Haemato- biochemical studies in spinal cord injured dogs treated with a combination of methylprednisolone sodium succinate and 4-aminopyridine or polyethylene glycol

Abstract

The current study was conducted to compare the effect of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on haemto-biochemical parameters in methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) treated dogs for management of spinal cord injuries(SCI). The study was conducted on 14 dogs of different age, breed, sex and body weight, presented with clinical signs of SCI. Animals were randomly divided into two groups and subjected to two treatment protocols. One group was treated with MPSS and PEG intravenously on first day with oral follow up with prednisolone acetate, while the other group was treated with MPSS and 4-AP intravenously with oral follow up with 4-AP. All the selected dogs were subjected to detailed clinical, neurological, radiographic investigations at regular intervals to assess the effect of treatment upto eight weeks. Haematological and serum biochemical parameters were evaluated on the first day of treatment and then at fortnight intervals. The mean values of all the haematological parameters and serum biochemical parameters were found to be within the normal physiological range and were not significant. However a statistically significant increased serum alkaline phosphatase level was observed in the first group and a non-significant increase in second group throughout the period of study.

Keywords

• spinal cord injury
• methyl prednisolone sodium succinate
• 4-aminopyridine
• polyethylene glycol
• neurological examination
• haematology
• serum biochemistry