Phycomycosis in fifteen dogs and two cats.

Phycomycosis was confirmed by histologic examination of biopsy specimens from 15 dogs and at necropsy in 2 cats. The fungal infections occurred most frequently in young adult dogs (1-3 yr) of the larger breeds. The gastrointestinal tract was the organ most commonly involved. Treatment by surgical excision, amphotericin B, and sodium iodide alone or in combination was attempted in five cases. Mortality was 100%.     

Straelensiosis in two cats and ten dogs from Israel

Straelensiosis is uncommonly described outside Europe. This report describes straelensiosis in two cats and in ten dogs diagnosed with the disease outside Europe. Both cats displayed erythematous macules or nodules on the abdominal skin. One cat was extremely pruritic, while in the other the lesions were incidental findings when the cat was presented for neutering. The mites were noted in skin scrapings in both cats and histopathologically in one cat. All dogs showed a general distribution of papules, and intense pruritus was noted in six dogs. The diagnosis in all dogs was based on histopathology. Treatment of the animals in this study varied, and among the various administrated treatments, amitraz showed promising results.     

P‐62 Dermal and subcutaneous extraskeletal osteosarcomas in eight dogs,two cats,and one ferret

Osteosarcoma is a malignant mesenchymal neoplasm characterized by the formation of osteoid tissue. It is the most frequent primary bone tumour in dogs, accounting for nearly 80–85% of all reported long bone appendicular osteosarcomas. Conversely, in cats and other species, osteosarcoma is rare at any site. Extraskeletal osteosarcoma (EOS) is a malignant, osteoid‐producing neoplasm without primary periosteal or bone involvement. These tumours have been described less frequently and occur mainly in the mammary glands of female dogs. Case material was obtained from biopsy records of the Pathology Service at the Veterinary School, Universidad Nacional. The diagnosis of these tumours was based on the absence of clinical, radiological, or pathological evidence of primary bone or glandular involvement. Samples were processed for histopathological examination and stained with H&E. In two cases, immunohistochemistry was performed. Eleven cases were diagnosed with EOS located in two histological locations. The dermal group consisted of three female dogs (two Rottweillers and one Fila Brasileiro), one male German shepherd (mean age of dogs: 5.5 years), two female cats (mixed‐breed and Siamese) of 5 and 11 years of age, respectively, and one 4‐year‐old female ferret. The subcutaneous group consisted of four dogs, two female pit bull terriers and two male dogs (boxer and mixed‐breed), with a mean age of 5 years. The subcutaneous EOS tumours were more aggressive. Three dogs were euthanized due to lung metastasis and the remaining dog was lost to follow‐up. Funding: Self‐funded.     

Bone marrow hypoplasia in eight dogs with Sertoli cell tumor

Eight male dogs with Sertoli cell tumor had pancytopenia and bone marrow hypoplasia attributed to endogenous estrogen myelotoxicosis. Clinical signs were hemorrhage caused by thrombocytopenia, anemia caused by blood loss or diminished erythrocyte production, and infection and fever associated with granulocytopenia. Other signs attributed to hyperestrogenism were feminization and prostatic disease. Two dogs recovered after castration and supportive treatment, but 5 other similarly treated dogs died of hematopoietic failure. One dog was euthanatized.     

Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia: a retrospective study of 31 cats and eight dogs

The records of 31 cats and eight dogs undergoing surgical correction of peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH) from 2000 through 2007 were reviewed. Weimaraners and long-haired cats of varying breeds, particularly Maine Coon cats, appear to be at higher risk of PPDH. Presenting complaints were most commonly related to the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts in both dogs and cats, although respiratory signs were more prevalent in cats, and gastrointestinal signs were more common in dogs. The most common herniated organs were liver, gallbladder, and small intestine. Mortality associated with surgical repair of PPDH in cats and dogs was low in the first 2 weeks postoperatively, and prognosis for return to normal function was excellent. Peri-and postoperative complications were typically minor and self-limiting.     

Spontaneous retrograde movement of ureteroliths in two dogs and five cats

CASE DESCRIPTION: 2 dogs and 5 cats were evaluated for treatment of ureteroliths. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Spontaneous retrograde movement of 1 or more ureteroliths was detected by radiography, ultrasonography, fluoroscopy, and a combination of fluoroscopy and ultrasonography. The ureteroliths moved retrograde up to 4 centimeters. Retrograde movement of ureteroliths into the renal pelvis resulted in improved renal function in some patients but made complete surgical removal of all uroliths more difficult. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Medical management was not successful, and ureteroliths were surgically removed. Surgical management of ureteroliths was complicated by retrograde movement of ureteroliths in the perioperative period. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ureteroliths can move retrograde within the ureter and even back into the renal pelvis. Retrograde movement of ureteroliths may make surgical planning more difficult.     

Misdiagnosis in normal radiographic anatomy: eight structural configurations simulating disease entities in dogs and cats

Radiographic diagnosis is a combination of accurately identifying normal and abnormal variants, projecting anatomic structures, and describing abnormal findings. Disease conditions may easily be confused with normal structures. Eight conditions and normal counterparts that are presented illustrate the similarities and differences between normal and abnormal.     

Proteinuria in dogs and cats

Proteinuria is defined as the presence of protein in the urine. Normally, circulating serum proteins are blocked by the glomerulus due to size and/or charge. Any small proteins that pass through a healthy glomerulus are reabsorbed by the renal tubules or broken down by renal tubular epithelial cells. Persistent proteinuria, in the absence of lower urinary tract disease or reproductive tract disease, is usually an indication of renal damage or dysfunction. Less commonly persistent proteinuria can be caused by increased circulating levels of low molecular weight proteins. This article reviews mechanisms of proteinuria in dogs and cats and discusses the importance of screening for and ultimately treating proteinuria.     

Ringworm in dogs and cats

Ringworm is an uncommon disease of dogs, but cats, especially the longhaired breeds, are more frequently infected. Of the several dermatophytes involved, Microsporum canis causes 94 per cent of ringworm in cats and 65 per cent in dogs. This species is highly contagious for man but the true incidence of human infection is unknown. Ringworm caused by M canis usually responds readily to treatment, but when the infection establishes in a colony of cats, eradication can be difficult and expensive. Other forms of ringworm in dogs and cats are caused by dermatophytes acquired from wild animals, mainly small rodents such as mice and voles. This is an uncommon and trivial disease of cats, but some infections in dogs can be remarkably persistent and difficult to resolve.     

Sporozoa in dogs and cats

SUMMARY Faecal samples from 110 dogs and 71 cats were examined for sporozoan parasites by flotation. Isospora spp were present in 5.5% dogs and 4.2% cats; Sarcocystis spp in 20.9% dogs and 1.4% cats. 74.5% dogs and 77.5% cats were fed raw meat from various sources; beef was fed most often. Animals fed raw meat were more frequently infected with protozoa. No Toxoplasma oocysts were found. The results are compared with those from other surveys in Australia and New Zealand.     

Histoplasmosis in dogs and cats

Histoplasma capsulatum is endemic throughout most of the United States with a high prevalence of infections in the Midwest and South. Histoplasmosis is the second most common systemic fungal disease in cats that may be more susceptible than dogs. Infection occurs by inhalation of conidia from the mycelial phase, which subsequently convert to the yeast form. Histoplasma capsulatum is phagocytized and harbored by cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system. Infection may be subclinical or cause clinical pulmonary granulomatous disease or dissemination. Disseminated disease predominantly affects the liver, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, bone and bone marrow, integument, and eyes. Primary gastrointestinal histoplasmosis also occurs. Clinical signs of histoplasmosis often are nonspecific, including chronic wasting, fever, anorexia, respiratory signs, and lameness. Gastrointestinal signs (eg, diarrhea with hematochezia or melena) are common in dogs. The definitive diagnosis is made by identification of the yeast in tissue samples. Itraconazole is the treatment of choice.     

Evaluation of praziquantel for treatment of experimentally induced paragonimiasis in dogs and cats

Praziquantel was used successfully for treatment of a small number of dogs and 1 cat infected with Paragonimus kellicotti. To further evaluate the usefulness of this drug in treating such infections, 7 cats and 7 dogs were inoculated orally with metacercariae (12 and 20 to 22, respectively) obtained from crayfish, then were treated after the infections became patent; 2 cats and 2 dogs served as noninfected controls. Beginning 1 week before infection, and continuing weekly thereafter, physical, hematologic, and fecal examinations were performed on each animal; thoracic radiography was performed every other week. By postinoculation week 6, all dogs given metacercariae had patent infection diagnosed on the basis of positive results of fecal examination. By postinoculation week 7, 5 cats had confirmed patent infection, but 2 cats given metacercariae never had patent infection or had signs of infection. Clinical signs of infection were minor and included increased respiratory tract noise, slight inducible cough, or mild dyspnea. Transient eosinophilia was detected in dogs around postinoculation week 3. Pretreatment radiography revealed cavitated lesions in cats only; pleural lines and patchy infiltrates in cats and dogs; or pneumothorax in dogs only. The treatment regimen consisted of 23 mg of praziquantel/kg of body weight given every 8 hours for 3 days; 1 infected cat and dog were not treated. By 11 days after treatment, eggs had disappeared from the feces of infected animals, and marked resolution of lung lesions was evident radiographically.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)