Extrahepatic biliary atresia in a border collie

Progressive lameness and leg pain were the predominant clinical signs in a 17-week-old male border collie presented for examination. On clinical investigation, extrahepatic cholestasis in association with rickets due to inadequate vitamin D resorption was diagnosed. The dog was treated parenterally with vitamin D and a cholecystoduodenostomy was performed. At 25 days postsurgery the lameness had resolved and bone structure was radiographically normal. However, at six weeks postsurgery, the dog's condition deteriorated rapidly and euthanasia was finally performed at eight weeks postsurgery. At postmortem examination, Toxocara canis nematodes were found to have invaded the biliary system via the anastomosis between the gallbladder and duodenum, causing biliary and hepatic toxocariasis. The cause of the primary extrahepatic cholestasis was atresia of the common bile duct at the hepatic end. The liver tissue showed microscopic lesions of chronic extrahepatic cholestasis as well as acute inflammation associated with the nematode invasion. There was no postmortem evidence of bone lesions. Extrahepatic biliary atresia is extremely rare in animals and has not been described before in dogs. In contrast, it represents the most common cause of congenital cholestasis in children, occurring in approximately one per 10,000 to 15,000 live births.     

Coxofemoral luxation in pet rabbits: nine cases

Of the pet rabbits presented at one private practice between August 2011 and August 2016 (n=1369), 5·6% presented with a traumatic orthopaedic injury. Of these, 7·8% (n=6) presented with traumatic coxofemoral luxation, the most frequently observed type of luxation. Three cases of non‐traumatic coxofemoral luxation in pet rabbits are also discussed. Eight rabbits presented with craniodorsal luxation and one with caudoventral luxation. Five rabbits were initially treated using closed reduction and an Ehmer sling under sedation. Two rabbits responded satisfactorily to closed reduction; their bandages remained in place for 10 and 14 days, and movement was cage‐limited for 1 month after bandage placement. The bandage did not prevent re‐luxation in three cases. Therefore, two rabbits received iliofemoral nylon sutures, and three rabbits received a femoral neck and head ostectomy. One rabbit was treated directly using open reduction and an iliofemoral nylon suture due to fractures in the same limb. One rabbit was presented in shock, coxofemoral luxation was noticed as an incidental finding and euthanasia was elected by the owner. In conclusion, of the three rabbits treated via femoral neck and head ostectomy one rabbit had an unsatisfactory outcome and two rabbits have non‐assessable outcomes. The three rabbits treated with iliofemoral sutures showed satisfactory long‐term outcomes and the two rabbits treated with closed reduction and an Ehmer sling showed satisfactory medium and long‐term outcomes.     

Coxofemoral luxation in two foals wearing hindlimb casts

Two foals wearing hindlimb casts developed coxofemoral luxations 6 days and 9 days after the casts were applied. One foal had a cast on one hindlimb up to the proximal portion of the tibia and the other foal had tube casts on all 4 limbs. Although the incidents that resulted in the luxations were not observed, they probably occurred during awkward attempts to stand or from being pushed by the mare, with the affected limb being caught under the body in a forward extended and adducted position.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in a border collie

A castrated male border collie 23 months of age weighing 19.4 kg was referred to the Animal Medical Center of Nihon University with complaints of visual disturbance and behavioral abnormality, hyperacusis and morbid fear. The MRI examination revealed the slight dilated cerebral sulci and cerebellar fissures and left ventricular enlargement. This is the first report of MRI findings of canine neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.     

Central tarsal bone fracture in the border collie

Fracture of the plantar process of the central tarsal bone together with a dorsomedial displacement of the body of the bone was seen in six border collies. All injuries occurred during free exercise, with no extrinsic trauma. Three dogs had concomitant tarsal fractures. Primary treatment was by lag screwing the central tarsal bone to the fourth tarsal bone. All cases eventually made an excellent recovery. The superficial radiographic appearance was of a luxation of the bone as reported in a previous series, but appraisal of the radiographs showed evidence of fracture in all cases. A cadaver study to assess the mechanism of luxation showed that it is unlikely to occur naturally.     

Clinical features of ceroid lipofuscinosis in border collie dogs

Ceroid lipofuscinosis was diagnosed by histopathological and histochemical findings in 17 related border collie dogs and by clinical signs in 6 of their litter mates. Behavioural changes, first hyperactivity and later aggression, commenced at 16 to 23 (mean 19.5) months of age. Motor abnormalities and blindness were observed at the mean ages of 20.8 and 21.2 months, respectively. All dogs were euthanased 1 to 6 months after the onset of clinical signs, mean age 23.1 months. Pedigree data supported an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.     

Cobalamin deficiency associated with erythroblastic anemia and methylmalonic aciduria in a border collie.

Anemia due to cobalamin deficiency is a rare genetic disorder that has been recognized in dogs only recently. This report concerns a 14-month-old border collie that presented for chronic, nonregenerative anemia. Cytological examination of a peripheral blood smear showed the presence of erythroblasts. Serum cobalamin levels were below reference ranges reported for clinically normal dogs. A methylmalonic aciduria was found on urinalysis. These signs are consistent with the anemia in Imerslund-Graesbeck syndrome reported in humans. Anemia due to cobalamin deficiency responds to parenteral vitamin B12 therapy, and affected animals have a good prognosis for recovery.     

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome in a Border collie

A Border collie was presented at the age of 9 weeks with several lesions of the right forelimb, including a reddish-blue haemangiomatous macula in the medio-dorsal part of the elbow, multiple, scattered small cavernous haemangioma-like lesions at the plantar part of the foot and a general hypertrophy of the limb. X-rays of the limb showed osteolysis. On skin biopsy, telangiectatic veins were observed. The rest of the body did not show any skin lesions or hypertrophy. The dog was otherwise healthy. Due to the extension of the lesions and worsening of the limb swelling, it was decided to amputate the affected limb. The dog remained healthy for 2 weeks, but then passed through episodes of anaemia, and finally died suddenly with signs of shock. Dissection of the limb after amputation revealed hypoplasia and aplasia of the deep venous system in the lower part of the leg. No arterio-venous shunts were noticed. ln man, this syndrome, characterised by an insufficiently developed deep venous system associated with local overgrowth of the limb and cutaneous telangiectasia, is known as Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.     

Multiple limbal haemangiosarcomas in a border collie dog: management by lamellar keratectomy/sclerectomy and strontium-90 beta plesiotherapy

An eight-year-old, neutered, male border collie dog was presented with a six-week history of left ocular discomfort and a raised, red mass at the lateral limbus. The right eye had been enucleated approximately 12 months previously following suspected trauma when the eye had become red and painful. The mass was excised using superficial keratectomy/sclerectomy and the surgery site was treated with strontium-90 beta radiation. Histopathological findings were consistent with a diagnosis of haemangiosarcoma. Immunohistochemical staining showed uniform expression of CD31 in neoplastic cells, confirming their endothelial origin. Two further treatments with strontium-90 beta radiation were applied to the surgical site at weekly intervals. Twenty-six weeks after surgery, a second, raised, red limbal mass became apparent at the medial limbus of the left eye. Surgical excision and adjuvant strontium-90 beta plesiotherapy were performed as described for the initial tumour. Routine histopathological analysis confirmed haemangiosarcoma at this site. Eighty-six weeks following the initial presentation, no recurrence of ocular haemangiosarcoma was evident.     

Lipoid pneumonia in a rough collie dog

The incidence of lipoid pneumonia in dogs is not known and confirmed cases do not appear to have been reported. Three forms of lipoid pneumonia are recognised in mammalian species; exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP), endogenous lipoid pneumonia (EnLP), and post-obstructive endogenous lipoid pneumonia (PEnLP). All forms share similar microscopic characteristics of fat accumulation in the cytoplasm of alveolar macrophages and are otherwise clinically indistinct from other forms of pneumonia. A case of lipoid pneumonia in a seven-year-old rough collie dog which was presented with recurrent bronchopneumonia over several months is reported here. Diagnosis was made from biopsy of resected lung tissue and from detection of fat-containing vacuoles in macrophages obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage. ELP could not be differentiated from PEnLP in this dog, but a complete recovery followed removal of the affected right accessory and caudal lung lobes.     

Centronuclear myopathy in a Border collie dog

A two‐year old, male entire Border collie was presented with a one‐year history of exercise‐induced collapsing on the pelvic limbs. Physical examination revealed generalised muscle atrophy. Neurological examination supported a generalised neuromuscular disorder. Electromyography revealed spontaneous electrical activity in almost all muscles. Unfixed and formaldehyde‐fixed biopsy samples were collected from the triceps brachii, longissimus and vastus lateralis muscles. Histopathological, histochemical and ultrastructural examinations of biopsy specimens were consistent with either centronuclear or myotubular myopathy. The dog clinically improved with supportive treatment with L‐carnitine, co‐enzyme Q10 and vitamin B compound. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of centronuclear/myotubular myopathy in a Border collie.     

Dorso-medial ante-brachiocarpal luxation with radio-ulna luxation in a domestic shorthair

An 8-year-old domestic shorthair was admitted with non-weight bearing left forelimb lameness. Examination and radiographs revealed dorso-medial ante-brachiocarpal luxation with palmar luxation of the distal radio-ulnar joint. Primary repair was performed and stabilised using an arthrodesis wire and type Ia Kirschner-Ehmer (K-E) external skeletal fixator (ESF). The cat regained excellent pain-free limb function by 14 weeks with only minor reduction in range of movement. This is the first case report of a cat with distal radio-ulnar joint luxation associated with ante-brachiocarpal luxation. Primary repair of carpal luxation in the cat should be considered before arthrodesis.