Multiple small-intestine intussusceptions: a complication of purpura haemorrhagica in a horse

A Belgian draft horse stallion presented with classical signs of purpura haemorrhagica: oedema of the distal limbs, ventral abdomen and head, ecchymotic haemorrhage of mucous membranes, epistaxis, fever, lethargy, reluctance to move, and anorexia. Serum chemistry revealed a highly elevated gamma-globulin fraction. Streptococcal lymphadenitis (strangles) had been present on a neighbouring farm in the past few months. After an initial positive response to therapy with benzylpenicillin, flunixin and dexamethasone, the horse's condition deteriorated suddenly on day 4 of hospitalization, with signs of severe endotoxaemia and small-intestine obstruction. The horse was euthanized because of its poor prognosis and because of economic considerations. On necropsy, large serosal haemorrhages in the small and large intestine and multiple jejunojejunal intussusceptions were found. Intussusception is a well-known complication in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura, a human autoimmune disease resembling purpura haemorrhagica in horses. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report to describe intussusception as a complication of purpura haemorrhagica in a horse.     

Juvenile cellulitis in a puppy

An 8-week-old, male Labrador retriever presented for acute onset of left hind limb lameness. This rapidly progressed to juvenile cellulitis, characterized by dermatitis of the face, otitis externa, regional lymphadenopathy, lethargy, and depression. The puppy made a full recovery on glucocorticoid therapy.     

Horner's syndrome in a puppy

A puppy was presented with unilateral Horner's syndrome thought to have been in existence since the eyes first opened. No other clinical signs were evident and the condition was attributed to trauma during assisted birth. All abnormalities resolved spontaneously by 11 weeks of age.     

Purulent pericarditis in a puppy

An eight-week-old female Cavalier King Charles spaniel was presented with tachypnoea, pyrexia and distended jugular veins following bite injuries to the chest and abdomen. Pericardial effusion was suspected from clinical, electrocardiographic and radiographic findings, and confirmed by echocardiography. Pericardiocentesis was carried out and the purulent fluid aspirated yielded Pasteurella multocida on culture. After drainage, broad spectrum antibiotic therapy was instituted and the puppy went on to make an excellent clinical recovery. Despite this, some hyperechoic areas of myocardium were observed on echocardiography and occasional ventricular premature complexes were seen on electrocardiography. These were probably the result of an associated myocarditis.     

Recurrent intestinal intussusceptions in the dog.

Intestinal intussusceptions in 2 young dogs recurred within 3 days of initial surgical reduction. Subsequent recurrence was prevented by intestinal resection and creation of multiple intestinal adhesions in 1 dog and by creation of adhesions alone in the other.     

Gastrointestinal cryptosporidiosis in a puppy

An 8-week-old female Yorkshire terrier with a history of weakness, diarrhea and intestinal isosporiasis was euthanized and a post mortem examination performed. Histologically, there was severe gastrointestinal cryptosporidiosis, severe intestinal isosporiasis and thymic lymphoid depletion. PCR revealed visible bands for the actin and 18S rRNA genes but not for the acetyl CoA synthetase gene for Cryptosporidium spp. The PCR product for the actin gene was sequenced and found to have a 97.6-99.8% similarity to that of Cryptosporidium canis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of gastric cryptosporidiosis in a canine.     

Lead toxicosis in a puppy

After showing clinical and radiographic signs of a gastrointestinal foreign body, a 5-month-old puppy began head pressing, which progressed to convulsions. Hematological abnormalities suggested lead poisoning; serum lead was 2.61 mumol/L. The puppy made a complete recovery after intensive treatment for lead toxicosis.     

Addison's disease in a puppy

Low serum cortisol levels in a young puppy, following adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) stimulation, were used to establish a clinical diagnosis of Addison's disease. This was likely to have been congenital although studies of adrenocortical function in close relatives showed no evidence of a genetic origin for the condition. Autoantibody to canine adrenal tissue was not present. Further investigations are necessary to establish the role of autoantibody in canine hypoadrenocorticism. The diagnosis of primary adrenocortical hypoplasia was confirmed at post mortem examination.     

曾经有一头可爱的小狗

昨天晚上在单位上网到8点多才回去,从车库出来,看到出口处有一团毛茸茸的东西,开始以为是谁扔的一件衣物,走近了才发现是一头小狗在睡觉呢.昨晚的月亮大而且明亮,它全身蜷成一团躺在出口廊柱的阴影下面,见有人过来,并无慌乱,只是抬头看我,睁着两只黑漆漆的眼睛,天真无邪的那种,淡黄的毛色,在夜色里感觉十分温暖.     

Multi-focal cerebral oligoastrocytoma in a puppy

A nine-month-old puppy was presented for investigation of seizures. Neurological deficits were found localising to the prosencephalon, mesencephalon and myelencephalon. Magnetic resonance imaging identified multiple, large lesions involving both cerebral hemispheres. Management with antiepileptic and immunomodulatory drugs was instituted; however, the seizures became progressively refractory and the puppy was euthanased. Histopathology following post-mortem examination found a mixed glial cell tumour with discrete areas where neoplastic cells appeared oligodendroglial or astrocytic. Primary intracranial neoplasia is a rare cause of neurological disease in young dogs. Moreover, this case is unusual in terms of both the mixed glial nature of the neoplasm and also its multi-focal distribution.     

Rabies in a 10-week-old puppy

A 10-week-old, male, border collie-cross puppy was examined for an acute onset of unilateral vestibular signs. Neurologic deterioration was rapid over the next 12 hours and the puppy was euthanized. Rabies was diagnosed by histopathologic and immunohistochemical examination.