Acromegaly in 14 Cats

Acromegaly was diagnosed in 14 middle-aged to old cats of mixed breeding. Thirteen (93%) of the cats were male and one was female. The earliest clinical signs in the 14 cats included polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, all of which were associated with untreated diabetes mellitus. All developed severe insulin resistance within a few months; peak insulin dosages required to control severe hyperglycemia ranged from 20 to 130 U per day. Other clinical findings weeks to months after diagnosis included enlargement of one or more organs (e.g., liver, heart, kidneys, and tongue) (n = 14), cardiomyopathy (n = 13), increase in body size and weight gain (n = 8), nephropathy associated with azotemia and clinical signs of renal failure (n = 7), degenerative arthropathy (n = 6), and central nervous system signs (i.e., circling and seizures) caused by enlargement of the pituitary tumor (n = 2). The diagnosis of acromegaly was confirmed by demonstration of extremely high basal serum growth hormone concentrations (22 to 131 micrograms/l) in all cats. Computerized tomography disclosed a mass in the region of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in five of the six cats in which it was performed. Two cats were treated by cobalt radiotherapy followed by administration of a somatostatin analogue (octreotide), whereas two cats were treated with octreotide alone. Treatment had little to no effect in decreasing serum GH concentrations in any of the cats. Eleven of the 14 cats were euthanized or died four to 42 months (median survival time, 20.5 months) after the onset of acromegaly because of renal failure (n = 2), congestive heart failure (n = 1), concomitant renal failure and congestive heart failure (n = 3), progressive neurologic signs (n = 2), persistent anorexia and lethargy of unknown cause (n = 1), the owner's unwillingness to treat the diabetes mellitus (n = 1), or unknown causes (n = 1). Results of necropsy examination in ten cats revealed a large pituitary acidophil adenoma (n = 10), marked left ventricular and septal hypertrophy (n = 7), dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 1), arthropathy affecting the shoulder, elbow, or stifle (n = 5), and glomerulopathy characterized by expansion of the mesangial matrix and variable periglomerular fibrosis (n = 10).     

Intrapericardial neoplasia in 14 dogs

Fourteen cases of intrapericardial neoplasia seen over a three year period are reviewed. The clinical details and the electrocardiographic, radiographic and laboratory findings are summarised. The usefulness of two-dimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis of intrapericardial mass lesions is emphasised. The prognosis was generally very poor, even in cases in which surgery was performed.     

Gastrointestinal leiomyosarcoma in 14 dogs

A retrospective review over a 5-year period was performed to identify clinical characteristic features and survival in 14 dogs with intestinal leiomyosarcoma after surgery. Anemia, hypoglycemia, polyuria, and polydipsia were identified as common clinical signs in these dogs. Dogs that survived the immediate postoperative period had a median survival of 21.3 months, (range 0.1-72.5 months). The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 75 and 66%, respectively. Dogs with intestinal leiomyosarcoma that survive the immediate postoperative period can experience long-term survival after surgical excision. Furthermore, dogs with histologically documented metastasis at the time of surgery also appear to have a long survival, with a mean survival of 21.7 months (range 4.2-41.5 months).     

利用平衡致死系S_8、S_(14)选配雄蚕杂交组合的研究

以常规品种雌为母本,平衡致死系Ｓ８、Ｓ１４雄为父本,按中×日（或日×中）的形式选配雄蚕杂交组合,通过对总共２８个雄蚕组合的雄蚕率及主要茧丝质性状的配合力测定,选拔出２对优良雄蚕杂交组合夏５×Ｓ１４、夏Ｓ４×Ｓ８,它们的雄蚕率达到９９％以上,目前已有少量进入农村中试。     

Brucella abortus infection in 14 farm dogs

Fourteen dogs were obtained from 10 farms with Brucella-infected cattle and were studied for periods ranging from 2 to 81 days. At necropsy, Brucella abortus biovar 4 was isolated from all 14 dogs. Mandibular, medial retropharyngeal, tracheobronchial, and mesenteric lymph nodes yielded the highest rate of recovery. Urogenital infection with active shedding was seen in a single aged bitch. Fecal samples (291 from 13 dogs) were B abortus culture negative. Ten dogs monitored serologically over time had standard tube agglutination test titers that fluctuated between 1:50 with incomplete reaction and greater than or equal to 1:200 with positive reaction. At necropsy, the magnitude of seroconversion was not directly related to the number of culture-positive tissues. The maximal duration of infection, based on the time interval between the last possible exposure to infected cattle and recovery of the organism at necropsy, was 464 days. If it were assumed that infection occurred at about the same time as seroconversion in the cattle herd of origin, maximal observed duration of infection was 539 days. The actual maximal duration of infection could not be determined from this study, but would have exceeded the values reported here. The data indicate that dogs have the potential to infect cattle and could pose a threat for longer duration of disease transmission than had previously been assumed. Although the risk of transmission appears small, infection of human beings or cattle associated with Brucella-infected dogs would cause unfavorable political and economic consequences, particularly in low-incidence areas. Removal of contact dogs from infected herds should prevent such transmission.     

Congenital supravalvular mitral stenosis in 14 cats

ObjectivesTo describe the clinical features of congenital supravalvular mitral stenosis (SVMS) in cats.BackgroundSupravalvular mitral stenosis is an uncommon congenital cardiac defect that has not been previously reported in a series of cats.Animals14 cats with SVMS.MethodsMedical records, relevant diagnostic studies and preserved pathology specimens were reviewed.ResultsCats were presented over a wide age range (5 months–10 years; median 3 years); males (n = 9) and the Siamese breed were over-represented. Presenting complaints included respiratory distress (n = 6), hindlimb paralysis due to aortic thromboembolism (n = 5) and asymptomatic heart murmur (n = 3). Echocardiographic examination often identified pulmonary hypertension (PHT) (n = 7) and concurrent cardiac abnormalities (n = 7), especially partial atrioventricular septal defect (PAVSD) (n = 4). Status 12 months following diagnosis was known for 9 cats; 8 of these had died or were euthanized.ConclusionsCats with SVMS are usually presented as young adults for respiratory signs attributable to congestive heart failure, aortic thromboembolism or incidental murmur identification. Congestive heart failure, PHT and concurrent congenital cardiac abnormalities (specifically PAVSD) are common. Long-term prognosis for symptomatic cats is poor.     

Chronic hypertrophic pyloric gastropathy in 14 dogs

SUMMARY Ten mate and 4 female dogs with chronic hypertrophic pyloric gastropathy were seen at the Sydney University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in the period 1982–88. The most commonly affected breeds were the Shihtzu and Maltese. The mean age was 8.2 yr and the mean body weight 6.5 kg. The most common clinical signs were vomiting, weight loss, polydipsia and depression. Hypokalaemia was present in 11 of 12 dogs examined and hypochloraemia in 10 of 11 dogs examined. Five of the six dogs that had blood gases measured were found to have a metabolic alkalosis. Surgery was performed on 13 dogs; pyloromyotomy 7, pyloroplasty 4, gastroduodenostomy 2. There was a recurrence of symptoms in one pyloromyotomy dog, and fatal ulceration and perforation of the cardia occurred in one pyloroplasty case. The remaining 11 dogs had a mean known symptom-free survival time of 20 mo. This study confirms the preponderance of affected males, identifies electrolyte and blood gas disturbances as significant complications of chronic hypertrophic pyloric gastropathy, and suggests that relatively minor surgery (pyloromyotomy) may have a place in the treatment of a selected subgroup of cases.     

Pulmonary infiltration with eosinophils in 14 dogs

Pulmonary infiltration with eosinophils was diagnosed in 14 dogs, whose age ranged from three months to 13 years. The predominant clinical sign was coughing. Dyspnoea, tachypnoea and pruritus were also observed. An absolute circulating eosinophilia was seen in eight dogs and basophilia in five dogs. Thoracic radiographic changes were variable and were not diagnostic. Bronchoscopic evidence of mild to severe bronchitis was present in 12 dogs. Abnormal numbers of eosinophils were found in bronchoalveolar lavage samples and, or, bronchial washings in all 14 cases, but no significant bacteria were recovered. Respiratory compliance was measured in five dogs and was abnormal in three. Faecal examination for helminth parasites was carried out in four cases, a large ascarid burden being identified in one. Intradermal skin testing was carried out in three dogs but was negative in all cases. Complete remission of signs was achieved with prednisolone in 12 cases with six dogs requiring continuous or repeated treatment. Three dogs died as a direct consequence of progression of the disease.