Bromocyclen poisoning in the dog.

An 18-week-old male German shepherd dog had a convulsion following the accidental ingestion of bromocyclen two hours previously. The dog then vomited and had a second convulsion. A pulse rate of 150 per minute and a respiratory rate of 54 per minute were recorded. The dog was treated with 2mg acepromazine and 0.6mg atropine administered intramuscularly (im) and repeated every four hours, 10ml of 20 per cent calcium borogluconate administered subcutaneously and 2ml penicillin and streptomycin im. Eighteen hours later, the respiratory rate was in excess of 60 per minute, and penicillin and streptomycin plus 2mg betamethasone were administered im. Only atropine was administered over the next 12 hours and then discontinued. Forty hours after the original convulsion, the respiratory rate had fallen to 30 per minute and the pulse rate to 84 per minute. A day later, the dog had fully recovered.     

Cabot rings as a result of severe dyserythropoiesis in a dog

An 11-year-old female Dachshund was presented with depression, diarrhea, weight loss, and radiographic evidence of masses involving the liver, spleen, and cranial lobe of the right lung. Results of a CBC included severe nonregenerative anemia (HCT 14.2%, hemoglobin, 4.3 g/dL, reticulocytes 66,000/microL) with marked metarubricytosis (nucleated RBCs 6.39 x 10(3)/microL). Examination of the peripheral blood smear revealed marked erythroid dysplasia, including marked anisocytosis with a prevalence of macrocytes, Howell-Jolly bodies, diffuse basophilic stippling, and multinucleated and atypical nucleated RBCs. Neutrophil hypersegmentation and giant forms were also noted. Numerous erythrocytes, particularly polychromatophilic cells, contained inclusions consistent with Cabot rings, which appeared as delicate red-purple ellipsoid or figure 8 structures. Rarely, Cabot rings were observed extracellularly. The dog was treated symptomatically with blood transfusions, prednisone, erythropoietin, and vitamin supplementation, but the anemia progressively worsened. The dog was euthanized 2 months after presentation. Bone marrow aspirate and core biopsy specimens obtained at the time of euthanasia revealed marked dysplastic changes in all cell lines, especially dyserythropoiesis, along with infiltrating carcinoma cells. A necropsy was performed, and histologic examination revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung with multiple metastases to the marrow, spleen, and liver. The final diagnosis was marked myelodysplasia secondary to metastatic adenocarcinoma. Cabot rings are found rarely in humans with myelodysplasia, but have not been described previously in dogs. Based on the findings in this case, Cabot rings may occur rarely in dogs with severe dyserythropoiesis.     

Pyloric obstruction secondary to epicardial pacemaker implantation: a case report

A 10-year old Lhasa Apso dog was presented for an acute history of exercise intolerance and hind limb weakness. High grade second degree atrioventricular block with an atrial rate of 200 beats per minute, ventricular rate of 40 beats per minute and an intermittent ventricular escape rhythm, was diagnosed on electrocardiograph. A transdiaphragmatic, unipolar, epicardial pacemaker was implanted without immediate surgical complications. Severe vomiting was noted 12 h post-operatively. Abdominal ultrasound and a barium study supported a diagnosis of pyloric outflow obstruction and exploratory abdominal surgery was performed. The pyloric outflow tract appeared normal and no other causes of an outflow obstruction were identified. The epicardial generator was repositioned from the right to the left abdominal wall. Pyloric cell pacing was presumed to be the cause for the pyloric obstruction and severe vomiting, and this was thought to be due to close proximity of the pacemaker generator to the pylorus situated in the right abdominal wall. Repositioning of the pulse generator to the left abdominal wall resulted in resolution of vomiting.     

Thirteen-week dose-intensifying simultaneous combination chemotherapy protocol for malignant lymphoma in dogs

This prospective study aimed to record the toxicity profile of a dose-intensifying simultaneous chemotherapy (DISC) protocol for lymphoma in dogs. Remission rates and the duration of the protocol were also evaluated. Twenty-one dogs were studied. Diagnosis was based on cytological or histological assessments. The DISC protocol is a 13-week maintenance-free protocol. L-Asparaginase (400 iu/kg) was administered subcutaneously on day 1, followed by weekly simultaneous intravenous administration of vincristine (0.7 mg/m(2) = 100 per cent), cyclophosphamide (200 mg/m(2) = 100 per cent) and doxorubicin (30 mg/m(2) = 100 per cent) at a starting dose level of 33 per cent. Dose levels were given twice and then increased by 5 to 7 per cent if grade 0 or I toxicities were seen, to a maximum dose level of 60 per cent. Two dogs experienced a grade IV toxicity (asymptomatic neutropenia in one dog and sepsis in the other). Two episodes of asymptomatic grade III thrombocytopenia and one episode of neutropenia were recorded. Other toxic events were infrequent and mild. Only one dog required hospitalisation for less than 72 hours. Seventeen dogs (80.9 per cent) achieved complete remission, one (4.8 per cent) achieved partial remission, two (9.5 per cent) had stable disease and in one (4.8 per cent) disease progressed.     

Effects of premedication with fentanyl and midazolam on mask induction of anaesthesia of dogs with sevoflurane

Fourteen beagles were used to determine the effects of fentanyl and midazolam as a premedicant for mask induction of anaesthesia with sevoflurane. The drugs were administered to each dog in a randomised cross-over design with a seven-day washout period between experiments. After a 15-minute equilibration period, a treatment consisting of fentanyl (10 mug/kg bodyweight) and midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) was given either intravenously or intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was then induced by the use of a facemask with sevoflurane in 100 per cent oxygen at a flow rate of 4 l/minute. Vaporiser settings were increased by 0.8 per cent at 15-second intervals until the value corresponding to 4.8 per cent sevoflurane was achieved. The time to the onset and cessation of involuntary movements, loss of the palpebral reflex, negative response to tail-clamp stimulation, and endotracheal intubation and cardiopulmonary variables were measured. Both the treatments with tentanyl and midazolam resulted in a shorter and smoother induction of anaesthesia than treatment with saline, and the cardiopulmonary changes were smaller and milder.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC INTESTINAL HYPERECHOIC MUCOSAL STRIATIONS IN DOGS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH LACTEAL DILATION

In this retrospective study, the medical records of 23 dogs with the sonographic feature of small intestinal hyperechoic mucosal striations and an endoscopic or surgical intestinal biopsy were reviewed. Histopathologic lacteal dilation was present in 96% of dogs with mucosal striations. Sonographic findings associated with mucosal striations included: mild jejunal wall thickening (96%), mild duodenal wall thickening (78%), mucosal speckles (70%), and abdominal effusion (87%). The mucosal striations were diffuse (70%) or multifocal (30%) and did not cause loss of wall layering, except in one dog with a severe mural lipogranuloma. Mesenteric lymphadenopathy was identified in 9% of dogs. Thirteen dogs with endoscopic biopsies had mild to moderate villus lacteal dilation and the nine dogs with surgical biopsies had moderate to severe dilation. Inflammatory infiltrates were mild (61%) or moderate (30%) with variable numbers and combinations of cells, including eosinophils (65%), plasma cells (61%), lymphocytes (57%), and neutrophils (30%); one dog had disseminated villus histiocytic sarcoma. The biochemistry changes and clinical signs were consistent with protein-losing enteropathy in 78% of dogs. Hyperechoic mucosal striations in dogs are associated with lacteal dilation and are frequently associated with mucosal inflammation and protein losing enteropathy.     

实验性新城疫雏鸡免疫器官的病理学研究

给２８日龄伊莎雏鸡人工接种新城疫病毒后，应用常规病理学检验、细胞化学和免疫组化技术对免疫器官的病理学变化作了研究。接毒１２ｈ，法氏囊滤泡的髓质、胸腺小叶的髓质、脾白髓、盲肠扁桃体的淋巴小结及弥散淋巴组织的部分淋巴细胞和网状细胞首先出现核浓缩、胞浆固缩等坏死变化。接毒１～３ｄ（潜伏期），骨髓、法氏囊滤泡、胸腺小叶、脾白髓和红髓、盲肠扁桃体粘膜层及弥散淋巴组织的淋巴细胞、巨噬细胞和网状细胞发生核浓缩、碎裂、胞浆固缩，强嗜酸性等坏死变化。接毒４～６ｄ死亡病例，这些免疫器官的淋巴组织散在呈蜂窝状空泡结构坏死灶（法氏囊为滤泡坏死），进一步崩解成无结构嗜酸性颗粒状物质。这些坏死变化可作为雏鸡新城疫诊断的根据。     

Management of 60 cases of diaphragmatic rupture

Sixty cases of diaphragmatic rupture in the dog and cat were reviewed. There was a 90 per cent success rate following surgical repair. There were six deaths; two of these resulted from pulmonary collapse and hydrothorax, two cats from pulmonary oedema, one cat with cardiac arrest and one due to hepatic necrosis. In none of the deaths was the presence or absence of chest drains implicated. Apart from cases of gastric dilation, all animals benefited from 12 to 24 hours cage rest and stabilisation before surgery. Simple anaesthetic and surgical guidelines for the management of diaphragmatic rupture are described.     

Ability of a 5‐Minute Electrocardiography (ECG) for Predicting Arrhythmias in Doberman Pinschers with Cardiomyopathy in Comparison with a 24‐Hour Ambulatory ECG

Background: Ventricular premature contractions (VPCs) are common in the occult stage of cardiomyopathy in Doberman Pinschers. Although the gold standard for detecting arrhythmia is the 24‐hour ambulatory electrocardiography (ECG) (Holter), this method is more expensive, time‐consuming and often not as readily available as common ECG. Objectives: Comparison of 5‐minute ECGs with Holter examinations. Animals: Eight hundred and seventy‐five 5‐minute ECGs and Holter examinations of 431 Doberman Pinschers. Methods: Each examination included a 5‐minute ECG and Holter examination. A cut‐off value of >100 VPCs/24 hours using Holter was considered diagnostic for the presence of cardiomyopathy. Statistical evaluation included calculation of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. Results: Holter examinations revealed >100 VPCs/24 hours in 204/875 examinations. At least 1 VPC during a 5‐minute ECG was detected in 131 (64.2%) of these 204 examinations. No VPCs were found in the 5‐minute ECG in 73 (35.8%) examinations of affected Doberman Pinschers. A 5‐minute ECG with at least 1 VPC as cut‐off had a sensitivity of 64.2%, a specificity of 96.7%, a positive predictive value of 85.6% and a negative predictive value of 89.9% for the presence of >100 VPCs/24 hours. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: A 5‐minute ECG is a rather insensitive method for detecting arrhythmias in Doberman Pinschers. However, the occurrence of at least 1 VPC in 5 minutes strongly warrants further examination of the dog, because specificity (96.7%) and positive predictive value (85.6%) are high and could suggest occult cardiomyopathy.     

HISTOLOGICAL AGEING OF BRUISES IN LAMBS AND CALVES

SUMMARY Groups of 10-day-old calves and 5-month-old lambs were bruised 48 hours, 24 hours, 8 hours, or the instant before slaughter. By gross examination, 48-hour-old calf bruises had a characteristic red-yellow colouration, but other bruises could not be differentiated reliably. By microscopic examination, bruises of all ages could be differentiated by cellular criteria common to both species. Unlike fresh lesions, 8 hour bruises contained numerous neutrophils. Twenty-four hour old bruises contained equal numbers of macrophages and neutrophils and at 48 hours macrophages, fusiform cells and new capillaries were present in the damaged muscle. The criteria established in this study could be used to determine the ages of spontaneous bruises in abattoir carcases and so provide a basis for an investigation aimed at detection of the traumatic episode from which they result.     

Spontaneous resolution of hypothermia-induced atrial fibrillation in a dog

Objective: To report a case of spontaneous resolution of atrial fibrillation secondary to hypothermia in a dog without detectable heart disease. Case summary: An 8‐year‐old female spayed mixed breed dog presented with a history of prolonged exposure to below freezing environmental temperatures. The dog presented hypothermic (<32°C or <90°F) and minimally responsive to stimuli. The heart rate was 80 beats per minute (bpm) and irregular. Atrial fibrillation was diagnosed. The dog had pale mucous membranes, absent femoral pulses, and no obtainable blood pressure via indirect Doppler technique. Resuscitation fluids were administered and active external warming was instituted. Peripheral edema was observed during the rewarming phase and the irregular heart rate was noted to increase. The atrial fibrillation spontaneously resolved with no specific anti‐arrhythmic therapy. No underlying myocardial disease was found. The recovery of this dog was complete with a subsequent repeat of the echocardiogram and electrocardiogram (ECG) 8‐months later found to be within normal limits.     

Tetralogy of Fallot in a Young Ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

A 17-month-old albino, castrated male domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was presented for evaluation of a heart murmur. The murmur was first auscultated when the ferret was 12 weeks of age, coinciding with its first known evaluation by a veterinarian. At the time of diagnosis, the ferret was reported to have mild exercise intolerance. The clinical findings on the ferret were within normal limits other than a right parasternal systolic murmur (grade 4/6) that radiated to the left parasternal region. The ferret was not receiving any medications. All 4 features of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) were identified with echocardiography. Thoracic radiographs were suggestive of TOF with mild right-sided enlargement of the cardiac silhouette and small pulmonary vasculature. A serum biochemistry profile and complete blood count were within the reference ranges for domestic ferrets. At that time atenolol (3.25 mg, every 24 hours, orally) was prescribed to treat the clinical condition of the animal. At a 1-week follow-up examination, the patient's heart rate had decreased from 240-300 beats per minute to 180-260 beats per minute. The owner reported that the ferret was sleeping more frequently during the first week of therapy but had normal activity when awake. At a 5-month recheck examination, the patient was reported to be completely normal at home. This is the first case report of TOF in a ferret.     

Technical aspects of low 3H-thymidine incorporation by mitogen stimulated canine peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro

The value of [3H]-thymidine incorporation as a measurement for mitogen induced proliferation of dog peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) has been examined. The cells were cultured in RPMI 1640, enriched with 10% autologous plasma for 48 hours at 37 degrees C, 5% CO2 and 95% relative humidity. Under these conditions a great variability in [3H]-thymidine incorporation was observed. By analysis of CPM and number of activated cells (G1), it was found that comparable number of G1 cells were generated in human and dog PBL. Also, the membrane transport of thymidine was very similar for lymphocytes of the two species. Nevertheless, a low [3H]-thymidine incorporation by dog PBL was frequently seen, and this phenomenon could be related to a release of soluble substance(s) within the cultures. When the cultured cells were washed and resuspended in fresh medium immediately before pulsing, the expected CPM per G1 cell could be obtained. Since it has been described in the literature that macrophages can produce cold thymidine in macrophage enriched lymphocyte cultures, the in vitro response of non-adherent dog PBL was analyzed. Mitogen stimulation of such non-adherent cells resulted in CPM per G1 cells very similar to those obtained with washed cells. Based on these data, it is suggested that the production of cold thymidine might be one of the technical problems related to cultures of lectin stimulated dog PBL in vitro and it should be taken into consideration, if [3H]-thymidine incorporation is used as the only measure of lymphocyte proliferation.     

Seasonal and breed effects on reproductive parameters in bitches in the tropics: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the influence of season and breed on reproductive parameters in bitches raised under tropical climatic conditions. METHODS: Over a seven year period, from 1998 to 2004, 310 oestrous periods of 53 bitches were observed. The dogs were of various breeds; dobermann (number of bitches/number of oestrous cycles) (n=2/19), German shepherd dog (n=35/211), Labrador retriever (n=14/68) and Rottweiler (n=2/12). In 250 of the 310 oestrous periods, natural matings took place on days 9 and 11 after the onset of pro-oestrus. The whelping rate was analysed for bitches of each breed. Variables, including breed and the whelping rate, by month of the year, were used for analysis of the inter-oestrus interval, gestation length, total number of pups born, number of live pups born and the weight of the pups at birth. RESULTS: A low frequency of oestrous activity was found during the summer. Breeding dogs in the summer resulted in a low whelping rate. No difference (P>0.05) was seen in the whelping rate of each breed: dobermann (70.5 per cent), German shepherd dog (61.5 per cent), Labrador retriever (67.9 per cent) and Rottweiler (100 per cent). The Labrador retriever had a longer inter-oestrus interval (252 [114] and 190 [61] days) (P<0.01) and a larger litter size (8.2 [1.8] and 6.6 [2.8]) (P<0.05) than the German shepherd dog. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The environmental factors in summer tend to reduce oestrus incidence and fertility in the bitches. According to litter size, the Labrador retriever seems to have a more efficient reproductive performance than the German shepherd dog. The Labrador retriever had a longer inter-oestrus interval than the German shepherd dog.     

Impairment of neutrophil functions in a dog with an eosinophilic dermatosis.

An eosinophilic dermatosis was diagnosed in a dog with a multifocal distribution of pruritic, pustular and erosive lesions on the trunk. Ectoparasites, fungi and bacteria were not detected in the skin of the dog. At a subsequent admission to the university clinic, bacterial conjunctivitis and superficial pyoderma had developed. At a time when the dog received no medical therapy, evaluation of phagocytosis and chemotactic migration towards a variety of chemotactic factors revealed a general suppression of patient neutrophil responsiveness, as compared to a control dog. Viability of the patient's neutrophils was normal. It was proposed that deactivation of neutrophil functions occurred following exposure to suppressive factors from mast cells, or as a consequence of surface receptor down-regulation due to prolonged cell activation by as yet unknown stimulants. The observed susceptibility to infections in the dog suffering from a primary, sterile eosinophilic dermatosis may be related to impaired host defence against opportunistic microorganisms.     

Mixed Ehrlichia canis, Hepatozoon canis, and presumptive Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a dog

A 5-month-old, female, mongrel dog was admitted to the Clinic of Companion Animal Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, with depression, anorexia, fever, peripheral lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, oculonasal discharge, nonregenerative anemia, and mild thrombocytopenia. Cytology of Giemsa-stained buffy coat, bone marrow, and lymph node aspiration smears revealed numerous morulae in mononuclear leukocytes and in neutrophils, and Hepatozoon canis gamonts in neutrophils. The dog was seropositive to Ehrlichia canis (immunofluorescence assay [IFA]) and Hepatozoon canis (ELISA) but not to Anaplasma phagocytophilum (IFA). A nested polymerase chain reaction performed on bone marrow aspirates was positive for E canis. This method was not applied for the detection of A phagocytophilum. Treatment with doxycycline and imidocarb dipropionate resulted in both clinical and parasitologic cure. This is the first reported case of a mixed infection with E canis, H canis, and presumptive A phagocytophilum. The findings emphasize the value of cytology in offering a quick and inexpensive diagnosis in mixed tick-borne infections of dogs.     

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in a dog that was presented for neck wounds

A 12-year-old spayed female German shorthaired pointer dog sustained extensive bite wounds around the neck. At presentation, atrial fibrillation was identified with a rapid ventricular response rate of 300 beats per minute (bpm). The ventricular response rate rapidly decreased to 130 bpm following administration of hydromorphone and oxygen. Based on the rate, antiarrhythmic therapy was not initiated. The heart rhythm converted back to sinus rhythm by the time of the first recheck evaluation 2 days later, and the dog remained in sinus rhythm at all subsequent evaluations. With the resolution of the arrhythmia, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was suspected. The underlying etiology of the arrhythmia was not determined; however, imbalances in autonomic tone associated with trauma and/or direct trauma to the heart were hypothesized.Key clinical message:This report indicates a possible role of imbalances in autonomic tone due to trauma in the development of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and suggests that it should be a differential diagnostic consideration in patients with atrial fibrillation following trauma. Primary treatment of atrial fibrillation may not be needed in these cases if the ventricular response rate is not rapid, or if there is spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm.     

Survival rate and carcase downgrading after the stunning of broilers with carbon dioxide-argon mixtures.

As chickens may rapidly regain consciousness after gas stunning, the effects of a two minute exposure to a carbon dioxide-argon mixture on survival rate were investigated. Broilers were stunned in batches of 10 per transport crate with a mixture of 10, 20 or 30 per cent carbon dioxide in argon with 5 per cent residual oxygen. The birds were exposed to the gaseous atmosphere for two minutes. A control group of birds was electrically stunned (120 mA for four seconds; 50Hz sinusoidal waveform). In addition, the incidence of carcase downgrading conditions after stunning with 20 per cent or 30 per cent carbon dioxide in argon with 5 per cent residual oxygen was compared with the incidence after electrical stunning. The results showed that stunning with 10 and 20 per cent carbon dioxide in argon with 5 per cent residual oxygen resulted in survival rates of 24 and 1 per cent, respectively. Stunning with 30 per cent carbon dioxide in argon with 5 per cent residual oxygen resulted in the death of all the broilers. Electrical stunning resulted in a significantly (P less than 0.001) larger number of broilers with breast muscle haemorrhaging and broken furculum and coracoid bones, whereas stunning with gas mixtures resulted in a significantly (P less than 0.001) higher incidence of broilers with damaged wing bones. Electrical stunning of broilers resulted in a significantly higher pH in the breast muscles 20 minutes post mortem than stunning with carbon dioxide-argon mixtures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Botryoid nuclei in the peripheral blood of a dog with heatstroke

An EDTA‐anticoagulated blood sample collected from a 1.5‐year‐old, intact male, English Bulldog was submitted for a CBC. The CBC data and blood smear evaluation revealed borderline high hematocrit (54%, reference interval 37–55%), inappropriate rubricytosis, moderate leukopenia due to both mature neutropenia and lymphopenia, and mild thrombocytopenia. Numerous leukocytes showed evidence of karyolysis, pyknosis, and karyorhexis, and apoptotic bodies were frequent in the background. Many neutrophils had botryoid nuclei characterized by increased numbers of nuclear segments radially arranged with spoke‐like, delicate chromatin filaments connecting the segments centrally. The finding of botryoid nuclei and inappropriate rubricytosis was indicative of severe hyperthermia, such as heatstroke. The dog had been exercised a long time during conditions of high temperature and humidity until he collapsed. The dog was diagnosed with severe heatstroke, hypovolemic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. Despite aggressive treatment, the patient died of cardiopulmonary arrest. Botryoid nuclei are frequent in people with heatstroke. In the authors' experience, botryoid nuclei are seen commonly in dogs with heatstroke, but they have never been reported in veterinary medicine. The presence of petechiation with only mild thrombocytopenia and inappropriate rubricytosis also is suggestive of heatstroke and manifests ongoing life‐threatening vascular derangement.     

Cerebrospinal fluid from a 6-year-old dog with severe neck pain

A 6-year-old, intact female, Labrador Retriever/Terrier cross was presented to the University Veterinary Hospital, University College Dublin with a 3-week history of therapy-resistant cervical pain and intermittent fever. Physical examination findings included marked cervical pain resulting in neck extension and vocalization. Examination of the CSF revealed mild pleocytosis (total nucleated cells = 0.009 x 10(9)/L, reference interval <0.005 x 10(9)/L). Cytocentrifuged preparations of the CSF were of low cellularity, containing predominantly macrophages and occasional small lymphocytes. Several small- to medium-sized fragments of a slightly granular, amorphous, eosinophilic substance were observed. The majority of mononuclear cells were located within this material, in small groups of 3-13 cells. The amorphous foamy material stained positive with Luxol fast blue, suggestive of myelin-like material. The dog was euthanized and postmortem examination revealed intervertebral disk protrusion between C2 and C3. Hematoxylin- and Luxol fast blue-stained histopathologic sections of brain and spinal cord revealed only mild hemorrhage. The extracellular material in the CSF of this dog may have been caused by myelin degeneration or leakage of phospholipids from damaged cells. Because no histologic evidence of demyelination was observed with the disk extrusion, the myelin-like material in this case was thought to be the product of phospholipid breakdown from damaged cellular membranes. Three cases of dogs with spinal cord disease and myelin-like material in the CSF have been reported previously. The clinical significance of this finding is still unknown.