Cauda equina syndrome (degenerative lumbosacral stenosis) is caused by compression of the nerve roots (cauda equina) coursing through the lumbosacral spinal canal in the lower back. Nerve root entrapment and pressure can result from an arthritic process, infection, a degenerative disc rupture, or tumors. Most dogs affected by lumbosacral degeneration are middle aged or . . . → Read More: Cauda Equina Syndrome]]> (Degenerative Lumbosacral Stenosis)

Cauda equina syndrome (degenerative lumbosacral stenosis) is caused by compression of the nerve roots (cauda equina) coursing through the lumbosacral spinal canal in the lower back. Nerve root entrapment and pressure can result from an arthritic process, infection, a degenerative disc rupture, or tumors. Most dogs affected by lumbosacral degeneration are middle aged or older large, athletic breeds.

The most common symptom is progressive sharp pain. However, this syndrome can manifest itself in a number of ways. Intermittent lameness in one or both pelvic (rear) limbs or a stilted gait is a common initial sign. The patient may progressively have more difficulty rising from a prone position or may be unusually reluctant to leap. The dog may act suddenly painful or lame immediately after getting up or jumping. Strenuous activity may exacerbate the signs. Vocal expression of pain may vary from moans or whimpers when the dog tries to rise to sharp cries or howls when touched over the rear quarters or when making a wrong move during exercise. Eventually even the most pain tolerant individuals will react to the burning pain of the nerve root entrapment caused by this syndrome. Chewing at the tail or rear feet as well as bowel and bladder incontinence may be seen in advanced cases where severe pressure on the nerve roots causes a burning sensation. The most devastating cases can evolve to full paralysis.

Diagnosis

The neurologic examination begins by observing the gait. Specific tests for pain and neurologic dysfunction are then performed to confirm the site of the lesion.

Individuals with hip dysplasia will often show a mild response to hip extension whereas dogs with lumbosacral disease will object more acutely to hip extension and cry when pressure is added to the lumbosacral junction (see Fig.1). Manipulation and hyperextension of the tail causes an exquisite pain response. The spinal reflexes are tested, including the perineal reflex and anal tone, to assess the early signs of nerve root entrapment.

[8K GIF] – Cauda Equina Syndrome Figure 1

Nerve root entrapment and pressure can result from an arthritic process, infection, a degenerative disc rupture, or tumors. Therefore, it is essential to accurately diagnose the animal’s problem before considering treatment (see Figs. 2 and 3). This requires radiography (x-rays).

[8K GIF] – Cauda Equina Syndrome Figure 2, 3

Plain radiographs may not be useful in diagnosing such things as infection. A definitive diagnosis may require a myelogram or epidurogram (contrast dye studies of the spine) to confirm not only the location of the lesion but also the position of any ruptured discs in relation to entrapped nerve roots as the spine is flexed and extended. The myelogram and epidurogram are common and safe diagnostic procedures when performed under the proper conditions. In difficult cases, MRI or CT scans are of exceptional diagnostic value. Electromyography (EMG) may be of value in substantiating the diagnosis and the severity and symmetry of nerve root entrapment.

Treatment

Medical therapy consisting of rest and antiinflammatory/analgesic medications should be attempted in patients experiencing an initial episode with only mild pain.

Indications for surgical intervention include neurologic deficits, pain unresponsive to conservative treatment, and frequent recurrences of pain (even if the episodes respond well to medical treatment). To relieve pressure on the entrapped nerve roots, a dorsal laminectomy is performed. This involves removing portions of the bony spinal canal surrounding the entrapped nerve roots. The nerve roots (cauda equina) are then gently retracted to one side with blunt nerve hooks exposing any herniated discs as a large dome on the floor of the spinal canal. Any herniated discs are excised, compressive osteophytes are removed, and foramenotomies (opening the nerve root canals) are performed to relieve root entrapment. Once the pressure is relieved, neurologic function gradually returns.

Postoperative Care

A course of rest is the most important component of postoperative care. All strenuous activity should be curtailed for at least six weeks. At that time the exercise level is gradually increased. If the dog is obese, weight should be reduced.

The prognosis depends on the severity and chronicity of clinical signs before surgery. Dogs with pain, reluctance to jump, or tenderness upon getting up as their only symptoms will usually improve rapidly and dramatically. Some patients may have an occasional, transient, painful episode. Dogs with chronic neurologic dysfunction will take much longer to improve, and they may never return to completely normal function. However, at the very least they will return to a pain free lifestyle.

How to get stem cells from your dog and then bank them: The StemInsure service provides banked stem cells that can be grown to supply a lifetime of stem cell therapy for . . . → Read More: Stem cell banking for dogs]]> Cultured stem cells from your dog can be used for arthritis or cancer treatment in the future. Other diseases are being researched for this treatment.

How to get stem cells from your dog and then bank them:
The StemInsure service provides banked stem cells that can be grown to supply a lifetime of stem cell therapy for dogs.

The process is
Collect only 5 grams of fat (about the size of a grape).
Collect fat at spay, neuter, or any procedure where your vet uses anesthesia.
Vet-Stem processes and banks stem cells for future culturing (growing) and use.

Affordability
Reasonable up front processing cost (see your veterinarian for specific pricing).
Only $50 per year banking (storage) fee for the StemInsure sample after the first year.
Costs are spread out over time.
Avoid a separate surgical fat collection in the future.
Provide treatment options for current applications as well as future applications of stem cells.
One fat collection per patient can provide a lifetime of stem cell therapy.

Important Facts for Dog Owners:
Cells will need to be cultured prior to use for treatment.
There will be additional future charges for Cell Culturing and Banked Doses before the cells can be used to treat your dog.

What You Should Do:
Contact your veterinarian and ask about StemInsure for your dog.
Contact Vet-Stem by email at customerservice@Vet-Stem.com or call them at 858-748-2004.

Consider preventative collection of fat and storage of stem cells whenever your dog is undergoing an anesthetized procedure.

Autologous stem-cell based treatments for tendon injury, ligament injury, and osteoarthritis in dogs have been available to veterinarians in the United States since 2005. Over 3000 privately-owned horses and dogs have been treated with autologous adipose-derived stem cells. The efficacy of these treatments has been shown in double-blind clinical trials for dogs with osteoarthritis of the hip and elbow and horses with tendon damage. The efficacy of using stem cells, whether adipose-derived or bone-marrow derived, for treating tendon and ligament injuries in horses has support in the veterinary literature…

Currently, research is being conducted to develop stem cell treatments for: 1) horses suffering from COPD, neurologic disease, and laminitis; and 2) dogs and cats suffering from heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, neurologic disease, and immune-mediated disorder.

Black LL, Gaynor J, Adams C, et al. (2008). “Effect of intraarticular injection of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem and regenerative cells on clinical signs of chronic osteoarthritis of the elbow joint in dogs”. Vet. Ther. 9 (3): 192–200. PMID 19003780.

Nixon AJ, Dahlgren LA, Haupt JL, Yeager AE, Ward DL (July 2008). “Effect of adipose-derived nucleated cell fractions on tendon repair in horses with collagenase-induced tendinitis”. Am. J. Vet. Res. 69 (7): 928–37. doi:10.2460/ajvr.69.7.928. PMID 18593247

The Westie Foundation of America (WFA) has announced preliminary findings in two major studies involving the health of West Highland White Terriers also known as Westies. Findings in these and other studies of Westies and other dogs may hold answers for . . . → Read More: IBD & Legg-Calve Perthes Disease study]]> Medical News Today
Research Into IBD, LCPD In Westies May Contribute To Human Disease Research
19 Jul 2011

The Westie Foundation of America (WFA) has announced preliminary findings in two major studies involving the health of West Highland White Terriers also known as Westies. Findings in these and other studies of Westies and other dogs may hold answers for similar human conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The studies are jointly funded by the WFA and the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF).

In one study, researchers are looking at the role of a mucosal gene driving inflammation Canine IBD, a chronic intestinal disorder that creates a bacterial-driven inflammation in the intestines. In the second, scientists are researching Legg-Calve Perthes Disease (LCPD), a debilitating developmental disease that causes pain, lameness and muscle atrophy of the dogs’ hip joints. Both are considering implications for humans since the diseases share commonalities in disease symptoms and pathology.

In IBD, genetic factors are thought to contribute to the cause of the disease in both dogs and humans and researchers are utilizing unique molecular biology tools to identify key genes which regulate intestinal inflammation, similar to human IBD.

“It is our expectation to identify specific genes which serve as biomarkers for diagnosing canine IBD and for monitoring the effects of therapy. We have now identified a grouping of 17 ‘marker’ genes that may be more critically assessed in future studies,” said Albert E. Jergens, DVM, PhD of Iowa State University, the study’s lead investigator. “We have preliminary evidence that changes in the composition of the intestinal bacteria accompany the abnormal gene patterns…this situation is remarkably similar to the association between people and their intestinal populations causing human IBD (i.e., Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis).”

LCPD is an orthopedic disease that may require surgery to relieve the clinical signs. Researchers are using a high-throughput technology to assess nearly 127,000 points in the dog genome. The goal of this project is to identify genes that contribute to the development of LCPD.

Preliminary study findings show LCPD may be inherited in much the opposite way previous studies have shown. Eariler studies suggested LCPD is transmitted in an autosomal recessive pattern. “Our current data suggest the LCPD is inherited in either a dominant or complex fashion,” said Keith E. Murphy, PhD of Clemson University. “Only with more samples will we begin to understand the genetics controlling LCPD.” The investigators currently have samples from 58 Westies, 23 of which have LCPD. One candidate gene identified in humans was investigated in canine LCPD, but was not associated with LCPD in Westies. The results of the candidate gene analysis will be published later this year.

“We are pleased to see such progress in the study of Westies and are even more excited that our work may contribute to human disease research, as well,” said Bebe Pinter, president of WFA. “We anxiously await final results in these studies and in other studies currently being funded by WFA and CHA and look forward to continuing our commitment to research and funding for Westie health.”

Notes:
Full results are expected from both studies after December 31, 2011.

Researchers of LCPF have additional experiments planned for July and are currently recruiting study participants. Interested owners willing to participate in the LCPD study should contact Dr. Alison Starr-Moss at astarr@clemson.edu.

For individuals and organizations interested in supporting future canine research, please contact the Westie Foundation of America .

Source:
Teresa Barnes
Westie Foundation of America

Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/231307.php

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An international investigation has uncovered the genetics of the Shar-Pei dog’s characteristic wrinkled skin. The researchers, led by scientists at Uppsala University and the Broad Institute, have connected this mutation to a periodic fever disorder and they propose that the findings could have . . . → Read More: Shar-Pei: Genetics & Periodic Fever Disorder]]> A Mutation Causing Wrinkled Skin Of Shar-Pei Dogs Is Linked To Periodic Fever Disorder

An international investigation has uncovered the genetics of the Shar-Pei dog’s characteristic wrinkled skin. The researchers, led by scientists at Uppsala University and the Broad Institute, have connected this mutation to a periodic fever disorder and they propose that the findings could have important human health implications. Details appear on March 17 in the open-access journal PLoS Genetics.

Purebred dogs are selected for defined physical features, and the inadvertent enrichment for disease-risk genes may have unexpected health consequences. The thickened and wrinkled skin of Shar-Pei dogs contains an excess of hyaluronan, most likely due to the over-activation of the hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) gene. The Shar-Pei also has a high prevalence of a periodic fever disorder similar to human inherited autoinflammatory periodic fever syndromes. Hyaluronan may create a ‘danger’ signal to the immune system, analogous to the effects a pathogen may have. Because of the health implications, Shar-Pei breed clubs have strongly supported research into the cause of periodic fever.

To find the genetic cause for wrinkled skin, the researchers first compared the Shar-Pei genome to that of other dog breeds. Simultaneously, they compared the genome of healthy and sick Shar-Pei to locate the mutation for the fever. Both studies pinpointed the same region, which contained the HAS2 gene. In this breed alone, a DNA segment located close to HAS2 was duplicated erroneously, sometimes multiple times.

“It was really exciting to realize that the two traits had the same genetic origin,” says Mia Olsson, one of the authors. “Copies of the duplicated segment increase the risk for periodic fever in these dogs, and the overproduction of hyaluronan is the predisposing factor.”

“With this genetic information, people can avoid breeding Shar-Pei with many duplications,” said study co-author Linda Tintle. “Understanding the causes will also lead to more effective treatments.”

The researchers have shed light on the role of hyaluronan in inflammatory disease. The association of HAS2 dysregulation and autoinflammation is of wide interest since the genetic cause of periodic fever syndromes in approximately 60% of human cases remains unexplained. “The finding that hyaluronan is a major trigger of fever opens a new research field in canine and human inflammatory disease,” said senior author Kerstin Lindblad-Toh.

Financial Disclosure: This work was supported by the Swedish Research Council; FORMAS; the Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences, and Spatial Planning; the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research; in part by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the National Human Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health; and the Chinese Shar-Pei Charitable Trust. KL-T is the recipient of a EURYI award from the European Science Foundation. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Competing Interests: The authors KL-T, MO, and LT have filed a patent for development of a genetic test.

Citation: “A Novel Unstable Duplication Upstream of HAS2 Predisposes to a Breed-Defining Skin Phenotype and a Periodic Fever Syndrome in Chinese Shar-Pei Dogs”
Olsson M, Meadows JRS, Truve´ K, Rosengren Pielberg G, Puppo F, et al. (2011).
PLoS Genet 7(3): e1001332. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1001332

Sadik turkish adj. loyal, faithful, obedient, devoted, true blue, true hearted, adhesive, constant, devout,  staunch, trusty. Sadik is the name of our dog a purposefully cross-bred kangal/boerboel.  Kangals are turkish flock guardians that can be over 150 pounds and more than 30 inches tall at the shoulder.  Boerboels in contrast are South African a . . . → Read More: Our Kangal/Boerboel – Sadik]]> An Andrew Johnston dog;

Sadik turkish adj. loyal, faithful, obedient, devoted, true blue, true hearted, adhesive, constant, devout,  staunch, trusty.
Sadik is the name of our dog a purposefully cross-bred kangal/boerboel.  Kangals are turkish flock guardians that can be over 150 pounds and more than 30 inches tall at the shoulder.  Boerboels in contrast are South African a shorter, more stocky dog with a shorter nose and short hair.
Sadik’s traits are a combination of the two breeds although he favors the Kangal.  He is approximately 29 inches tall and weighs 115 pounds.  He has a sleek body with very muscled shoulders and hindquarters.  His obvious strength belies his speed.  We estimate that he is as fast as the wolf-hybrids we used to keep.  He can leap too, to the top of our sons car that is parked in the side yard.
Sadik was nine weeks old when he entered our household.  He joined our elder statesman fila brasileiro, Hoover, who is ten years old,  Rhett a seven year old bluetick/bloohound mix and Quisp a three year old Airedale.  They accepted Sadik into their pack and have  shown him the ropes around our 2 acre property.

It is curious to see what we can only ascribe to be flock guardian attributes.  I have found him laying      in the shadow just inside our toolroom door staring horizonlike towards the back fence.  He turned and glanced at me for a second and then resumed his scan.

Sadik is not a dog to hang on you, like a golden or a lab.  He is at times affectionate, but often he keeps his own company.   Sadik has a calm demeanor and is not an idle barker.  He is aloof to most strangers especially men.  He is particularly protective of my wife.   Since Sadik was a pup he has had infrequent contact with our son Greg, once a month, once every two months, but instantly recognizes him as part of the pack and even hangs on him.  We wondered how he would accept our daughter when she visited recently.  We arranged a proper introduction with cheese treats in the driveway of our house and from that time forward for the duration of her visit Sadik treated our daughter as a co-incarnation of my wife,  flipping over on his back and resting his head in her lap while our daughter sat on the sofa.

We have had some scrapes between Sadik and our other dogs, but none so serious that vet care was required except in one instance where the Airedale went through a window, for a reason we have yet to determine, to get at Sadik.  We got Quisp the Airedale when she had been unceremoniously bounced from a kennel for  fighting with other two female Airedales.  Since that time we keep them apart.
To be continued……………

The Kennel Club (KC) has announced that from January 2012 it will no longer register any puppies born by cesarean section from . . . → Read More: Vets asked to report Cesarean Operations]]> 25 Nov 2010
Veterinary associations are asking vets to start reporting cesarean operations to the Kennel Club in the new year as part of the profession’s commitment to improving dog health and welfare.

The Kennel Club (KC) has announced that from January 2012 it will no longer register any puppies born by cesarean section from a bitch that has had two previous cesarean operations. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) are now calling on vets in practice to engage with the new reporting system that will be put in place next year ahead of the rule change.

The change has come about following discussions between the Kennel Club, RCVS, BVA and BSAVA. Vets are being asked to report cesarean operations in the same way as the current reporting system for procedures altering the natural conformation of a dog.

In addition, the Kennel Club is amending its rules to make it a condition of registration, or continued registration, that the owner consents to the reporting, to the Kennel Club, of any cesarean operation carried out on their bitch (subject to approval by the KC General Committee on 4th January 2011).

Although the move is welcome the BVA and BSAVA are very disappointed that the KC has not gone further. Both organisations lobbied strongly for KC to stop registering puppies from a bitch that has undergone one cesarean operation, with no exceptions, and will continue to push for this rule change.

The BVA and BSAVA are also concerned about the get-out clause in the KC rules which will allow exceptions for “scientifically proven welfare reasons”. The organisations believe that this is an ill-defined term that could be open to abuse and that there should be no exceptions.

In addition the BVA and BSAVA are also calling for the compulsory microchipping of the sire, dam and puppies to confirm the identity of any animal subject to a reporting form as well as improving traceability, which will assist with research into hereditary diseases.

Commenting on the changes, Harvey Locke, President of the BVA, said:

“We are pleased to report that the BVA, BSAVA, Kennel Club and RCVS have come together to tackle the worrying problem of breeding bitches undergoing several cesarean operations and we hope that these measures will start to deter breeders from mating animals where the breeding is likely to rely on cesareans.

“But this will only work if vets engage with the new system. We are urging all vets in practice to make use of the new reporting procedures that will be put in place next year to help safeguard dog health and welfare in the future.

“We remain disappointed that the rule changes do not yet go far enough and that they are not being brought in earlier. The sooner we can start to tackle these major health and welfare problems, the better.”

Grant Petrie, President of BSAVA, added:

“No bitch should be expected to go through the trauma of a cesarean operation more than once. These rule changes are not perfect but they are a step in the right direction and we will continue to lobby the Kennel Club to tighten up its registration rules further.

“Responsible breeders do understand the need to look after the health and welfare of both the puppies and their parents. As veterinary surgeons we must encourage the responsible breeders and deter the irresponsible.”

Notes

1. The rule changes are the result of meetings between the BVA, BSAVA, Kennel Club and RCVS.

2. The agreed new form ‘veterinary report of a caesarean operation on a bitch and/or a procedure altering the natural conformation of a dog’ will be made available on the BVA website and the Kennel Club website.

3. The RCVS is amending Advice Note 29 under the Guide to Professional Conduct on Reporting to the Kennel Club to account for these changes.

4. Kennel Club members will be informed of the change to registration rules. The rule on limiting the number of cesareans will come into force in January 2012. The changes that give consent to veterinary surgeons to report will be discussed at a meeting of the Kennel Club General Committee on January 4th 2011.

Source:
British Veterinary Association

Follow these links to great book chapters on breeding and genetics by Dr. Thorpe-Vargas