Disseminated intravascular coagulation in dogs with aflatoxicosis

During an outbreak of aflatoxicosis in dogs living in Sao Paulo, two cases of disseminated intravascular coagulation were observed in association with the ingestion of an aflatoxin contaminated dog food. The first dog, a four-year-old, male, German shepherd developed haematemesis, melaena, petechial haemorrhages and jaundice progressing to uraemia, encephalopathy and death. The second dog, an 11-month-old, female, basset hound showed jaundice and ascites with no obvious haemor-rhagic signs, except the persistence of bleeding at the sites of venepunctures and petechiae on the oral mucosa. As overall signs deteriorated and evolved to uraemia, the dog was killed. Both had a prolonged whole blood clotting time (120 and 12 minutes), one stage prothrombin time (300 and 24 seconds) and activated partial thromboplastin time (320 and 180 seconds), reduction in the plasma fibrinogen (0–14 g/litre and 0–6 g/litre), thrombocytopenia (150 × 10⁹/litre and 32 × 10⁹/litre) and a positive protamine sulphate test, indicating the presence of fibrin monomers. The occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation was confirmed by the observation of multiple areas of infection in kidney and lung and by the presence of fibrin clots inside pulmonary vessels.     

Disseminated intravascular coagulation complicating aflatoxicosis in dogs

An outbreak of chronic liver disease was investigated in a kennel of dogs. Anorexia, depression, polyuria, polydipsia, icterus and a terminal hemorrhagic diathesis were noted in clinically affected dogs. Thrombocytopenia, hypofibrinogenemia, elevated fibrinogen degradation products and prolonged activated partial thrombosplastin times (PTT) and one-stage prothrombin times (PT) were associated with the hemorrhagic crisis. Aflatoxicosis was confirmed by the presence of significant levels of aflatoxicosis was confirmed by the presence of significant levels of aflatoxin B in the commercial dog food being fed. A subacute hepatitis was found on necropsy. Disseminated intravascular coagulation was suspected as the cause of the hemorrhage in these cases and treatment was instituted.     

Pathological changes in kidneys of dogs with natural Leishmania infection.

A study was made of the nephropathy in canine leishmaniasis produced in ten adult dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum. Renal function analyses were performed (uraemia, creatinaemia, plasma proteins, biochemistry and urinary sediment), the humoral immune response (fluorescent antibodies and levels of serum IgG, IgM and IgA) was assessed and histopathological studies were carried out. Correlation of the results showed acute renal insufficiency which was reversible in two animals (endotheliomesangial glomerulonephritis) and irreversible in four cases corresponding to glomerulonephritis in its Type I and Type II proliferative forms; extensive increase in the glomerular basal membrane, proliferation of mesangial cells and growth of the mesangial matrix were observed, as was a widespread incidence of immune complex deposits. Two animals showed chronic renal insufficiency. Lack of renal changes (minimal-changes glomerulonephritis) in two dogs was accounted for in one animal by an almost complete absence of symptoms and in the other by chronic viscerocutaneous symptoms; neither showed more than a slight immunoglobulin response.     

Accidental fatal aflatoxicosis due to contaminated commercial diet in 50 dogs

Aflatoxins, produced by Aspergillus spp., are toxic contaminants of stored grain. This study describes 50 dogs presented with foodborne aflatoxicosis. Common clinical signs included lethargy (78%), vomiting (76%), anorexia (74%), icterus (66%), depression (66%), melena (60%), haematuria (36%) and diarrhoea (36%). Common laboratory abnormalities included increased activities of aspartate aminotransferase (86%), alkaline phosphatase (84%) and alanine aminotransferase (79%), hypoantithrombinaemia (86%), prolonged prothrombin (PT, 82%) and activated partial thromboplastin times (aPTT, 80%), hyperbilirubinaemia (73%), hypocholesterolaemia (60%) hypoalbuminemia (47%) and thrombocytopenia (42%). Non-survivors had longer PT and aPTT and lower antithrombin (P<0.001) at presentation compared to survivors (23.8s vs.10.5; 37.9 vs.17.6s and 5% vs. 54%, respectively). Hyperbilirubinaemia (>56.6 μmol/L) and albumin concentration <32.5 g/L at presentation were risk factors for mortality (P<0.0001). Common complications included disseminated intravascular coagulation (58%), hepatic encephalopathy (35%) and acute kidney injury (4%). The mortality rate was 68%, suggesting that dogs with aflatoxicosis have poor prognosis.     

Pathological findings in dogs naturally infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Fifty-six dogs from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, were evaluated for Angiostrongylus vasorum infection. Small numbers of nematodes were found within pulmonary arteries of 6 dogs. Larvae were identified in fecal samples in 2 of 6 dogs. All 6 dogs had multifocal granulomatous pneumonia and sometimes foci of chronic thrombosis, which varied from very mild to severe. One dog had extensive pulmonary lesions resulting in cor pulmonale. Right heart failure was characterized by right ventricular hypertrophy, hepatic congestion, ascites, and hydrothorax. Microscopically, in most cases, eggs, larvae, and sometimes intravascular adults, were present within lung tissue sections. Small foci of granulomatous inflammation with and without larvae were present in kidney and brain in 4 dogs. An additional dog, diagnosed antemortem with angiostrongylosis via fecal examination, was also examined. Pathological findings consisted of severe pyogranulomatous interstitial pneumonia with myriad eggs, larvae, and numerous intravascular pulmonary adult nematodes with extensive arterial thrombosis. Five hundred and seventy-two adult worms were removed from pulmonary arteries. Foci of granulomatous inflammation, often associated with larvae and/or eggs, were present in tracheobronchial lymph nodes, adrenal gland, brain, and kidneys. Severe seizuring noted antemortem was attributed to several large, discrete areas of acute hemorrhagic infarction within the cerebrum and cerebellum. Natural A. vasorum infection in domestic dogs in eastern Newfoundland causes lung pathology of variable severity, which in some cases, may progress to cor pulmonale and which may be associated with extrapulmonary lesions and clinical signs.     

Endoscopic and bacteriological findings in a chronic outbreak of strangles

Recently there has been increased awareness of the role of the carrier state in propagating Streptococcus equi var equi (S equi) infections (strangles), although the anatomical location of the organisms in chronic carriers has not been consistently established. This case report describes a chronic strangles outbreak in a riding school, that was monitored over six months by repeated clinical and endoscopic guttural pouch examinations. All asymptomatic horses that had positive S equi cultures on nasal swabs or guttural pouch lavages were found to have lesions in their guttural pouches. These lesions included empyema, chondroids and previously undescribed chronic discharging lesions on the floor of the medical compartment of the guttural pouches. These observations further support previous studies indicating the importance of investigating the guttural pouches in horses suspected to be asymptomatic carriers of this organism.     

An outbreak of lead poisoning in dogs

SUMMARY An outbreak of lead toxicosis in working dogs on a sheep farm is described. The affected dogs exhibited neurological signs which appeared to be initiated by straineous physical activity. Radiological examination and estimation of urinary delta aminolevolonic acid (U-ALA) was not found to be useful for clinical diagnosis but blood lead estimation was helpful in detecting and confirming dogs that were exposed to lead. Gross pathological lesions were absent in a lead poisoned dog. However, histopathological lesions were seen in brain and bone. Acid-fast lead inclusion were not detected in liver and kidney epithelial cells but were present in osteoclasts.     

Pathological findings in lentivirus infected cats

This report describes the necropsy findings in 3 cats with a natural T-lymphotropic Lentivirus (FTLV) infection. The changes are compared with the "immunodeficiency syndrome" of humans and monkeys. Furthermore, the pathogenicity of the FTLV and the significance of a dual infection with FTLV and Spumavirus is discussed.     

Diskospondylitis in a kennel of dogs: clinicopathologic findings

Selected aspects pertaining to the cause and pathogenesis of diskospondylitis were investigated in a kennel of 45 Airedale Terriers. Diskospondylitis was detected via spinal radiography in 17 male and 14 female dogs. Bacteria isolated from the coat, vagina, and urine of affected Airedales were not statistically different from those isolated from clinically normal Airedales. Serologic evidence of Brucella canis infection was not detected. There was no difference in response to thyrotropin stimulation tests between affected and clinically normal dogs. Necropsy findings in affected dogs included hypercellular renal glomeruli and pulmonary arterial thrombi.     

Protective effects of Urtica dioica seed extract in aflatoxicosis: histopathological and biochemical findings

1. The ameliorative potential and antioxidant capacity of an extract of Urtica dioica seeds (UDS) was investigated using histopathological changes in liver and kidney, measuring serum marker enzymes, antioxidant defence systems and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde (MDA)) content in various tissues of broilers exposed to aflatoxin (AF).

2. A total of 32 broilers were divided randomly into 4 groups: control, UDS extract-treated, AF-treated and AF+UDS extract-treated. Broilers in control and UDS extract-treated groups were fed on a diet without AF. The AF-treated group and AF+UDS extract-treated groups were treated with an estimated 1 mg total AF/kg feed. The AF+UDS extract groups received in addition 30 ml UDS extract/kg diet for 21 d.

3. The AF-treated group had significantly decreased body weight gain when compared to the other groups.

4. Biochemical analysis showed a small increase in the concentrations of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase and lactate dehydrogenase in the AF-treated group compared to that of the control group, whereas concentrations of these enzymes were decreased in the AF+UDS group compared to that of the AF-treated group.

5. Administration of supplementary UDS extract helped restore the AF-induced increase in MDA and reduced the antioxidant system towards normality, particularly in the liver, brain, kidney and heart. Hepatorenal protection by UDS extracts was further supported by the almost normal histology in AF+UDS extract-treated group as compared to the degenerative changes in the AF-treated broilers.

6. It was concluded that UDS extract has a protective hepatorenal effect in broilers affected by aflatoxicosis, probably acting by promoting the antioxidative defence systems.

     

Treatment with toltrazuril in a natural outbreak of coccidiosis in calves

Treatment with toltrazuril (Baycox) in calves naturally infected with several enteropathogenic agents resulted in a reduction in the mean number of Eimeria oocysts shed. The mean faecal consistency for the treated calves also differed significantly from that of the untreated calves. There was virtually no difference in weight gain in the two groups.     

一例犬脑积水的病理学观察

以自然发病的1只幼犬作为研究对象,经CT检查诊断为脑积水,然后对其进行剖检,并取其脑组织进行病理组织学观察。结果显示病犬侧脑室中有大量红褐色积液,大脑实质严重萎缩,小脑无明显异常。残留脑实质常规石蜡切片(HE染色)显示:大脑皮质充血,血管内皮细胞肿胀,大量炎性细胞浸润,神经细胞肿胀,尼氏小体消失,噬神经现象等。     

Pathological findings indicative of distemper in European seals

The first recorded cases of the recent epizootic were harbour seals observed at the Danish island of Anholt, 12 April 1988. The disease then spread throughout the sea waters of north-western Europe. The total mortality in Europe up to November 1988, was estimated to be at least 17,000 seals. The mortality rate in Danish-Swedish waters was about 60%. Autopsies including sampling for histology of most organs were performed on 37 harbour seals and 12 grey seals, collected mainly at the Swedish west coast and in the southern Baltic. In most of the harbour seals and in three of the grey seals we found histological changes in the upper and lower respiratory tracts, in the lower urinary tract and in the lymphatic system consistent with those diagnostic of distemper viral infection in the canine. These diagnostic criteria were: presence of intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies of epithelial cells of the trachea and the urinary bladder, interstitial pneumonia, and atrophy of lymphatic organs due to depletion of lymphocytes. Our findings in pathology of a canine distemper-like disease in the seals were presented in late August 1988, together with the Dutch findings in virology by Dr. Osterhaus and collaborators.