Chronic renal failure in young Old English Sheepdogs

Chronic renal failure was diagnosed in three young Old English Sheepdogs. Clinical signs were characterised by ill-thrift, polydipsia, polyuria, nervous signs and behavioural changes. Laboratory findings showed azotaemia, non-regenerative anaemia, hyperphosphataemia and isosthenuria. The kidneys were characterised histologically by interstitial fibrosis, and thickening and calcification of the tubular and glomerular basement membrane. A familial incidence could not be confirmed in these cases.     

Chronic renal failure in young Old English Sheepdogs

Chronic renal failure was diagnosed in three young Old English Sheepdogs. Clinical signs were characterised by ill-thrift, polydipsia, polyuria, nervous signs and behavioural changes. Laboratory findings showed azotaemia, non-regenerative anaemia, hyperphosphataemia and isosthenuria. The kidneys were characterised histologically by interstitial fibrosis, and thickening and calcification of the tubular and glomerular basement membrane. A familial incidence could not be confirmed in these cases. (New Zealand Veterinary Journal 38, 118–121, l990)     

Survey of thyroglobulin autoantibodies in dogs

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect autoantibodies to thyroglobulin in dogs with and without clinical evidence of thyroid disease. Autoantibodies were found in 59% of 34 clinically hypothyroid dogs, 43% of 65 dogs with nonthyroidal endocrine diseases, 47% of 64 healthy dogs closely related to antibody-positive canine hospital patients, and 13% of 1,057 canine hospital patients without endocrine disorders. Dogs with bacterial skin disease and alopecia of unknown causes had an increased prevalence of autoantibodies compared with the prevalence of autoantibodies in healthy dogs and dogs with other diseases. Three breeds of dogs, Great Danes, Irish Setters, and Old English Sheepdogs, had an increased occurrence of autoantibodies compared with that in other breeds and dogs of mixed breeding. A familial tendency to thyroid autoimmunity was demonstrated in a group of Great Dane dogs. The occurrence of autoantibodies was not influenced by age or sex. Thyroid function, as assessed by total thyroxine estimation, was depressed in hospitalized dogs compared with the thyroid function in healthy dogs, irrespective of thyroglobulin-antibody status. Two of 11 autoantibody-positive dogs monitored for an 18-month period developed low thyroxine concentration and depressed thyroid responsiveness to exogeneous thyrotropin stimulation.     

Analysis of the mode of inheritance for distichiasis in the Elo dog breed using complex segregation analyses

The inheritance of distichiasis was analyzed in the dog breed Elo using complex segregation analyses.The different hypotheses of monogenic, mixed-monogenic-polygenic and polygenic inheritance as well as a pure environmental model were tested. In further analyses the number of examined Elo dogs per ophthalmologist and the proportion of genes of Eurasian and Old English Sheepdogs were included in the models as covariates. Seven families were randomly collected for the analyses.The seven families comprised a total of 296 animals with 218 examined and 65 affected dogs. A genetic component was verified for the prevalence of distichiasis. Mixed models with a recessive, dominant or arbitrary major gene effect and the polygenic model represented likely hypotheses of inheritance. The prevalence of distichiasis observed was insufficiently explained by non-genetic factors and the breed composition. Therefore, a model only including non-genetic factors and the breed composition could be excluded.     

Clinical laboratory evaluation of deep mycotic diseases in dogs

A retrospective study of 27 dogs with deep mycoses was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of initial laboratory results in determining a diagnosis. Fifteen cases of disseminated blastomycosis, five cases of disseminated histoplasmosis and seven cases of gastrointestinal phycomycosis were studied. Haematologic results consistent with a chronic inflammatory disease (mild to moderate anaemia and moderate to marked monocytosis) were common findings in blastomycosis and phycomycosis. Cases of histoplasmosis were characterized by a more severe anaemia with a neutrophilia and left shift. The severe anaemia present in three out of five (3/5) dogs with histoplasmosis was apparently due to myelophthisis and intravascular erythrocyte fragmentation. Coagulation function tests and/or the haemograms suggested the presence of microangiopathic haemolysis in four dogs with histoplasmosis. Clinical chemistry results in blastomycosis and phycomycosis were usually unremarkable. Hepatic lesions in histoplasmosis were suggested by increases in serum alkaline phosphatase and decreases in serum albumin. Cytology was frequently diagnostic for blastomycosis (11/13 cases) and histoplasmosis (3/4 cases) but was inconsistent in phycomycosis (1/3 cases).     

Gallbladder disease in Shetland Sheepdogs: 38 cases (1995-2005)

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk, clinical features, and treatment responses for gallbladder disorders in Shetland Sheepdogs. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. ANIMALS: 38 Shetland Sheepdogs with gallbladder disease. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed for signalment, history, physical findings, laboratory results, imaging features, coexistent illnesses, histologic findings, treatments, and survival rates. RESULTS: Mature dogs with gastrointestinal signs were predisposed (odds ratio, 7.2) to gallbladder disorders. Gallbladder mucocele was confirmed in 25 dogs. Concurrent problems included pancreatitis, hyperlipidemia, corticosteroid excess, hypothyroidism, protein-losing nephropathy, diabetes mellitus, cholelithiasis, and gallbladder dysmotility. Mortality rate was 68% with and 32% without bile peritonitis. Nonsurvivors had high WBC and neutrophil count and low potassium concentration. Although preprandial hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and high serum liver enzyme activities were common, gallbladder disease was serendipitously discovered in 11 of 38 dogs. Histologic examination (n=20 dogs) revealed gallbladder cystic mucosal hyperplasia in 20 dogs, cholecystitis in 16, periportal hepatitis in 9, and vacuolar hepatopathy in 7. Surgery included cholecystectomy (n=17) and cholecystoenterostomy (4). In 1 hyperlipidemic dog without clinical signs, gallbladder mucocele resolved 6 months after beginning use of a fat-restricted diet and ursodeoxycholic acid. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Shetland Sheepdogs are predisposed to gallbladder disorders, with mucoceles and concurrent dyslipidemia or dysmotility in many affected dogs. Most dogs were without clinical signs during mucocele development. Low survival rate after cholecystectomy in clinically affected dogs suggested that preemptive surgical interventions may be a more appropriate treatment strategy.     

Silica-Containing Urinary Calculi in Dogs (1981–1993)

Silica-containing urinary calculi obtained from 773 dogs and submitted by veterinarians throughout the United States were analyzed by quantitative crystallographic analysis to determine mineral composition. Specimens were composed of either multiple mineral layers (535 specimens) or 1 mineral layer (238 specimens). Most multiple-layer calculi were composed of 80% or greater silica (300 of 535, 56%) or 20% to 79% silica (184 of 535, 34%) in any mineral layer. Most 1–layer calculi were composed of 100% silica (212 of 238, 89%). Most dogs forming silica-containing calculi were of male gender (679 of 773, 88%). Bacterial cultures of calculus or urine or both were performed on 49% (376 of 773) of the specimens, and bacterial growth was obtained from 37% (139 of 376) of samples cultured. The prevalence of calculus-associated urinary tract infection was 35% (113 of 321) in males and 47% (26 of 55) in females. The gender prevalence for infection with Staphylococcus species was 16% (51 of 321) in males and 33% (18 of 55) in females. The breed and gender of dogs that formed calculi (silica population) were compared with the hospital population (Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital [VMTH] population) and with a population of calculus-forming dogs (Stonelab population) to determine risk factors for silica calculus formation. For all breeds compared, the ratio of males to females was higher in the silica population. The German Shepherd Dog and Old English Sheepdog were significantly overrepresented when the silica population was compared with either the VMTH population or the Stonelab population. We conclude that male German Shepherd Dogs and Old English Sheepdogs are at increased risk for formation of silica-containing urinary calculi.     

Clinical and laboratory features of a severe form of von Willebrand disease in Shetland sheepdogs

Ten clinically affected Shetland Sheepdogs were evaluated to define their severe bleeding diathesis and were determined to have von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag) values less than 0.1% by ELISA assay. The virtual absence of vWF protein by ELISA assay and on multimeric analysis was diagnostic of either homozygosity or probable double heterozygosity for the canine von Willebrand disease (vWD) gene. Clinically affected dogs have type-III vWD and are the offspring of 2 heterozygous parents carrying type-I vWD. Twenty-three percent (1,428 dogs) of the more than 6,000 Shetland Sheepdogs screened for vWD at our facility since 1982 tested within the heterozygous carrier range for the common type-I form of this inherited disorder. Veterinarians and breeders should be aware of the potential for bleeding associated with elective and medical procedures in Shetland Sheepdogs and should use caution when breeding carriers of vWD because of the risk of producing clinically affected offspring with severe type-III vWD.     

PORTAL VEIN ANOMALY AND HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY IN THREE DOGS

SUMMARY Portal vein anomaly and associated hepatic encephalopathy was diagnosed in three dogs; a 2-year-old Old English Sheep Dog, a 14-week-old Old English Sheep Dog and a 20-week-old Corgi. The common clinical changes were anorexia, vomiting, depression, weakness and ataxia. The major laboratory findings were an elevated serum alanine amino transferase activity, hypoproteinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, prolonged retention of sulphobromophthalein, fasting and postprandial hypeoammonaemia and ammonium biurate crystalluria. Angiographic studies demonstrated the presence of a patent ductus venosus in each case. The 2 Old English Sheep Dogs were destroyed at the owners' request and the necropsy findings in each case verified the presence of a portacaval shunt and hepatic encephalopathy. The Corgi is still alive, with conservative medical management, 28 months after the onset of signs. The dog is stunted and has mild, intermittent neurological disturbances. Clinical biochemistry indicates severe hepatic insufficiency and suggests a poor long term prognosis.     

Two cases of severe iron-deficiency anaemia due to inflammatory bowel disease in the dog

Two dogs were referred for investigation of lethargy and anaemia. Preliminary examinations by the referring veterinary surgeons had revealed severe anaemia, which was poorly regenerative. In one case, the anaemia was microcytic and, in the other, it was hypochromic. These findings were suggestive of chronic blood loss anaemia. Neither dog had external signs of gastrointestinal disease, although one had vomited on a single occasion during the two weeks preceding referral. Although both dogs were producing grossly normal faeces, further investigations detected faecal occult blood. Multiple full thickness gastrointestinal biopsies were taken at laparotomy. These showed segmental eosinophilic enteritis of the duodenum and proximal jejunum in one case, and marked chronic lymphocytic gastritis in the other. Both cases illustrate the fact that severe systemic disease can result from gastrointestinal pathology in the absence of clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease.     

Evaluation of results for Schirmer tear tests conducted with and without application of a topical anesthetic in clinically normal dogs of 5 breeds

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, for clinically normal dogs, results of Schirmer tear tests in eyes without topical anesthetic (STT) and to detect differences associated with breed, sex, age, day, and time of day in eyes in which STT was performed after use of topical anesthetic (STTa). ANIMALS: 41 Beagles, 43 Labrador Retrievers, 25 Golden Retrievers, 26 English Springer Spaniels, and 22 Shetland Sheepdogs. PROCEDURE: Beagles had STT and STTa values measured twice daily for 5 days. Client-owned dogs of 4 other breeds had STT and STTa values measured once. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD values of Beagles for STT and STTa were 20.2 +/- 2.5 and 3.8 +/- 2.7 mm/min. Mean values for STT and STTa were as follows: Labrador Retriever, 22.9 +/- 4.1 and 9.6 +/- 3.8 mm/min; English Springer Spaniel; 20.7 +/- 3.2 and 5.4 +/- 3.4 mm/min; Golden Retriever, 21.8 + 3.7 and 8.8 +/- 3.1 mm/min; and Shetland Sheepdog, 15.8 +/- 1.8 and 3.6 +/- 2.8 mm/min. Overall mean values for STT and STTa were 20.2 +/- 3.0 and 6.2 +/- 3.1 mm/min. Differences for STT and STTa were detected among breeds, but significant differences were not associated with sex or age within each breed or in overall values for all dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results for the STT reported here compare favorably with reported values, except for results of Shetland Sheepdogs; however, results for the STTa differ dramatically from reported values. Clinicians should consider effects attributable to breed when evaluating results of STT and STTa in dogs.     

Causes of anaemia other than acute blood loss and their clinical significance in dogs

Objectives : To identify the causes of anaemia, other than acute blood loss, in dogs and to determine whether severity of anaemia provides clues to the diagnosis. Methods : The veterinary medical database of the Veterinary Campus Hospital, Lyon was searched. Dogs with anaemia (packed cell volume <37%) were included and assigned to different disease groups. Dogs with acute blood loss were excluded. The case records were examined for weakness at presentation, the severity and regeneration of anaemia and the final diagnosis including tumour type if applicable. Results : The case records of 456 dogs with low packed cell volume were included. Cancer‐related anaemia and anaemia of inflammatory disease accounted for 33·1 and 28·5% of cases, respectively. Most dogs with cancer‐related anaemia had solid tumours (73%). The prevalence of immune‐mediated anaemia increased with severity of anaemia (5·3, 15·5, 41·2 and 56·2% for mild, moderate, severe and very severe anaemia, respectively), whereas the prevalence of anaemia of inflammatory disease decreased (36·7, 22·5, 2·9 and 0% for mild, moderate, severe and very severe anaemia, respectively). Clinical Significance : Anaemia of inflammatory disease and cancer‐related anaemia were the most frequently identified causes of anaemia in dogs. The percentage of dogs with immune‐mediated anaemia increased with anaemia severity, whereas the percentage of dogs with anaemia of inflammatory disease decreased with anaemia severity. Thus, severity of anaemia may provide clues to the diagnosis.     

Unilateral uveitis in a dog with uveodermatologic syndrome

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 7-year-old Siberian Husky-type dog with heterochromia irides was evaluated because of signs of pain associated with the right eye. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Unilateral panuveitis, iris bombé, and secondary glaucoma were detected in the right eye. Tear production was low bilaterally. Facial and truncal poliosis and vitiligo were also evident; skin biopsy specimens were obtained from the nasal planum. Uveodermatologic syndrome was diagnosed on the basis of histopathologic findings of a lichenoid interface dermatitis and pigmentary incontinence within the dermis. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on skin samples retrospectively, and findings were inconclusive. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Treatment involved topical (ocular) and oral administration of corticosteroids, oral administration of azathioprine, and topical (ocular) administration of a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and a lacrimostimulant. The secondary glaucoma was refractory to treatment, and the right eye was enucleated. Uveodermatologic syndrome was confirmed via histologic examination of ocular tissues. The left eye remained free of inflammation 16 months after the initial diagnosis. The periocular skin and skin of the nose partially regained pigment, but the hair did not. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Some breeds in which uveodermatologic syndrome has been reported (eg, Siberian Huskies, Old English Sheepdogs, Australian Shepherds, and Shetland Sheepdogs) often have heterochromia irides. This case highlights the fact that dogs with asymmetric uveal pigmentation may have unilateral ocular changes; therefore, uveodermatologic syndrome should not be excluded as a differential diagnosis on the basis of unilateral clinical signs.     

A slowly progressive retinopathy in the Shetland Sheepdog

Objective To describe a slowly progressive retinopathy (SPR) in Shetland Sheepdogs. Animals Forty adult Shetlands Sheepdogs with ophthalmoscopic signs of SPR and six normal Shetland Sheepdogs were included in the study. Procedure Ophthalmic examination including slit‐lamp biomicroscopy and ophthalmoscopy was performed in all dogs. Electroretinograms and obstacle course‐test were performed in 13 affected and 6 normal dogs. The SPR dogs were subdivided into two groups according to their dark‐adapted b‐wave amplitudes. SPR1‐dogs had ophthalmoscopic signs of SPR, but normal dark‐adapted b‐wave amplitudes. Dogs with both ophthalmoscopic signs and subnormal, dark‐adapted b‐wave amplitudes were assigned to group SPR2. Eyes from two SPR2 dogs were obtained for microscopic examination. Results The ophthalmoscopic changes included bilateral, symmetrical, greyish discoloration in the peripheral tapetal fundus with normal or marginally attenuated vessels. Repeated examination showed that the ophthalmoscopic changes slowly spread across the central parts of the tapetal fundus, but did not progress to obvious neuroretinal thinning presenting as tapetal hyper‐reflectivity. The dogs did not appear seriously visually impaired. SPR2 showed significantly reduced b‐wave amplitudes throughout dark‐adaptation. Microscopy showed thinning of the outer nuclear layer and abnormal appearance of rod and cone outer segments. Testing for the progressive rod–cone degeneration ( prcd )‐mutation in three dogs with SPR was negative. Conclusion Slowly progressive retinopathy is a generalized rod–cone degeneration that on ophthalmoscopy looks similar to early stages of progressive retinal atrophy. The ophthalmoscopic findings are slowly progressive without tapetal hyper‐reflectivity. Visual impairment is not obvious and the electroretinogram is more subtly altered than in progressive retinal atrophy. The etiology remains unclear. SPR is not caused by the prcd‐mutation.     

Serial monitoring of clinical, haematological and immunological parameters in canine autoimmune haemolytic anaemia

Clinical, haematological and immunological data are presented from 14 dogs with autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) serially monitored for up to 945 days after initial presentation. At the time of diagnosis, all dogs had severe anaemia (mean packed cell volume [PCV] 17.6±7.1 per cent) with leucocytosis in seven cases and thrombocytopenia in four dogs. The Coombs' test was positive in all cases. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibody alone was identified in eight cases, a combination of IgG and IgM autoantibodies was recognised in three cases, and in two dogs only IgM autoantibody was recorded (complement fixing in one of these dogs). All dogs were treated with immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids and some animals also received cyclophosphamide (four cases), azathio-prine (two cases), blood transfusion (four cases) or underwent splenectomy (two cases). Two dogs died during the initial episode of AIHA. In 12 dogs, the anaemia was resolved by an average of 36.3 ±16.0 days after initial presentation, but autoantibody titre often persisted after clinical improvement and normalisation of PCV. Four dogs had a clinical relapse 67 to 170 days after initial presentation and one of these dogs subsequently died from thromboembolic disease. One dog developed lymphocytic thyroiditis and serum antinuclear antibody at day 691 after initial presentation, and two cases developed disease consistent with autoimmune thrombocytopenia (AITP) at 365 and 618 days post initial presentation. In one of these dogs, AITP was concurrent with multicentric lymphoma. No correlation was recorded between haematological and immunological parameters at presentation and subsequent response to therapy or long-term clinical behaviour.     

Risk factors associated with interdog aggression and shooting phobias among purebred dogs in Denmark

The prevalence of behaviour problems is reported from a questionnaire study among members of the Danish Kennel Club (DKC). In total, 4359 dog owners were included in the analyses. With logistic regression, we analysed four behaviour problems: dominance towards the owner, interdog dominance aggression, separation anxiety and shooting phobia. Compared to Labrador Retrievers, the following breeds and breed groups had higher odds of being reported to have interdog dominance aggression: Belgian Sheepdogs, Dachshunds, Dalmatians, German Shepherds, Hovawarts, Pinschers, Rottweilers, Scent dogs and Spitz dogs. Poodles, retrieving/flushing dogs, Sheepdogs, Spitz dogs and terriers had higher odds of shooting phobia. The odds of interdog dominance aggression were higher among dogs owned by younger dog owners compared to dogs owned by older dog owners. Dogs living in the capital area of Copenhagen had increased odds of interdog dominance aggression as compared to dogs living in other parts of Denmark. Dogs belonging to owners with limited knowledge of the breed before acquiring the dog had higher odds of interdog dominance aggression. Dogs attending obedience training classes had reduced odds of shooting phobia. Dogs belonging to dog breeders had reduced odds of being reported to have the investigated behaviour problems.     

Pattern of Coombs' test reactivity has diagnostic significance in dogs with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical significance of the pattern of Coombs' test reactivity in dogs with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia. METHODS: Sixty-five anaemic dogs with a positive Coombs' test were included. Coombs' testing was performed at 4 and 37 degrees C with polyvalent canine Coombs' reagent and antisera specific for each of canine immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M and complement factor C3. The impact of performing testing with only polyvalent antiserum at 37 degrees C was assessed. Chi-squared tests were used to compare Coombs' test reactivity in dogs with primary immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (group A) and in dogs with concurrent/underlying disease (group B). Following Bonferroni correction, significance was set at P < or = 0.003. RESULTS: Eleven dogs would have been regarded as Coombs' negative had they been tested with polyvalent antiserum at 37 degrees C alone. Group A dogs were significantly more likely to be positive with polyvalent antiserum and/or anti-dog immunoglobulin G at 4 and/or 37 degrees C (P < or = 0.001) and tended to be less likely to be positive with anti-dog immunoglobulin M at 4 degrees C (P=0.040). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Testing of anaemic dogs with polyvalent Coombs' reagent at 37 degrees C was less sensitive than testing with monovalent reagents at 4 and 37 degrees C. The pattern of Coombs' test reactivity differed significantly between dogs with primary immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia and those with concurrent/underlying disease.     

Antigen specificity in canine autoimmune haemolytic anaemia.

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) is the most common clinical manifestation of autoimmunity in the dog and generally presents as a profound, regenerative, Coombs' positive anaemia of acute or chronic onset. The disease pathogenesis involves formation of erythrocyte-specific autoantibodies of the IgG and IgM class that may fix complement resulting in intra- or extravascular haemolysis. Western blotting and immunoprecipitation studies using autoantibody eluted from the erythrocytes of dogs with AIHA have demonstrated specificity for erythrocyte glycophorins and the membrane anion-exchange molecule (band 3). Autoantibodies specific for the cytoskeletal molecule spectrin have been identified in serum by ELISA. The specificity of autoreactive T-cells has been examined in vitro using bulk cultures stimulated with a panel of autoantigens including intact erythrocyte membranes, purified glycophorin and spectrin fractions and a panel of overlapping 15-mer glycophorin peptides. Control responses to ConA and recall (vaccine antigens) and non-recall (KLH) antigens were measured in the same system. PBMC obtained from dogs that had recovered from AIHA consistently proliferated in response to erythrocyte membranes, with occasional responses to spectrin or glycophorin. PBMC from sone clinically normal dogs also responded to erythrocyte membranes. PBMC obtained from dogs closely related to AIHA cases gave the most consistent responses, including proliferation when stimulated by the glycophorin peptides. These data suggest that normal dogs harbour erythrocyte autoreactive lymphocytes, and that these cells may be primed in dogs recovered from AIHA or having genetic susceptibility to the disease.     

Doppler ultrasonographic changes in the canine kidney during normovolaemic anaemia

The haemodynamics of the canine left renal artery (LRA) and interlobar artery (ILA) were evaluated in eleven fasted, healthy, conscious beagles with severe acute (haematocrit [Hct] 16%), moderate chronic (Hct 26%) and mild chronic (Hct 34%) normovolaemic anaemia using Doppler ultrasound. Heart rate, peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), time-averaged mean velocity (TAVmean), pulsatility index (PI) and resistive index (RI) were recorded. Doppler values in the dogs following the induction of anaemia states were compared with corresponding values in the same dogs prior to the induction of anaemia. Left renal artery mean PSV, mean PI and mean RI were significantly higher and the mean EDV was significantly lower in severe acute anaemia. No significant change was seen in mean values of the same parameters in moderate or mild chronic anaemia. There was no significant change in TAVmean of the LRA or mean PI and mean RI of the ILA in any grade of anaemia. Acute, severe normovolaemic anaemia significantly altered LRA Doppler parameters in resting dogs without influencing those of the ILA. Moderate or mild chronic anaemia had no effect on any renal Doppler parameter.