Intestinal cryptosporidiosis in chickens

In a retrospective examination of histopathology reports from Aug. 1, 1985, through Sept. 31, 1987, 10 cases of small- or large-intestinal cryptosporidiosis (not epithelial cryptosporidiosis of the bursa of Fabricius) were found in chickens. Infection was evenly distributed among young chickens. Incidence of intestinal cryptosporidiosis increased during 1987. Although all infected birds were clinically ill, signs or gross lesions of intestinal disease were not always present. In all cases, mild to marked histologic lesions were associated with Cryptosporidium sp.; however, intestinal tracts were not cultured for other infectious agents. The numbers of Cryptosporidium sp. and character of inflammatory response were not significantly correlated. A difference (P = 0.01) among intestinal segment (small vs. large) infection with Cryptosporidium was seen. Light-microscopic appearance and organ distribution of Cryptosporidium sp. suggest that in addition to C. baileyi, other Cryptosporidium species infect chickens. Until the diagnostic procedure for outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease in poultry routinely includes histopathology, fecal flotation, and virus, bacteria, and chlamydia cultures, and until species of Cryptosporidium are isolated, identified, reported, and investigated experimentally, the importance of intestinal cryptosporidiosis in chickens will remain unknown.     

Spontaneous cryptosporidiosis in an adult female rabbit.

An asymptomatic adult female rabbit had intestinal cryptosporidiosis. The ileum had blunted villi, a decrease in villus-crypt ratio and a mild edema in the lamina propria. Transmission electron microscopy showed the parasite to be a Cryptosporidium similar to those reported in mouse, guinea pig, lamb, calf, horse, monkey and man. This organism is referred to as Cryptosporidium cuniculus. Scanning electron microscopy on ileal mucosa showed altered intestinal microvilli in the attachment of the cryptosporidia. It is postulated that the organism was enveloped by the microvilli of the ileal epithelial cells which then fused and formed a continuous double membrane around the parasite.     

Intestinal cryptosporidiosis in turkeys in Iran

Naturally occurring cryptosporidiosis is reported in turkey poults suffering from diarrhoea and unthriftness in Iran. Histological and ultrastructural studies revealed high number of Cryptosporidium developmental stages mainly located in the mid and terminal portions of small intestine of the poults. Other portions of the intestinal tract were less frequently infected. Oocyst shedding was detected only in 29% of the histologically positive birds. Based on host species, clinical signs, pathology and tissue location of the parasites, Cryptosporidium meleagridis was most likely responsible for these infections. This parasite was also reported recently in a child with diarrhoea in Iran.     

Kernicterus in an adult dog

A 7-year-old, spayed female, Wheaton terrier dog was icteric, lethargic, and anorexic with increased activity of hepatocellular and cholestatic liver enzymes and an extreme hyperbilirubinemia level of 609 micromol/L (reference interval: 1.0-4.0 micromol/L). Necropsy findings included profound icterus and red and yellow mottling of the liver. Yellow discoloration of the thalamic and subthalamic nuclei was detected on subgross examination of the formalin-fixed brain. Histologic examination of the brain revealed neuronal necrosis within the discolored nuclei, necrosis of Purkinje cells, and Alzheimer type II astrocytes in the cerebrocortical gray matter and in the nuclei, with gross discoloration. Histologic examination of the liver revealed extensive necrosis in a periacinar-to-bridging pattern and often extending to portal triads. A case of naturally occurring kernicterus in an adult dog secondary to extreme hyperbilirubinemia resulting from fulminant hepatic failure is reported. The few reports of this disease in domestic species involved neonates, namely 1 foal and 1 kitten.     

Intestinal cryptosporidiosis in calves on a dairy farm

Oocysts of Cryptosporidium species were identified in the faeces of scouring calves from a dairy farm. The faeces were watery and greenish yellow but the calves were usually alert and not desiccated when they were admitted to the clinic. Without treatment they became severely desiccated and recumbent within a few hours, but after symptomatic treatment they improved rapidly. The importance of cryptosporidiosis as a herd health problem is discussed.     

Bacillus piliformis infection in an adult dog

Bacillus piliformis infection (Tyzzer's disease) was diagnosed in a 7-year-old spayed dog that had icterus, hepatosplenomegaly, and polyuria. Hematology revealed regenerative anemia, leukocytosis, lymphopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Serum chemical analyses indicated hypocalcemia, high alkaline phosphatase activity, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperglobulinemia. At necropsy, the liver was stippled with gray-white focal lesions. Microscopically, the liver lesions were necrotic and inflammatory. Warthin-Starry-stained sections revealed rod-shaped bacteria in crisscrossing patterns characteristic of B piliformis. This dog was considerably older than dogs previously reported to have Tyzzer's disease and had a concurrent systemic hyphomycosis, suggesting it had been immunocompromised.     

Gastro–oesophageal intussusception in an adult dog

A case of oesophageal intussusception of the stomach in a 9–year–old 351b cross–bred male dog is reported. This condition has previously been recorded only in young animals, often in the first few weeks of life. The history and post mortem findings are described, the aetiology is discussed and the literature briefly reviewed.     

Dermal melanocytoma-acanthoma in an adult mixed breed dog

A cutaneous melanocytoma-acanthoma was diagnosed in a 7-year-old intact female mixed breed dog. Grossly, this tumor was a solitary and darkly pigmented nodule located in the face. Histologically, the lesions consisted of melanocytic and epithelial tumor cells. The melanocytic component consisted predominantly of large round-to-polygonal and heavily pigmented melanocytic cells arranged in nests and clusters. These melanocytes were positive for S-100 and vimentin. The epithelial component was composed of multiple small horn cysts with concentric keratin within the cyst lumina and was positive for cytokeratin. Atypism was not observed in both components. Since this tumor has previously been reported in only two dogs, this report adds to the data that will help determing predilections of age, breed, sex and site.     

Neosporosis with cerebellar involvement in an adult dog

A case of an adult dog with multifocal, progressive neurological signs caused by Neospora caninum is reported. Pathological studies showed cerebellar lesions due to the parasite, which was also present in other parts of the nervous system and muscle. Cerebellar atrophy related to Neospora infection has been rarely reported in veterinary medicine, and has been shown to affect ruminants and dogs. The cerebellar involvement and the age of the present dog make this case uncommon.     

Primary pulmonary artery leiomyosarcoma in an adult dog

A 7-year-old neutered female English Setter presented with syncope, anemia, and weight loss. Clinical examination revealed a systolic murmur and echocardiography demonstrated a mass on the pulmonic valve. Postmortem examination confirmed the presence of a pulmonic valve mass that extended along the pulmonary trunk and into the left pulmonary artery. Multiple pale nodules were observed in the right lung. Microscopic examinations of the pulmonary artery mass and the lung nodules revealed a pleomorphic population of spindle cells often arranged in broad bands containing strap-like nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm devoid of cross striations. The neoplastic cells expressed vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin but did not express desmin, CD31, factor VIII, or S100. The presentation, histological features, immunocytochemical profiles, and behavior of this tumor were indicative of a primary pulmonary artery leiomyosarcoma with lung metastasis.     

Surgical stabilization of an occipitoatlantoaxial malformation in an adult dog

Objective: To report surgical planning, technique, and outcome of stabilization surgery in an adult dog with occipitoatlantoaxial malformation (OAAM). Study Design: Clinical report. Animal: A 19‐month‐old, 25.5 kg, male castrated, Shiba Inu. Methods: Radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging were used to identify and characterize OAAM. Using a ventral approach to the cranial cervical region 2 cortical bone screws were inserted from the axis into the malformed atlas and occiput. Results: Ambulation was conserved postoperatively. Within 4 weeks, neurologic examination was mostly normal except for decreased proprioception in the right pelvic limb. At 9 months, the dog retained an extended neck posture, but had no neurologic abnormalities. Conclusion: OAAM should be considered as a differential diagnosis in an adult dog with cervical myelopathy. Surgical fixation with cortical bone screws using a ventral approach can be successful.     

Treatment of renal nephroblastoma in an adult dog

An 8-year-old Labrador retriever was diagnosed with a unilateral malignant nephroblastoma and hypertrophic osteopathy. The histopathologically malignant tumor was confined to the renal capsule, but the sarcomatous component was anaplastic, resulting in its classification as a Stage I tumor with unfavorable histopathology. The dog was treated with unilateral nephrectomy, vincristine, and doxorubicin. This dog has remained disease free for >25 months. Reported treatments of renal nephroblastoma in the dog have not described disease-free intervals of >8 months.     

Intestinal lymphangiectasia in a dog

A case of intestinal lymphangiectasia in a 3-year-old female Dalmatian is described. The clinical examination, laboratory findings, histology of the small intestine and necropsy findings are discussed.     

Intestinal lymphangiectasia in a dog

An eight-month-old female crossbred terrier was presented with a short history of diarrhoea, dyspnoea and abdominal distension. Clinical examination revealed thoracic effusion, ascites, and subcutaneous oedema. Hypoalbuminaemia, hypoglobulinaemia and lymphopaenia were all present. Histological examination of a jejunal biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of intestinal Iymphangiectasia. Full clinical recovery followed treatment by dietary management.