Diseases associated with pronounced eosinophilia: a study of 105 dogs in Sweden

Records of 105 dogs with pronounced eosinophilia (>2.2 X l0⁹ eosinophils/litre) were evaluated in a retrospective study to determine diseases associated with the abnormality in dogs in Sweden. Inflammatory disease in organs with large epithelial surfaces, such as the gut, lungs or skin, was found in 36 per cent of the dogs. A further one-quarter of the 105 cases were placed in the 'miscellaneous' category, which comprised various diseases found at low frequency. The most well defined diagnosis was pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophils in 12 per cent of the dogs. A further 11 per cent had parasitic disease caused by either sarcoptic mange or nasal mite. No atopic dog was found and rottweilers were over-represented in most disease groups. Pronounced eosinophilia, in many cases transient, seems to be associated with a variety of disorders in dogs. In the present study, rottweilers appeared to be more prone to a high eosinophil response than other breeds.     

A retrospective study of 40 dogs with polyarthritis

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings from dogs with polyarthritis (PA). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Forty dogs. METHODS: Medical records of 40 dogs with a diagnosis of PA were reviewed. Retrieved data included breed, age at admission, sex, weight, clinical signs, and the results of synovial fluid analysis, complete blood count, serum chemistry profile, urinalysis, serologic screening tests for infectious diseases, and radiographic examination of affected joints. RESULTS: The incidence of PA was 0.37%. Twenty-nine breeds were represented; 16 dogs were male, and 24 were female. Mean body weight was 20.1 +/- 15 kg. The mean age at admission was 5.6 +/- 4 years. Eighty percent of dogs with PA had difficulty or reluctance walking, 35% were lame, 33% had spontaneous vocalization without any obvious reason, 20% had exercise intolerance, 18% were febrile, and 7.5% had an inability to rise or move. Joint pain was identified in 40% of dogs. Synovial fluid color varied from colorless (36%) to yellow-tinged (36%) or hemorrhagic (28%). Synovial fluid mean cell count varied from 10 cells (400x) to 50 cells (1,000x). Leukocytosis occurred in 59% of the dogs and was more frequently identified in dogs with very severe synovial inflammation. Thirty-one percent of affected dogs were anemic. Serum biochemical profiles were considered abnormal in 13% of the dogs. Joint radiography did not identify erosive arthritis. CONCLUSIONS: PA is a common cause of locomotor abnormalities in dogs; however, true lameness and articular pain are not common clinical findings in dogs with PA. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: PA should be considered in the differential diagnosis for all dogs with difficulty walking.     

Study of 253 dogs in the United Kingdom with diabetes mellitus

Clinical information and blood samples were collected from 253 dogs with naturally occurring diabetes mellitus. Over half of them were labrador retrievers, collies, Yorkshire terriers or crossbred dogs, and approximately 80 per cent of them were diagnosed between the ages of five and 12 years. The majority of the dogs were receiving insulin therapy once a day, but in the dogs receiving insulin injections twice a day there was a trend for lower serum fructosamine concentrations, suggesting better glycaemic control. The proportion of female dogs with diabetes was lower than in previous surveys. The disease was diagnosed more commonly in the winter months, a seasonal pattern also observed in human beings with diabetes, suggesting that similar environmental factors might be involved in the disease.     

Respiratory complications in dogs with tetanus: A retrospective study of 53 cases

Tetanus can lead to respiratory complications, and the outcome of dogs affected by this disease is still largely unknown. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the frequency and outcome of 53 dogs with tetanus and respiratory complications between February 2006 and January 2019.Medical records from dogs diagnosed with tetanus admitted to a referral teaching hospital were reviewed. Fifty-three dogs were diagnosed with tetanus and respiratory complications were observed in 26.4% (14/53) of dogs; 8 developed aspiration pneumonia (AP), 5 developed upper airway obstruction (UAO) and 1 dog developed both. A total of 5 AP dogs were mechanically ventilated. Three dogs with UAO had tracheostomy tubes placed. Dogs with respiratory complications had a poorer outcome, with only 14.3% (2/14) surviving to discharge, compared to 94.8% (37/39) for dogs with no respiratory complications. Respiratory complications such as AP and UAO were common in dogs with tetanus, and this was associated with a poorer outcome.     

Von Willebrand's disease in dogs in the United Kingdom

An assay for the measurement of von Willebrand factor antigen has been established. In a period of 18 months, 13 dogs have been identified as suffering from von Willebrand's disease. The affected animals had levels of von Willebrand factor antigen which ranged from undetectable to 43 per cent of normal. Factor VIII levels were also reduced. Haemorrhagic episodes were usually associated with trauma or surgery, and often required transfusion with fresh blood or plasma to arrest haemorrhage.     

Thoracolumbar disc extrusion associated with extensive epidural haemorrhage: a retrospective study of 23 dogs

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical features and outcome in dogs suffering from thoracolumbar disc extrusion associated with extensive epidural haemorrhage (DEEH) and treated with extensive hemilaminectomy (from three to seven vertebrae). METHODS: The records of 23 dogs with surgically confirmed DEEH were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: All cases were characterised by rapid progression to severe neurological dysfunction (grade III, V and VI). Myelography was performed in 21 cases and showed an absence (16 cases) or attenuation (five cases) of contrast medium column along three to seven vertebrae. In two dogs, magnetic resonance imaging was accurate in confirming extradural compression due to disc material and haemorrhage, determining the extent of compression and side of the lesion. All cases were treated surgically with extensive hemilaminectomy involving all the compressed spinal segments. Twenty-one dogs (91 per cent) recovered and regained ambulatory function. Two dogs, without deep pain perception before surgery, did not improve. A two-year follow-up history was available for 15 dogs. Disc extrusion recurred in two dogs (9 per cent), two and 20 months after surgery. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Extensive hemilaminectomy can adequately decompress the spinal cord after DEEH and may produce a recovery and recurrence rate similar to thoracolumbar disc extrusion not complicated by extensive epidural haemorrhage.     

Factors associated with mortality of geriatric horses in the United Kingdom

Geriatric horses (aged≥15 years) now represent a substantial proportion of the equine population, yet mortality rates for aged horses in the UK have not previously been described. Although post-mortem studies have provided some data regarding specific causes of death, "old age" is a common owner-reported reason for euthanasia of adult horses, indicating further elucidation of reasons for death or euthanasia is required for the geriatric equine population. The objective of this cohort study was to describe mortality rates, causes of death or euthanasia and factors associated with mortality in geriatric horses and ponies. Veterinary registered horses randomly selected for a cross-sectional questionnaire survey on geriatric health were enrolled in the cohort study (n=908). Follow-up information was obtained over an 18-month period via telephone questionnaires and mortality questionnaires, providing data regarding reasons for death or euthanasia, were completed for 118 cases of mortality. Overall and stratified mortality rates were calculated and Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate risk factors associated with mortality. The majority (94%) of mortalities were euthanised, most frequently due to lameness (24%) and colic (21%). Veterinary advice was important in owner decision making regarding euthanasia of cases of colic or other acute illnesses, while poor quality of life was considered an important factor where euthanasia was due to chronic diseases or lameness. Overall mortality rate was 11.1 (95% C.I. 9.2-13.2) per 100 horse-years at risk, with the mortality rate of animals >30 years of age over five times the rate in horses aged 15-19 years. On multivariable analysis, increasing age was associated with increasing mortality and Cob/Cob crossbreeds and Thoroughbred/Thoroughbred crossbreeds had an increased risk of mortality. Horses considered to be underweight had a greater risk of mortality than those in good condition. Increasing number of owner-reported clinical signs and the degree to which pain was reported to limit normal daily activities were associated with increased risk of mortality. The results of this study provide useful information about rates and factors associated with mortality in geriatric horses in the UK, which should be relevant to veterinary surgeons involved in the treatment of aged horses.     

A retrospective study of heart disease in doberman pinscher dogs

The prevalence of gross and/or histological cardiac lesions was found to be much greater in Doberman pinscher dogs (16/26 or 62%) than in non-Doberman dogs (124/417 or 30%). At least some of the affected Dobermans were unrelated. Middle aged (mean age 4.7 yr) Dobermans of both sexes (11 M:5F) were affected. Four of the Dobermans with heart lesions had congestive cardiomyopathy; three of these four had congestive heart failure and the other one died suddenly. Prominent gross lesions were ventricular dilation and atrioventricular valvular endocardiosis. Histological lesions noted were prominent myocardial fibrosis, myofiber degeneration with fatty replacement, myofiber vacuolation and arterial intimal cushion formation. A spectrum of myocardial disease exists in Dobermans and clinically overt congestive cardiomyopathy represents one end of this spectrum.     

A retrospective study of the MRI findings in 18 dogs with stifle injuries

O bjectives : To make an objective assessment of the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of meniscal damage and cranial cruciate ligament disease in the canine stifle by comparing magnetic resonance imaging findings with surgical findings.
M ethods : Magnetic resonance images of 18 stifles from 18 dogs which had undergone magnetic resonance imaging for the investigation of stifle disease were reviewed. For every stifle, the menisci and cranial cruciate ligaments were assessed according to predetermined criteria. The magnetic resonance imaging findings were compared with the reported surgical findings and the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) were calculated using the surgical findings as the gold standard. Kappa analysis was used as an objective measure of agreement between surgical and magnetic resonance imaging findings. For 11 stifles, meniscal evaluation by three different observers was used to measure interobserver agreement using Kappa analysis.
R esults : Magnetic resonance imaging was demonstrated to be an accurate technique in the detection of meniscal injury (k=0·86), with excellent interobserver agreement (k=0·89 to 1·0). Disruption of cranial cruciate ligament continuity and an increase in ligament intensity were found to be useful criteria in the diagnosis of cranial cruciate ligament rupture.
C linical S ignificance : Magnetic resonance imaging offers a non-invasive alternative to exploratory surgery in the evaluation of cranial cruciate ligament and meniscal disease.     

A retrospective study on the use of acepromazine maleate in dogs with seizures

Use of acepromazine (i.e., acetylpromazine) maleate in dogs with a history of seizures is reportedly contraindicated because of the risk of decreasing the seizure threshold in these animals. In this retrospective study, acepromazine was administered for tranquilization to 36 dogs with a prior history of seizures and to decrease seizure activity in 11 dogs. No seizures were seen within 16 hours of acepromazine administration in the 36 dogs that received the drug for tranquilization during hospitalization. After acepromazine administration, seizures abated for 1.5 to 8 hours (n=6) or did not recur (n=2) in eight of 10 dogs that were actively seizing. Excitement-induced seizure frequency was reduced for 2 months in one dog.     

Study of obesity in dogs visiting veterinary practices in the United Kingdom

A total of 8268 dogs were surveyed in 11 veterinary practices in the United Kingdom during a period of six months in 1983. The primary purpose of the survey was to assess the level of obesity on a five point scale with properly identified criteria. Information on the clinical condition of each dog was also recorded as well as proportions of food types fed, particulars of breed, sex, age, sexual status and the dog's name. Results showed that 21.4 per cent of dogs in the survey were judged to be obese and 2.9 per cent gross; 1.9 per cent were judged as thin, 13.5 per cent lean and 60.3 per cent were optimum. Labradors were found to be the most likely breed to become obese. Neutered females were about twice as likely to be obese as entire females. The same trend was evident with neutered males. Circulatory problems were associated with dogs over 10 years old and those which were gross, rather than obese. A similar trend was discernable with articular/locomotor problems. Skin and reproductive problems showed little relationship with age or obesity. Neoplasia was much more prevalent in dogs over 10 years old but had little relationship with either sexual status or obesity rating. There was a high rate of usage of prepared food for all categories. The amount of fresh food fed decreased rapidly as the proportion of canned food increased, but the obese and non-obese dogs showed very little difference in the type of food fed.     

Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy in dogs: a retrospective study

The clinical aspects of 26 dogs suspected of fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FEM) were documented and compared to results from 2 studies published in the literature. The short-term recovery capacity of 15 of these patients was also evaluated during a 30 day period by giving a neurological score. We have observed, compared to other studies, a larger proportion of cervical localization (15.4%) as well as a larger variety of race sizes for FEM. We have established that, after 30 days, 67% of patients had improved and that 88% of non-ambulatory patients had regained their ambulatory capacity. Also, patients showing signs of grey matter lesions (inferior motor neuron--IMN) as well as those having white matter lesions (superior motor neuron--SMN) had shown signs of neurological progress. Therefore, we have observed that the recovery capacity of an animal suffering from FEM does not seem to be impacted by its initial ambulatory state, nor by its lesions to IMN or SMN, although the low number of cases does not allow us to positively confirm this situation.