Superficial necrolytic dermatitis associated with extrapancreatic glucagonoma in a dog

An 11-year-old Shih Tzu presented with crusting and erythema, mainly on the abdomen and the root of the tail. Based on histopathological findings, blood examinations and necropsy findings, the condition was diagnosed as superficial necrolytic dermatitis associated with a glucagon-secreting extrapancreatic neuroendocrine tumour. Gross necropsy revealed tumour invasion into the spleen, liver, adrenal glands and mesenteric lymph nodes. Immunohistochemical analysis of the neoplastic cells revealed that the tumour was a glucagonoma, consistent with earlier findings of persistent glucagonaemia and hypoaminoacidaemia.     

Superficial necrolytic dermatitis and a pancreatic endocrine tumour in a dog

A 13-year-old dog was referred for a severe dermatological problem of 12 months duration. Skin biopsy results were compatible with superficial necrolytic dermatitis. The only laboratory abnormalities were hyperglycaemia and hyperglucagonaemia. These findings suggested a pancreatic endocrine tumour in association with superficial necrolytic dermatitis. Abdominal ultrasound examination was unremarkable. The dog was euthanased due to the lack of clinical improvement following symptomatic therapy. Postmortem examination revealed a pancreatic endocrine tumour with liver metastases. Pancreatic endocrine tumour cells were immunoreactive for glucagon, insulin and islet amyloid polypeptide.     

Clinicopathological,ultrasonographic, and histopathological findings of superficial necrolytic dermatitis with hepatopathy in a cat

This report describes the antemortem diagnosis and antemortem and postmortem findings of superficial necrolytic dermatitis with hepatopathy (i.e., hepatocutaneous syndrome) in a cat. A 5-year-old Maine coon was evaluated because of a history of pruritic alopecia and liver enzyme elevations. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a reticular pattern to the hepatic parenchyma. Histopathological findings of the liver were nodular regeneration with bands of vacuolated hepatocytes and bile duct hyperplasia, characteristic of the hepatopathy frequently associated with superficial necrolytic dermatitis. Skin histopathology revealed multifocal parakeratosis, midepidermal spongiosis, and basal cell hyperplasia consistent with superficial necrolytic dermatitis.     

Successful treatment of canine necrolytic migratory erythema (superficial necrolytic dermatitis) due to metastatic glucagonoma with octreotide

Necrolytic migratory erythema (NME; also known as superficial necrolytic dermatitis) is a syndrome most often associated with certain chronic liver diseases or pancreatic glucagonomas. In humans with glucaconoma‐associated NME, skin lesions usually respond to octreotide, a somatostatin analogue that inhibits glucagon release. In this report an 11‐year‐old golden retriever dog with pancreatic glucononoma and metastasis to the regional lymph nodes, spleen and liver was diagnosed with NME. The dog exhibited erosions, ulcers and crusts on the paws, pressure points, muzzle, periocular area and prepuce. The dog was also anorexic and had difficulty walking. Because metastasis precluded surgery, treatment was initiated with subcutaneous octreotide (2 μg/kg twice daily). Skin lesions and systemic clinical signs improved markedly within 5 days. The dosage was increased to nearly 3 μg/kg twice daily and signs almost completely resolved within 10 days. Anorexia was the major adverse effect observed. During the following month, both dosage (1–3.7 μg/kg) and frequency (two to four times daily) of the octreotide injections were adjusted to permit control of clinical signs while maintaining adequate appetite. Temporary cessation of octreotide administration resulted in the rapid recurrence of skin lesions. Resuming injections led to improvement of clinical signs within 48 h. The dog was later euthanized because of progressive metastatic disease. In conclusion, subcutaneous octreotide injections were beneficial in this dog with glucagonoma‐associated NME. This somatostatin analogue could be a valuable option to treat canine patients with non‐resectable or relapsing pancreatic glucagonoma‐associated NME.     

Plasma amino acid concentrations in 36 dogs with histologically confirmed superficial necrolytic dermatitis

Plasma amino acid concentrations were measured in 36 dogs diagnosed with superficial necrolytic dermatitis (SND) via skin biopsy. The median age of the dogs was 10 years, and 27 out of 36 (75%) were male. Twenty-two out of 36 (61%) of the dogs were accounted for by six breeds; West Highland white terriers (six), Shetland sheepdogs (five), cocker spaniels (four), Scottish terriers (three), Lhasa apsos (two) and Border collies (two). The mean concentration (+/- standard deviation) was calculated for each measured plasma amino acid and compared to previously documented concentrations of plasma amino acids measured in dogs with acute and chronic hepatitis. The ratio of branched chain amino acids to aromatic amino acids in the dogs with SND was 2.6, slightly lower than that in normal dogs. The mean plasma amino acid concentrations for dogs with SND were significantly lower than for dogs with acute and chronic hepatitis. A metabolic hepatopathy in which there is increased hepatic catabolism of amino acids is hypothesized to explain the hypoaminoacidaemia seen in SND.     

A case of superficial suppurative necrolytic dermatitis of miniature schnauzers with identification of a causative agent using patch testing

A 9‐year‐old, castrated male, miniature schnauzer presented with malaise, anorexia, fever and severe inflammatory skin lesions on the dorsum, thighs and pinnae. The lesions developed 2 days after bathing with a commercial shampoo. Histopathological examination of skin samples revealed neutrophilic exocytosis, parakeratosis, epidermal hyperplasia and neutrophilic infiltration in the superficial dermis. Skin lesions resolved completely after 14 days of treatment with prednisolone and ofloxacin. Patch testing performed on the patient and a clinically healthy dog showed erythema at the site exposed to the culprit shampoo 48 h later only on the patient. Histopathological findings of the erythematous reaction were similar to those of the spontaneous skin lesions. Based on these findings, the dog was diagnosed with superficial suppurative necrolytic dermatitis of miniature schnauzers. The patch test results suggested that contact dermatitis to a commercial shampoo played a role in the pathogenesis of this disease.     

Immune mediated skin lesions in a dog with autoimmune hemolytic anemia

A canine case of Coombs' test positive and antinuclear antibody-negative hemolytic anemia was examined because of the development of skin lesions after 18 months treatment with prednisolone. Histopathological examination of biopsy specimens obtained from skin and oral mucosa revealed the acantholysis, edematous lesions of the stratum basale and mononuclear cell accumulation in the dermis. Deposits of immunoglobulin G and complement factor 3 were detected at the intercellular and dermoepidermal junction by the direct immunofluorescent test. From these results, the case was considered to be an autoimmune disease caused by distinct antibodies against different organs.     

Pericardial mesothelioma in a dog: long-term survival after pericardiectomy in combination with chemotherapy

A six-year-old male crossbred dog was presented with clinical signs of right-sided heart failure. Echocardiography demonstrated a pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade, while pericardiocentesis and cytology did not reveal any evidence of malignancy. Pericardial drainage was performed twice over a period of three months to resolve haemodynamic impairment before a subtotal pericardiectomy was performed. Biopsy of parietal and visceral pericardium confirmed the diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma. Intrathoracic cisplatin combined with intravenous doxorubicin were administered, although neutropenia, mild azotaemia and alopecia were noted as adverse reactions to these drugs. Intravenous cisplatin was repeated 45 days later after the signs of nephrotoxicity had resolved. The dog was still free of disease after 27 months. Intrathoracic chemotherapy after pericardiectomy and early diagnosis are recommended to improve prognosis, having achieved long-term survival in the present case.     

Isolation of Microsporum vanbreuseghemii from skin lesions of a dog

Routine examination of a 12-week-old Labrador Retriever revealed circular scaly lesions, with alopecia, on the lateral aspect of the left carpus and left upper eyelid. The geophilic fungus Microsporum vanbreuseghemii was isolated from the lesions. Topical treatment with chlorhexidine ointment resulted in resolution, with hair regrowth.     

Oral, nasal, and cutaneous eosinophilic granulomas in the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis): a lesion distinct from superficial necrolytic dermatitis.

Oral, nasal, and cutaneous lesions resembling eosinophilic granulomas (EGs) were observed in eight captive black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis). Oral lesions were observed in all affected animals and occurred most often behind the prehensile lip. The typical clinical history of affected animals included oral bleeding or epistaxis from multilobulated, fungating, proliferative masses with areas of ulceration. Histologically, lesions were characterized by prominent infiltrates of eosinophils and rare foci of collagen degeneration on a background of marked submucosal or dermal neovascularization. Mucosal or epidermal hyperplasia was also present sometimes in association with distinctive epithelial degenerative changes consistent with superficial necrolytic dermatopathy of black rhinoceroses. Lesions of EG and superficial necrolytic dermatopathy were interpreted as being concurrently manifested in these cases. EG lesions spontaneously resolved over periods of 30 days-7 mo and were recurrent in three animals. Lesions were responsive to treatment with corticosteroids or to local cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen. Two animals treated with systemic corticosteroids died of disseminated fungal infections, emphasizing that corticosteroids should be used cautiously in black rhinoceroses.     

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius infection associated with nodular skin lesions and systemic inflammatory response syndrome in a dog

A 10-year-old Pekingese dog with atopic dermatitis was referred due to pyrexia, multiple skin nodules, anorexia, and depression. The dog was diagnosed as having systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) induced by bacterial dermatitis. This case presents diagnosis and treatment of SIRS with staphylococcal skin infection in a dog that was immunosuppressed due to long-term use of corticosteroid.