NEVPC 2022

Signalment:9-month-old male entire Cocker Spaniel dog

History:The patient presented to The Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (Royal Veterinary College) in November 2021 apnoeic with no detectable pulses following an acute airway obstruction (chocking episode at home). The complete laryngeal obstruction was removed manually and spontaneous circulation was recovered after 22 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation including external defibrillation. The patient was extubated an hour following presentation and remained on oxygen for 36 hours post arrest. Following three weeks of intensive and supportive nursing care there was a slow progression from non-ambulatory to ambulatory tetraparesis. Rehabilitation continued at home for the following four weeks, however due to persistent blindness, disorientation, vestibular ataxia and plateau of his neurological improvement euthanasia was elected and a post-mortem examination was performed.

Gross Lesions:The cerebrum and cerebellum are diffusely flattened with loss of the distinction between the sulci and gyri and there is diffuse, severe loss of the cortical grey matter. Within the caudal portion of the occipital lobe, affecting the cortical grey matter is a focal, grey, soft area measuring approximately 1.5 cm x 1 cm. The peripheries of the lung lobes are expanded with multifocal, cream-coloured nodules.