Canine-specific tail-in,head-out sperm agglutination

An interesting pattern of tail-in, head-out sperm agglutination was identified in a Brucella canis seronegative subfertile dog. Centrifuged seminal plasma from this dog could induce a similar pattern of agglutination in six other dogs, but not in ejaculates from a single stallion and two rams. The agglutination pattern was short-lived and appeared to depend on motility of spermatozoa, although intensity of agglutination may have been affected by concentration of agglutinating factor.     

Fatal thrombocytopenic hemorrhagic diathesis associated with dapsone administration to a dog

Dapsone was given for six days to a dog with chronic skin disease. The dog then became weak and anorectic, and it vomited and had purpura caused by severe thrombocytopenic hemorrhagic diathesis. Despite treatment, the dog died a week later. There were clinical and pathologic evidence that the dog's platelets and megakaryocytes had been destroyed during the first few days of dapsone therapy. It was concluded that the syndrome was dapsone-induced and that thrombocytopenia should be considered among the adverse reactions to dapsone in the dog.     

Epidemiology of dog bites: a Belgian experience of canine behaviour and public health concerns

This paper reviews three studies that have been conducted in Belgium on dog bites on children. (1) A telephone study revealed that 22/1000 children <15 years of age were victims of dog bites annually. (2) Data on the characteristics of dog bites were collected prospectively over a period of 8.5 months in six hospital emergency departments. "Dangerous dogs" were not responsible for the majority of the accidents. In 67/100, incidents documented, the bites appeared to be triggered by an interaction of the child. Education appeared to be the preventive measure with the highest priority. (3) Among 22 child victims of dog bites, 12 had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorders some seven months following the accident. Based on these local studies, several initiatives have been undertaken to favour both primary and secondary prevention measures. An appropriate psychological preventive intervention should be offered to all victims of dog bites.     

BONE SCINTIGRAPHY FOR METASTASIS DETECTION IN CANINE OSTEOSARCOMA

The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of serial bone scintigraphy in the detection of skeletal and extraskeletal metastases in dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma. Twenty-six dogs with primary, appendicular osteosarcoma were entered into a limb-sparing protocol. Bone scintigraphy was performed upon presentation, after neoadjuvant therapy but prior to surgery and at selective intervals after limb-sparing surgery to evaluate for the presence of metastasis. Thoracic radiographs, and radiographs of other sites, were also made at the time of each bone scan. All dogs had a complete necropsy. No dog had bone or lung metastases detected prior to treatment. The bone scans, medical records, and radiographs of each dog were reviewed retrospectively. All but one dog developed metastatic disease. Bone metastatic sites were confirmed at necropsy in 12 of the 26 dogs. Seven of these 12 dogs had bone metastatic sites which were not producing clinical signs, i.e. an occult metastasis. In five of the seven dogs, the occult site was the first metastatic site detected. Extraskeletal metastases were identified scintigraphically in six of the 26 dogs, but these were clinically apparent prior to bone scintigraphy in each dog. Suspected malignant scintigraphic lesions were proven benign in six dogs. In five dogs with malignant bone lesions at necropsy the last bone scan prior to euthanasia was normal. The time interval between scintigraphy and necropsy was variable in these five dogs. All dogs without bone metastases at necropsy had normal bone scans. This study validates the usefulness of bone scintigraphy for detection of occult bone metastasis and improved ability for tumor staging in dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma.     

Sulphanilamide toxicity and crystalluria in a dog after suspected ingestion of a wound treatment ointment

A dog was presented in a comatose state with spastic convulsions. Five to six hours before admission the dog had been in a stableyard for some time. The dog recovered within three days, after symptomatic treatment with barbiturates and sodium bicarbonate. During the first day of observation, urinary examination revealed crystalluria, and the urinary precipitate consisted of sulphanilamide as identified by mass and infrared spectrometry. Sulphanilamide toxicity was diagnosed on the basis of the neurological disturbances and the concomitant presence of sulphanilamide crystals in the urine. The most plausible explanation of the accidental poisoning and unusual case of crystalluria was ingestion of a sulphanilamide-containing ointment used in the topical treatment of wounds and fetlock eczema in horses, to which the dog had access.     

Macrocyclic lactone toxicity due to abamectin in farm dogs without the ABCB1 gene mutation

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: A 5-year-old entire female Huntaway from a sheep and beef farm was one of four dogs that developed clinical signs including hypersalivation, depression, blindness and ataxia after the death of another dog. A 4-year-old female Huntaway farm dog from a second farm was observed to be sitting down more often than usual on the day after being fed part of a calf carcass that had been treated with an abamectin pour-on.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: The first dog was ataxic and depressed but did respond to sound. The second dog presented with an acute onset of blindness, mydriasis, absence of a menace response, hypersalivation, gait abnormalities (e.g. high stepping gait and ataxia), and depression. Other presenting signs included muscle tremors, dehydration and difficulty eating. No abnormalities were detected from routine haematology and biochemistry. Analysis of samples of plasma from both dogs revealed concentrations of abamectin of 0.149 mg/L and 0.260 mg/L for the first and second dogs, respectively. Buccal swabs taken from the first dog for DNA testing for the ABCB1 gene mutation, gave a negative result.

DIAGNOSIS: In addition to the presenting signs which suggested a toxicosis, both dogs had measurable concentrations of abamectin in plasma confirming exposure.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Farm dogs exposed to concentrated pour-on products containing abamectin have been poisoned and recover or die. The product labels do not carry any warnings as to the risk of poisoning to dogs. This paper discusses two incidents affecting six farm dogs, but the authors are aware of more toxicoses in farm dogs exposed to abamectin.     

THORACIC RADIOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF CANINE INFLUENZA VIRUS IN SIX DOGS

Canine influenza virus is an emerging, highly contagious, respiratory pathogen that has not previously been radiographically described. In this retrospective case series study, we describe the thoracic radiographic appearance of confirmed canine influenza virus in six dogs. Radiographic findings varied, but included abnormal unstructured interstitial (one) and unstructured interstitial and alveolar (five) pulmonary patterns, which were distributed cranioventral (four), diffuse (one), and caudodorsal (one). The right middle (five), left cranial (five), and right cranial (four) lung lobes were most commonly affected. Additionally, mild pleural effusion was present in one dog. Intrathoracic lymphadenopathy and cranial mediastinal widening/fluid accumulation were not detected in any dog. Canine influenza virus should be considered as a differential diagnosis for canine patients with respiratory signs and a cranioventral unstructured interstitial to alveolar pulmonary pattern.     

Neurological dysfunction in three dogs and one cat following attenuation of intrahepatic portosystemic shunts

Neurological dysfunction is an uncommon complication following extrahepatic portosystemic shunt ligation. Three dogs and one cat are described that developed neurological signs within 21 to 42 hours of attenuation of intrahepatic portosystemic shunts. None of these cases had biochemical evidence of hepatic encephalopathy postoperatively. Two dogs died during management of status epilepticus following aspiration of food. One dog died six months postoperatively. The cat had persistent neurological dysfunction at discharge, but was alive and had recovered most of its neurological function at the time of writing, 37 months after surgery. This report demonstrates the potential for animals with intrahepatic portosystemic shunts to develop postoperative neurological signs and highlights the difficulty of managing such cases. Two dogs had both intrahepatic and extrahepatic portosystemic shunts. Large intestinal malrotation (partial situs inversus) may have been linked to the development of a portosystemic shunt in the remaining dog.     

Effects of administration of a low dose of frozen thyrotropin on serum total thyroxine concentrations in clinically normal dogs.

Thyroid function was evaluated in 18 healthy dogs by thyrotropin (TSH) stimulation. Two dose regimens were used in each dog: 0.1 IU/kg body weight of freshly reconstituted lyophilized TSH and 1 IU/dog of previously frozen and stored TSH (up to 200 days), both given intravenously. Blood samples were collected prior to and at four and six hours after TSH administration. Serum was evaluated for total thyroxine concentrations by radioimmunoassay. All dogs were classified as euthyroid on the basis of response to 0.1 IU/kg body weight of freshly reconstituted TSH at four and six hours. The 1 IU dose of TSH, previously frozen for up to 200 days, induced increases in serum total thyroxine concentration over baseline at four and six hours that were not significantly different from those resulting from the use of the higher dose of fresh TSH. In all test groups, there were no statistically significant differences between total thyroxine concentrations at four and six hours post-TSH administration. It was concluded that an adequate TSH response can be achieved with the use of 1 IU of TSH/dog for clinically normal dogs between 29.0 kg and 41.6 kg body weight, even if this TSH has been frozen at -20 degrees C for up to 200 days. Further, blood collection can be performed at any time between four and six hours. Similar studies are needed to evaluate this new protocol in hypothyroid dogs and euthyroid dogs suffering nonthyroidal systemic diseases.     

Assessment of balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in six dogs

The effectiveness of balloon valvuloplasty was assessed, clinically and haemodynamically, in six dogs with moderate to severe pulmonic stenosis. The haemodynamic assessment was based on Doppler echocardiography, with colour flow mapping, in the conscious dog and by direct catheterisation in the anaesthetised dog, before and after balloon valve dilatation. Four of the six dogs were presented with exercise intolerance, of which two were in congestive heart failure. Balloon valvuloplasty resulted in improved exercise tolerance and resolution of congestive heart failure in these dogs. The average Doppler and catheter transvalvular pressure gradients were reduced to 43 per cent and 46 per cent of the preoperative gradient, respectively. The average pressure gradient obtained by catheter, in the anaesthetised dog, was 59 per cent of the pressure gradient obtained by spectral Doppler echocardiography in the conscious dog. Balloon valvuloplasty was considered successful in five out of the six dogs. Postoperative pulmonic regurgitation was not found to be a complication of balloon valvuloplasty.     

Idiopathic phenobarbital‐responsive hypersialosis in the dog: an unusual form of limbic epilepsy?

Three unusual cases of salivary gland enlargement and hypersialosis in the dog that responded to anticonvulsant therapy are reported. Presenting complaints included weight loss, hypersalivation, retching and vomiting of several weeks' duration. Two dogs were presented with enlarged painful mandibular salivary glands. The third dog exhibited bizarre behaviour (including jaw chattering) and developed enlarged painful mandibular salivary glands during hospitalisation. Fine needle aspirate cytology and biopsies from the enlarged salivary glands revealed no significant pathological changes. In one dog, an electroencephalogram revealed changes consistent with epilepsy. Hypersialism and salivary gland enlargement resolved completely during phenobarbital administration in all cases. Two dogs were successfully weaned off treatment six months after diagnosis. The remaining dog relapsed after eight months, but normalised with the addition of oral potassium bromide. It is hypothesised that the syndrome idiopathic hypersialosis may in fact be an unusual form of limbic epilepsy.     

Cecal perforation and adrenocortical adenoma in a dog

Cecal perforation was diagnosed in a dog with a history of acute vomiting. The dog also had an adrenocortical adenoma. Intestinal perforation can be a serious complication of cortico-steroid treatment in the dog, but has not been attributable to hyperadrenocorticism. Fever and an inflammatory CBC were not observed, which could have been secondary to adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism. The acute abdominal crisis associated with peritonitis required quick resolution in an attempt to save the dog, but also precluded any further diagnostic procedures for possible hyperadrenocorticism. The signs that suggested hyper-adrenocorticism in this dog included alopecia, lymphopenia, eosinopenia, high liver enzyme activities, hypercholesterolemia, and one large and one small adrenal gland. This latter finding presumably indicated negative feedback suppression and atrophy attributable to a functional adrenocortical adenoma.     

A phaeochromocytoma in a Lhasa Apso dog

This report describes a case of phaeochromocytoma in an intact male Lhasa Apso dog of nearly 10 years old. The dog was suffering from acute lethargy and vomiting. After a successfully performed surgery and concurrent medication, to restore a temporary Addison s disease, the dog is doing clinically well six months later without any remaining symptoms.     

DETERMINATION OF TIME OF ONSET AND LOCATION OF EARLY SKELETAL LESIONS IN YOUNG DOGS EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED WITH HEPATOZOON AMERICANUM USING BONE SCINTIGRAPHY

Canine hepatozoonosis caused by Hepatozoon americanum has periosteal proliferation on long bones, pelvis, vertebrae, and skull. The pathogenesis of the periosteal proliferation is unknown but may be similar to hypertrophic osteopathy. Objectives were to determine the time frame for onset of bone lesions, to characterize spatial distribution of early bone lesions, and to describe the scintigraphic appearance of bone lesions in six immature dogs infected with 400 H. americanum oocysts on day 0. 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy was performed before and after infection. The onset bone lesions noted using scintigraphy was before day 35/36 in three dogs, day 46 in one dog, day 53 in one dog, and between days 46 and 67 in one dog. Early bone lesions primarily occur proximal to the carpus/tarsus and on the axial skeleton. Bone lesions were diffuse, bilaterally symmetric, homogenous, high intensity regions of radiopharmaceutical uptake.     

Isolation and identification of African horsesickness virus from naturally infected dogs in Upper Egypt.

African horsesickness virus was isolated from blood samples of street dogs in Aswan Province in Arab Republic of Egypt. Of six isolated "dog strain" African horsesickness viruses, three viruses designated D2, D6 and D10 have been identified as type 9 African horsesickness virus. Methods of isolation, tissue culture adaptation, serological indentification and typing are described. Horses experimentally infected with dog viruses showed febrile reaction and characteristic clinical and pathological signs of African horsesickness. Reisolation of African horsesickness virus type 9 was achieved from the horses during serial passages.     

The Effect of Acute, Unilateral Transverse Venous Sinus Occlusion on Intracranial Pressure in Normal Dogs

Lateral rostrotentorial and caudal suboccipital approaches to the brain were performed on six beagles. Intracranial pressure (ICP) was measured as the two craniectomies were connected by removing the bone of the nuchal crest and occluding the transverse venous sinus. Intracranial pressure remained constant after acute occlusion of the sinus with bone wax and there was no gross evidence of brain edema. All six dogs survived the surgery and five dogs survived for a minimum of 3 months. One dog died acutely during the postoperative period. The exact cause of the cerebellar hemorrhage and infarction found at necropsy in the latter dog was not evident. Anemia occurred in three of the six dogs as a result of intraoperative hemorrhage. All dogs surviving the perioperative period had mild, transient hypermetria and conscious proprioceptive deficits, but were neurologically normal 72 hours after surgery. Results of this study indicate that acute, unilateral transverse sinus occlusion is possible without an increase in ICP. The ability to do this allows access to the rostral aspect of the ipsilateral cerebellum and brain stem.     

Food intake and growth of German shepherd puppies

The nutritional programme followed during the growth and development of the German shepherd puppy may have a significant influence on the dog's value as a potential working or breeding animal. Limited research has been undertaken on the nutrition of the dog from birth until four to five weeks of age. The objective of this study was to establish a baseline in terms of food intake and growth, which can be used in a nutritional and managerial programme in a commercial breeding unit. The food intake and growth of 10 German shepherd dog litters, with an average of six puppies per litter, were monitored from birth to 12 weeks of age. Both food intake and growth was described by regression equations. A commercially available diet was fed throughout the study. Performance criteria, namely food intake and bodyweight, were established which could be used in a commercial German shepherd dog breeding unit.     

Experimental respiratory disease in dogs due to Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Young dogs of two age groups, six weeks and 12 weeks respectively, were infected by aerosol with a strain of Bordetella bronchiseptica which had been isolated from a dog with pneumonia. Clinical respiratory disease characterised by coughing and in some cases purulent nasal discharge was induced in both groups of infected dogs and also in dogs kept in contact. B bronchiseptica was recovered from the nasal cavity, trachea, bronchi and lung parenchyma of infected and contact animals. At necropsy, masses of Gram-negative bacteria were found trapped in the cilia of the respiratory epithelia and there was an exudate containing neutrophils in the mucosae of the respiratory tract at all levels. A close similarity was noted between the lesions produced in the dog and those described in pertussis infection in man. Experimental respiratory disease in the dog due to B bronchiseptica may offer a model system for the study of the human disease.