Counterimmunoelectrophoresis (immunoelectroosmosis) and serum electrophoretic pattern in serologic diagnosis of canine blastomycosis

Counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) with blastomyces and histoplasma antigens was used in a serologic study of 181 dogs clinically suspected of having blastomycosis and of 8 dogs with confirmed blastomycosis or histoplasmosis. Thirteen of the 181 dogs, positive by CIEP, were euthanatized, and the diagnosis was confirmed by cultivation and/or microscopic detection of Blastomyces dermatitidis. Additional CIEP-positive dogs were confirmed by staining of aspirates collected in vivo. Radiographic support for the diagnosis was reported in 4 other dogs in which histoplasmosis was excluded by a negative CIEP with histoplasma antigen. The precipitating antibody may disappear during the course of the disease, as it did in 1 dog treated with amphotericin B, but not cured. This dog reverted from CIEP-positive to CIEP-negative within 17 months of treatment (with a weak reaction after 10 months of treatment). The CIEP-detectable antibody was present only in 1 dog without a confirmation by histopathologic findings or cultivation among 24 well-documented cases and 181 total tested sera. The CIEP was more sensitive and specific than was the gel-diffusion precipitin test, eliminated the problems of anticomplementarity that often affected the results of complement-fixation tests with canine sera, and served well in detecting dogs with blastomycosis. Electrophoretic pattern of sera from CIEP-positive dogs with blastomycosis showed a decrease in albumin and an increase in alpha 2- and often in beta- and gamma-globulins, with a substantial decrease of the albumin/globulin ratio.     

Accidental poisoning of 17 dogs with lasalocid

Over a period of 10 days, 17 dogs became weak and developed neurological deficits of different degrees of severity. About 12 hours before these clinical signs appeared they had all eaten a particular brand of commercial dog food from a recently opened bag. They were all quadriparetic and hyporeflexic, and some of them also showed additional systemic or neurological signs, including dyspnoea, a high body temperature, tongue laxity, hyperaesthesia and anisochoria. Serum biochemical abnormalities included high activities of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase. Analysis of the suspect food revealed high concentrations of the ionophore lasalocid. Fifteen of the dogs were given supportive treatment at home and two were hospitalised. Five of the dogs died, but the others improved gradually and had fully recovered by one to four days after the appearance of the clinical signs.     

Neurological Manifestations of Hypothyroidism: A Retrospective Study of 29 Dogs

Neuromuscular signs in association with hypothyroidism are described in 29 dogs. Eleven dogs had lower motor neuron signs, 9 had peripheral vestibular deficits, 4 had megaesophagus, and 5 had laryngeal paralysis. Primarily older (mean = 9.5 years), large-breed dogs were affected, and there was no sex or breed predisposition. Duration of clinical signs before presentation ranged from 2 to 8 weeks (mean = 5 weeks). The diagnosis was based on (1) results of neurological examination (29 dogs); (2) electromyographic abnormalities (18 dogs), including fibrillation potentials (n = 18), positive sharp waves (n = 15), and complex repetitive discharges (n = 4); (3) high serum cholesterol concentration (10 dogs; mean = 335 mg/dL); (4) low response to thyroid-stimulating hormone (29 dogs; mean T₄ prestimulation concentration = 0.8 μg/dL; mean T₄ poststimulation = 1.2 μg/dL); and (5) good response to thyroxine supplementation (26 dogs). Dogs with vestibular deficits had abnormal brainstem auditory-evoked responses (BAER), including increased latencies of P₁-P₆ and decreased amplitude of P_4,5-N₅. Seven other dogs had similar BAER abnormalities without manifesting clinical signs of vestibular involvement. Three dogs with vestibular signs had fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves without exhibiting lower motor neuron signs. All dogs were supplemented with levothyroxine (0.02 mg/kg P0 bid). The follow-up period ranged between 6 and 30 months (mean, 14 months). Serum T₄ concentrations were measured at least 3 times for each dog every 2 months (mean T₄ concentration = 2.6 μg/dL). All but 1 dog with lower motor neuron signs and 1 dog with vestibular signs recovered after 2 months (mean, 57 days). Signs of megaesophagus became progressively less severe over 4 months. Dogs with laryngeal paralysis improved partially after 5 months. We suggest that either vestibular or lower motor neuron signs, megaesophagus, or laryngeal paralysis may be the only clinical signs of an underlying, more generalized polyneuropathy associated with hypothyroidism. Electro-diagnostic abnormalities may be detected before clinical disease develops.     

EMPHYSEMATOUS CHOLECYSTITIS IN THE NONDIABETIC DOG: THREE CASE HISTORIES

Emphysematous cholecystitis not associated with diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in three dogs. All three dogs were examined because of vomiting. Neutrophilia, elevated serum alkaline phosphatase, and normal serum glucose were present in each animal. A gas-filled gallbladder and pericholecystic gas were seen radiographically in all three dogs; a cholecystolith was present in one dog. A cholecystectomy was performed on two dogs. Cultures of bacteria from these two bladders revealed Clostridium sp. One of these dogs was euthanized because of acute renal tubular necrosis that was diagnosed after ten days of treatment with gentamicin. The second dog recovered without incident. The third dog was treated successfully with antibiotics.     

A case of dumb rabies and trypanosomiasis in an eight-week-old puppy

An eight-week-old male puppy affected with trypanosomiasis and dumb rabies was presented at the University of Nigeria Veterinary Hospital. The dog had a septic wound on the side of the face. The clinical signs suggested trypanosomiasis and this diagnosis was confirmed by laboratory examination. After treatment with Berenil and antibiotics, the puppy apparently recovered, but a week later became anorectous and recumbent. Dumb rabies was suspected and the dog died in a quarantine kennel less than 24 hours later. Negri bodies were detected in brain smears from the dog and a mouse inoculation test was performed to confirm the diagnosis. Dumb rabies poses serious public health hazards to dog owners and their families, as well as to those occupationally exposed to dogs.     

Reactions to tick antitoxin serum and the role of atropine in treatment of dogs and cats with tick paralysis caused by Ixodes holocyclus: a pilot survey

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and nature of adverse reactions of dogs and cats to tick antitoxin serum and to re-evaluate the role of atropine in the treatment of tick paralysis. DESIGN: A retrospective questionnaire of veterinarians. PROCEDURE: Questionnaires were posted to 320 veterinarians in tick-endemic regions of Australia. Questions referred to dogs and cats treated for tick paralysis over a period of three years: the number treated, treatment protocols and adverse systemic reactions to tick antitoxin serum. Ninety completed questionnaires were returned and responses analysed. RESULTS: Veterinarians reported that approximately 3% of dogs exhibited adverse reactions immediately following treatment with tick antitoxin serum. Eighteen percent of these reactions were described as anaphylaxis, with the remaining 82% attributed to the Bezold-Jarisch reflex. Six percent of cats treated with tick antitoxin serum reacted adversely and the majority of reactions (63%) were ascribed to the Bezold-Jarisch reflex. Atropine was used routinely by 10% of responding veterinarians in the treatment of dogs and cats with tick paralysis. A similar number of veterinarians used atropine only in selected cases. Most veterinarians (76%) reported that they never used atropine in the treatment of tick paralysis in either dogs or cats. Within the survey population, premedication with atropine reduced the number of Bezold-Jarisch reactions following tick antitoxin administration approximately five-fold in dogs and four-fold in cats. CONCLUSIONS: Data from this pilot survey indicate that more cats than dogs have adverse systemic reactions to tick antitoxin serum and that the majority of these reactions in both dogs and cats could be related to the Bezold-Jarisch reflex. The number of reactions to tick antitoxin serum in dogs and cats could be significantly reduced by the routine use of atropine prior to administration of tick antitoxin serum.     

Drug-associated aplastic anemia in dogs: eight cases (1984-1988)

Records of 8 dogs with drug-associated aplastic anemia were reviewed. Drugs suspected as being causative included estradiol cyclopentylpropionate (3 dogs), phenylbutazone (2 dogs), meclofenamic acid (1 dog), trimethoprim-sulfadiazine and fenbendazole (1 dog), and quinidine (1 dog). Five of the dogs died or were euthanatized. One dog with estrogen-associated aplasia recovered after prolonged treatment. The dogs with trimethoprim-sulfadiazine and quinidine-associated marrow aplasia recovered promptly after treatment was discontinued.     

Anosmia associated with canine distemper

The sense of smell in dogs infected with canine distemper virus (CDV) was examined by use of EEG olfactometry, behavioral olfactometry, and electro-olfactography. Infection with CDV was confirmed by a direct immunofluorescence technique in 8 active cases and was suggested by clinical history compatible with canine distemper 10 to 26 weeks earlier in 6 cases. Pathologic alterations of the olfactory mucosa in 3 clinically affected dogs was examined by light microscopy. Infection with CDV was found to be associated with anosmia and lack of recorded responses on electro-olfactogram in 8 of 8 dogs with clinical signs of acute distemper from naturally acquired infections. Anosmia was found in 5 of 6 dogs that had recovered from acute distemper 10 to 26 weeks earlier. The sixth dog had hyposmia, with abnormalities on the electro-olfactogram. Histologic examination was not performed on the 6 dogs that had recovered. Histologic lesions observed at necropsy in 3 dogs that had had clinical signs of acute distemper were those of subacute purulent rhinitis and atrophy of the olfactory epithelium. Altered olfactory function could be explained by mucopurulent exudate blocking odors from olfactory receptors in the acutely affected dogs, but alteration of olfactory function in the dogs that had recovered without clinical evidence of rhinitis could not be explained.     

Efficacy of nitroscanate against naturally acquired infection with Ancylostoma caninum, Dipylidium caninum, and Trichuris vulpis in dogs

Eighteen dogs with naturally acquired helminth infections were used to evaluate the efficacy of nitroscanate against Ancylostoma caninum, Dipylidium caninum, and Trichuris vulpis. Approximately 15 minutes before treatment, the dogs were given 100 to 200 g of canned dog food. Ten dogs were treated with nitroscanate (50 mg/kg of body weight, PO), and 8 dogs were given placebo tablets PO. The dogs were euthanatized and necropsied 10 days after treatment and helminths were recovered from the small intestine and cecum. On the basis of the number of worms recovered from treated dogs vs the number recovered from control dogs, we determined the efficacy of nitroscanate to be 99.6% against A caninum, 99.8% against D caninum, and 0% against T vulpis.     

Effects of a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor on established immune complex glomerulonephritis in dogs.

Twelve Beagles were inoculated with concanavalin A, and after a mean ninefold increase in antibody titer, 1 mg of concanavalin A was infused into each renal artery of each dog to induce in situ immune complex glomerulonephritis. Starting 4 weeks after renal arterial infusion, 6 dogs were treated orally 3 times daily with 30 mg of 3-methyl-2 (3 pyridyl)-1-indolectanoic acid (CGS 12970)/kg of body weight, a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor, and 6 dogs (control group) received a gelatin capsule 3 times daily. Endogenous creatinine clearance and 24-hour urinary excretion of protein and thromboxane B2 were determined for each dog prior to renal arterial infusion, at the initiation of treatment and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after initiation of treatment. In addition, methyoxy-3H inulin clearance was determined at initiation of treatment and 4 and 8 weeks later. Renal specimens were examined histologically at the initiation of treatment and 4 and 8 weeks later. Glomerular mononuclear profiles/microns 3 were determined from at least 10 equatorially sectioned glomeruli from each dog. Paired t tests were used to compare mean values at the various time points to the respective mean baseline value and 2-sample t tests were used to evaluate differences between treatment groups. At the start of treatment (4 weeks after renal arterial infusion of concanavalin A), histologic evaluation of renal specimens revealed glomerular epithelial crescent formation, mononuclear cell proliferation, and infiltration of neutrophils. Mononuclear cell profiles and urinary excretion of protein and thromboxane B2 were significantly increased, but endogenous creatinine clearance values were unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ultrasonographic detection of ingested and perforating wooden foreign bodies in four dogs

Four dogs that had ingested wooden foreign bodies were examined. All 4 dogs were young and were examined because of lethargy and a mass involving the left flank that was partially responsive to antimicrobial treatment. Ultrasonography of the flank mass revealed inhomogeneous subcutaneous tissues representing seroma, edema, or reactive tissue. Long, linear, bright interfaces representing the wooden foreign bodies were identified in the stomach of 3 dogs and in the abdominal cavity of 1 dog. The interfaces were associated with uniform shadowing in 3 dogs. Local omental and mesenteric changes suggestive of focal peritonitis were evident in 1 dog. In all 4 dogs, the foreign bodies were removed through an exploratory celiotomy. All dogs recovered without complications.     

RETINAL DEGENERATION IN GREYHOUNDS

Retinal degeneration in 10 Greyhounds with clinical and ophthalmoscopic features is described, including results of electroretinography and fluorescein angiography for one affected dog. Clinical and histologic features differed from other kinds of retinal degeneration in dogs.     

Hyperadrenocorticism in 10 dogs with skin lesions as the only presenting clinical signs

Ten dogs that had skin lesions as the only presenting signs of hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) and as the owners' primary complaint are described. Dogs were included if the initial examination was for skin disease, there were no signs of systemic illness on initial presentation and there was a confirmed diagnosis of HAC by specific screening tests. Dogs were excluded if they had a severe disease that might interfere with screening tests for HAC or if the screening tests were not diagnostic. There were five males and five females; six dogs were intact. Nine dogs were diagnosed at ≥7 years. Eight dogs weighed ≤10 kg. Alopecia was present in nine dogs. Eight dogs had bacterial pyoderma, five had hyperpigmentation, and four had thin skin. One dog had unresolved dermatophytosis. Skin lesions resolved after treatment in eight dogs. One dog was not treated and one was lost to follow-up. This study showed that skin lesions may be the only clinical signs of HAC. The presence of the more common clinical signs of HAC, such as a non-pruritic, truncal alopecia and/or thin skin, without any systemic signs of HAC and/or the presence of poorly responsive skin infections warrant screening for this disease.     

Clinicopathologic findings, sensitivity to house dust mites and efficacy of milbemycin oxime treatment of dogs with Cheyletiella sp. infestation

Twenty-three dogs with positive skin scrapings for Cheyletiella sp. were treated with milbemycin oxime using a protocol approximating 2 mg kg⁻¹ orally once weekly for three weeks. Nineteen of these dogs belonged to a household of 41 dogs and two dogs were in households with one other dog. All in-contact dogs were treated. Pre-treatment intradermal skin tests showed positive reactions to D. farinae in 13 dogs and to D. pteronyssinus in 12 dogs; these became negative post-treatment in four and seven dogs, respectively. All dogs showed a dramatic reduction in clinical signs one week after the third treatment. Eighteen dogs no longer had mites on skin scrapings, three had dead mites and two had deformed eggs. Recurrence of clinical signs necessitated two additional courses of the protocol in the multiple dog household and for a dog receiving immunosuppressive treatment for pemphigus foliaceus. Possible adverse reactions to the milbemycin (vomiting, lethargy) were noted once in two dogs.     

Lung lobe torsion in dogs: 22 cases (1981-1999)

OBJECTIVE: To identify breed disposition, postoperative complications, and outcome in dogs with lung lobe torsion. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 22 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURE: Information on signalment; history; clinical findings; results of clinicopathologic testing, diagnostic imaging, and pleural fluid analysis; surgical treatment; intra- and postoperative complications; histologic findings; and outcome were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: All 22 dogs had pleural effusion; dyspnea was the most common reason for examination. Fifteen dogs were large deep-chested breeds; 5 were toy breeds. Afghan Hounds were overrepresented, compared with the hospital population. One dog was euthanatized without treatment; the remaining dogs underwent exploratory thoracotomy and lung lobectomy. Eleven dogs recovered from surgery without complications, but 3 of these later died of thoracic disease. Four dogs survived to discharge but had clinically important complications within 2 months, including chylothorax, mediastinal mesothelioma, gastric dilatation, and a second lung lobe torsion. Six dogs died or were euthanatized within 2 weeks after surgery because of acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, septic shock, pneumothorax, or chylothorax. Chylothorax was diagnosed in 8 of the 22 dogs, including 4 Afghan Hounds. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that lung lobe torsion is rare in dogs and develops most frequently in large deep-chested dogs, particularly Afghan Hounds. Other predisposing causes were not identified, but an association with chylothorax was evident, especially in Afghan Hounds. Prognosis for dogs with lung lobe torsion was fair to guarded.     

Tetanus in a dog

A three month old dog with tetanus was treated with antitoxin, antibiotic, a sedative and a muscle relaxant. A pharyngotomy tube was placed to facilitate feeding. The dog recovered after 23 days of therapy.     

Nosocomial diarrhea associated with enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens infection in dogs

A retrospective analysis of the medical records of 30 consecutive cases of diarrhea occurring in dogs that were hospitalized in a teaching hospital was performed. A prospective analysis of culture results for Clostridium perfringens of dogs with diarrhea were compared with those of a control nondiarrheal group. Hospital-acquired diarrhea in dogs was found to be associated with multiple serotypes of enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens. Other potential etiologic agents could not be isolated. Clinical signs were variable, and included mild depression, anorexia, and soft to watery diarrhea with or without frank blood, mucus, and tenesmus. Fever was not present. There were no hematologic or serum biochemical abnormalities, nor were there any consistent virologic or parasitologic findings. Salmonella spp or Campylobacter spp were not identified by fecal culture. No risk factors could be identified. A dog that was euthanatized on the day it developed diarrhea had intestinal histologic findings suggestive of clostridial enteritis. Dogs with diarrhea had significantly higher fecal clostridial counts than did dogs without diarrhea (mean log10 counts +/- SD = 6.34 +/- 1.79 vs 4.75 +/- 2.07). Enterotoxin was found in the feces of 41% of diarrheic dogs but in only 7% of dogs without diarrhea.     

Disseminated histoplasmosis in dogs: 12 cases (1981-1986)

Diarrhea, intestinal blood loss, anemia, and lethargy were predominant clinical findings in 12 dogs with disseminated histoplasmosis. Young dogs were affected most commonly, with 6 dogs being 1 to 3 years old. A diagnosis of disseminated histoplasmosis was established on the basis of histologic or cytologic detection of Histoplasma organisms in intestinal or rectal mucosa in 7 dogs, in circulating leukocytes in 5 dogs, in bone marrow in 3 dogs, and in multiple tissues at necropsy in 1 dog (4 dogs had Histoplasma organisms detected in greater than 1 site). Anemia was detected in 10 dogs (PCV less than 20% in 3 dogs), and the anemia was inadequately regenerative or nonregenerative in 7. Hypoalbuminemia was detected in 9 dogs, and serum albumin concentrations were low (less than 1.0 g/dl) in 4 of the 9 dogs. Of 5 dogs treated with ketoconazole, 2 were in remission for greater than or equal to 1 year. Corticosteroid therapy may have exacerbated the disease in 4 dogs. Histoplasma infection of multiple organs was detected in 5 necropsied dogs.     

Detection of Bartonella henselae DNA in two dogs with pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis

CASE DESCRIPTION: 1 dog evaluated because of inappetence and lameness of the left hind limb of 1 day's duration and 1 dog evaluated because of inappetence, fever, and lymphadenopathy of 2 weeks' duration. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Histologic examination of excisional biopsy specimens from lymph nodes revealed pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis in both dogs. Quantitative real-time PCR assays detected Bartonella henselae DNA in blood samples and affected lymph node specimens from both dogs. Antibodies against B. henselae were not detected via immunofluorescent antibody testing during active disease in either dog. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: 1 dog recovered after 6 weeks of treatment with doxycycline (5 mg/kg [2.3 mg/lb], p.o., q 12 h), whereas the other dog recovered after receiving a combination of azithromycin (14.5 mg/kg [6.6 mg/lb], p.o., q 24 h for 21 days), doxycycline (17.3 mg/kg [7.9 mg/lb], p.o., q 24 h for 4 weeks), and immunosuppressive corticosteroid (prednisone [3 mg/kg {1.4 mg/lb}, p.o., q 24 h], tapered by decreasing the daily dose by 25% every 2 weeks) treatment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: B. henselae is implicated as a possible cause or a cofactor in the development of pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis in dogs. In dogs with pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis, immunofluorescent assays may not detect antibodies against B. henselae. Molecular testing, including PCR assay of affected tissues, may provide an alternative diagnostic method for detection of B. henselae DNA in pyogranulomatous lymph nodes.     

Cutaneous actinomycosis and nocardiosis in dogs: 48 cases (1980-1990).

Medical records of 48 dogs with cutaneous actinomycosis or nocardiosis were reviewed. Male, large-breed dogs kept outdoors were overrepresented. The mean age at admission was 3.6 years. Cutaneous swelling (68%), abscesses (65%), draining tracts (48%), fever (36%), and signs of pain (13%) were the most common clinical findings. The cervicofacial area was affected in 48% of the dogs. Abdominal and thoracic wall involvement was less common. Leukocytosis, neutrophilia with left shift, monocytosis, and hyperglobulinemia were common. The diagnosis was confirmed by cytologic examination, bacteriologic culture, or histologic examination. Gram-positive filamentous bacteria were seen in 69% of the fine needle aspirates and in 50% of the biopsy specimens. Actinomyces spp were isolated from cutaneous lesions in 27 (60%) dogs. Nocardia asteroides was isolated from 1 dog. Treatment consisted of surgical debridement, drainage, and administration of antibiotics in 29 dogs (group A) and antibiotics alone in 13 dogs (group B). The infection redeveloped in 10 (42%) group-A dogs and 6 (60%) group-B dogs. Of the 10 group-A dogs with recurrent infection, 6 had resolution after a second surgery and 4 were euthanatized. Of the 6 group-B dogs, 1 had resolution after surgery, 4 were euthanatized or died because of persistent disease, and 1 had an unresolved infection. The combination of surgery and antibiotic treatment appeared to be superior to antibiotic treatment alone in resolving cutaneous Actinomyces and Nocardia infections.