OTOLITHIASIS IN THREE DOGS

Mineral opacities within the tympanic bullae, termed otoliths, were detected in three dogs by means of radiography and computed tomography. Radiographic signs of otitis externa were present in two dogs. One dog had clinical signs of vestibular disease, whereas the other two dogs had no clinical evidence of ear disease. Otolithiasis may represent mineralized necrotic material of a current or previous case of otitis media.     

PERINEAL HERNIA IN DOGS

SUMMARY Thirty-five male dogs with perineal hernia were seen at Sydney University Veterinary Hospital and Clinic over a five-year period from 1975 to 1979. The Corgi breed was most commonly affected, but Kelpies and Boxers were also over-presented when compared to the general clinic population. The mean age of affected dogs was 9.4 years and the mean body weight 16 kg. There were 11 bilateral and 24 unilateral herniae. Thirty-two dogs underwent herniorrhaphy. A recurrence rate of 15.4% was found in 26 dogs followed up for more than six months, this rate comparing favourably with a number of other reported series. The major post-operative complication was wound infection or breakdown, seen in 28.6% of dogs.     

SNAKE BITE IN DOGS

In 7 years snake bite was diagnosed in 80 dogs. Sporting breeds figured prominently. The average was 3.6 years. The commonest presenting signs were salivation, vomiting, dilated pupils, absence of the pupillary light reflex, depression and generalised muscle weakness, hindlimb ataxia and respiratory distress. Sixty-seven cases (84%) occurred in 6 warmer months on the year. Fifty-one dogs (64%) were seen either to be bitten or in contact with a snake. Tiger and Brown snakes were implicated on 32 and 3 occasions respectively. An overall recovery rate of 87% was obtained for patients receiving antivenene, fluid and support therapy. The period from treatment-to-full recovery was shorter for cases in which the bite-to-treatment period was one hour or less (24 hours) when compared with the recovery time for all cases (36 hours). The prognosis was poor for dogs presenting with the triad of complete flaccid paralysis, dyspnoea and a sub-normal temperature.     

LEPTOSPIRAL AGGLUTININS IN DOGS IN SYDNEY

From June 1971 to June 1972, sera from 600 dogs in Sydney were tested for leptospiral agglutinins by a rapid slide agglutination method. The end-point titre was taken at 50 percent agglutination of the live organisms. Forty-one samples (6.8 percent) had a significant leptospiral titres (100 or greater) and 5 of these reacted to 2 serotypes. Thirty serums (5 percent) contained agglutinins against L. copenhageni, and 6 (1 percent) against L. pomona, while a few samples reacted against hardjo, tarassovi, australis, grippotyphosa or pyrogenes serotypes. No significant titres were found to L. canicola, L. hebdomadis, L. autumnalis or L. bataviae.     

ENTERIC DUPLICATION IN TWO DOGS

Enteric duplication, a developmental malformation of the alimentary tract resulting in juxtaintestinal cyst-like formations, was diagnosed in 2 dogs. The sonographic, gross, and histopathologic characteristics of the malformation reported in people include: a fusion between the wall of the duplication cyst and the adjoining segment of the alimentary tract, a hypoechoic tunica muscularis layer in the outer free wall of the cyst, a shared muscular wall between the cyst and the adjoining normal bowel, and a similar or heterotopic epithelial lining of the lumen of the cyst. Both dogs in this series had characteristic sonographic, gross and histopathologic patterns described for enteric duplication in people. Three adjoining cysts that communicated and shared a common wall with the ileum were present in the first dog. Ectopic gastric mucosa was present in the single cyst that shared a common wall with the jejunum in the second dog. Other abdominal cystic masses may mimic the gross appearance of the duplication cyst and can potentially result in a misdiagnosis of the underlying etiology. Sonographic findings are characteristic for duplication cysts and are the preferred primary diagnostic modality, however, histopathology is warranted to confirm the diagnosis.     

PERCUTANEOUS CHOLECYSTOGRAPHY IN NORMAL DOGS

A technique for fluoroscopically guided percutaneous cholecystography, using a 23-gauge Chiba needle, is described. Successful percutaneous cholecystograms were obtained in 20 normal dogs, with minimal short-term and no long-term clinical side effects.