Alternative classification and screening protocol for transitional lumbosacral vertebra in German shepherd dogs

Background

Lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LTV) is a common congenital and hereditary anomaly in many dog breeds. It predisposes to premature degeneration of the lumbosacral junction, and is a frequent cause of cauda equina syndrome, especially in German shepherd dogs. Ventrodorsal hip radiographs are most often used in diagnosis of LTV in screening programs. In this study, value of laterolateral lumbar spine radiographs as additions to ventrodorsal radiographs in diagnosis of LTV, and characteristics of LTV and the eighth lumbar vertebra (L8) in laterolateral radiographs were studied. Additionally, computed tomography (CT) features of different types of LTV were elucidated.

Methods

The ventrodorsal pelvic and laterolateral lumbar spine radiographs of 228 German shepherd dogs were evaluated for existence and type of LTV. Morphology of transverse processes was used in classification of LTV in ventrodorsal radiographs. The relative length of sixth (L6) and seventh (L7) vertebrae (L6/L7) was used in characterization of these vertebrae in laterolateral radiographs. CT studies were available for 16 dogs, and they were used for more detailed characterization of different types of LTV. Non-parametric χ² statistics, generalized logit model for multinomial data, and one-way analysis of variance was used for statistical analyses.

Results

In all, 92 (40%) dogs had a LTV, the most common type being separation of first spinous process from the median crest of the sacrum in 62 dogs (67% of LTV). Eight dogs had eight lumbar vertebrae. Those dogs with LTV had longer L7 in relation to L6 than dogs with normal lumbosacral junctions. When L6/L7 decreased by 0.1 units, the proportion of dogs belonging to the group with L8 was 14-fold higher than in the group with normal lumbosacral junctions. L8 resembled first sacral vertebra (S1) in length and position and was therefore classified as one type of LTV. With CT it was shown that categorizing LTV, based on shape and visibility of transverse processes seen in ventrodorsal radiographs, could be misleading.

Conclusions

We suggest that L8 be included as a part of the LTV complex, and the laterolateral radiographs of the lumbar spine be considered as an addition to ventrodorsal projections in the screening protocols for LTV.     

LUMBOSACRAL TRANSITIONAL VERTEBRAE IN DOGS: CLASSIFICATION, PREVALENCE, AND ASSOCIATION WITH SACROILIAC MORPHOLOGY

The prevalence of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LTV) was determined by reviewing the pelvic radiographs of 4000 medium- and large-breed dogs of 144 breeds routinely screened for canine hip dysplasia. An LTV was seen in 138 (3.5%) dogs. The prevalence was higher in German Shepherd dogs and Greater Swiss Mountain dogs than in the other breeds, suggesting a genetic predisposition. There was no gender predisposition. The transverse processes of the LTV were divided into three types based on their morphological characteristics: lumbar type or type 1; intermediate type or type 2; and sacral type or type 3. In a symmetric LTV, both transverse processes are of the same type, while in an asymmetric LTV they are not. The frequency of occurrence of symmetric and asymmetric LTV was similar. In symmetric LTV, intermediate-type transverse processes predominated. Most of the asymmetric LTV had an intermediate-type transverse process combined with a lumbar or sacral type, respectively. Highly asymmetric LTV were often angled relative to the adjacent vertebrae. We hypothesize that an LTV is not the result of transformation of a lumbar into a sacral vertebra or vice versa, but rather is an autonomous intermediate type of vertebra. It occurs when the point of contact of the pelvis with the vertebral column is slightly cranial or caudal to its normal position. The resulting formative stimulus on the vertebral ossification centers, sagittally still separated, causes the various morphologies seen in LTV including the asymmetric variations.     

Association between atrial fibrillation and right-sided manifestations of congestive heart failure in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease or dilated cardiomyopathy

IntroductionTo determine whether dogs with atrial fibrillation (AF) are more likely to develop right-sided manifestations of congestive heart failure (R-CHF) than dogs without AF.AnimalsTwo hundred twenty dogs diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF) secondary to degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD, n = 155) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM, n = 65) at a referral institution.MethodsMedical records were reviewed to extract relevant clinical and echocardiographic data.ResultsFifty dogs had AF at the time of CHF diagnosis, including 17/155 (11.0%) dogs with DMVD and 33/65 (50.8%) dogs with DCM. Sixty dogs had R-CHF evidenced by cavitary effusions. Among DMVD dogs, R-CHF occurred in 13/17 (76.5%) dogs with AF compared with 10/138 (7.2%) dogs without AF; among DCM dogs, R-CHF occurred in 24/33 (72.7%) dogs with AF compared with 13/32 (40.6%) dogs without AF. Dogs with AF were more likely to manifest R-CHF signs than dogs without AF (p < 0.0001 for DMVD; p = 0.0125 for DCM). The presence of AF, diagnosis of DCM, and moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation were associated with R-CHF in multivariate analysis. AF was the strongest predictor of R-CHF (odds ratio, 14.44; 95% confidence interval, 5.75–36.26).ConclusionsDogs with AF are more likely to manifest R-CHF than dogs without AF. Cavitary effusions are an expected finding in approximately three-quarters of dogs with AF and CHF secondary to either DCM or DMVD.     

Association between diabetes mellitus,hypothyroidism or hyperadrenocorticism,and atherosclerosis in dogs

The objective of this study was to determine whether dogs with atherosclerosis are more likely to have concurrent diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, or hyperadrenocorticism than dogs that do not have atherosclerosis. A retrospective mortality prevalence case-control study was performed. The study group included 30 dogs with histopathological evidence of atherosclerosis. The control group included 142 dogs with results of a complete postmortem examination, a final postmortem examination diagnosis of neoplasia, and no histopathological evidence of atherosclerosis. Control dogs were frequency matched for age and year in which the postmortem examination was performed. Proportionate changes in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, and hyperadrenocorticism were calculated by exact prevalence odds ratios (POR), 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), and P values. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the combined effects of prevalence determinants while controlling for age and year of postmortem examination. Dogs with atherosclerosis were over 53 times more likely to have concurrent diabetes mellitus than dogs without atherosclerosis (POR = 53.6; 95% CI, 4.6-627.5; P = .002) and over 51 times more likely to have concurrent hypothyroidism than dogs without atherosclerosis (POR = 51.1; 95% CI, 14.5-180.1; P < .001). Dogs with atherosclerosis were not found to be more likely to have concurrent hyperadrenocorticism than dogs that did not have atherosclerosis (POR = 1.8; 95% CI, 0.2-17.6; P = .59). Diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism, but not hyperadrenocorticism, are more prevalent in dogs with atherosclerosis compared to dogs without atherosclerosis on postmortem examination.     

DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN DIFFERENTIATING ENTERITIS FROM INTESTINAL NEOPLASIA IN DOGS

One hundred and fifty dogs with histopathologically confirmed intestinal disease were evaluated retrospectively. Sixty-one dogs had enteritis and 89 dogs had intestinal neoplasia. Ultrasonographic findings including the thickness and distribution of the intestinal lesion, the integrity of intestinal wall layering, regional lymph node thickness, the location of the intestinal segment involved, and regional motility were evaluated. Dogs with intestinal tumor had wall thickness (1.5 cm) significantly greater than dogs with NSE lesions (0.6 cm; p < 0.001). Ninety-nine percent of dogs with intestinal tumor had loss of wall layering while 88% of dogs with NSE had normal or altered wall layering (p < 0.001). Dogs with NSE were significantly more likely to have diffuse lesion (72%) than dogs with intestinal tumor (2%; p < 0.001). Lymph node median thickness in 24/61 dogs with NSE was 1.00 cm. The median thickness of the lymph nodes in 56/89 dogs with intestinal tumors was 1.9 cm. A multivariate analysis showed that loss of wall layering alone was an excellent predictive factor in differentiating intestinal tumor from NSE. In our population, dogs with loss of intestinal wall layering were 50.9 times more likely to have a tumor than enteritis.     

Risk factors for sterile hemorrhagic cystitis in dogs with lymphoma receiving cyclophosphamide with or without concurrent administration of furosemide: 216 cases (1990-1996)

OBJECTIVES: To determine incidence and identify predisposing factors for sterile hemorrhagic cystitis (SHC) in dogs with lymphoma that were treated with cyclophosphamide and to evaluate whether furosemide administered i.v. concurrently with cyclophosphamide decreased the incidence of SHC. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 216 dogs with lymphoma. PROCEDURE: Medical records of dogs with lymphoma that received cyclophosphamide chemotherapy in accordance with 1 of 2 protocols, with or without concurrent i.v. administration of furosemide, were examined. Data for the 2 groups were analyzed to determine the incidence and predisposing factors (age, breed, sex, weight, previous or preexisting disease, previous or preexisting urinary tract infection, neutropenia, azotemia, dose, and number of cyclophosphamide treatments) for cyclophosphamide-associated SHC. RESULTS: Cyclophosphamide-associated SHC developed in 12 of 133 (9%) dogs that had not received concurrent administration of furosemide and cyclophosphamide treatments; of the 83 dogs that had received furosemide, only 1 (1.2%) developed SHC. Dogs receiving cyclophosphamide and furosemide concurrently were significantly less likely to develop SHC than dogs that did not receive furosemide. Dogs with previous or preexisting immune-mediated disease were significantly more likely to develop cyclophosphamide-associated SHC. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Analysis of results suggested an association between i.v. administration of furosemide concurrently with cyclophosphamide and decreased incidence of cyclophosphamide-associated SHC. Incidence of cyclophosphamide-associated SHC was similar in treated dogs that did not receive concurrent furosemide to that observed for other studies in which cyclophosphamide was administered orally. Cyclophosphamide-associated SHC appeared to develop early during the course of chemotherapy when furosemide was not administered concurrently with cyclophosphamide.     

Pneumonia after intracranial surgery in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors associated with the occurrence of pneumonia after intracranial surgery in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. Animals-Forty-nine client-owned dogs. METHODS: The medical records of 49 dogs with space-occupying intracranial disease that underwent craniotomy were reviewed. Development of pneumonia after surgery was considered highly likely in 12 dogs (affected dogs) based on clinical signs, including acute dyspnea or coughing in association with typical radiographic findings or abnormal transtracheal wash results. Pneumonia was confirmed in 6 dogs based on necropsy findings. Affected dogs were compared with 37 dogs that did not develop pneumonia (unaffected dogs) subsequent to intracranial surgery. Based on the medical records of affected dogs, determinations were made regarding time between development of pneumonia and surgery, surgical procedure, intracranial lesion type, and intracranial lesion location. Risk factors examined for both affected and unaffected dogs included level of consciousness, body position during the postoperative recovery period, duration of anesthesia, occurrence of vomiting or regurgitation, presence of seizures, cranial nerve deficiencies, and the presence of megaesophagus before and after surgery. We also compared the feeding protocol after surgery for each group. RESULTS: Pneumonia typically occurred within the first week after surgery (median, 6.5 days); however, this was variable (range, 1-96 days). Of the factors that were present within 24 hours before the clinical signs of pneumonia, vomiting or regurgitation and megaesophagus were found to be significant risk factors. Dogs that vomited or regurgitated were 2.71 times more likely to develop pneumonia than dogs that did not. Vomiting or regurgitation occurred in 63% of the dogs that developed pneumonia in this cohort. Dogs with megaesophagus were 9.25 times more likely to develop pneumonia than dogs without megaesophagus. Seven dogs with pneumonia died. Five of these 7 dogs appeared to have died as a direct sequel to pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Dogs undergoing craniectomies for space-occupying intracranial disease may be at higher risk for development of pneumonia due to several factors, including vomiting, regurgitation, and megaesophagus.     

Serum acute phase protein concentrations in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism with and without concurrent inflammatory conditions

Background: Acute phase proteins (APPs) are promising markers of inflammation in dogs, because they are more sensitive than WBC counts in detecting clinical and subclinical inflammation. Endogenous corticosteroids can mask an acute phase response and make it more difficult to identify underlying inflammatory disease. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute phase protein response in dogs with spontaneous hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) with and without concurrent inflammatory conditions. Methods: Serum concentrations of C‐reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin (Hp), fibrinogen, and albumin were measured in 44 healthy adult dogs and 39 dogs with HAC; the HAC group was further divided into dogs with and without concurrent infection/inflammation. A fourth group of dogs with severe sepsis and without HAC was compared with the dogs with HAC and severe sepsis. Results: Dogs with uncomplicated HAC had significantly higher Hp and fibrinogen concentrations compared with healthy control dogs (P<.001). Dogs with HAC and severe inflammatory disease also had significantly higher CRP and lower albumin concentrations than control dogs and dogs with HAC without concurrent inflammation. Dogs with sepsis but without HAC had significantly higher CRP concentrations than dogs with HAC and sepsis. Conclusions: Dogs with HAC had increases in the moderate APPs (Hp and fibrinogen), and no significant changes in CRP and albumin compared with healthy dogs. Although concurrent HAC appeared to blunt the CRP response in dogs with sepsis, increased serum CRP concentration in dogs with HAC is likely indicative of severe concurrent inflammation.     

Radiographic evaluation of the Zurich cementless total hip acetabular component

OBJECTIVE: To radiographically evaluate the Zurich cementless total hip (ZCTH) cup and correlate lucency with clinical signs of implant instability, time since surgery, and implant generation, using zonal analysis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs (n = 53). METHODS: Radiographs of dogs that had ZCTH arthroplasty (>1 year) were evaluated using zonal analysis, for lucency surrounding the cup-bone interface (number of zones, length, area). Dogs were examined for clinical signs of implant instability (lameness, hip pain). Lucency was correlated with lameness, time after surgery, and implant generation. RESULTS: Radiographs of 68 implants (18 generation I, 50 generation II) were evaluated. Eight dogs were lame (11.8%). Dogs with lameness were more likely to have lucency in > or =2 zones of analysis (per view), have >2 times the average curvilinear length of lucency, and have >4 times the average area of lucency surrounding the implant compared with non-lame dogs. A weak relationship was observed between time after surgery and implant generation; however, there was no relationship between time after surgery and lucency. CONCLUSIONS: Dogs with lameness after ZCTH arthroplasty were more likely to have lucency at the cup-bone interface. Lucency was better evaluated by radiographic projection than zonal analysis. Temporal progression of lucency was weakly correlated with implant generation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dogs with lucency in > or =2 zones of analysis should be evaluated more frequently for clinical signs of implant loosening. Further investigation of serial radiographs after ZCTH arthroplasty is warranted.     

Clinical outcome in 94 cases of dermal haemangiosarcoma in dogs treated with surgical excision: 1993-2007*

Canine dermal haemangiosarcoma (HSA) is believed to have a better prognosis compared to HSA in other organs, but outcome has only been reported in a small number of dogs. The purpose of this study was to assess outcome and prognostic factors in a larger cohort of dogs with dermal HSA. Clinical data was collected retrospectively for 94 dogs and histopathology was reviewed in 53 dogs. Median overall survival time was 987 days. Dogs of predisposed breed with ventral location and histologic solar changes had longer survivals. Loco-regional recurrence occurred in 72/94 (77%) dogs. Predisposed breeds with ventral location and multiple masses were more likely to develop recurrence. Non-predisposed breeds with invasive tumours were more likely to develop metastasis. Results suggest that dogs with solar-induced dermal HSA may have high recurrence rates, but prolonged survivals. Dogs with non-solar tumours may be at increased risk for metastasis and shorter survival.     

Incidence, risk factors, and heritability estimates of hind limb lameness caused by hip dysplasia in a birth cohort of boxers

OBJECTIVE: To determine incidence, risk factors, and heritability estimates of hind limb lameness caused by hip dysplasia in a birth cohort of Boxers. ANIMALS: 1733 Boxers from 325 litters. PROCEDURE: Status of Boxers with respect to clinical signs of canine hip dysplasia (cCHD) was registered during an 8-year period. Survival analysis accounted for dogs lost to follow-up. Effective heritability for developing cCHD was estimated by use of a proportional hazard model on the basis of the Weibull distribution. Parametric survival models were developed to identify the influence of potential risk factors. RESULTS: Cumulative hazard rate for cCHD from 7 weeks to 8 years of age was 8.5%. Dogs that were kept on a floor covered with a slippery material were 1.6 times as likely to develop cCHD, compared with dogs kept on a nonslippery floor. Risk of cCHD doubled in dogs from litters with a high preweaning mortality rate. Dogs that were neutered at 6 months prior to a diagnosis of CHD were 1.5 times as likely to develop cCHD, compared with sexually intact dogs. Dogs >5 years of age were 1.8 times as likely to develop cCHD, compared with younger dogs. Estimated effective heritability of cCHD was 0.11. In terms of the risk of cCHD in progeny, mean estimated breeding value (EBV) of the 10 best and 10 worst sires was -0.32 and 0.42, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Registration of Boxers that develop cCHD may provide a strategy for disease prevention. In addition to diagnostic evaluation of radiographs, sire EBVs provide useful information for breeding selection decisions.     

Persistent urinary tract infections and reinfections in 100 dogs (1989-1999)

A retrospective study was performed of 100 dogs with persistent urinary tract infections (UTIs) or reinfections presenting to the North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC) Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 1989 and 1999. Criteria for selection included > or = 2 positive urine cultures within a 6-month period. Signalment, presence of predisposing disorders, urinalysis and urine culture results, and treatment strategies were extracted from the medical records. Dogs were a median age of 7 years when the UTI was 1st diagnosed. Dogs younger than 3 and older than 10 years were at increased and decreased risks, respectively, for reinfections or persistent UTIs. Spayed females were more common in the UTI population. More than half of the dogs were asymptomatic for a UTI at 1st presentation. Urine sediment examinations identified hematuria, pyuria, and bacteriuria in 47, 72, and 85% of the samples, respectively. The most commonly isolated organisms were Escherichia coli and Streptococcus/Enterococcus spp.; multiple isolates also were common. Of the isolates, 29.5% were resistant to achievable serum concentrations of all antibiotics commonly prescribed for PO administration. Dogs with abnormal micturition were more likely to have infections by organisms resistant to commonly prescribed antibiotics. Potentially predisposing disorders were identified in 71 dogs. A correction of these disorders was accomplished in 35% of these 71 dogs. Dogs given standard antibiotic therapy without addressing predisposing disorders experienced poor control of their UTIs; 74.5% of these dogs had an apparent disease-free interval (ADFI) of < 8 weeks. By comparison, dogs in which predisposing disorders were corrected or those that were treated with low-dose, long-term antibiotic regimens subjectively had better control.     

Prospective randomized clinical trial assessing the efficacy of Denamarin for prevention of CCNU-induced hepatopathy in tumor-bearing dogs

Background: Increases in liver enzymes occur in up to 86% of dogs receiving CCNU and can result in treatment delay or early discontinuation of treatment. Denamarin contains S‐adenosylmethionine and silybin, both of which have been investigated as treatments for various liver diseases. Hypothesis: Dogs on CCNU receiving Denamarin have lower alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity than dogs not receiving Denamarin. Dogs on Denamarin are less likely to require treatment delay because of hepatopathy and are more likely to complete their prescribed course of CCNU. Animals: Dogs with lymphoma, mast cell tumor, or histiocytic sarcoma that were prescribed CCNU with or without corticosteroids and with normal ALT activity were eligible for enrollment. Methods: Dogs were prospectively randomized to receive either concurrent Denamarin during CCNU chemotherapy or to receive CCNU alone. Liver‐specific laboratory tests were run before each dose of CCNU. Results: Increased liver enzyme activity occurred in 84% of dogs receiving CCNU alone and in 68% of dogs on concurrent Denamarin. Dogs receiving CCNU alone had significantly greater increases in ALT, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin and a significantly greater decrease in serum cholesterol concentrations than dogs receiving concurrent Denamarin. Dogs receiving CCNU alone were significantly more likely to have treatment delayed or discontinued because of increased ALT activity. Conclusions: Increased liver enzyme activity occurs commonly in dogs receiving CCNU chemotherapy. These results support the use of concurrent Denamarin to minimize increased liver enzyme activity in dogs receiving CCNU chemotherapy. Denamarin treatment also increases the likelihood of dogs completing a prescribed CCNU course.     

Serial blood lactate concentrations in systemically ill dogs

BACKGROUND: Lactate concentration often is quantified in systemically ill dogs and interpreted based on human data. To our knowledge, there are no published clinical studies evaluating serial lactate concentrations as a prognostic indicator in ill dogs. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to perform a prospective study, using multivariate analysis, to determine whether serial lactate concentrations were associated with outcome in ill dogs requiring intravenous fluids. METHODS: Eighty sick dogs had lactate concentrations evaluated, using an analyzer that measures lactate in the plasma fraction of heparinized whole blood, at 0 hours and 6 hours after initiation of treatment. Severity of illness and outcome (survivor, nonsurvivor) were determined by reviewing the patient's record 2 weeks after admission. Lactate concentrations, age, body weight, gender, and severity of illness were evaluated using multivariate analysis to determine their effects on outcome. RESULTS: Dogs with lactate concentrations greater than the reference interval at 6 hours were 16 times (95% confidence interval = 2.32-112.71 times, P <.01) more likely not to survive compared to dogs with lactate concentrations within the reference interval. Lactate concentrations above the reference interval at 0 hours were not significantly related to outcome. However, hyperlactatemia that did not improve by > or = 50% within 6 hours was significantly associated with mortality (P = .024). CONCLUSION: Dogs with a lactate concentration higher than the reference interval at 6 hours were more likely not to survive. These results indicate an association between lactate concentration and outcome and emphasize the importance of serial lactate concentrations in evaluating prognosis.     

Prognostic Factors in Dogs with Lymphoma and Associated Hypercalcemia

Lymphoma and hypercalcemia were diagnosed in 37 dogs. Twenty-six of the dogs received chemotherapy. The association between some prognostic factors including clinical stage of disease, illness status, presence of bone marrow involvement, and presence of an anterior mediastinal mass and remission duration and survival time was evaluated. Statistical analysis of the prognostic factors showed that the presence of an anterior mediastinal mass had an adverse effect on remission duration (P less than 0.03). Calcium concentration was not significantly related to any of the prognostic factors evaluated. Dogs that received chemotherapy were more likely to be self-supporting than the dogs that were not treated (P less than 0.005). However, initial illness status was not significantly related to remission duration or survival time in the 26 dogs that were treated. Six dogs (25% of dogs treated) survived longer than 14 months. Five of these dogs were female. Overall mean and median remission times were 10.4 and 6 months, respectively.     

Risk factors for recurrence of clinical signs associated with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation in dogs: 229 cases (1994-2000)

OBJECTIVE: To assess risk factors for recurrence of clinical signs associated with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) in dogs that had decompressive laminectomy without attempted prophylactic treatment of other disk spaces. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 229 dogs. PROCEDURE: Medical records of dogs that had decompressive laminectomy without prophylactic fenestration for a first episode of IVDD and were available for follow-up were reviewed. Information on 7 clinical and 8 radiographic potential risk factors were recorded. RESULTS: Clinical signs associated with recurrence of IVDD developed in 44 (19.2%) dogs. Ninety-six percent of recurrences developed within 3 years after surgery. Recurrence developed in 25% of Dachshunds and 15% of dogs of other breeds combined. Number of opacified disks was a significant risk factor for recurrence. Risk increased with number of opacified disks in an almost linear manner; each opacified disk increased risk by 1.4 times. Dogs with 5 or 6 opacified disks at the time of first surgery had a recurrence rate of 50%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: When all likely episodes of recurrence are considered and a long follow-up period is achieved, true rate of recurrence of IVDD appears to be higher than in many previous reports. Dogs with multiple opacified disks at the time of first surgery should be considered a high-risk subpopulation.     

Auscultation and echocardiographic findings in Bull Terriers with and without polycystic kidney disease

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a possible association between Bull Terrier polycystic kidney disease (BTPKD) and cardiac disease, to determine the prevalence of mitral valve disease (MVD) and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) in the Australian Bull Terrier population, and to compare auscultation and echocardiography in detection of cardiac disease in Bull Terriers. DESIGN: Ninety-nine Bull Terriers, ranging in age from 8 weeks to 13 years and 11 months were auscultated and examined using renal ultrasonography; 86 were also examined using echocardiography. The prevalence and severity of heart defects in dogs with BTPKD was compared with that in dogs without BTPKD. RESULTS: Nineteen of these 99 dogs were diagnosed with BTPKD. Forty-two percent of Bull Terriers with BTPKD and 28% of those without BTPKD had murmurs characteristic of mitral regurgitation or LVOTO. How recently an animal was descended from an ancestor with BTPKD was associated with presence (P = 0.008) and loudness of a murmur (P = 0.009). Overall, echocardiography detected MVD in 39% of Bull Terriers, with increased prevalence in older animals (P = 0.003). Mitral stenosis was found in eight cases. Fifty-three percent of dogs in this study had evidence of LVOTO, with obstruction consisting of a complex of lesions including dynamic or fixed subvalvular LVOTO, significantly narrowed left ventricular outflow tract or valvular aortic stenosis. Dogs with BTPKD, or those descended from dogs with BTPKD, were more likely to have MVD (P = 0.006), and while LVOTO was not more common in these dogs, if they did have LVOTO, they were more likely to have severe obstruction than dogs with no ancestors with BTPKD (analysed in three ways P = 0.028 to 0.001). In this study, 46% of Bull Terriers without a murmur or arrhythmia had cardiac disease detected on echocardiographic examination. CONCLUSION: Cardiac disease, especially MVD and LVOTO, was common in Bull Terriers in this study, and those with BTPKD had an increased risk of cardiac abnormalities. Auscultation did not detect a significant number of Bull Terriers with cardiac disease.     

Investigation on the association between atopic dermatitis and the development of mycosis fungoides in dogs: a retrospective case-control study

In human medicine, the relationship between the immunodysregulation observed in atopic dermatitis (AD) and the development of mycosis fungoides (MF) has triggered considerable interest due to the increasing number of patients with MF who have a previous history of AD. The purpose of this retrospective case-control study was to investigate whether dogs diagnosed with MF were more likely to have AD. The records of 96 000 canine patients at the University of Florida were searched. Inclusion criteria were a clinical and histological diagnosis of MF. Dogs admitted to the University of Florida, Veterinary Medical Center during the same time period (1991-2004) without a diagnosis of MF were included as controls. Four controls for each study dog were randomly selected (matched by year of admission). Frequency of AD and other exposure variables were compared among case and control dogs by using conditional logistic regression. Records of 19 dogs with a diagnosis of MF were identified. Five of them (5/19, 26.3%) had previous diagnosis of AD. The odds of having MF was 12 times (OR = 12.54; 95% CI = 1.95-80.39; P < 0.01) higher in dogs with AD than in dogs without AD. In conclusion, this study suggests an association between AD and MF in dogs. Future studies are necessary to confirm this finding and to investigate the pathogenic mechanisms involved in this association.     

Esophageal Dysfunction in Dogs with Idiopathic Laryngeal Paralysis: A Controlled Cohort Study

Objectives— To compare esophageal function in dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis (ILP) to age and breed matched controls; to determine if dysfunction is associated with aspiration pneumonia over 1 year; and to compare clinical neurologic examination of dogs with ILP at enrollment and at 1 year. Study Design— Prospective controlled cohort study. Animals— Dogs with ILP (n=32) and 34 age and breed matched healthy dogs. Methods— Mean esophageal score was determined for each phase of 3 phase esophagrams, analyzed blindly. After unilateral cricoarytenoid laryngoplasty, dogs with ILP were reexamined (including thoracic radiography) at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Neurologic status was recorded at enrollment, 6 and 12 months. Results— Esophagram scores in dogs with ILP were significantly higher in each phase compared with controls, most notably with liquid (P<.0001). Dysfunction was more pronounced in the cervical and cranial thoracic esophagus. Five dogs that had aspiration pneumonia during the study had significantly higher esophagram scores than dogs that did not develop aspiration pneumonia (P<.02). Ten (31%) ILP dogs had generalized neurologic signs on enrollment and all ILP dogs developed neurologic signs by 1 year (P<.0001). Conclusions— Dogs with ILP also have esophageal dysfunction. Postoperative aspiration pneumonia is more likely in dogs with higher esophagram scores. Dogs with ILP will most likely develop generalized neuropathy over the course of 1 year. Clinical Relevance— Esophagrams and neurologic examinations should be performed on all dogs with ILP.     

Intracranial Lesions in Dogs With Hemangiosarcoma

A retrospective analysis of 85 dogs with hemangiosarcoma (HSA) that underwent complete necropsy, including gross examination of the brain, was conducted. Grossly identifiable intracranial lesions were present in 17 dogs. Twelve of 85 dogs (14.2%) had brain metastases. Four of 85 dogs (4.7%) had hemorrhagic lesions and/or ischemic necrosis without identifiable tumor. One dog had a primary central nervous system tumor. Signs of intracranial disease were present in six of 85 dogs (7.1%) with HSA; four had brain metastases and two had nonneoplastic lesions. Metastases had a propensity for cerebrum and gray matter. Dogs with brain metastases had more widely disseminated disease than dogs without brain metastases (P less than 0.001). Dogs with pulmonary metastases were at greater risk for developing brain metastases than dogs without pulmonary metastases (odds ratio = 8.31). Although thoracic radiography accurately identified ten of 12 dogs (83%) with pulmonary metastases, too few cases were available to assess the applicability/accuracy of thoracic radiography in predicting the presence or absence of brain metastases in dogs with malignancy and signs of intracranial disease.