Multiple tooth resorption in an Italian greyhound

An Italian greyhound was presented three times during a two-year period for dental prophylaxis due to periodontal disease. Clinical examination revealed lesions on several teeth. Radiographs revealed extensive resorptive root lesions. On histological examination, the presence of odontoclasts and signs of boney remodeling of the roots confirmed the resorptive nature of the lesions. Given the extent of the lesions, and poor prognosis with conservative treatment alone, teeth affected by the most severe resorption were extracted at each visit using a flap technique combined with alveolar vestibular osteotomy. Dental resorptive lesions are rarely detected in the dog but may be more frequent than previously thought. The routine use of dental radiographs can be used to reveal these lesions in the dog.     

Multisystemic granulomatous inflammation in a horse

A one-year-old Thoroughbred filly was examined because of poor body condition and reluctance to move its neck. Complete blood count revealed leukocytosis (15,700 WBC/microliters) and hyperproteinemia (8 g/dl). Radiography of the cervical vertebrae revealed multifocal lesions of bone lysis surrounded by zones of sclerosis. The horse was euthanatized and necropsied. Granulomatous lesions were identified in the heart, spleen, lungs, bones, and lymph nodes. The multifocal granulomatous inflammatory lesions in this horse were suggestive of mycobacteriosis.     

Granulomatous nephritis and meningoencephalomyelitis caused by Halicephalobus gingivalis in a pony gelding

A ten-year-old Shetland pony gelding showed low appetite, ataxia, peculiar swaying, clouding of consciousness, and ultimately died. At necropsy, multiple coalescing granulomatous foci were detected in the kidneys, and small necrotic lesions were found in the cerebellum. Histologic examination of the renal tissue sections revealed extensive granuloma, and Halicephalobus gingivalis-like nematodes were seen. Similar nematodes were found in the granulomatous or necrotic lesions of the renal lymph nodes and cerebellum, and were also frequently detected in cerebrospinal meningovascular lesions. Morphologic features together with partial ribosomal RNA gene sequences of the nematodes in the lesions revealed that they were H. gingivalis. The present results indicated that H. gingivalis caused granulomatous nephritis and meningoencephalomyelitis in this pony gelding.     

Pyogranulomatous typhlitis and hepatitis of market turkeys.

Pyogranulomatous lesions in the liver and cecum were observed in groups of 7-to-8-week-old market turkeys. Necropsy revealed multifocal lesions in the liver and the presence of cecal cores that, in some cases, distended the cecum to the point of rupture. Mortality was associated with the ruptured ceca. Two successive flocks also succumbed to these lesions. An epizootiological study was performed to determine the cause and/or initiation of lesions leading to the formation of cecal cores.     

Osteosarcoma in adjacent lumbar vertebrae in a dog

An 8-year-old male Belgian Malinois was referred for evaluation of progressive caudal paresis of 2 to 3 weeks' duration. Radiography revealed a mottled appearance to the body of L4 and misshapen intervertebral foramen at L4-L5. Myelography revealed that the dye column terminated within the body of L4. Computed tomography revealed a soft tissue mass adjacent to or involving the spinal cord and L4, with complete destruction of a portion of the floor of the vertebral foramen. Small circular lesions were also noticed within the body of L3 and L5. A left-sided hemilaminectomy was performed. Histologic examination of a biopsy specimen revealed a high-grade sarcoma. Because of the poor prognosis, the dog was euthanatized. Necropsy examination revealed osteosarcoma, with lesions in L3 to L7, the sacrum, and the lungs. Metastatic lesions in adjacent bones have been termed skip metastases and the primary tumor is typically in long bones. Prognosis associated with skip metastases is similar to or even graver than that associated with pulmonary metastases. In the dog of the present report, the unusual finding of distinct foci of osteosarcoma within 5 adjacent lumbar vertebrae and the sacrum was consistent with skip metastases, potentially spread via the vertebral venous plexus.     

Characterization of a novel papillomavirus species (ZcPV1) from two California sea lions (Zalophus californianus)

A seven-year old California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) presented with focally extensive, bilaterally symmetric, proliferative axillary skin lesions and preputial lesions. A second California sea lion in the same population presented with similar proliferative lesions on the underside of the tail. Histopathology revealed epidermal hyperplasia with severe hyperkeratosis, with proliferating keratinocytes forming broad, branching pegs that extended into the dermis. Pan-papillomaviral consensus PCR was used to obtain initial E1 sequence template and the complete genome was determined using a combination of rolling circle amplification and specific-primer PCR. Analysis revealed a novel papillomavirus, Zalophus californianus papillomavirus 1 (ZcPV1), with seven open reading frames encoding five early proteins (E6, E7, E1, E2 and E4) and two late proteins (L1 and L2). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that (ZcPV1) is most closely related to Equine papillomavirus 1 (EcPV1) in the genus Zetapapillomavirus, and Canine papillomaviruses 3 and 4 (CPV3, CPV4) in the genus Chipapillomavirus. The lesions regressed without intervention over a period of several months.     

Necrotising encephalitis in a French bulldog

A 20-month-old, female French bulldog was presented with a three-month history of generalised seizures and progressive ataxia with occasional falling over on either side. Neurological examination revealed signs, suggesting a multifocal intracranial lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed two connected lesions on the left side of the caudal brainstem and a further lesion in the cerebrum. The dog was euthanased, and histopathological examination revealed lesions which closely resembled those of necrotising encephalitis in Yorkshire terriers. This is the first case describing this type of necrotising encephalitis in a French bulldog.     

A cardiac rhabdomyoma in a Guinea pig

A guinea pig (9-week-old) that had been placed in a control group for a pharmacological test was found to have a single nodule on the surface of the right ventricular wall. In a transverse section of the heart after fixation, a whitish mass was found that extended from the subendocardium to the subepicardium of the right ventricular wall. Histopathological examination revealed a spongy network consisting of vacuolated spaces in the myocardium of the right ventricle extending to the myocardium and subepicardium of the right atrium. The vacuolated space was PAS-positive. Immunohistochemical examinations revealed that the lesions contained striated fibers that were positive for anti-desmin and anti-myoglobin. Electron micrographs revealed the lesions resulting in affected striated muscle fibers and accumulations of many glycogen granules. Based on the findings, the lesions were diagnosed as a cardiac rhabdomyoma. This is the first report of application of immunohistochemical examinations to diagnosis of cardiac rhabdomyoma in the guinea pig.     

Suspected Reticuloendotheliosis in Turkeys with Cutaneous Lesions Reminiscent of Fowl Pox

Twelve turkeys from a flock of 2,500 had cutaneous lesions somewhat resembling fowl pox. Lymphoid-like tumors were evident in livers and spleens. Closer examination of cutaneous lesions, and histopathological examinations indicated skin lesions were also infiltrative and not unlike reticuloendotheliosis. Electron micrographs revealed the presence of C-type virus particles.     

Cutaneous metastases of a mammary carcinoma in a llama

An 8-year-old, female llama was evaluated for nonhealing, ulcerative, cutaneous lesions, which also involved the mammary gland. Biopsies of the lesions distant from and within the mammary gland area revealed an aggressive carcinoma. The tumor was confirmed at necropsy to be a mammary gland adenocarcinoma with cutaneous metastasis.     

Suspected primary glioblastoma multiforme in the canine spinal cord

An eight‐year‐old mixed‐breed dog was presented with progressive paraparesis. Neurological examination revealed a painful diffuse lesion between spinal cord segments T3 and L3. Magnetic resonance images displayed multi‐focal contrast enhancing spinal cord and meningeal lesions. Cytology of these lesions revealed a malignant tumour prompting euthanasia of the dog. Histopathology confirmed the cytological diagnosis and a final diagnosis of a glioblastoma multiforme was made based on immunohistochemistry.     

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) in a Spitz dog

A 3-year-old, female Spitz, was presented due to lack of response to therapies with a 6-month history of skin lesions characterized by diffuse erythema and scaling on the dorsal trunk. Physical examination revealed the dog was active and healthy. Skin culture isolated no fungus. Histological examination of skin biopsy specimens revealed interface dermatitis with hydropic degeneration of the basal layers, predominant plasmacytic perivascular accumulation in the dermis, and intensive plasma cell-rich interface mural folliculitis. Moderate CD3-positive lymphocytes infiltrated the superficial dermis. This report may provide unique information of canine discoid lupus erythematosus in an unusual breed with atypical cutaneous lesions.     

Multiple congenital epitrichial sweat gland hamartomas in a piglet

A case of multiple congenital epitrichial sweat gland hamartomas in a 2-day-old piglet is presented. The skin lesions were raised, ovoid to linear in configuration, alopecic, red-purple to pink, and cauliflower-like to cerebriform in appearance. Histological examination of skin specimens confirmed a diagnosis of epitrichial sweat gland hamartoma. Complete necropsy examination revealed no other lesions.     

Nodular granulomatous glossitis as the sole clinical sign in canine leishmaniosis

A 5.5‐year‐old, intact male Rottweiler dog was admitted with a history of multifocal nodular tongue lesions which progressively deteriorated during the previous year. Physical examination revealed several reddish nodules with central depression on the surface of the tongue in an otherwise healthy dog. Clinicopathologic abnormalities included eosinophilia and hyperproteinemia. Lingual nodule cytopathology, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry revealed Leishmania spp. amastigotes and a severe granulomatous glossitis. The dog was also seroreactive to L infantum antigens by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. Clinical reevaluation 3 months after the institution of treatment with allopurinol and miltefosine indicated that the nodular lesions had completely regressed. In endemic areas, lingual nodular lesions may rarely be the sole clinical sign of canine leishmaniosis. Standard medical treatment may provide an excellent prognosis.     

Cutaneous habronemiasis in horses and domestic donkeys (Equus asinus asinus)

Cutaneous habronemiasis in 15 horses and 5 donkeys is described. The lesions were distributed in many parts of the body involving the medial canthus, shoulder and pectoral regions, knee and fetlock joints, abdominal wall and prepuce. Some animals had more than one lesion. The lesions were ulcerative and filled with soft light red granulation tissue. When curretted, the deeper layers revealed a dense fibrous tissue with calcified foci. Close examination of the lesions showed that the superficial layer of this dense fibrous tissue contained small caseated and necrotic foci. The same features prevailed in lesions involving the muscular areas, but the deeper layers consisted of a dense granuloma with no evidence of cicatrization. Curretted material digested in potassium hydroxide revealed fragments of larvae of the nematode suggestive of Draschia or Habronema. The histopathological changes were severe and comprised: necrotic foci in a dense fibrous stroma infiltrated with eosinophils, macrophages and few giant cells. Sections of the larvae surrounded by eosinophils were encountered in lesions of the muscular areas. Curretting and excision of the lesion were effective and produced complete healing of the wound by scar tissue formation.     

Isolation of Microsporum vanbreuseghemii from skin lesions of a dog

Routine examination of a 12-week-old Labrador Retriever revealed circular scaly lesions, with alopecia, on the lateral aspect of the left carpus and left upper eyelid. The geophilic fungus Microsporum vanbreuseghemii was isolated from the lesions. Topical treatment with chlorhexidine ointment resulted in resolution, with hair regrowth.     

Poxvirus in farmed Nile crocodiles

In an outbreak of wart-like skin lesions in nine-month-old farmed Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) the lesions were especially common on the head and neck but occurred on all parts of the body except the tail. Eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were present in epithelial cells and further examination of the lesions by transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of a poxvirus. An autogenous vaccine was produced from material from the lesions and in six vaccinated crocodiles the lesions healed more quickly than in unvaccinated controls.     

Bacillus piliformis infection in an adult dog

Bacillus piliformis infection (Tyzzer's disease) was diagnosed in a 7-year-old spayed dog that had icterus, hepatosplenomegaly, and polyuria. Hematology revealed regenerative anemia, leukocytosis, lymphopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Serum chemical analyses indicated hypocalcemia, high alkaline phosphatase activity, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperglobulinemia. At necropsy, the liver was stippled with gray-white focal lesions. Microscopically, the liver lesions were necrotic and inflammatory. Warthin-Starry-stained sections revealed rod-shaped bacteria in crisscrossing patterns characteristic of B piliformis. This dog was considerably older than dogs previously reported to have Tyzzer's disease and had a concurrent systemic hyphomycosis, suggesting it had been immunocompromised.