Surgical correction of facial droop in the English cocker spaniel

Hooding of the globe with exposure of both membrana and everted lower palpebral conjunctival surfaces is part of a required facial conformation for several breeds of dog. Compliance with the associated Kennel Club breed standards may bring reward in the show ring, but poor apposition between eyelid and globe is clinically unsound. There may be an associated physical impairment of sight, chronic conjunctivitis or keratoconjunctivitis, and epiphora. Treatment can be difficult, but in the English cocker spaniel considerable improvement may be achieved by simple face lift surgery. The technique restores the palpebral fissure to its normal position, and long term results suggest that the correction is maintained permanently.     

Echocardiographic characterization of dilatation cardiomyopathy in the English cocker spaniel

The echocardiographic characterization of a dilatation cardiomyopathy in small-breed dogs is reported. Twelve clinically healthy adult English Cocker Spaniel dogs (between 2 and 9 years old and weighing 11.5 to 15.4 kg [mean 12.9 +/- 1.00 kg]) from a kennel population with a history of cardiomyopathy were assessed, using M-mode echocardiography. The dogs were selected on ECG and/or radiographic evidence of ventricular enlargement. Nine dogs had R-wave amplitude in lead 11 of greater than 3.0 mV. Two dogs had an unusual right-axis deviation, the result of deep Q waves in the limb leads and deep S waves in chest leads CV6LL and CV6LU, indicating that there was right ventricular enlargement. All dogs had increased end-systolic dimensions (mean 3.0 +/- 0.6 cm). End-diastolic dimensions were increased in 9 dogs (mean 4.0 +/- 0.5 cm), and there was a decrease of left ventricular (LV) function as measured by fractional shortening in 8 dogs. Mean fractional shortening for the 12 dogs was 25.4 +/- 5.7%. There was significant correlation between LV dimensions and age at echocardiographic assessment, indicating that LV dilatation was progressive. Three of the oldest dogs had severe dilatation of the LV, and in 2 of these, LV function was severely decreased. Left ventricular function in the 3rd dog, however, was within the acceptable range. Fractional shortening and thickness of the LV caudal wall and interventricular septum were significantly correlated (P less than 0.01 for interventricular system and P less than 0.05 for LV caudal wall).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Lipid storage myopathy in a cocker spaniel

A six-year-old male cocker spaniel was presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of Florida, with a three-week history of generalised weakness and myalgia. Electrodiagnostic evaluation, cerebrospinal fluid analysis and thoracolumbar myelography were unremarkable. Biopsies from vastus lateralis and triceps muscles revealed numerous large lipid droplets within type 1 fibres and to a lesser degree within type 2 fibres. The resting plasma lactate was mildly increased and there was elevated urinary excretion of lactic, pyruvic and acetoacetic acids, increased urinary excretion of carnitine esters, and increased plasma alanine. This pattern of metabolite excretion is consistent with an, as yet undefined, block in oxidative metabolism.     

Septic fibrinous pericarditis in a cocker spaniel

A four-year-old cocker spaniel presented with cardiac tamponade due to a pericardial effusion, in addition to pyrexia and peripheral neutrophilia and a recent history of chest trauma. Cytological examination of the pericardial effusion revealed a predominant neutrophilia. The echocardiographic findings were of numerous hyperechoic densities in the pericardial space, due to fibrin, with concurrent thickening and distortion of the pericardium. Postmortem examination, including microbiology, revealed the presence of organising septic fibrinous pericarditis associated with a mixed infection of Streptococcus canis, Citrobacter species, Pseudomonas species and alpha-haemolytic streptococci.     

Nasal dermoid sinus in an American cocker spaniel

An American cocker spaniel was presented for a subcutaneous mass and draining tract located between its eyes. Contrast radiography and surgical excision showed communication of the tract with the left frontal sinus and rostral cerebral dura, respectively. A dermoid sinus was diagnosed by a combination of gross and histologic findings.     

Panniculitis associated with pancreatitis in a cocker spaniel

A 13-year-old, male cocker spaniel presented with a history of inappetence, depression and reluctance to stand. The dog had multiple, ulcerated skin lesions which were diagnosed as panniculitis by histopathology. A diagnosis of pancreatitis was made on the basis of markedly elevated serum lipase concentrations, abdominal ultrasonography which showed an abnormal lobulated area of hypoechoic tissue in the body and right lobe of the pancreas, and a fine needle biopsy from this area which revealed large numbers of degenerate neutrophils. After treatment with antibiotics and prednisolone, the dog made a full clinical recovery and was free of clinical signs for four months. The dog was euthanased five months later and postmortem examination revealed chronic, active pancreatitis and a pancreatic adenoma. This is the first report of antemortem diagnosis of pancreatitis and panniculitis in a dog.     

Gallbladder mucocele in a 12-year-old cocker spaniel

A 12-year-old, spayed cocker spaniel was presented for panting behavior which had increased over the past several months. A diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism was made, and ultrasound imaging revealed the presence of a gallbladder mucocele. While often an incidental finding, gallbladder mucoceles can have consequences and require intervention. The etiology, diagnosis, and management of gallbladder mucoceles are discussed.     

Inherited phosphofructokinase deficiency in an American cocker spaniel.

A 3-year-old female American Cocker Spaniel with a chronic hemolytic disorder and hemolytic crises was found to have M-type phosphofructokinase deficiency. This inherited erythroenzymopathy and myopathy is commonly diagnosed in English Springer Spaniels, but the family study of this Cocker Spaniel, although supporting an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance, did not reveal any English Springer Spaniel ancestors. Molecular genetic studies did, however, identify the same mutation in this dog as we previously reported in the English Springer Spaniel breed, suggesting that this mutation originated prior to the separation of these 2 breeds.     

Haemophilia A in the cocker spaniel: a case report

A four-year-old entire male cocker spaniel was presented with a history of dyspnoea due to tracheal stenosis. As part of the clinical approach, a coagulation screening profile revealed moderately reduced levels of Factor VIII procoagulant activity (VIII: C), but elevated factor VHI-related antigen levels (VIIIR: Ag). A diagnosis of haemophilia A (classic haemophilia) was made and the tracheal stenosis attributed to a mediastinal haematoma. The dyspnoea was alleviated by the surgical insertion of a tracheostomy tube and the dog was treated with citrated whole blood and fresh-frozen canine plasma. Response to treatment was excellent and follow-up radiography three months later revealed resolution of the tracheal stenosis.     

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis possibly associated with over-vaccination in a cocker spaniel

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis was observed in a seven-month-old male cocker spaniel dog. The clinical, microbiological, biochemical, radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations ruled out neoplasia, congenital disease and infectious disease. The anamnesis revealed that the owner had vaccinated the dog seven times, one vaccination per month, without veterinarian supervision. In both kidneys, severe thickening of the glomerular capillary walls was observed. Electron microscope examination revealed a large number of electron-dense deposits that were primarily in the glomerular subendothelial spaces and the basal membrane, which is compatible with antigen-antibody complexes. The immunohistochemical examination revealed that the antigen present in the glomeruli corresponded with the antigen present in the vaccine. We report a type III hypersensitivity nephropathy in a young dog, which was possibly caused by over-vaccination.     

Perineal hernia with bladder retroflexion in a female cocker spaniel

Perineal herniation in the bitch is rare and its complication by bladder retroflexion in the bitch has not been previously reported in the literature. This case report describes a multigravid, five-year-old female cocker spaniel with bilateral perineal hernias, complicated by marked rectal sacculation and ventral bladder retroflexion. The case was managed initially by cystopexy and colopexy, followed seven days later by bilateral perineal herniorrhaphy. There was no recurrence of the problem by 12 months postsurgery.     

P-52 A case of juvenile cellulitis concurrent with hindlimb paresis in an English cocker spaniel puppy

Pemphigus vegetans is a very rare cutaneous autoimmune blistering acantholytic disease of humans that combines features of both pemphigus foliaceus and mucosal lesions of pemphigus vulgaris. We report here the clinical, histopathological and immunological findings in a dog whose lesions resembled those of pemphigus vegetans of humans. A 4-year old, greater Swiss mountain dog was presented with verrucous papules and crusts on the axillae and inguinal region. Within 3 months, lesions progressed to involve the thorax and ear pinnae, and then became generalized. Ulcers were observed in the oral cavity, anus and prepuce. Microscopic examination of mucosal and cutaneous biopsy specimens revealed a mixed pattern of deep intraepidermal neutrophilic and eosinophilic pustules with isolated and clustered acantholytic keratinocytes, along with suprabasal epidermal clefts leaving rounded basal keratinocytes at the bottom of the vesicles. These dual changes were also observed within the hair follicle epithelium. Dermal inflammation was mixed and perivascular. Direct immunofluorescence revealed IgG deposited around epidermal keratinocytes. Indirect immunofluorescence performed on normal canine gingival substrate uncovered antikeratinocyte IgG autoantibodies with a serum titre of 1:2500. Immunoblotting confirmed that circulating IgG autoantibodies recognized the extracellular segment of canine desmoglein-1 and human desmoglein-3. Treatment with azathioprine and oral glucocorticoids resulted in long-lasting complete remission. In this dog, clinical signs, microscopic skin lesions and immunological findings were deemed analogous to those of human Neumann-type pemphigus vegetans.
Funding: Self-funded.     

Asymmetric lumbosacral transitional vertebra and subsequent disc protrusion in a cocker spaniel

A 10-year-old cocker spaniel bitch presented with severe lumbosacral pain and acute onset left pelvic limb lameness. A diagnosis of asymmetric lumbosacral transitional vertebra with disc protrusion at L6-L7 was made by computed tomography. The cauda equina and left L6 nerve root were surgically decompressed with a dorsal laminectomy and lateral foraminotomy, which led to rapid resolution of the clinical signs.     

Combination of cyclosporin A and prednisolone for juvenile cellulitis concurrent with hindlimb paresis in 3 English cocker spaniel puppies

Three 7-week-old, English cocker spaniel littermates were diagnosed as having juvenile cellulitis with concurrent neurologic signs based on history, histopathology, and therapeutic response. The puppies were treated with cyclosporin A and prednisolone. Skin lesions and hindlimb paresis improved following treatment.     

Mineralized,obstructive cardiac myxoma with chondroid differentiation in a cocker spaniel

A 12-year-old castrated male cocker spaniel dog was referred for evaluation of signs consistent with right-sided heart failure. Thoracic radiography revealed mineralization in the region of the right atrium. Echocardiography identified a mass partially filling the right atrium and right ventricle and obstructing flow through the right heart. These findings were confirmed at necropsy and histopathologic features were consistent with myxoma with chondroid differentiation.     

Propagation of a partial incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle in an American cocker spaniel

A hypoattenuating lesion in the left humeral condyle of an American cocker spaniel consistent with partial incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle was observed on computed tomography. Left forelimb lameness developed over the following three weeks at which time repeat computed tomography examination confirmed propagation of the lesion. Lameness resolved following placement of a transcondylar positional screw, suggesting that lameness was secondary to condylar instability. To the authors' knowledge this is the first report of propagation of an intracondylar lesion in a dog.