Surgical correction of the tetralogy of Fallot in a dog

Tetralogy of Fallot is the commonest cause of cyanotic congenital heart disease in the dog. Previous attempts at surgical treatment have been confined to palliative systemic to pulmonary arterial shunts. We describe the clinical presentation, cardiac catheterization and angiographic diagnosis of Fallot's tetralogy in a young Boxer dog. Total intracardiac correction was successfully embarked upon with the use of cardiopulmonary by-pass. Postoperatively there was a marked improvement in his exercise tolerance. Intermittent syncopal attacks developed several months after discharge from hospital and the dog died suddenly two years after operation.     

Balloon dilation of right ventricular outflow tract in a dog with tetralogy of Fallot.

Balloon dilation was performed on a dog with tetralogy of Fallot. Immediately following balloon dilation, the peak systolic pressure gradient across the pulmonic valve declined from 97 to 63 mmHg. Doppler echocardiography following balloon dilation revealed increased pulmonary blood flow. Clinical symptoms obviously improved and the dog's improved condition was maintained for 4 months. There were no serious complications in performing the procedure. It was concluded that balloon dilation was a safe and effective treatment for a dog case with tetralogy of Fallot. Long-term follow-up studies will be required to identify the exact indications of balloon dilation for tetralogy of Fallot.     

Microsurgical management of tetralogy of Fallot in a cat

A modified Blalock-Taussig shunt was performed on a cat with tetralogy of Fallot. Previous attempts at such palliative surgery in the cat have failed, due to small vessel size. The use of microvascular instrumentation and technique resulted in a patent shunt in this case.     

Tetralogy of Fallot in a 2-year-old Holstein heifer

A 2-year-old, purebred Holstein heifer with exercise intolerance and cardiovascular compromise was diagnosed at postmortem with tetralogy of Fallot, which typically results in death within a few months of life. Survival past the age of 2 was unexpected. The concurrent endocarditis of the pulmonic valve is discussed.     

Oligodendroglioma in a dog

Oligodendroglioma of the left thalamic region of the brain of a dog is described. Over a period of approximately 6 months the tumour caused progressive posterior ataxia, listlessness, tilting of the head and circling to the right, nystagmus, blindness of the right eye and atrophy of the temporal muscle. The histological features on which the diagnosis was based were the presence of characteristically-shaped basophilic neoplastic cells with a clear space or ‘halo’ around them, scanty cytoplasm, small, stubby processes seen in silver-stained sections, and vascular proliferation. Résumé. On décrit un oligodendrogliǒme dans la partie gauche du thalamus du cerveau d'un chien. Après une période d'environ six mois, la tumeur avail causé une ataxie postérieure progressive, de l'apathie, un penchement de la těte avec oscillation à droite, un nystagme, une cécité de l'oeil droit et une atrophie du muscle temporal. Les particularités histologiques sur lesquelles on s'est fondé pour le diagnostic comprenaient la présence de cellules néoplastes basophiles d'une forme caractéristique, entourées d'un cercle clair ou ‘halo’, un cytoplasme insuffisant, des fromations petites et trapues observées dans les sections teintées d'argent et une proligération vasculaire. Zusammenfassung. Ein Fall von Oligodendrogliom der linken Thalamusregion des Gehirns eines Hundes wird beschrieben. Über eine Periode von annähernd 6 Monaten verursachte der Tumor progressive posteriore Ataxie, Teilnahmslosigkeit, Schiefhaltung des Kopfes und Kreisbewegung nach rechts, Nystagmus, Blindheit des rechten Auges und Atrophie des Musculus temporalis. Die histologischen Merkmale, auf denen die Diagnose beruhte, waren die Anwesenheit charakteristisch geformter basophiler neoplastischer Zellen, die von einem freien Raum oder “Lichthof” umgeben waren, spärliche Cytoplasmen, kleine, knollige Wucherungen, die in silbergefärbten Schnitten beobachtet wurden, und vasculäre Proliferation.     

Lymphangiectasia in a dog

Summary. A 5-year-old speyed female silky terrier was presented with ascites. Clinical pathology revealed hypoproteinaemia, lymphpaenia, hypocalcaemia and hypocholesterolaemia. Surgical biopsy of the small intestine enabled the diagnosis of intestinal lymphangiectasia to be made.     

Haemobartonellosis in a dog

SUMMARY Haemobartonella canis was identified in the peripheral blood of a splenectomised dog with a regenerative anaemia. Treatment with tetracycline and prednisolone led to remission of the parasitaemia and increase in the packed cell volume. Mild parasitaemia was again observed when the dog was clinically normal.     

Hypocalcemia in a dog

A case of hypocalcemia was presented with a concurrent hyperphosphatemia. Normal renal function tests excluded primary renal insufficiency. The diet was thought to contain a normal ratio of calcium and phosphorus and, therefore, nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism was not considered. The radiographs showed normal bone density and the dog was not lame. Concentrations of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone were measured in an attempt to classify the etiology. The dog was successfully managed with calcium supplementation and vitamin D(3) or oral calcium alone.     

Phycomycosis in a dog

SUMMARY A case of phycomycosis, with skin lesions, in a dog is reported. Hyphomyces destruens (Pythium gracile) was identified from aspirate collected from a regional lymph node, and characteristic hyphae were seen in stained sections of a biopsy specimen of affected skin. Incidence, pathogenesis and therapy are discussed.