select samples were analyzed before and after storage at 4°C, -20°C, and -80°C. RESULTS Spiked samples showed lactate concentrations comparable to expected concentrations. The CV of immediate repeated measurements was 0-9.69%. Sample storage at 4°C for 24 hours showed similar results but variation was higher with other storage conditions. The provisional RI was 1.02-2.49 mmol/L. CONCLUSIONS The Lactate Plus has acceptable accuracy and precision for the quantification of CSF lactate in dogs. Lactate in CSF is ideally quantified immediately after collection as a subset of samples show variation with storage although most stored samples show acceptable variation.