Sensory and motor neuropathy in a Border Collie

A 5-month-old female Border Collie was evaluated because of progressive hind limb ataxia. The predominant clinical findings suggested a sensory neuropathy. Sensory nerve conduction velocity was absent in the tibial, common peroneal, and radial nerves and was decreased in the ulnar nerve; motor nerve conduction velocity was decreased in the tibial, common peroneal, and ulnar nerves. Histologic examination of nerve biopsy specimens revealed considerable nerve fiber depletion; some tissue sections had myelin ovoids, foamy macrophages, and axonal degeneration in remaining fibers. Marked depletion of most myelinated fibers within the peroneal nerve (a mixed sensory and motor nerve) supported the electrodiagnostic findings indicative of sensorimotor neuropathy. Progressive deterioration in motor function occurred over the following 19 months until the dog was euthanatized. A hereditary link was not established, but a littermate was similarly affected. The hereditary characteristic of this disease requires further investigation.     

Sensory neuropathy in a Border Collie puppy

The clinical, electrophysiological and pathological features of a purely sensory polyneuropathy in a Bordie Collie puppy are described. It was found to be ataxic, with a loss of proprioception and of pain sensation. Electrophysiological testing confirmed that the neuropathy was restricted to sensory function. Examination of nerve biopsy material revealed an axonopathy.     

Generalised protothecosis in a Collie dog

A case of generalised protothecosis in a Collie dog is discussed. A long-standing history of severe colitis was the major clinical sign. Dissemination to many organs was confirmed histologically. Possible pathogenesis is discussed along with a review of the literature. The possibility of a breed disposition in Collie dogs is discussed. The organisms are ubiquitous in the environment and generalised disease suggests the possibility of immune competence.     

Corneal squamous cell carcinoma in a Border Collie

A 6-year-old, female, spayed Border Collie was presented to the Unit of Comparative Ophthalmology at the Animal Health Trust with a 6-month history of a progressive nonpainful opacity of the left cornea. A keratectomy was performed and the tissue submitted for histopathology. The diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma. There has been no recurrence of the neoplasm to date (5 months). Canine corneal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has not been reported previously in the UK.     

Collie eye anomaly in a mixed-breed dog

A 5-year-old, mixed-breed dog was presented for tetraparesis. Neurologic alterations included a decreased menace response in both eyes. Therefore, an ophthalmic examination was requested. The dog was visual, but menace response, dazzle and pupillary light reflexes were reduced bilaterally. Indirect ophthalmoscopy revealed bilateral optic nerve coloboma and severe choroidal hypoplasia. These lesions closely resembled the ophthalmoscopic features of Collie eye anomaly (CEA). In spite of treatment, the dog's condition worsened and the animal was therefore euthanized. Histology of the globes confirmed severe choroidal hypoplasia and optic disc coloboma in both eyes. The dog was diagnosed to have a lymphoma involving the spinal cord. The two entities were considered not related. As only moderate sight impairment was caused by the posterior segment anomalies, it is by chance that these lesions resembling CEA were found in this mixed-breed dog.     

Cerebellar abiotrophy in a family of Border Collie dogs

Cerebellar abiotrophies have a nonsex-linked, autosomal, recessively inherited basis in a number of species, and lesions typically reflect profound and progressive loss of Purkinje cells. In this report, an unusual form of abiotrophy is described for two sibling Border Collies. Extensive loss of the cerebellar granular cell layer was present with relative sparing of Purkinje cells of two female pups. The biochemical basis for this form of cerebellar abiotrophy is unknown, but the lack of disease in other siblings supports an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.     

Vesicular cutaneous lupus erythematosus in a Border Collie in New Zealand

A 3-year-old Border Collie was initially presented for a small ulcerative lesion on the left axilla. The lesion failed to respond to conservative treatment with antibiotics, and the dog was re-presented one week later with ulcerative lesions involving the inguinal and axillary areas bilaterally. Histology of a biopsy of these lesions revealed a lymphocytic ulcerative interface dermatitis. Apoptosis and degeneration of basaloid cells was evident, with clefting along the dermo–epidermal junction. Vesicular cutaneous lupus erythematosus was diagnosed. The dog was treated with prednisone and azathioprine, resulting in complete remission of signs. However, recurrence occurred when drugs were tapered, necessitating ongoing treatment. Vesicular cutaneous lupus erythematosus has been described in North America in Rough-coated Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs. However, in Australasia, it is most commonly observed in Border Collies.     

Biliary cystadenoma in a Maltese dog: clinical and diagnostic findings

A 14-year-old Maltese dog presented for complete medical examination due to intermittent vomiting and diarrhea observed during the previous two days. A single, solitary, lobulated cystic mass was observed in the liver upon ultrasonographic and computed tomographic examination. After surgical hepatic resection to remove the mass, histological examination revealed a multilocular cyst lined by cuboidal to columnar epithelial cells, which is consistent with biliary cystadenoma. Here, we report the clinical, clinicopathological, histopathological, and diagnostic imaging findings of biliary cystadenoma in a dog.     

Ganglioradiculitis (sensory neuronopathy) in a dog: clinical,morphologic, and immunohistochemical findings

A 9-year-old Labrador Retriever was diagnosed with ganglioradiculitis (sensory neuronopathy). This idiopathic disease of mature dogs is characterized by a profound loss of sensory nerve function due to mononuclear inflammatory infiltration of peripheral ganglia and spinal nerve roots, with destruction of sensory neurons. Immunohistochemistry demonstrates that the infiltrating cells are primarily T lymphocytes and that immunoglobulins are not present on the cell membranes of affected neurons. The pathogenesis of ganglioradiculitis remains unclear, but the evidence points to a cell-mediated immune mechanism.     

Traumatic intracerebral hematoma in a dog: MR images and clinical findings

A nine-year-old, male, mongrel dog was unsteady after falling down a set of stairs. The dog exhibited a mildly abnormal gait 2 days after injury, and was not able to stand, with spasticity of the right limbs, 4 days after injury. MR imaging revealed a clearly demarcated mass on the top of the left lateral ventricle that showed mild hyperintensity on T1-weighted images and hyperintensity on T2-weighted images. The authors diagnosed the dog as having a traumatic intracerebral hematoma. This type of case, in which the clinical signs deteriorated due to edema associated with hematoma, is extremely rare.     

Congenital bipartite atlas with hypodactyly in a dog: clinical,radiographic and CT findings

A three‐year‐old Border collie was diagnosed with a bipartite atlas and bilateral forelimb hypodactyly. The dog showed signs of acute, non‐progressive neck pain, general stiffness and right thoracic limb non‐weight‐bearing lameness. Computed tomography imaging revealed a bipartite atlas with abaxial vertical bone proliferation, which was the cause of the clinical signs. In addition, bilateral hypodactyly of the second and fifth digits was incidentally found. This report suggests that hypodactyly may be associated with atlas malformations .     

Cerebellar focal granulomatous meningoencephalitis in a dog: clinical findings and MR imaging

The authors encountered a dachshund dog, presenting vestibular disorder. On magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, a mass showing isointensity on the T1- and T2-weighted images and enhanced by contrast medium, was observed in the right cerebellum. In addition, the periphery of the mass showed isointensity on the T1-weighted image and hyperintensity on the T2-weighted image, suggesting sever oedema. Although the dog underwent surgery, it died. The mass was diagnosed pathologically as a granulomatous meningoencephalitis.