Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Adult neutered Whippet with brain lesion causing Cushing's reflex not
By Fitzgerald, Matthew et al.·Published in Veterinary Record Case Reports·2026·Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists Alton UK, United Kingdom·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: A case of Cushing's reflex secondary to a focal brainstem lesion refractory to mannitol therapy in an adult canine
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A male neutered Whippet was brought in showing signs of increased pressure in the brain after undergoing anesthesia for an MRI. Despite receiving mannitol, a common treatment for this condition, his symptoms did not improve. However, changing his position helped alleviate the symptoms. This case highlights the importance of considering different management strategies when standard treatments are not effective.
People also search for: dog brain pressure symptoms · Whippet anesthesia complications · Cushing's reflex treatment in dogs
Abstract
Abstract Intracranial hypertension (IH) is a life‐threatening consequence of intracranial lesions. General anaesthesia can impair cerebrovascular autoregulation and increase the risk of brainstem herniation, which is associated with the Cushing's reflex (increased systolic blood pressure, bradycardia and apneustic breathing or apnoea). Mannitol or hypertonic saline is an effective first‐line treatment for managing IH. An adult male‐neutered Whippet presenting with evidence of intracranial pathology underwent general anaesthesia for MRI investigations and subsequently displayed signs of IH that was refractory to mannitol therapy but responded to a change in positioning. This case is the first known to the author that documents a Cushing's reflex secondary to a focal brainstem lesion and highlights lessons learned in managing suspected IH that do not respond to mannitol.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1002/vrc2.70328