Cerebellar abiotrophy in a miniature schnauzer

A 3.5-month-old miniature schnauzer was presented for signs of progressive cerebellar ataxia. Necropsy revealed cerebellar abiotrophy. This is the first reported case of cerebellar abiotrophy in a purebred miniature schnauzer.     

Ambiguous genitalia in a fertile, unilaterally cryptorchid male miniature schnauzer dog

A 7-year-old male miniature schnauzer dog with unilateral cryptorchidism was presented for elective orchiectomy. Surgery to remove the cryptorchid testis revealed a fully formed uterus with horns attached to both testis and the body and cervix terminating at the prostate gland. The gross and microscopic diagnosis for the genital tract was persistent Müllerian duct syndrome with unilateral cryptorchidism. Additional associated lesions included cystic endometrial hyperplasia and a solitary, intratubular seminoma within the undescended testis. Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome is rare among domestic animals but is more common in miniature schnauzer dogs because of inheritance as an autosomal recessive trait.     

Orbito-nasal cyst in a young European short-haired cat

Purpose To describe a case of an orbito‐nasal cyst in a cat. Procedure An 18‐month‐old male European short‐haired cat was presented to the Ophthalmology service of the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich for a subcutaneous swelling in the medial canthal region of the right eye (OD). Ophthalmologic, ultrasound and CT examinations, and fine needle aspiration were performed. After lesion excision, the removed tissue was submitted for histopathology. CT examination was repeated 5 months after removal of the cyst. Results Ophthalmologic examination revealed a large fluctuant swelling inferonasal to OD. Despite patent lacrimal puncta, only the first few mm of the lacrimal canaliculi could be cannulated. A normal globe with moderate enophthalmos was present. Ultrasound examination showed a well‐defined lobulated cyst‐like structure in the right orbit, inferonasal and anterior to the eye. CT examination revealed extension of this lesion through the medial orbital wall into the right nasal cavity. Fine needle aspiration confirmed the cystic nature of the lesion. An orbito‐nasal cyst was diagnosed. The orbital part of the cyst was dissected from the surrounding tissue and excised from the periosteum in the medial orbital wall defect. Part of the maxillary bone was removed to allow removal of the cyst from the nasal cavity. Histologically, the cyst wall consisted of a single to multilayered, mostly cuboidal epithelium and surrounding connective tissue. Follow‐up revealed a good functional result and no recurrence 7 months after cyst removal. Conclusions Similar orbito‐nasal cystic structures were reported in dogs but not in cats.     

Evaluation of the cationic trypsinogen gene for potential mutations in miniature schnauzers with pancreatitis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cationic trypsinogen gene in miniature schnauzers for possible mutations. Genetic mutations have been linked with hereditary pancreatitis in humans. Four miniature schnauzers were selected on the basis of a clinical history of pancreatitis. One healthy miniature schnauzer and 1 healthy mixed breed canine were enrolled as controls. DNA was extracted from these canines using a commercial kit. Primers were designed to amplify the entire canine cationic trypsinogen cDNA sequence. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed and products were purified and sequenced. All sequences were then compared. The healthy control canine, a healthy miniature schnauzer, and the 4 miniature schnauzers with pancreatitis showed identical sequences of the cationic trypsinogen gene to the published sequence. We conclude that, in contrast to humans with hereditary pancreatitis, mutations of the cationic trypsinogen gene do not play a major role in the genesis of pancreatitis in the miniature schnauzer.     

Outcomes of dogs presented for cataract evaluation: a retrospective study

Two hundred and forty-four dogs were evaluated for cataracts at the University of Tennessee from January 2001 to December 2002. Fifty-four canine breeds were affected. Odds ratios for cataracts were significantly higher for six purebred dogs (including the cocker spaniel, miniature schnauzer, toy poodle, Boston terrier, miniature poodle, and bichon frise) compared with mixed-breed dogs. One hundred fifty-nine dogs did not have cataract surgery. The most common reason for dogs not having surgery was retinal degeneration (n=66).     

Congenital orbital cysts of neural tissue in two dogs

A 3-month-old English Cocker Spaniel and a 6-month-old miniature poodle presented with clinical signs related to an abnormal right eye since birth. In both dogs, the right globe could not be identified and was replaced by a fluctuant intraorbital mass covered by a vascularized mucous membrane. Ultrasonography demonstrated that both masses were cystic structures markedly larger in size than the normal contralateral globes. In both cases, surgical excision revealed a multilobular cyst filling the whole orbital cavity. Histopathologic examination and immunostaining for glial fibrillary acid protein and S100 protein supported a diagnosis of neural cysts associated with ocular dysplasia. The definitive diagnosis was congenital cystic eye and microphthalmos with cyst for the Cocker Spaniel and miniature poodle, respectively. Karyotype was normal in both dogs. Congenital cystic eye and microphthalmos with cyst result from defects in early embryonic life that arise following formation of the optic vesicle and prior to closure of the optic fissure. To the authors' knowledge neither has been reported in the canine species. They should be considered in the differential diagnosis of orbital cysts in dogs.     

Neodymium:Yttrium-aluminum-Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser ablation of an obstructive urethral polyp in a dog

A miniature schnauzer presented for evaluation of a persistent lower urinary tract obstruction. Further examination revealed that the dog had developed an obstructive, inflammatory polyp secondary to a long-standing urinary tract infection. The polyp was located within the proximal urethra and interfered with normal voiding. The polyp was visualized using flexible endoscopy and then was successfully ablated using the neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. The Nd:YAG laser is a potentially useful tool for treating various lesions of the lower urinary tract.     

Heinz body hemolytic anemia with eccentrocytosis from ingestion of Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) and garlic (Allium sativum) in a dog

A 4-year-old, intact male miniature schnauzer was presented with anorexia. The dog had ingested some Chinese steamed dumplings 2 days before, which contained Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) and garlic (Allium sativum). Hematological examinations revealed severe Heinz body hemolytic anemia with eccentrocytosis and an increased concentration of methemoglobin, which was thought to result from oxidative damage to erythrocytes by constituents in these Allium plants. In this case, eccentrocytosis was a hallmark finding and could be detected easily, suggesting that this hematological abnormality is useful in diagnosing Allium plant-induced hemolysis.     

Mucopolysaccharidosis type VI in a juvenile miniature schnauzer dog with concurrent hypertriglyceridemia,necrotizing pancreatitis,and diabetic ketoacidosis

A 7-month-old, neutered male miniature schnauzer dog with a history of cryptorchidism and umbilical hernia was referred for diabetic ketoacidosis. Clinical evaluation revealed stunted growth, skeletal abnormalities, hypertriglyceridemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, and acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Further testing was diagnostic for mucopolysaccharidosis type VI causing the stunted growth and skeletal deformities, but no connection between mucopolysaccharidosis type VI, hypertriglyceridemia, and pancreatic diseases was found.     

Dissolution of infection-induced struvite bladder stones by using a noncalculolytic diet and antibiotic therapy

An 8-year-old, female spayed miniature schnauzer was presented for pollakiuria and gross hematuria. Infection-induced struvite urolithiasis with concurrent bacterial urinary tract infection was diagnosed. The treatment is described, followed by a brief discussion of struvite stones and their medical management.     

Periorbital cyst with bone defect in a dog

A 4-year-old female Miniature Dachshund was referred with a chief complaint of right periorbital swelling that had not responded to antibiotic therapy. Ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration revealed that the periorbital lesion had a cystic structure without any inflammatory or neoplastic cells. Computed tomography (CT) showed that the cyst occupied a defect in the periorbital maxillary, lacrimal, and frontal bones and had invaded the nasal cavity. The lesion was histologically suspected by incisional biopsy as an epithelial cyst.     

Nasal dermoid cyst extending through the frontal bone with no sinus tract in a Dalmatian

A Dalmatian was presented with a subcutaneous swelling in the dorsal midline between the eyes. No opening in the skin was identified at the dorsal nasal planum and there was no discharge. Positive contrast sinography showed contrast material filling a cyst that extended to the frontal bone. At surgery, the cyst had a tubular shape and was embedded in a fibrous dermal tissue strand running into the bony nasal septum. The nasal dermoid sinus cyst was surgically removed by limited dorsal rhinotomy, followed by excision of the remaining strand from a bony recess in the lamina perpendicularis ethmoidalis. It is proposed that this nasal dermoid cyst that extends through the frontal bone with no sinus tract is classified as a type V subtype c.     

Inherited eye disease in the dog and cat

This paper describes the more common inherited eye conditions in the dog and cat, paying particular attention to the newer conditions, not all of which have previously been reported in the literature. These newer conditions include entropion in the shar pei, microphthalmos in the dobermann and miniature schnauzer, cataract in the German shepherd dog and Norwegian buhund, progressive retinal atrophy in the Tibetan terrier, Tibetan spaniel, miniature longhaired dachshund and two forms in the Abyssinian cat, multifocal retinal dysplasia in the English springer spaniel and other breeds, persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous in the Staffordshire bull terrier and dobermann and optic nerve hypoplasia in the toy poodle. Anatomical classification presents a convenient means of describing these conditions which may affect the whole globe, the eyelids, the nictitating membrane, the nasolacrimal duct system, the conjunctiva, the cornea, the aqueous, the iris, the lens and zonule, the vitreous, the retina, the choroid and sclera and the optic nerve.     

Canine urolithiasis: a look at over 16 000 urolith submissions to the Canadian Veterinary Urolith Centre from February 1998 to April 2003

The purpose of this study was to report on the age, sex, breed, and mineral composition of 16 647 canine bladder uroliths submitted to the Canadian Veterinary Urolith Centre between February 1998 and April 2003. Each urolith submission was accompanied by a questionnaire. Of the submissions, approximately 43.8% were struvite and 41.5% oxalate. Struvite uroliths were most common in female dogs. Mixed breed dogs predominated, followed by the shih tzu, bichon frise, miniature schnauzer, Lhasa apso, and Yorkshire terrier. Oxalate uroliths were most common in males and in the miniature schnauzer, bichon frise, Lhasa apso, shih tzu, and Yorkshire terrier. Urate uroliths were most common in male Dalmations. Other urolith types, including cystine, xanthine, silica, and calcium phosphate, were less commonly reported. A review of risk factors for the various uroliths is presented, along with some recommendations for treatment and prevention.     

Clinical and computed tomography features of secondary renal hyperparathyroidism

An atypical case of secondary renal hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed in a 9-year-old miniature schnauzer after a skull computed tomography (CT) showed the presence of 2 bilateral and symmetrical soft tissue maxillary masses, and osteopenia of the skull.     

Maxillary bone epithelial cyst in a dog

A swelling ventromedial to the left eye of a one-year-old, neutered male Labrador failed to respond to antibiotic and anti-inflammatory therapy. Plain and contrast radiography revealed a spherical, radiolucent area, 1.5 cm in diameter, dorsomedial to the fourth maxillary premolar and rostral to the ethmoid region. The lesion was thin-walled, with a smooth radiopaque margin, and was clearly demarcated from the surrounding structures. Dacryocystography demonstrated no apparent physical association between the lesion and the nasolacrimal duct, the latter appearing normal. Ultrasonography of the lesion showed a round, anechoic structure consistent with the appearance of a cyst. Prior to surgical excision of the lesion, intralesional fluid was aspirated. Bacteriology of the fluid was negative for both aerobic and anaerobic organisms. Cytological examination of the fluid showed a few macrophages and small lymphocytes; neither significant inflammatory component nor neoplastic cells were found. Histology showed the lesion to be a benign epithelial cyst. The dog recovered uneventfully and there was no clinical evidence of recurrence within a two-year follow-up period.     

Zygomatic salivary cyst with mucocele formation in a cat

An eight-year-old neutered male domestic shorthalr cat had a zygomatlc salivary cyst with associated mucocele formation. A fluctuating swelling developed ventral to the right eye, causing bulging of the lower eyelid, and a corresponding swelling was present in the caudal vestibule of the oral cavity. Cytological examination of the fluid obtained from asplratlon of the swelling was consistent with the appearance of saliva. A tentative dlagnosls of zygomatlc salivary mucocele was made. Surgical exploration and resectlon of the swelling demonstrated the presence of a multliobular cystic zygomatlc salivary gland. The histopathological appearance of the resected tissue was Interpreted as an Inflammatory reaction to mucus derived from a muitllocular salivary cyst.     

Unusual congenital pulmonary anomaly with presumed left lung hypoplasia in a young dog

A seven‐month‐old, entire, male miniature schnauzer dog was referred with acute vomiting, inappetence and depression primarily as a result of a gastric foreign body (pine cones). During investigations, thoracic radiographs revealed increased volume of the right lung lobes, deviated cardiomediastinal structures and elevation of the heart from the sternum. Thoracic computed tomography revealed left cranial lung lobe hypoplasia and extension of the right cranial lung parenchyma across the midline to the left hemithorax. Branches of the right pulmonary vessels and bronchi also crossed the midline and extended to the left caudal lung lobe. These findings suggested that the right and left lungs were fused. In humans this finding is consistent with horseshoe lung, which is an uncommon congenital malformation. To the authors’ knowledge, this case represents the first report of such a pulmonary anomaly in a dog.     

Juvenile nephropathy in a Weimaraner dog

A case of juvenlle nephropathy In a two-year-old Welmaraner bitch Is reported. Although juvenlle nephropathy has been described in several breeds of dogs, this is the first report In a Welmaraner. Clinical aspects, blood analysis, renal pathology and extrarenal changes are described. The renal changes consisted of tubular as well as glomerular lesions, similar to those described in the miniature schnauzer. The main extrarenal lesion was degeneration and necrosis of subendocardial myocytes in the left atrial wail associated with an inflammatory reaction and focal necrotising arteritis.