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This study investigated the association between neurological signs as well as plausible risk factors and the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infection in dogs of the Campo Grande region of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. In this study, the dogs were divided into two groups based on the presence and the absence of neurological signs (n=30 in each group). Serological diagnosis was performed using the indirect fluorescent antibody test. In the group with neurological disorders, 23.3% and 30% of the dogs had anti-T. gondii and anti-N. caninum antibodies, respectively. Moreover, three dogs from this group showed co-infection with both protozoa. In the group without neurological signs, 16.7% and 13.3% of the dogs were seropositive for T. gondii and N. caninum, respectively. Although presence of neurological signs was not associated with T. gondii and N. caninum infections (P = 0.747 and P = 0.21, respectively), there was a statistical association between T. gondii seropositivity and peripheral neurological alteration (P = 0.016) among dogs with neurological signs. Raw meat ingestion was the only risk factor associated with the presence of anti-N. caninum antibodies (P = 0.041). Results revealed evidence of exposure to N. caninum and T. gondii in dogs irrespective of the presence of neurological signs. Moreover, this study highlighted the need for serological investigation of T. gondii in dogs with disturbances in peripheral nervous systems and not offering raw meat to animals to avoid the risk of N. caninum infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) consists of a group of diseases characterized by defective collagen production or failure in its organization, resulting in changes in the strength and extensibility of connective tissue. This report describes the dermatological and histological findings observed in a 3-month-old crossbreed cat with rupture and detachment of skin in the thoracic limb and rupture of the skin in the cervical region. Upon dermatological examination, the cat presented fragile and hyperextensible skin in the cervical region and a skin extensibility index of 21%. Histopathological evaluation of the skin specimens revealed evident disorganization of collagen bundles in dermis and in the Masson's trichrome staining, follicular dysplasia was found. The presumptive diagnosis of EDS was made based on the clinical and histopathological findings. Sanger sequencing did not detect any mutated alleles for the c.3420delG mutation in COL5A1 gene, which was an autosomal dominant mutation previously been associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in cats. The absence of this mutation in the reported cat suggests that other mutation may also be responsible for the development of cutaneous asthenia in this or maybe other genes related to collagen metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anesthetic protocols have been developed to obtain the most effective and safe association in wildlife. This study compared the anesthetic effects and cardiorespiratory parameters of ketamine-S (+) (10 mg/kg)/dexmedetomidine (0.020 mg/kg) (KD) and ketamine-S (+) (10 mg/kg)/midazolam (0.5 mg/kg)/methadone (1.0 mg/kg) (KMM) in capuchin monkeys (Sapajus apella). Eight capuchin monkeys were randomly assigned to KD (n = 4) or KMM (n = 4) to evaluate induction, immobilization, and recovery scores, heart and respiratory rate parameters, besides systolic, mean, diastolic arterial pressure and arterial blood gas. There was no difference (P = 0.56) in the quality of induction, immobilization, and anesthetic recovery between the protocols. The time for anesthetic induction was 4 ± 1 min in the KD group and 5 ± 1 min in the KMM group, and these values were statistically equal (P = 0.28). The mean immobilization time in the KD and KMM groups were 35 ± 13 and 33 ± 15 min, respectively. Heart rate was lower in animals in the KD group (P < 0.001), while respiratory rate (P = 0.03), and mean blood pressure (P = 0.046) were higher than that of the animals in the KMM group. Respiratory acidosis occurred in the KMM group, with lower pH (7.25±0.047; P = 0.0055) and higher pCO2 (51 ± 6;mmHg; P = 0.008). Both protocols exhibited good induction quality, immobilization, and anesthetic recovery, despite cardiorespiratory and blood gas alterations observed, which warrants monitoring of cardiorespiratory variables during KD or KMM chemical restraint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary adipsia is a rare condition in which there is failure in the activation threshold of the hypothalamic osmoreceptors, leading to osmolality imbalance. Here, we reported the case of a Pit Bull dog with an altered level of consciousness (started after weaning) and adipsia. There was an increase in plasma osmolality (444 mOsm/kg), sodium (223.7 mg/dL), and chlorine (173 mg/dL) levels. Based on the suspicion of primary adipsia, water was administered via a nasogastric tube, with clinical improvement. The owner was instructed to supply water with food. Eight months after discharge, the dog returned with parvovirus and died. In the anatomopathological examination, no structural changes were observed in the central nervous system. To our knowledge, this is the first report of hypernatremia due to adipsia in a Pit Bull dog, showing that this is a differential diagnosis that should be considered in this breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pneumocephalus is characterized by the presence of gas in the intracranial compartment, and it can be developed by trauma, craniofacial surgery or spontaneously. Clinical signs start within days or months after the injury and vary according to the site of involvement. Computed tomography is the ideal diagnostic tool, however skull radiography can also be used. Treatment varies according to the severity of the case, and it can be conservative or associated with surgical intervention in the most severe cases. The purpose of this report is to describe the case of a dog that developed pneumocephalus and suppurative meningoencephalitis after head trauma caused by a bite from another dog. Case: A 2-month-old bitch, mixed breed, with 3.2 kg, was referred to the Veterinary Hospital because it had been bitten on the head by another dog. Shortly after the incident, the animal showed no clinical signs. However, 2 days later, the bitch became depressed and in persistent lateral decubitus. A lesion with a crust of approximately 0.5 cm was found close to the occipital region, with bone irregularity on palpation. The animal was in lateral decubitus with muscular hypotonia, bilateral mydriasis unresponsive to light and stupor. Radiographic images showed parietal fracture and pneumocephalus. Based on the findings of physical and laboratorial exams, diagnosis of suppurative meningoencephalitis and pneumocephalus secondary to craniofacial trauma was established. Empirical broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy was started in addition to mannitol, corticoids, and analgesics. The animal was referred for surgical debridement by trepanation, when samples were collected to bacterial culture, which was negative. Despites the care, the animal died 14 h after the surgical procedure. Histopathological examination of the frontal cortex was performed, being the histological changes compatible with suppurative meningoencephalitis. Discussion: Dog bites on the head and neck are particularly severe, and can create intracranial bleeding, disfigurement of the face, damage to peripheral structures or cranial fractures. In this report, through radiographic images, it was found that the patient had an intracerebral aerocele, since there was presence of gas in the intracranial compartment. This alteration should always be considered in animals with neurological alterations and a history of craniofacial trauma. The main neurological changes observed in the reported case were unresponsive to mydriasis and altered mental status 2 days after the trauma, and this delay in the onset of clinical signs is frequently reported in cases of pneumocephalus. Neutrophilia and leukocytosis observed can be justified by the suppurative meningoencephalitis, confirmed by the histopathological exam. Antimicrobial therapy should be started as soon as possible, and the choice must be based on their capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier and the broad spectrum. The administration of antibiotics before collecting the material for bacterial culture may explain the negative result of this test, so that it is not possible to determine whether the intracranial gas observed on the radiograph may have developed from the trauma or because of gas-producing bacteria. Head trauma can induce suppurative meningoencephalitis and pneumocephalus even in the absence of perforating wounds at the time of the consultation. The neurological signs can start days after the trauma. Besides the clinical and surgical treatments, the prognosis of any bacterial infection of the central nervous system is poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In cats, arterial thromboembolism is one of the most devastating diseases, with an acute presentation, and is often caused by undiagnosed cardiomyopathy. Defined as the obstruction of one or more arterial lumens by emboli, the arterial thromboembolism is responsible for hypoperfusion signs. As the temperature of the skin surface is directly related to tissue perfusion, thermography can be promising for the early diagnosis of thromboembolism. Therefore, this study reports the importance of thermography as a complementary examination for the diagnosis of thromboembolism in the abdominal aorta of a domestic cat. Case: A 4-year-old mixed-breed cat weighing 2.95 kg was presented with a history of sudden onset paraplegia, apathy, and pain when handled, with greater intensity in the sacro-coccidian region. During physical exam, it was noted that the femoral artery pulse was undetectable bilaterally during manual pulse measurement. Superficial and deep sensitivity in the pelvic limbs and proprioception were also absent and the plantar cushions and nail beds of the posterior limbs were pale to cyanotic. Thermographic images revealed that the temperature of both hind limbs was lower than that of forelimbs, with difference of 3.2ºC and 2.9ºC between the left and right limbs, respectively. Doppler ultrasonography revealed the absence of pulse and flow in the femoral arteries bilaterally. Electrocardiography revealed sinus tachycardia, with a heart rate of 250 bpm. Echocardiography revealed dilation of the left atrium and concentric cardiac hypertrophy. After 24 h, due to the worsening of the clinical condition and unfavorable prognosis, the animal was euthanized and sent for necropsy. Necropsy revealed that the arterial lumen of the caudal abdominal aorta and bifurcation of the iliac arteries were obliterated, with a 0.6 cm saddle thrombus adhered to the arterial wall. In addition, left ventricular thickening indicative hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was observed. In the left atrium, a thrombus was observed that filled the entire chamber. Discussion: Thermography is a fast and non-invasive method, and therefore, it is a tool of great relevance in emergencies. Previous study showed that a minimum temperature difference of 2.4°C between the affected and unaffected limbs has excellent specificity and high sensitivity for the diagnosis of feline aortic thromboembolism. In this report, the temperature differences between the affected and unaffected limbs on the left and right sides were found to be 3.2°C and 2.9°C, respectively, corroborated this finding. Cats with cardiomyopathies are predisposed to the development of thrombi, and rarely manifest heart disease. Here, the cat was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy during the diagnostic investigation for arterial thromboembolism, which is consistent with the usual findings because feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy progresses silently with few clinical manifestations in the early stages. Clinical diagnosis of arterial thromboembolism can be made based on the presence of some physical examination findings, such as pain and paralysis of the affected limbs, absence of a femoral pulse, cold extremities, and pale or cyanotic cushions. In this report, thermography proved to be an accurate, quick, and non-invasive method for the assessment of vascular alterations that affected the pelvic limbs of the cat. Complementary examinations confirmed the presence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and necropsy revealed the presence of thrombus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Idiopathic trigeminal neuropathy is a peripheral neuropathy whose clinical signs include inability to close the mouth. A neurological examination reveals mainly flaccid paralysis of the masticatory muscles, which may be accompanied by atony/hypotonia of the masseter and temporalis muscles. Altered sensitivity may also be present in very rare cases. This article reports a case of idiopathic trigeminal neuropathy with involvement of the motor and sensory nerve fibers in a dog, describing the clinical symptoms, neurological findings, exclusion of other diseases, and evolution of the condition. Case: A 5-year-old bitch showing signs of difficulty in picking up food, swallowing water, and hypersalivation was taken to a veterinary clinic. According to her owner, these signs had started spontaneously 2 days earlier. A physical examination of the animal revealed only a persistently open mouth, although the mouth opening and closing movements could be performed manually by manipulating the jaw. The patient showed swallowing ability, and her tongue movements were intact. The neurological examination revealed that the animal also presented bilateral absence of nasal sensitivity and absence of palpebral reflex. The animal's blood test results showed changes only in the CK and AST levels, which were 1,182.60 U/L (reference: 1.5 to 28.4 U/L) and 87.1 IU/L (reference: 6.2 to 13 IU/L), respectively. The animal tested negative for distemper, leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis and neosporosis. Abdominal ultrasound and thoracic radiography were performed to investigate neoplasia, as well as radiography of the temporomandibular joints, and none of these imaging tests revealed any alterations. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was also within the normal range of reference parameters. In view of the possibility of idiopathic trigeminal neuropathy, prednisolone (Prediderm® 10 mg) was prescribed, to be administered orally in a dose of 0.5 mg/kg at 12 h intervals for 2 days. In addition, the owner was told to provide supportive care by feeding the animal a pasty diet placed directly in the back of its mouth, using a syringe if necessary. An examination of the animal in a follow-up visit to the veterinary clinic 14 days later found that she had recovered completely from her initial condition. Discussion: Among the most common causes of neurogenic flaccid paralysis of the masticatory muscles is idiopathic trigeminal neuropathy, although trigeminal neuropathy secondary to neoplasms and infectious or parasitic diseases may also occur. Because its etiology is of unknown origin, it is essential to exclude other causes of peripheral neuropathies. Moreover, this disorder is characterized by its self-limiting evolution, with spontaneous cure of the clinical condition within two weeks, as was observed in the case reported here. The absence of nasal sensitivity is not usually found in dogs diagnosed with idiopathic trigeminal nerve paralysis. In this case, however, there was involvement of the motor and sensory fibers, since, in addition to flaccid paralysis of the masticatory muscles, nasal sensitivity was also found to be affected. The condition can be treated with corticosteroids when it first appears, simply in order to hasten the animal's recovery from the disorder. In addition, given the animal's inability to close its mouth, it is essential to provide supportive care by feeding it with pasty foods and water by hand to ensure it receives adequate nutrition during the course of the disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]