2017 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Five dogs with SRM were identified retrospectively. Signalment, history, body temperature, neurological signs, diagnostic workup, treatment, and prognosis were analyzed. Affected breeds were small-to medium-sized: Miniature Pinscher (n = 2), Maltese (n = 1), Toy Poodle (n = 1), and Cocker Spaniel (n = 1). The mean age of the dogs was 4.2 years (range 2-8 years). Paraspinal hyperesthesia, paresis, and paralysis were acutely observed according to the affected region of the spinal cord. However, all dogs were non-febrile, and only one dog had neutrophilic leukocytosis on hematological analysis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of each dog revealed diffuse spinal lesions with T2 and FLAIR-hyperintense and T1-hypo-or isointense signal intensities at different regions: cervical (n = 1), thoracolumbar (n = 1), lumbosacral (n = 1), and multifocal (n = 2) spinal parenchyma. Contrast enhancement was not detected in the meninges. Four dogs had cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis: mononuclear (n = 3) and mixed (n = 1). In both serum and CSF, the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) were within respective normal limits, except in two dogs with elevated serum CRP. No dog tested positive on CSF for infectious disease. A presumptive diagnosis of non-infectious inflammatory myelitis was established based on the clinical signs, MR scanning, CSF analysis, and laboratory tests.