Key-Gaskell syndrome in a cat in Switzerland

As far as the authors know this is the first case of Key-Gaskell-syndrome being described in Switzerland. The clinical signs of megaoesophagus, anorexia, constipation, dryness of all mucous membranes, reduced tear production, protrusion of the membrana nictitans, mydriasis, regurgitation and bradycardia are pathognomonic and can't be mistaken by any other disease. The subject of the Key-Gaskell-syndrome is a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Histopathological changes are exclusively related to the autonomic nervous system and to neurons of some nuclei in the cranial nerves. Less severe changes can be found in the neurons of the spinal cord or in the dorsal root ganglia. The etiology remains still unclear. There is a relationship to the grass sickness syndrome in horses and to dysautonomia of man and dog.     

"Shaker" calf syndrome: a newly recognized inherited neurodegenerative disorder of horned Hereford calves

The clinical and pathological features of a newly recognized, inherited neurodegenerative disorder in horned Hereford calves are described. The disorder is expressed in newborns by tremulous shaking of the head, body and tail, difficulty in rising, a wobbly spastic gait, and aphonia. Transient improvement is followed by deterioration and progressive spastic paraplegia. Generalized tremors can be induced easily by a variety of stimuli, and spinal reflexes may be exaggerated or depressed. The major pathological finding is an excessive accumulation of neurofilaments within neurons of the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems. The involvement of multiple systems of neurons and the similarity with some forms of human motor neuron disease and spinocerebellar degeneration suggest that this unique bovine disease may serve as a suitable animal model for these human neurodegenerative disorders.     

Dysautonomia in dogs: 65 cases (1993-2000)

OBJECTIVE: To determine signalment, history, clinical findings, results of autonomic function testing and other antemortem diagnostic tests, and pathologic findings in dogs with dysautonomia. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 65 dogs with dysautonomia. PROCEDURE: Case records of 68 dogs with a diagnosis of dysautonomia were reviewed; inclusion criteria included histologic confirmation of dysautonomia or clinical signs and results of pharmacologic testing consistent with dysautonomia. RESULTS: 65 dogs fulfilled all criteria for dysautonomia. Dogs from rural environments were overrepresented, and cases of dysautonomia were reported for every month, although the highest number of cases was reported in February and March. Vomiting was the most common clinical sign, followed by diarrhea, signs of anorexia and depression, weight loss, and dysuria. The most common physical examination finding was decreased or absent anal tone, followed by absent pupillary light reflexes and elevated nictitating membrane. Results of pharmacologic testing were consistent with dysautonomia, although no single test was 100% sensitive. Histologic lesions consistent with dysautonomia were found in the autonomic ganglia, brainstem nuclei, and ventral horns of the spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dysautonomia is an endemic disease in Kansas, and a high index of suspicion of the disease can be made by combining clinical signs, physical examination findings, and results of pharmacologic testing.     

A syndrome resembling feline dysautonomia (Key-Gaskell syndrome) in a dog.

Dysautonomia, or autonomic nervous system dysfunction, was diagnosed in a 1-year-old dog. Clinical signs of disease included diarrhea, vomiting, prolapse of nictitating membranes, and urinary incontinence. Bilateral keratoconjunctivitis sicca, xerostomia, and decreased anal sphincter tone were also observed. On the basis of response to atropine, results of intradermal histamine testing and gastric motility studies, and ocular response to parasympathomimetics and sympathomimetics (direct and indirect acting), autonomic nervous system function was determined to be abnormal. Treatment with metoclopramide hydrochloride and bethanechol chloride resulted in improved attitude, appetite, Schirmer tear test response, and decrease in frequency of vomiting within 24 hours. Bladder function and anal tone improved within 3 weeks.     

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), a putative neurotransmitter of nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) inhibitory innervation and its relevance to therapy

Nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) innervation, the third division of the autonomic nervous system, has both inhibitory and excitatory parts. The excitatory part received only limited attention. Substance P has been suggested to be the neurotransmitter of the excitatory part. The NANC-inhibitory innervation has recently been studied in detail. Although the neurotransmitter has not been conclusively identified, a substantial body of evidence exists to support vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) as the neurotransmitter. VIP is widely distributed in the body. Reports show that this innervation in animals and man plays a significant role in both health and disease. Pathological conditions could result from either an increase or decrease in VIP production. An absence of VIP-producing neurons has been identified to be responsible for Hirschsprung's disease in the alimentary system and hyperactive airways in the respiratory system. An increase in VIP production is associated with chronic water diarrhea syndrome in humans. Taking these factors into consideration, various therapeutic measures are suggested with the use of VIP or its antagonists.     

RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS OF CANINE DYSAUTONOMIA IN TWENTY-FOUR DOGS

Canine dysautonomia is an idiopathic condition resulting in loss of autonomic nervous system function. Recently, the prevalence of dogs diagnosed with dysautonomia in the mid-western United States has increased. In this study the medical records and radiographic findings in 24 dogs with dysautonomia were reviewed. A diagnosis of dysautonomia was made in 17 (71%) of the dogs in this study by postmortem examination, the remaining 7 (29%) dogs were diagnosed pharmacologically. The radiographic findings supportive of dysautonomia include aspiration pneumonia, megaesophagus, or a distended stomach, small bowel, or urinary bladder. In some instances, the disease radiographically mimicked other disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, including mechanical obstruction.     

Feline dysautonomia in the Midwestern United States: a retrospective study of nine cases

Dysautonomia of domestic animals is pathologically characterized by chromatolytic degeneration of the neurons in the autonomic nervous ganglia that results in clinical signs related to dysfunction or failure of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The exact cause is unknown. It has a poor prognosis among all species reported and no definitive treatment is available currently. To date, most reported feline cases have occurred in the United Kingdom and Scandinavia. The cases reported here highlight the clinical signs, physical examination findings, and results of autonomic nervous system function testing in nine cats with dysautonomia in the US. Feline dysautonomia is uncommon in the US, but may have a regional prevalence, as is seen in dogs with most cases reported in Missouri and Kansas.     

Feline corneal disease

The cornea is naturally transparent. Anything that interferes with the cornea's stromal architecture, contributes to blood vessel migration, increases corneal pigmentation, or predisposes to corneal edema, disrupts the corneas transparency and indicates corneal disease. The color, location, and shape and pattern of a corneal lesion can help in determining the underlying cause for the disease. Corneal disease is typically divided into congenital or acquired disorders. Congenital disorders, such as corneal dermoids are rare in cats, whereas acquired corneal disease associated with nonulcerative or ulcerative keratitis is common. Primary ocular disease, such as tear film instability, adenexal disease (medial canthal entropion, lagophthalmus, eyelid agenesis), and herpes keratitis are associated with the majority of acquired corneal disease in cats. Proliferative/eosinophilic keratitis, acute bullous keratopathy, and Florida keratopathy are common feline nonulcerative disorders. Nonprogressive ulcerative disease in cats, such as chronic corneal epithelial defects and corneal sequestration are more common than progressive corneal ulcerations.     

商会自治的基石——商会自治规范研究

在现代法律秩序中,商会自治规范是制定法的基础和必要的补充,甚至在某些方面替代了制定法;商会自治规范主要包括商会组织规范、行为规范、惩罚规范以及争端解决规范等;其效力仅及于其内部成员;商会自治规范和制定法之间存在冲突,但也存在整合的基础。     

Unusual pathophysiological mechanisms of ptyalism in two horses

This report outlines two cases of ptyalism that were not associated with oral conditions or primary dysphagia. The first, a 9-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, was associated with left-sided peripheral vestibular disease and bone modelling around the left tympanic bulla. The second, a 7-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, was associated with progressive bilateral laryngeal paralysis and a mediastinal T-cell lymphoma. In Case 1, a neurological pathophysiology was proposed involving altered autonomic innervation of the salivary glands; whilst in Case 2, the mechanism remains unclear but may have involved mechanical compression of the intrathoracic oesophagus or stimulation of afferents within the vagus nerve. This case series highlights rare causes of ptyalism that have not been previously reported in the literature.     

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy in a dog.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is a well-recognized syndrome in human patients following injury to an extremity. The syndrome may include hyperesthesia and autonomic changes. The autonomic changes are initial vasodilatation followed by vasoconstriction (e.g., edema followed by cyanosis, and cool skin); hyper- or hypohydrosis; atrophic changes in the skin, subcutis, and muscles; and osteoporosis. Early treatment with a short course of steroids and infiltration of the painful site with lidocaine may alleviate symptoms. If that fails, sympathetic ganglionic block with lidocaine (and possibly steroids) or surgical sympathectomy may provide resolution. A case of reflex sympathetic dystrophy in a dog is presented, involving bilateral distal hind-limb edema and hyperesthesia.     

Dysautonomia in Dogs: A Retrospective Study

Dysautonomia was diagnosed in 11 young (median age, 14–months), predominantly medium- to large-breed dogs from 1988 to 1995. Clinical signs caused by autonomic dysfunction of the urinary, alimentary, and ocular systems were most common. Dysuria, mydriasis, absence of pupillary light reflexes, decreased tear production, dry mucous membranes, weight loss, and decreased anal tone were present in over 75% of affected dogs. Ocular pharmacological testing with a dilute (0.1%) solution of pilocarpine was used to demonstrate iris sphincter receptor function in all dogs. A low-dose 10.0375 mg/kg SC) bethanechol test and pharmacological testing with phenylephrine and epinephrine also demonstrated cholinergic and adrenergic receptor function in 4 dogs. All dogs died or were euthanized as a result of autonomic dysfunction. Neuronal depletion, with associated gli-osis and minimal inflammation were noted histologically in the autonomic ganglia of each dog. The pelvic, ciliary, celiac, cranial cervical, and cranial and caudal mesenteric ganglia were affected in all dogs. The cause of autonomic failure in these dogs was not determined. J Vet Intern Med 1996;10:103–109. Copyright © 1996 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine .     

Influence of sickness condition on diurnal rhythms of heart rate and heart rate variability in cows

Parameters of heart rate variability would explain changes in heart rate during the disease status in cows and to evaluate whether such changes might provide a more sensitive and quantitative indicator of these conditions than crude indices. For this purpose, we recorded electrocardiograms for 24 hr using a Holter-type electrocardiograph and applied power spectral analysis of heart rate variability in both five clinically healthy and four hospitalized cows. The significant findings of the current investigation were that the diurnal variations of autonomic nervous function are abolished in cows that are sick. This abnormal rhythm was induced by predominant parasympathetic inhibition in these cows. Therefore, the heart rate variability may be a useful indicator of sickness condition in cows.     

Frequency domain analysis of heart rate variability in horses at rest and during exercise

The pattern of variation in heart rate on a beat-to-beat basis contains information concerning sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic (PNS) contributions to autonomic nervous system (ANS) modulation of heart rate (HR). In the present study, heart period (RR interval) time series data were collected at rest and during 3 different treadmill exercise protocols from 6 Thoroughbred horses. Frequency and spectral power were determined in 3 frequency bands: very low (VLF) 0-< or = 0.01, low (LO) >0.01-< or = 0.07 and high (HI) >0.07-< or = 0.5 cycles/beat. Indicators of sympathetic (SNSI = LO/HI) and parasympathetic (PNSI = HI/TOTAL) activity were calculated. Power in all bands fell progressively with increasing exercise intensity from rest to trot. At the gallop VLF and LO power continued to fall but HI power rose. SNSI rose from rest to walk, then fell with increasing effort and was lowest at the gallop. PNSI fell from rest to walk, then rose and was highest at the gallop. Normalised HI power exceeded combined VLF and LO power at all gaits, with the ratio HI to LO power being lowest at the walk and highest at the gallop. ANS indicators showed considerable inter-horse variation, and varied less consistently than raw power with increasing physical effort. In the horses studied, the relationship between power and HR changed at exercise intensities associated with heart rates above approximately 120-130 beats/min. At this level, humoral and other non-neural mechanisms may become more important than autonomic modulation in influencing heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV). HRV at intense effort may be influenced by respiratory-gait entrainment, energetics of locomotion and work of breathing. HRV analysis in the frequency domain would appear to be of potential value as a noninvasive means of assessing autonomic modulation of heart rate at low exercise intensities, only. The technique may be a sensitive method for assessing exercise response to experimental manipulations and disease states.     

Autonomic dysfunction in a Jack Russell terrier

A 4-year-old Jack Russell terrier was presented with an array of clinical signs suggestive of autonomic dysfunction. Many of the clinical signs were consistent with a diagnosis of dysautonomia; however, both chronicity and resolution of signs contradicted a diagnosis of this disease.     

Spectral analysis of circadian rhythms in heart rate variability of dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine characteristics of power spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) during a 24-hour period in dogs and to evaluate the effects of vagal and sympathetic tone on HRV ANIMALS: 16 healthy adult Beagles. PROCEDURE: Power spectral analysis of HRV was conducted, using 24-hour ambulatory ECG recordings. Circadian rhythms were evaluated in terms of absolute units of low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) powers, their ratio (LF:HF), and their adjusted (normalized) units (LF[norm] and HF[norm]). Three or 4 dogs were used for simultaneous measurement of heart rate and respiratory waveform as well as to evaluate treatment (propranolol, atropine, or both) administered to cause blockade of the autonomic nervous system. RESULTS: Values for LF and HF powers, LF:HF, LF(norm), and HF(norm) had obvious rhythmicity in clinically normal dogs. The HF power of HRV in dogs was extremely high, compared with that of other species, and HF peaks corresponded to peaks obtained from respiratory waveforms. Blockade of the autonomic nervous system documented that HRV in dogs was mostly attributable to vagal activity. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: We determined characteristics of power spectral analysis of HRV in dogs, including circadian rhythm of the autonomic nervous system. Power spectral analysis of HRV may provide a useful noninvasive technique for assessing the effect of drugs on activity of the autonomic nervous system in dogs.     

Nonhypotensive autonomic agents in veterinary ophthalmology.

The parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system are involved in homeostatic control of a wide variety of ocular functions, including accommodation, pupillomotor control, lacrimation, eyelid position, and aqueous humor production. Familiarity with the functional anatomy of the autonomic nervous system is paramount to the understanding and application of the large number of autonomic drugs used in veterinary ophthalmology. The cholinergic and adrenergic agents discussed in this article are commonly employed to facilitate routine ophthalmic examination, in the diagnosis of autonomic dysfunction, and in the treatment of a variety of ocular diseases.     

Feline dysautonomia — The Key-Gaskell syndrome

Sir:- In 1981, Key and Gaskell in the United Kingdom recognised a new disease in cats which subsequently became known as the Key-Gaskell Syndrome.⁽¹⁾ The incidence of this condition increased in the United Kingdom during 1982, and other workers described the clinical signs in more detail and were able to relate certain features of the disease to changes in the autonomic ganglia⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾ Recently, the NZVA Small Animal Society was asked by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association for any evidence as to its presence in New Zealand. The purpose of this letter is to provide information on feline dysautonomia (Key-Gaskell Syndrome), which it is felt may assist veterinary practitioners to recognise the condition and determine if it occurs in this country.     

Effect of alpha-casozepine (Zylkene) on anxiety in cats

The putative effects of a tryptic bovine αs1-casein hydrolysate on anxious disorders in cats was investigated. This product is known as alpha-casozepine and patented under the name of Zylkene (Ingredia, Arras, France). Within veterinary practices, 34 cats were recruited by certified behaviorist surgeons. This 56-day trial against placebo showed the statistically positive effect of this product in the management of anxious disorders such as social phobias in cats. Global score, as well as different items (fear of strangers, contact with familiars, general fears, fear-related aggressions, autonomic disorders), were all significantly improved by the use of this natural decapeptide.     

Minimum alveolar concentration measures of central nervous system activation in cats anesthetized with isoflurane

OBJECTIVE: To compare the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane required to prevent corticocerebral activation, autonomic responses, and purposeful movements after somatic or visceral stimulation in cats anesthetized with isoflurane. ANIMALS: 17 healthy spayed female cats. PROCEDURE: Bispectral index (BIS), autonomic parameters, and purposeful movements were monitored before and after somatic or visceral stimuli in cats anesthetized with isoflurane. End-tidal (ET) isoflurane concentration was varied to determine MAC values for cortical arousal (MAC(BIS)), autonomic responsiveness (MAC(BAR)), and purposeful movement (MAC). Bispectral index values > or = 60 were considered to represent corticocerebral activation. RESULTS: Minimum alveolar concentration for purposeful movement was significantly less than MAC(BIS) and MAC(BAR) for both somatic and visceral stimulation. Individual MAC values for somatic stimulation were not significantly different from respective MAC values for visceral stimulation. The percentage of cats that had a BIS response > or = 60 was inversely related to the end-tidal isoflurane concentration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Corticocerebral arousal and subcortical autonomic reflexes occured at isoflurane anesthetic concentrations at which reflexive or purposeful movements were absent. These results suggested that isoflurane had a preferential effect on voluntary motor output at low end-tidal isoflurane concentrations, and that sensory pathways, subcortical sympathetic output, and cortical responsiveness are less susceptible to the anesthetic effects of isoflurane. Bispectral index values obtained after somatic or visceral stimulation were sensitive for the detection of early changes in cortical excitability.