Exploration of a third degree atrioventricular block by standard echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging, and treatment with a cardiac pacemaker in a German wire-haired pointer

A nine-year-old intact male Drathaar was evaluated for syncope and extreme weakness, and was found to have a third degree atrioventricular (AV) block. As there were no biochemic, serologic, organic (thoracic radiographs, abdominal echography, standard and tissue Doppler echocardiographies) and histologic (interventricular septum biopsy) anomalies, the dog was treated with a permanently implanted cardiac pacemaker.     

Suspected pituitary apoplexy in a German shorthaired pointer

Pituitary apoplexy is a syndrome which has been described in humans caused by acute haemorrhage or infarction within a pituitary tumour or a non-tumorous pituitary gland. This report describes the authors' observations of a dog in which vomiting, visual disturbances, seizures, altered consciousness and diencephalic dysfunction occurred in association with haemorrhage originating from a pituitary macroadenoma. The clinical signs were thought to be consistent with disruption of the hypothalamus and brainstem, together with raised intracranial pressure due to intraventricular haemorrhage. These signs, and the pathological findings, bear a striking resemblance to those associated with the syndrome of pituitary apoplexy, seen in humans.     

Polymyositis in two German wirehaired pointer littermates

Two cases of polymyositis in German wirehaired pointer littermates are described. The seven-month-old dogs were presented with a history of acute vomiting, weakness and drooling from the mouth. Examination of the dogs disclosed muscle weakness, dysphagia, megaoesophagus, elevated serum muscle enzyme levels and abnormal electromyographic and muscle biopsy findings. Both dogs were treated with prednisolone and made a complete recovery. The dam, and two littermates, were also examined, but no signs of polymyositis were seen in these.     

Anticonvulsant responsive, episodic movement disorder in a German shorthaired pointer

An episodic movement disorder is described in a young German shorthaired pointer. Movement disorders are rare, but well-described, neurological conditions in human beings. An attempt is made to classify this disorder using current human guidelines. Unlike previously described movement disorders in dogs, this case responded very well to two commonly used anticonvulsant therapies, suggesting that trial therapy with these drugs is worthwhile in similar cases.     

Necrotising sialoadenitis in a wire-haired fox terrier

Bilateral mandibular salivary gland infarction was diagnosed in a young mature wire-haired fox terrier with a protracted history of drooling, loss of appetite, retching and vomiting. The signs were not alleviated following surgical removal of the glands. Despite supportive therapy, the animal's condition did not improve and it was killed. Histologically the enlarged affected salivary glands were almost entirely necrotic and there was evidence of reactive inflammation peripherally. The necrosis was interpreted as being due to ischaemia. The only other significant pathological findings were compensatory hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the parotid salivary glands.     

Salivary gland necrosis in a wire-haired fox terrier

A 2%year-old wire-haired fox terrier had a 2-month history of inappetance, gagging, retching, regurgitation and vomiting associated with bilateral necrosis of the mandibular salivary glands. Surgical removal of the glands did not greatly improve the demeanor of the dog, or alleviate the regurgitation and vomiting. Euthanasia was recommended because of the failure to respond to supportive therapy. The affected glands were enlarged and showed infarction with peripheral reactive inflammation. Compensatory hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the parotid salivary glands were the only other significant pathological findings. No explanation for the vomiting could be found.     

Histological diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA in a wire-haired dachshund

A four-year-old wire-haired dachshund developed progressive neurological signs of ataxia, intention tremor and finally dysuria. Two years later, histopathology showed that neurons throughout the brain and spinal cord were distended with lipopigment which was also present in macrophages. Ultrastructurally, the pigment in the neurons occurred predominantly as electron-dense membranous whorls and stacks. There were a few vacuolated macrophages in the meninges. Hepatocytes were highly vacuolated and electron microscopy suggested that they were empty membrane-bound vesicles. The disease was diagnosed as mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA because of its similarity to other biochemically confirmed cases in the same breed and in a New Zealand huntaway dog. Additional lesions included calcium oxalate uroliths, severe secondary calcification of tissues including the brain and storage deposits in some neurons, and lesions which may have been associated with high levels of the substrate, heparan sulphate.     

Chronic cystitis with ossification of the bladder wall in a 6-month-old German shepherd dog

Ossification of the bladder wall, detected radiographically as a nonhomogeneous radiopaque area in the cranioventral part of the bladder in a puppy, is reported. We speculate that chronic inflammation due to the presence of uroliths in the lumen may have stimulated a metaplastic transformation of the cells.     

Bilateral hydroureter and hydronephrosis in a nine-year-old female German shepherd dog

A nine-year-old female German shepherd dog was presented in severe renal failure. Clinical and ultrasonographic examination revealed the presence of adrenal neoplasia, bilateral hydroureter and hydronephrosis but no evidence of urolithiasis or bladder neoplasia. In the absence of anuria, therapy for the renal failure was attempted but the azotaemia did not improve. Remarkably, bilateral hydroureter appeared to have been induced by a past routine surgical procedure--ovariohysterectomy.     

Eosinophilic keratitis in a horse

In this case report a 20-year-old horse with unilateral eosinophilic keratitis is presented. The occurrence, clinical symptoms, histological findings and treatment of this ocular disorder are described and discussed against the background of relevant literature. Local administration of 0.1% dexamethason was successful.