Hydrocephalus and hypertrichosis in Golden Retriever dogs

Congenital hydrocephalus has been reported in most species of domestic animals and is one of the most common congenital malformations of the canine central nervous system⁽¹⁾. Small, toy and brachycephalic breeds are at higher risk of hydrocephalus than larger breeds. Newborn and immature hydrocephalic puppies typically show an enlarged, domeshaped cranium, open fontanelles, visual and auditory impairment, poor growth rate and sometimes an uncoordinated gait. The pathogenesis of hydrocephalus is unclear but inheritance as an autosomal recessive trait has been identified in some breeds. Suspected inherited polymicrogyria and hydrocephalus has been identified in young Standard Poodles and a similar condition seen in a Golden Retriever dog in the USA⁽¹⁾. During the past 2 years, congenital and suspected inherited (as an autosomal recessive trait) hydrocephalus has been diagnosed in Golden Retriever puppies in New Zealand.     

Idiopathic telangiectasia in a Golden Retriever

A case report of a 12-year-old spayed female Golden Retriever with a 4-month history of persistent diffuse erythema involving the right and left antebrachia is presented. Cutaneous biopsies revealed superficial dermal vascular dilation and proliferation with moderate epidermal acanthosis. Diagnostic tests failed to reveal an underlying aetiology. Telangiectasia is defined as a permanent dilation of pre-existing blood vessels creating small focal lesions. Generalized essential telangiectasia of humans is common in women of middle-age and can involve entire segments of the body. Lesions predominantly affect the extremities and can persist for years without any systemic effects. The cutaneous lesions in this case have remained static for 3 years with no manifestation of systemic signs. A diagnosis of idiopathic telangiectasia was made based on the clinical and histological findings in the dog of this report. The lesions described in this dog resemble generalized essential telangiectasia of humans.     

Dendritic cell leukemia in a Golden Retriever

An 8-year-old castrated male Golden Retriever was evaluated for decreased appetite, lethargy, and labored breathing of 1-week duration. Bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly were present. Results of a CBC revealed marked leukocytosis (62,600/microL; reference interval 4000-15,500/microL) and large numbers of atypical cells (30,700/microL) with abundant cytoplasm. There was no concurrent anemia, neutropenia, or thrombocytopenia. Morphology of the atypical cells was most consistent with a histiocytic origin. Similar cells were identified in bone marrow aspirates, and were morphologically suggestive of the macrophage variant of disseminated histiocytic sarcoma. However, flow cytometry of the abnormal circulating cells revealed CD1c, CD11c, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class II expression without expression of CD11d or lymphoid markers, consistent with myeloid dendritic antigen-presenting cells. At necropsy, the splenic architecture was effaced by neoplastic histiocytes that were also infiltrating lung, liver, an abdominal lymph node, myocardium, an bone marrow. Immunohistochemistry of the splenic neoplastic cells confirmed dendritic cell origin (CD1c+, CD11c+, MHC II+, no expression of CD11d and lymphoid markers). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of canine dendritic cell leukemia-in this instance accompanied by marked tissue infiltration.     

Hereditary spectrin deficiency in Golden Retriever dogs

Spectrin deficiency with increased erythrocyte osmotic fragility (OF) is a hallmark of hereditary spherocytosis, which is the most common congenital hemolytic anemia in humans of northern European ancestry. A radioimmunoassay revealed that erythrocyte spectrin concentration was 50-65% of normal in 5 adult Golden Retriever dogs, which had recovered from hemolytic anemia but whose OF had persistently remained increased. OF also was increased and spectrin concentration was decreased (60-73%) in 10 dogs of an apparently healthy family of 19 Golden Retrievers related to a proband. Pedigree analysis revealed autosomal dominant inheritance. In addition, OF was increased in 23 (17%) of 134 randomly chosen Golden Retrievers with nonhematologic diseases. In these Golden Retrievers, the spectrin concentration was decreased in 5 dogs with increased OF and within the reference range in 6 dogs with normal OF, indicating that in this population spectrin deficiency and increased OF are highly associated (P < .002). Considering these patients a representative sample of the Golden Retriever population in the Netherlands, spectrin deficiency may occur in 11.2-24.6% of Dutch Golden Retrievers (confidence level = 0.95). In blood smears, spherocytes were recognized only in dogs with immune-mediated anemia. At scanning electron microscopy, blood from spectrin-deficient Golden Retrievers showed slight crenation when fixed freshly but abundant echinospherocytes after 24 hours of incubation. We conclude that occult autosomal dominant spectrin deficiency occurs in dogs and is frequent in Dutch Golden Retrievers. It is not clear whether spectrin deficiency in Golden Retrievers may result in hemolytic anemia, as in humans.     

Nodular Dermatofibrosis and Renal Cystadenomas in a Golden Retriever

Abstract— The clinical and histologic features of a 2-year-old intact male golden retriever with nodular dermatofibrosis and renal cystadenomas are described. The skin lesions failed to respond to antibiotic and glucocorticoid therapy. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a wedge-shaped area of hyperechoic mottled echogenicity at the cranial pole of the left kidney and a small right kidney. Euthanasia was performed thirty-six months following initial presentation, owing to progressive enlargement of the dermal and subcutaneous nodules and gross deformity of the left hind limb secondary to fibrous tissue deposition and lymphatic obstruction. Necropsy confirmed the presence of bilateral renal cystic hyperplasia and multifocal renal cystadenomas. This is the first confirmed report of nodular dermatofibrosis and renal cystadenomas in a breed other than the German shepherd dog.     

Primary infundibular stenosis and pedigree analysis in three Golden Retriever littermates

Three eight-week-old Golden Retriever puppy littermates were evaluated because of left basilar systolic murmurs and were diagnosed with primary infundibular stenosis. Pedigree analysis in this line was also performed to identify a mode of inheritance. All dogs were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis; two of the three had congenital lesions in addition to primary infundibular stenosis. Two additional affected dogs were identified in the line, and pedigree analysis suggested an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Another, unrelated golden retriever was also identified with isolated infundibular stenosis in the record database. Primary infundibular stenosis should be considered in the differential diagnoses for golden retriever dogs with a left basilar systolic murmur, and is often associated with complex congenital cardiac disease. Primary infundibular stenosis may worsen in severity with time, and in this line of dogs an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance is likely.     

Nasal tumor with widespread cutaneous metastases in a Golden Retriever

An intact, 8-year-old, male Golden Retriever dog was presented for evaluation of a nasal mass and approximately 30 firm, raised, variably ulcerated dermal and subcutaneous masses. Histopathology of both nasal and multiple skin masses revealed multiple nonencapsulated, infiltrative masses comprising clusters, anastomosing trabeculae, and packets of neoplastic, round to ovoid, hyperchromatic cells with marked nuclear molding. Surrounding the neoplastic cells was a marked stromal response in which many of the spindle-shaped cells expressed muscle-specific actin and had ultrastructural features consistent with myofibroblasts. A literature search indicates that this is the first report in a peer-reviewed journal of cutaneous metastasis of a nasal neuroendocrine tumor in any domestic animal species.     

Association between Aortoseptal Angle in Golden Retriever Puppies and Subaortic Stenosis in Adulthood

Background

Predicting subaortic stenosis (SAS) in adult Golden Retriever dogs (GRs) by evaluating them as puppies is hampered by the progressive expression of the SAS phenotype in youth. In some children who develop SAS as adults, an abnormal aortoseptal angle (AoSA) precedes development of stenosis.

Objectives

To determine the normal AoSA in young adult GRs using echocardiography; to assess the value of AoSA in GR puppies for predicting development of the SAS phenotype.

Animals

Forty‐eight 2‐ to 6‐month‐old GR puppies.

Methods

Prospective study. Puppies were recruited from clients and breeders. Puppies were evaluated with a physical examination and an echocardiogram, and this evaluation was repeated when they were 12–18‐month‐old adults. Puppies were classified as unaffected (WNL) or affected (SAS) retroactively, based on their results as adults.

Results

In WNL young adult GRs, mean ± SD AoSA was 152.3 ± 6.5°. Mean ± SD AoSA in SAS puppies (144.9 ± 8.6°) was significantly different from mean AoSA in WNL puppies (155.7 ± 8.8°, P < .01). No puppy with AoSA >160° had the SAS phenotype as a young adult; 93% (75.7–99.1%) of puppies with AoSA <145° had the SAS phenotype as young adults. Peak LVOT velocity increased significantly between evaluations (P < .0001) whereas AoSA did not (P = .45).

Conclusion and Clinical Significance

A steep AoSA in GR puppies is associated with the SAS phenotype in young adulthood. Some GR puppies have an abnormal AoSA that persists in young adulthood and is detectable before peak LVOT velocity reaches levels consistent with SAS.     

Primary localized nodular cutaneous amyloidosis in a male neutered Golden Retriever

Cutaneous amyloidosis occurs as primary localized form or secondary to systemic amyloidosis. In dogs, cutaneous amyloidosis is reported in association with localized plasma cell proliferation or cutaneous extramedullary plasmacytoma. Primary cutaneous amyloidosis is a very rare condition in dogs. There is paucity of information and published report on primary nodular cutaneous amyloidosis in dogs. This report describes a case of primary nodular cutaneous amyloidosis for the first time in a male Golden Retriever.     

The electroretinographic phenotype of dogs with Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy

Objective To characterize the flash electroretinogram (ERG) in the Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dog and to compare the results with those from a control group of Golden Retrievers. To investigate whether similar abnormalities of the ERG as those found in a majority of human patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are also observed in the GRMD dog, the canine model for DMD. Animals Five GRMD dogs and five age‐matched clinically normal Golden Retrievers. Procedure An ophthalmic examination was carried out prior to performing electroretinography under general anesthesia. Rod, combined rod–cone and oscillatory potentials responses were recorded after dark adaptation. Responses to 30‐Hz‐flicker were recorded after light adaptation. The ERG responses of the GRMD dogs were compared with those of the control dogs by use of a Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results GRMD dogs had significantly reduced a and b‐wave amplitudes after dim white flash stimuli (rod response) and reduced a‐wave amplitude after bright white flash stimuli (rod–cone response). Conclusion and clinical relevance The ERG abnormalities observed in the GRMD dog suggest a dysfunction in the rod signaling pathway. These ERG alterations are different from those observed in human patients with DMD.     

Neospora caninum Infection in a Litter of Labrador Retriever Dogs in Denmark

Neospora caninum is a recently recognized cyst-forming coccidian parasite associated with severe encephalomyelitis and myositis in dogs of different breeds and ages (Bjerkås et al 1984, Bjerkås & Presthus 1988, Dubey et al. 1988), but has for many years been misdiagnosed as Toxoplasma gondii. In some dogs, the main clinical sign has been attributed to polyradiculoneuritis (Dubey et al. 1988, Cuddon et al. 1992). Furthermore, ulcerative dermatitis (Dubey et al. 1988) and megaoesophagus have been reported (Wolf et al. 1991). The life cycle of the parasite and mode of infection have not been clarified, but transplacental infection seems so far to be the natural route of transmission between intermediate hosts (Dubey & Lindsay 1989). It has been speculated that the disease in young and adult dogs might be due to reactivation of a persistent infection because corticosteroid therapy can activate a latent N. caninum infection (Dubey & Lindsay 1993).     

Primary bone marrow T‐cell lymphoma in a Golden Retriever

A 6.2‐year‐old 28‐kg (61.7 lb) intact female Golden Retriever was referred due to persistent and multiple cytopenias noted on a routine CBC prior to a mature ovariohysterectomy procedure. The patient's physical examination was unremarkable, and staging of the thorax and abdomen identified no abnormalities. At the referral hospital, moderate hypercalcemia, borderline anemia, and neutropenia were noted. Assessment of bone marrow samples by cytology, histology, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry indicated a T‐cell neoplasm. The patient was treated with a multi‐agent chemotherapy protocol for 6 months, which induced remission. Nine months after diagnosis, she relapsed with recurrence of hypercalcemia, cytopenias, and clinical illness. Single‐agent anthracycline (mitoxantrone) in combination with prednisone therapy was initiated for 3 months. Two months after completion, the patient relapsed again, and palliative therapy with prednisone was elected. The patient was euthanized 16 months after diagnosis due to progressive disease. Post‐mortem histopathologic evaluation showed extensive replacement of bone marrow by neoplastic cells, and infiltrates in multiple organs. The neoplasm was diagnosed as lymphoma rather than leukemia due to the lack of abnormal circulating cells throughout the course of disease. The neoplasm was detected only in marrow at the time of initial diagnosis, and the marrow was the most extensively effaced organ at the time of death. Therefore, leukemia or stage V lymphoma was considered unlikely. In patients with a cytopenia and lack of neoplastic leukocytosis or solid tissue masses, primary bone marrow lymphoma should be considered among the differential diagnoses.     

Golden Retriever uveitis: 75 cases (1994-1999)

OBJECTIVE: To document the presenting ocular signs and the clinical course of Golden Retriever dogs with a progressive anterior uveitis, often associated with the histologic presence of iridociliary cysts. Animals studied Seventy-five Golden Retriever dogs (142 affected eyes) referred to a private practice referral ophthalmology clinic between 1994 and 1999. Procedures Complete ophthalmic evaluation with slit-lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, applanation tonometry, and gonioscopy. Hematology, serum biochemical evaluations, and serologic titers for endemic infectious agents were also used in selected cases. RESULTS: The age range of affected dogs was 4.5-14.5 years, with a mean age of 8.6 +/- 2.1 years. The majority of the dogs (n = 66) were affected in both eyes at first presentation. The sex distribution included 4 intact males, 32 neutered males, and 39 spayed females. Hematology, serum biochemical evaluations, and serologic titers for endemic infectious agents failed to demonstrate any underlying disorder. The ophthalmic hallmark of this syndrome was the appearance of pigment on the anterior lens capsule, often in a radial orientation. This capsular pigment was seen both with and without associated uveal cysts. Although single to multiple iridociliary cysts were noted clinically in only 13.3% of the cases, cysts were common on histopathology of advanced glaucomatous, blind eyes. Fibrin was observed in the anterior chamber of 37% of the cases, and often was a precursor for glaucoma. Cataract formation (37%) and glaucoma (46%) were frequent sequelae to the uveitis. Posterior synechiae formation occurred in 50% of the cases. Histopathologic analysis of four enucleated eyes and the eviscerated specimens from 14 glaucomatous eyes demonstrated thin-walled iridociliary epithelial cysts in 3/4 and 12/14 cases, respectively. Microscopically, little to no uveal inflammatory infiltration was commonly noted. Conclusion The overall prognosis for this progressive uveitis in Golden Retriever dogs is guarded, with 46% of the eyes becoming blind due to glaucoma. Iridociliary cysts in Golden Retriever dogs may lead to the development of glaucoma in this breed.     

Descriptive analysis of haemangiosarcoma occurrence in dogs enrolled in the Golden Retriever lifetime study

Haemangiosarcoma is a relatively common malignant tumour in dogs, and one of the primary outcomes of interest for the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study. This study collects longitudinal data and samples from a cohort of golden retrievers, with the aim of identification of nutritional, genetic, environmental, lifestyle and reproductive risk factors for cancers and other important diseases in dogs. This analysis describes the accumulating data and samples, which are available for use by researchers to fulfil the study's objectives. As of September 2022, 233/3044 dogs enrolled in the study had been diagnosed with haemangiosarcoma (7.65%), with an incidence rate of 1.10 cases per 100 dog-years. Visceral haemangiosarcoma was the most common, affecting 211/3044 study dogs (6.9%). One hundred and twenty eight visceral haemangiosarcoma diagnoses specified the presence of splenic tumours (60.7%) and 119 specified the presence of cardiac tumours (56.4%). The probability of remaining without a haemangiosarcoma diagnosis declined from 100% from approximately 4 years of age, to a 12 year probability of 91.1% in intact females (95% CI 84.4%–98.3%), 60.7% in neutered females (95% CI 41.6%–88.6%), 72.9% in intact males (95% CI 62.9%–84.6%) and 70.0% in neutered males (95% CI 53.4%–92.0%). The 1 year survival probability for visceral haemangiosarcoma was 1.42% (95% CI 0.37%–5.47%); for cutaneous haemangiosarcoma, it was 84.6% (95% CI 67.1%–99.99%). The accumulated data and samples are a considerable resource for further investigation of canine haemangiosarcoma and have a potential role in translational medicine.     

Cutaneous mass aspirate from a Golden Retriever: "glandular guile"

A 3-year-old, neutered, male Golden Retriever was presented for evaluation of a 10 X 9 X 5 mm, firm, red, raised, cutaneous mass located over the left cranial thorax and noted incidentally by the owner. On cytologic evaluation of a fine-needle aspirate of the mass, the interpretation was a malignant tumor with predominantly mesenchymal features. Differentials included liposarcoma, atypical amelanotic melanoma, anaplastic sarcoma, and anaplastic carcinoma. Following complete excision of the mass, a diagnosis of sebaceous adenocarcinoma was made based on histologic features, positive immunostaining for pancytokeratin, and negative staining for vimentin, Melan-A, and S-100. There was no evidence of metastasis on physical examination or thoracic radiographs, and the prognosis was good. The unique and previously unreported cytologic features of this small, sebaceous adenocarcinoma were the extreme pleomorphism, including marked anisocytosis, anisokaryosis, and multinuclearity, and the paucity of epithelial features.     

金毛犬耳痒螨病引发耳血肿的诊断和治疗

犬耳痒螨病是由犬耳痒螨（Otodecees cymotis）寄生于耳道内引起的皮肤寄生虫病。犬耳血肿是在外力作用下致使犬耳部血管破裂、出血,血液集聚在耳软骨与耳廓内侧皮肤之间形成的肿胀。耳痒螨病是引发耳血肿的重要病因,一旦发病需要及时治疗,严重者采用手术疗法。对一例犬耳痒螨病引发耳血肿进行了诊治,特将诊治过程和相关分析做具体介绍,以供临床参考。     

Physical therapy assessment tools to evaluate disease progression and phenotype variability in Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy

Dogs suffering from Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) present symptoms that are similar to human patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Phenotypic variability is common in both cases and correlates with disease progression and response to therapy. Physical therapy assessment tools were used to study disease progression and assess phenotypic variability in dogs with GRMD. At 5 (T0), 9 (T1), 13 (T2) and 17 (T3) months of age, the physical features, joint ranges of motion (ROM), limb and thorax circumferences, weight and creatine kinase (CK) levels were assessed in 11 dogs with GRMD. Alterations of physical features were higher at 13 months, and different disease progression rates were observed. Passive ROM decreased until 1 year old, which was followed by a decline of elbow and tarsal ROM. Limb and thorax circumferences, which were corrected for body weight, decreased significantly between T0 and T3. These measurements can be used to evaluate disease progression in dogs with GRMD and to help discover new therapies for DMD patients.