ABSTRACT OF THE WEEK

Journal of veterinary internal medicine/ American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Volume 38 | Issue 6 (2024 Nov-Dec)

Prevalence of discospondylitis and association with congenital vertebral body malformations in English and French bulldogs.

J Vet Intern Med. 2024 Nov-Dec;38(6):3138 - 3143.

Nick Grapes¹, Simon Bertram², Rita Gonçalves³, Steven De Decker⁴

¹ Neurology and Neurosurgery, Davies Veterinary Specialists, Higham Gobion, United Kingdom.; ² Neurology and Neurosurgery, Cave Veterinary Specialists, Wellington, United Kingdom.; ³ Department of Veterinary Science, Small Animal Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool, Chesire, United Kingdom.; ⁴ Department of Clinical Science & Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Limited current information exists regarding discospondylitis within breeds commonly affected by congenital vertebral body malformations.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES:Report the prevalence of discospondylitis in English and French bulldogs and investigate for possible associations of discospondylitis with congenital vertebral body malformations.

ANIMALS:108 client-owned dogs.

METHODS:Retrospective multi-institutional study between June 2010 and 2020. Cases with a diagnosis of discospondylitis on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and complete medical records included. Signalment, discospondylitis location, presence of congenital vertebral body malformations, and the site of maximal kyphosis were recorded.

RESULTS:The prevalence of discospondylitis was 3.4 (1.6-6.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]) times higher in French bulldogs (P < .001) and 4.3 (1.7-9.8, 95% CI) times higher in English bulldogs (<.001), compared with the overall hospital cohort. One or more vertebral malformations were present in 12 French bulldogs (92.3%), 6 English bulldogs (75.0%), and 1 "other" breed dog (1.1%). Discospondylitis was diagnosed adjacent to congenital vertebral body malformations in 12 (80%) intervertebral discs in French bulldogs and 5 (50%) intervertebral discs in English bulldogs. The median age at presentation was significantly younger in French bulldogs (1.1 years; range, 0.5-9.2 years) and English bulldogs (1.0 years; range, 0.4-7.0 years), compared with "other" breed dogs (7.3 years; range, 0.3-14.0 years; both P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE:Congenital vertebral body malformations were frequently associated with discospondylitis in French and English bulldogs, with clinical signs commonly encountered at a significantly younger age.

Keywords

diskospondylitis; hemivertebra; neurology; small animal;

Article Tools:

Medline

Email to me

Grants:

Royal Veterinary College

Archives Highlights:

Efficacy and safety of once daily oral administration of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor velagliflozin compared with twice daily insulin injection in diabetic cats.
On Day 45, 29/54 (54%) velagliflozin-treated cats and 26/62 (42%) Caninsulin-treated cats showed treatment success, demonstrating noninferiority. By Day 91, quality of life (QoL), polyuria, and polydipsia had improved in 81%, 54%, and 61% (velagliflozin); on blood glucose (BG) curves, mean BG was <252 mg/dL in 42/54 (78%; velagliflozin) and 37/62 (60%; Caninsulin); minimum BG was <162 mg/dL in 41/54 (76%; velagliflozin) and 41/62 (66%; Caninsulin); serum fructosamine was <450 µmol/L in 41/54 (76%; velagliflozin) and 38/62 (61%; Caninsulin).

Transmucosal administration of pentobarbital and phenytoin solution induces euthanasia in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps).
An initial dose of euthanasia solution containing pentobarbital and phenytoin sodium was administered transmucosally in conscious lizards (100 mg/kg pentobarbital dose), followed by a second dose 20 minutes later (400 mg/kg pentobarbital dose). The median time to death was 300 minutes (range, 300 to 360 minutes), median time to respiratory arrest was 30 minutes (range, 30 to 50 minutes), and median time to loss of deep pain response was 30 minutes (range, 20 to 50 minutes). Signs consistent with oral irritation occurred in 4 of 6 (66.7%) lizards, including 2 lizards that exhibited whole-body spasms after euthanasia solution administration.

A public health campaign to increase awareness of the risk of dog bites in South Australia.
Over one third (36-37%) of dog owners and 25-29% of non-dog owners had been previously bitten by a dog, although most did not require medical attention. Approximately 70% of dog owners believed it was safe for strangers to approach their dog, 34-37% allowed children or other people to pat their dog without permission, and less than half separated their dog from visitors or delivery people. In contrast, few of the non-dog owners allowed their children to pat a dog without the owner's permission and only 2% allowed them to play with dogs without supervision.

Common Neurologic Diseases in Geriatric Dogs.
Neurological diseases are common in geriatric dogs, and although they can present with dramatic clinical signs, in a high percentage of cases, adequate management and a good quality of life for the patient can be achieved with symptomatic treatment.

From the Cat’s Point of View: Creating a Cat Friendly Veterinary Environment
Prepare the examination table in advance with warm blankets sprayed with synthetic feline pheromones placed on nonslip surfaces (e.g., yoga mats). Spraying synthetic feline pheromones on the examination table 15 minutes before the physical examination has been shown to lower stress levels compared with placebo Synthetic feline pheromone diffusers are also recommended.