Cerebrospinal fluid analysis in dogs: Main patterns and prevalence of albuminocytological dissociation

Background: Albuminocytological dissociation (ACD) of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is defined as an increased total protein concentration with normal nucleated cell count. It suspected to occur in diseases that alter blood-brain barrier, increase production or obstruct flow CSF. The purposes this study were review CSF analysis results a large cohort dogs neurological conditions, analyse prevalence ACD and describe which have higher ACD. Study design methods: Medical records retrospectively searched for whom was sampled from 2012–2019. Data collected included signalment, body weight, site collection CSF, results, final diagnosis. Results: A 497 met inclusion criteria. identified 16.5% (82/497) dogs. proportion cranial nerve neuropathy (6/10; 60.0%), brain tumour (10/24; 41.7%), idiopathic vestibular disease (7/17; 41.2%) vascular (4/13; 30.8%). Clinical significance: This describes patterns most common conditions dogs, also characterizing, first time causes ACD, samples. highest proportions neuropathy, tumour, disease.