2017 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

In conclusion the results of the study indicate that overall survival time with surgical decompression alone is poor. Adjunctive therapy appears to prolong survival in cases of primary vertebral osteosarcoma that have had decompressive surgery. A common challenge of CSF analysis is time-dependent rapid degradation of nucleated cells. This degradation leads to an inability to accurately interpret CSF, diagnose disease and institute treatment. CSF additives, fetal calf serum and the hydroxyethyl starch, Hetastarch, have been used to delay cell degradation but some alter microprotein levels. The purpose of this research is to determine if a more readily available and less expensive hydroxyethyl starch, VetStarch TM , is effective at preserving CSF nucleated cell morphology without altering microprotein levels.