Association between neurologic and cognitive dysfunction signs in a sample of aging dogs

In human neurology, patients with Alzheimer's disease show seizures and signs of motor deficits, such as movement disorders (i.e., restlessness, slowness, impaired gait, and, rarely, resting tremors). Because canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) is considered an Alzheimer-like disease in dogs, it might be possible to document concurrent behavioral and neurologic signs in aging canine patients as well. Twenty-one dogs (14 dogs with CDS-related signs, 7 normal dogs) greater than 7 years of age were studied. Owners completed a behavioral questionnaire and the dogs underwent a neurologic evaluation. Dogs with CDS were twice as likely to show neurologic deficits as dogs without CDS. However, based on this pilot study, a sample of 187 dogs affected with CDS are required to show statistically significant differences between the proportions of dogs with CDS and with neurologic signs and the proportions of control dogs without any of these disorders.     

“Didy,” a clinical case of cognitive dysfunction syndrome

The term cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) has been used to refer to the changes of behavior related to aging with cognitive skills deterioration, that do not stem completely from medical conditions and that are a consequence of a degenerative process of the central nervous system. It is known that the CDS in dogs is caused by the physical and chemical changes that take place in the brain due to aging. The aim of this paper is to present a clinical case of CDS which was clinically diagnosed and then confirmed by necropsy at the veterinary hospital of the National Autonomous University of Mexico.     

Oxidative stress, aging, and central nervous system disease in the canine model of human brain aging.

Decline in cognitive functions that accompany aging in dogs may have a biologic basis, and many of the disorders associated with aging in dogs may be mitigated through dietary modifications that incorporate specific nutraceuticals. Based on previous research and the results of laboratory and clinical studies, antioxidants may be one class of nutraceutical that provides benefits to aged dogs. Brains of aged dogs accumulate oxidative damage to proteins and lipids, which may lead to dysfunction of neuronal cells. The production of free radicals and lack of increase in compensatory antioxidant enzymes may lead to detrimental modifications to important macromolecules within neurons. Reducing oxidative damage through food ingredients rich in a broad spectrum of antioxidants significantly improves, or slows the decline of, learning and memory in aged dogs.     

Ejaculation. Physiology and dysfunction.

In summary, important events of ejaculation include emission of sperm and the accessory gland fluids into the urethra, simultaneous closure of the bladder neck, and forceful ejaculation of the combined semen through the urethra. Emission and bladder neck closure are primarily alpha-adrenergically mediated thoracolumbar sympathetic reflex events with supraspinal modulation. Ejaculation is a sacralspinal reflex mediated by the pudendal nerve. In stallions, the most common ejaculation disorders are emission and ejaculation failure, and urine contamination of semen. Rare disorders are azoospermia and premature ejaculation. In a large percentage of cases, an ejaculation appears to be a result of musculoskeletal disorders or to be psychogenic in nature rather than attributable to specific ejaculatory dysfunction. Traditional therapeutic approaches for accommodating deficits can extend the breeding life of many stallions. Pharmacologic aids may be useful.     

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, and multiple organ dysfunction.

Companion animals with sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction can be the most challenging of all patients to treat. Current research in humans and laboratory models offers some exciting insights into the pathophysiology behind some of our most frustrating clinical challenges. This article applies several current concepts to a clinical case of pancreatitis and secondary sepsis to illustrate some of the cardiovascular, immune, and coagulation abnormalities commonly seen.     

Natural Remedies and Nutraceuticals Used in Ethnoveterinary Practices in Inland Southern Italy

Traditional animal health practices are today only rarely used in Europe, as many natural remedies applied for the treatment of animals have been replaced by modern pharmaceuticals. Modern institutionalized veterinary services tend to cover every aspect of animal health care, and influence most of the veterinary practices carried out by shepherds and farmers. However, in some areas, particularly of the Mediterranean, such traditional practices persist. Few ethnoveterinary studies have been conducted in the Mediterranean. In this survey, we analysed the natural remedies that are still in use or were used until very recently to treat animals in central Lucania (inland southern Italy). Plants constitute the mainstay of the folk-veterinary regimen (about 40 preparations), but there are also a few animal- and mineral-derived preparations. Among them, the veterinary use of Cistus incanus, Colutea arborescens, Daphne laureola, and Erigeron acer is reported for the first time. Moreover, the study identified diverse traditional plant nutraceuticals used to improve animal health, as well as the quality of milk and dairy products. An important potential output of this study may be the development of eco-sustainable integrated projects focused on the maintenance of traditional animal breeding and healthcare systems. Pharmacological and toxicological considerations relating to possible applications of the recorded traditional knowledge in modern evidence-based veterinary medicine are also discussed.     

Equine thyroid dysfunction.

Hypothyroidism is the most common type of thyroid gland dysfunction reported in horses. Primary, secondary, and tertiary causes of hypothyroidism are discussed. Equine hypothyroidism remains a controversial endocrine disorder because extrathyroidal factors, including the administration of drugs and systemic diseases, affect serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T3) concentrations in horses. Accurate diagnosis of hypothyroidism therefore requires assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. Diagnostic procedures for evaluating thyroid gland function are outlined and results of studies utilizing experimental models are discussed.     

Evaluation of interthalamic adhesion size as an indicator of brain atrophy in dogs with and without cognitive dysfunction

Interthalamic adhesion thickness has been previously described as a parameter for quantifying canine brain atrophy and hypothesized to correlate with brain height or ventricular size. However, studies testing this hypothesis are lacking. This retrospective cross‐sectional study aimed to compare interthalamic adhesion thickness, interthalamic adhesion thickness/brain height ratio, and interthalamic adhesion thickness/brain height ratio/lateral ventricle to brain height ratio values in dogs with and without cognitive dysfunction. Medical records for dogs meeting the following inclusion criteria were retrieved from two hospitals: available brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) studies, no cerebral parenchymal lesions, and no prior neurological treatment. For each included dog, values of interthalamic adhesion thickness, interthalamic adhesion thickness/brain height ratio, and interthalamic adhesion thickness/brain height ratio/lateral ventricle to brain height ratio were measured by one observer from transverse CT or MRI images and a consensus was reached. A total of 113 dogs met inclusion criteria. Dogs were divided into three groups based on the following criteria: Young group (no cognitive dysfunction, <9‐year‐old, n = 43), Aging group (no cognitive dysfunction, ≥9‐year‐old, n = 61), and Dementia group (n = 9). All three parameters were significantly lower in the dementia group than in the Young and Aging groups. In the Young and Aging groups, there was significant negative correlation of all three parameters with age and positive correlation of interthalamic adhesion thickness and interthalamic adhesion thickness/brain height ratio/lateral ventricle to brain height ratio with body weight, while there was no correlation of interthalamic adhesion thickness/brain height ratio with body weight (P < 0.05). There were no differences in all three parameters according to skull type or gender. Findings from the current study supported the use of interthalamic adhesion thickness, interthalamic adhesion thickness/brain height ratio, and interthalamic adhesion thickness/brain height ratio/lateral ventricle to brain height ratio for quantifying brain atrophy in dogs with cognitive dysfunction.     

Anesthesia for severe liver dysfunction.

By using these guidelines, we have safely anesthetized high-risk liver patients with minimal complications. By understanding the consequences of the underlying disease, prudent selection of agents that use alternate methods of excretion, careful perioperative support and management, and close observation during the postoperative period, the liver disease patient may be safely anesthetized with minimal complications.     

S100B protein and neuron-specific enolase as predictors of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in aged dogs: a case-control study

ObjectivePostoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) may be related to brain injury. S100B protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) have been investigated as potential biochemical markers of neural cell injury in animals and humans. This study aimed to investigate the association between POCD, brain injury and serum concentrations of S100B and NSE after periodontal surgery in aged dogs.Study designProspective observational animal study.AnimalsA total of 24 male and female dogs undergoing periodontal surgery.MethodsDogs were separated into two groups based on age: control group, 10 dogs ≤ 8 years and aged group, 14 dogs > 8 years. Cognitive function was measured preoperatively and on the seventh postoperative day using the Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Rating scale and the Age-Related Cognitive and Affective Disorders scale. S100B protein and NSE serum concentrations were measured before and immediately after the surgery.ResultsPOCD was not observed after surgery in the present study. Serum concentrations of S100B and NSE were increased postoperatively in the control group but not in the aged group (p = 0.04 and 0.03, respectively). Preoperative S100B serum concentrations were significantly higher in the aged group (p = 0.01).ConclusionsThere was no association between POCD and high concentrations of S100B and NSE in dogs. However, increased postoperative serum concentrations of S100B and NSE were found in the control group after surgery, an effect that may indicate neural damage.Clinical relevanceThe results suggest that anesthesia and oral surgery are associated with higher postoperative serum concentrations of S100B and NSE in dogs ≤ 8 years old, which may indicate neural damage. Serum concentrations of S100B were elevated in aged dogs before anesthesia, a finding that might be related to chronic preoperative brain damage.     

The effect of aging on immune responses.

Although vaccine manufacturers make no specific recommendations regarding the vaccination of older horses and ponies, the similarities in age-induced immunologic changes between human beings and equids suggests that similar vaccination recommendations should be followed. The need for vaccination of the older horse depends, of course, on the relative risk of exposure for the individual horse. Particular care should be taken when using attenuated vaccine products because these live agents may pose a unique risk to the older individual. Immunization with inactivated agent vaccines is likely to be safer. In general, annual vaccination against equine influenza virus infection, tetanus, rabies, and encephalomyelitis viruses is warranted.