Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 in a crossbred dog

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 was diagnosed in a 12-year-old male crossbred dog. Relevant history included polyuria and polydipsia of four months' duration. Physical examination revealed abdominal enlargement, seborrhoea and polypnoea. Diagnostic tests indicated hypercalcaemia, elevated serum alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase, an exaggerated response to adrenocorticotropic stimulation of the adrenal gland, lack of cortisol suppression with a low dose dexamethasone suppression test and suppression of cortisol secretion with a high dose dexamethasone test. An enlarged right parathyroid gland was removed surgically and confirmed histopathologically to be a parathyroid adenoma. The pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism was treated successfully with mitotane for 14 months before the patient was euthanased for an unrelated problem.     

Cervical neoplasia originating from the vagus nerve in a dog

An eight-year-old intact male Bernese mountain dog was referred with a history of chronic vomiting, coughing and signs of respiratory distress. Other historical findings included lethargy, weight loss and choking. On presentation, clinical findings were Horner's syndrome, ipsilateral laryngeal hemiplegia, coughing, gagging, respiratory distress and vomiting. Lateral cervical radiographs showed ill-defined mineralisation in the soft tissue ventral to the third cervical vertebra, while ultrasonography of the neck revealed a well marginated heterogeneous mass with focal hyperechogenic lesions and acoustic shadowing. Results of an ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirate suggested neoplasia. At necropsy, a large tumour was detected in the ventral cervical region, originating from the right vagosympathetic trunk. In view of the infiltrating pattern, the cellular pleomorphism and the numerous mitoses on histopathological examination, the tumour was classified as a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour.     

Classification of hematopoietic system neoplasia in the dog

This article contains an overview of the classification of neoplasia of the hematopoietic system in the dog. The objective of this article is to convey an understanding of currently used classification schemes and to correlate this classification with modern concepts of hematopoietic system biology. This article will be concerned with those neoplastic disease processes that are derived from the mesodermally derived pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells and their progeny.     

Rectal neoplasia in the dog: a clinicopathological review of 31 cases

A clinicopathological review was made of 31 cases of canine rectal neoplasia. The adenomatous polyp was the commonest tumour and had the best prognosis. With the exception of adenocarcinomas the results of surgical excision of malignant neoplasms, including two cases of rectal lymphosarcoma, were encouraging.     

Primary pulmonary neoplasia in the dog and cat

This article covers the pertinent clinical, physical, and radiographic findings in dogs and cats with primary pulmonary neoplasia. Diagnostic and treatment recommendations are made. Although primary pulmonary neoplasia is rare in both the dog and cat, it appears to be diagnosed with increasing frequency. Early detection and surgical treatment of carefully selected cases can prolong a good quality of life.     

Detection of biclonal gammopathy by capillary zone electrophoresis in a cat and a dog with plasma cell neoplasia

Gammopathies associated with plasma cell neoplasms in a 15-year-old female spayed domestic shorthaired cat and a 9-year-old female spayed Rottweiler dog were evaluated by serum protein electrophoresis. In the cat, the plasma cell neoplasm was found in the liver and spleen, and an evaluable sample of bone marrow was not obtained. Some of the plasma cells had the morphologic appearance of flame cells. The paraprotein was confirmed as IgG based on agar gel immunodiffusion precipitation and both immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical staining. The dog had multiple myeloma with production of IgG and IgA paraproteins. In both cases, serum proteins were evaluated by 2 methods of protein electrophoresis: cellulose acetate electrophoresis (CAE) and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). In the cat and the dog, CAE showed a single large oligoclonal-like peak, which occurred in the γ-region in the cat and the β-γ-region in the dog, whereas CZE showed a biclonal gammopathy with 2 very close narrow spikes in the γ- and β-γ-regions in the cat and dog, respectively. In selected cases, CZE may be more effective than routine CAE in distinguishing oligoclonal from monoclonal or biclonal paraproteinemia.     

Radioisotope imaging for the evaluation of thyroid neoplasia and hypothyroidism in a dog

An 11-year-old dog was diagnosed as having concurrent unilateral follicular thyroid carcinoma and hypothyroidism. Radioisotope imaging with technetium 99m as sodium pertechnatate identified the extent of thyroid tissue involvement. A combination of surgical resection and hormonal supplementation resulted in a favorable clinical response.     

Mesenteric and omental sclerosis associated with metastases from gastrointestinal neoplasia in the dog

Eleven cases of adenocarcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract were reviewed. Six tumours were considered to be of gastric origin, three originated from the jejunum and two from exocrine pancreatic tissue. Clinical signs were variable, but intermittent anorexia and vomiting were common features. Grossly, there was marked fibrosis involving the mesentery in nine cases, the omentum in 10 cases, and the abdominal surface of the diaphragm in three cases. Neoplasms that primarily involved the stomach or jejunum caused localised thickening of the bowel wall with mucosal ulceration. Pancreatic masses were continuous with the peritoneal lesion. The major histological feature in the mesentery and omentum was small islands of neoplastic cells surrounded by abundant proliferating connective tissue.     

Identification and characterization of hierarchical structures in dog breeding schemes, a novel method applied to the Norfolk Terrier

Popular sires, a limited population size, and the founder event are widely considered the main reasons for the low genetic diversity observed in many dog breeds. However, these factors have had only a small role in the historic decrease in diversity observed in the Norfolk Terrier breed. We show that the decrease in this breed has been mainly due to large, popular kennels. Dogs from these kennels have, on average, larger genetic contributions to subsequent generations than others. A test for the presence of a popular kennel effect is proposed and applied (P < 0.001). These kennels were found to be the same as nuclei of selection existing in other livestock species. This result revealed a hierarchical structure of dog breeding schemes, with an asymmetric gene flow predominantly from the nuclei toward the main population. Possible reasons for this structure and implications for future population management are discussed. The main reason is probably that the breed type was established by large, popular kennels and that small kennel breeders used their stud dogs to benefit from the achievements of the popular kennels. Many kennels, however, were unable to make their own substantial genetic contributions to the breed.     

Testicular neoplasia in the retained testicles of an intersex male dog

This case describes the presentation and management of an 8 yr old phenotypically female intersex male dog presented for evaluation of a mass in the right inguinal region. The right inguinal space was surgically explored, and a large irregular mass resembling a fully developed testicle was identified in the right vaginal tunic. A second mass resembling an atrophied, but anatomically mature testicle, was identified in the left tunic. The larger mass was identified as a Sertoli cell tumor that had replaced all normal testicular tissue. The smaller mass was identified as a testicle that contained a small intratubular seminoma. The patient was diagnosed as having a phenotypic female sex, chromosomal male sex, and a gonadal male sex. Hormone assays completed before and after the gonadectomy and mass removal document an elevation of circulating progesterone presurgically that returned to baseline by 1 mo postsurgically. The source of the progesterone was identified to be the Leydig cells of the atrophied testicle.     

Intracranial fusariosis: a novel cause of fungal meningoencephalitis in a dog

The Fusarium species are a group of saprophytic fungal organisms that are occasionally the cause of opportunistic infections in humans and animals. Central nervous system disease associated with a Fusarium species is most commonly described in horse, resulting in equine leukoencephalomalacia. This report describes a 2-year-old, spayed, female German Shepherd Dog with meningoencephalitis secondary to infection with Fusarium spp. Meningoencephalitis in dogs secondary to a species of Fusarium has not been previously reported. The diagnosis was made based on the histopathologic examination of brain tissues postmortem and special immunohistochemical stains specific for Fusarium solani. The clinical signs in this dog were indicative of multifocal brain disease and included seizures and a paradoxical vestibular syndrome. The clinical findings, diagnostic and histopathologic test results, and the comparative characterizations of other disseminated fungal diseases, especially aspergillosis, are described.     

A novel approach to treatment of lymphangiosarcoma in a boxer dog

A five‐year‐old female boxer presented with a swelling in the area of the caudal mammary gland. The mass was surgically excised and histopathological examination revealed a poorly demarcated lesion, extending into mammary tissue and infiltrating the sinuses of adjacent lymph nodes. The diagnosis was lymphangiosarcoma. Full blood work, thoracic radiographs, abdominal and scar ultrasound were unremarkable, apart from possible inflammatory reactions in the latter and reactive/metastatic changes in inguinal lymph nodes. Doxorubicin treatment resulted in a 6‐month recurrence free interval. At relapse, the dog was treated with metronomic chemotherapy using chlorambucil and meloxicam, which failed to adequately control the disease. Toceranib phosphate was introduced and resulted in almost complete regression of the mass, leaving just a skin plaque. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first report describing the use of two novel therapeutic approaches to treat canine lymphangiosarcoma that resulted in a higher than previously described survival time.     

Lymphoreticular neoplasia in a dog resembling malignant histiocytosis (histiocytic medullary reticulosis) in man.

Malignant histiocytosis was diagnosed in a 4-year-old-dog. Major clinicopathologic findings included multiple cutaneous tumors, peripheral lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, lytic bone lesions, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and monoclonal IgA gammopathy. Pathologic findings included multi-systemic infiltration of erythrophagocytic malignant histiocytes. Chemotherapy was unsuccessful.     

Radiological diagnosis and prognosis of primary abdominal neoplasia in the dog*

Alimentary and splenic neoplasms formed the largest groups in a series of 121 primary abdominal neoplasms in 117 dogs examined as clinical cases in Glasgow University Veterinary Hospital in the period 1970-74. The majority of the neoplasms were malignant (107 of 121), but few cases had lung metastases. Retrospective study of the radiographs of ninety-one animals in the series was undertaken. Gastro-intestinal lymphosarcoma, which formed the largest single group (thirty-four) was rarely suspected on plain film radiography since gross masses were usually absent and the associated drainage lymph nodes rarely demonstrable. Barium study was useful in delineating gastric malignancy and the occasional unusual small intestinal filling defects which might indicate tumour. Radiography demonstrated the majority of cases of splenic enlargement well, but was of no assistance in the differentiation of benign or malignant lesions. Appropriate contrast studies of the urinary tract were very useful in the investigation of suspected renal, ureteric and bladder neoplasms. Radiographic signs of spinal involvement from spread of abdominal neoplasms was rare, occurring in two cases, once to the seventh lumbar vertebra, once to the first coccygeal vertebra. Radiography rarely demonstrated lung metastases. The prognosis in most cases of abdominal tumours with the exception of splenic neoplasms, is poor. Radiography has marked limitations in the demonstration of many pathological entities of the abdomen including tumours, and contrast studies, though often rewarding, are liable to be very time-consuming. The ultimate diagnosis depends on exploratory laparotomy.     

Orbital neoplasia with enophthalmos in a cat

A 9-year-old cat was evaluated for left-sided enophthalmos and protrusion of the third eyelid. A primary orbital fibrosarcoma was diagnosed. During the orbital exploration, normal periorbital fascia could not be identified in the lateral and ventral region, thus accounting for the enophthalmos.     

Detection and molecular characterization of a novel large Babesia species in a dog

Babesia canis has generally been considered the only large Babesia to infect dogs. Here we describe the molecular characterization of a large Babesia species that was detected in the blood and bone marrow of a dog with clinical and hematological abnormalities consistent with babesiosis. Analysis of the 18S rRNA genes revealed a unique sequence that shared 93.9% sequence identity with B. bigemina and 93.5% sequence identity with B. caballi, compared to 91.2-91.6% identity with B. canis canis, B. c. vogeli, and B. c. rossi. Cross-reactive antibodies against B. canis, B. gibsoni (Asian genotype), or B. gibsoni (California genotype) antigens were not detected in acute or convalescent serum samples. The dog was treated with imidocarb diproprionate, which resulted in the resolution of clinical signs, and subsequently Babesia DNA was not detectable by PCR in post-treatment samples. The organism described in this report represents a genetically unique large Babesia sp. and is the eighth genetically distinct piroplasm capable of infecting the domestic dog.