Expression of CD4 T cell cytokine genes in the colorectal mucosa of inflammatory colorectal polyps in miniature dachshunds

Inflammatory colorectal polyps (ICRPs) in miniature dachshunds are recently recognized as a major cause of large bowel diarrhea in this dog breed in Japan. ICRPs are characterized by the formation of multiple small polyps and a space-occupying large polyp in the colorectal area, and are thought to be a novel form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In humans, specific cytokine patterns attributed to T helper (Th)1, Th17 and regulatory T cells have important roles in the pathogenesis of IBD. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the gene expression of cytokines of T cell subsets in the colorectal mucosa from dogs with ICRPs. Colorectal mucosal specimens from 10 dogs with ICRPs and 14 control dogs were used in this study. Interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-17A and IL-10 mRNA expression was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR. IL-17A mRNA expression was significantly increased in large polyps compared to small polyps and controls. IFN-γ and IL-10 mRNA expression in large polyps were significantly higher than in controls. There was no significant difference in IL-4 mRNA expression among the three groups. IL-17A is thought to play important roles in the pathogenesis of ICRPs. IL-10 up-regulation could oppose the proinflammatory function of IL-17A.     

Analysis of a deletion in the nephronophthisis 4 gene in different dog breeds

Cone‐rod dystrophy is a progressive inherited retinal degenerative disorder that occurs in humans and dogs. The deletion in the nephronophthisis 4 (NPHP4) gene was established as a causative mutation in standard wire‐haired Dachshunds. We analyzed all varieties of Dachshunds from the Czech Republic and five other dog breeds and found that the deletion in the NPHP4 (in heterozygous state) is present not only in standard‐, but also in miniature wire‐haired Dachshunds, but not in other varieties of Dachshunds or in other breeds.     

Epidemiology and Inheritance of Mitral Valve Prolapse in Dachshunds

One hundred ninety consecutive Dachshunds >2 years of age, including 18 families consisting of both parents and 4 or more offspring, were examined clinically and echocardiographically to study the epidemiology and inheritance of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and other signs of myxomatous mitral valve disease in the dog. From video-recorded echocardiograms, MVP severity, jet size (color Doppler), and leaflet thickness were assessed. With regard to murmur intensity and each of these 3 echocardiographic measurements. the inheritance and the influence of age, gender, coat type, body weight, degree of obesity, heart rate, and thorax dimensions were evaluated. MVP severity correlated positively with age (P < .0001) and heart rate (P = .002), negatively with thorax circumference (P = .0005), and was related to coat type (P = .006). MVP severity progressed faster in males than in females (P = .0002). The other measures of disease severity (jet size, leaflet thickness, and murmur intensity) also correlated positively with age (all P < .0001). When compared in pairs, all 4 measures of disease severity correlated significantly with one other. Pedigree analyses did not disclose agreement with simple Mendelian models, but high disease prevalence made interpretation difficult. Mean parental MVP severity correlated significantly with MVP severity in the offspring (P = .03). The epidemiology of MVP in Dachshunds resembles that of MVP in humans, MVP severity correlates significantly with other measures of the degree of myxomatous mitral valve disease, and MVP is an inherited condition in Dachshunds. A polygenic mode of inheritance is suggested.     

Analysis of genetic variability in the Czech Dachshund population using microsatellite markers

The primary goal of this study was to analyse genetic variation within and among six Dachshund varieties in the Czech Republic using 10 microsatellites from StockMarks^® Paternity Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Typing kit. A total of 632 Dachshunds were sampled – 99 Standard Smooth-haired, 72 Standard Long-haired, 272 Standard Wire-haired, 42 Miniature Smooth-haired, 73 Miniature Long-haired and 74 Miniature Wire-haired. Average observed heterozygosity and polymorphic information content ranged in particular Dachshund varieties between 0.58–0.70 and 0.57–0.64, respectively. Subsequent analysis of the population structure ( F -statistics; Nei's genetic identity) showed that Standard Dachshunds shared allele frequencies most closely with their miniature equivalents, and smooth coat type is closer to Wire-haired coat type than to the Long-haired one. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that 11.81% of the total variance occured among varieties. The value of combined exclusion probability (0.9955) validated usefulness of this panel of microsatellites for parentage verification in all analysed populations. We carried out 234 parentage verifications with 1.28% cases where parentage did not match.     

Changes in platelet function in Dachshunds with early stages of myxomatous mitral valve disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate platelet function in Dachshunds during early stages of myxomatous mitral valve disease.Clinical examination and echocardiography were performed in 34 wirehaired standard sized Dachshunds. Platelet function was evaluated using the PFA-100 (reported as closure time). In addition, whole blood platelet aggregation response and hemostatic markers were evaluated.Significant longer PFA-100 closure time (CT) was found in 12 Dachshunds with mild mitral regurgitation (MR) compared to 22 Dachshunds with minimal MR. Only five Dachshunds responded to adenosine diphosphate in the whole blood aggregation analyses. There were no differences between the two dog groups in plasma fibrinogen, plasma von Willebrand factor (vWf) or vWf multimer distribution; however, there was a significant correlation between CT and plasma vWf concentration and CT and plasma fibrinogen concentration.The higher CT found in Dachshunds with mild MR suggests a form of platelet dysfunction in Dachshunds with MR.     

Neuroendocrine changes in Dachshunds with mitral valve prolapse examined under different study conditions

Neuroendocrine changes associated with canine mitral valve prolapse (MVP) were studied in 159 Dachshunds older than two years. In study 1, 102 dogs were sampled without controlling diet or fasting period. In good accordance with human findings, the MVP severity correlated positively with plasma renin activity and tended to correlate negatively with plasma aldosterone. These findings were not attributable to any coexistent mitral regurgitation (MR). In study 2, in which diet and fasting period were controlled, 57 Dachshunds younger than seven years were sampled twice through an i.v. cannula: once after approximately 15 minutes in lateral recumbency and again after 10 minutes of walking. In both study 2 settings, neither MVP nor MR correlated significantly with plasma levels of renin, aldosterone, angiotensin-converting enzyme, norepinephrine, epinephrine, or cortisol. We conclude that the increased renin release found in early canine mitral disease is not reproducible under all study conditions, and that it correlates with the severity of MVP and not of MR.     

RADIOGRAPHIC ASPECTS OF Pneumocystis carinii PNEUMONIA IN THE MINIATURE DACHSHUND

The thoracic radiographic changes of Pneumocystis carinii in 7 miniature Dachshunds were reviewed. The dogs were 7–12 months old and presented with polypnea, exercise intolerance and clinical signs suggestive of immune-incompetence. P. carinii pneumonia was diagnosed in all the dogs using transtracheal aspirate cytology and confirmed at postmortem in 3 dogs that died. Radiographically, diffuse pulmonary changes were present and varied from a mild interstitial and bronchial pattern to an alveolar pattern. Radiographic evidence of cor pulmonale was present in 1 dog. The most severe radiographic changes were seen in 2 of the dogs that died.     

Intervertebral disc disease in Dachshunds radiographically screened for intervertebral disc calcifications

Background

Intervertebral disc disease (IDD) is a very common neurological disease, Dachshunds being the breed most often affected. In this breed, IDD has a hereditary background and is associated with intervertebral disc calcification (IDC), an indicator of severe intervertebral disc degeneration. In Finland, spinal radiography is used, when screening for IDC before breeding Dachshunds. We evaluated the association between IDC and IDD in Finnish Dachshunds radiographically screened for IDC.A questionnaire was sent to owners of 193 radiographically screened Dachshunds aged at least ten years. Clinical signs indicative of IDD were compared with IDC grade (grade 0 = no calcifications, grade 1 = 1 – 2 calcifications, grade 2 = 3 – 4 calcifications and grade 3 = 5 or more calcifications) and with age at the time of the radiographic examination. The diagnosis of IDD was confirmed by a veterinarian.

Results

IDD was common in the study population with 31% of dogs being affected. IDD and IDC were clearly connected (P < 0.001); IDD was rare in dogs with no calcifications (grade 0) and common in dogs with severe IDC (grade 3). The IDC grade was strongly positively associated with frequency of back pain periods (P < 0.001), and dogs with IDC grade 3 had frequent periods of pain. Reluctance to jump onto a sofa had a strong positive association with back pain. No association existed between age of the dog at the time of the radiographic examination and clinical signs indicative of IDD.

Conclusions

Radiographically detected IDC and IDD are common in Finnish Dachshunds and are strongly associated with one another. Spinal radiography is an appropriate screening tool for breeders attempting to diminish IDC and IDD in Dachshunds. A breeding program that screens dogs and selects against IDC can be expected to reduce the occurrence of IDD in future. Twenty-four to 48 months of age is a suitable age for screening.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13028-014-0089-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

A retrospective study of clinical signs and epidemiology of chronic valve disease in a group of 207 Dachshunds in Poland

Background

Chronic mitral valve disease is frequently seen in the Dachshund. Dachshunds (n=207) made up 11.73% of the dogs admitted to the Cardiology Service at the Small Animal Clinic, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland (first visits only).

Results

Of these, 35 dogs had no clinically detectable heart disease while 172 had chronic valve disease with the mitral valve affected most often (130 dogs), both mitral and tricuspid valves infrequently (39 dogs) and rarely the tricuspid valve (3 dogs). Males were affected more frequently than females and the average age of dogs with chronic valve disease was 11.9 years for females and 11.3 years for males. A majority of the diseased Dachshunds were classified as ISACHC 2 (79), followed by ISACHC 1 (60). Most frequent clinical signs noted by owners included coughing, exercise intolerance, dyspnea and tachypnea. Heart murmurs were generally louder with increased disease severity; however there were 20 dogs in the ISACHC 1 group with no audible heart murmurs. The most frequent electrocardiographic abnormalities included an increased P wave and QRS complex duration, increased R wave amplitude and tachycardia. With increased disease severity, echocardiography revealed an increase in heart size. A higher ISACHC class was related to increased heart size (based on echocardiography) and increased percentage of patients exhibiting enlargement of both left atrium and left ventricle (based on radiography).

Conclusions

The Dachshund is often affected by chronic mitral valvular disease with a late onset of associated clinical signs and few cardiac complications.     

Vertebral canal and spinal cord mensuration: a comparative study of its effect on lumbosacral myelography in the dachshund and German shepherd dog

One hundred noncontrast spinal radiographic studies followed by myelography were evaluated to compare vertebral canal size and spinal cord location and size in a chondrodystrophic breed (50 Dachshunds) with those variables in a nonchondrodystrophic breed (50 German Shepherd Dogs). Measurements were made of the sagittal diameter (height) of the vertebral canal, sagittal diameter (height) of the spinal cord, and transverse diameter (width) of the spinal cord in the lumbar and sacral regions. Differences were detected in the craniocaudal location of maximal vertebral canal height and maximal spinal cord height. The spinal cords in the Dachshunds terminated further caudally than those in the German Shepherd Dogs. Location of maximal spinal cord width was different between the breeds, consistent with the apparent, more caudal termination of the cord in the Dachshunds. The ratio of spinal cord to vetebral canal heights was notably greater in the Dachshunds than in the German Shepherd Dogs. These differences in vertebral canal and spinal cord mensuration may influence the choice of radiographic technique and its interpretation. Injection sites may be selected further cranially in German Shepherd Dogs (L4-5) than in Dachshunds (L5-6).     

Reoperative neurosurgery in dogs with thoracolumbar disc disease

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the subset of dogs in our neurosurgical practice that underwent spinal surgery for thoracolumbar (TL) disc herniation and subsequently underwent additional decompressive TL surgery. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case series. SAMPLE POPULATION: Thirty dogs that underwent reoperation for TL disc herniation. A comparison group of Dachshunds that underwent only one decompressive TL disc surgery was also studied. METHODS: Dogs that underwent reoperation were divided into two groups based on the interval between their first and second surgery. The early reoperation group included those dogs having a second surgery less than 4 weeks after the initial operation. The late reoperation group included those dogs having a second surgery more than 4 weeks after the initial operation. For each Dachshund in the late reoperation group, two Dachshunds that underwent only one decompressive TL disc surgery were selected and formed the comparison group. Dogs in the comparison group were matched with reoperated cases based on the severity of preoperative neurologic deficit and site of disc herniation. These two groups were compared to determine: (1) if age and body weight were risk factors for reoperation, and (2) if dogs had a poorer functional outcome after their second decompressive surgery than did those in the comparison group after their first (and only) decompressive surgery. RESULTS: A total of 30 of 467 (6.4%) dogs that underwent decompressive TL disc surgery were reoperated. In the early reoperative cases (n = 5 dogs), the inciting cause in all cases was residual compression from disc material at the site of the initial surgery. In the late reoperation group, 22 of 25 (88%) cases had a second disc herniation at a site distinct from the initial lesion. Dachshunds had a significantly higher risk for late reoperation (odds ratio and 95% CI = 3.67, 1.46 to 10.03); other small and medium-sized breeds (<20 kg) were underrepresented. Age and body weight were not significant predictors for reoperation. A total of 21 of 23 (91%) dogs had functional recovery after late reoperation. Complete sensorimotor loss was a significant negative predictor of functional recovery in the late reoperative cases (P = .01). Likelihood of functional recovery in dogs after their second decompressive surgery was identical to the functional recovery of dogs in the comparison group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our results show that a second disc herniation occurring at a site distinct from the initial lesion is the most common cause for reoperation and that Dachshunds have a significantly greater risk than other breeds.     

Quantification of the association between intervertebral disk calcification and disk herniation in Dachshunds

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the association between intervertebral disk calcification and disk herniation in Dachshunds. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. ANIMALS: 61 Dachshunds that had been radiographically screened for calcification of intervertebral disks at 2 years of age in other studies. Thirty-seven of the dogs had survived to the time of the present study and were > or = 8 years of age; 24 others had not survived. PROCEDURES: Radiographic examination of 36 surviving dogs was performed, and information on occurrence of disk calcification at 2 years of age were obtained from records of all 61 Dachshunds. Information on occurrence of disk herniation between 2 and 8 years of age was obtained from owners via questionnaire. Associations between numbers of calcified disks and disk herniation were analyzed via maximum likelihood logistic regression. RESULTS: Disk calcification at 2 years of age was a significant predictor of clinical disk herniation (odds ratio per calcified disk, 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.19 to 1.81). Number of calcified disks in the full vertebral column was a better predictor than number of calcified disks between vertebrae T10 and L3. Numbers of calcified disks at > or = 8 years of age and at 2 years of age were significantly correlated. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Number of calcified disks at 2 years of age was a good predictor of clinical disk herniation in Dachshunds. Because of the high heritability of disk calcification, it is possible that an effective reduction in occurrence of severe disk herniation in Dachshunds could be obtained by selective breeding against high numbers of calcified disks at 2 years of age.     

Osteological features in pure-bred dogs predisposing to thoracic or lumbar spinal cord compression

Consistent with those vertebral sites most commonly clinically affected by spinal cord compression, body size normalised midsagittal diameters of the caudal vertebral foramen limits T10-T12 were significantly (P<0.05) lower in Dachshunds relative to other breeds. Minimal midsagittal diameters in Yorkshire Terriers and Maltese were noted at T11cd/12cr. However, these diameters were always larger (P<0.05) in small breeds compared to those in Dachshunds and large breeds suggesting that the small breeds investigated are at lower risk of developing clinical signs if a compressive disease occurs at that site. In large breeds, minimal values were present at L1cd/L2cr and in agreement with clinical findings correlate with those spinal sites most susceptible to spinal cord compression in nonchondrodystrophic large breeds. Caudal displacement of the lumbosacral enlargement of the spinal cord relative to the position previously noted in large breeds was confirmed for the Dachshunds and 50% of small breeds. However, caudal displacement was also noticed in the German Shepherd dogs.     

Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy in miniature schnauzers.

In large- and giant-breed dogs, fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCEM) is a well-recognized syndrome of acute spinal cord infarction caused by embolization of fibrocartilage. The miniature schnauzer is reportedly the most frequently affected small breed, although clinical data from only six miniature schnauzers with FCEM is available in the literature. The purposes of this study were to determine the relative frequency of FCEM compared to other causes of myelopathy in miniature schnauzers, to characterize the clinicopathological features of FCEM in 38 miniature schnauzers, and to directly compare FCEM and intervertebral disk herniation in miniature schnauzers with respect to age at diagnosis; gender; neuroanatomical localization; and progression, asymmetry, and severity of neurological deficits. Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy was the most common cause of myelopathy in miniature schnauzers. Age at diagnosis, asymmetry and severity of neurological deficits, and lack of progression of clinical signs after 24 hours assisted in distinguishing FCEM from intervertebral disk herniation. Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy-related mortality in miniature schnauzers was significantly lower than mortality rates reported for affected large and giant breeds. Only 22% of miniature schnauzers were euthanized because of their disease, although the vast majority of survivors failed to achieve complete neurological recovery.     

A retrospective study of inflammatory colorectal polyps in miniature dachshunds

Medical records of dogs with colorectal polyps were retrospectively reviewed, and clinical presentation of inflammatory colorectal polyps in miniature dachshunds was evaluated. Of 33 dogs found to have colorectal polyps, miniature dachshunds were markedly over-represented with 16 dogs (48%), of which 12 (75%) were found to have inflammatory polyps. Multiple polyps localized between the rectum and the descending colon was the most common finding in miniature dachshunds with inflammatory polyps. Twenty dogs (80%) out of 25 miniature dachshunds with inflammatory colorectal polyps responded to immunosuppressive therapy using prednisolone and cyclosporine. The results of this study indicate that miniature dachshunds are predisposed to develop inflammatory colorectal multiple polyps, for which immunosuppressive therapy may be a treatment option.     

Association between various physical factors and acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion or protrusion in Dachshunds

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether body weight, body condition score, or various body dimensions were associated with acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion or protrusion and whether any of these factors were associated with severity of clinical signs in Dachshunds. DESIGN: Cross-sectional clinical study. ANIMALS:75 Dachshunds with (n = 39) or without (36) acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion or protrusion. PROCEDURES: Signalment, various body measurements, body weight, body condition score, and spinal cord injury grade were recorded at the time of initial examination. RESULTS: Mean T1-S1 distance and median tuber calcaneus-to-patellar tendon (TC-PT) distance were significantly shorter in affected than in unaffected dogs. A 1-cm decrease in T1-S1 distance was associated with a 2.1-times greater odds of being affected, and a 1-cm decrease in TC-PT distance was associated with an 11.1-times greater odds of being affected. Results of multivariable logistic regression also indicated that affected dogs were taller at the withers and had a larger pelvic circumference than unaffected dogs, after adjusting for other body measurements. Results of ordinal logistic regression indicated that longer T1-S1 distance, taller height at the withers, and smaller pelvic circumference were associated with more severe spinal cord injury. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that certain body dimensions may be associated with acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion or protrusion in Dachshunds and, in affected dogs, with severity of neurologic dysfunction.     

NHLRC1 homozygous dodecamer expansion in a Newfoundland dog with Lafora disease

Lafora disease is a genetic disease caused, in humans, by mutations in EPM2A and NHLRC1 genes, resulting in accumulation of polyglucosan bodies within neurons. Affected subjects present progressive neurological signs characterised primarily by myoclonic epilepsy. In dogs, Lafora disease has been described mainly in miniature wire-haired Dachshunds, where a dodecamer expansion in NHLRC1 gene has been identified. The same mutation has then been detected in the Basset Hound, Beagle, Chihuahua and Pembroke Welsh Corgi breeds. This is the first case of a Newfoundland dog with myoclonic epilepsy diagnosed with Lafora disease based on confirmed dodecamer expansion in the NHLRC1 gene. Lafora disease is being progressively recognised in different unrelated breeds suggesting a wider distribution in the canine population than previously thought.     

Homozygosity of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the 3′ region of the canine estrogen receptor 1 gene is greater in Toy Poodles than in Miniature Dachshunds and Chihuahuas

Differences in the distribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes in the estrogen receptor α gene (ESR1) were examined in Miniature Dachshunds (n = 48), Chihuahuas (n = 20) and Toy Poodles (n = 18). Five DNA fragments located in the 40‐kb region at the 3′ end of ESR1 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and were directly sequenced. We compared allele, genotype and estimated haplotype frequencies at each SNP in the 3′ end of ESR1 for these three breeds of small dog. The frequency of the major allele and the genotype frequency of the major allele homozygotes, were significantly higher in Toy Poodles for five SNPs (SNP #5, #14–17) than in Miniature Dachshunds, and significantly higher in Toy Poodles than Chihuahuas for three SNPs (SNP #15–17). A common haplotype block was identified in an approximately 20‐kb region encompassing four SNPs (SNPs # 14–17). The frequencies of the most abundant estimated haplotype (GTTG) and GTTG homozygotes were significantly higher in Toy Poodles than in the other two breeds. These results imply that homozygosity for the allele, genotype and haplotype distribution within the block at the 3′ end of ESR1 is greater in Toy Poodles than in Miniature Dachshunds and Chihuahuas.     

Radiology of deciduous teeth resorption and definitive teeth eruption in the dog

The formation of the crown of definitive teeth, the development of the definitive roots with the accompanying resorption of the deciduous roots, and the eruption of the definitive teeth, were individually analysed in 18 Dachshunds.
Weekly radiographs were made from all dogs between the sixth and twentieth weeks of life, using techniques applied in the human dental clinic. From this data a table has been drawn representing the radiological evolution of the entire dentition in young Dachshunds.