Species identification of trichomonads and associated coinfections in dogs with diarrhea and suspected trichomonosis

Trichomonads have been infrequently reported in the feces of dogs where their pathogenicity remains uncertain. It is currently unknown whether Tritrichomonas foetus or Pentatrichomonas hominis is identified more commonly in dogs with trichomonosis or how often these infections are accompanied by concurrent enteric infectious agents. The objective of this study was to determine the identity of trichomonads present in a series of 38 unsolicited canine diarrheic fecal samples submitted for T. foetus diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing between 2007 and 2010. We also examined each fecal sample for an association of trichomonosis with concurrent infection using a convenient real-time PCR panel for nine gastrointestinal pathogens. P. hominis, T. foetus, or both were identified by PCR in feces of 17, 1, and 1 dogs respectively. Feces from the remaining 19 dogs were PCR negative for T. foetus, P. hominis and using broader-spectrum Trichomonadida primers. The total number and specific identities of concurrent enteropathogens identified did not differ between fecal samples from dogs that were or were not identified by PCR as infected with trichomonads. These results suggest that P. hominis infection is more frequently identified than T. foetus infection in diarrheic dogs with trichomonosis and that concurrent enteropathogen infection is common in this population.     

Diarrhea associated with intestinal Cryptosporidiosis in turkeys

Turkey poults were suffering from diarrhea on a farm in which several previous grow-outs of turkeys had experienced a clinically identical problem. Upon necropsy, significant gross lesions were restricted to the gastrointestinal tract. Segments of small intestine were pale and distended with cloudy mucoid material and a few gas bubbles. The ceca contained fluid and gas. Fresh organ portions were collected and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and submitted for histological processing and examination (light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy). Small (2-4 micron) basophilic bodies identified as Cryptosporidium sp. were present in enterocytes of the middle and lower small intestine. The villi were moderately atrophic, the crypts were hypertrophic, and the lamina propria was infiltrated by large numbers of lymphocytes, heterophils, and fewer macrophages and plasma cells. Numerous intraepithelial leukocytes and exocytosing inflammatory cells also were present.     

Diarrhea associated with enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis in foals

Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) was isolated from the feces of 10 of 40 Thoroughbred foals with naturally acquired diarrhea. Of the 10 foals positive for ETBF, 6 were less than or equal to 7 days old. Fecal specimens from 4 of the 10 foals also were positive for rotavirus, and one fecal specimen was positive for Salmonella enteritidis. Clinical or hematologic differences were not evident between foals infected with ETBF only and those infected with ETBF and another recognized enteric pathogen. Only 1 of 10 foals infected with ETBF died. Of 25 adult rabbits with ligated ceca, 23 developed mucoid, often hemorrhagic, diarrhea after inoculation of 5 X 10(9) viable ETBF cells into the ileum. Nine of 13 (69%) rabbits inoculated with 1 of 3 isolates of ETBF died, but none of 12 inoculated with 1 of 6 other isolates of ETBF died. Enteric disease did not develop in 15 rabbits inoculated with nonenterotoxigenic B fragilis.     

Diarrhea associated with myenteric ganglionitis in a dog

Diarrhea in a Border Terrier was associated with inflammatory lesions of the myenteric plexus. This lesion has been documented rarely in dogs. It is speculated that the myenteric plexus lesions were responsible for an autonomic nervous system dysfunction, which resulted in extreme intestinal hypermotility and subsequent diarrhea. Suggested tests for dogs suspected to have autonomic dysfunction are given.     

Ocular disease associated with hypertension in 16 cats

Between 1990 and 1993, 16 cats were referred with acute onset blindness or intraocular haemorrhage. Blood pressure assessment, using the Doppler ultrasonic recording technique in 11 of the cats, proved these cases to be hypertensive. Fifteen cats underwent further investigation, revealing 13 with some degree of renal impairment and one as hyperthyroid. Five underwent cardiac ultrasound and all showed evidence of cardiac hypertrophy. The eyes from four of the cats were examined histologically and showed serous or haemorrhagic retinal detachments with varying degrees of retinal degeneration and a range of ocular hypertensive vascular changes. Two cats had full post mortem examinations which revealed evidence of renal and thyroid pathology.     

Pneumonia associated with Mycoplasma spp in three cats

Mycoplasma spp were isolated in pure culture from bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from three cats with clinical, cytological and radiographic signs of bron-chopneumonia or suppurative bronchitis. Predisposing factors were not identified in the first case, the second cat had oesophageal hypomotility, while the third cat had been exposed to cigarette smoke and had advanced periodontal disease. Respiratory signs resolved promptly and completely in all cases following antimicrobial therapy directed against mycoplasmas. Mycoplasma spp are possible causes of lower respiratory tract disease in cats and this should be considered when selecting empirical therapy for feline airway disease and pneumonia. In some situations mycoplasmas may behave as primary lower respiratory tract pathogens in cats.     

Delayed physeal closure associated with castration in cats

Radiographs of 152 cats under four years of age were examined for evidence of physeal closure. Radiographic closure was compared between entire male, castrated male, and female (neutered and entire] cats. Physeal closure in castrated males was delayed when compared to that of entire males.     

Hypercalcemia associated with rodenticide poisoning in three cats

Hypercalcemia (12.0 to 18.3 mg/dl) was detected in 3 cats that had eaten a rodenticide that contained cholecalciferol. Clinical signs included lethargy, anorexia, vomiting, and polydipsia. Treatment with furosemide and fluids administered IV resulted in normalization of the serum calcium concentration and in remission of the clinical signs in 2 cats. One cat with a serum calcium concentration of 18.3 mg/dl did not have clinical signs, was not treated, and was reportedly normal 9 months after initial examination. We attributed the uniformly favorable outcome of exposure to the rodenticide in these cats to the small quantity of the toxin ingested.     

Oesophageal strictures in cats associated with doxycycline therapy

Four cases of oesophageal stricture subsequent to doxycycline administration are reported. All cases were young to middle age (median age 3 years; range 1-7 years), and either domestic shorthair or domestic longhair breed. In all cases the predominant clinical sign was regurgitation, which developed at variable times after doxycycline administration. In all cases the reason for doxycycline use was treatment or prophylaxis of suspected infections (Mycoplasma haemofelis, Chlamydophila felis or Bordetella bronchiseptica), and the duration of therapy was variable. In one case the stricture was definitively diagnosed at post mortem examination, in the three other cases, definitive diagnosis was by endoscopy. Balloon dilation was successful in the three cases that were treated. This is the largest case series, to date, of oesophageal disease in cats associated with doxycycline administration. Caution should be exercised when administering oral medication to cats, especially doxycycline, and should be accompanied either by a water or food swallow.     

Congestive heart failure associated with hyperthyroidism in cats

Hyperthyroidism was diagnosed in 4 cats with congestive heart failure. Dyspnea and anorexia were observed in 3 of the 4 cats. In each cat, a holosystolic left and/or right apical heart murmur was auscultated. In 3 cats, a prominent extra heart sound (gallop rhythm) was auscultated. All cats had a palpably large thyroid lobe(s) and weight loss. The laboratory and ECG changes were similar to those reported for feline hyperthyroidism. Moderate-to-severe pleural effusion and cardiomegaly were detected via radiography in all cats. Some cats had radiographic signs of pulmonary venous engorgement and pulmonary edema. Echocardiography revealed cardiac dilatation and low left ventricular shortening fraction (wall motion) in all cats. Three cats responded initially to cardiac drugs and propylthiouracil or thyroidectomy. One of these died later, presumably from an adverse reaction to propylthiouracil, and the others died from recurrent congestive heart failure (1) or postoperative cardiac arrest (1). One cat did not respond to treatment, and died 2 days after diagnosis.     

Dermatitis associated with Cheyletiella infestation in cats.

Cheyletiella sp mites were isolated from 8 cats with pruritic dermatitis characterized by erythematous papules or increased scaling. Lesions cleared after treatments with malathion (dips) or pyrethrin (shampoos).     

Diarrhea associated with sand in the gastrointestinal tract of horses

Four horses with diarrhea had radiographic evidence of large quantities of sand in the gastrointestinal tract. Initially, none of the horses had sufficient fecal sand quantity to suggest sand enteropathy. Diarrhea resolved in all horses within 2 days of oral administration of psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid. Historically, all 4 horses had lost weight or had difficulty maintaining weight. After treatment was administered, the horses either gained weight or were easier to maintain in good condition.