Cutaneous inverted papillomas in dogs

Inverted papillomas of the skin occurred in five dogs. Lesions were 1-2 cm, circumscribed, flask-like structures below the level of the surrounding normal skin. Walls of the structures consisted of hyperplastic epidermis, forming thin papillary projections on thin fibrovascular stalks. Cells in the stratum granulosum had clear cytoplasm, numerous keratohyalin-like granules of various sizes, and poorly defined intranuclear inclusions. These cells stained positively for papillomavirus group-specific antigens by both the peroxidase-antiperoxidase and avidin-biotin methods. Virions with a mean diameter of 35.7 nm were present within nuclei in cells of the stratum granulosum when examined by electron microscopy. In situ DNA hybridization, using a canine oral papillomavirus probe, localized papillomavirus DNA in canine oral papillomas, but not in canine cutaneous squamous or inverted papillomas, suggesting that a different papillomavirus type was present in the latter lesions. Although these lesions resembled intracutaneous cornifying epitheliomas (keratoacanthomas), they appear to be a distinct lesion, probably with a different etiology.     

Evaluation of canine hyperadrenocorticism, using computed tomography

Abdominal computed tomography was performed in 9 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism and in 2 healthy dogs. Both adrenal glands were identified in all dogs. Computed tomography allowed accurate identification of the sites of adrenal gland dysfunction, when interpreted in combination with a biochemical diagnosis of canine hyperadrenocorticism. This accuracy permitted the retroperitoneal approach to be used for all adrenalectomies. Use of contrast medium (although not essential) was helpful in the computed tomographic identification of blood vessels, kidneys, and other abdominal organs.     

Characterization of renal defects in dogs with a syndrome similar to the Fanconi syndrome in man.

Ten adult dogs with multiple spontaneous defects of renal tubular reabsorption were studied. Clinical signs included polydipsia, polyuria, and glycosuria for 2 to 12 months. Eight of the dogs were Basenjis. Urinalyses revealed hyposthenuria, glycosuria, and amino aciduria in most dogs. Renal function was normal in 5 dogs and slightly reduced in the remainder. Moderate metabolic acidosis had developed in 3 dogs. Renal clearance studies revealed reduced tubular reabsorption of glucose, phosphate, sodium, potassium, and uric acid. Abnormal glucose tubular maximal curves were found. Results of oral glucose tolerance tests were normal. Two patterns of abnormal amino aciduria were evident: generalized amino aciduria and a pattern similar to that of cystinuria in dogs. Radiography of long bones and bone densitometry did not reveal any skeletal abnormalities. Five of the dogs died within 90 days of diagnosis; death was due to acute renal failure associated with profound dehydration, acidosis, and papillary necrosis. The other dogs remained stable without treatment after 18 months. Histopathology of kidneys did not reveal uniform abnormalities; some dogs had variable and nonspecific changes and others were normal. Electron microscopy did not reveal ultrastructural abnormalities in renal tubular cells. It was concluded that the syndrome in these dogs represents a new entity of renal disease in dogs, similar to idiopathic Fanconi syndrome in man.     

Clinical characteristics of mammary carcinoma in male cats

There is little information regarding mammary tumors in male cats. The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical characteristics of mammary carcinoma in male cats, compare this malignancy to the disease in female cats, and identify prognostic factors. Thirty-nine male cats with mammary carcinoma were identified. One pathologist reviewed the biopsies from all cats, and complete follow-up information regarding outcome was available for 27 cats. Information collected included signalment, age at neutering, history of progestin therapy, age at tumor diagnosis, size of tumor, type of surgery (lumpectomy, simple mastectomy, or radical mastectomy), results of clinical staging, adjunctive therapies, time to local recurrence, survival, and cause of death. The mean age at tumor diagnosis (12.8 years) was slightly older than that reported in female cats. The incidence of local tumor recurrence in 9 of 20 (45%) cats was similar to that reported in females. A history of progestin therapy was present in 8 of 22 (36%) cats for which this information was known. The median time to local recurrence was 310 days (range 127-1,363 days), and overall median survival was 344 days (range 14-2,135 days). Tumor size and lymphatic invasion were identified as negative prognostic factors. This study indicates that mammary carcinoma in the male cat has many similarities to the disease in females, with an aggressive clinical course in most cats.     

Chronic hypertrophic pyloric gastropathy as a cause of pyloric obstruction in the dog

Six small-breed, middle-age dogs with a history of chronic intermittent vomiting had benign pyloric lesions causing gastric outlet obstruction. Marked similarities were found in clinical signs, pathologic changes, and treatment results. The condition was classified as a syndrome and was named chronic hypertrophic pyloric gastropathy. The appearance of the obstructive lesions at surgery were various forms of mucosal hypertrophy. Microscopically, the syndrome was characterized by mucosal foveolar and glandular hyperplasia, cystic glandular dilatation, superficial mucosal ulcerations, and various cellular infiltrates. The affected dogs were successfully treated by surgical correction of the gastric outlet obstruction.     

Lost zooplanktivorous cichlid from Lake Victoria reappears with a new trade

Abstract –  The zooplanktivorous cichlid Haplochromis pyrrhocephalus , which was one of the most common haplochromine species in the Mwanza Gulf of Lake Victoria, had almost completely disappeared after the Nile perch upsurge in the 1980s. In the second half of the 1990s, this species suddenly reappeared in the strongly changed ecosystem. Gut content investigation revealed a change in diet. Currently, H. pyrrhocephalus eats large prey more frequently than in the past. These large prey comprise fish, shrimps and molluscs. The latter two were never encountered in specimens from the past. Particularly feeding on molluscs was unexpected, as it had been suggested that, because of anatomical constraints, molluscivory and zooplanktivory are incompatible in cichlid fish. Our observations provide a new example of the extreme versatility in feeding behaviour in haplochromine cichlids.     

Herpesvirus dermatitis in two cats without facial lesions

Background – Cats with feline herpesvirus (FeHV‐1)‐associated dermatitis typically present with ulcerative lesions on the rostral muzzle and nasal planum. This report describes FeHV‐1 dermatitis in the flank region, in the absence of facial lesions. Hypothesis/Objectives – Clinicians should be aware of this unusual manifestation of FeHV‐1 dermatitis to prevent potential misdiagnosis. Animals – A 12‐year‐old male castrated Bengal cat and a 3‐year‐old male castrated Siamese cat with plaques and ulcers in the flank region are described. Methods – Formalin‐fixed biopsy samples were obtained from lesional skin. Histopathology and FeHV‐1 immunohistochemistry were performed. Results – Each sample had epidermal and follicular necrosis with a dense dermal infiltrate of eosinophils. Few to moderate numbers of intranuclear inclusion bodies were present in keratinocytes. The presence of FeHV‐1 in the lesions was confirmed with immunohistochemistry. Conclusions and clinical importance – Feline herpesvirus‐associated dermatitis should not be ruled out based on the location of the lesion, because a correct diagnosis is imperative for proper treatment. Future studies to assess the cause of lesions at this unusual site are warranted.