Cryptosporidiosis in a pup

Cryptosporidiosis is a coccidian parasitism which has been implicated as a cause of diarrhea in man and a variety of animals. Cryptosporidiosis was diagnosed in a one-week-old pup which had a history of acute diarrhea. Organisms, 2 to 3 mm in diameter, covered the microvillous border of intestinal epithelium. Ultrastructurally, the cryptosporidia had one or more nuclei with prominent nucleoli and abundant cytoplasmic endoplasmic reticulum. Cryptosporidia may have played a role in the enteritis seen in this pup but further studies are needed to establish its pathogenicity.     

Cryptococcosis in a pup

Disseminated cryptococcosis was diagnosed as the cause of death of a 2-week-old pup. Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated from the dam's vaginal discharge, but not from the dam's milk, blood, feces, or environment. During succeeding months, C neoformans was isolated repeatedly from the dam's vagina, even though vaginitis was not evident. One year after the death of the 2-week-old pup, cryptococci could not be isolated from the dam's vagina, and evidence of cryptococcosis was not detected in pups of the dam's next litter. This case was unusual because cryptococcosis has been reported previously only in dogs 11 months or older and because the source of the pup's infection may have been the dam rather than the environment.     

Neosporosis in a pup

CASE: A 13-week-old female boxer pup was found to be suffering from rigidity of the left hindleg. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment over a 3-week period failed to improve the condition and the pup was humanely killed. METHODS: Serological examination for Neospora antibodies was carried out by the indirect fluorescent antibody test and for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies with a latex agglutination test. A variety of tissues were examined histologically, and the central nervous system by immunohistochemistry and the polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The IFAT for anti-Neospora antibodies showed a titre of 1:51 200 in the clinically affected pup while the latex agglutination test for Toxoplasma antibodies was negative. The dam and one of two tested litter-mates had anti-Neospora IFAT titres of 1:1600, the other litter mate was negative. All three were not clinically affected. Histological, immunohistochemical and polymerase chain reaction examinations of the affected pup confirmed the diagnosis of Neospora infection. CONCLUSION: In the live animal, serological examination is thought to be the most useful specific test. Post-mortem examination by traditional histology, immunohistochemistry and the polymerase chain reaction confirmed the diagnosis. The case is discussed in the context of present knowledge about Neospora infection in New Zealand.     

Hypoadrenocorticism in a kindred of Pomeranian dogs

Three adult Pomeranian dogs, full siblings from 2 litters, were diagnosed with primary hypoadrenocorticism following onset of hypoadrenal crisis. Review of the family history revealed the dogs’ maternal grandmother also had hypoadrenocorticism. All 4 dogs were pedigree-certified by the American Kennel Club. An inherited basis for hypoadrenocorticism is proposed in these Pomeranian dogs.     

Primary ureteral giant cell sarcoma in a Pomeranian

An 8-year-old male neutered Pomeranian dog was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Oregon State University for surgical treatment of hydronephrosis of the left kidney and a left cranial abdominal mass. A primary ureteral mass was found during exploratory surgery, and the mass was resected and ureteral anastomosis was performed. Cytologic evaluation of the mass revealed 3 distinct cell populations, including a large number of multinucleated giant cells, a moderate number of thin spindle-shaped cells, and cohesive clusters of transitional epithelial cells. The cytologic diagnosis was giant cell sarcoma. The diagnosis was confirmed by histologic examination, and immunohistochemical staining was performed. The spindle-shaped cells and multinucleated giant cells were both immunoreactive for vimentin and spindle-shaped cells for S-100. Tumor cells did not express wide-spectrum cytokeratin, broad-spectrum muscle actin, smooth muscle actin, sarcomeric actin, desmin, BLA36, Mac 387, synaptophysin, neuron-specific enolase, glial fibrillary acid protein, or von Willebrand factor. These findings are most consistent with an anaplastic sarcoma with giant cells. This is the first case report of a primary ureteral giant cell sarcoma in a dog.     

Neuroaxonal dystrophy in a rottweiler pup

An 8-month-old Rottweiler pup was evaluated for neurologic disorder. Clinical signs included ataxia, hypermetria of all 4 limbs, intention tremors of the head, lack of a menace reflex bilaterally, and mild proprioceptive deficits. The pup was euthanatized because of the progressive nature of the disease. Histopathologic findings consisted of decreased numbers of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum and moderate numbers of axonal spheroids in the nucleus cuneatus. This latter finding confirmed the diagnosis of neuroaxonal dystrophy.     

Congenital cerebrospinal hypomyelinogenesis in a pup

One of 8 highly inbred Dalmatian pups was born with generalized body tremors, which interfered with the pup's ability to suckle, walk, and maintain sternal recumbency. The pup's head, neck, and limbs oscillated rhythmically when it attempted to perform any motor function. The pup was euthanatized at 8 weeks of age, after it became apparent that the disorder was likely to be permanent. The histologic diagnosis was cerebrospinal hypomyelinogenesis.     

Bilateral microphthalmos with cyst in a neonatal foal

A 1‐day–old miniature horse filly was presented to the University of Florida Veterinary Ophthalmology service for evaluation of multiple ocular anomalies which were present from birth. Protruding from the right orbit was a large, fluctuant, red, dry and variably ulcerated mass. A globe could not be appreciated clinically in the left orbit. Ocular ultrasound of both orbits was performed. This revealed a lobular, hypo‐echoic structure filling the right orbit, with multiple hyperechoic septations; normal ocular structures were not identified. Ultrasound of the left orbit revealed a microphthalmic eye, with a well‐defined, hyperechoic structure in the vitreous that was thought to be the lens. Due to irreversible blindness, the foal was humanely euthanized. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of the orbital contents revealed bilateral microphthalmos with cyst, a congenital defect rarely reported in the veterinary literature.     

Focal granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis in a pup

Granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis (GME) was diagnosed in an 8-month-old Maltese with signs of CNS disease. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G concentration was decreased, and CSF analysis revealed high concentrations of mononuclear WBC and IgG. Initial improvement of the pup's signs in association with prednisolone treatment and postmortem examination of CNS tissues confirmed GME. Granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis occurs rarely in young dogs and the abnormal Ig concentrations in this pup's serum and CSF suggest that immune responses may have a role in the cause and/or pathogenesis of GME.     

Myotonia congenita in a Chow Chow pup

Myotonia congenita was diagnosed in a 12-week-old female Chow Chow that had hindlimb ataxia, a stiff gait, and occasional collapsing. The diagnosis was based on the history, clinical signs, electrodiagnostics, and microscopic examination of biopsied muscle specimens.     

Pyoderma caused by Peptostreptococcus tetradius in a pup

Pyoderma caused by Peptostreptococcus tetradius in a pup was successfully treated with cefadroxil. Although this bacterium is rarely found in veterinary medicine, it is a known pathogen in human beings and should be considered as a potential causative agent in pyodermas in which anaerobes are suspected.     

Lymphosarcoma with disseminated skeletal involvement in a pup

Lymphoblastic lymphosarcoma with disseminated skeletal involvement was diagnosed in a 15-week-old Golden Retriever. The skeletal disease was characterized by diffuse, irregular areas of radiolucency most evident in the diaphyseal portion of long bones and was associated with gait abnormalities and signs of pain. Necropsy also revealed involvement of the spleen, liver, kidneys, and mesenteric lymph nodes.