2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

In the scenario response section, given a dachshund presenting at 6:45 pm with no motor but deep pain sensation, 91% of respondents would proceed with imaging and surgery that night. In the same dog arriving at 1:30 am, 57% of respondents would wait until am. In a dachshund arriving at 6:45 pm with no deep pain acutely, 95% would proceeding immediately with imaging and surgery, while at 11:45 pm, 75% would proceed to imaging and surgery, while 20% would wait until am, and 5% would recommend euthanasia. In a dachshund arriving without deep pain at 3:15 pm with 40 hours since last known to be ambulatory, 86% would recommend immediate imaging and surgery. In a tetraparetic Rottweiler, with increased PCO2, presenting on a Saturday evening, 82% of respondents would proceed with imaging and surgery that night, with 17% waiting until Sunday am, and 1% waiting until Monday. In a Labrador, presenting with lateralizing T3-L3 signs after chasing a ball, at noon on a holiday, 48% of respondents would pursue MRI immediately, while 22% would wait until the following day. Most respondents commented that their approach was directed by the availability and wishes of facility neurologists and surgeons. There was no apparent differences between university and private practices. Urgent neurosurgical emergencies are common and current policies appear to be more based by availability and preference, than clearly guided by evidence. Riluzole and dantrolene has been shown to be neuroprotective by reducing neuronal apoptosis after brain and spinal cord injury in several animal models of neurological disorders. In this study, we investigated the effects of the association of riluzole and dantrolene on experimental spinal cord injury (SCI). Twenty-nine Wistar rats were laminectomized at T12 and divided in five groups: GI (n = 6) underwent laminectomy alone and was treated with placebo. GII (n = 6) underwent laminectomy followed by SCI and was treated with placebo. GIII (n = 5) underwent laminectomy followed by SCI and was treated with riluzole and placebo 15 min and 1 h after laminectomy, respectively. GIV (n = 6) underwent laminectomy followed by SCI and was treated with placebo and dantrolene 15 min and 1 h after laminectomy, respectively. GV (n = 6) underwent laminectomy followed by SCI and was treated with riluzole and dantrolene 15 min and 1 h after laminectomy, respectively. A compressive trauma was performed to induce SCI. After euthanasia, the spinal cord was evaluated using light microscopy, TUNEL staining and immunochemistry with anti-NeuN. All procedures were performed according to the principles adopted by the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and by the Ethics Committee on Animal Use (CEUA-UFMGprotocol number 186/ 2010). Animals treated with the association of riluzole and dantrolene showed a larger number of NeuN-positive neurons adjacent to the epicenter of injury (P ≤ 0,05). Furthermore, the TUNEL staining was similar between animals treated with riluzole and dantrole and those that did not receive spinal cord trauma (P > 0,05). These results showed that riluzole and dantrolene protects spinal cord tissue after traumatic SCI by decreasing apoptotic cell death, especially when used in association. Zonisamide (ZNS) and levetiracetam (LEV) are utilized with increasing frequency as first-line anticonvulsant medications in dogs with epilepsy, but little information is available regarding their use. The purpose of this study was to ev