Canine giant axonal neuropathy

The clinical and pathological details of a case of canine giant axonal neuropathy are presented. An 18-month-old alsatian had hind leg ataxia, weakness, hypotonia and loss of patellar reflexes. Electrophysiological studies demonstrated denervation of the distal hind leg muscles and abnormal nerve conduction velocities. Biopsy and post mortem examination of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) demonstrated large anoxal swellings, up to 28mu in diameter. Electron microscopy showed these swellings to be composed almost entirely of neurofilaments. Similar giant axons were found in the central nervous system (CNS) and the distribution of the lesions in the CNS and PNS was suggestive of a 'Dying Back' disease. The possible aetiology of this new canine condition is discussed.     

Canine parvovirus enteritis 1: Clinical, haematological and pathological features of experimental infection

The effect of oral infection of puppies, eight and 10 weeks old, with canine parvovirus of faecal origin was studied. Clinical signs of enteric disease were first apparent at five days after inoculation and persisted during days 6 and 7 after inoculation. The severity of clinical signs varied from transient dullness and anorexia to emesis, dysentery and death. Changes in haematological parameters were first found at day 3 after inoculation when a relative lymphopenia was observed. A profound neutropenia developed in severely affected dogs after the appearance of clinical enteric disease. Post mortem examination revealed thymic atrophy in all dogs killed on day 4 after inoculation. Macroscopic changes in the small intestine were apparent only in animals examined during the phase of severe enteric disease and consisted of thickening, rigidity and congestion of the small intestines. Microscopically there was lymphocytolysis in the thymic cortex and the germinal centres of the lymph nodes from days 2 and 3 after inoculation respectively and this rapidly resulted in depletion of these tissues. There was repopulation of lymph nodes from day 7 after inoculation but significant thymic regeneration was not apparent during the course of this study. In the small intestine, necrosis of crypt epithelium, atrophy of villi and, in some areas, complete collapse of mucosal architecture were found but the extent of these changes varied along the length of the small intestine and between individuals. Regenerative intestinal changes were observed in those animals surviving the acute phase of enteric dysfunction. The variable severity of clinical and enteric lesions, together with the factors which may affect the expression of clinical disease, are discussed.     

Canine mast cell tumours: a review of the pathogenesis, clinical features, pathology and treatment

Mast cells (MCs) are well known for their neoplastic transformation in solitary and multiple cutaneous mast cell tumours (MCTs), as well as visceral and systemic mastocytosis. Dogs have a unique risk of developing cutaneous MCTs, and they account for 7% to 21% of all canine skin tumours. The aetiology of canine MCTs is unknown but is probably multifactorial. This article reviews up-to-date knowledge on the pathogenesis, the clinical presentation, the clinical prognostic factors, the diagnostic workup including clinical staging, cytological findings, histological findings and the various grading systems which have been evaluated based on morphology, the assessment of proliferation markers and other factors such as vessel density. Furthermore, detailed information about current treatment protocols for canine cutaneous MCTs is provided.     

Plasma biomarkers profile of female dogs with mammary carcinoma and its association with clinical and pathological features

The immunological biomarkers profiles were evaluated using Luminex as putative measures to monitor canine mammary carcinomas (MCs). Forty female dogs were categorized into benign mixed tumour (MC‐BMT = 28) and mammary carcinoma (MC=12). The ascendant biomarker signatures were used to compare the groups. For example, a higher frequency of MC‐BMT animals producing IL‐6, CXCL‐8 and CXCL‐10 was observed, whereas for the MC group IL‐2 and CXCL‐8 were detected. MC‐BMT animals without metastasis had an increase in the levels of IL‐2, CXCL‐8, CXCL‐10, IL‐6, TNF‐α, IL‐15 and a decrease in IL‐10 and CXCL‐8. MC‐BMT animals with metastasis showed only an increase in CXCL‐10 and a decrease in IL‐18. After comparing the ascendant signatures following the presence of metastasis in both groups, a higher frequency of dogs exhibiting IL‐10 production was observed. Pearson correlation (P = 0.0273) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that this pattern was associated with worse outcome and lower survival rates in MC animals.     

Prostate cancer in dogs: comparative and clinical aspects

The canine prostate gland shares many morphological and functional similarities with the human prostate and dogs are the only other large mammals that commonly develop spontaneous prostate cancer. However, the incidence of prostate cancer is much lower in dogs and the precise cell of origin is not known. Dogs with prostate cancer usually present with advanced disease that does not respond to androgen deprivation therapy. Similar to humans, affected dogs often develop osteoblastic bone metastases in the pelvis and/or lumbar spine with associated pain and neurological deficits. Other clinical signs include weight loss, lethargy, and abnormal urination and/or defecation. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation have been used to treat dogs with prostate cancer, but success has been limited by the location and aggressive nature of the disease. It is evident that better methods of early detection and more effective therapies are needed for prostate cancer in dogs and advanced prostate carcinoma in men. Dogs with naturally-occurring prostate cancer are relevant models for the disease in humans and pre-clinical studies of new diagnostics and therapies in dogs may benefit both humans and dogs with prostate cancer.     

Experimental staphylococcal mastitis in bitches: clinical, bacteriological, cytological, haematological and pathological features

The objectives of the work were to study the features of experimentally induced canine mastitis and to present hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of the disease. The right caudal abdominal mammary gland of six bitches was inoculated on day 8 after whelping with Staphylococcus intermedius to induce mastitis; adjacent mammary glands were used as controls. Clinical examination, bacteriological and cytological (whiteside test, Giemsa) examination of mammary secretion, as well as haematological tests were performed from 5 days before until 34 days after challenge. Mastectomy was sequentially performed 1, 2, 4, 18, 26 and 34 days after challenge in each of the bitches, in order to carry out a pathological examination of mammary glands. All animals developed clinical mastitis: challenged glands became painful, hot, enlarged and oedematous; secretion was brownish, purulent, with flakes or clots, subsequently becoming yellowish and thick. Staphylococci were isolated from all inoculated glands (up to 22 days). WST was positive in 41/46 samples from inoculated glands and 66/138 samples from control glands; neutrophils predominated during the acute stage. Blood leukocyte counts increased, whilst platelet counts decreased. Gross pathological findings initially included congestion, purulent discharge and subcutaneous oedema; then abscesses, brownish areas and size decrease were seen. Salient histopathological features were initially neutrophilic infiltration, haemorrhages, destruction of mammary epithelial cells and alveoli, and then infiltration by lymphocytes, shrunken alveoli, loss of glandular architecture and fibrous tissue proliferation. We conclude that in bitches, intrammamary inoculation of Staphylococcus intermedius can induce clinical mastitis, followed by subclinical disease. The disorder is characterized by bacterial isolation and leukocyte influx in challenged glands, by leukocyte presence in adjacent mammary glands, by increased blood leukocyte counts and by destruction of mammary parenchyma.     

Myelofibrosis: Review of clinical and pathological features in fourteen dogs

A clinicopathological study was performed on 14 dogs with myelofibrosis (MF), in order to correlate clinical, laboratory, and histomorphological parameters and investigate factors of prognostic significance. The clinical signs included fatigue, weight loss, anorexia, and diarrhea. Physical findings included pale mucous membranes and wasting/emaciation. The major laboratory observations were moderate to severe, poorly-responsive anemia with various degrees of marrow cellularity and fibrosis. All dogs with severe, non-responsive anemia should have a bone marrow core biopsy, stained for connective tissue, in order to detect myelofibrosis. Myelofibrosis regressed in six dogs.     

Canine neural angiostrongylosis: the clinical and therapeutic features of 55 natural cases

The clinical features of 55 naturally occurring cases of neural angiostrongylosis caused by the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis are described. The principal clinical feature is an ascending paresis of varying severity, mainly effecting the limbs and bladder. In severely affected animals the cranial nerves and central nervous system are affected. A distinguishing clinical sign is a variable severe lumbar hyperalgesia. For prognostic purposes the severity of the disease is divided into 3 grades. Recovery occurs in the first 2, however in the third, the most severe grade, animals do not recover. Corticosteroids and supportive nursing facilitate recovery and lessen the residual neurological dysfunction. Anthelmintics were included in the therapeutic regimen but their use worsened the signs. Death was recorded in association with the use of anthelmintics in cases that should have otherwise recovered.     

Review of the microbiological, pathological, and clinical aspects of bovine mastitis caused by the alga Prototheca zopfii

The mastitis caused by P. zopfii alga is a disease of high-producing, machine-milked dairy cows. It occurs worldwide in tropical and temperate climatic areas, and mostly appears sporadically in a therapy-resistant form. However, in poorly managed dairy herds it may be endemic, causing serious economic losses as a result of decreased milk quality and quantity and culling of infected animals. The biological properties of this pathogenic alga, the laboratory methods available for its isolation and identification, the pathological and clinical features of this form of mastitis, and the principles of its control are reviewed in this paper.     

Influence of zearalenone on some metabolic, physiological and pathological aspects of female rabbits at two different ages.

Thirty six female rabbits half of which at four months of age while the other half aged eight months. Each group of age was divided into three subgroups of an equal number and received 0.0, 0.5, and 1.0 ppm zearalenone (F-2) in the feed of young animals and 0.0, 1.0 and 4.0 ppm in the feed of the old one for 18 days. The data showed that zearalenone administration to young rabbit diets elevated body weight gain, feed intake, water consumption, digestibility and digesta contents of dry matter and ash. Haemoglobin percent, packed cell volume, and serum calcium, phosphorus and vitamin C were also increased in response to dietary F-2. Liver dry matter, ether extract and ash contents as well as bone density, ash and silica contents were considerably elevated in the young treated animals. The opposite trend however, was seen for all studied parameters of old rabbits fed on diets supplemented with F-2. On the other hand, zearalenone application caused a noticeable histopathological changes in liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, adrenal glands, spleen and uterus. Thus, and in spite of its improving the performance of young rabbits, it would not be recommended to use F-2 as anabolic agent in rabbits diet.