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Abstract Background Thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (TL-IVDE) is the most common cause of acute paraparesis and paraplegia in dogs; however, guidelines on management of the condition are lacking. Objectives To summarize the current literature as it relates to diagnosis and management of acute TL-IVDE in dogs, and to formulate clinically relevant evidence-based recommendations. Animals None. Methods A panel of 8 experts was convened to assess and summarize evidence from the peer-reviewed literature in order to develop consensus clinical recommendations. Level of evidence available to support each recommendation was assessed and reported. Results The majority of available literature described observational studies. Most recommendations made by the panel were supported by a low or moderate level of evidence, and several areas of high need for further study were identified. These include better understanding of the ideal timing for surgical decompression, expected surgical vs medical outcomes for more mildly affected dogs, impact of durotomy on locomotor outcome and development of progressive myelomalacia, and refining of postoperative care, and genetic and preventative care studies. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Future efforts should build on current recommendations by conducting prospective studies and randomized controlled trials, where possible, to address identified gaps in knowledge and to develop cost effectiveness and number needed to treat studies supporting various aspects of diagnosis and treatment of TL-IVDE.

Sleep is a fundamental biological process essential for cognitive function, memory consolidation, and overall health in both humans and animals. Dogs, in particular, share many physiological and neurological similarities with humans, making them a valuable model for sleep research. Similar to humans, dogs can experience sleep disorders that disrupt sleep cycles and impair cognitive function. While serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs), like trazodone, have been shown to alleviate these conditions in dogs, their underlying neural mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates the effects of trazodone on brain dynamics in healthy dogs using electroencephalographic (EEG) analysis. We compared treated subjects with a control group by characterizing EEG activity across wakefulness, drowsiness, Non-REM (NREM), and REM sleep states. Hypnogram analysis was used to assess sleep architecture, including alterations in cycle patterns and time spent in each stage. Additionally, we examined linear and non-linear EEG dynamics using Power Spectral Density (PSD), Permutation Entropy (PE), and Lempel-Ziv complexity (LZC), as well as connectivity changes through Phase Lag Index (PLI) and coherence analysis. Our findings indicate that trazodone significantly alters sleep structure by modifying sleep cycles, reducing power in lower frequency bands across most sleep stages, and increasing power in frequencies above 13 Hz during Drowsiness and NREM. Furthermore, treated dogs exhibited increased signal entropy and complexity in lower frequency bands across all sleep stages, along with a reduction in brain connectivity in most stages and frequency bands. These results provide new insights into the short-term effects of trazodone on brain activity during sleep, with potential implications for its clinical use as a sleep aid in dogs.

Advancements in veterinary medicine have resulted in increased life spans for dogs, necessitating a better understanding of quality of life for older dogs. This study aimed to evaluate quality of life (QoL) progression and its potential association with mortality in senior and geriatric dogs. The Canine Owner-Reported Quality of Life Questionnaire (CORQ), consisting of 17 questions across four domains (vitality, companionship, pain, and mobility) was employed. Higher scores indicated better quality of life, with 7 as the highest potential score for each question. In a cross-sectional analysis including 92 dogs, we found an inverse correlation between overall CORQ (and all domain scores) and fractional lifespan. The domain of vitality demonstrated the lowest scores, while companionship exhibited the highest. A longitudinal analysis, including 34 dogs, revealed that when dogs reach the geriatric stage (100% of their calculated lifespan), their expected overall CORQ is 5.95 out of 7, and dogs are expected to have a monthly decline of 0.05 units in the score. Cox proportional hazard analysis demonstrated a significant association between overall CORQ scores and mortality, with dogs scoring below 5.35 being at a higher risk of mortality. This study underscores the association between aging, declining quality of life, and increased mortality risk in aging dogs.

Chiari-like malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM) are prevalent in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS). We hypothesized that CKCS with clinical signs compatible with CM+/-SM exhibit sleep disturbances. Thirty-seven CKCS with and without clinical signs compatible with CM+/-SM were included. No magnetic resonance imaging was required for inclusion. A questionnaire-based study was conducted using two validated instruments: CHASE to assess CM+/-SM severity and SNoRE 3.0 to evaluate sleep disturbances. Dogs with CHASE scores ≥7 were classified as having clinical signs. Nineteen dogs with clinical signs (median: 5 years, range: 3–10 years) and 18 without clinical signs (mean: 4.1 years, SD: 2.6) were included, with median CHASE scores of 13 (range: 7–18) and 1 (range: 0–6), respectively. Dogs with clinical signs had higher median SNoRE scores (median: 10, range: 6–30) than dogs without clinical signs (median: 7, range: 6–15). Sleep quality (padj = 0.008) and sleep interruptions due to dreaming (padj = 0.003) were significantly different between groups, with clinically affected dogs showing higher scores and greater variability. CKCS with clinical signs compatible with CM+/-SM show evidence of sleep disturbances, warranting confirmation with polysomnography and consideration in therapeutic management.

Abstract Case Description A 10-month-old castrated male domestic longhair cat was evaluated for increasing frequency of episodic limb rigidity. Clinical Findings The cat presented for falling over and lying recumbent with its limbs in extension for several seconds when startled or excited. Upon examination, the cat had hypertrophied musculature, episodes of facial spasm, and a short-strided, stiff gait. Diagnostics Electromyography (EMG) identified spontaneous discharges that waxed and waned in amplitude and frequency, consistent with myotonic discharges. A high impact 8-base pair (bp) deletion across the end of exon 3 and intron 3 of the chloride voltage-gated channel 1 (CLCN1) gene was identified using whole genome sequencing. Treatment and Outcome Phenytoin treatment was initiated at 3 mg/kg po q24 h and resulted in long-term improvement. Clinical Relevance This novel mutation within the CLCN1 gene is a cause of myotonia congenita in cats and we report for the first time its successful treatment.

Abstract Background Elderly people with presbycusis are at higher risk for dementia and depression than the general population. There is no information regarding consequences of presbycusis in dogs. Objective Evaluate the relationship between cognitive function, quality of life, and hearing loss in aging companion dogs. Animals Thirty-nine elderly companion dogs. Methods Prospective study. Hearing was evaluated using brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) testing. Dogs were grouped by hearing ability. Owners completed the canine dementia scale (CADES) and canine owner-reported quality of life (CORQ) questionnaire. Cognitive testing was performed, and cognitive testing outcomes, CADES and CORQ scores and age were compared between hearing groups. Results Nineteen dogs could hear at 50 dB, 12 at 70 dB, and 8 at 90 dB with mean ages (months) of 141 ± 14, 160 ± 16, and 172 ± 15 for each group respectively (P = .0002). Vitality and companionship CORQ scores were significantly lower as hearing deteriorated (6.6-5.4, 50-90 dB group, P = .03 and 6.9-6.2, 50-90 dB group, P = .02, respectively). Cognitive classification by CADES was abnormal in all 90 dB group dogs and normal in 3/12 70 dB group and 11/19 50 dB group dogs (P = .0004). Performance on inhibitory control, detour and sustained gaze tasks decreased significantly with hearing loss (P = .001, P = .008, P = .002, respectively). In multivariate analysis, higher CADES score was associated with worse hearing (P = .01). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Presbycusis negatively alters owner-pet interactions and is associated with poor executive performance and owner-assessed dementia severity.

Presbycusis affects both peripheral and central auditory systems in people and dogs. While comprehensive behavioral hearing tests exist for people, veterinary audiology lacks methods to assess central auditory function in dogs. This study aimed to develop behavioral hearing tests for dogs. We introduced two novel assessments: the Enclosed Canine Hearing Observation (ECHO) test and the Evaluation of Auditory Reward Response (EARR) test. Fourteen adult dogs with normal hearing, five deaf and five senior dogs were included. The ECHO test evaluates a dog’s ability to detect sounds; only hearing dogs responded to sounds with behaviors such as orienting the head or body towards the sound source. The EARR test assesses integration of auditory perception with learning and memory by associating sound cues with rewards; hearing dogs successfully learned and completed the sound-reward task while deaf dogs did not. Senior dogs were able to perform both tasks. Our findings confirmed that these tests are feasible in companion dogs and can differentiate between those with normal hearing and those with hearing impairment. Furthermore, both tests showed high test-retest, intra- and inter-observer reliability. These tests can be paired with electrophysiological tests and MRI evaluations, advancing our ability to detect and characterize presbycusis in dogs.

Abstract Background Intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) is the most common spinal cord disease in dogs. Little information is available regarding the clinical presentation of nerve root signature (NRS) associated with cervical IVDH. Hypothesis/Objective To detail the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in dogs with NRS associated with cervical IVDH. Animals Forty-seven client-owned dogs presenting with thoracic limb NRS and MRI confirmed IVDH. Methods Medical records from 2010 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed for dogs that met inclusion criteria. Imaging studies were evaluated by 2 individuals to characterize location and severity of neural tissue compression. Results Chondrodystrophoid dogs comprised the majority of the study cohort, with dachshund the most common breed (n = 10). Three-quarters of dogs were ≥7 years of age. Interobserver agreement was moderate or good for all of the imaging variables evaluated. The C6-C7 intervertebral disc space was significantly overrepresented (P = .01), comprising 32% (15/47) of the affected discs. However, 42% (20/47) of cases involved C2-C3 though C4-C5 disc sites. Disc material was more frequently located laterally compared to medially within the vertebral canal (P = .0005), and to be associated with compression of the nerve root at the level of the intervertebral foramen (P = .012). Conclusion/Clinical Importance NRS is most commonly associated with lateralized or foraminal cervical disc herniations. It is most prevalent with C6-C7 intervertebral disc involvement, suggesting that there might be unique anatomic factors that contribute to development of NRS at this site, but can be a clinical manifestation of IVDH occurring anywhere along the cervical spine.

Age-related decline in mobility and cognition are associated with cellular senescence and NAD + depletion in dogs and people. A combination of a novel NAD + precursor and senolytic, LY-D6/2, was examined in this randomized controlled trial. Seventy dogs with mild to moderate cognitive impairment were enrolled and allocated into placebo, low or full dose groups. Primary outcomes were change in cognitive impairment measured with the owner-reported Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Rating (CCDR) scale and change in activity measured with physical activity monitors. Fifty-nine dogs completed evaluations at the 3-month primary endpoint, and 51 reached the 6-month secondary endpoint. There was a significant difference in CCDR score across treatment groups from baseline to the primary endpoint (p = 0.02) with the largest decrease in the full dose group. No difference was detected between groups using in house cognitive testing. There were no significant differences between groups in changes in measured activity. The proportion of dogs that improved in frailty and owner-reported activity levels and happiness was higher in the full dose group than other groups, however this difference was not significant. Adverse events occurred equally across groups. All groups showed improvement in cognition, frailty, and activity suggesting placebo effect and benefits of trial participation. We conclude that LY-D6/2 improves owner-assessed cognitive function over a 3-month period and may have broader, but more subtle effects on frailty, activity and happiness as reported by owners.

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) has been recognized in dogs since the 1800s, when the first descriptions of extruded disc material within the vertebral canal were published. In the intervening time our understanding of intervertebral disc pathology in dogs and cats has increased dramatically, with many variations of IVDD described. Whilst the volume of literature and collective understanding of IVDD has expanded, there has also been scope for confusion as the definition of intervertebral disc disease, with its myriad different manifestations, becomes more complicated. A large volume of literature has aimed to combine the use of histopathology, diagnostic imaging and clinical findings to better understand the various ways in which IVDD can be classified. Much of this research has focused on the classification of mechanisms of intervertebral disc degeneration, centering around the differences between, and overlaps in, IVDD in chondrodystrophic and non-chondrodystrophic dog breeds. However, with the increasing availability of advanced imaging modalities allowing more accurate antemortem diagnosis, the concept of IVDD has expanded to include other clinical presentations that may not fit into traditional models of classification of IVDD. This review aims to provide an up to date overview of both historical and current systems of IVDD classification, highlighting the important findings and controversies underpinning them.