Trypanosoma congolense infection in two dogs

Trypanosomiasis, caused by Trypanosoma congolense, was diagnosed for the first time in Israel in two boxer dogs imported from Kenya. The dogs developed clinical signs two days after arrival and succumbed to the disease within four days. The major clinical and clinicopathological findings included anaemia, haemorrhages, lymphadenomegaly, hepatosplenomegaly and neurological signs. Histopathology showed lymphocytic-plasmacytic infiltration in the skin, brain, meninges, kidney and liver.     

Cutaneous Serratia marcescens infection in two dogs

We describe two canine cases of cutaneous infection caused by Serratia marcescens. A 2-year-old castrated male mixed dog (Case 1) presented with multiple ulcerations on the dorsal trunk, which were observed 4 days after shampooing. A 4-year-old male wolf shepherd mix dog (Case 2) presented with ulceration and purulent discharge on the nasal bridge. Cytological examination of both cases revealed pyogranulomatous inflammatory cells with rod-like infectious agents identified as S. marcescens in aerobic bacterial culture. Both patients were treated with oral antibiotics and topical chlorhexidine. Case 1 received enrofloxacin 10 mg/kg once daily for 1 week, followed by trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 15 mg/kg twice daily for 3 weeks. Case 2 received doxycycline 10 mg/kg twice daily for 4 weeks. No skin lesions were detected 2 weeks after the initial administration. The antibiotics were discontinued after a total 4 weeks of administration, and the skin lesions did not reappear.     

Filaroides hirthi infection in two related dogs

Filaroides hirthi infection was diagnosed in 2 related Yorkshire Terriers. Dog 1 had a chronic nonproductive cough, but results of fecal flotation examination were negative. Dog 2 was a 1-year-old female progeny of dog 1. Both dogs came from the same kennel and were raised together for 8 weeks. Dog 2 had generalized demodicosis accompanied by secondary bacterial infection and had been treated with corticosteroids. Dog 2 also was given 68 micrograms of ivermectin, PO, and then 50 mg of fenbendazole/kg, PO, q 24 h for 14 days. After the 14-day treatment, results of 3 fecal examinations were negative for Filaroides sp and other parasites, and the dog improved without complications. Fecal examination of the other dogs in the kennel were negative for F hirthi.     

Leptospira interrogans serovar bratislava infection in two dogs

Two dogs with clinical histories suggestive of leptospirosis were examined serologically and culturally for evidence of leptospiral infection. Antibodies to Leptospira interrogans serovar bratislava were detected in serum from one dog, and the organism was isolated from urine of that dog. In a serologic survey of dogs in the state of Illinois, reactor rates to bratislava were higher than those to canicola or icterohaemorrhagiae. In cases of suspect canine leptospirosis, serovars such as bratislava, not contained in canine vaccines, should be considered in a differential diagnosis.     

Thelazia callipaeda ocular infection in two dogs in Belgium

Nematode worms were retrieved from the left eyes of two dogs presented for unilateral ocular discharge in Belgium. Morphological and molecular identification were performed and the parasites were identified as Thelazia callipaeda. The history suggested that the infection had been acquired in south‐western France and southern Italy where the disease has been observed regularly for the last 6 and 12 years, respectively. In these two regions, the disease is considered endemic and spreading. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case report of canine thelaziosis in Belgium.     

Polymyositis associated with Ehrlichia canis infection in two dogs

Clinical, haematological, biochemical, electrophysiological and pathological features of two dogs infected with Ehrlichia canis and with concurrent signs of polymyositis are presented. Both dogs had a history of relatively acute onset, progressive tetraparesis, hyporeflexia and generalised muscle wasting. Skeletal muscles were atrophic and characterised histologically by plasmocytic, lymphocytic and immature lymph-oreticular cellular infiltrates with accompanying areas of necrosis. Histopathological similarities between ehrlichiosis and polymyositis are noted and a probable aetiological relationship is inferred.     

Rheumatoid arthritis subsequent to Borrelia burgdorferi infection in two dogs

Two dogs with clinical signs of polyarthritis developed rheumatoid arthritis subsequent to Borrelia burgdorferi infection. In both dogs, the diagnosis of B burgdorferi infection was based on clinical signs of disease and high serum B burgdorferi titer. After antibiotic administration, both dogs had decreased B burgdorferi titer, but clinical response was temporary or was lacking. The dogs subsequently were rheumatoid factor-positive (antinuclear antibody- and anti-globulin-negative) and responded to anti-inflammatory drug administration. Development of rheumatoid arthritis in both dogs after B burgdorferi infection implicates the Borrelia organism as an infective agent leading to the development of rheumatoid arthritis in dogs. Dogs with clinical signs suggestive of B burgdorferi infection should have antiglobulin, anti-nuclear antibody rheumatoid factor, and B burgdorferi tests performed to aid definitive diagnosis.     

Ehrlichia canis infection in two dogs that emigrated from endemic areas

Two dogs, emigrated from Zambia and China to Japan, were diagnosed with Ehrlichia canis infection. Both cases had thrombocytopenia, non-regenerative anemia, and hypergloblinemia with polyclonal gammopathy. Case 1 had ataxia of the hind limbs. Severe meningitis was revealed by magnetic resonance imaging examination. Intracytoplasmic inclusions were observed in mononuclear cells of cerebrospinal fluid. Case 2 had a history of bilateral epistaxis, and severe pancytopenia was noticed in complete blood count. Diagnosis was finally achieved by nested polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis. Thus, even in non-endemic areas, E. canis infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of clinically ill dogs that emigrated from endemic areas.     

Parvovirus infection in dogs

Extract

In January, 1979, two 16-week-old greyhounds were introduced to a breeding kennel near Christchurch. They became ill 3 days later. Six days after their introduction, a litter of ten 3-month-old greyhound pups became ill.     

Pseudogout in two dogs

Extract

Pseudogout is a common condition in elderly people in which sudden onset of intense joint pain and synovitis develop. Peri-synovial calcium crystal deposition is the cause of the synovitis rather than the uric acid deposition in common gout. It is a rare condition in dogs, having only been reported twice before. Two dogs presenting with acute lameness and pyrexia showed many macrophages and occasional neutrophils containing intracellular crystals on cytological examination of synovial fluid. The crystals were single or multiple, small to large, clear, square or rhomboid-shaped, weakly birefringent and resembled those described for pseudogout. Occasional crystals were also present free in the matrix. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that are effective in reducing pain in people with pseudogout provided no relief to either patient, but twice daily oral prednisolone therapy was successful. Dosage was gradually tapered as clinical signs improved over a period of 6 weeks.     

Corneal ulceration associated with naturally occurring canine herpesvirus-1 infection in two adult dogs

CASE DESCRIPTION: An 8-year-old Labrador Retriever with diabetes mellitus in which bilateral phacoemulsification had been performed 3 weeks earlier was evaluated for acute onset of blepharospasm, and a 7-year-old Miniature Schnauzer with chronic immune-mediated thrombocytopenia was reevaluated for keratoconjunctivitis sicca that had been diagnosed 4 weeks earlier. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Dendritic corneal ulcerations were detected in both dogs. Canine herpesvirus-1 (CHV-1) was isolated from corneal swab specimens obtained during the initial evaluation of each dog and during recheck examinations performed until the ulcerations were healed. Canine herpesvirus-1 serum neutralization titers were detected in both dogs. Results of virus isolation from oropharyngeal and genital swab specimens were negative for both dogs. The isolated viruses were identified as CHV-1 via immunofluorescence, transmission electron microscopy, PCR assay, and gene sequencing. Negative controls for PCR assay and virus isolation included conjunctival swab specimens from 50 dogs without extraocular disease and corneal swab specimens from 50 dogs with corneal ulcers, respectively. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Lesions resolved in both dogs after topical administration of idoxuridine or trifluridine and discontinuation of topically administered immunosuppressive medications. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of corneal ulcerations associated with naturally occurring CHV-1 infection and may represent local ocular recrudescence of latent CHV-1 infection. The viruses isolated were identified as CHV-1, and the morphology, antigenicity, and genotype were similar to those for CHV-1 isolates obtained from a puppy that died from systemic CHV-1 infection.     

Campylobacter infection in domestic dogs

Campylobacter jejuni, a recently recognised human enteric pathogen, was recovered from the faeces of 21.7 per cent of domestic dogs with diarrhoea as compared with only 3.1 per cent of normal healthy dogs. The recovery rate from non-diarrhoeic, but unhealthy, domestic dogs was 6.7 per cent. The differences in the incidence of C jejuni between breeds was not statistically significant. The majority of isolations were from puppies between birth and six months old. The incidence of C jejuni in domestic dogs did not appear to be sex specific. Domestic canine infections with C jejuni could possibly be an important source of human infection, especially to those in close contact.