title: Cerebrospinal fluid centesis at the cerebellomedullary cistern of kittens.
abstract: We needed an effective technique for obtaining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from young (2- to 18-week-old) kittens. Standard veterinary technique was not suitable, so we adapted a previously published technique for rats. We first established an effective isoflurane-only anesthetic protocol for young kittens. After inhalant anesthesia, the kittens were positioned on a supporting platform to gain flexion of the head and neck. A micromanipulator was used to hold and slowly advance the collection needle. At the time this report was written, we had collected a total of 33 samples from eight kittens without causing apparent neurologic deficits. Correct positioning of the animal and collection needle was critical for success. This procedure enabled the collection of approximately 0.5 ml CSF from kittens younger than 12 weeks and larger volumes from older kittens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606, USA.
authors.forename: Lola C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: Thomas W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Vahlenkamp
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Colby
authors.lastname: Tompkins
authors.forename: Rick B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Meeker
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000601:surgery*; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D007530:Isoflurane