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A 9‐week‐old puppy with refractory seizures and a dome‐shaped head presented to the Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine Specialty Center for suspected hydrocephalus. Computerized tomography (CT) findings included transtentorial herniation and an intra‐axial mass with dystrophic mineralization. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed an increased nucleated cell count of 1100/μl (RI < 5/μl), erythrocyte count of 2.2 × 106/μl, and markedly increased microprotein of 1939 mg/dl (RI < 30 mg/dl). On cytologic examination of the CSF, numerous erythrophagocytic, and hemosiderin‐laden macrophages were observed, which indicated chronic active hemorrhage. Many neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes that contained numerous intracytoplasmic, pleomorphic, bright yellow crystals were observed. Considering the ongoing hemorrhage, the crystals were presumed to be hematoidin. A biopsy with histopathology was performed on the intra‐axial mass, and the results were consistent with a vascular hamartoma. We speculate that the formation of these crystals was related to the ongoing hemorrhage associated with the vascular hamartoma. Identification of these crystals may be useful to aid in the identification of chronic hemorrhage associated with vascular malformations or lesions within the central nervous system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome and prognosis of thoracolumbar feline intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) treated by surgical decompression. Methods: This was a multi-institutional retrospective study evaluating the age, breed, sex, body weight, presenting complaint, neuroanatomic diagnosis at presentation, diagnostic imaging results, surgery performed and the overall outcome at discharge and at recheck. Bivariable associations between variables were assessed using the Kruskal–Wallis test (age and grade of IVDD at presentation) and Fisher's exact test (grade of IVDD at presentation and outcome). Results: A total of 35 cats met the inclusion criteria for the study. The most frequently reported clinical sign was difficulty walking (54.2%). The majority of cats presented with an L4–S3 localization (57%). The most common site of intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) was at L6–L7 (34%). The majority of feline patients that received surgery had a positive outcome at the time of discharge (62.5%; n = 20/32) and at the time of the 2-week recheck (91.3%; n = 21/23). No association was identified between the age of the patient and the grade of IVDD. No association was identified between the presenting grade of IVDD and the clinical outcome at the time of discharge or at the time of recheck evaluation. Conclusions and relevance: Cats undergoing spinal decompressive surgery for thoracolumbar IVDH appear to have a favorable prognosis independent of the initial presenting grade of IVDD. A larger sample size and a longer length of follow-up is necessary to obtain statistical associations between the presenting grade of IVDD and overall clinical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A 1-year-old neutered male Labrador retriever mixed breed dog was referred for peracute onset of ataxia and seizures. Hematocrit at presentation was 84%. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a lesion in the right caudate nucleus consistent with infarction. Postmortem findings were consistent with polycythemia vera and presumed secondary cerebral infarction.

Chiari-like malformation (CLM) with syringomyelia (SM) in dogs is particularly prominent in the Cavalier King Charles spaniel breed, but has also been reported in several other small breed dogs. Over a period of 3 years, 23 canine patients were treated surgically for CLM-SM. Surgery consisted of foramen magnum decompression, durotomy, duraplasty, and free autogenous adipose tissue grafting (fat graft). All patients were re-evaluated clinically at least 1 month after surgery and some up to 3 years after surgery. Improvement was noted on all clinical evaluations. A questionnaire was mailed to all 23 owners after a period of at least 1 year after surgery. Seventeen surveys were returned. No patient has required additional surgery to date, 94% (16/17) had some improvement in quality of life after surgery, and none were judged to deteriorate to less than the pre-surgical status. The authors conclude that this surgical procedure, combined with medical therapy, resulted in favorable long-term outcomes.