Hepatic abscesses in three horses

Hepatic abscesses were diagnosed in 3 adult horses. Two were < 4 years old and had evidence of concurrent immune-mediated conditions, including aseptic arthritis, immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, and immune-mediated anemia. Predisposing factors for hepatic abscess formation in these horses included prior abdominal surgery, proximal duodenitis/jejunitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and a penetrating foreign body in the large colon. Serum hepatic enzyme activities were within or slightly greater then reference limits in all 3 horses. The most pronounced and consistent abnormalities on CBC and serum biochemical analyses were hyperproteinemia, hyperglobulinemia, and a decreased albumin-to-globulin concentration ratio. Hepatic ultrasonography identified hepatic abscesses in all 3 horses. A variety of bacteria were isolated from these abscesses, including Staphylococus aureus and Bacteroides fragilis. One horse developed septic tibiotarsal arthritis, presumably as a result of intermittent bacteremia. Despite aggressive medical treatment, all horses were euthanatized because of a worsening condition and poor prognosis.     

Infiltrative lipoma in three dogs

Infiltrative lipoma was diagnosed in 3 dogs. The invasive clinical and benign microscopic characteristics of the lipomas were considered in relation to other adipose tissue tumors. Treatment consisted of wide excision or surgical debulking when tumor margins were indistinct. In spite of the aggressive appearance of the lipoma, its benign nature dictated a conservative course of surgical therapy. Accurate and early diagnosis was needed to ensure adequate excision. The tumor recurred if excision was incomplete.     

Compound odontoma in three dogs

Three young, female dogs were operated for compound odontoma. All tumors were considered stage III with treatment consisting of partial mandibulectomy or maxillectomy. Microscopic examination of the resected tissue confirmed the diagnosis. Relatively aggressive, resective surgery resulted in prolonged tumor-free intervals.     

Opioid dysphoria in three dogs

Objective: To describe the clinical manifestations and response to management of opioid dysphoria in 3 dogs. Case summary: Three dogs being managed for post‐operative pain were evaluated. All 3 dogs had been managed with various opioids including morphine, hydromorphone, and fentanyl following the surgical procedure. The 3 dogs exhibited vocalization that did not respond to interaction and did not change with administration of analgesic and anxiolytic agents. The dogs were treated with naloxone and, within 5 minutes of its administration, ceased vocalizing, and became aware and interactive with their environment. Further pain management consisted of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory medications, alpha‐2 (α₂) receptor agonists or the partial μ‐receptor opioid agonist, buprenorphine. New and unique information provided: Vocalization and lack of response to interaction with humans are clinical signs which can be seen in dogs with opioid dysphoria, and generally are not responsive to analgesics or sedation. Reversal with naloxone results in rapid resolution of vocalization and opioid‐induced dysphoria.     

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome in three dogs

The main clinical signs of three dogs with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome were vomiting, diarrhoea, poor appetite and weight loss. The diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination and by gastrin immunocytochemistry. Gastrin was extracted from pancreatic tumours of two dogs. Gastrin-component III predominated in one dog while gastrin-component II and gastrin-component III were demonstrated in almost equal amounts in the other dog. In one dog serum gastrin concentration was high. Postmortem examination revealed pancreatic tumours in all three dogs and metastases in the regional lymph nodes and liver in two. The pancreatic tumours contained three patterns of growth: solid, trabecular and acinar. Electron microscopy of liver metastases showed cells with secretory granules. In all three dogs there was an erosive oesophagitis and thick gastric mucosa caused mainly by glandular proliferation. Two dogs had erosions and ulcers in the duodenum, one also in the first part of the jejunum. Villous atrophy and cellular infiltration of the duodenal mucosa were found in all dogs.     

Multifocal oligodendroglioma in three dogs

This report describes the clinical, histopathologic, and imaging findings of multifocal oligodendrogliomas from three canine patients. Clinical history varied but included seizure activity and behavior changes. Neurologic examination abnormalities included ataxia, proprioceptive deficits, cranial nerve deficits, and changes in mentation. MRI in one patient revealed multifocal brain lesions; however, the MRI was normal in another one of the patients. Histopathologic evaluation identified multifocal neoplastic infiltrates in all three patients involving the cerebral cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord, with leptomeningeal extension in two of the three patients. All three patients were euthanized due to progression of their neurologic condition and/or complications due to aspiration pneumonia. Oligodendrogliomas should be considered a differential diagnosis for patients with multifocal brain disease.     

Multiple meningiomas in three dogs

Three dogs with seizures were diagnosed with multiple intracranial meningiomas. Two of the three dogs were golden retrievers, and ages ranged from 9 to 11 years. Treatment consisted of surgery and radiation (n=2) or chemotherapy (n=1). In all three cases, the masses were two distinct tumors as determined by imaging, surgery, or necropsy. In two dogs, the meningiomas had the same histological pattern, while in one dog the histological subtypes were different.     

Hypomyelination in three Weimaraner dogs

Hypomyelination syndrome of the Weimaraner dog is a disease characterised by a reduction or absence of myelin in the axons of the central nervous system (CNS) exclusively. The objective of this study was to analyse the cause of this deficiency of myelin. Tissue samples of the CNS of three Weimaraner dogs with neurological signs were fixed in 10% formalin and embedded in paraffin wax, and histochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies were performed. Histochemical staining with haematoxylin and eosin and Kluver-Barrera techniques showed generalised pallor in the peripheral areas of the ventral and lateral funiculi of the spinal cord. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a weak expression of both proteolipid protein (PLP) and myelin basic protein (MBP) and a marked decrease of Olig2(+) cells in the demyelinated areas. The immunohistochemical findings suggested a myelination or remyelination failure because of the smaller population of oligodendrocytes. However, PLP gene mutations may also be the cause of the decrease of PLP expression as described in other species.     

Nasal melanosis in three dogs

Cytologically and histologically confirmed nasal melanosis was detected by rostrocaudal rhinoscopic evaluation of three dogs with unilateral nasal discharge caused by a chronic and severe odontopathic rhinitis. The extraction of affected teeth and prolonged antibiotic therapy led to a complete resolution of nasal disease. The nasal melanosis could be considered a partial metaplastic transformation of mucosal respiratory cells with accumulation of intracytoplasmic melanin.     

Atypical hypoadrenocorticism in three dogs

Three dogs with hypoadrenocorticism did not have characteristically abnormal serum concentrations of sodium, potassium, and chloride and had not been treated with glucocorticoids. Diagnosis was based on lack of adrenocortical response to exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone. Clinical signs included lethargy, weakness, anorexia, vomiting, and weight loss. The case demonstrated that the diagnosis of canine hypoadrenocorticism should not be excluded on the basis of normal serum electrolyte values.     

Secondary myelofibrosis in three dogs

Myelofibrosis was diagnosed in 3 dogs. In each dog, there was evidence of concurrent bone marrow necrosis, suggesting that the myelofibrosis was a secondary change. This suggestion was supported by a lack of dysplastic changes in hematopoietic cells. Bone marrow necrosis in 2 of the dogs may have been the result of widespread malignancy. Reversal of the myelofibrosis in 1 dog suggested that myelofibrosis is not always a terminal disorder.     

Phenol poisoning in three dogs

Three adult dogs were evaluated following oral administration of phenol by the owner. All three dogs experienced severe oral and gastric ulceration. Hematological abnormalities included neutropenia with the presence of toxic neutrophils, thrombocytopenia, and increased muscle enzymes. Endoscopic examination was performed, and biopsies yielded a diagnosis of gastric mucosal necrosis in two of the dogs. Following supportive care, the dogs recovered completely. Phenol is a caustic, highly poisonous derivative of coal tar. The dogs of this report were poisoned inadvertently by their owner who received misinformation concerning the use of this chemical via the Internet.     

Spontaneous echocardiographic contrast in three dogs

Objective – To describe the clinical presentation and outcome in 3 dogs with spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SEC). Case or Series Summary – SEC was identified in 3 dogs with concurrent hyperfibrinogenemia. The dogs were diagnosed with different underlying conditions including infective endocarditis of the mitral valve (Case 1), presumptive Evan's syndrome (Case 2), and presumptive sepsis (Case 3). Various therapies were used in each case directed at their underlying condition, in addition to thromboprophylaxis that were based upon a perceived risk of thromboembolic disease. The 3 dogs in this series survived to discharge and had good outcome during the follow‐up period, which ranged from 3 weeks to 7 months. New or Unique Information Provided – SEC is considered a marker for thromboembolic disease in people and can occur in dogs in the absence of significant cardiomegaly. SEC in these 3 dogs may be related to the documented hyperfibrinogenemia. Further investigation is warranted to determine whether dogs with SEC are at an increased risk for thromboembolic complications.     

Prostatic abscess rupture in three dogs

Three dogs developed prostatic abscesses that subsequently ruptured. For various reasons, the dogs had been treated with glucocorticoids before abscess rupture. Immediately after the diagnosis was made, each dog was taken to surgery. Each dog developed septic shock. Two dogs died during surgery and one recovered. A glucose-insulin-potassium solution was used to treat septic shock in the dog that recovered. Few cases of ruptured prostatic abscesses have been reported. The purpose in the present study was to review the clinical signs, pathologic changes, and management of ruptured prostatic abscesses in 3 dogs.     

Ehrlichiosis and polyarthritis in three dogs

Three dogs admitted for evaluation of lameness were determined to be infected with a neutrophilic strain of Ehrlichia. Ehrlichia morulae were detected in low numbers in both synovial fluid and blood neutrophils. The dogs had rapid clinical improvement after appropriate antibiotic therapy. A diagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis easily could have been missed if morulae had not been identified. Ehrlichiosis should be considered in acutely lame dogs residing in areas enzootic for ehrlichiosis. A careful search for Ehrlichia morulae within synovial fluid and blood neutrophils should be performed. An E canis titer determination also may be helpful.     

Pigmented epidermal plaques in three dogs

Papillomavirus was identified in pigmented epidermal plaques (PEP) from three dogs: a miniature schnauzer with hyperadrenocorticism and hypoglobulinemia, an American Staffordshire terrier with hypoglobulinemia, and a Pomeranian with unconfirmed hypothyroidism. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arose within several plaques in the Pomeranian. Clinical improvement coincided in the first two cases with treatment of the concurrent disease and the administration of low-dose oral interferon-alpha. This is the first report of PEP in an American Staffordshire terrier and a Pomeranian. The potential for malignant transformation of PEP to SCC emphasizes the need for recognition and clinical management of PEP.     

Chylous ascites in three dogs.

Chylous ascites was diagnosed in 3 dogs. Mesenteric lymphangiography was performed in 2 dogs and helped delineate abnormalities of the lymphatic system. The cause of chylous ascites in each dog appeared to be different. In 1 dog, a ruptured mesenteric lymphatic was identified at surgery. Evidence of abdominal lymphatic obstruction was found in another dog. Chylous ascites in the third dog appeared to be a complication of mesenteric lymphangiography for chylothorax.