Niemann-Pick disease in a poodle dog

A 5-month-old minature Poodle dog had widespread cytoplasmic vacuolation of neurons in the central nervous system and foamy macrophages in the lung, spleen, renal lymph node, liver, adrenal gland and intestine. Concentric membranous cytoplasmic inclusions were seen in the neurons of the central nervous system by electron microscopy. There was no sphingomyelinase in the brain tissue. Sphingomyelin and cholesterol were increased in brain, kidney and liver. A diagnosis of Niemann-Pick Disease was based on absence of sphingomyelinase activity, as well as on histologic, histochemical and chemical findings.     

Hepatic lesions of a standard poodle dog with intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

A 1-year-and-3-month-old, male standard poodle dog with intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (PSS) was autopsied. Nineteen regions of the liver were prepared for detailed examination, and the distribution of hepatic lesions caused by PSS was studied in the liver of this dog. Histopathologically, the liver revealed a variety of hepatic lesions including lipogranulomas in the hepatic parenchyma, and a ductular reaction and microvascular proliferation in portal areas. The distribution of the lesions was not significantly different among liver regions. It is concluded that, in the present case, hepatic lesions caused by PSS are independent of shunt location, and are distributed equally in the liver.     

A case of long-term sildenafil therapy in a young dog with pulmonary hypertension

A 7-month-old male Papillon was presented to us with mild dyspnea, cyanosis and a diastolic murmur detected by cardiac auscultation. Echocardiography revealed severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PH), and administration of 1 mg/kg of oral sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, twice daily was initiated. Exercise capacity, cyanosis, dyspnea and cardiac murmur were improved after therapy for 4 weeks. PCV was remarkably high (74%) after therapy for 3 years, however, increasing the dose of sildenafil decreased this value (60%). Follow-up after therapy for 4 years revealed that treatment with oral sildenafil only continued to provide the dog with an excellent quality of life, without any side effects.     

Persistent reticulocytosis in a case of poodle macrocytosis

A healthy 14‐year‐old, male neutered, Miniature Poodle was found to have a persistent erythrocyte macrocytosis and reticulocytosis with a normal and stable HCT. The hematologic features of macrocytosis, increased Howell‐Jolly bodies, and metarubricytosis, in the absence of anemia or other cytopenias, combined with the cytologic evidence of bone marrow erythroid dysplasia, including megaloblastosis, binuclearity, increased mitotic activity, and nuclear fragmentation, are consistent with previous reports of congenital dyserythropoiesis termed poodle macrocytosis. We speculate that the additional presence of persistent reticulocytosis in the absence of an identifiable stimulus for accelerated erythropoiesis may represent a phenotypic variation of this inherited condition, and the morphologic abnormalities of the dyserythropoiesis are described.     

L-thyroxine responsive cricopharyngeal achalasia associated with hypothyroidism in a dog

An eight-year-old, male boxer dog was presented with a one-month history of hindlimb weakness followed by compulsive ineffective drinking, dysphagia, regurgitation and nasal reflux during drinking. A neurological examination revealed weakness and conscious proprioception deficits in both hindlimbs with normal spinal reflexes. The dog's swallowing function was examined by fluoroscopy. This showed normal prehension of the barium paste, bolus formation and contraction of the pharyngeal muscle, but no opening of the upper oesophageal sphincter was detected. A serum thyroid stimulating hormone level of 0.402 ng/dl and serum total T4 of 0-01 microg/dl were determined. The dog fully recovered one month after L-thyroxine therapy. The association found between cricopharyngeal achalasia and hypothyroidism suggests that hypothyroidism should be included in the list of differential diagnoses for dogs with cricopharyngeal achalasia.     

A case of hypospadias in a dog

: This clinical case report described a three-month-old mongrel dog that had the urethral orifice opening 3 cm from the tip of the penis and lacked a completely formed preputial sheath. It was presented to the clinic with an exposed penile shaft that was dry. The dog had urinary incontinence that was not of neurological origin. It also had unilateral agenesis of the right testicle. The preputial sheath was successfully reconstructed. Urinary incontinence stopped soon after surgery, suggesting that it had been probably due to an ascending urethritis. A large preputial opening was left because of the location of the urethral opening.     

A case of protein-losing enteropathy treated with methotrexate in a dog

A 9-year-old female Pug was presented to us with chronic diarrhea. Hematologic findings indicated severe hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia, and endoscopy revealed severe edema of the duodenal mucosa. Based on these results and on additional histopathological findings, we made a diagnosis of protein-losing enteropathy caused by lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis with lymphangiectasia. The dog was initially treated with prednisolone and cyclosporine. This treatment regimen was not effective. However, when methotrexate was substituted for cyclosporine, progress was obtained and the diagnosis was confirmed.     

A case of gastrinoma in a Shih-Tzu dog

A five-year-old male Shih-Tzu dog presented with severe vomiting and weight loss. The clinical signs were successfully improved by an eight-day treatment with an H(2)-receptor antagonist, gastrointestinal protectant and antibiotics. Ten days later, however, recurrence of vomiting was seen despite continuous medical treatment. Based on clinical signs and the results of various diagnostic tests including CBC, biochemical analysis, contrast radiography, and endoscopy, a duodenal or pancreatic neoplasm was suspected and exploratory laparotomy was conducted. Some swollen pancreatic regions were found, and biopsy of the pancreas indicated the diagnosis of a gastrin-secreting tumor. Consequently, based on a high serum gastrin level as well as clinical signs and immunohistological findings, we diagnosed the disease as canine gastrinoma, a rare tumor of the pancreas.     

A case of glomus tumor in a dog

A subcutaneous mass at the digit of the left-hind limb of a 12-year-old, male mongrel dog was examined. A white firm mass, approximately 1 x 2 cm in diameter, was excided surgically. Histopathologically, the mass formed multiple nodules consisting of mixed proliferation of round epithelioid cells arranged in cord or sheet-like structures and small spindle cells forming loose irregular bundles. The epithelioid cells often showed proliferation around the blood vessels. A few giant cells scattering in the neoplastic foci were observed. The neoplastic cells were positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin and vimentin, and were negative for cytokeratin (AE1/AE3), desmin, factor-VIII related antigen, S-100 protein, and neuron specific enolase. On the basis of these findings, this tumor was diagnosed as glomus tumor. Since the present neoplasm had neither recurrence nor distal metastasis during the 12 month after surgical resection, the biological natures of the present neoplasm are supposed to be benign.     

A clinical case of hypospodias in a dog

A 1-year-old intact male West Highland White Terrier was presented for abnormal miction. A clinical diagnosis of perineal type of hypospodias was established. Establishment of the diagnosis and the surgical management are discussed.     

A case of anaplastic meningioma in a dog

A tumor sized in 2.0x2.0x2.5 cm developed in the cerebellum of a female Beagle was pathologically investigated. Histopathologically, the tumor grew by compression and partially by infiltration into the adjacent cerebellar parenchyma. There were a large number of necrotic lesions and proliferation of collagen fibers. The tumor cells had oval nucleus showing cellular atypia and a high mitotic index. The tumor cells were reacted with vimentin antibody on immunostain. Electron microscopic examination revealed the tumor cells interdigitated with cytoplasmic processus where the desmosomes developed on cell junction. This tumor was diagnosed as anaplastic meningioma, which is rarely observed in dogs.