Cystic bone lesions in related Old English Sheepdogs

At 6 months of age, an Old English Sheepdog with swollen and painful distal radial/ulnar metaphyses was found to have multiple cystic lesions in left and right radius and ulna. Cystic bone lesions were also detected radio-graphically in two clinically normal littermates and in the sire and dam of the litter. Radiographic changes of nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism were found in the three affected pups and in two other individuals from the litter of eight.
The cystic lesions in one pup were drained surgically and the cyst wall curetted, while the other two pups were not treated. The lesions in all three pups gradually resolved and had almost completely disappeared by 10 months of age.     

Pemphigus foliaceus in two Shetland sheepdog littermates

Two female Shetland Sheepdog littermates simultaneously developed pemphigus foliaceus at 6 months of age. Three other littermates were not affected. One bitch (tricolored) was not treated, and the disease has remained active for 2 years. The other bitch (blue merle) has been successfully managed with glucocorticoids and gold salts.     

Permanent pacemaker implantation with transvenous electrode placement in a dog with complete atrioventricular heart block, congestive heart failure and Stokes-Adams syndrome

A permanent asynchronous pacemaker was implanted in a 2-year-old Shetland Sheepdog with complete heart block. Electrode implantation was via the transvenous method. One year after implantation the pacemaker unit began to fail. A new pacemaker, with a 7-year battery expectancy, was substituted for the original unit. The subject is still leading a normal life, 1 ½ years after the use of the pacemaker.     

Collie eye anomaly in the Shetland Sheepdog in The Netherlands

The eyes of a group of Shelties and Collies were examined for Collie Eye Anomaly and Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and any other eye abnormality noted. The incidence of CEA in 120 Shetland Sheepdogs was over 48%. There were no cases of PRA. Other abnormalities noted were distichiasis, hyaloid artery remnants, corneal lipidosis, persistent pupillary membranes, cataract and various retinopathies.
One group of an old type of Shetland Sheepdog, inbred for several generations, showed no signs of CEA. The significance of this finding is discussed.     

Congenital peripheral vestibular disease attributed to lymphocytic labyrinthitis in two related litters of Doberman pinscher pups

Five Doberman Pinscher pups from a litter of 10 (litter A) and 3 of 9 pups from a subsequent mating of the same bitch (litter B) had clinical signs consistent with unilateral or bilateral peripheral vestibular disease. Results of CBC, serum biochemical analysis, urinalysis, ophthalmologic examination, deep otoscopic examination, and CSF analysis were normal in all affected pups. Bacteriologic culture results from CSF were negative and affected pups did not have canine distemper antibody titers in CSF. The most severely affected littermates were euthanatized and necropsied at the owner's request. Gross lesions were not found at necropsy, but marked lymphocytic labyrinthitis was discovered microscopically in decalcified sections of the labyrinthine system. The case history and histologic findings were suggestive of an infectious, most likely viral, cause, but organisms were not isolated from specimens of CNS tissue. The involvement of the same bitch in the 2 litters suggests heritable factors. One mildly affected pup apparently recovered or compensated for its vestibular dysfunction.     

Babesiosis in a litter of pups

Babesia canis infection was diagnosed in a litter of seven 3-week-old Mastiff pups kept in a north Florida kennel. The pups were evaluated because of poor weight gain; the smallest pup also was markedly lethargic. Six of the pups were anemic and thrombocytopenic. A positive linear correlation between PCV and absolute reticulocyte count suggested that the variation in PCV may have been related more to the ability of a pup to increase erythrocyte production than to a difference in magnitude of erythrocyte destruction. All pups recovered from clinical signs and hematologic abnormalities attributable to babesiosis within 2.5 weeks after treatment with diminazene aceturate. Transient neurologic signs observed in 1 pup 3 days after treatment were believed to represent an adverse drug reaction. The dam of the litter had a serum titer of 1:640 for B canis, but appeared healthy, as did approximately 30 other adult dog in the kennel. The strain of B canis infecting dogs in the kennel caused severe illness and death in some pups, but clinically inapparent disease in adult dogs.     

Transient hyperammonemia due to urea cycle enzyme deficiency in Irish wolfhounds

BACKGROUND: Irish Wolfhounds frequently have a congenital portosystemic shunt, but a considerable proportion of the 6- to 8-wk-old pups has hyperammonemia in the absence of portosystemic shunting. This hyperammonemia causes no signs and is transient, normalizing at the age of 3-4 months. HYPOTHESIS: Transient hyperammonemia has a metabolic basis in Irish Wolfhounds. ANIMALS: Two related (same sire) litters of Irish Wolfhounds (17 pups) and their parents were studied. METHODS: Integrity of the portal circulation was examined by ultrasonography and scintigraphy. Absence of parenchymal liver disease was verified by liver biopsy. Amino acid profiles were measured in 4 pups and repeated in 2 of these pups when ammonia concentrations had normalized. The amino acid profiles were compared with those of healthy Irish Wolfhound pups. RESULTS: Fasting venous ammonia concentrations were high (113-622 microg/dL, 65-345 micromol/L) in all pups, whereas bile acids were within reference range in all but 1. The ammonia and bile acid concentrations from all parents were within reference range. Portosystemic shunting was excluded in all but 1 pup. Liver biopsy excluded significant lesions in all 10 pups examined. Hypercitrullinemia was found and persisted even when ammonia had normalized, at the expense of an increase in glutamine and asparagine. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Citrulline concentrations are controlled by the urea cycle enzymes argininosuccinase and argininosuccinate synthetase, and a defect in either of these enzymes may be responsible for the transient hyperammonemia in Irish Wolfhounds. Resolution of the hyperammonemia is associated with increased activity of alternative metabolic pathways forming glutamine and asparagine. Confirmation requires measurement of enzyme activities in liver tissue.     

Intertarsal and tarso-metatarsal subluxation in the dog

Forty-four cases of intertarsal subluxation and eight cases of tarso-metatarsal subluxation in the dog are reported. The anatomical features of the hock related to these conditions are briefly considered. There was evidence that the Shetland Sheepdog is predisposed to intertarsal subluxation and in this breed minimal trauma was associated with the occurrence of the condition. The history, clinical and radiographic features are reported for each condition and the methods and results of treatment described.     

Canine parvovirus type 2c identified from an outbreak of severe gastroenteritis in a litter in Sweden

A litter of recently-vaccinated puppies in Sweden experienced signs of severe haemorrhagic gastroenteritis. Canine parvovirus (CPV) was suspected as the cause of this outbreak on the basis of the clinical signs and the presence of parvoviral antigen in the faeces from one of the affected pups - confirmed using a commercial in-clinic faecal antigen ELISA test kit. A concern was raised about whether the vaccine (which contained a live, attenuated strain of CPV) could have caused the disease and so further faecal samples from the affected pups were submitted for laboratory virus isolation and identification.On cell culture, two out of four faecal samples were found to be virus-positive. This was confirmed as being canine parvovirus by immuno-staining with CPV specific monoclonal antibody. The virus was then tested using a series of PCR probes designed to confirm the identity of CPV and to distinguish the unique vaccine strain from field virus. This confirmed that the virus was indeed CPV but that it was not vaccine strain. The virus was then typed by sequencing the 426 amino acid region of the capsid gene which revealed this to be a type 2c virus.Since its emergence in the late 1970s, canine parvovirus 2 (CPV2) has spread worldwide and is recognised as an important canine pathogen in all countries. The original CPV2 rapidly evolved into two antigenic variants, CPV2a and CPV2b, which progressively replaced the original CPV2. More recently a new antigenic variant, CPV2c, has appeared. To date this variant has been identified in many countries worldwide but there have been no reports yet of its presence in any Scandinavian countries. This case report therefore represents the first published evidence of the involvement of CPV2c in a severe outbreak of typical haemorrhagic gastroenteritis in a susceptible litter of pups in Scandinavia.     

Primary hyperparathyroidism in German shepherd dogs: a disorder of probable genetic origin

Primary hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed in two German shepherd pups from a litter of four females. Clinical signs were apparent by two weeks of age and included stunted growth, muscular weakness, and polydipsia/polyuria. Radiography revealed diffuse reduction in bone density. Both pups had marked hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, increased plasma immunoreactive parathyroid hormone concentrations and increased fractional clearance of inorganic phosphate in the urine. Intravenous infusion of one affected pup with calcium gluconate failed to suppress the plasma concentration of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone, suggesting autonomous secretion of parathyroid hormone. Necropsy of the other pup at eight weeks of age revealed diffuse hyperplasia of parathyroid chief cells, nodular hyperplasia of thyroid C-cells, skeletal alterations consistent with fibrous osteodystrophy, hypercalcemic nephropathy, and extensive mineralization of the lungs and gastric mucosa. The dam and sire were half sibs. One male pup from a previous litter of six had developed similar clinical signs and radiographic lesions, suggesting autosomal recessive inheritance. This is the first report of hereditary primary hyperparathyroidism in domestic animals, a disease which may be analogous to hereditary neonatal primary hyperparathyroidism in children.     

Breed distribution of the ABCB1-1Delta (multidrug sensitivity) polymorphism among dogs undergoing ABCB1 genotyping

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the breed distribution of the ABCB1-1Delta polymorphism in a large number of dogs in North America, including dogs of several herding breeds in which this polymorphism has been detected and other breeds in which this polymorphism has not yet been identified. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 5,368 dogs from which buccal swab samples were collected for purposes of ABCB1 genotyping. PROCEDURES: From May 1, 2004, to September 30, 2007, DNA specimens derived from buccal swab samples collected from 5,368 dogs underwent ABCB1 genotyping. These data were reviewed, and results for each dog were recorded in a spreadsheet, along with the dog's breed. The genotypes for each breed were tallied by use of a sorting function. RESULTS: The ABCB1-1Delta allele was identified in 9 breeds of dogs and in many mixed-breed dogs. Breeds that had the ABCB1-1Delta allele included Collie, Longhaired Whippet, Australian Shepherd (standard and miniature), Shetland Sheepdog, Old English Sheepdog, Border Collie, Silken Windhound, and German Shepherd Dog (a breed in which this mutation had not been detected previously). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The ABCB1-1Delta polymorphism is associated with increased susceptibility to many adverse drug reactions and with suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and is present in many herding breeds of dog. Veterinarians should be familiar with the breeds that have the ABCB1-1Delta polymorphism to make appropriate pharmacologic choices for these patients.     

Progression of an orbital T-cell rich B-cell lymphoma to a B-cell lymphoma in a dog

An 11-year-old Shetland Sheepdog was presented for exophthalmos caused by a locally extensive, poorly defined mass located behind the right eye. The primary orbital mass was identified by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry as a T-cell rich B-cell lymphoma (TCRBCL) composed predominantly of BLA.36-positive large neoplastic lymphoid cells admixed with fewer CD3- and CD79a-positive small lymphocytes. The dog was treated for lymphoma, but 6 months after presentation it was euthanatized for suspected hepatic and gastrointestinal metastasis. Gross findings revealed an enlarged liver with multiple well-demarcated, randomly distributed 0.1-1.5-cm white nodules, five firm white submucosal jejunal nodules, and ileocecal, mediastinal, and hilar lymphadenopathy. Metastatic liver lesions consisted of sheets of monomorphic large neoplastic lymphoid cells that effaced and expanded portal and centrilobular zones. These cells were morphologically similar to the large neoplastic cells of the original orbital tumor and were CD3-negative and variably BLA.36-positive, consistent with B-cell lineage. Similar cells comprised the jejunal nodules and effaced the lymph nodes. The progression of TCRBCL to a diffuse B-cell lymphoma in this case is consistent with reported human cases and has not been previously reported in the dog.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC,SURGICAL, AND HISTOPATHOLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS OF AN INFILTRATIVE ANGIOLIPOMA IN A DOG

A 6‐year‐old female spayed Shetland Sheepdog presented for evaluation of a subcutaneous mass over the right prescapular region. The mass had been cytologically diagnosed as a lipoma by the referring veterinarian 20 months prior, but had grown significantly and was very firm. CT scan of the mass was suggestive of neoplasia; however, the tissue of origin could not be determined. Histopathologic evaluation diagnosed infiltrative angiolipoma, and marginal resection of the tumor was performed. Infiltrative angiolipomas are benign but locally aggressive neoplasms uncommonly reported in veterinary medicine. This report correlates the clinical, CT, and histopathologic characteristics of an infiltrative angiolipoma.     

Intranuclear inclusions in a dog with B‐cell leukemia

A 7‐year‐old Shetland Sheepdog was presented with anorexia. A CBC indicated thrombocytopenia and neutropenia. Bone marrow cytology revealed that 67.7% of all nucleated cells (ANC) were anaplastic large mononuclear cells. These cells were confirmed to be of B‐cell origin based on IgH rearrangement, immunohistochemical, and flow cytometric analysis. Microscopic examination revealed that the neoplastic cells had intranuclear inclusions resembling Dutcher bodies. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that the intranuclear inclusions were immunopositive for IgG antibodies. The periodic acid–Schiff reaction was negative for the presence of polysaccharides and related substances. Although the dog achieved complete remission with a multi‐drug chemotherapy protocol, it ultimately died because of tumor progression and acute renal insufficiency on day 201. This is the first known case of canine acute B‐cell leukemia with intranuclear inclusions resembling Dutcher bodies.     

Effects of concurrent lactation and postpartum mating on reproductive performance in mice selected for large litter size

Reproductive and maternal performance of a line of mice selected for large first parity litter size (L+) and a control line (K) were compared under two mating systems: (1) postpartum mating (PP), in which females undergo concurrent gestation and lactation, and (2) postweaning mating (PW), in which females wean their litter before being remated. Females were evaluated in their first two parities. Litters in each line were standardized at birth to 4, 8, 12 or 16 pups in parity 1, and to 10 pups in parity 2. Concurrent gestation had no adverse effect on postnatal maternal performance in parity 1 of either line. In parity 2, both L+ and K declined in reproductive and postnatal maternal performance in PP compared with PW. The pattern of delayed implantation as number of pups nursed increased was similar in both lines under the PP regimen. Several interactions indicated that reproductive performance of L+ was more adversely affected than in K under postpartum mating. Pup mortality was greater in L+ than K under PP but not under PW. In the PP regimen, L+ dams nursing 12 and 16 pups had a lower mating success rate and dams nursing 16 pups had a smaller litter size and higher pup mortality than did K dams. Thus, when L+ dams nurse their natural litter, frequently exceeding 16 pups, their reproductive advantage over K dams observed in PW would be eliminated in PP. If the differences in the first two litters reflect subsequent parities, lifetime reproductive performance in the PP environment would be reduced in the high fecundity line. High fecundity appears to depend upon the environment of selection.     

Infections with Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Leptospira interrogans, serovars grippotyphosa and ballum, in a kennel of foxhounds

Leptospira interrogans serovars grippotyphosa and ballum were isolated from kidney and urine of an American Foxhound pup. The pup was from a litter of 12, all of which were unthrifty. Titers for serovar grippotyphosa in pups from the litter ranged from 200 to 6,400 and 23 of 36 adult dogs in the kennel had titers to that serovar. None of the sera was tested for antibodies to serovar ballum. Leptospires were not isolated from or observed in 2 littermates and 1 penmate, but gram-positive organisms morphologically compatible with Encephalitozoon cuniculi were detected in their brains and kidneys.     

Globoid cell leukodystrophy in a Beagle.

Globoid cell leukodystrophy was diagnosed in a purebred Beagle bitch. Clinical signs and histopathologic and ultrastructural features were consistent with those reported in globoid cell leukodystrophy in man, cat, and other breeds of dogs. The occurrence of the disorder in 2 clinically affected females from a related litter and a familial history of inbreeding support the existence of a familial pattern.     

Cardiogenic hypertrophic osteopathy in a dog with a right-to-left shunting patent ductus arteriosus

A 5-year-old castrated male Shetland Sheepdog was examined because of progressive bilateral hind limb thickening. Cyanosis of the preputial mucous membranes was evident, whereas the oral mucous membranes had a normal color. A well-structured, palisade-like periosteal reaction with no underlying bone destruction was evident on radiographs of the hind limbs. The radiographic changes were consistent with hypertrophic osteopathy (HO). Severe right-sided cardiomegaly was seen on thoracic radiographs, and a diagnosis of patent ductus arteriosus with right-to-left shunting was made by means of echocardiography and contrast echoaortography. The cyanotic heart disease was believed to be the cause of the HO. Hypertrophic osteopathy has been associated with a number of diseases in animals and humans. In humans, congenital heart defects that cause cyanosis are among the most common causes of HO.     

Phosphorus deficiency in cattle on two farms in canterbury

A New Zealand canine herpesvirus isolate was inoculated into three 2-day-old puppies via the intraperitoneal route, two other puppies from the same litter being retained as in-contact controls. All pups were left suckling the bitch.

One inoculated pup died of misadventure. The remaining inoculated pups, and one in-contact pup, died with clinical signs of herpesvirus infection, the virus being subsequently recovered from a number of tissues. The remaining in-contact pup also developed typical disease, but recovered, virus being detected only in the tonsils. Lesions were detected in the diseased puppies in a wide variety of organs, and were consistent with previously published reports. No evidence of disease was detected in the bitch, but both she and the recovered pup developed neutralizing antibodies to the virus.     

Possible immunodeficiency in related rottweiler dogs

A litter of eight rottweiler pups is described in which two dogs died before the age of six months from systemic inflammatory disease, and two further pups developed inflammatory skin disease. All seven pups tested had a markedly low serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentration (< 0.1 mg/ml) and six of these dogs also had subnormal serum IgG (< 0.1 to 6.4 mg/ml). Tissues taken from three diseased pups were examined immunohistochemically using a number of lymphoid markers. Secondary lymphoid tissues had a paucity of CD3+ T lymphocytes, although T cells were found within some inflammatory foci. B-lymphocyte follicles were present within lymphoid tissues, but there were irregularities of plasma cell development and a lack of plasma cells of all classes within mucosal and cutaneous sites. Inflammatory lesions were dominated by macrophages expressing class II molecules of the major histocompatibility complex. Serum immunoglobulins were also investigated in eight related, clinically normal adult dogs. Five of these dogs, from two separate breeding lines, had subnormal serum IgA (< 0.1 to 0.15 mg/ml). The spectrum of disease within the affected litter may be consistent with an underlying inherited immunological defect, and the observed immunological abnormalities suggest a more complex disorder than simple IgA deficiency.