Iatrogenic proximal urethral obstruction after inadvertent prostatectomy during bilateral perineal herniorrhaphy in a dog

Proximal urethral obstruction was diagnosed 2 days after bilateral perineal herniorrhaphy in a 12-year-old male Pomeranian-cross dog. The obstruction was caused by ligation of the proximal urethra during resection of a presumed paraprostatic cyst. Surgical repair involved reconstruction of the urethra and bladder wall, but urinary incontinence persisted.     

Iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism, calcinosis cutis, and myocardial infarction in a dog treated for IMT

An 8 yr old male English bulldog receiving treatment for immune-mediated thrombocytopenia was diagnosed with calcinosis cutis 90 days after initiation of corticosteroid therapy. Twenty-four days later, the patient presented in a comatose state after collapsing and was euthanized. Postmortem examination revealed coronary arteriosclerosis and myocardial infarction leading to congestive heart failure. Calcinosis cutis and myocardial necrosis were most likely complications associated with administration of corticosteroids in this dog. Important implications regarding the classification of calcinosis cutis and the use of immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids are discussed.     

Phycomycosis in a dog

SUMMARY A case of phycomycosis, with skin lesions, in a dog is reported. Hyphomyces destruens (Pythium gracile) was identified from aspirate collected from a regional lymph node, and characteristic hyphae were seen in stained sections of a biopsy specimen of affected skin. Incidence, pathogenesis and therapy are discussed.     

Protothecosis in a dog

A case of a disseminated algal infection is reported in a young rough-coated collie dog with progressive neurologic deficits, blindness, and hemorrhagic diarrhea. Prototheca zopfii organisms were cultured from feces, urine, and blood. At necropsy, granulomas containing typical organisms were identified within the proximal colon, heart, kidneys, and eyes.     

Hypocalcemia in a dog

A case of hypocalcemia was presented with a concurrent hyperphosphatemia. Normal renal function tests excluded primary renal insufficiency. The diet was thought to contain a normal ratio of calcium and phosphorus and, therefore, nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism was not considered. The radiographs showed normal bone density and the dog was not lame. Concentrations of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone were measured in an attempt to classify the etiology. The dog was successfully managed with calcium supplementation and vitamin D(3) or oral calcium alone.