A newly designed radiation therapy protocol in combination with prednisolone as treatment for meningoencephalitis of unknown origin in dogs: a prospective pilot study introducing magnetic resonance spectroscopy as monitor tool

Background

A plethora of treatment options have been described for canine meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO), yet a gold standard has not been established. The aim of this prospective pilot study was to document the effect of a newly designed 30 Gray (Gy) radiation therapy (RT) protocol plus corticosteroids as treatment for focal and multifocal MUO, to monitor clinical and imaging changes during the course of the disease with conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and proton MR Spectroscopy (H-1 MRS) and to detect the occurrence of radiation related side effects.

Results

Six dogs (3 with focal and 3 with multifocal lesions) were included in the study. The RT protocol used consisted of 30 Gy in 10 fractions. The neurological status of all six dogs improved during RT, with 3 of 6 cases returning to a normal condition. One dog was euthanized early during follow-up (<3 weeks after end of RT). Three month follow up MRI was normal in one dog and improved in 3 dogs and H-1 MRS normalized in 4. In the dog without improvement of the MRI lesions, the N-acetyl aspartate continued to decrease, while choline and creatine concentrations remained stable during that time. This dog was euthanized 18 month after the end of RT due to relapse. One dog was lost to follow up 12 month after completion of RT. The other 3 dogs are still alive at the time of writing.

Conclusions

RT with 30 Gy in 10 fractions can provide an additional option for anti-inflammatory treatment of focal and multifocal MUO. The protocol used for treatment monitoring was feasible while no side effects of RT could be observed during the follow up period. Moreover, H-1 MRS could represent a new and non-invasive tool to control the progression of the disease during the treatment course.     

Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis and Clinical Outcome of Eight Dogs With Eosinophilic Meningoencephalomyelitis

Eight dogs, 14 weeks to 5.5 years of age, had signs of diffuse or multifocal meningoencephalomyelitis. The total white cell counts of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ranged from 11 to 5,550 cells/microliters; the percentage of eosinophils ranged from 21% to 98%. The total CSF protein content range was 19 to 1,430 mg/dl. On necropsy, two dogs had granulomatous encephalomyelitis due to protozoan infection. The other six dogs, of which three were Golden Retriever dogs, appeared to have an idiopathic eosinophilic meningoencephalitis; four of these dogs recovered. The significance of eosinophils in CSF and the possible emergence of a new encephalitic syndrome of dogs involving a hypersensitivity to an unknown agent is also discussed.     

Idiopathic Sterile Granulomatous and Pyogranulomatous Dermatitis in Cats

Abstract— Idiopathic sterile granulomatous or pyogranulomatous dermatitis was diagnosed in four cats. Two distinct clinicopathological syndromes were recognized. Two cats had a pruritic papulonodular dermatitis of the head and pinnae with skin histopathology characterised by perifollicular pyogranulomatous dermatitis. The other two cats had pruritic bilateral preauricular plaques characterised histopathologically by diffuse granulomatous dermatitis with numerous multinucleated histiocytic giant cells and purpura. Haematological, biochemical and urinary abnormalities were not detected and the cats were otherwise healthy. Lesions were not responsive to systemic antibiotics or systemic glucocorticoids at anti-inflammatory doses. Three cats underwent apparently spontaneous, sustained remission after a course of 3 to 9 months. Résumé— Une dermatite granulomateuse idiopathique stérile, ou pyogranulomateuse fut diagnostiquée chez 4 chats. Deux syndromes distincts ont été identifiés. Deux chats avaient une dermatite papulonodulaire prurigineuse de la tête et des oreilles, avec des biopsies cutanées caractérisées par une dermatite pyogranulomateuse périfolliculaire. Les 2 autres chats avaient des plaques prurigineuses préauriculaires bilatérales, caractérisées histologiquement par une dermatite granulomateuse diffuse avec de nombreuses cellules géantes multinucléées et du purpura. Les examens hématologique, biochimique et urinaire étaient par ailleurs normaux et les chats en bon état général. Les antibiotiques et les corticoides à dose antiinflammatoire, tous deux par voie générale, sont restés sans effet. Trois chats ont présenté une rémission spontanée après une évolution de 3 à 9 mois. Zausammenfassung— Bei vier Katzan wurde eine idiopathische sterile granulomatöse oder pyogranulomatöse Dermatitis diagnostiziert. Dabei konnten zwei klinisch-pathologisch abgrenzbare Syndrome erkannt werden. Zwei Katzen wiesen eine pruriginöse, papulo-noduläre Dermatitis am Kopf und an den Ohren auf, wobei histologisch eine perifollikuläre pyogranulomatöse Dermatitis festgestellt wurde. Die beiden anderen Katzen zeigten pruriginöse, bilaterale präaurikuläre Plaques, deron histologisches Bild durch eine diffuse granulomatöse Dermatitis mit zahlreichen vielkernigen histiozytären Riesenzellen und Purpure gekennzeichnet war. Abnormalitäten bezüglich hämatologischer, biochemischer und harnspezifischer Parameter wurden nicht festgestellt, auch waren die Katzen sonst gesund. Die Veränderungen sprachen nicht auf die systemische Behandlung mit Antibiotika oder Glukokortikoiden in einer antiinflammatorischen Dosis an. Bei drei Katzen kam es zu einer spontanen, dauerhaften Remission der Befunde nach einem Krankheitsverlauf von 3 bis 9 Monaten. Resumen En cuatro gatos se diagnosticó una dermatitis piogranulomatosa o granulomatosa esteril idiopática. Se distinguieron dos síndromes clínicopatológicos. Dos gatos presentaban una dermatitis papulonodular prurítica situada en la cabeza y en los pabellones auriculares, con unas biopsias cutáneas caracterizadas por una dermatitis piogranulomatosa perifolicular. Los otros dos animales presentaban placas preauriculares y laterales pruríticas con un cuadro histopatológico caracterizado por una dermatitis granulomatosa difusa con numerosas células gigantes istiocíticas multinucleadas y hemorragias. No se detectaron alteraciones hematológicas, bioquímicas ni en la orina, y los animales se encontraban en buen estado de salud. Las lesiones no respondieron ni al tratamiento con antibióticos sistémicos ni al tratamiento con glucocorticoides a dosis antiinflamatorias. Tres de los animales sufrieron una remisión espontánea después de 3 a 9 meses.     

Idiopathic Eosinophilic Masses of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Dogs

Background: Eosinophilic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract of dogs occurs in numerous disorders, typically resulting in diffuse intestinal thickening. Rarely, eosinophilic masses have been reported.
Objective: Describe a series of dogs with 1 or more idiopathic eosinophilic gastrointestinal masses (IEGM) to better characterize the clinical features, treatment, and prognosis.
Animals: Seven dogs with 1 or more gastrointestinal masses composed primarily of eosinophilic infiltrates for which no underlying cause was found.
Methods: Retrospective case series.
Results: Rottweilers and purebred, large breed dogs predominated. Dogs were middle-aged and typically had chronic signs of upper or lower gastrointestinal disease. Decreased appetite, vomiting, and evidence of gastrointestinal hemorrhage were present in the majority of cases. An abdominal or rectal mass was frequently noted on physical examination. Common laboratory abnormalities included peripheral eosinophilia, mature neutrophilia, hypoproteinemia, and hypocholesterolemia. The masses were histologically composed of moderate to severe eosinophilic infiltrates, which were often transmural and accompanied by fibrosis. All dogs treated with surgery alone died of complications of their disease. Treatment with corticosteroids and ivermectin improved clinical signs, caused resolution of eosinophilic infiltrates, and prolonged survival in most dogs treated medically.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: These findings suggest that the prognosis for dogs with IEGM may be good when recognized and managed appropriately. When surgery is performed, medical treatment should also be added.     

Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs: Survival and Prognostic Indicators

To further define the prognosis and identify clinical findings predictive for survival in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), we performed Kaplan Meier survival analysis of 37 dogs with idiopathic DCM. Survival analysis showed that the 50% probability of survival occurred at 2.3 months. Probability of survival at 1 year was 37.5% and at 2 years was 28%. Bivariate Cox proportional hazard ratios identified pleural effusion and pulmonary edema, both signs of congestive heart failure, as independent prognostic indicators for dogs with DCM ( P < .01). Hazard ratios for these prognostic indicators were 2.354 and 3.291, respectively. Multivariate Cox stepwise regression identified pleural effusion, left ventricular free-wall thickening fraction, ventricular ectopy, and weight loss as significant prognostic indicators for dogs with DCM. Because of the retrospective nature of this study, the effects of different drug treatments were not evaluated. The type of cardiac-related death, progressive failure versus sudden death, was not addressed in this study and requires further evaluation.     

Association between Estrus and Onset of Seizures in Dogs with Idiopathic Epilepsy

Background

Catamenial epilepsy in humans is defined as changes in seizure frequency over the course of the menstrual cycle. Three hormonally based patterns of seizure exacerbation have been determined.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there is an association between onset of seizures and the estrous cycle in intact bitches with presumptive idiopathic epilepsy and whether a pattern to the onset of seizures could be recognized.

Animals

Forty‐five intact female dogs from a hospital population with a presumptive diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy.

Methods

In a retrospective study, the database of a small animal hospital in Sweden was searched for medical records of intact female dogs diagnosed with epilepsy or seizures. The stage of the estrous cycle as reported either by the owner or the veterinarian at the time of the first seizure was noted.

Results

Of the 45 dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, 17 (38%) had their first seizure when in heat and six dogs (13%) had their first seizure 1–3 months after heat. Nine dogs (20%) had seizures reoccurring in relation to their estrous cycle.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

These findings suggest an association between estrus and onset of seizures in intact bitches with presumptive idiopathic epilepsy. Two hormonally based patterns could be recognized: one during heat and one during a specific time point at the end of diestrus. This could be explained by the proconvulsive effects of estrogen or loss of protective effect against seizures of progesterone, respectively.     

The Acute Hemodynamic Effects of Milrinone in Dogs With Severe Idiopathic Myocardial Failure

To examine the effects of acute oral milrinone administration (0.75 mg/kg) on dogs with severe idiopathic myocardial failure and the effect of prolonged milrinone administration on survival time, we measured hemodynamics before and 2 hours after drug administration and recorded survival time and cause of death in 13 dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy. Hemodynamics were measured using a Swan-Ganz catheter and femoral artery puncture along with recording an M-mode echocardiogram. Cardiac index increased from 1.92 +/- 0.54 to 3.06 +/- 0.81 L/min/m2, stroke volume index increased from 11.3 +/- 4.3 to 16.7 +/- 6.3 ml/beat/m2, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure decreased from 23 +/- 8 to 12 +/- 8 mmHg. A clinically significant increase in heart rate was observed in seven dogs, resulting in a statistically significant increase in heart rate for the group from 174 +/- 34 to 194 +/- 44 beats/minute. Mean arterial blood pressure did not change significantly for the group but did decrease more than 20 mmHg in three dogs, suggesting a predominant primary vasodilating effect of milrinone in these dogs. An increase in contractility appeared to be the predominant reason for the improved hemodynamics in seven dogs. Eight dogs died of causes other than worsening heart failure, including four of eight Doberman pinschers that died suddenly, presumably from an acute tachyarrhythmia. Two dogs that had the greatest increase in an index of contractility are alive more than 2 years after the initiation of milrinone administration.     

富锦市狗寄生蠕虫区系调查

对富锦市狗寄生蠕虫进行调查.现将结果报告如下. 1 材料和方法 1.1 材料 在富锦市附近购买的当地居民自家散养的成年犬共10只.宰杀后,按全身性蠕虫学剖检方法检查.     

Esophageal Dysfunction in Dogs with Idiopathic Laryngeal Paralysis: A Controlled Cohort Study

Objectives— To compare esophageal function in dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis (ILP) to age and breed matched controls; to determine if dysfunction is associated with aspiration pneumonia over 1 year; and to compare clinical neurologic examination of dogs with ILP at enrollment and at 1 year. Study Design— Prospective controlled cohort study. Animals— Dogs with ILP (n=32) and 34 age and breed matched healthy dogs. Methods— Mean esophageal score was determined for each phase of 3 phase esophagrams, analyzed blindly. After unilateral cricoarytenoid laryngoplasty, dogs with ILP were reexamined (including thoracic radiography) at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Neurologic status was recorded at enrollment, 6 and 12 months. Results— Esophagram scores in dogs with ILP were significantly higher in each phase compared with controls, most notably with liquid (P<.0001). Dysfunction was more pronounced in the cervical and cranial thoracic esophagus. Five dogs that had aspiration pneumonia during the study had significantly higher esophagram scores than dogs that did not develop aspiration pneumonia (P<.02). Ten (31%) ILP dogs had generalized neurologic signs on enrollment and all ILP dogs developed neurologic signs by 1 year (P<.0001). Conclusions— Dogs with ILP also have esophageal dysfunction. Postoperative aspiration pneumonia is more likely in dogs with higher esophagram scores. Dogs with ILP will most likely develop generalized neuropathy over the course of 1 year. Clinical Relevance— Esophagrams and neurologic examinations should be performed on all dogs with ILP.     

An Investigation into Liver Function Tests in Dogs

Abstract— Results of transaminase estimations' which have been made on some 70 canine sera are discussed, and an assessment given of their use as indices of liver function in dogs.     

实验用犬发生布病疫情的研究与分析

在实验动物中发生布病报道较少,作者就一实验动物场的多重感染布病疫情进行了较全面的研究。某实验动物养殖场,存栏比格犬68只。比格犬嗅觉好,灵敏度高性格活泼而温和,     

都兰县家牧犬细粒棘球绦虫感染情况调查

运用氢溴酸槟榔碱泻下法[1-2]分别对位于柴达木盆地都兰县辖区内的农业区、农牧业结合区、牧业区所饲养的家牧犬进行随机抽样驱虫,并进行粪便查检,调查其不同地区犬细粒棘球绦虫对家牧犬的感染率和感染强度等。调查结果显示,该地区家牧犬细粒棘球绦虫感染率为53.3%,感染强度高,而且各地区的感染率和感染强度也不尽相同。     

昆明市流浪犬寄生虫感染情况的调查

为了解昆明市流浪犬寄生虫感染情况,随机采集25份新鲜粪样进行饱和盐水漂浮法检查;对18只死亡流浪犬进行寄生虫解剖法检查,收集虫体,进行计数和鉴定.结果显示,14份粪样中检出虫卵或卵囊,检出率为56.0％.其中8份检测出球虫卵囊,检出率32.0％;6份检测出犬弓首蛔虫卵,检出率24.0％,2份检测出绦虫卵,检出率8.0％...     

北京地区家养犬隐孢子虫感染情况的调查

为探索适用于宠物临床检测隐孢子虫的方法,并了解北京地区宠物犬隐孢子虫感染情况,于2015年1月-2015年12月,在中国农业大学教学动物医院收集来自北京各个地区的家养犬粪便共104例,分别采用改良抗酸染色法、饱和蔗糖漂浮法以及套式PCR扩增隐孢子虫SSU rRNA基因进行隐孢子虫检测。结果显示,PCR方法适用于临床犬粪便中隐孢子虫的检测,而形态学方法仅能检测出纯化后卵囊。北京地区家养犬隐孢子虫感染率为3.85%(4/104),虫种均为犬隐孢子虫(C.canis)。对不同年龄段的犬隐孢子虫感染率进行统计分析后发现,不同年龄段的家养犬隐孢子虫感染率差异显著(P0.05),6月龄以下幼犬易感,不同性别、居住地区的家养犬隐孢子虫阳性率无显著差异(P0.05)。     

犬常见肿瘤流行病学调查及组织病理学诊断

为探讨犬常见肿瘤的发病规律,试验收集哈尔滨地区2016-2017年宠物医院部分犬肿瘤病例71例,采用组织病理学方法对犬肿瘤进行病理学诊断,并对患病动物的品种、性别、年龄、发生部位和饮食情况与肿瘤发生关系进行统计分析。结果显示,71例确诊肿瘤病例中,恶性肿瘤28例,包括鳞状上皮细胞癌3例,基底细胞癌5例,乳腺癌14例,淋巴瘤2例,肾母细胞瘤、精原细胞癌、生殖细胞癌、侵袭性血管黏液瘤各1例;良性肿瘤43例,包括良性乳腺肿瘤15例,纤维瘤10例,平滑肌瘤5例,乳头状瘤和精原细胞瘤各3例,造釉细胞瘤、耵聍腺瘤、脂肪瘤、结节样增生、性索间质细胞瘤、颗粒细胞瘤、肛周腺瘤各1例。上述病例中,乳腺和皮肤是犬肿瘤的高发部位,分别占全部患犬的40.8%和34.0%;患病犬年龄1~16岁不等,平均发病年龄为9.1岁,7岁以后是肿瘤的高发期,中老年犬仍为主要发病群体,但低龄犬发病数量上升;各品种犬均可发生肿瘤,其中杂种犬发病率最高,其次是贵宾犬和京巴犬,且主要为乳腺肿瘤;饮食习惯主要以剩饭剩菜类和肉拌饭类为主,分别占患犬总数的39%和30%;部分肿瘤类型与犬的性别、是否绝育有关,如乳腺肿瘤多发生于未绝育的老年母犬。本研究结果为犬肿瘤的流行病学及诊断提供了参考依据,对犬肿瘤的预防和诊断有一定的借鉴意义。     

Meningoencephalomyelitis in a foal due to Salmonella agona infection

CASE HISTORY: A neonatal Thoroughbred foal was presented with rib fractures and left forelimb lameness secondary to dystocia.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: The foal developed a head tilt, seizures and watery diarrhoea during hospitalisation and died at 7 days of age. Histological examination of the brain and spinal cord revealed a suppurative meningoencephalomyelitis with vasculitis, and numerous intralesional, gram-negative bacilli. Similar microscopic lesions were noted in the lungs, renal medullary interstitium, and umbilicus. Bacilli in the brain, spinal cord and umbilicus were identified immunohistochemically as Salmonella group B. Salmonella agona was isolated in pure culture from the brain, lung, liver, kidney, and intestine.

CONCLUSION: This is the first report of meningoencephalomyelitis and septicaemia due to Salmonella infection in an equine neonate.