PORTAL VEIN ANOMALY AND HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY IN THREE DOGS

SUMMARY Portal vein anomaly and associated hepatic encephalopathy was diagnosed in three dogs; a 2-year-old Old English Sheep Dog, a 14-week-old Old English Sheep Dog and a 20-week-old Corgi. The common clinical changes were anorexia, vomiting, depression, weakness and ataxia. The major laboratory findings were an elevated serum alanine amino transferase activity, hypoproteinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, prolonged retention of sulphobromophthalein, fasting and postprandial hypeoammonaemia and ammonium biurate crystalluria. Angiographic studies demonstrated the presence of a patent ductus venosus in each case. The 2 Old English Sheep Dogs were destroyed at the owners' request and the necropsy findings in each case verified the presence of a portacaval shunt and hepatic encephalopathy. The Corgi is still alive, with conservative medical management, 28 months after the onset of signs. The dog is stunted and has mild, intermittent neurological disturbances. Clinical biochemistry indicates severe hepatic insufficiency and suggests a poor long term prognosis.     

EXPERIMENTAL POISONING OF HORSES AND CATTLE WITH SWAINSONA CANESCENS VAR HORNIANA

Horses and cattle fed swainsona ( Swainsona canescens var horniana ) over a period of 8 to 10 weeks lost condition and became incoordinated and hypersensitive. Histotogical examination of tissues from affected animals revealed the characteristic changes of widespread cellular vacuolation and axonal spheroids in the CNS.
Cattle withdrawn from the toxic plant after being fed for varying periods up to 8 weeks returned to normal.
Serum α-mannosidase activity declined significantly in cattle during the test period, whereas in horses the activity rose. Serum alkaline phosphatase levels increased significantly in cattle but not in horses.
The similarity of the clinical signs of disease in horses was noted to those seen in Indigofera linnaei poisoning (Birdsville disease). Differential diagnosis can be made by botanical observations and by an increased frequency of vacuolated lymphocytes in the blood in swainsona poisoning.     

CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF RENAL FUNCTION IN THE DOG WITH A REDUCTION IN NEPHRON NUMBER*

The viewpoint presented is that, because compensatory functional adjustment of the residual nephrons occurs in chronic renal disease, reduction in nephron number usually exceeds 70% before a diagnosis is made. The case that earlier diagnoses are likely if laboratory medicine values are measured and interpreted with a maximum of efficiency is then made. The laboratory data more commonly used in practice for the clinical assessment of renal function in the dog are presented and some comparisons with findings in man are made. The information originates from clinical and experimental observations of the authors, as well as from a literature review. The laboratory data presented and discussed includes glomerular filtration rate and the clearance of nitrogenous waste (urea and creatinine), plasma protein concentration, plasma osmolality, renal concentrating capacity, and urinary constituents, particularly its protein concentration and sediment (centrifuge deposit). All parameters recommended for the clinical assessment of chronic renal failure are considered qualitatively, and some are also dealt with quantitatively.     

Aortic interruption in a dog.

A 3-month-old English Bulldog was found to have a discontinuity between the ascending and descending aorta. There were no signs of illness associated with the interruption. The descending aorta was supplied with blood by collateral circulation. An aortic graft of woven synthetic material was surgically implanted to connect the ascending and descending aorta. Without any restrictions on the dog's activity, the dog has lived for over 1 year and continues to do well.     

Trombiculosis in a cat.

Trombiculosis (dermatitis caused by trombiculid mites) in a Domestic Shorthair cat was characterized by diffuse thickening and crusting of the skin of the abdomen and limbs and by multiple papules on the face, ears, and sides of the trunk. Skin biopsy revealed acanthosis and hyperkeratosis involving the epidermis and hair follicles, mites in epidermal tunnels, and edema of the dermis, with infiltration of eosinophils and mast cells. Mites from skin scrapings were identified as Walchia americana. The cat was treated systemically with a broad-spectrum antibiotic and topically with a carbaryl and pyrethrin powder preparation. The lesions were resolved within 2 months.     

Association of age of ram with distribution of epididymal lesions and etiologic agent

A 2-year study of the frequency of isolation of various organisms from mature and yearling rams with epididymitis was conducted at the US Sheep Experiment Station at Dubois, Idaho. Investigation into the distribution of lesions in the epididymis in relation to age of the ram also was studied. Serologic or bacteriologic evidence of Brucella ovis infection was demonstrated in 79.5% of the mature rams with epididymal lesions. Actinobacillus seminis and Histophilus ovis were the 2 most frequently isolated organisms from yearling rams with lesions. The tail(s) of the epididymis was the most frequent site of lesion development in the mature rams (86.4%). Yearling rams developed lesions twice as frequently in the tail(s) of the epididymis as in the head(s) of the epididymis. When lesions were localized in the head(s) of the epididymis, an etiologic agent usually was not demonstrated.     

Prevalence of canine uroliths. Minnesota Urolith Center

Uroliths obtained from 839 dogs were evaluated by quantitative methods. Struvite was the most prevalent mineral detected; newberyite, calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, uric acid, sodium and ammonium urate, cystine, and silica were detected much less frequently. Seven per cent of the uroliths had an identifiable nucleus and one or more surrounding layers of different mineral types. Although uroliths were found in all parts of the urinary tract, the urinary bladder was most common. Uroliths of different composition were encountered in a variety of breeds of both sexes and different ages.