Follicular Dysplasia of the Portuguese Water Dog

Résumé— Une étude clinique et histologique a été conduite chez 27 chiens d'eau portugais présentant des dépilations cycliques, focales et non inflammatoires. Les observations histologiques ont été comparées aux biopsies réalisées sur 6 adultes normaux et 25 chiots normaux de la même race, sans histoire familiale de dépilations. La chute du poil chez les chiens alopéciques est dûe à une dysplacie folliculaire avec mélanisation anormale des unités pilo-sébacées. Les observations histopathologiques particulières consistent en une apoptose proéminente des kératinocytes des gaines épithéliales internes et externes, et une dissolution de la matrice pilaire des follicules anagènes. L'observation d'une tendance familiale avec apparition précoce suggère un mécanisme héréditaire pour cette dysplasie. [Miller, W.H., Jr., Scott, D.W. Follicular dysplasia of the Portuguese Water Dog (Displasie folliculaire du chien d'eau portugais). Resumen— Se llevó a cabo un estudio en 27 Perros de Agua Portugués con pérdida de pelo ciclica, no-inflamatoria y regionalizada. Los hallazgos histológicos se compararon con biopsias de 6 adultos normales y de 25 carchorros de la misma raza sin antecedentes familiares de pérdida de pelo. La pérdida de pelo en el grupo de animales alopécicos era debida a una displasia folicular con melanización anormal de los complejos pilosebáceos. Como hallazgos histológicos únicos cabe destacar la presencia de un notable número de queratinocitos apoptóticos en la vaina folicular interna y externa asi como la disolución de la matriz del pelo en los foliculos en anagen. Se detectó una tendencia familiar la aparición de esta displasia a temprana edad, lo que sugiere una base herediteria. [Miller, W.H., Jr., Scott, D.W. Follicular dysplasia of the Portuguese Water Dog (Displasia folicular en el Perro de Aguas Portugués). Abstract— A clinical and histologic study was conducted on 27 Portuguese water dogs with non-inflammatory, regionalized, cyclic hair loss. Histologic findings were compared with biopsies from six normal adult and 25 normal puppy Portuguese water dogs with no known relatives with hair loss. The hair loss in the alopecic dogs was due to a follicular dysplasia with abnormal melanization of the pilosebaceous units. Unique histopathologic findings included prominent apoptosis of keratinocytes in the inner and outer root sheath, and dissolution of the hair matrix of anagen hair follicles. A familial tendency with an early age at onset was noted, suggesting an inherited basis for the dysplasia.     

Multiple Squamous Cell Carcinomas Arising from Multiple Cutaneous Follicular Cysts in a Dog

Résumé— Des épithéliomas spinocellulaires se sont développés à partir de kystes folliculaires multiples chez un chien croisé berger Catalan de 6 ans. Le chien est mort après un suivi de 29 mois. Des métastases ont été trouvées dans les poumons et au niveau des métacarpiens 1 et 2 de la patte antérieure gauche. [Multiple squamous cell carcinomas arising from multiple cutaneous follicular cysts in a dog (Épithéliomas spinocel-lalaires multiples se développant à partir de kystes folliculaires multiples chez un chien).
Resumen— Un perro Pastor Catalan desarrolló carcinomas de células planas a partir de multiples quistes foliculares. El perro murió a los 29 meses del seguimiento. Se detectaron carcinomas de células escamosas metástaticos en los pulmones y en los metacarpos I y II de la extremidad izquierda. [Multiple squamous cell carcinomas arising from multiple cutaneous follicular cysts in a dog. (Múltiples carcinomas de células planas surgidos a partir de multiples quised foliculares cutáneo en un perro).
Abstract— Squamous cell carcinomas developed in multiple follicular cysts in a 6-year-old Catalan shepherd cross dog. The dog died after a 29-month follow-up period. Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma was detected in the lungs and metacarpal bones 1 and 2 of the left front paw.     

Acute Gastrointestinal Disease in 27 New World Camelids: Clinical and Surgical Findings

Objective—To describe clinical and surgical findings from New World camelids with acute gastrointestinal disease.
Study Design—Retrospective study.
Animal Population—20 llamas and 7 alpacas.
Methods—Camelids were grouped based on surgical lesions. Clinical and surgical findings were compared between groups and between surviving and nonsurviving camelids.
Results—Twelve of 27 initial celiotomies and 3 of 4 repeat celiotomies were successful. Death occurred from euthanasia during surgery (nine camelids), peritonitis or sepsis (five), aspiration pneumonia (one), and respiratory distress (one). Survival was lowest after celiotomy for proximal obstruction (3 of 10 camelids), ruptured viscus (0 of 4), and necrotizing enteritis (0 of 2) and highest after celiotomy for distal obstruction (10 of 13) and septic peritonitis without ruptured viscus (2 of 2). Before surgery, camelids with proximal obstruction had significantly lower ( P < .05) serum chloride concentrations (median, 97 mEq/L) than those with distal obstruction (median, 109 mEq/L) or ruptured viscus (median, 117 mEq/L). Serum bicarbonate concentration also was highest (median, 34.6 mEq/L) and often greater than 28 mEq/L in camelids with proximal obstruction. Camelids with distal obstruction had significantly lower ( P < .05) nucleated cell counts in peritoneal fluid (median, 700 cells/μL) than those with ruptured viscus (median, 20,600 cells/μL) or septic peritonitis (median, 88,300 cells/μL).
Conclusions—Camelids with proximal obstruction often had hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis. Camelids with distal obstruction had less metabolic derangement and tissue compromise and a higher survival rate.
Clinical Relevance—Awareness of the characteristics of the various types of acute gastrointestinal disease in camelids will augment veterinarians' ability to diagnose and treat these disorders.     

Light and electron microscope study of cell walls of brown and red algae

A survey of the structure of the cell walls of green, brown, and red algae, as seen under light and electron microscopes is in progress. In this report a comparison of the cell wall structure of a brown alga, Dictyota flabellata, and a red alga, Helminthocladia californica, is presented. In Dictyota, typicalofthe brown algae, the microfibrillar pattern in the apical cells and in the adjacent cells of the thallus tip is reticulate. In mature cells the microfibrils are dominantly parallel in orientation. Pits, fields ofclosely set pores, are distinctive. The microfibrils in the pit areas are masked by nonfibrillar material. Helminthocladia, with a cell wall characteristic of the red algae, differs from Dictyota in that the microfibrillar pattern is reticulate throughout the thallus. In the pit areas the microfibrils are not masked by amorphous material.     

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Ferric-Hyaluronate Implants for Delivery of Amikacin Sulfate to the Tarsocrural Joint of Horses

Objective— To assess the antimicrobial elution characteristics, toxicity, and antimicrobial activity of amikacin‐impregnated ferric‐hyaluronate implants (AI‐FeHAI) for amikacin delivery to the tarsocrural joint of horses. Study Design— Experimental study. Sample Population— AI‐FeHAI implants, equine cartilage, and synovium, and horses (n=6). Methods— In vitro study: Five AI‐FeHAI were placed in saline solution with daily replacement until implant degradation. Eluent was tested for amikacin concentration and bioactivity. Synovial and cartilage explants were incubated in the presence or absence of AI‐FeHAI for 72 hours and subsequently assessed for morphology, viability, and composition. Synovial explants were incubated with Staphylococcus aureus in the presence or absence of AI‐FeHAI. Spent medium was cultured daily and explants were assessed for morphology and viability after 96 hours. In vivo study: AI‐FeHAI were placed in 6 tarsocrural joints. Standard cytologic analysis and amikacin concentration (SFAC) were determined in synovia obtained regularly for 28 days thereafter. Similar analyses were conducted after a single intra‐articular injection of amikacin 6 months later. Results— In vitro study: Amikacin concentrations exceeded 16 μg/mL and inhibited S. aureus growth for 8 days. AI‐FeHAI had no effect on cartilage explants. AI‐FeHAI eliminated bacteria from synovial explants. In vitro study: After AI‐FeHAI placement, SFAC was highest (140.78+63.81 μg/mL) at first sampling time. By 24 hours SFAC was <16 μg/mL. After intra‐articular injection, SFAC was the highest (377.91 ± 40.15 μg/mL) at first sampling time. By 48 hours SFAC was <16 μg/mL. Conclusions— A single intra‐articular amikacin injection demonstrated superior pharmacokinetics than AI‐FeHAI prepared as described. Clinical Relevance— AI‐FeHAI cannot be recommended for clinical use.     

Use of Propofol–Xylazine and the Anderson Sling Suspension System for Recovery of Horses from Desflurane Anesthesia

Objective— To characterize the behavior of horses recovering in the Anderson Sling Suspension System after 4 hours of desflurane anesthesia and postdesflurane intravenous (IV) administration of propofol and xylazine. Study Design— Experimental study. Animals— Healthy horses (n=6), mean±SEM age 12.3±1.8 years; mean weight 556±27 kg. Methods— Each horse was anesthetized with xylazine, diazepam, and ketamine IV and anesthesia was maintained with desflurane in O₂. At the end of 4 hours of desflurane, each horse was positioned in the sling suspension system and administered propofol–xylazine IV. Recovery events were quantitatively and qualitatively assessed. Venous blood was obtained before and after anesthesia for biochemical and propofol analyses. Results— Anesthetic induction and maintenance were without incident. Apnea commonly accompanied propofol administration. All horses had consistent recovery behavior characterized by a smooth, careful, atraumatic return to a standing posture. Conclusions— Results of this study support careful, selective clinical use of desflurane, propofol–xylazine, and the Anderson Sling Suspension System to atraumatically transition horses with high anesthetic recovery risk to a wakeful standing posture. Clinical Relevance— Technique choices to facilitate individualized, atraumatic recovery of horses from general anesthesia are desirable. Use of IV propofol and xylazine to transition horses from desflurane anesthesia during sling recovery to standing posture may facilitate improved recovery management of high‐injury risk equine patients requiring general anesthesia.     

Intra-articular Anesthesia of the Distal Interphalangeal Joint Alleviates Lameness Associated With the Navicular Bursa in Horses

Objective — To determine if intra-articular anesthesia of the distal interphalangeal joint could alleviate lameness associated with the navicular bursa in horses.
Study Design — Experimental investigation.
Animals — Six clinically normal horses.
Methods — Lameness was induced in each horse by injecting either the left or right front navicular bursa with 5 mg of amphotericin-B. Forty-eight hours later each horse was videotaped walking and trotting before, and 5, 30, and 60 minutes after injecting the distal interphalangeal joint of the treated limb with 5 mL of 2% mepivacaine hydrochloride. All video recordings were then rerecorded onto master tapes in a random sequence. Four clinicians, unaware of the animal identity related to observation time or limb treated, independently viewed these tapes and graded the lamenesses.
Results — There was a significant reduction in lameness 5 and 30 minutes after anesthetic was injected into the distal interphalangeal joint. Lameness scores 60 minutes after anesthetic administration were not significantly different than baseline values. Gross pathological examination confirmed marked inflammation of the treated navicular bursae and normal appearance of the distal interphalangeal joints.
Conclusions — Intra-articular anesthesia of the distal interphalangeal joint can alleviate lameness associated with the navicular bursa.
Clinical Relevance — Intra-articular anesthesia of the distal interphalangeal joint is not specific only for lameness originating in the distal interphalangeal joint.