Tremor syndromes in dogs and cats might include tremors and twitches. Tremors are movement disord... more Tremor syndromes in dogs and cats might include tremors and twitches. Tremors are movement disorders that resemble involuntary rhythmic oscillatory sinusoidal movements of a body part. Twitches are caused by peripheral nerve hyperexcitability and they have variable frequency and amplitude. When twitches are manifested as generalised fasciculations they can mimic tremors. Tremors and twitches are common presenting complaints of dogs and cats in daily veterinary practice, and the clinician should be aware of them and their most common underlying aetiologies. Thorough tremor and twitch assessment is imperative to help the clinician come to a more specific conclusion regarding the nature and origin of these clinical signs. History, occurrence, localisation, direction, distractibility, intentionality, observation of tremor during stances, weight-bearing lifting test, auscultation and palpation of the trembling part and conscious electromyography are important parts of a thorough clinical...
International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA) is the biggest veterinary students’ associa... more International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA) is the biggest veterinary students’ association worldwide, founded in the 1950’s in Europe. Its Standing Committee on One Health (SCOH) was formed in August 2013 in the Netherlands to promote the interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as educate and inform veterinary students on the concept and importance of One Health. SCOH established a Local Veterinary Public Health Network which aims to urge the member organizations (MO’s) of IVSA to add to their boards a position relating to Public/One Health. Consequently, every member organization (MO) have a representative who will carry out global one health projects of the committee or will invent new ones locally. So far, 23 out of the 60 active MO’s have embraced the idea, and represent 19 countries. So far, the committee organized 2 global Awareness Campaigns; “IVSA Campaign at World Rabies Day 2013” and “IVSA Stop TB Campaign 2014”. At the first campaign, dogs’ vaccination, lectures, street actions and school visits were organized in order to make people aware about the hazards of Rabies. A second campaign, similar to the awareness events were organized with the major goal of informing people and farmers about Bovine TB; Moreover, the committee turned to more practical methods by organizing two One Health Workshops. The first was a “Stimulation Game” held in Karditsa (Greece) within the 2nd Hellenic Veterinary Students’ Congress 2014 (30 people attended), while the second was a “One Health management at a local level” seminar held in Yogyakarta (Indonesia) during the 63rd IVSA World Congress (13 people attended). The evaluation of these workshops concluded that the majority of veterinary students liked both the knowledge game and the tips provided for local management of one health filed at the local MOs. Also, another trend that people endorsed is the Interdisciplinary Collaborations within One Health. Looking at a survey the committee did, 100% of the students evaluated (35) were in favor of these collaborations below. Firstly, IVSA for the first time ever will participate in the upcoming World Healthcare Students’ Symposium (WHSS) 2015 which is organized by medical, veterinary, dental, pharmaceutical, and physical therapy students throughout the world. In addition to this, IVSA signed a formal MoU with the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA), as well as started to collaborate with the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF). Finally, the highest achievement so far is the Global One Health Challenge, a joint project of IVSA, IFMSA and Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC). This is a worldwide contest dedicated to World Rabies Day 2014 and Rabies awareness, which calls IFMSA and IVSA MOs to collaborate and make an event for rabies. However, this project is still in progress. In conclusion, IVSA through SCOH is promoting Public Health by creating awareness about the need to fight zoonosis and making the concept of One Health (the collaborative effort of multiple disciplines to obtain optimal health for people, animals, and our environment ) more popular
As central members of the veterinary education community, students are well placed to highlight c... more As central members of the veterinary education community, students are well placed to highlight current problems in veterinary education. Motivated by the lack of current formal student involvement, the largest global veterinary student association, the International Veterinary Students' Association (IVSA), realized the necessity for students to express their opinions within the veterinary education field. Thus, two standing committees related to veterinary education were created: the Standing Committee on One Health in 2013 and the Standing Committee on Veterinary Education in 2014. For 7 years, veterinary students have been acting in a four-dimensional plane to involve students in (a) electronic educational resources and e-learning, (b) interdisciplinary collaboration and One Health, (c) curriculum involvement, and (d) vocational guidance. Through multiple projects, such as student and tutor interaction, idea exchanges, developing e-resources, and curriculum development campai...
The owners of a 3-month-old female DSH cat witnessed her eating raw mushrooms of the species Bole... more The owners of a 3-month-old female DSH cat witnessed her eating raw mushrooms of the species Boletus edulis, Boletus aereus and Amanita caesarea. These mushrooms are edible for humans and highly prized in various cuisines. Vomiting, hypersalivation, horizontal head oscillation and limb muscle tremor were developed within 6 hours. Two days later the cat was admitted due to depression and anorexia, while the neurologic signs had subsided. Dehydration, depression, lymphopenia, increased serum urea nitrogen concentration, proteinuria and bilirubinuria were detected. During the 5-day-hospitalisation period, treatment comprised of intravenous fluids, and per os vitamin E and hepatoprotectants (SAMe – vitamin E – vitamin C – silibinin complex). Due to mucohaemorrhagic diarrhoea present on the first day of hospitalisation, ampicillin and sucralfate were subsequently added. The kitten recovered completely a week later and was still healthy 8 months later. Mushrooms in general, are classified...
A 3-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was referred with 1-month history of three gene... more A 3-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was referred with 1-month history of three generalised tonic-clonic epileptic seizures and left-sided thoracic limb knuckling. Nine months previously, the cat was bitten on the right upper palpebral region without manifesting neurological signs. On admission, physical and neurological examination revealed left-sided postural reaction deficits and absent menace response. Thus, a right-forebrain neurolocalisation was reached. Haematology, biochemistry, bile acid stimulation test, infectious diseases serology and cerebrospinal fluid analysis were unremarkable. Cerebral MRI revealed extension of brain and meninges into the right frontal sinus. Final diagnosis of a right-sided traumatic frontoethmoidal meningoencephalocele was made. The cat remained seizure free under phenobarbital treatment with residual left-sided postural reaction deficits at 9 months follow-up. This is the first report of presumptive traumatic meningoencephalocele in ...
An 11-month-old neutered female cocker spaniel was referred for two generalised tonic-clonic epil... more An 11-month-old neutered female cocker spaniel was referred for two generalised tonic-clonic epileptic seizures with a one-week interval of mild depression. On admission, physical and neurological examinations were unremarkable. Neurolocalisation was forebrain. Haematology, biochemistry, serology for infectious diseases, urinalysis and urine culture were unremarkable. Cerebral MRI revealed T1-weighted hyperintensity in the lentiform nuclei. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was unremarkable. Idiopathic epilepsy was mistakenly diagnosed and phenobarbital was started. A delayed blood film examination revealed metarubricytosis, polychromasia and basophilic stippling, raising the suspicion of lead intoxication. Abdominal radiography revealed a metallic lead foreign body (lead curtain weight), which removed endoscopically. Treatment with CaEDTA, thiamine and D-penicillamine was started. This report highlights the importance of including haematology, blood smear examination, biochemistry and u...
Wildlife parasitic diseases represent an important field of investigation as they may have a sign... more Wildlife parasitic diseases represent an important field of investigation as they may have a significant impact on wild animals' health and fitness, and may also have zoonotic implications. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of endoparasites in wild mammals admitted to wildlife hospitals and rehabilitation centres in Greece. Sixty-five animals belonging to 17 species and originated from various areas of continental and insular Greece were included in the survey. The most numerous animal species examined were hedgehogs (n = 19), red foxes (n = 16), and European roe deer (n = 6). Faecal samples were collected individually and examined by floatation and sedimentation method. Parasites were found in 46 (70.7%) of the animals. Most parasites found in canids, felids, and ruminants are of great relevance to the domestic animals' health and some of them are also of zoonotic importance. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first report of endoparasites i...
Background: Orthostatic tremor (OT) is a rare movement disorder characterized by high-frequency (... more Background: Orthostatic tremor (OT) is a rare movement disorder characterized by high-frequency (>12 Hz) involuntary, rhythmic, sinusoidal movements affecting predominantly the limbs while standing. Objective: To describe the signalment, presenting complaints, phenotype, diagnostic findings, treatment, and outcome of a large sample of dogs with OT. Animals: Sixty dogs diagnosed with OT based on conscious electromyography. Methods: Multicenter retrospective case series study. Dogs were included if they had a conscious electromyography consistent with muscle discharge frequency >12 Hz while standing.
As central members of the veterinary education community, students are well placed to highlight c... more As central members of the veterinary education community, students are well placed to highlight current problems in veterinary education. Motivated by the lack of current formal student involvement, the largest global veterinary student association, the International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA), realized the necessity for students to express their opinions within the veterinary education field. Thus, two standing committees related to veterinary education were created: the Standing Committee on One Health in 2013 and the Standing Committee on Veterinary Education in 2014. For 7 years, veterinary students have been acting in a four-dimensional plane to involve students in (a) electronic educational resources and e-learning, (b) interdisciplinary collaboration and One Health, (c) curriculum involvement, and (d) vocational guidance. Through multiple projects, such as student and tutor interaction, idea exchanges, developing e-resources, and curriculum development campaigns, IVSA has managed to increase awareness to students and schools of the important role students play within veterinary education. This article highlights students’ ability to work together to help other students learn and succeed within their veterinary studies, as well as the necessity for student engagement in curricular renewal and development. Consequently, IVSA’s projects and achievements are described, highlighting a from students—to students approach to promote active student involvement in veterinary education and curricula globally.
A 6.5-year-old male neutered Trailhound was admitted for hyperacute, nonprogressive, left-sided h... more A 6.5-year-old male neutered Trailhound was admitted for hyperacute, nonprogressive, left-sided hemipare-sis. Physical and neurologic examination revealed nonpainful, left-sided poorly ambulatory hemiparesis, decreased left-sided postural reactions and thoracic limbs hyporeflexia. Neuroanatomic localisation was consistent with a left-sided C6-T2 myelopathy. Haematology and biochemistry revealed nonspecific abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging of the neck revealed a focal intramedullary lesion at the level of C6-C7 vertebrae compatible with acute hydrated noncompressive nucleus pulposus extrusion or ischemic myelopa-thy. During the second day of hospitalization, the dog developed convergence-retraction nystagmus, up-gaze palsy and eyelid retraction (Collier's sign) compatible with dorsal midbrain syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a focal lesion compatible with dorsal midbrain ischemic infarct. Further clinico-pathologic testing, thoracic and abdominal imaging were unremarkable. Ischemic encephalopathy of unknown etiology was additionally diagnosed. Physiotherapy was performed therapeutically. At 1-year follow up the dog was normal. This is an unusual report of a dog with myelopathy followed by ischemic encephalopathy with manifestation of convergence-retraction nystagmus in the absence of vestibular signs. This saccadic intrusion is a characteristic clinical manifestation of a dorsal midbrain syndrome localization. The importance of a complete differential diagnoses list formation in a dog with ischemic encephalopathy which leads to a thorough diagnostic investigation plan is highlighted. Moreover, this report contributes to the enrichment of the clinical reasoning veterinary literature on convergence-retraction nystagmus. To the authors' knowledge, this is the second case report (fourth dog) to describe convergence-retraction nystag-mus in dogs as a manifestation of dorsal midbrain syndrome.
A 3-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was referred with 1-month history of three gene... more A 3-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was referred with 1-month history of three generalised tonic-clonic epileptic seizures and left-sided thoracic limb knuckling. Nine months previously, the cat was bitten on the right upper palpebral region without manifesting neurological signs. On admission, physical and neurological examination revealed left-sided postural reaction deficits and absent menace response. Thus, a right-forebrain neurolocalisation was reached. Haematology, biochemistry, bile acid stimulation test, infectious diseases serology and cerebrospinal fluid analysis were unremarkable. Cerebral MRI revealed extension of brain and meninges into the right frontal sinus. Final diagnosis of a right-sided traumatic frontoethmoidal meningoencephalocele was made. The cat remained seizure free under phenobarbital treatment with residual left-sided postural reaction deficits at 9 months follow-up. This is the first report of presumptive traumatic meningoencephalocele in a cat, which emphasises the importance of complete neurological investigation and regular long-term follow-up checks in patients with historical head trauma despite the absence of initial neurological signs.
An 11-month-old neutered female cocker spaniel was referred for two generalised tonic-clonic epil... more An 11-month-old neutered female cocker spaniel was referred for two generalised tonic-clonic epileptic seizures with a one-week interval of mild depression. On admission, physical and neurological examinations were unremarkable. Neurolocalisation was forebrain. Haematology, biochemistry, serology for infectious diseases, urinalysis and urine culture were unremarkable. Cerebral MRI revealed T1-weighted hyperintensity in the lentiform nuclei. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was unremarkable. Idiopathic epilepsy was mistakenly diagnosed and phenobarbital was started. A delayed blood film examination revealed metarubricytosis, polychromasia and basophilic stippling, raising the suspicion of lead intoxication. Abdominal radiography revealed a metallic lead foreign body (lead curtain weight), which removed endoscopically. Treatment with CaEDTA, thiamine and D-penicillamine was started. This report highlights the importance of including haematology, blood smear examination, biochemistry and urinalysis in the diagnostic workup of acute epileptic seizures particularly in young dogs. Lead intoxication should be included in the differential diagnosis in these patients, as modern lead sources still exist in our environment.
A 4-year-old female neutered albino domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was referred for acut... more A 4-year-old female neutered albino domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was referred for acute progressive non-ambulatory paraparesis. Physical examination was unremarkable, whilst neurological examination revealed non-ambulatory paraparesis, decreased postural reactions on both pelvic limbs, upper-motor-neuron bladder and thoracolumbar pain. Pre-referral hematology and biochemistry were almost normal, whilst whole body computed tomography revealed a left-sided T13 cranial articular process fracture and material of uncertain nature inside the spinal canal with secondary compressive myelopathy. On magnetic resonance imaging the lesion was extradural. Decompressive surgery was performed and the surgically excised abnormal tissue was sent for histological investigations, which confirmed a plasma cell neoplasia clinically compatible with solitary osseous plasmacytoma. Prednisolone was started for a total of 5 months; at ten-month follow-up the ferret was comfortable and ambulatory with only residual left pelvic limb monoparesis. Surgical treatment should be considered in solitary vertebral plasmacytomas, as it seems to be successful giving a long survival time to the patient. This is the first report to describe the magnetic resonance imaging findings and successful surgical treatment for a vertebral solitary osseous plasmacytoma in a ferret with focal osteolysis in the absence of systemic disease and gammopathy.
Hellenic Journal of Companion Animal Medicine, 2018
The owners of a 3-month-old female DSH cat witnessed her eating raw mushrooms of the species Bole... more The owners of a 3-month-old female DSH cat witnessed her eating raw mushrooms of the species Boletus edulis, Boletus aereus and Amanita caesarea. These mushrooms are edible for humans and highly prized in various cuisines. Vomiting, hypersalivation, horizontal head oscillation and limb muscle tremor were developed within 6 hours. Two days later the cat was admitted due to depression and anorexia, while the neurologic signs had subsided. Dehydration, depression, lymphopenia, increased serum urea nitrogen concentration, proteinuria and bilirubinuria were detected. During the 5-day-hospitalisation period, treatment comprised of intravenous fluids, and per os vitamin E and hepatoprotectants (SAMe – vitamin Ε – vitamin C – silibinin complex). Due to mucohaemorrhagic diarrhoea present on the first day of hospitalisation, ampicillin and sucralfate were subsequently added. The kitten recovered completely a week later and was still healthy 8 months later. Mushrooms in general, are classified as edible or poisonous; the latter could be hepatotoxic, neurotoxic, nephrotoxic, gastroenterotoxic, muscarinic or coprinoid. This basic classification based on human experience may not apply to other species, and consequently “edible” mushroom species may be potentially toxic for animals. In addition, in many cases of mushroom ingestion in animals, the species involved remained unidentified. Thus, this case report describes presumed poisoning from three identified mushrooms, Boletus edulis, Boletus aereus and/or Amanita caesarea, which are considered edible for humans, but caused gastrointestinal, hepatic and neurologic signs in a cat. Prognosis in these cases may be favourable, if early supportive care is instituted.
Tremor syndromes in dogs and cats might include tremors and twitches. Tremors are movement disord... more Tremor syndromes in dogs and cats might include tremors and twitches. Tremors are movement disorders that resemble involuntary rhythmic oscillatory sinusoidal movements of a body part. Twitches are caused by peripheral nerve hyperexcitability and they have variable frequency and amplitude. When twitches are manifested as generalised fasciculations they can mimic tremors. Tremors and twitches are common presenting complaints of dogs and cats in daily veterinary practice, and the clinician should be aware of them and their most common underlying aetiologies. Thorough tremor and twitch assessment is imperative to help the clinician come to a more specific conclusion regarding the nature and origin of these clinical signs. History, occurrence, localisation, direction, distractibility, intentionality, observation of tremor during stances, weight-bearing lifting test, auscultation and palpation of the trembling part and conscious electromyography are important parts of a thorough clinical...
International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA) is the biggest veterinary students’ associa... more International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA) is the biggest veterinary students’ association worldwide, founded in the 1950’s in Europe. Its Standing Committee on One Health (SCOH) was formed in August 2013 in the Netherlands to promote the interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as educate and inform veterinary students on the concept and importance of One Health. SCOH established a Local Veterinary Public Health Network which aims to urge the member organizations (MO’s) of IVSA to add to their boards a position relating to Public/One Health. Consequently, every member organization (MO) have a representative who will carry out global one health projects of the committee or will invent new ones locally. So far, 23 out of the 60 active MO’s have embraced the idea, and represent 19 countries. So far, the committee organized 2 global Awareness Campaigns; “IVSA Campaign at World Rabies Day 2013” and “IVSA Stop TB Campaign 2014”. At the first campaign, dogs’ vaccination, lectures, street actions and school visits were organized in order to make people aware about the hazards of Rabies. A second campaign, similar to the awareness events were organized with the major goal of informing people and farmers about Bovine TB; Moreover, the committee turned to more practical methods by organizing two One Health Workshops. The first was a “Stimulation Game” held in Karditsa (Greece) within the 2nd Hellenic Veterinary Students’ Congress 2014 (30 people attended), while the second was a “One Health management at a local level” seminar held in Yogyakarta (Indonesia) during the 63rd IVSA World Congress (13 people attended). The evaluation of these workshops concluded that the majority of veterinary students liked both the knowledge game and the tips provided for local management of one health filed at the local MOs. Also, another trend that people endorsed is the Interdisciplinary Collaborations within One Health. Looking at a survey the committee did, 100% of the students evaluated (35) were in favor of these collaborations below. Firstly, IVSA for the first time ever will participate in the upcoming World Healthcare Students’ Symposium (WHSS) 2015 which is organized by medical, veterinary, dental, pharmaceutical, and physical therapy students throughout the world. In addition to this, IVSA signed a formal MoU with the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA), as well as started to collaborate with the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF). Finally, the highest achievement so far is the Global One Health Challenge, a joint project of IVSA, IFMSA and Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC). This is a worldwide contest dedicated to World Rabies Day 2014 and Rabies awareness, which calls IFMSA and IVSA MOs to collaborate and make an event for rabies. However, this project is still in progress. In conclusion, IVSA through SCOH is promoting Public Health by creating awareness about the need to fight zoonosis and making the concept of One Health (the collaborative effort of multiple disciplines to obtain optimal health for people, animals, and our environment ) more popular
As central members of the veterinary education community, students are well placed to highlight c... more As central members of the veterinary education community, students are well placed to highlight current problems in veterinary education. Motivated by the lack of current formal student involvement, the largest global veterinary student association, the International Veterinary Students' Association (IVSA), realized the necessity for students to express their opinions within the veterinary education field. Thus, two standing committees related to veterinary education were created: the Standing Committee on One Health in 2013 and the Standing Committee on Veterinary Education in 2014. For 7 years, veterinary students have been acting in a four-dimensional plane to involve students in (a) electronic educational resources and e-learning, (b) interdisciplinary collaboration and One Health, (c) curriculum involvement, and (d) vocational guidance. Through multiple projects, such as student and tutor interaction, idea exchanges, developing e-resources, and curriculum development campai...
The owners of a 3-month-old female DSH cat witnessed her eating raw mushrooms of the species Bole... more The owners of a 3-month-old female DSH cat witnessed her eating raw mushrooms of the species Boletus edulis, Boletus aereus and Amanita caesarea. These mushrooms are edible for humans and highly prized in various cuisines. Vomiting, hypersalivation, horizontal head oscillation and limb muscle tremor were developed within 6 hours. Two days later the cat was admitted due to depression and anorexia, while the neurologic signs had subsided. Dehydration, depression, lymphopenia, increased serum urea nitrogen concentration, proteinuria and bilirubinuria were detected. During the 5-day-hospitalisation period, treatment comprised of intravenous fluids, and per os vitamin E and hepatoprotectants (SAMe – vitamin E – vitamin C – silibinin complex). Due to mucohaemorrhagic diarrhoea present on the first day of hospitalisation, ampicillin and sucralfate were subsequently added. The kitten recovered completely a week later and was still healthy 8 months later. Mushrooms in general, are classified...
A 3-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was referred with 1-month history of three gene... more A 3-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was referred with 1-month history of three generalised tonic-clonic epileptic seizures and left-sided thoracic limb knuckling. Nine months previously, the cat was bitten on the right upper palpebral region without manifesting neurological signs. On admission, physical and neurological examination revealed left-sided postural reaction deficits and absent menace response. Thus, a right-forebrain neurolocalisation was reached. Haematology, biochemistry, bile acid stimulation test, infectious diseases serology and cerebrospinal fluid analysis were unremarkable. Cerebral MRI revealed extension of brain and meninges into the right frontal sinus. Final diagnosis of a right-sided traumatic frontoethmoidal meningoencephalocele was made. The cat remained seizure free under phenobarbital treatment with residual left-sided postural reaction deficits at 9 months follow-up. This is the first report of presumptive traumatic meningoencephalocele in ...
An 11-month-old neutered female cocker spaniel was referred for two generalised tonic-clonic epil... more An 11-month-old neutered female cocker spaniel was referred for two generalised tonic-clonic epileptic seizures with a one-week interval of mild depression. On admission, physical and neurological examinations were unremarkable. Neurolocalisation was forebrain. Haematology, biochemistry, serology for infectious diseases, urinalysis and urine culture were unremarkable. Cerebral MRI revealed T1-weighted hyperintensity in the lentiform nuclei. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was unremarkable. Idiopathic epilepsy was mistakenly diagnosed and phenobarbital was started. A delayed blood film examination revealed metarubricytosis, polychromasia and basophilic stippling, raising the suspicion of lead intoxication. Abdominal radiography revealed a metallic lead foreign body (lead curtain weight), which removed endoscopically. Treatment with CaEDTA, thiamine and D-penicillamine was started. This report highlights the importance of including haematology, blood smear examination, biochemistry and u...
Wildlife parasitic diseases represent an important field of investigation as they may have a sign... more Wildlife parasitic diseases represent an important field of investigation as they may have a significant impact on wild animals' health and fitness, and may also have zoonotic implications. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of endoparasites in wild mammals admitted to wildlife hospitals and rehabilitation centres in Greece. Sixty-five animals belonging to 17 species and originated from various areas of continental and insular Greece were included in the survey. The most numerous animal species examined were hedgehogs (n = 19), red foxes (n = 16), and European roe deer (n = 6). Faecal samples were collected individually and examined by floatation and sedimentation method. Parasites were found in 46 (70.7%) of the animals. Most parasites found in canids, felids, and ruminants are of great relevance to the domestic animals' health and some of them are also of zoonotic importance. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first report of endoparasites i...
Background: Orthostatic tremor (OT) is a rare movement disorder characterized by high-frequency (... more Background: Orthostatic tremor (OT) is a rare movement disorder characterized by high-frequency (>12 Hz) involuntary, rhythmic, sinusoidal movements affecting predominantly the limbs while standing. Objective: To describe the signalment, presenting complaints, phenotype, diagnostic findings, treatment, and outcome of a large sample of dogs with OT. Animals: Sixty dogs diagnosed with OT based on conscious electromyography. Methods: Multicenter retrospective case series study. Dogs were included if they had a conscious electromyography consistent with muscle discharge frequency >12 Hz while standing.
As central members of the veterinary education community, students are well placed to highlight c... more As central members of the veterinary education community, students are well placed to highlight current problems in veterinary education. Motivated by the lack of current formal student involvement, the largest global veterinary student association, the International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA), realized the necessity for students to express their opinions within the veterinary education field. Thus, two standing committees related to veterinary education were created: the Standing Committee on One Health in 2013 and the Standing Committee on Veterinary Education in 2014. For 7 years, veterinary students have been acting in a four-dimensional plane to involve students in (a) electronic educational resources and e-learning, (b) interdisciplinary collaboration and One Health, (c) curriculum involvement, and (d) vocational guidance. Through multiple projects, such as student and tutor interaction, idea exchanges, developing e-resources, and curriculum development campaigns, IVSA has managed to increase awareness to students and schools of the important role students play within veterinary education. This article highlights students’ ability to work together to help other students learn and succeed within their veterinary studies, as well as the necessity for student engagement in curricular renewal and development. Consequently, IVSA’s projects and achievements are described, highlighting a from students—to students approach to promote active student involvement in veterinary education and curricula globally.
A 6.5-year-old male neutered Trailhound was admitted for hyperacute, nonprogressive, left-sided h... more A 6.5-year-old male neutered Trailhound was admitted for hyperacute, nonprogressive, left-sided hemipare-sis. Physical and neurologic examination revealed nonpainful, left-sided poorly ambulatory hemiparesis, decreased left-sided postural reactions and thoracic limbs hyporeflexia. Neuroanatomic localisation was consistent with a left-sided C6-T2 myelopathy. Haematology and biochemistry revealed nonspecific abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging of the neck revealed a focal intramedullary lesion at the level of C6-C7 vertebrae compatible with acute hydrated noncompressive nucleus pulposus extrusion or ischemic myelopa-thy. During the second day of hospitalization, the dog developed convergence-retraction nystagmus, up-gaze palsy and eyelid retraction (Collier's sign) compatible with dorsal midbrain syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a focal lesion compatible with dorsal midbrain ischemic infarct. Further clinico-pathologic testing, thoracic and abdominal imaging were unremarkable. Ischemic encephalopathy of unknown etiology was additionally diagnosed. Physiotherapy was performed therapeutically. At 1-year follow up the dog was normal. This is an unusual report of a dog with myelopathy followed by ischemic encephalopathy with manifestation of convergence-retraction nystagmus in the absence of vestibular signs. This saccadic intrusion is a characteristic clinical manifestation of a dorsal midbrain syndrome localization. The importance of a complete differential diagnoses list formation in a dog with ischemic encephalopathy which leads to a thorough diagnostic investigation plan is highlighted. Moreover, this report contributes to the enrichment of the clinical reasoning veterinary literature on convergence-retraction nystagmus. To the authors' knowledge, this is the second case report (fourth dog) to describe convergence-retraction nystag-mus in dogs as a manifestation of dorsal midbrain syndrome.
A 3-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was referred with 1-month history of three gene... more A 3-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was referred with 1-month history of three generalised tonic-clonic epileptic seizures and left-sided thoracic limb knuckling. Nine months previously, the cat was bitten on the right upper palpebral region without manifesting neurological signs. On admission, physical and neurological examination revealed left-sided postural reaction deficits and absent menace response. Thus, a right-forebrain neurolocalisation was reached. Haematology, biochemistry, bile acid stimulation test, infectious diseases serology and cerebrospinal fluid analysis were unremarkable. Cerebral MRI revealed extension of brain and meninges into the right frontal sinus. Final diagnosis of a right-sided traumatic frontoethmoidal meningoencephalocele was made. The cat remained seizure free under phenobarbital treatment with residual left-sided postural reaction deficits at 9 months follow-up. This is the first report of presumptive traumatic meningoencephalocele in a cat, which emphasises the importance of complete neurological investigation and regular long-term follow-up checks in patients with historical head trauma despite the absence of initial neurological signs.
An 11-month-old neutered female cocker spaniel was referred for two generalised tonic-clonic epil... more An 11-month-old neutered female cocker spaniel was referred for two generalised tonic-clonic epileptic seizures with a one-week interval of mild depression. On admission, physical and neurological examinations were unremarkable. Neurolocalisation was forebrain. Haematology, biochemistry, serology for infectious diseases, urinalysis and urine culture were unremarkable. Cerebral MRI revealed T1-weighted hyperintensity in the lentiform nuclei. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was unremarkable. Idiopathic epilepsy was mistakenly diagnosed and phenobarbital was started. A delayed blood film examination revealed metarubricytosis, polychromasia and basophilic stippling, raising the suspicion of lead intoxication. Abdominal radiography revealed a metallic lead foreign body (lead curtain weight), which removed endoscopically. Treatment with CaEDTA, thiamine and D-penicillamine was started. This report highlights the importance of including haematology, blood smear examination, biochemistry and urinalysis in the diagnostic workup of acute epileptic seizures particularly in young dogs. Lead intoxication should be included in the differential diagnosis in these patients, as modern lead sources still exist in our environment.
A 4-year-old female neutered albino domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was referred for acut... more A 4-year-old female neutered albino domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was referred for acute progressive non-ambulatory paraparesis. Physical examination was unremarkable, whilst neurological examination revealed non-ambulatory paraparesis, decreased postural reactions on both pelvic limbs, upper-motor-neuron bladder and thoracolumbar pain. Pre-referral hematology and biochemistry were almost normal, whilst whole body computed tomography revealed a left-sided T13 cranial articular process fracture and material of uncertain nature inside the spinal canal with secondary compressive myelopathy. On magnetic resonance imaging the lesion was extradural. Decompressive surgery was performed and the surgically excised abnormal tissue was sent for histological investigations, which confirmed a plasma cell neoplasia clinically compatible with solitary osseous plasmacytoma. Prednisolone was started for a total of 5 months; at ten-month follow-up the ferret was comfortable and ambulatory with only residual left pelvic limb monoparesis. Surgical treatment should be considered in solitary vertebral plasmacytomas, as it seems to be successful giving a long survival time to the patient. This is the first report to describe the magnetic resonance imaging findings and successful surgical treatment for a vertebral solitary osseous plasmacytoma in a ferret with focal osteolysis in the absence of systemic disease and gammopathy.
Hellenic Journal of Companion Animal Medicine, 2018
The owners of a 3-month-old female DSH cat witnessed her eating raw mushrooms of the species Bole... more The owners of a 3-month-old female DSH cat witnessed her eating raw mushrooms of the species Boletus edulis, Boletus aereus and Amanita caesarea. These mushrooms are edible for humans and highly prized in various cuisines. Vomiting, hypersalivation, horizontal head oscillation and limb muscle tremor were developed within 6 hours. Two days later the cat was admitted due to depression and anorexia, while the neurologic signs had subsided. Dehydration, depression, lymphopenia, increased serum urea nitrogen concentration, proteinuria and bilirubinuria were detected. During the 5-day-hospitalisation period, treatment comprised of intravenous fluids, and per os vitamin E and hepatoprotectants (SAMe – vitamin Ε – vitamin C – silibinin complex). Due to mucohaemorrhagic diarrhoea present on the first day of hospitalisation, ampicillin and sucralfate were subsequently added. The kitten recovered completely a week later and was still healthy 8 months later. Mushrooms in general, are classified as edible or poisonous; the latter could be hepatotoxic, neurotoxic, nephrotoxic, gastroenterotoxic, muscarinic or coprinoid. This basic classification based on human experience may not apply to other species, and consequently “edible” mushroom species may be potentially toxic for animals. In addition, in many cases of mushroom ingestion in animals, the species involved remained unidentified. Thus, this case report describes presumed poisoning from three identified mushrooms, Boletus edulis, Boletus aereus and/or Amanita caesarea, which are considered edible for humans, but caused gastrointestinal, hepatic and neurologic signs in a cat. Prognosis in these cases may be favourable, if early supportive care is instituted.
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