Chronic prostatitis, cystitis, pyelonephritis, and balanoposthitis in a cat

An adult, intact male domestic shorthair presented for preputial swelling and urinary incontinence. A caudal abdominal mass was palpated. A transabdominal ultrasound examination showed severe prostatomegaly with abnormal tissue extending along the urethra. The cat was euthanized due to the owner's financial constraints and the veterinarians' suspicion of a poor long-term prognosis. Biopsies showed chronic active inflammation of the prostate, bladder, kidneys, ureters, penis, and prepuce most consistent with a chronic infectious process. Reports of feline prostatic disease of any kind are rare. Chronic prostatitis may have a more favorable prognosis than feline prostatic adenocarcinoma, currently the most commonly reported disease of the feline prostate.     

Polypoid cystitis, pyelonephritis, and obstructive uropathy in a cow

Polypoid cystitis, pyelonephritis, and obstructive uropathy was found in a cow with hematuria, dysuria, and colic. The cow was treated with penicillin, multiple B vitamin supplementation, and isotonic sodium chloride. Polypoid cystitis, diagnosed in this cow by use of endoscopic examination, is a common response to chronic inflammation of the bladder and can lead to obstructive uropathy. Although endoscopic confirmation of this diagnosis may not always be feasible, recognition of corresponding clinical signs can allow timely, appropriate treatment.     

Subclinical leishmaniasis associated with infertility and chronic prostatitis in a dog

A stud dog was presented for acquired infertility. Haematospermia and teratozoospermia were found on two ejaculates 2 weeks apart. A presumptive diagnosis of prostatitis was made follo-wing ultrasound examination. An ultrasound-guided needle core biopsy was performed under general anaesthesia, revealing a mild chronic macrophagic and plasma cell prostatitis with intracytoplasmic amastigotes consistent with Leishmania spp. infection. Presence of Leishmania infantum, Leishmania donovani or Leishmania chagasi was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction in seminal plasma. Serology and serum protein electrophoresis confirmed the diagnosis of a subclinical active systemic leishmaniasis. A meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol treatment was given which clearly improved within 3 months both general condition and the quality of sperm. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of a prostatitis secondary to a Leishmania spp. infection. Subclinical systemic leishmaniasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infertility in dogs suffering from semen alterations.     

Cryptococcal pyelonephritis in a dog

A 5-year-old castrated male Golden Retriever was evaluated for polyuria, polydipsia, and progressive regurgitation thought to be a result of bacterial pyelonephritis and megaesophagus. Bacteriologic culture of urine failed to yield clinically relevant growth, and results of a urine sediment examination were normal. With time, intention tremors and progressive neurologic dysfunction were also observed. At necropsy, a diagnosis of cryptococcal disease was confirmed histologically and immunohistochemically. Findings in the dog of this report were indicative of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus with polyuria and polydipsia caused by cryptococcal pyelonephritis. Neurologic manifestations of systemic cryptococcus infection included megaesophagus, esophageal hypomotility, and regurgitation attributed to localization of cryptococcal organisms in the brain stem in the region of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of polyuria secondary to cryptococcal pyelonephritis.     

Emphysematous prostatitis and carcinoma in a dog

A 10-year-old, male beagle was presented for lethargy, anorexia, and straining to urinate. A mass was palpated in the caudal abdomen in the area of the bladder. Abdominal radiography revealed a gas-filled mass in the caudoventral abdominal quadrant. Subsequent positive-contrast cystography revealed that the mass was caudal to the bladder. Abdominal exploratory celiotomy resulted in the drainage of a prostatic abscess containing gas. The histopathological diagnosis of the prostate was a poorly differentiated tubular carcinoma with necrosis. To the authors' knowledge, this article is the first report of an emphysematous prostatitis in a dog.     

Severe hematometra in a dog with cystic endometrial hyperplasia/pyometra complex.

An 18-month-old, intact female German shepherd dog was presented for evaluation of severe, frank hemorrhage from the vulva. A complete blood count, serum biochemical analysis, and urinalysis supported acute hemorrhage. Abdominal radiographs were unremarkable. Abdominal ultrasound demonstrated that the uterine body and cranial vaginal lumen were fluid-filled and contained hyperechoic, polypoid masses that were suspected to be blood clots. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a mildly enlarged uterus with a diffuse, cystic endometrium; significant amounts of blood and blood clots within the lumen; and several focal accumulations of yellow fluid presumed to be a purulent exudate. Histopathology confirmed severe, cystic, endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra complex.     

Emphysematous cystitis in a chemically-induced diabetic dog

Emphysematous cystitis is a rare disorder caused by bacterial infection and characterized by gas accumulation within the bladder wall with cyst formation. This report describes the histopathological characteristics of emphysematous cystitis found in a diabetic female beagle induced by streptozotocin and alloxan. Macroscopically, multiple cyst-like structures were observed on the cut surface of the urinary mucosa. During fixation, small specimens cut from the mucosa floated on the surface of the fixative solution. Histopathologically, multiple cysts were lined with a single layer of flattened cells found to be immunohistochemically positive for vimentin, partially positive for α-smooth muscle actin or macrophage scavenger receptor, class A, and thought to be myofibroblasts, fibroblasts or macrophages. Multinucleated giant cells were observed around the cysts, and gram-negative short bacilli were observed in the lumen of the urinary bladder. From these findings, this case was diagnosed as emphysematous cystitis.     

Staphylococcus intermedius cellulitis and toxic shock in a dog.

A Labrador retriever was examined for sudden lameness and cellulitis of the right forelimb. Bacterial culture of the dermis yielded a large number of Staphylococcus intermedius. The association of this bacterium with toxic shock is discussed.     

Emphysematous cystitis and bladder trigone diverticulum in a dog

A 14-month-old, male German shepherd dog was evaluated for chronic, recurrent Escherichia coli urinary tract infection. An initial diagnosis of emphysematous cystitis was made, which resolved with appropriate antibacterial therapy. The urinary tract infection, however, did not resolve and on further investigation a bladder trigone diverticulum was evident, thought to be congenital in origin. This report describes the apparent ultrasonographic and radiological changes, and surgical repair of the diverticulum, and reviews the literature with regard to both congenital bladder trigone diverticulum and emphysematous cystitis. The former has never been documented in the dog and the latter is an unusual finding in a non-diabetic dog.     

Dermatitis and lymphadenitis resembling juvenile cellulitis in a four-year-old dog

A four-year-old, entire male toy poodle was presented with a two-and-a-half-week history of ocular discharge progressing to periorbital alopecia, depigmentation, alopecia and ulceration around the muzzle. There was also a haemorrhagic discharge from the ears, pyrexia, lethargy and generalised lymphadenopathy. The clinical, cytological, bacteriological and histopathological findings were consistent with a diagnosis of dermatitis resembling juvenile cellulitis in an adult dog. Glucocorticoid therapy led to rapid resolution of the clinical signs and the dog has remained in remission for two years after cessation of treatment.     

Orbital cellulitis associated with Toxocara canis in a dog

Reports of Toxocara canis ocular larva migrans are uncommon in animals, with only a few cases reported. Most reports involve larval migration into the retina and choroid, with parasitic invasion of the orbit reported only in experimental studies. This is the first clinical case of Toxocara canis infection in the retrobulbar region of a 10-year-old, cross-bred male dog presenting with unilateral orbital cellulitis. Ophthalmic signs included protrusion of the nictitating membrane, chemosis, exophthalmos and hypertropia. The parasite was diagnosed by histologic and parasitologic examination of orbital tissues, which were removed during enucleation.     

Follicular cystic ovaries and cystic endometrial hyperplasia in a bitch.

Treatment of cystic ovaries in a bitch was unsuccessful with human chorionic gonadotropin, but aspiration of the follicles at laparotomy was successful. Follicular aspiration is described, with special emphasis on preventing bursal adhesions. Aspiration of persistent follicles is a simple treatment for cystic ovarian disease that is nonresponsive to parenterally administered hormones. The persistent estrus associated with cystic follicles is a primary cause of cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) and severe cases of CEH are associated with infertility. Rapid intervention (surgical or hormonal) will limit the severity of CEH and, therefore, decrease infertility in breeding bitches.     

Massive cystic tetrathyridiosis in a dog

This report describes a case of massive cystic tetrathyridiosis in a four-year-old female dobermann. The larvae were distributed in both the peritoneal and pleural cavities, as well as in the lumen of the small intestine along with adult Mesocestoides species. These parasites were identified as tetrathyridia. Numerous cysts were dispersed on the peritoneal, pleural and mesenteric surfaces. The same cysts were seen both on subcapsular surfaces and within sections of the spleen, liver, kidneys and lungs. Histopathological examination also revealed characteristics of tetrathyridium of Mesocestoides species.