Epidemiological, clinical, haematological and biochemical characteristics of canine hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism was diagnosed in 50 dogs and excluded in 86 dogs suspected of hypothyroidism, on the basis of the results of bovine thyrotropin response tests. Breed, pedigree, sex or neutering status did not significantly influence the likelihood of the dogs being hypothyroid. The hypothyroid dogs were significantly older than the non-hypothyroid dogs referred to the University of Glasgow during the same period. However, when dogs under two years of age were excluded from the statistical analyses there was no significant difference in age between the two groups. The most common clinical characteristics associated with hypothyroidism were metabolic signs (84 per cent of cases), particularly lethargy (76 per cent), obesity or weight gain (44 per cent), and exercise intolerance (24 per cent); and dermatological abnormalities (80 per cent), including alopecia (56 per cent), poor coat quality (30 per cent) and hyperpigmentation (20 per cent). When compared with the laboratory reference limits the most common biochemical and haematological abnormalities were increased concentrations of triglycerides (88 per cent), cholesterol (78 per cent), glucose (49 per cent), and fructosamine (43 per cent), and increased activities of creatine kinase (35 per cent), and decreased concentrations of inorganic phosphate (63 per cent), and a low red blood cell count (40 per cent). When compared with reference limits derived from the euthyroid dogs the most common abnormalities were increased concentrations of gamma-glutamyltransferase (21 per cent), cholesterol (18 per cent), and aspartate aminotransferase (15 per cent) and a decreased red blood cell count (29 per cent), and decreased neutrophils (18 per cent) and decreased activity of creatine kinase (15 per cent). Assessment of cholesterol, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and red blood cell and neutrophil counts may be particularly useful in distinguishing hypothyroid dogs from euthyroid animals with similar clinical signs.     

Pathogens in dog bite wounds in dogs in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Over a year swabs were taken from 87 untreated bite wounds in dogs seen by veterinary practitioners in Harare, Zimbabwe. Swabs were also taken from normal skin adjacent to the wound site, and gingival swabs were collected from normal dogs coming to the same clinics. The swabs were cultured aerobically for pathogens, particularly Staphylococcus intermedius, and the antibiotic sensitivities of the pathogens were determined by disc diffusion assay. The most common pathogens isolated from the wounds were S intermedius (23 per cent), Escherichia coli (18 per cent) and non-lactose-fermenting coliforms (14 per cent). S intermedius was common on the normal skin of the dogs with infected wounds, and was associated with wounds on the abdomen, hindlimbs and tail and wounds that were more than three days old. This organism was, however, isolated only infrequently from the gums and there was little correlation in general between the prevalence of pathogens in the mouth and their prevalence in wounds. Of the S intermedius isolates from wounds, 30 per cent were resistant to penicillin and multiple antibiotic resistance was common among the enterobacterial isolates. The majority of the pathogens were sensitive to cotrimoxazole.     

Serum protein electrophoresis in 147 dogs

Reference intervals for serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) were created from a group of 75 clinically healthy dogs and compared with SPE results obtained from clinical cases presented to the University of Bristol over an eight-and-a-half-year period. A total of 147 dogs, in which SPE had been performed, had complete case records available and thus met the inclusion criteria. Signalment and final diagnoses taken from the case records and SPE results were divided into normal and abnormal based on the newly established reference intervals. Cases were grouped according to the SPE protein fraction abnormalities and diagnosis using the DAMNITV classification system. Of the 147 cases, 140 (95.2 per cent) had abnormal SPE results. The most common protein fraction abnormality was decreased albumin (59.3 per cent) followed by a polyclonal increase in γ globulins (38.6 per cent). Decreased β-1 globulins and increased β-2 globulins were documented in 36.4 and 30.0 per cent of cases, respectively. The most common DAMNITV classification associated with abnormal SPE results was infectious/inflammatory disease, which was diagnosed in 79 of 140 cases (56.4 per cent). Monoclonal gammopathies were noted in eight dogs (5.7 per cent), and underlying lymphoproliferative disease was present in all cases where a diagnosis was achieved, including multiple myeloma (four dogs), splenic plasmacytoma (one dog), hepatic plasmacytoma (one dog) and lymphoma (one dog).     

Results of surgical correction of abnormalities associated with brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome in dogs in Australia

OBJECTIVES: To describe clinical features of brachycephalic airway obstructive disease in dogs, the incidence of laryngeal collapse in dogs presenting for surgery and the outcome after surgery in dogs with laryngeal collapse. METHODS: Basic clinical details were reviewed retrospectively in 73 dogs. Presence of laryngeal collapse and short-term outcomes after surgery were determined for 64 dogs with complete medical records. Long-term outcomes were reviewed for 46 dogs by telephone survey between 19 and 77 months following surgery. RESULTS: Stenotic nares were present in 31 dogs (42.5 per cent), elongated soft palate in 63 (86.3 per cent) and everted laryngeal saccules in 43 (58.9 per cent). The most common breeds were the pug (19 dogs, 26 per cent), Cavalier King Charles spaniel (15 dogs, 20.5 per cent), British bulldog (14 dogs, 19.2 per cent) and Staffordshire bull terrier (4 dogs, 5.5 per cent). Laryngeal collapse was present in 34 of 64 (53 per cent) dogs. No dogs died perioperatively and only one dog was euthanased as a result of its respiratory disease three years after surgery. Telephone interviews indicated that 26 dogs (56.5 per cent) were much improved after surgery, 15 (32.6 per cent) had some improvement and 5 (10.9 per cent) showed no improvement. Signs that persisted after surgery were snoring during sleep (34 dogs, 73.9 per cent), stertor/stridor while conscious (23 dogs, 50 per cent), excessive panting (13 dogs, 28.3 per cent) and dyspnoea (10 dogs, 21.7 per cent). Long-term outcome was considered good, even in dogs with laryngeal collapse. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Laryngeal collapse is relatively common in dogs presented for surgical correction of brachycephalic airway obstructive disease. Dogs with severe laryngeal collapse often respond well to surgery. Clinical signs rarely resolve completely following surgery.     

Review of left-to-right shunting patent ductus arteriosus and short term outcome in 98 dogs

The case records of 98 dogs with a left-to-right shunting patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) were reviewed. There were 35 breeds represented, with a female to male ratio of 3:1. Forty per cent of the dogs were older than one year at initial presentation and 31 per cent had clinical signs attributable to PDA. A left heart base continuous murmur of grade IV/VI or higher was noted in 90 per cent of the dogs. On electrocardiography, the most common abnormalities were tall R waves (63 per cent) and deep QII waves (62 per cent). The radiographic triad of dilation of the descending aorta with enlargement of the main pulmonary artery segment and left atrium, typical of PDA, was noted in only 26 per cent of cases. Two-dimensional (2D) and M-mode echocardiography detected left atrial enlargement (35 per cent) and an increased left ventricular diameter in diastole (82 per cent) and systole (84 per cent) as the most common abnormalities. Doppler echocardiography demonstrated increased aortic outflow velocities in 66 per cent of cases. The overall short-term successful outcome in this study was 95 per cent. There was no significant difference between surgical ductal ligation using a standard technique or the Jackson-Henderson technique in terms of survival, occurrence of haemorrhage or residual shunting. The number of interventional procedures used in this study was too low for statistical comparison, but there appeared to be a trend towards a higher rate of residual shunting and a lower fatality rate using a coil occlusion technique.     

A field study of watery mouth: clinical, epidemiological, biochemical, haematological and bacteriological observations

More than 500 cases of watery mouth in newborn lambs were recorded in 11 flocks and a detailed examination was performed in more than 200 cases. The condition occurred predominantly in lambs aged 24 to 48 hours. The incidence in a flock varied from 1 per cent to 24 per cent and the mortality in affected lambs varied from 7 per cent to 83 per cent. A bacteraemia was found in 38 per cent of the affected lambs. There were no consistent abnormalities of clinical biochemistry or haematology. Watery mouth was more common in twins and especially in triplets than in single lambs. In twins the highest incidence of watery mouth was recorded in lambs born to ewes in poor body condition. Antibiotic given orally within 15 minutes of birth greatly reduced the incidence of watery mouth.     

Correlation of ultrasonographic and patho-morphological findings in canine hepatic diseases

Findings of hepatic ultrasonography were analysed in 22 dogs with liver disease and compared with the results of final morphological diagnoses. Ultrasonographic appearance of the liver demonstrated focal alterations in 11 dogs (50 per cent): multifocal lesions in hepatic neoplasia (six), hepatic cirrhosis (one), generalised mycosis (one) and unifocal lesions in haemangiosarcoma (one), nodular hyperplasia (one) and misdiagnosed intestinal invagination (one), Diffuse ultrasonographic alterations were found in 11 dogs (50 per cent): hyperechoic liver of normal/enlarged size in lymphosarcoma (four) and hepatic lipidosis (two); hyperechoic ‘bright’ but small liver in atrophic cirrhosis (two); hypoechoic to normal intensity liver of normal size in liver dystrophy (two) and hepatic venous distension (one). Gallbladder abnormalities were detected in 14 of 20 dogs (70 per cent). Correct ultrasonographic diagnoses were made in 11 dogs (50 per cent). The best results were achieved by combining the clinicolaboratory and ultrasonographic findings, providing a correct diagnosis in 17 dogs (77-3 per cent).     

Retrospective evaluation of the long-term outcome of non-surgical management of 74 dogs with clinical hip dysplasia

The long-term outcome for dogs treated non-surgically for clinical signs of canine hip dysplasia were evaluated retrospectively; 74 dogs were evaluated by a postal questionnaire sent to their owners, and 24 of these were also evaluated by a veterinary clinical examination. A total of 11 outcome variables were evaluated. Depending on the variable assessed, between 31 (41.9 per cent) and 49 (66.2 per cent) of the dogs remained clinically affected according to their owner's assessment, and between 17 (70.8 per cent) and 23 (95.8 per cent) of the 24 dogs had abnormalities attributed to hip osteoarthritis according to the veterinary assessment. Orthopaedic abnormalities other than hip dysplasia affected 17 of the 24 dogs. Long-term medications had been prescribed for the treatment of clinical signs associated with hip dysplasia in 41 of the 74 dogs.     

Survey of the prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of dermatological conditions in small animals in general practice

A survey was made of the prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of dermatological conditions in small animals in general practice in the UK. Out of 3707 small animal consultations in general practice that were observed and recorded, 795 (21.4 per cent) involved animals that had a dermatological problem. In dogs and exotic species, pruritus was the most common presenting sign, accounting for 30 to 40 per cent of the dermatological consultations. In cats, cutaneous swellings were the most common presentation (36 per cent). A diagnosis or recommendation for treatment was made on the basis of the presenting clinical signs and physical examination alone in 576 (72 per cent) of the cases, and various diagnostic tests were performed in the other cases. In dogs, parasitic infestations, bacterial infections and neoplasia accounted for the majority of the diagnoses. In cats, parasites and bacterial infections were the most common. In exotic species, parasites accounted for over 80 per cent of the dermatological diagnoses. In dogs, the most common final diagnoses were otitis, pyoderma, anal sac impaction, flea infestation and atopic dermatitis. In cats, abscesses, flea infestation, and otitis were the most common diagnoses. In exotic species, the most common diagnosis was an unspecified mite infestation. Systemic antibiotics were prescribed in 196 cases (25 per cent), systemic glucocorticoids were prescribed in 162 cases (20 per cent) and treatment with an ectoparasiticide was prescribed in 167 cases (21 per cent).     

Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in 23 dogs (1999-2002)

Angiostrongylosis was diagnosed in 23 dogs presenting to the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals between June 1999 and August 2002. The animals' clinical records were reviewed retrospectively and certain risk factors were compared with a control population of 3407 dogs. Twenty-two of the 23 dogs were from south-east England and dogs from Surrey (n=8) were significantly overrepresented. There were also significantly more Cavalier King Charles spaniels (n=5) and Staffordshire bull terriers (n=5) among the affected dogs than in the control group. The median age of affected dogs was 10 months (range five to 90 months). The most common presenting signs were cough (65 per cent), dyspnoea (43 per cent), haemorrhagic diathesis (35 per cent) and collapse (26 per cent). Four dogs were thrombocytopenic and eight had significant prolongations in prothrombin time and/or activated partial thromboplastin time. Thoracic radiographs were abnormal in 18 of 19 dogs. A variety of changes were observed, the most typical being a patchy alveolar-interstitial pattern affecting the dorsocaudal lung fields. Angiostrongylus vasorum larvae were found in seven of 10 bronchoalveolar lavage specimens and 19 of 19 faecal samples. Three dogs died shortly after admission to the hospital. The remainder were successfully treated with fenbendazole at a dose of 50 mg/kg for five to 21 days. A vasorum should now be considered endemic to south-east England.     

Clinical, neurological and clinicopathological signs, treatment and outcome of metaldehyde intoxication in 18 dogs

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical signs, clinicopathological abnormalities and outcome of metaldehyde intoxication in dogs. METHODS: Medical records of dogs presenting between 1989 and 2005 with a diagnosis of metaldehyde toxicity were reviewed retrospectively. Data obtained from the medical record included signalment, history, clinical signs, laboratory tests results, hospitalisation period length, treatments and outcome. RESULTS: Eighteen dogs fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The most prevalent clinical signs were seizures, hyperthermia, tachycardia and muscle tremors. Serum biochemistry abnormalities included increased serum muscle enzymes activities, acidaemia (six dogs) and decreased blood bicarbonate (eight dogs). Treatment was symptomatic and supportive. Hyperbilirubinaemia was observed in two dogs. Diazepam was the most commonly used anticonvulsant followed by phenobarbitone and pentobarbital. General inhalant anaesthesia was required in nine of 18 dogs with seizures unresponsive to anticonvulsants. The survival was 83 per cent (15 of 18 dogs). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This clinical study recorded, for the first time in the veterinary literature, several clinicopathological abnormalities from severely intoxicated dogs. Metabolic acidosis was common, while acute or delayed hepatotoxicity was an uncommon complication.     

The epidemiology of echinococcus infection in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Infection of dogs with Echinococcus gramulosus is recorded for the first time in Kaduna State. Observations on 330 dogs from different suburbs revealed an incidence of 1.2 per cent. Of slaughtered stock examined, hydatid cyst infections were found in sheep (7.1 per cent), goats (18.4 per cent), cattle (1.5 per cent), camels (70.9 per cent) and pigs (5 per cent).     

Acquired urinary incontinence in bitches: its incidence and relationship to neutering practices

A five-year cohort study was conducted on bitches chosen by a sample of 233 randomly selected practising veterinary surgeons in the UK, to estimate the incidence of acquired urinary incontinence (AUI) in neutered and entire animals, and to investigate possible risk factors associated with neutering practices. Information was collected using questionnaires, and data on 809 bitches, of which 22 developed AUI, were obtained. The estimated incidence rates in neutered and entire animals were 0·0174 and 0·0022 per animal-year, respectively (95 per cent confidence intervals: 0·0110, 0·0275 and 0·0009, 0·0058, respectively). The relative risk, neutered vs entire, was 7·8 (95 per cent confidence interval: 2·6, 31·5). The attributable proportion_exposed and population attributable proportion were 87·1 per cent and 63·1 per cent (95 per cent confidence intervals: 61·9 per cent, 95·6 per cent, and 28·3 per cent, 88·5 per cent, respectively). An increased risk, significant at the conventional 5 per cent level, was not demonstrated in animals neutered before, vs after, first heat (relative risk: 3·9, 95 per cent confidence interval: 0·8, 10·4), although the result was significant at the 10 per cent level. Removal of the cervix was not shown to be a risk factor in neutered dogs.     

Canine dilated cardiomyopathy: a retrospective study of signalment, presentation and clinical findings in 369 cases

O bjective : To review the clinical and diagnostic findings and survival of dilated cardiomyopathy from a large population of dogs in England.
M ethods : A retrospective study of the case records of dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy collected between January 1993 and May 2006.
R esults : There were 369 dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy of which all were pure-bred dogs except for four. The most commonly affected breeds were dobermanns and boxers. Over 95 per cent of dogs weighed more than 15 kg and 73 per cent were male. The median duration of signs before referral was three weeks with 65 per cent presenting in stage 3 heart failure. The most common signs were breathlessness (67 per cent) and coughing (64 per cent). The majority of dogs (89 per cent) had an arrhythmia at presentation and 74 per cent of dogs had radiographic signs of pulmonary oedema or pleural effusion. The median survival time was 19 weeks.
C linical S ignificance : Dilated cardiomyopathy occurs primarily in medium to large breed pure-bred dogs, and males are more frequently affected than females. The duration of clinical signs before referral is often short and the survival times are poor. Greater awareness of affected breeds, clinical signs and diagnostic findings may help in early recognition of this disease which often has a short clinical phase.     

Electroneurographic examination of the ulnar and radial nerves in the dog: reference values, biological variation and reproducibility

The radial and ulnar nerves were examined electrophysiologically in 90 normal dogs. In 66 of these dogs, aged between one and eight years, the reference values were established for 27 variables. Multicomponent sensory nerve action potentials were encountered at the proximal recording site in the ulnar nerve in 68 per cent of the dogs in the reference group and in the radial nerve in 26 per cent. Differences between the sexes were not significant, nor were differences between two breeds of similar body size. There were no significant age related differences between the ages of one and eight years. Limb length, measured as the distance between sensory stimulation site (digits) and proximal recording site (elbow), was found to have a significant effect on the velocity, amplitude, number of positive peaks and duration of the nerve action potentials. The variation in results of repeated measurements of velocities ranged from 0 to 11 per cent. The relative error in velocities due to errors in measurement of distance and latency ranged from 1 to 12 per cent.     

Morbidity and mortality in 928 Dobermanns born in the Netherlands between 1993 and 1999

The morbidity and mortality among 928 dobermann dogs born between 1993 and 1999 were investigated by sending questionnaires to their owners; 340 (37 per cent) responded. Eighty-one of the dogs had died. Proportional mortality was high for heart failure (14.8 to 22.2 per cent), behavioural problems (19.8 per cent) and cancer (13.6 per cent), but low for hepatitis (3.7 per cent) and cervical spondylomyelopathy (2.5 per cent). Of the 259 surviving dogs, 132 were suffering from various disorders, with a high prevalence of skin problems (22.4 per cent) and urinary incontinence (15.8 per cent).     

Oesophageal and gastric endoscopic foreign body removal: complications and follow‐up of 102 dogs

Objectives : To assess complication rate, risk factors for complications and outcome in dogs with oesophageal and gastric endoscopic foreign body (FB) removal. Methods : Medical records of 102 dogs undergoing endoscopic removal of oesophageal and/or gastric FBs from March 2001 to November 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. All owners were contacted by telephone to provide follow‐up information. Results : West Highland white terriers, Yorkshire terriers and Bernese mountain dogs were over‐represented compared to the hospital population. Endoscopy alone was successful in 92/102 dogs (90·2 per cent), whereas gastrotomy (but no oesophagotomy) was required in 10 dogs (9·8 per cent). Complications in 13/102 dogs (12·7 per cent) were perforation (8), oesophageal stricture (1), oesophageal diverticula (1), perioesophageal abscess (1), pneumothorax and pleural effusion (1) and respiratory arrest (1). Six dogs (all weighing <10 kg) had complications resulting in death or euthanasia. Bone FBs, bodyweight of less than 10 kg, and oesophageal or gastric FB in place for more than three days were significant risk factors for complications. Of the dogs available for follow‐up (75/96), 92 per cent had no complications after discharge. Clinical Significance : Endoscopic FB removal is associated with a low overall complication rate with bone FBs and bodyweight of less than 10 kg as significant risk factors.     

Chronic valvular disease in the cavalier King Charles spaniel in Sweden.

The prevalence of chronic valvular disease was studied in 494 cavalier King Charles spaniels with a mean (+/- sd) age of 3.0 +/- 2.7 years. Cardiac murmurs were detected in 65 (13.2 per cent) of the dogs. Among 61 cavalier King Charles spaniels with a mean age of 6.4 +/- 2.8 years, cardiac murmurs were detected in 32 (52 per cent). In both groups of dogs the prevalence of cardiac murmurs was low among dogs younger than three years (1.9 per cent) but increased with age (P < 0.001). The estimated ages at which 50 per cent of the dogs had developed murmurs were 7.5 and 6.2 years, respectively. When 39 of the 61 dogs were re-examined three years later, cardiac murmurs were detected in 28 (72 per cent), and the intensities of the murmurs had generally increased (P < 0.05). Nine (28 per cent) of the dogs which had previously had murmurs had been euthanased for signs of congestive heart failure whereas none of the dogs which had been free of murmurs had died from congestive heart failure. Animal insurance statistics from 1982 to 1990 (1983 excluded) for dogs less than 10 years old showed that claims for veterinary care or death or euthanasia were five times more common in the cavalier King Charles spaniel than in dachshunds (P < 0.001) and eight times more common than the mean for all other insured breeds (P < 0.001).     

Body temperature and behaviour of mares during the last two weeks of pregnancy

Average daily core body temperature and behavioural patterns of pregnant mares were studied, in search of definitive signs of parturition within 24 h of the event. Nineteen pony mares were sampled twice daily for core body temperature. A significant temperature drop, averaging 0.1 degrees C (0.2 degrees F) was observed during the day prior to parturition. Between 18.00 h and 06.00 h, during the two weeks before parturition, Thoroughbred and Standardbred mares (n = 52) spent an average 66.8 per cent of their time standing, 27.0 per cent eating, 4.9 per cent lying in sternal recumbency, 1.0 per cent lying in lateral recumbency, and 0.3 per cent walking. On the night before parturition, mares spent significantly less time lying in sternal recumbency than on previous nights and on the night of parturition all behaviour patterns except eating were significantly different from the nights of the two weeks before parturition. There was an increase in walking (5.3 per cent), lying in sternal recumbency (8 per cent) and lying in lateral recumbency (5.3 per cent) whereas standing (53.3 per cent) was decreased. In 58 observed pregnancies, 54 mares (97 per cent) foaled in a recumbent position and 50 mares (86 per cent) foaled between 18.00 h and 06.00 h.     

Prevalence of respiratory signs and identification of risk factors for respiratory morbidity in Swedish Yorkshire terriers

Yorkshire terriers may be prone to respiratory disease; however, limited epidemiological information is available. A cross-sectional study design was used to compare the prevalence of respiratory signs in Yorkshire terriers with the prevalence in a population of dogs in general and to identify risk factors for respiratory clinical signs within the Swedish population of Yorkshire terriers. Data on clinical signs and risk factors were obtained from a questionnaire. The prevalence of respiratory signs in general (RS) was significantly higher among Yorkshire terriers compared with control dogs (RS 56.3 per cent and 23.0 per cent), and likewise more frequent respiratory signs (FRS) (26.0 per cent and 5.0 per cent). Age, sex and breed were shown to be significant risk factors, and an interaction between age and sex was discovered. The study indicated a sex ratio reversal in the prevalence of RS - the probability of females having RS increased with advancing age, while the probability for males was fairly constant.