Spinal nephroblastoma in a crossbreed dog

A three-year-old, male crossbreed dog presented with progressive hindlimb paresis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intramedullary spinal cord lesion of 1.5 cm diameter at the levels of the first and second lumbar vertebrae. Following surgical excision of the mass, there was resolution of the neurological signs. Twelve months later, hindlimb paresis was again evident. A second surgical procedure restored ambulatory status for a further five months before signs recurred and the dog was euthanased. A diagnosis of spinal nephroblastoma was made on the basis of signalment, lesion location and histopathological analysis of biopsy specimens.     

Spinal nephroblastoma in an Irish wolfhound

A 1-year-old Irish wolfhound was presented with a history of slowly progressive left pelvic limb paresis. A neurological examination demonstrated bilateral deficits referable to the thoracolumbar spinal cord. Lumbar cerebrospinal fluid contained neoplastic cells. An intradural, extramedullary mass was demonstrated by myelography at the caudal aspect of T13. Surgical excision was abandoned owing to severe macroscopic damage to, and apparent infiltration of, the cord, and the dog was euthanased. The tumour was diagnosed histologically as an extrarenal nephroblastoma. Nephroblastoma should be suspected in young, large-breed dogs with intradural extramedullary masses over spinal segments T10-L2. The prognosis for complete recovery after surgical excision is guarded to poor.     

Kartagener's syndrome in a Dachshund dog.

Kartagener's syndrome (KS) is a rare, congenital condition characterized by situs inversus, rhinosinusitis, and bronchiectasis. An underlying ciliary dysfunction (e.g., immotility or dyskinetic beating) produces most of the clinical signs seen in affected animals. This case report reviews the history, clinical signs, and diagnosis of KS in a male, long-haired dachshund. This is the first known report of KS, and thus primary ciliary dyskinesia, in this breed of dog.     

B‐cell intestinal lymphoma with Mott cell differentiation in a 1‐year‐old miniature Dachshund

Abstract: A 1‐year‐old intact female miniature Dachshund was presented with hematochezia, vomiting, and diarrhea of more than 1‐week duration. An abdominal mass was palpated, which at exploratory surgery was found to be a 7‐cm‐long thickened section of ileum. The thickened ileum was resected. Impression smears revealed numerous small‐ to medium‐sized lymphocytes, with a smaller number of cells resembling Mott cells. The Mott‐like cells contained multiple pale vacuoles that were positive for periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) in wet‐fixed smears, consistent with Russell bodies. Histologic evaluation of the surgically excised ileum revealed 2 populations of neoplastic lymphoid cells. The majority were uniform medium‐sized lymphocytes with hyperchromatic oval or round nuclei and inconspicuous nucleoli. The remaining cells resembled Mott cells, which contained several PAS‐positive eosinophilic globules in the cytoplasm, occasionally compressing the nucleus. The majority of neoplastic cells stained positively for vimentin, CD20, CD79a, and Pax‐5, but were negative for CD3 and lysozyme; 43.5% of cells stained positively for Ki‐67. The Mott cells were strongly positive for immunoglobulin but were negative for Pax‐5. Using electron microscopy, a homogenous substance of intermediate electron density was observed frequently in the cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm of the Mott cells, and rarely in the perinuclear cisternae of the lymphoid cells, corresponding to the site of immunoglobulin staining. Monoclonal rearrangement of immunoglobulin heavy‐chain (IgH) gene was observed by PCR testing for lymphocyte–antigen receptor rearrangement. The morphologic features, immunophenotype, and IgH gene rearrangement verified the lymphoid cells were neoplastic (mature cell type) and had a B‐cell phenotype, with evidence of immunoglobulin production and differentiation into Mott cells. This case was unusual because of the age of the dog and because most intestinal lymphomas are T‐cell phenotype. The Mott cell morphology also differed from typical mature B‐cell lymphoma types and may be a unique B‐cell lymphoma variant.     

Tracheal reconstruction with knitted polypropylene mesh in a Dachshund dog

A 2 cm long necrotic segment was resected from the left half of the proximal cervical trachea in a 7–year–old Dachshund. Tracheal reconstruction was provided by an onlay graft of knitted polypropylene mesh. The only sequel noted was an exercise–induced cough for the first 2 post–operative weeks. To date (3 months after surgery) there is no evidence of tracheal stenosis, graft rejection or tracheal collapse at the surgical site and normal appearing epithelium is covering the entire graft. Résumé. On a réséqué un segment nécrotique de 2 cms de la moitié gauche de la trachée proxirnale cervicale, chez un Dachshund de 7 ans. Une greffe appliquée de tricot de poly-propylène a fourni la reconstruction trachéale. Les seules séquelles notées ont été une toux induite par exercise pendant les deux premières semaines postopératoires. Jusqu'ici (3 mois après chirurgie) il n'y a aucune évidence de sténose trachéale, de rejection de la greffe ou de collapsus trachéal à l'endrout chirurgique et l'épithélium normal qui apparaǐt couvre la greffe entière. Zusammenfassung. Ein 2 cm langes abgestorbenes Segmentum von der linken Hǎlfte der proximalen zervikalen Trachea in einem 7 jàhrigen Dachshund wurde reseziert. Trachéale Rekonstruktion wurde durch ein aufgelegtes Transplantǎt von gestricktem Polypropylen-Netzgewebe beschaffen. Die einzige Folgeerscheinung die man feststellte, war ein Husten in den ersten zwei postoperativen Wochen, der durch Ubung und Auslauf veranlasst war. Bis jetzt (3 Monate nach der Opération) sind keine Anzeichen von trachealer Verengung, Transplantatab-weisung oder trachealem Kollaps an der operierten Stelle bemerkt worden und normal erscheinendes Epithelium uberdeckt das ganze Transplantǎt.     

Pituitary Macrotumor Causing Narcolepsy‐Cataplexy in a Dachshund

Familial narcolepsy secondary to breed‐specific mutations in the hypocretin receptor 2 gene and sporadic narcolepsy associated with hypocretin ligand deficiencies occur in dogs. In this report, a pituitary mass is described as a unique cause of narcolepsy‐cataplexy in a dog. A 6‐year‐old male neutered Dachshund had presented for acute onset of feeding‐induced cataplexy and was found to have a pituitary macrotumor on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cerebral spinal fluid hypocretin‐1 levels were normal, indicating that tumor effect on the ventral lateral nucleus of the hypothalamus was not the cause of the dog's narcolepsy‐cataplexy. The dog was also negative for the hypocretin receptor 2 gene mutation associated with narcolepsy in Dachshunds, ruling out familial narcolepsy. The Dachshund underwent stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT), which resulted in reduction in the mass and coincident resolution of the cataplectic attacks. Nine months after SRT, the dog developed clinical hyperadrenocorticism, which was successfully managed with trilostane. These findings suggest that disruptions in downstream signaling of hypocretin secondary to an intracranial mass effect might result in narcolepsy‐cataplexy in dogs and that brain MRI should be strongly considered in sporadic cases of narcolepsy‐cataplexy.     

Uveodermatological syndrome (Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome) with generalized depigmentation in a Dachshund

A 3-year-old, female, black and tan Dachshund was referred with visual impairment, bilateral anterior and posterior uveitis, poliosis, and generalized dermal depigmentation. Complete blood counts and biochemical parameters, including T₃ and T₄, were normal. The skin biopsy showed lichenoid dermatoses with dermal infiltration of histiocytes and lymphocytes suggesting uveodermatological syndrome. Medical treatment was initiated with oral prednisone and azathioprine, and topical prednisolone and atropine. The clinical signs improved, vision was retained, and the skin began to repigment 2 months following the initiation of therapy.     

Nasopharyngeal nephroblastoma in a 3-month-old Boer goat

A 3-mo-old, female Boer goat was presented because of respiratory difficulties. Tachypnea and inspiratory dyspnea were noted during physical examination. Thoracic radiographs were unremarkable; however, upper airway and nasal passage radiographs revealed a soft tissue mass within the nasal passages. The patient underwent cardiorespiratory arrest and did not respond to resuscitation efforts during endoscopy. A large, pedunculated, semi-firm mass originated from the soft palate and obstructed 90% of the nasopharynx on autopsy. Histologically, the mass was composed of primitive cells that multifocally formed tubules and glomeruloid structures intermingled with areas of fusiform and blastemal cells. The neoplastic cells were positive for cytokeratin (tubular and glomeruloid cells), vimentin (fusiform population and blastemal cells), and Wilms tumor 1 protein (glomeruloid structures) on immunohistochemistry, consistent with a triphasic nephroblastoma. To our knowledge, nasopharyngeal nephroblastoma has not been reported previously in any species.     

Renal nephroblastoma in a 3-month-old golden retriever

Nephrectomy was performed in a 3-month-old intact female golden retriever dog for a renal nephroblastoma. The dog has remained disease-free for 19 months with nephrectomy alone. The adoption of human Wilms’ tumor grading criteria may be useful in determining clinical stage, adjuvant treatment options, and prognosis in this rare disease.     

Corrective Osteotomy for Pes Varus in the Dachshund

Five dachshunds were treated for a distal varus deformity of one tibia. Angulations of 20 degrees to 30 degrees resulted from shortening of the medial tibial length with the maximum curvature at the distal metaphysis. Comparison with the contralateral limbs was required to determine the amount of correction necessary for functional and cosmetic results. Open wedge osteotomies stabilized with a modified type II external fixator resulted in correction of the deformities, early return of limb function, and healing of the osteotomies.     

Congenital myasthenia gravis in Smooth-Haired Miniature Dachshund dogs

Three 8-week-old Miniature Smooth Haired Dachshund littermates were diagnosed with myasthenia gravis based on clinical signs, results of electrophysiological testing, and response to the short-acting anticholinesterase drug, edrophonium chloride. Congenital myasthenia gravis was confirmed by the demonstration of decreased acetylcholine-receptor density in external intercostal muscle in the absence of demonstrable serum antiacetylcholine receptor antibody or antibodies complexed to acetylcholine receptors in muscle biopsy samples. Unlike most previously reported cases of congenital myasthenia gravis that are relentlessly progressive, clinical signs resolved spontaneously by 6 months of age.     

Proliferative potential of a spinal nephroblastoma in a young dog

The proliferative potential of a spinal nephroblastoma was studied in a young dog. A 4-month-old, female golden retriever showed developing deterioration in her gait and subsequent paralysis of her hind legs. At necropsy, a well-demarcated grayish brown tumor mass was found in the lumbar spinal cord segments between L2 and L3. Histologically, a blastemal cell tumor with a tubule- or glomeruli-like structure was found to be infiltrating intradurally. Proliferating cells at the S-phase, assessed using the bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling method, were seen occasionally in the tubular cells and glomeruli-like structures and were frequently seen in the blastemal cells. Immunohistochemically, the tubular epithelial cells were positive for cytokeratin, and the blastemal cells were positive for vimentin. The present tumor showed a high potential for growth and invasion, which suggests that it the potential to expand into the adjacent spinal cord.     

A case of recovery from canine destructive cholangitis in a Miniature Dachshund

A 7-year-old Miniature Dachshund presented with severe chronic jaundice and elevated liver enzymes. Destructive cholangitis was diagnosed according to histopathological findings of remarkable ductopenia with inflammatory infiltrates and fibrosis in the portal areas. Supportive therapy with prednisolone, high-dose ursodeoxycholic acid, human placental extract and antibiotics was tried, and the patient showed recovery of clinical signs 3 months after diagnosis. A second liver biopsy was performed about 1 year after initial diagnosis, and bile duct restoration was confirmed with continuous inflammation around portal areas and inside the lobules. Although we could not determine which treatment was effective in this case, destructive cholangitis in dogs may be recoverable with long-term supportive therapies.