2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

We conclude that there is evidence that detrusor hyper-reflexia occurs in a small proportion of pet dogs paralyzed because of severe T3-L3 spinal cord injury. It is characterized by elevation in intravesicular pressure and reduction in bladder compliance and bladder holding capacity. This identification of a specific type of neurogenic bladder dysfunction permits timely interventions to mitigate renal damage. Potential therapies for treating detrusor hyper-reflexia can now be evaluated using these quantifiable bladder functional parameters derived from cystometry. Osseous-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy (OA-CSM) is a condition characterized by static and dynamic spinal cord compressions. The dynamic component of cervical spondylotic myelopathy in humans (hCSM) is evaluated with kinematic MRI (kMRI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate kMRI in dogs with OA-CSM using a positioning device that allowed controlled flexion and extension of the cervical vertebral column. Our hypothesis was that kMRI would reveal new compressive lesions not identified with standard positioning.