Septic pericardial effusion associated with pulmonary and pericardial botryomycosis in a dog

The authors report a case of septic pericardial effusion resulting in cardiac tamponade associated with intrathoracic botryomycosis in a dog. Septic pericarditis and a pulmonary mass were diagnosed, and subtotal pericardiectomy and lobectomy of the affected pulmonary areas were carried out. Histopathology of the excised tissue showed changes supportive of botryomycosis--namely a pyogranulomatous inflammation with neutrophils centred around amorphous homogeneous eosinophilic material and club-like bodies containing Gram-positive bacterial cocci present in the centre. The patient recovered well following surgery and antibiotic therapy. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of pulmonary botryomycosis in the dog and the first report of this condition presented with pericardial involvement and cardiac tamponade in any species.     

Intracranial botryomycosis in a mature horse

This case report describes an unusual diagnosis of central nervous system botryomycosis in a horse. A 16‐year‐old Welsh Section D gelding was evaluated for acute onset of hypermetric ataxia, leaning to the left and head tilt to the right. Based on the neurological signs, a cerebellar lesion with accompanying vestibular disease was suspected and supportive therapy consisting of antimicrobial and glucocorticosteroid drugs and hypertonic saline was instituted. This resulted in marked clinical improvement over a 48 h period. Computed tomography performed in the standing, sedated horse following initial stabilisation identified extensive sclerosis and lysis of the right temporal and occipital bones, consistent with an infectious or neoplastic process. Based on the grave prognosis for survival despite the clinical improvement, euthanasia was undertaken. Post mortem magnetic resonance imaging identified a mass lesion impinging on the right cerebellar hemisphere, sclerosis of the temporal and occipital bones lateral and ventral to the mass, as well as destruction of the temporal bone between the inner ear and the cerebellum. These changes corresponded to the presence of a mass within the right dorsal temporal bone, extending into the right lateral temporal bone. The mass extended to compress and adhere to the right lateral hemisphere of the cerebellum. A histopathological diagnosis of botryomycosis was made, affecting the temporal and occipital bones and compressing the cerebellum.     

Pulmonary botryomycosis in a Scottish highland steer.

Pertinent necropsy findings in a 5 1/2-year-old Scottish Highland steer with chronic intractable pneumonia and cough were limited to the pulmonary system. The accessory lobe of the lung was collapsed, scarred, and multifocally adhered to parietal pleura. A polypoid mass almost completely obstructed the lobar bronchus and protruded into the trachea; mucopurulent exudate distended more distal bronchi. Botryomycosis was diagnosed when histologic examination revealed pyogranulomatous pneumonia with eosinophilic granules and "club" formation surrounding colonies of gram-positive cocci. Staphylococcus aureus was cultured from the lung. Botryomycosis is an unusual response to infection with common bacteria and is characterized by pyogranulomatous inflammation with formation of eosinophilic granules surrounding colonies of gram-positive cocci or gram-negative bacilli. Among domestic species, staphylococcal botryomycosis is most common as a wound infection in horses or as mastitis in cows and sows. Pulmonary botryomycosis is rare in horses, humans, and guinea pigs and apparently has not been reported in cattle.     

Intra-abdominal hemorrhage associated with a granulosa-thecal cell neoplasm in a mare

A 9-year-old American Saddlebred mare was referred because of abdominal distention and signs of abdominal pain. Copious peritoneal fluid obtained by abdominocentesis appeared to be frank blood. Rectal and ultrasonographic evaluation of the abdomen revealed a large mass at the distal tip of the right uterine horn. The mare was euthanatized and necropsied and the mass was determined to be a granulosa-thecal cell neoplasm. The most common clinical sign of granulosa-thecal cell neoplasm is infertility or abnormal sexual behavior. Hemoperitoneum is infrequently associated with neoplasms in horses.     

Intra-abdominal cryptococcosis in two dogs

Intra-abdominal cryptococcosis was diagnosed in two young dogs. The first, an entire male border collie, was presented with vomiting. An abdominal mass detected during physical examination proved to be cryptococcal mesenteric lymphadenitis on exploratory laparotomy. The second dog, a female neutered giant schnauzer, was presented with neurological signs suggestive of encephalopathy. Intestinal cryptococcal granulomas were detected in an extensive diagnostic investigation which included abdominal ultrasonography. The gastrointestinal tract was considered the most likely portal of entry for cryptococcal organisms in both cases. Both dogs were treated using surgery and multiagent antifungal chemotherapy. The first case succumbed despite therapy, while the second dog was treated successfully as gauged by return to clinical normality and a substantial decline in the cryptococcal antigen titre which continued to fall after cessation of treatment.     

Intra-abdominal hypertension in two adult horses

Objective – To describe the clinical and pathological findings in 2 adult horses with documented increases in intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), and to describe the direct puncture technique used to measure this pressure.
Series Summary – Two adult horses developed increases in IAP secondary to large-volume abdominal effusion. A 9-year-old Quarter Horse cross gelding was presented for evaluation of urinary and neurologic signs. Abdominal ultrasonographic examination showed a hepatic abscess along with abdominal effusion. A 4-year-old Quarter Horse gelding was presented for evaluation of castration complications. A castration site infection extended into surrounding tissues, resulting in peritonitis, abdominal effusion, and severe cellulitis of the limbs. IAP measured in both horses was increased relative to reported equine reference values. Changes in hemodynamic parameters in both horses, notably increased central venous pressure, were consistent with those seen in other species in which intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and its sequellae have been documented.
New or Unique Information Provided – Extensive research and clinical literature guides management of humans with IAH and abdominal compartment syndrome. Knowledge of these conditions in companion animal and large domestic species is less well developed. Recent research has established reference values for standing, sedated and recumbent, anesthetized horses. Detailed reports of equine clinical cases of IAH have not been reported in the literature. This report provides information on the clinical, hemodynamic, and pathologic characteristics of 2 horses with measured increases in IAP, and describes the direct puncture technique used to perform these measurements.     

Rhinosporidiosis in a dog

Rhinosporidiosis was diagnosed in a black and tan coonhound. Clinical signs were characterized by 6 to 8 months of intermittent sneezing. Numerous polypoid nodules were removed from the nasal cavity. Histologic examination of the nodules revealed chronic pyogranulomatous inflammation caused by infection with Rhinosporidium seeberi. Rhinosporidiosis has been reported in human beings, dogs, and several other domestic species. It is an uncommon disease in the United States.     

Rhinosporidiosis in a dog

A dog with a nasal papilloma due to Rhinosporidium seeberi is presented. The causative organism was found using cytopathology and histopathology. The young Doberman dog had never travelled out of the province of Ontario and is the first case of rhinosporidiosis reported in Canada.     

Trichinosis in a dog

Trichinella spiralis infection was identified by direct fecal examination as the cause of gastrointestinal disease in a dog. The source of infection was believed to be a woodchuck. Management included supportive care and benzimidazole treatment. Vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and myalgia are the main signs of trichinosis, but routine fecal examination seldom reveals T spiralis in natural infections. Mebendazole is the recommended anthelmintic and should be used to eliminate intestinal larvae and prevent muscle invasion. Although the prevalence of trichinosis is decreasing in swine, wild mammals may still be a potential source for dogs and cats. Nevertheless, because of the nonspecific clinical signs of trichinosis, many cases probably go undiagnosed.