Protothecal colitis in a German shepherd dog

A 3 1/2-year-old intact male German Shepherd Dog was admitted with a history of protracted haemorrhagic diarrhoea and tenesmus. Clinical evaluation revealed thickening of the rectal mucosa and presence of fresh blood and mucus in the faeces. Severe mucosal granularity and multiple nodules, in addition to a rectal stricture 7 to 9 cm from the anus, were found on colonoscopy. Histopathological evaluation of biopsy specimens identified organisms with morphologic features compatible with those reported for Prototheca spp. Although surgical excision of the rectal stricture was performed and ketoconazole treatment was instituted postoperatively, the dog's clinical condition deteriorated and euthanasia was performed 4 months later.     

Bronchogenic cyst in a German shepherd dog

Intermittent episodes of fever, severe dyspnoea and cyanosis were observed in a two-and-a-half-year-old male German shepherd dog. The clinical signs were of sudden onset but disappeared within eight hours, in five almost identical episodes over a period of 40 days. Radiological examination of the thorax revealed a large rounded area of radiolucency surrounded by a thin radiopaque structure. The lesion increased in volume between examinations, but otherwise remained similar in appearance. It could not be confirmed from the radiographs whether the structure was situated in lung tissue or mediastinum. Bronchoscopic examination revealed no abnormal findings and there was no bacterial growth from samples taken 30 days after the onset of symptoms. A large, vesicular structure, partly adherent to the mediastinum, was surgically removed from the left cranial lung lobe. The structure was 8 to 10 cm in diameter and partly filled with mucoid pink fluid. Histological examination revealed that the wall contained traces of bronchial epithelial cells. On bacteriological examination of the fluid, Gram-positive, mucus-forming bacteria were present. The definitive gross pathological and histopathological diagnosis was a bronchogenic cyst which had developed secondarily to bronchiectasis. Bronchitis and peribronchitis were also identified. The dog recovered well after surgery and, at the time of writing, was in active duty as a police dog, showing no signs of respiratory illness.     

Ileocecocolic volvulus in a German shepherd dog

This report describes an ileocecocolic volvulus in a German shepherd dog with risk factors of previous abdominal surgeries and concurrent chronic enteropathy. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) with multiplanar reformatting was more sensitive than abdominal radiographs or ultrasound to obtain a diagnosis, because of the presence of a “whirl-sign” on CT. A combination of colopexy and cecopexy was succesfully used to treat the patient’s condition.     

Predatory aggression in a German shepherd dog

This article presents a clinical case of predatory aggression that represents a problem for public health. The patient was a 2-year-old male German shepherd referred to the behavior clinic at the School of Veterinary Medicine owing to its aggressive behavior toward people and other dogs. The dog tended to form a pack with the other dogs of the household and killed neighborhood dogs, cats, hens, and rabbits. The presumptive diagnosis was “predatory aggression” associated with “territorial and protective aggression.” The risk analysis determined that the dog should be euthanized. Nevertheless, the owner refused, and hence behavior modification and drug therapy were recommended. A year later, the dog killed again (another dog), indicating that despite the drug and behavioral treatment, it is likely that its predatory aggression will never be resolved.     

Disseminated blastomycosis in a German shepherd dog

A 5-year-old German shepherd was evaluated after collapsing at home following a week of lethargy and anorexia. Systemic blastomycosis was diagnosed histologically at necropsy. Diagnosis and treatment were difficult due to unusual neurological symptoms, the absence of abnormalities on diagnostic tests, and the advanced stage of the disease at presentation.     

Pituitary dwarfism in German Shepherd Dogs

Eleven German Shepherd dogs with pituitary dwarfism were examined. They were severely stunted in growth and possessed abnormal hair coats with persistence of the soft puppy (lanugo) coat and symmetrical areas of alopecia. Various other physical defects were often present in affected dogs. Detailed hormonal studies demonstrated a severe deficiency in growth hormone in all five cases so evaluated. A decrease in somatomedin activity was present in three of these cases. Changes in growth plates epiphyses and ossification centres were apparent on radiographic examination of four of the eleven dogs. Epiphyseal dysgenesis was confirmed histologically in two of these cases. Of the six brains which were examined post mortem, four showed large cystic lesions involving the adenohypo–physis and two had pituitary hypoplasia with virtual absence of adenohy–pophyseal tissue.     

Immunologic aspects of German shepherd dog pyoderma (GSP)

In 21 dogs with clinical features of German Shepherd dog Pyoderma (GSP) parameters of the specific and aspecific immune system have been examined. Chemotaxis and killing capacities of neutrophilic leucocytes were undisturbed, whereas in skin biopsies no specific immunoglobulin or complement deposits were found with immunofluorescence. With double immunodiffusion, antibodies against Gram-positive bacteria were found. In a laser nephelometric assay significantly elevated levels of IgG, IgGab, IgGd, IgM and bacterial components, associated and non-associated with circulating immune complexes, were detected. However, no relation was found with the disease state. It is concluded that dogs with GSP are immunologically normal reactors. A bacterial hypersensitivity reaction is hypothesized as a possible initiating factor in the pathogenesis of GSP.     

Malignant glomus tumour in a German shepherd dog

A solitary mass, 2.5 cm × 2.5 cm × 2.0 cm in size, was found in the subcutis adjacent to the ischial tuberosity of an 8-year-old male German shepherd dog. The excised mass was not encapsulated and the cut surface was solid, grey–white and had multiple red areas suggestive of haemorrhage. Microscopically, the neoplasm was composed of epithelioid cells interspersed with venous vessels of various sizes and irregular bundles of spindle-shaped tumour cells with mucinous stroma. The nuclei showed anisokaryosis and many mitotic figures were noted. Immunohistochemically, the majority of tumour cells were positive for alpha smooth-muscle actin and vimentin, but negative for cytokeratin, desmin, S-100 and factor VIII-related antigen. Ultrastructurally, the tumour cells contained irregular nuclei, few mitochondria, few rough endoplasmic reticulum, cytoplasmic myofilaments of intermediate density, pinocytotic vesicles and distinct basal lamina. Based on these pathological findings, the diagnosis was malignant glomus tumour.     

Aorticopulmonary septal defect in a German shepherd dog

A 2-year-old, female German shepherd dog was referred with a 2-month history of dyspnea, ascites, and anorexia. On physical examination, an arrhythmia, tachypnea, and a continuous grade V/VI heart murmur were evidenced. Atrial fibrillation and tall R waves were noted on electrocardiography. Survey thoracic radiography revealed generalized cardiomegaly and enlarged pulmonary vessels. Echocardiography demonstrated severe dilatation of the left atrium and ventricle with reduced fractional shortening. Doppler echocardiography showed continuous and turbulent flow in the ascending aorta between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. Necropsy demonstrated an aorticopulmonary septal defect.     

Sartorius muscle contracture in a German shepherd dog

Objective— To report sartorius muscle contracture in a dog.
Study Design— Case report.
Animals— A 5-year-old, male, German Shepherd dog.
Methods— After a 2-month history of right hindlimb lameness was treated by tenectomy of the caudal sartorius muscle for sartorius muscle contracture.
Results— One month after surgery there was complete remission of clinical signs; however, after 12 months, there was partial reunion of sartorius caudal belly and onset of gracilis muscle contracture.
Conclusions— Contracture of the sartorius muscle in dogs is seemingly rare and similar to gracilis muscle contracture with which it may be confused. Differentiation requires knowledge of muscular anatomy, careful palpation, and surgical inspection.
Clinical Relevance— Sartorius muscle contracture can be treated by tenectomy or removal of contracted muscle tissue, however, long-term outcome suggests the need to develop approaches that prevent recurrence caused by scarring of transected tissues.     

Gastroesophageal intussusception in a young German shepherd dog

A gastro-oesophageal intussusception in a female, six-week-old German shepherd dog was treated surgically with success. The dog was presented with acute dyspnoea and signs of shock. After laparotomy, the herniated organs were reduced from the lumen of the oesophagus into the abdomen and an imbrication of the oesophageal hiatus, an appositional fundoplica-tion and a left-sided incisional fundopexy were performed. The dog made an uneventful recovery. Eighteen months after surgery the dog is still alive, with no clinical signs despite the persistent presence of megaoesophagus.     

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma in a young German shepherd dog

An 18-month-old, entire male German shepherd dog was presented with signs indicative of a caudal abdominal space-occupying mass. A needle-core biopsy of this mass failed to establish a definitive diagnosis, but identified a prominent round-cell component. The dog's condition worsened and euthanasia was performed on humane grounds. Histopathology of the mass revealed a mesenchymal chondrosarcoma.     

荷兰牧羊犬与德国牧羊犬警用性能的比较研究

荷兰牧羊犬因其良好的警用性能于2002年8月从国外引入.经过初步研究,目前已掌握了该犬种的体貌特征、生长发育规律和行为特点等.但是作为一个新引入的犬种,该犬种的体质、胆量、凶猛性、衔取性、作业持久性以及服从性等警用性能尚不明确,影响了对该犬种的进一步训练和使用.