Bacterial endocarditis in the dog

The literature on bacterial endocarditis is reviewed. The condition is illustrated by three cases in which the findings on clinical, radiological, electrocardiographical, bacteriological and post-mortem examinations are described. In one case a 2-year-old Boxer, the causal organism was an atypical Corynebacterium and in another, a 6-year-old Alsatian, it was Proteus vulgaris . Neither of these organisms have been previously associated with canine bacterial endocarditis. The third case is an example of a chronic, long standing lesion, from which no organisms were isolated.     

Immune-based erosive inflammatory joint disease of the dog: canine rheumatoid arthritis.

The features of 30 cases of canine rheumatoid arthritis are described. The disease is a chronic symmetrical polyarthritis characterized by erosive, destructive changes within the joint. The latter can be identified on radiographs by loss of mineral, the presence of discrete erosions or an irregular joint margin. Increased periarticular soft tissue is common and periosteal new bone is not unusual. The most obvious clinical feature is generalized stiffness particularly after rest. Joints are often thickened and painful on manipulation. A third of cases present with pyrexia, lethargy and inappetence in addition to lameness. Synovial fluid evaluation shows an increased number of white cells, most of which are polymorphs; the mucin clot is poor. The ESR is generally increased and rheumatoid factor (an antiglobulin auto-antibody) is present in 73 per cent of cases. Treatment is often unrewarding, although many dogs can cope for considerable periods of time.     

Immune-based non-erosive inflammatory joint disease of the dog. 3. Canine idiopathic polyarthritis

The features of 67 cases of canine idiopathic polyarthritis are described. Idiopathic polyarthritis includes cases of non-infective polysynovitis which cannot be classified into more defined groups. It most often affects young adult dogs, and pyrexia, inappetence and lethargy are exhibited as well as lameness. Radiography usually shows soft tissue changes. Four types are identified according to certain associations; Type I (uncomplicated), Type II (infection elsewhere in the body), Type III (gastro-intestinal disease) and Type IV (neoplastic disease elsewhere in the body). Steroids and/or cytotoxic drugs are used for treatment.     

Immune-based non-erosive inflammatory joint disease of the dog. 1. Canine systemic lupus erythematosus

The features of 13 dogs with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are described. Canine SLE is a multisystemic disease characterized by autoimmunity and immune complex hypersensitivity. The presence of antinuclear antibody in the blood is an important diagnostic feature. All 13 cases had a non-erosive symmetrical polyarthritis. Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia was seen in five cases, thrombocytopenia in three, skin lesions in four; neurological involvement in one; and gastrointestinal signs in one. Treatment was with cytotoxic drugs(cyclophosphamide initially) and prednisolone.     

Immune-based non-erosive inflammatory joint disease of the dog. 2. Polyarthritis/polymyositis syndrome

A connective tissue disorder characterized by non-erosive polyarthritis and polymyositis has been identified in six young adult dogs. The diagnosis was based on the clinical features of stiffness, joint swelling, joint pain, muscle atrophy, muscle pain and contracture and the presence of chronic active inflammation in biopsies of muscle and synovium. A diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus was excluded by the absence of circulating antinuclear antibody. Five of the six dogs were of the spaniel breeds. Treatment was with cyclophosphamide and prednisolone. Only two dogs made an apparent recovery.     

Multisystemic inflammatory disease in a borzoi dog

A six-week-old female borzoi puppy from a brother-sister mating developed a generalised illness characterised by anorexia, temporary intention tremor, episodic pyrexia, tachypnoea, conjunctivitis, otitis and neck pain. Haematological abnormalities included an inflammatory leukogram and regenerative anaemia. Blood cultures remained sterile; clinical chemistry values were unremarkable. The puppy had recurrent seizures and was euthanased when 18 weeks old. Post mortem examination revealed a multisystemic inflammatory disease involving thyroids, lymph nodes, spleen, pancreas, bladder and lung, but no lesions to account for the neurological signs. The cause of this generalised disease was not recognised. The histological features are unusual and resemble those described in other dogs of this breed.     

Idiopathic ocular and nasal granulomatous inflammatory disease in a dog

A young female Akita presented for ocular and nasal lesions. Examination showed bilateral 360 degree limbal masses that extended onto the peripheral cornea. In addition, intranasal granulomatous masses were observed by rhinoscopy. Histopathologic examination with immunohistochemical staining showed that these masses were almost identical and were classified as an idiopathic, T-cell rich, granulomatous inflammation. The dog responded well to anti-inflammatory medication and the disease remains in remission 2 years after the initial presentation.     

Bacterial infective arthritis following a penetrating stick injury of the stifle joint in a dog

An eight-year old, Rottweiler was presented with a chronic non-weight bearing right pelvic limb -lameness and a discharging sinus at the right stifle joint. Fifteen weeks previously a diagnosis of bacterial infective arthritis had been made, presumed attributable to haematogenous spread. Failure to respond to appropriate surgical and medical management resulted in severe joint dysfunction. The poor prognosis for restoration of limb function resulted in limb amputation. Subsequent exploration of the sinus tract and the stifle joint revealed a stick within the craniolateral aspect of the joint. This penetrating stick injury had been responsible for the persistent bacterial infective arthritis.     

Bacterial infective arthritis in the dog

Bacterial infections of joints produce an inflammatory arthropathy. Most cases appear to be due to the haematogenous localisation of bacteria in a joint and trauma may predispose a joint to infection. Two clinical syndromes are identified; the classic acute onset case and a more chronic local grade infection syndrome. Affected joints are usually thickened and show pain on manipulation. The synovial fluid has increased numbers of white cells, most of which are polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Peripheral blood analysis may be normal and only a few dogs show systemic illness. Radiography in the early stage, will only show soft tissue changes; periosteal new bone and bony destruction are seen in longer standing cases. The carpus was the most frequently affected joint and the larger breeds, particularly the males, were over-represented. Various organisms were isolated but haemolytic Streptococcus and Staphylococcus intermedius were the most common. Culture of the synovial membrane was more sensitive than the synovial fluid. Antibiotic therapy for several weeks was generally successful providing an early diagnosis was made. In a few cases, steroid responsive synovial inflammation persisted in the absence of viable bacterial organisms.     

Bacterial endocarditis in adult dairy cattle

Thirty-one cases of bacterial endocarditis in adult dairy cows were reviewed. Clinical signs were reflective of the stage of the disease. Recurrent or persistent fever, tachycardia and a pounding heartbeat or systolic murmur, polypnea, and lameness were typical. With chronicity, weight loss and poor production developed. The end stage was congestive heart failure. Neutrophilia was typical in early cases. Low-grade anemia and high total serum globulin content developed with chronicity and seemed to be negative prognostic signs. Corynebacterium pyogenes was the organism most frequently identified by blood culture or at necropsy. Twenty cows were necropsied and 2 cows were sent to slaughter. Nine cows in which the diagnosis was made early in the course of the disease responded to long-term penicillin therapy.     

Analgesic and anti‐inflammatory actions of robenacoxib in acute joint inflammation in dog

Schmid, V. B., Spreng, D. E., Seewald, W., Jung, M., Lees, P., King, J. N. Analgesic and anti‐inflammatory actions of robenacoxib in acute joint inflammation in dog. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 33 , 118–131. The objectives of this study were to establish dose–response and blood concentration–response relationships for robenacoxib, a novel nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug with selectivity for inhibition of the cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 isoenzyme, in a canine model of synovitis. Acute synovitis of the stifle joint was induced by intra‐articular injection of sodium urate crystals. Robenacoxib (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg), placebo and meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) were administered subcutaneously (s.c.) 3 h after the urate crystals. Pharmacodynamic endpoints included data from forceplate analyses, clinical orthopaedic examinations and time course of inhibition of COX‐1 and COX‐2 in ex vivo whole blood assays. Blood was collected for pharmacokinetics. Robenacoxib produced dose‐related improvement in weight‐bearing, pain and swelling as assessed objectively by forceplate analysis (estimated ED₅₀ was 1.23 mg/kg for z peak force) and subjectively by clinical orthopaedic assessments. The analgesic and anti‐inflammatory effects of robenacoxib were significantly superior to placebo (0.25–4 mg/kg robenacoxib) and were non‐inferior to meloxicam (0.5–4 mg/kg robenacoxib). All dosages of robenacoxib produced significant dose‐related inhibition of COX‐2 (estimated ED₅₀ was 0.52 mg/kg) but no inhibition of COX‐1. At a dosage of 1–2 mg/kg administered s.c., robenacoxib should be at least as effective as 0.2 mg/kg of meloxicam in suppressing acute joint pain and inflammation in dogs.     

Aortic valvular endocarditis in a dog

A 4-year-old German Shepherd was evaluated for progressive depression, lethargy, anorexia, and dyspnea. Despite treatment with diuretics and antibiotics, the dog died. Based on clinical, radiographic, and pathologic findings, the diagnosis was heart failure resulting from aortic valvular endocarditis.     

An hypothesis on the etio-pathogenesis of equine inflammatory joint disease

The role of oxygen-derived free radicals is considered critical to the etio-pathogenesis of equine inflammatory joint disease. In vivo, the superoxide radical in the joint may be derived either from activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes or from an ischemia/reperfusion cycle. In the presence of ferrous iron, it may generate the highly reactive hydroxyl radical (OH *). Predisposing factors may include synovitis, exercise-induced ischemia and minor traumatic injury to the joints. Unlike other inflammatory mediators, oxygen-derived free radicals may damage tissue directly and these reactive species could account for the tissue injury and insidious onset of equine exercise-induced degenerative joint disease.     

Bacterial cholangiohepatitis in a dog

A 9-year-old female Yorkshire terrier was presented for vomiting and diarrhea. Blood chemistry tests revealed hepatic dysfunction, cholestasis, and inflammation. Liver ultrasonography and liver biopsy were consistent with cholangiohepatitis. Fine-needle aspiration of the gallbladder revealed the presence of bacteria later identified as Clostridium spp. The cholangiohepatitis was successfully treated.     

Possible causal association of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease with thrombocytopenia in the dog

Extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are commonly observed in humans but are poorly documented in companion animals. Thrombocytopenia is an uncommon but well-documented extraintestinal hematological abnormality in humans; however, there are no previous reports of IBD and concurrent thrombocytopenia in the veterinary literature. Seven dogs having idiopathic IBD and concurrent thrombocytopenia were identified and evaluated retrospectively (this represents an incidence of 2.5% in the authors' IBD population). Obvious known causes for thrombocytopenia were eliminated by diagnostic testing as deemed appropriate by the clinician of record. Thrombocytopenia resolved with treatment for the IBD in some but not all patients. This is similar to reports in humans. Thrombocytopenia typically appears to be subclinical, and the severity does not correlate with the degree of intestinal inflammation defined histopathologically. However, quantitative platelet counts should be monitored during IBD therapy, as additional immunosuppression may be required to treat thrombocytopenia, despite resolution of gastrointestinal signs. It is speculated that thrombocytopenia may be causally associated with canine IBD, possibly secondary to immune stimulation from lumenal bacterial antigens, altered immunological regulation, or both.     

Usefulness of endoscopic examination for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease in the dog

The usefulness of endoscopic examination for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic enteritis in dogs was determined in this study. It was demonstrated, based on a clinical case, that endoscopy is essential for IBD diagnosis in dogs. Endoscopy also helps to estimate the efficiency of the treatment strategy applied. Nonspecific clinical examination results as well as a predominating lack of deviation in laboratory parameters make endoscopy the basic examination technique in mild and moderately advanced forms of chronic enteritis in the dog.