Dorsal Nerve Root Origins of the Cutaneous Nerves of the Feline Pelvic Limb

The dorsal root origins of cutaneous nerves supplying the feline pelvic limb were determined electrophysiologically in 11 cats. Cutaneous nerves were surgically exposed and the presence or absence of an evoked potential in response to stimulation of individual dorsal roots was noted. The dorsal cutaneous branches of L3-L5 and S3, and the lateral cutaneous branch of L3 each arose solely from their parent spinal nerves. The L7, S1, and S2 dorsal cutaneous branches had multiple dorsal root origins. The lateral cutaneous femoral nerve originated from L3-L6 dorsal roots in 4 patterns of origin, and the saphenous nerve originated from L4-L6 dorsal roots in 2 patterns of origin. The lateral and caudal cutaneous sural nerves originated from L6-S1 roots in 2 and 3 patterns, respectively. The lateral and medial plantar nerves arose from L6-S2 roots in 4 and 2 patterns, respectively. The superficial and deep peroneal nerves originated from L6-S1 roots in 2 and 3 patterns, respectively. The caudal cutaneous femoral nerve or its branches arose from L7-S3 in 8 origin patterns. The dorsal nerve of the penis and the superficial perineal nerve arose from L7-S3 and S1-S3 roots, respectively, each in 4 patterns. A subtle correlation between plexus type and dorsal root origins of the cutaneous nerves was noted.     

Vertebral canal and spinal cord mensuration: a comparative study of its effect on lumbosacral myelography in the dachshund and German shepherd dog

One hundred noncontrast spinal radiographic studies followed by myelography were evaluated to compare vertebral canal size and spinal cord location and size in a chondrodystrophic breed (50 Dachshunds) with those variables in a nonchondrodystrophic breed (50 German Shepherd Dogs). Measurements were made of the sagittal diameter (height) of the vertebral canal, sagittal diameter (height) of the spinal cord, and transverse diameter (width) of the spinal cord in the lumbar and sacral regions. Differences were detected in the craniocaudal location of maximal vertebral canal height and maximal spinal cord height. The spinal cords in the Dachshunds terminated further caudally than those in the German Shepherd Dogs. Location of maximal spinal cord width was different between the breeds, consistent with the apparent, more caudal termination of the cord in the Dachshunds. The ratio of spinal cord to vetebral canal heights was notably greater in the Dachshunds than in the German Shepherd Dogs. These differences in vertebral canal and spinal cord mensuration may influence the choice of radiographic technique and its interpretation. Injection sites may be selected further cranially in German Shepherd Dogs (L4-5) than in Dachshunds (L5-6).     

Coagulase-positive staphylococcal mastitis in a herd with low somatic cell counts

An increase in clinical mastitis infections was observed in a high-producing 77-cow Holstein herd. Low bulk tank somatic cell counts and individual cow Dairy Herd Improvement Association somatic cell counts observed before, during, and after the epizootic were suggestive of herd environmental mastitis. However, bacteriologic culture survey of the total herd indicated that, in addition to infections possibly attributable to environmental pathogens, 22% (17/77) of the cows were infected with coagulase-positive Staphylococcus spp. Conceivably, investigative efforts and management changes, without bacteriologic culturing, might have resulted in reduction of the clinical infection rate in this herd. However, the continued high prevalence of a contagious pathogen with potential future implications would have gone unnoticed. Somatic cell count in milk from individual cows generally is a useful tool for monitoring the probability of intramammary infection, but must be complemented with bacteriologic culture of milk to determine whether contagious or environmental pathogens are responsible.     

Characteristics of cerebrospinal fluid associated with canine granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis: a retrospective study

Cerebrospinal fluid of 22 dogs with histologically confirmed granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis was analyzed, retrospectively. Seventeen dogs had cisternal CSF analysis, 4 dogs had lumbar CSF analysis, and 1 dog had both. For cisternal CSF, the mean +/- SEM total WBC count was 800.8 +/- 300.9 cells/microliter. The WBC differential count was predominantly lymphoplasmacytic cells, but 13 of the 18 cisternal CSF had polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells, and the mean +/- SEM PMN cell percentage was 18.6 +/- 5.3%. The mean +/- SEM total protein content of cisternal CSF was 255.8 +/- 98 mg/dl. Of 5 cisternal CSF pressures measured, 4 were within the normal range. The mean +/- SEM total WBC count and total protein content of lumbar CSF were 533.4 +/- 256.5 cells/mu/microliter and 163.2 +/- 25 mg of protein/dl, respectively. As with cisternal CSF, the WBC differential count of lumbar CSF was predominantly lymphoplasmacytic cells. Of 5 lumbar CSF, 4 contained PMN cells, but the percentage was less than the PMN cell percentage of cisternal CSF. Although variable, the general pattern of CSF abnormality associated with granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis was different from the CSF abnormalities commonly seen with viral, bacterial, or mycotic encephalitides.     

Neurologic abnormalities as the predominant signs of neoplasia of the nasal cavity in dogs and cats: seven cases (1973-1986)

Neurologic abnormalities were the predominant historic and physical findings in 5 dogs and 2 cats with primary nasal cavity tumors that had invaded the cranial vault. Seizures, behavior changes, and obtundation were the most common signs. Other neurologic signs included paresis, ataxia, circling, visual deficit, and proprioceptive deficit. Although 1 dog and 2 cats had historic findings of mild respiratory disease, no physical abnormalities related to the respiratory tract were found in any of the 7 animals. Nasal cavity neoplasia was suggested by radiographic and computed tomographic studies and was confirmed histopathologically in each case. The nasal tumor types in the 5 dogs were epidermoid carcinoma (n = 1), adenocarcinoma (n = 2), solid carcinoma (n = 1), and anaplastic chondrosarcoma (n = 1). An esthesioneuroblastoma was found in each cat. Radiation therapy was effective for 3 months in palliating the clinical signs in the 2 dogs in which it was used. Neoplasia of the nasal cavity should be considered in the differential diagnosis for animals with neurologic signs suggestive of cerebral disorders.     

Cerebral coenurosis in a cat

Coenurus serialis, the intermediate stage of Taenia serialis, was the cause of progressive, fatal, intracranial disease in a 5-year-old cat. X-Ray computed tomographic findings were identical to those associated with intracranial parasitic cysts in people, in whom x-ray computed tomographic features are considered pathognomonic and superior to those of other diagnostic methods. The presumed source of the coenurus was the owner's dog.