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Assessing the presence of vertebral column instability is essential in animals with vertebral fractures or luxations. Spinal instability is most commonly assessed using a three-compartment model and unstable vertebral fractures and luxations require surgical stabilisation. In cases of compression of the spinal cord (by haematoma, traumatic intervertebral disc extrusion or bone fragment), decompression surgery is necessary. Prompt surgery prevents additional spinal cord damage, but the overall condition of the patient, including any concurrent injuries, needs to be continually kept in mind. The vertebral column can be stabilised using multiple techniques, such as screws, pins, polymethylmetacrylate and plating techniques, as well as external stabilisation and spinal stapling. Complications of spinal surgeries include haemorrhage, infection, neurological deterioration, particularly in cases of spinal stabilisations, implant loosening and failure.

External traumatic injuries such as those caused by road traffic accidents, fights or falls in dogs and cats, can result in vertebral column fracture or luxation. The key to successfully managing such cases is an efficient and accurate initial assessment, followed by stabilisation and immobilisation, to ensure adequate spinal cord blood flow and oxygenation. The crucial prognostic factor for vertebral column fractures or luxations is the presence or absence of nociception. Definitive diagnosis relies on computed tomography since changes, such as fractures of the articular processes, may be missed on radiography. The most appropriate diagnostic method for assessing the severity of the spinal cord injury is magnetic resonance imaging.

Ivona Orgonikova and Nicki Reed of Wear Referrals, Bradbury, Stockton-on-Tees, present an uncommon diagnosis for common clinical signs in a cat.

A 7-year-old male entire vizsla, diagnosed with protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) one month previously, presented with lumbar hyperaesthesia. MRI of the lumbar spine revealed an extradural mass at the level of L3 vertebra. Most of the mass was surgically excised during left-sided pediculectomy at L3 and left-sided L2-L3 mini-hemilaminectomy. Histopathology revealed a moderately proliferative, lymphocyte/plasmacyte-rich, mesenchymo-invasive localised histiocytic sarcoma affecting the spinal cord. Chemotherapy with lomustine (1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosurea) was commenced for treatment of the histiocytic sarcoma and during therapy the persistent proteinuria resolved, having previously only shown an improvement with symptomatic treatment. The dog survived 881 days after diagnosis, which is exceptional in cases of histiocytic sarcomas affecting CNS.

Case summaryIn this report we describe the occurrence of intracranial meningioma in two adult cats from the same litter. The location of the meningioma varied: one tumour was at the level of the brainstem, and the other was affecting the temporal and piriform lobes. The cat with the brainstem meningioma was treated with radiotherapy and the littermate had a rostrotentorial craniectomy for tumour removal. Both cats had a histopathological diagnosis of grade I meningioma of a predominantly fibrous subtype.Relevance and novel informationCases of familial meningioma in cats have not previously been described in the veterinary literature. However, familial meningioma is well described in humans and it is possible that cases are underestimated in animals. We discuss the possible genetic background and other causes, as well as challenges we may face in veterinary medicine in identifying these associations.