Behavioural analysis of the efficacy of treatments for injuries to the spinal cord in animals

Vet Rec. 2004 Aug 21;155(8):225-30. doi: 10.1136/vr.155.8.225.

Abstract

There have been very few clinical trials evaluating therapies for naturally occurring spinal cord injury in dogs and cats. This review describes the methods suitable for evaluating the behavioural recovery of animals with spinal cord injuries, in either a clinical or a laboratory setting. A list of commonly used methods for evaluating behavioural recovery in animals is provided, both in the clinical and laboratory setting; the tests, their limitations and benefits and specific recommendations for their use are also discussed in more depth.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology*
  • Cat Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cat Diseases / physiopathology
  • Cat Diseases / therapy*
  • Cats
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis
  • Dog Diseases / physiopathology
  • Dog Diseases / therapy*
  • Dogs
  • Locomotion
  • Motor Activity
  • Neurologic Examination / methods
  • Neurologic Examination / veterinary
  • Rats
  • Recovery of Function
  • Species Specificity
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / therapy
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / veterinary*
  • Treatment Outcome