Avulsion of the tibial tuberosity in a litter of greyhound puppies

Avulslon of the tibial tuberosity was dlagnosed In six of seven greyhound ilttermates aged flve and a half months. The puppies showed hindlimb lameness of varying severity. Radiological assessment of affected stifle joints revealed partial or complete avulsion of the tlblal tuberoslties. In four puppies the lesions were bliaterai. Euthanasia of the two most severely affected puppies performed; the changes observed on histopathological examination of their cranioproximal tibiae suggested that the underlying lesion was that of osteochondrosis. A heredltary predisposition In greyhounds to osteochondrosis of the physis between the apophysis and the cranioproximal tibia1 dlaphysis Is postulated.     

Multiple congenital ocular defects in the Akita dog

Microphthalmia, congenital cataracts, posterior lenticonus, and retinal dysplasia were observed in members of 3 litters of Akita puppies thought to be related to a common male ancestor. The electroretinograms of 3 clinically affected puppies were normal. Histological examination of 6 microphthalmic animals revealed nuclear and cortical cataract with multiple retinal folds and rosettes predominantly overlying the tapetum lucidum. Posterior lenticonus was observed histologically in 3 of the 6 puppies.     

Brodifacoum toxicosis in two neonatal puppies

Eight out of a litter of 13 puppies were either born dead or died within 48 hours of birth. Three puppies that died shortly after birth were necropsied. Two puppies had hemorrhage in the thoracic and peritoneal cavities, intestinal serosa, and meninges. The third puppy was smaller than the other two puppies but did not have detectable hemorrhage. Brodifacoum, a second-generation coumarin anticoagulant, was detected in livers from the two puppies with hemorrhage. The dam did not have clinical signs of coagulopathy before or subsequent to whelping. The owners were confident that the dog had not been exposed to rodenticide for at least 4 weeks before whelping. A presumptive diagnosis of in utero brodifacoum toxicity was made. To the authors' knowledge this is the first time a second-generation coumarin anticoagulant has been detected in the liver of a newborn animal. This case is also unique because the dam was unaffected, suggesting that fetuses are more susceptible to brodifacoum toxicity than adult animals.     

Modulation of specific biochemical blood parameters by helminth infection in laboratory Beagle dogs

The objective of this study was to examine the independent effect of helminths infection on biochemical blood parameters in Beagles intended for laboratory use which may contribute to a change of experimental results. As a result of research, the authors confirmed the negative effect of helminth invasion on the metabolism of the liver and kidney in laboratory dogs. Stool samples from thirty Beagle puppies were examined for parasites before the puppies were moved to the animal facility, and all were dewormed with Vetminth paste on the day they were moved. Stool examination was performed three more times and animals were given Drontal Plus flavor (Bayer) and Baycox 5% (Bayer). A fourth parasitological examination revealed no intestinal parasites in the feces. Three blood biochemical tests were performed. Experimental results clearly indicate the significant impact of intestinal parasites in dogs used in experiments.     

Puppy behavior at the veterinary clinic: A pilot study

New owners usually have many questions regarding their puppy’s behavior during the first physical examination. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the behaviors expressed by puppies when exposed to a veterinary clinic environment. The puppies’ response to physical examination was also studied. A total of 102 puppies, between 8 and 16 weeks of age and of various breeds, were filmed during a standardized physical examination at the veterinary clinic. The study included an observation of the puppy free on the floor (FF) followed by a physical examination on a table (PET) and various manipulations on the floor (MF). During FF, the behavioral categories recorded were: activity, exploration, facial expression, puppy solicitation of interaction with the veterinarian, vocalization, and others. During PET and MF, the type of interaction with the veterinarian, facial expression, and ear position were examined. The study revealed some significant differences between behaviors exhibited by puppies according to their sex, age, and estimated adult weight. Behaviors generally varied widely among puppies, but some individuals showed “extreme behaviors” (outliers) compared to the median puppy. These behaviors included more active avoidance, more locomotion, more panting, or more vocalization, which were often correlated across contexts. These findings suggest that even at a young age, some puppies can be differentiated from others by specific behaviors. Whether or not these individuals are at higher risk of developing behavioral disorders as adults remains to be investigated.     

CLINICAL AND ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN SUSPECTED VIRAL MYOCARDITIS OF PUPS

Surviving puppies from three separate litters in which deaths had occurred from suspected viral myocarditis were examined clinically and electrocardiographically. Of 11 puppies examined, 5 subsequently died or were euthanised within 11 days of initial examination. ECG changes present in these puppies for 1 to 11 days prior to death were small R waves (less than 0.4 mV in lead II), S-T segment elevation, QRS notching and paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia (PVT). No clinical signs referable to the ECG changes were present before the terminal episodes of apparent sudden death or death following a brief period of dyspnoea. Multifocial subacute myocarditis was present on post-mortem examination. A sixth puppy with small R waves remained clinically normal for a further 4 weeks. It then developed severe dyspnoea which persisted for 24 hours before euthanasia. Extensive fibrosis of the left ventricle was present on post-mortem examination.     

Familial dilated cardiomyopathy of young Portuguese water dogs

A novel dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in 12 related Portuguese Water Dogs was identified by retrospective analysis of postmortem and biopsy case records. Male and female puppies born to clinically healthy parents typically died at 13 (+/- 7.3) weeks of age (range, 2-32 weeks) because of congestive heart failure. Puppies died suddenly without previous signs or with mild depression followed by clinical signs of congestive heart failure 1-5 days before death. There was no sex predilection. The hearts were enlarged and rounded, with marked left ventricular and atrial dilation. No other significant structural cardiac defects were noted. The histologic changes in the myocardium were diffuse and characterized by myofibers of irregular sizes separated by an edematous interstitium. The myofibers had multifocal swollen, cleared segments often involving perinuclear areas that contained granular, phosphotungstic-acid-hematoxylin-positive material consistent with mitochondria. There was loss of the cross-striation pattern, and intercalated discs were difficult to identify. There was no evidence of concurrent myocardial fibrosis; rare chronic inflammatory infiltrates were noted in one dog. Noncardiac skeletal muscles were not affected. The underlying cause is unknown. From the pedigree analysis, an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance is suspected. Based on the histologic findings, this DCM is most likely due to an underlying molecular (biochemical or structural) defect. The early onset and rapid progression of the disease makes this a clinically distinctive form of canine DCM.     

Benign familial juvenile epilepsy in Lagotto Romagnolo dogs

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic childhood epilepsies with benign outcomes are well recognized in human medicine, but are not reported in veterinary literature. We recognized such a neurologic syndrome in Lagotto Romagnolo dogs. ANIMALS: Twenty-five Lagotto Romagnolo puppies from 9 different litters examined because of simple or complex focal seizures and 3 adult Lagotto Romagnolo dogs exhibiting similar clinical signs were used. METHODS: Clinical and diagnostic evaluations of affected dogs were conducted, including electromyography, electroencephalography, and other testing. RESULTS: Seizures in puppies began at 5 to 9 weeks of age and usually resolved spontaneously by 8 to 13 weeks. Those with the most severe seizures also had signs of neurologic disease between these seizures, including generalized ataxia and hypermetria. There were no abnormalities in routine laboratory screenings of blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid. Electromyography, brainstem auditory-evoked potentials, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed no specific and consistent abnormalities. Fourteen of 16 (87.5%) affected puppies and 2 of 3 (67%) adult dogs revealed epileptiform activity in the electroencephalogram. Histopathologic examination in 1 puppy and 1 adult dog revealed lesions of Purkinje cell inclusions and vacuolation of their axons restricted to the cerebellum. Pedigree analysis suggests an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This disorder, with simple or complex focal seizures and cerebellar lesions, represents a newly recognized epileptic syndrome in dogs.     

Clinical findings in early onset cone-rod dystrophy in the Standard Wire-haired Dachshund

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical findings and the age of onset of cone-rod dystrophy (crd) in the Standard Wire-haired Dachshund (SWHD) and to evaluate which clinical tests could be used to obtain a reliable diagnosis. ANIMALS: Sixty-eight SWHD and SWHD-derived dogs were used, including 23 affected with crd and 45 controls, respectively. PROCEDURES: The dogs were subjected to behavioral testing, examination of pupillary light reflexes (PLRs), indirect ophthalmoscopy and bilateral full field electroretinography (ERG). RESULTS: The majority of affected puppies (5-10 weeks) displayed pin-point sized pupils upon examination with focal light. All dogs in the control group, except one, displayed normal PLRs upon examination. In all crd-affected dogs there was a great variation both in age of onset and in clinical appearance of retinal changes upon fundoscopy. Two siblings displayed panretinal degeneration at the age of 10 months while other affected dogs showed early changes at the age of 3 years. Generalized bilateral retinal atrophy was the end stage of the disease. The maze test revealed no obvious differences among affected and unaffected groups. ERG recordings showed only slightly reduced rod, and mixed rod-cone responses, but severely reduced cone single flash a- and b-wave amplitudes, and cone flicker amplitudes were observed in all affected dogs. CONCLUSION: Presence of pin-point sized pupils in young SWHDs was found to be an important indicator of early onset crd. Fundoscopic changes and progression of disease at later stages resembled those previously described in the majority of progressive retinal atrophies in dog. ERG was found to be the most reliable diagnostic procedure to clinically diagnose crd in the SWHD.     

Multifocal retinopathy of Great Pyrenees dogs

Forty-four related Great Pyrenees dogs were examined ophthalmoscopically. Focal retinal elevations, multiple gray-tan-pink subretinal patches, and discrete areas of tapetal hyper-reflectivity were seen in 19 dogs, ranging from 13 weeks to 10 years of age. These lesions varied in size from focal spots that were barely visible with the indirect ophthalmoscope to areas that were larger than the optic disc. Complete blood cell counts, serum biochemical profiles, urinalyses, and blood pressure measurements were completed on four affected dogs and all were within normal reference ranges. Photopic and scotopic electroretinography was completed and the a-wave and b-wave amplitudes and latencies were similar for affected and age-matched nonaffected Great Pyrenees and other normal dogs. Electroretinograms that were examined twice during a 3-year period on three affected adult dogs did not reveal significant progressive deterioration of the a or b-wave parameters. Fluorescein angiography was completed on four affected dogs of ages 1 (n = 2), 5, and 6 years. These angiograms were repeated in three of these dogs 1 year later. The blood ocular barrier was intact in these dogs but there was blocked choroidal fluorescence. Postmortem examination, light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy were performed on three affected puppies and two affected adult dogs. These examinations revealed that the lesions in the puppies were limited to bilateral multiple areas of retinal pigment epithelial vacuolation, hypertrophy, and apparent separation from Bruch's membrane, and multiple serous retinal detachments. The affected adult dogs had focal retinal degeneration and retinal pigment epithelial hypertrophy, hyperplasia and pigmentation. Pedigree analysis and test mating confirm that this condition is inherited, probably as an autosomal recessive trait. This condition develops at approximately 13 weeks of age and the focal areas of retinal detachment and retinal pigment epithelial vacuolation progress to permanent and stable focal areas of retinal degeneration, and retinal pigment epithelial hypertrophy and pigmentation.     

Diagnosis of infectious canine hepatitis virus (CAV-1) infection in puppies with encephalopathy.

Nine weaned Labrador Retriever puppies from a litter of 11 were presented with signs of acute central nervous system (CNS) disease that included ataxia and blindness. All puppies died. Gross examination of tissues from 2 puppies revealed regionally diffuse hemorrhages in the brain stem and swollen hemorrhagic lymph nodes. Light microscopic examination of hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissues showed numerous large, basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies within CNS vascular endothelium and occasionally in individual hepatocytes. Immunohistochemical staining of the tissue was positive using an antibody against canine adenovirus-1. Virus isolation for infectious canine hepatitis virus was achieved using inoculated cell cultures. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of DNA from cell culture material revealed shared homology with other mammalian adenoviruses.     

Familial Ventricular Arrhythmias in Boxers

The purposes of this study were to evaluate families of Boxers with ventricular arrhythmias to determine whether this disorder is a familial trait and, if so, to determine the mode of inheritance. Eighty-two Boxers were evaluated by physical examination, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram. Dogs were considered affected if at least 50 premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) were observed during a 24-hour period. All dogs were at least 6 years of age at evaluation. Complete cardiovascular examinations were performed on dogs from 6 extended families. The 2 most complete pedigrees were used to determine the pattern of inheritance. The number of PVCs observed during a 24-hour period in affected dogs ranged from 112 to 4,894 (mean +/- SD, median; 1,309 +/- 2,609, 1,017). The number of PVCs observed during a 24-hour period in the unaffected dogs ranged from 0 to 16 (7 +/- 10, 12). Pedigree evaluation was performed to determine pattern of inheritance. An autosomal dominant pattern was determined to be most likely because a sex predisposition was not observed, affected individuals were observed in every generation, and 2 affected individuals produced unaffected offspring. We conclude that familial ventricular arrhythmias is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait in some Boxers.     

Immunity to canine adenovirus respiratory disease: effect of vaccination with an inactivated vaccine

Nine puppies without maternal antibody to canine adenovirus (CAV) were divided into two groups. The first consisted of six puppies, each of which was given two doses of a commercial inactivated CAV-1 vaccine, 14 days apart. Eight days after administration of the second dose of vaccine, all six puppies, together with the second group, consisting of three unvaccinated controls, were challenged with an aerosol of virulent CAV-2. One dog from each group was killed on the third, fifth and 10th days after challenge and the three additional vaccinates killed at intervening times. All of the dogs developed respiratory signs, mainly coughing and tachypnoea, but the vaccinated dogs made a more rapid recovery. The lungs of both groups were consolidated, the areas affected being more extensive in the controls, and histological examination revealed the main lesion to be a severe necrotising bronchiolitis. Virus was isolated from the respiratory tissues and from throat swabs collected from both groups of dogs. The presence of neutralising antibody in the serum was not, of itself, sufficient to control viral replication and oblate the disease.     

Mass screening of Irish wolfhound puppies for portosystemic shunts by the dynamic bile acid test.

Five hundred and sixty-six Irish wolfhound puppies aged six to 15 weeks were tested for congenital portosystemic shunts by the dynamic bile acid method. Plasma ammonia concentration was also measured in 165 of the puppies both fasting and postprandially. Nineteen puppies (3.4 per cent), nine males and 10 females, had portosystemic shunts. Smaller litters appeared to be more likely to contain affected puppies. The postprandial bile acid concentration was a reliable predictor of the presence of a shunt, with the highest concentration in a normal puppy being 38 mumol/litre and the lowest in an affected puppy being 43 mumol/litre. In contrast, fasting bile acid concentrations were normal in the majority of the affected puppies. There was considerable overlap in fasting plasma ammonia concentrations between normal and affected puppies (26 puppies, 15.8 per cent of those tested). Postprandial ammonia concentration appeared to give better separation between the two groups, apart from two individuals which produced bizarre results. It was concluded that the postprandial or dynamic bile acid test is an appropriate test for the mass screening of Irish wolfhound puppies for portosystemic shunts, and guidelines are proposed for the interpretation and follow-up of the test.     

Observations on exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in a family of English setter dogs

The aim of this paper is to report serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI) concentrations in the progeny of a pair of English setters. These dogs had a history of producing puppies with a high prevalence of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) secondary to either congenital deficiency or early onset juvenile atrophy of pancreatic acinar cells. Serum TLI concentrations in the clinically healthy parents of the puppies with EPI were normal, as were serum TLI concentrations in the unaffected puppies. However, serum TLI concentrations were extremely low (less than 1 μg/litre) in three puppies at eight to 12 weeks of age when clinical signs of EPI were present. In addition, one of the three puppies, with low TLI concentrations at eight weeks of age, had serum TLI concentrations of 0.7 μg/litre at two weeks of age even though no clinical signs were evident at that time. These results suggest that serum TLI assay may be a useful diagnostic aid in identifying puppies at a very early age with this unusual form of EPI.     

Changes in factor VIII activity and von Willebrand factor antigen concentration with age in dogs.

The factor VIII activity of 38 German shepherd puppies, 6-12 weeks old, submitted for diagnosis of haemophilia A was measured. Eight of these puppies had values higher than would be expected for haemophiliacs, but less than the reference range for adult dogs. A further sequential study of 21 puppies (6-26 weeks of age) indicated that the factor VIII activity of puppies is generally less than that of adult dogs until about 14 weeks of age. Changes in the concentration of von Willebrand factor antigen in the puppies were irregular. These variations are probably not sufficient to interfere with accurate diagnosis of haemophilia A in most affected young dogs, but may interfere with the detection of heterozygotes in young bitches.     

Periventricular and subcortical leukoencephalopathy in two dachshund puppies

Two wirehaired dachshund puppies were presented with generalized tremor and gait abnormalities characterized by mild ataxia, tetraparesis and slightly abnormal proprioception. Neurological examination led to the suspicion of a diffuse generalized white matter lesion. Computerized tomography and pathological examination revealed a remarkable unilateral dilatation of the lateral ventricles in each dog. Histopathological examination showed a severe reduction of stainable myelin, widespread mild perineuronal oedema with vacuolations and multifocal reactive astrocytosis affecting the subcortical and deep periventricular white, and to a lesser degree, grey matter of the cerebral hemispheres, most prominently at the level of the optic chiasm. Axons showed a moderately reduced packing density; some axons were irregularly shaped and slightly thickened. There was no evidence of myelin breakdown products and neurones appeared to be well preserved. Brain stem, cerebellum and spinal cord were normal, as was the peripheral nervous system. This leukoencephalopathy in two dachshund puppies most closely resembles human periventricular leukomalacia caused by pre- or perinatal hypoxia-ischaemia.     

Atypical pectus excavatum in two Welsh terrier littermates

Two six-week-old intact Welsh terrier littermates, a male and a female, were presented for congenital ventral thoracic wall deformities characterised by noticeable funnel-like depressions of the cranial sternum associated with inversion of the rib cage. No exercise intolerance or cardiac murmurs were noted. Thoracic radiographic examination revealed a significant dorsal deviation of the first to the fifth sternebrae. At 12 weeks of age, the thoracic depressions had improved markedly in both puppies. Thoracic radiography to reassess the sternal deviation was at this stage within normal limits, demonstrating complete radiographic resolution of the sternal deformity.     

Risk factors for delays between intake and veterinary approval for adoption on medical grounds in shelter puppies and kittens

To maximize their capacity to save lives and optimize resource allocation, animal shelters need to identify highly adoptable animals that are unlikely to be delayed on medical grounds before they can be made available for adoption. In this retrospective cohort study, our objective was to identify risk factors for delays from intake to approval for adoption on medical grounds in shelter puppies and kittens. Shelter medical records from 2008 for 335 puppies and 370 kittens were selected randomly at a large metropolitan adoption-guarantee shelter. Data including signalment, source shelter, intake veterinary examination findings, clinical history and days from intake until approval by a veterinarian for adoption on medical grounds were extracted from shelter records and analyzed using multivariate Cox regression. Puppies and kittens with clinical signs of respiratory or gastrointestinal disease at intake took significantly longer to receive approval for adoption on medical grounds (puppies - respiratory p<0.0001; gastrointestinal p<0.0001; kittens - respiratory p<0.0001; gastrointestinal p=0.002). Stray kittens were more likely to be delayed than owner-relinquished kittens or those transferred from other shelters (p<0.01). Older kittens were less likely to be delayed (p<0.0001). Administration of oral or parenteral antibiotics to puppies and kittens with respiratory and/or ocular signs within 24h of intake significantly reduced time to approval on medical grounds for adoption (puppies p=0.02; kittens p=0.03). The analyses suggested that puppies and kittens with respiratory or gastrointestinal signs on intake are more likely to experience delays between intake and veterinary approval for adoption on medical grounds. Prompt antimicrobial treatment of animals with respiratory and/or ocular signs may decrease length of stay in the shelter.