Comparative immunogenicity and efficacy studies with oral rabies virus vaccine SAD P5/88 in raccoon dogs and red foxes.

A comparative study of immunogenicity and efficacy of the oral rabies virus vaccine SAD P5/88 in raccoon dogs and foxes was conducted. The raccoon dogs received 10(6.9) (n = 6), 10(6.3) (n = 6) or 10(5.7) FFU SAD P5/88 (n = 5) by direct oral application, and subsequently all animals seroconverted. The foxes received 10(7.2) (n = 4), 10(6.2) (n = 4), 10(5.2) (n = 4) and 10(4.2) FFU SAD P5/88 (n = 5) by the same route. On days 106 and 196 post vaccination 10 raccoon dogs and 16 foxes were challenged with a relevant street virus, respectively. All 10 raccoon dogs vaccinated with 10(6.3) (n = 5) or 10(5.7) FFU SAD P5/88 (n = 5) survived the challenge, whereas all control animals (n = 5) died of rabies. Two foxes vaccinated with 10(4.2) FFU and one fox vaccinated with 10(5.2) FFU died of rabies on day 7, 17 and 12 post infection, respectively. Also all control foxes succumbed to rabies. Our findings demonstrate that SAD P5/88 is not only an effective vaccine for oral vaccination of foxes but also for that of raccoon dogs.     

Spontaneous Crenosoma vulpis infection in 10 dogs: laboratory,radiographic and endoscopic findings

Crenosoma (C.) vulpis infection was diagnosed in 10 dogs aged between 0.5 and 12 years (median 4 years) during a 4-year period. The predominant clinical sign in all dogs was coughing which lasted from 1 day to > 4 months. Hematological abnormalities included eosinophilia in 5/9 dogs, basophilia in 3/9 dogs, and mild monocytosis in 6/9 dogs. Thoracic radiographs (n = 9) were normal in 1 dog, showed a mild bronchial or interstitial pattern in 4 dogs, and moderate to marked changes (bronchial-interstitial to alveolar) in 4 dogs. Endoscopic findings (n = 9) varied from mild erythematous bronchitis (n = 3) to marked bronchitis with accumulation of large amounts of mucus (n = 2), irregular nodular mucosal surface (n = 2), accumulation of pus (n = 1), and bronchial hemorrhage (n = 1). Adult worms were observed in 2 dogs. Bronchial lavage cytology revealed inflammation with predominance of eosinophils in 7/10 dogs, eosinophils and neutrophils in 2/10 dogs, and neutrophils in 1/10 dogs. C. vulpis larvae were identified in the BAL of 5/10 dogs. Fecal examinations with the Baermann technique was the most sensitive method and positive in all 10 dogs. C. vulpis infection has to be considered in the differential diagnosis in dogs of all ages presenting with acute or chronic cough.     

Efficacy of a combination febantel-praziquantel-pyrantel product, with or without vaccination with a commercial Giardia vaccine, for treatment of dogs with naturally occurring giardiasis

OBJECTIVE: To determine efficacy of treatment with a combination febantel-praziquantel-pyrantel product, with or without vaccination with a commercial Giardia vaccine, in dogs with naturally occurring giardiasis. DESIGN: Prospective trial. ANIMALS: 16 Beagles naturally infected with Giardia duodenalis. PROCEDURES: During phase 1, 6 dogs were treated with the parasiticide for 3 days (4 were also vaccinated). Four weeks later, all 6 dogs were treated with the parasiticide again for 5 days and were bathed and moved to clean cages after the last treatment (phase 2). Nine dogs were treated with the parasiticide for 3 (n = 4) or 5 (5) days and bathed and moved to clean cages after the last treatment (phase 3). Fecal samples were collected twice weekly for 24 days after treatment and tested for cysts with a quantitative zinc sulfate flotation technique and for Giardia antigen with an immunoassay. RESULTS: Dogs in phase 1 were all shedding cysts again by day 24. In phase 2, only 1 dog shed cysts after treatment, and shedding was transient (day 17). In phase 3, neither cysts nor antigen was detected in fecal samples from 2 of 4 dogs treated for 3 days and 4 of 5 dogs treated for 5 days. In 18 of 57 (31.6%) fecal samples, cysts were seen, but results of the immunoassay were negative. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that when a combination febantel-praziquantel-pyrantel product is used to treat dogs with giardiasis, bathing and changing the environment after treatment may be more important in preventing recurrence than duration of treatment.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC AND CLINICOPATHOLOGIC FINDINGS IN 21 DOGS WITH INTESTINAL ADENOCARCINOMA

In a retrospective study of 21 dogs with intestinal adenocarcinoma, the signalment, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, ultrasonographic features, treatment, and outcome were reviewed. Anorexia (n = 16), vomiting (n = 15), diarrhea (n = 10), and weight loss (n = 9) were the most common clinical signs reported. Ultrasonographic features that were evaluated included location, length, wall thickness, echogenicity, regional motility, layering, regional lymphadenopathy, and fluid accumulation proximal to the lesion site. All lesions were transmural and associated with complete loss of wall layering. Maximum wall thickening at the lesion site ranged from 7 to 17 mm (median 12 mm, mean 11.9 mm). Most of the dogs had a lesion measuring from 23 to 63 mm in length, (median 40 mm, mean 42 mm). Most intestinal lesions were poorly echogenic and had an irregular lumen. Fluid accumulation proximal to the lesion site was identified in 17 of 21 dogs, and in 13 of 17 dogs the fluid accumulation was considered moderate to severe. Regional lymphadenopathy and/or nodular mesentery/omentum were noted in 12 of 21 dogs. The tumor was located in small intestine for 15 dogs and in the colon for the remaining 6 dogs. Fifteen dogs were treated by surgical resection of the intestinal mass. Their median survival time was 233 days. Only gender appeared to influence survival. Female dogs lived a median of 28 days, whereas male dogs lived a median of 272 days.     

Comparative efficacy assessment of pentamidine isethionate and diminazene aceturate in the chemotherapy of Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in dogs

The chemotherapeutic efficacy of diminazene aceturate (Berenil)--a standard veterinary trypanocide and pentamidine isethionate (PMI)--a human trypanocide was compared in dogs experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Also, the activities of the drugs on some serum liver enzymes were evaluated before and after treatment to ascertain the relative safety of the drugs. Fifteen local dogs (mongrels) were used for the study. Three of the dogs were uninfected controls, and twelve were infected with a stock of T. brucei brucei. Three of the infected dogs were untreated controls, three were given diminazene aceturate (DA) at 7 mg/kg body weight intramuscularly (i/m), another three received pentamidine isethionate (PMI) at 4 mg/kg i/m on days 14, 17, 19, 27, 29, and 31 post infection (PI) and the remaining three dogs were also given same dose of PMI on days 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 PI. Both trypanocides effectively cleared the parasites from the blood of the infected treated dogs. However, the infection subsequently relapsed at day 42 PI in one of the dogs in the DA treated group which later died at day 70 PI. Relapse infection was not recorded with the PMI treated groups although two dogs died in the PMI treated group II (treatment at days 14, 17, 19, 27, 29, and 31 PI) without showing relapsed parasitaemia. The packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) count, and haemoglobin (Hb) level which decreased significantly following infection, were reversed by the trypanocidal treatment. The reversal in the red cell values was faster in the PMI treated groups than in the DA treated group. The serum alkaline phosphate (SAP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels increased following infection and drug administration. The increase in the enzyme levels was greater in the DA treated groups than PMI treated groups. It was thus concluded that PMI given at 4 mg/kg i/m at days 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and 26 PI constituted a safe and efficient trypanocide and exhibited a superior trypanocidal action than DA in T. brucei brucei infected dogs.     

Wolbachia and its influence on the pathology and immunology of Dirofilaria immitis infection

Since the definitive identification in 1995 of the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia that resides in different tissues of the filarial worm Dirofilaria immitis, there has been increasing interest to understand whether and what role it plays in the pathogenesis of and immune response to heartworm infection. The present study evaluated the effects of treatments on lung pathology in 20 beagle dogs experimentally infected with D. immitis. Dogs in Group 1 were treated with doxycycline (10 mg/kg/day) orally from weeks 0-6, 10-12, 16-18, 22-26, and 28-34. Dogs in Group 2 served as infected, non-treated controls. Dogs in Group 3 were given doxycycline as described for Group 1 combined with weekly oral doses of ivermectin (6 mcg/kg) for 34 weeks and intramuscular (IM) melarsomine (2.5 mg/kg) at week 24, followed by two additional melarsomine injections 24h apart 1 month later. Group 4 received only melarsomine as described for Group 3. Lung lesion criteria, scored by two independent blinded pathologists, included perivascular inflammation and endothelial proliferation. Doxycycline treatment alone had no effect on lesion scores, whereas the combination of doxycycline and ivermectin resulted in less severe perivascular inflammation. All lungs were evaluated for positive immunostaining for the Wolbachia surface protein (WSP). Control dogs showed numerous thrombi, intense perivascular and interstitial inflammation and, occasionally, positive staining for WSP. Interestingly, dogs receiving doxycycline/ivermectin/melarsomine showed significantly less severe arterial lesions and the virtual absence of thrombi.     

Ocular signs of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis: a retrospective study in dogs from Barcelona, Spain

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is a tick-borne disease caused by the rickettsia Ehrlichia canis. Ocular lesions are a common feature of the disease and can be present in all stages. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence, type and response to treatment of ocular lesions associated with monocytic ehrlichiosis in 46 affected dogs presented to the Autonomous University of Barcelona-Veterinary Teaching Hospital (UAB-VTH) from January 2000 to December 2002. Dogs were included in the study only if they had a positive serologic test for E. canis and information about the clinical outcome was available. Eighteen breeds were represented, with the German Shepherd dog (n = 6) being the most common. There were 25 intact and three castrated males, and 16 intact and two neutered females. Twenty dogs (43.4%) were between 5 and 10 years old. Seventeen dogs (37% of all cases of monocytic ehrlichiosis diagnosed during the study period) had ocular signs, and 11 dogs (64.7% of the ocular cases) had only ocular lesions without apparent systemic signs. Exudative retinal detachment was the most common ocular manifestation; other prevalent findings included anterior exudative uveitis and optic neuritis. Five of the 17 cases with ocular lesions (29.4%) had ocular bleeding disorders (hyphema or retinal hemorrhages). All the dogs with ocular disease presented with bilateral signs. Dogs with posterior segment disease had titers against E. canis that were > or = 1 : 320, while lower titers were noted in dogs with anterior exudative uveitis. Two dogs presented with chronic autoimmune panuveitis after ehrlichiosis treatment. Canine ehrlichiosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of exudative retinal detachment and anterior uveal inflammatory lesions.     

Ventricular Arrhythmias in Dogs Undergoing Splenectomy: A Prospective Study

Fifty dogs undergoing splenectomy for splenic masses (n = 40), torsion of the splenic pedicle (n = 5), and immune-mediated disease (n = 5) were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively for ventricular arrhythmias and the relationship between ventricular arrythmia and splenic disease. The ability of 1 -minute electrocardiograms recorded every 6 hours (ECGs/q6hr) to detect ventricular arrythmia was compared with continuous 48-hour Holter monitoring. Based on continuous Holter monitoring, splenectomized dogs had a high incidence (22 of 50) of rapid ventricular tachycardia. The incidence of rapid ventricular tachycardia was significantly higher in dogs with ruptured splenic masses (16 of 23) than without rupture (1 of 17) ( P < .001). When the results of ECG/q6hr were compared with the results of continuous Holter monitoring, ECG/q6hr was normal in 29% (4 of 14) of dogs with rapid ventricular tachycardia at > 3,000 ventricular extrasystoles (VE)/hr; 50% (4 of 8) of dogs with rapid ventricular tachycardia at 1,000 to 3,000 VE/hr and 100% (6 of 6) of dogs with 10 to 300 VE/hr without rapid ventricular tachycardia. Although dogs undergoing splenectomy had a high incidence of ventricular arrythmias, one-minute ECGs/q6h were unreliable for detection of ventricular arrythmias even when high-frequency extrasystoles occurred.     

Radiographic findings in 16 dogs infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum

Thoracic radiographs of 16 dogs infected naturally with Angiostrongylus vasorum showed signs of bronchial thickening, an interstitial pattern and a multifocal and/or peripheral alveolar pattern. In dogs treated with fenbendazole, follow-up radiographs showed that the alveolar pattern had resolved and a mild, hazy interstitial pattern had developed. In contrast with dogs with heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis), no pulmonary vascular lesions were identified.     

Diagnostic importance of vitamin K1 and its epoxide measured in serum of dogs exposed to an anticoagulant rodenticide

Administration of vitamin K1, SC, to anticoagulant-poisoned (diphenadione) dogs provided diagnostic information within 4 hours, when vitamin K1 and its epoxide were measured in canine sera. Twelve dogs (2 groups of 6) were given 2.5 mg of diphenadione/kg of body weight for 3 days. Dogs were treated with vitamin K1, 2.5 (n = 6) or 5 mg/kg/day (n = 6) SC for 21 days, and their responses were compared. Four nonexposed control dogs were given 5 mg of vitamin K1/kg/day. Serum concentration of vitamin K epoxide was significantly (P less than 0.02) higher in diphenadione-exposed dogs than in control dogs 1 to 4 hours after the initial vitamin K1 treatment on day 4. Vitamin K epoxide/vitamin K1 ratios were similarly higher and became more distinct. Cessation of vitamin K1 therapy on day 24 resulted in prolongation of one-stage prothrombin times in diphenadione-exposed dogs, becoming clearly evident on day 27. Serum vitamin K1 concentrations were not detectable on day 27 in diphenadione-exposed dogs, whereas serum vitamin K1 concentrations were readily detectable in control dogs. One-stage prothrombin time changes, during days 24 to 32, indicated 5 mg of vitamin K1/kg provided better protection than did 2.5 mg of vitamin K1/kg. Coagulopathy in the dogs was resolved by day 32.     

Preliminary evaluation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG,a potential probiotic in dogs

Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG (LGG) has been studied extensively as a probiotic in humans. However, the ability of an organism to survive passage through the intestinal tract and exert beneficial effects cannot be directly extrapolated between species. This study evaluated the ability of LGG to survive gastrointestinal transit in dogs and assessed whether oral administration of LGG is safe, in order to determine whether studies evaluating the efficacy of LGG in the treatment of canine disease are indicated. Dogs were divided into 5 groups receiving doses of 0 (control group, n = 4), 1 x 10(9) (group 1, n = 8), 1 x 10(10) (group 2, n = 8), 5 x 10(10) (group 3, n = 8) and 5 x 10(11) (group 4, n = 4) colony forming units per day, orally, for 5 days. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG was detected in the feces of 4/8 dogs in groups 1 and 2, 5/8 dogs in group 3, 4/4 dogs in group 4, and 0/4 dogs in the control group. Fecal colonization was significantly greater in group 4 than in any other group (P < 0.001). Differences between groups 1, 2, and 3 were not significant. No adverse effects were noted. Fecal colonization of LGG in dogs is somewhat variable; however, clinical studies are indicated to evaluate this organism in the treatment and prevention of canine disease.     

Prevalence of positive antibody test results for canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine distemper virus (CDV) and response to modified live vaccination against CPV and CDV in dogs entering animal shelters

Canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine distemper virus (CDV) infections are relatively common in animal shelters and are important population management issues since the immune status of incoming dogs is usually unknown. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of positive antibody test results for CPV and CDV in incoming dogs aged ≥ 4 months and to measure antibody response over 2 weeks following vaccination with a modified live vaccine (MLV). Dogs aged 4-24 months entering an adoption-guarantee shelter (Shelter 1, n=51) and aged ≥ 4 months entering a limited admission shelter (Shelter 2; n=51) were enrolled. Dogs from Shelter 1 had been vaccinated with MLV at a municipal shelter 5 days before enrollment, whereas dogs from Shelter 2 had no known history of vaccination at enrollment. Sera were obtained on day 1, immediately prior to CPV/CDV MLV, and tested using an in-clinic ELISA kit to detect CPV/CDV antibodies. Dogs negative for CPV and/or CDV were retested at day 6-8 and those dogs still negative at day 6-8 were retested at day 13-15. Prior to CPV/CDV MLV on day 1, more dogs tested positive for CPV (Shelter 1 - 68.6%; Shelter 2 - 84.3%) than for CDV (Shelter 1 - 37.3%; Shelter 2 - 41.2%). On day 1, prior to MLV, all spayed/neutered animals tested CPV antibody-positive (n=17/102) and CPV antibody-positive dogs were older than serologically negative dogs (Shelter 1, P=0.0029; Shelter 2, P=0.0042). By day 13-15, almost all dogs were CPV antibody-positive (Shelter 1 - 97.9%; Shelter 2 - 100.0%) and CDV antibody-positive (Shelter 1 - 93.8%; Shelter 2 - 97.8%). MLV induces protective antibody titers against CPV/CDV in almost all dogs after 13-15 days.     

Experimental dual infection of specific pathogen-free pigs with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and pseudorabies virus

Twenty 6-week-old specific pathogen-free pigs were divided into four groups. On day 0 of the experiment, PRRSV-PRV (n = 6) and PRRSV (n = 4) groups were intranasally inoculated with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) (10(5.6) TCID50). On day 7, the PRRSV-PRV and PRV (n = 6) groups were intranasally inoculated with pseudorabies virus (PRV) (10(3.6) TCID50). Control pigs (n = 4) were kept as uninoculated negative controls. Half of the pigs in each group were euthanized and necropsied on day 14 or 21. Clinical signs such as depression and anorexia were observed in the PRRSV-PRV and PRV groups after inoculation with PRV. Although febrile response was observed after virus inoculations, the duration of that response was prolonged in the PRRSV-PRV group compared with the other groups. The lungs in the PRRSV-PRV group failed to collapse and were mottled or diffusely tan and red, whereas the lungs of the pigs in the other groups were grossly normal. Histopathologically, interstitial pneumonia was present in all PRRSV-inoculated pigs, but the pneumonic lesions were more severe in the PRRSV-PRV group. Mean PRRSV titres of tonsil and lung in the PRRSV-PRV group were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that in the PRRSV group on day 21. These results indicate that dual infection with PRRSV and PRV increased clinical signs and pneumonic lesions in pigs infected with both viruses, as compared to pigs infected with PRRSV or PRV only, at least in the present experimental conditions.     

Dose titration and confirmation tests for determination of cesticidal efficacy of epsiprantel in dogs

Fifty-five dogs, naturally infected with Taenia sp or Dipylidium caninum or both, were assigned to the following treatment groups for dose titration studies with epsiprantel: nonmedicated control dogs (n = 14), medicated dogs given a dosage of 2.75 mg/kg of body weight (n = 15), medicated dogs given a dosage of 5.5 mg/kg (n = 16), and medicated dogs given a dosage of 8.25 mg/kg (n = 10). Medication was given orally in a tablet formulation. Feces were examined for cestodes passed and the gastrointestinal tract was examined at necropsy for retained cestodes. Efficacy of epsiprantel was 92.9% against Taenia and 44.8% against Dipylidium for a dosage of 2.75 mg/kg, 100% against Taenia and 99.8% against Dipylidium for a dosage of 5.5 mg/kg, and 94.6% against Taenia and 100% against Dipylidium for a dosage of 8.25 mg/kg. For dose confirmation, 36 dogs naturally infected with Taenia sp or D caninum or both were allotted to 2 treatment groups: nonmedicated control dogs (n = 16) and dogs medicated with epsiprantel at a dosage of 5.5 mg/kg (n = 20). Efficacy was 100% for both Taenia sp and D caninum.     

PALLIATIVE RADIOTHERAPY FOR CANINE APPENDICULAR OSTEOSARCOMA

Fifteen dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma (presumptive diagnosis, n = 6 dogs; biopsy confirmed, n = 9 dogs) were treated with palliative radiotherapy. Treatment entailed a total of three 10 Gy fractions of ⁶⁰Co radiation delivered over a three week period on days 0, 7 and 21, for a total dose of 30 Gy. Twelve dogs experienced improvement in limb function 7–22 days after the start of treatment. Long term followup was available for nine of the twelve responders. The duration of response was 17–288 days (n = 9 dogs; median = 130 days; mean = 116 days). Response duration did not appear to be related to initial tumor size. Palliative radiotherapy can result in improved limb function in dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma.     

硝唑尼特治疗犬贾第虫病的研究

选择试验犬8只,将其随机分为4个小组,每组2只.连续6 d对8只试验犬分剐进行粪检,确定无贾第虫感染后,用体外纯培养的犬贾第虫滋养体接种试验犬,然后每天采集试验犬新鲜粪便40 g,用硫酸锌漂浮法进行粪检,当检测犬贾第虫感染呈阳性时,分别用1、2、4 mg/kg体质量剂量的硝唑尼特时1、2、3组试验犬进行灌服治疗,第4组试验犬不用药作为对照.用药后,每天以同样的方法检测贾第虫包囊,并计数.结果表明,以2、4 mg/kg体质量给药的试验犬1 d后粪检结果转为阴性,以1 mg/kg体质量给药的试验犬4 d后粪检结果转为阴性.结果表明以2、4 mg/kg体质量剂量的硝唑尼特对犬贾第虫痛有很好的疗效.     

Field trial of praziquantel for control of fishborne zoonotic trematodes in reservoir hosts in Vietnam

This field trial was conducted to determine whether 40 or 75 mg/kg of praziquantel is suitable for treatment of fishborne zoonotic trematodes (FZT) in naturally infected dogs (n=10) and cats (n=11). Three days after treatment all animals at either dose were negative for small trematode eggs. In two cats and one dog treated with 75 mg/kg, however, a few damaged eggs were found 3 days post-treatment; no small trematode eggs were seen in these animals at day 14 post-treatment. In addition, at the 75 mg dose, two cats and two dogs experienced vomiting or diminished appetite. Therefore a praziquantel dose of 40 mg/kg is suggested for treatment of FZT in dogs and cats.     

Efficacy and toxicity of estrogens commonly used to terminate canine pregnancy

Three groups of bitches were treated with diethylstilbestrol (75 micrograms/kg) orally for 7 days (n = 12), estradiol cypionate intramuscularly once (22 micrograms/kg; n = 12), or estradiol cypionate intramuscularly once (44 micrograms/kg; n = 12). Treatments commenced during late proestrus (n = 4/group), the fourth day of behavioral estrus (n = 4/group), or the second day of diestrus (n = 4/group). All bitches were bred on alternate days throughout estrus to stud dogs of known fertility. Ovariohysterectomies were performed on day 25 of diestrus to diagnose pregnancy and to assess any pathologic changes in the uterus. Eleven bitches treated with diethylstilbestrol, 6 bitches treated with the low dosage of estradiol cypionate, and 4 bitches receiving the high dosage of estradiol cypionate were pregnant at the time of surgery. Ten of the bitches treated with estrogens during proestrus, 6 treated during estrus, and 4 treated during diestrus were pregnant. The serum concentration of progesterone in 2 bitches treated with the high dosage of estradiol cypionate decreased to less than 2 ng/ml by day 25 of diestrus, suggesting premature luteal regression. Diethylstilbestrol appeared to have little efficacy in terminating pregnancy. Estradiol cypionate appeared to have greater efficacy when administered during estrus or early diestrus; however, pyometra developed in 2 bitches treated with this estrogen during diestrus.     

Radiographic, computed tomographic, and ultrasonographic findings with migrating intrathoracic grass awns in dogs and cats.

The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical, radiographic, and computed tomographic findings in dogs and cats with migrating intrathoracic grass awns. Thirty-five dogs and five cats with visual confirmation of a grass awn following surgery, endoscopy or necropsy, and histology were assessed. The medical records and all diagnostic imaging studies were reviewed retrospectively. Labrador Retrievers or English Pointers < 5 years of age, with a history of coughing and hyperthermia, were the most common presentations. Seventeen animals had an inflammatory leukogram of which 14 had a left shift or toxic neutrophils. Radiographs were performed in 38 animals and computed tomography (CT) in 14. Thoracic radiographs were characterized by focal pulmonary interstitial to alveolar opacities (n = 26) that occurred most commonly in the caudal (n = 19) or accessory lobes (n = 8). Additional findings included pneumothorax (n = 9), pleural effusion (n = 8), and pleural thickening (n = 7). Pulmonary opacities identified on radiographs correlated to areas of pneumonia and foreign body location. CT findings included focal interstitial to alveolar pulmonary opacities (n = 12) most commonly in the right caudal lung lobe (n = 9), pleural thickening (n = 11), mildly enlarged intrathoracic lymph nodes (n = 10), soft tissue tracking (n = 7) with enhancing margins (n = 4), pneumothorax (n = 6), pleural effusion (n = 4), and foreign body visualization (n = 4). Histologic diagnoses included pulmonary and mediastinal granulomas or abscesses, bronchopneumonia, and pleuritis. Migrating intrathoracic grass awns should be considered as a differential diagnosis in coughing, febrile animals with focal interstitial to alveolar pulmonary opacities, pleural effusion, pleural thickening, and/or pneumothorax on radiographs or CT.