John J. McDonnell

The prognostic value of the modified Glasgow Coma Scale in head trauma in dogs.

A clinical coma scale modified from the Glasgow Coma Scale used for humans has been suggested as a useful predictor of outcome in the head trauma patient. The objective of this study was to correlate the modified Glasgow Coma Scale (MGCS) score of dogs with head trauma with their probability of survival. Thirty-eight dogs with head trauma were selected and retrospectively evaluated. The information retrieved from the medical record of each dog included signalment, body weight, cause of head trauma, MGCS, presence of concurrent neck pain, and outcome (dead or alive) after 48 hours. Logistic regression was used to model survival in the 1st 48 hours as a function of MGCS, gender, weight, and calvarial fractures. The MGCS ranged from 5 to 18. Seven dogs died within 48 hours of the head trauma. The MGCS could predict the probability of survival in the 1st 48 hrs after head trauma with 50% probability in a patient with a score of 8. Gender, weight, and presence of skull fractures did not predict survival. In conclusion, the MGCS is a useful index for prediction of outcome in dogs with head trauma.

A poorly differentiated gastric carcinoid in a dog.

A 13-year-old female whippet (13.2 kg) was presented with a 10-day history of weakness and ataxia. It had been vomiting for 3 days and had developed a cough that was sometimes productive. The dog had a normal rectal temperature, a heart rate of 96 beats/minute, and a respiration rate of 20 breaths/minute. No abnormalities were heard on thoracic auscultation. The dog was well muscled but showed pronounced weakness, with proprioceptive deficits in all 4 limbs. The dog was depressed and slightly dehydrated. A complete blood count revealed a mild lymphopenia and eosinopenia. Serum alkaline phosphatase was elevated (322 U/liter) and serum albumin was low (2.4 g/dl), with a concurrent decrease in serum calcium and total serum protein. A coagulation profile was normal. Serum thyroxin level was normal, and blood ammonia was not detected. Increased bronchial and interstitial markings with an area of increased alveolar pattern were evident on thoracic radiographs. Escherichia coli was cultured from a transtracheal aspirate. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a large erosive lesion in the stomach wall and target lesions and multiple 0.5‐ 1.5-cm-diameter mottled to hypoechoic foci in the liver and spleen. The right and left iliac lymph nodes and the jejunal mesenteric lymph nodes were enlarged. A liver biopsy was obtained. The dog deteriorated clinically, and the vomiting became more severe, with hematemesis. A repeated coagulation profile revealed an elevated activated partial thromboplastin time. The dog was euthanized, and a postmortem examination was performed. At the postmortem examination, the pertinent findings included a 3.5-cm-diameter cavitating, erosive transmural le

Multiple meningiomas in three dogs.

Three dogs with seizures were diagnosed with multiple intracranial meningiomas. Two of the three dogs were golden retrievers, and ages ranged from 9 to 11 years. Treatment consisted of surgery and radiation (n=2) or chemotherapy (n=1). In all three cases, the masses were two distinct tumors as determined by imaging, surgery, or necropsy. In two dogs, the meningiomas had the same histological pattern, while in one dog the histological subtypes were different.

Clinical Signs, Management, and Outcome of Presumptive Ivermectin Overdose in a Group of Dendrobatid Frogs

Abstract Ivermectin is routinely used as an anthelmintic in amphibians at the National Aquarium, Baltimore (MD). Presumptive inadvertent overdose occurred in dendrobatid frogs administered oral ivermectin via micropipette at volumes below the 0.5 μl lower limit of the unit. Forty-eight frogs, 19 Dendrobates auratus (green and black poison dart frog) and 29 Dendrobates tinctorius (dyeing and blue poison dart frog), were administered ivermectin as part of a parasite management program. Within 48 h of administration, clinical signs consistent with ivermectin toxicity developed, including ataxia, flaccid paralysis, pulmonary respiratory depression, and total unresponsiveness to stimuli. Multiple frogs also demonstrated generalized fluid accumulation consistent with hydrocoelom. Clinical signs developed in 31 frogs; 19/19 Dendrobates auratus and 12/29 Dendrobates tinctorius. Management included fluid and nutritional support and calcium, antibiotic, and furosemide administration. The overall survival rate for frogs that developed clinical signs was 32% (10/31). Of the 21 mortalities, seven frogs were euthanized and 14 were found dead. In surviving frogs, clinical signs lasted up to 3 wk, but were mild after 2 wk. Even frogs with severe central nervous system depression survived and supportive care is warranted in toxicity events.

Severe Neurological Signs and Encephalomalacia in a Group of Australian Water Dragons (Intellagama lesueurii)

Abstract Twelve Australian water dragons (Intellagama lesueurii) presented with acute neurologic dysfunction over a 2-month period. Clinical signs included obtundation, head tilt, loss of proprioceptive and righting reflexes, ataxia, and hyperesthesia. Various treatment protocols had no apparent effect on clinical signs or disease progression, and all 12 animals died or were euthanized. A retrospective review was carried out on tissue sets that were available for nine individuals. Four (44%) of the nine water dragons were classified as cases with long (≥8 days) duration of neurologic signs, and five (56%) of nine were classified as short (≤7 days) duration. On histopathology, all cases with a long duration of neurologic signs had brain lesions characterized by encephalomalacia (i.e., softening of the brain due to necrosis) and gitter cell infiltrates. In the three (33%) water dragons with the longest duration of clinical signs (>13 days), the necrosis was more severe and numerous tortuous vascular formations were present in the brain sections. The five (56%) water dragons with short duration of neurologic signs had similar neurologic symptoms but no histologic brain lesions. The surviving 29 water dragons from the cohort group showed no similar neurologic signs or histopathologic lesions in the 4 yr following this case series. A viral or toxic etiology was suspected.