Clinical, radiographic, and pathologic features of bronchiectasis in cats: 12 cases (1987-1999)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical, radiographic, and pathologic features of bronchiectasis in cats. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 12 cats with histologic evidence of bronchiectasis. PROCEDURE: Information on signalment, body weight, clinical signs of respiratory disease, concurrent diseases, method by which lung tissue specimens were obtained (surgical biopsy or necropsy), and histopathologic findings was obtained by reviewing medical records from January 1987 to June 1999 for cats with confirmation of bronchiectasis by histologic examination. Available thoracic radiographs were reviewed by a board-certified radiologist. RESULTS: Bronchiectasis was most commonly identified in older male cats. Clinical signs referable to the lower portion of the respiratory tract were detected in only 5 cats but, when evident, were usually chronic (duration > 1 year). Radiographic pattern of bronchiectasis was cylindrical in 4 cats, and in 1 of these cats, a saccular pattern was also identified. For most cats, bronchiectasis was detected in a single lung lobe. Radiographic evidence of bronchiectasis was not detected in 2 cats. Concurrent respiratory diseases included chronic bronchitis and bronchiolitis, neoplasia, bronchopneumonia, endogenous lipid pneumonia, and emphysema. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bronchiectasis appears to be an uncommon respiratory tract disorder that predominantly affects older male cats. Thoracic radiography may not be sensitive for the diagnosis of bronchiectasis in cats. Bronchiectasis in cats appears to be a sequela of chronic inflammatory bronchopulmonary diseases, especially chronic bronchitis, neoplasia, and bronchopneumonia.     

Clinical usefulness of cardiac event recording in dogs and cats examined because of syncope, episodic collapse, or intermittent weakness: 60 cases (1997-1999)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical usefulness of cardiac event recording in evaluating dogs and cats with unexplained syncope, episodic collapse, or intermittent weakness. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 58 dogs and 2 cats. PROCEDURE: Medical records and electrocardiographic rhythm strips obtained by cardiac event recordings were reviewed. Cardiac rhythm data from the event recordings were classified as diagnostic or nondiagnostic. Diagnostic yield was calculated by dividing the number of animals for which cardiac event recording was diagnostic by the total number of animals undergoing cardiac event recording. RESULTS: For 51 animals, cardiac event recording was classified as diagnostic; therefore, overall diagnostic yield was 85%. Diagnostic yield was lower for animals without underlying structural heart disease (75.5%) than for animals with structural heart disease (95.6%). A specific arrhythmia was identified as the cause of clinical signs in 18 of the 51 (35%) animals for which cardiac event recording was diagnostic. Cardiac arrhythmia was definitively excluded as the cause of clinical signs in the remaining 33 (65%) animals in which cardiac event recording was diagnostic. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicate that cardiac event recording had a high diagnostic yield in dogs and cats examined because of unexplained syncope, episodic collapse, or transient weakness and ataxia, regardless of whether animals did or did not have an underlying structural heart disease. Diagnostic yield of cardiac event recording was higher than that reported previously for Holter monitoring.     

Endometrial Adenocarcinoma and Mucometra in a 6-year-old Alaska Malamute Dog

A 6-year-old female Alaska Malamute dog was presented for evaluation of abdominal enlargement referred by a local veterinarian. On the history, the owner complained of chronic abdominal enlargement initiated more than 4 months ago, reduced appetite, occasional vomiting and general dullness. He also complained of greenish mucous intermittent vaginal discharge starting 10 days ago. The bitch was chronically treated with medroxiprogesterone acetate. A laparatomy was performed and fluid in the abdomen was found and aspirated during the surgery. Also a very fluid-filled distended uterus and a mass in the distal part of the left uterine horn were found. The mass was encapsulated by the omentum, but areas of necrosis and calcification were identified. Histopathological diagnosis was endometrial adenocarcinoma.     

Correlation of magnetic resonance images with anatomic features of the equine tarsus

OBJECTIVE: To correlate anatomic features of the equine tarsus identified in plastinated sections with images obtained via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). ANIMALS: 4 horses. PROCEDURE: MRI (1.5-Tesla magnet) of the tarsus was performed on the pelvic limbs of 4 clinically normal horses following euthanasia. After imaging, tarsocrural joint spaces and vasculature were injected with colored latex. Sagittal and transverse sections of the tarsi were plastinated to facilitate interpretation of MR images. RESULTS: Relevant anatomic structures were identified and labeled on the plastinated tissue slices and corresponding MR images. Results indicated high correlations between MRI findings and those of plastinated sections. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The data obtained provided certain reference standards for normal anatomic structure sizes and positions in the equine tarsus. This information may aid future physiologic or clinical studies of this joint.     

Heterogeneity within the hemagglutinin genes of canine distemper virus (CDV) strains detected in Italy

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a highly contagious viral pathogen causing lethal disease in dogs and other mammalians. A high degree of genetic variation is found between recent CDV strains and the old CDV isolates used in the vaccines and such genetic variation is regarded as a possible cause of the increasing number of CDV-related diseases in dogs. The H gene shows the greatest extent of genetic variation that allows for distinction of various lineages, according to a geographical pattern of distribution and irrespective of the species of identification. In the present study, hemagglutinin (H) genes obtained from field strains detected from clinical specimens of Italian dogs were analyzed genetically. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that a homogeneous group of CDV strains is widespread in Italian dogs, all which are included into the European lineage. Unexpectedly, strains 179/04 and 48/05 clustered along with CDVs of the Arctic lineage, the highest identity being to strain GR88 (98.0 and 98.4%aa, respectively). The full-length sequence of a red fox CDV strain, 207/00 was also determined and analyzed. The H protein of the fox CDV strain was unrelated to strains within the major European lineage. These results suggest that at least three different CDV lineages are present in Italy.     

Specific antibody responses and generation of antigenic variants in chickens immunized against a virulent avian influenza virus.

To examine the specificity of the antibody response to the influenza hemagglutinin and the generation of antigenic variants, chickens were immunized against the highly virulent H5 virus A/Ty/Ont/7732/66 (H5N9) and then challenged with a lethal dose of the virus. The antibody responses of these chickens to the hemagglutinin (HA) were examined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in which their sera were titrated for the ability to block the binding of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to five distinct neutralizing epitopes on the viral HA. Based on the ELISA results, a majority (5/6) of the chickens produced antibodies to three of the five neutralizing epitopes on the viral HA. After challenge, two of six immunized chickens shed virus and died; antigenic comparisons of isolates from these two chickens indicated the presence of an antigenic variant; i.e., there was a change in one neutralizing epitope on the HA of virus shed by one chicken. None of the chickens had produced antibodies to this particular epitope on the viral HA. Inoculation of chickens with this variant resulted in 100% mortality, demonstrating that a change in this particular epitope did not alter the virulence of the virus. These studies indicate that chickens immunized against highly virulent influenza viruses may excrete virulent variants following challenge with live virus.     

Supplementation of L‐glycine and L‐glutamate to Japanese quails from 01 to 36 days of age using the ideal protein concept

Experiment I: T_1‐1 = basal diet with 25% crude protein (CP) + limiting amino acids (LA); T_1‐2 = 20% CP + LA; T_1‐3 = 20% CP + LA + L‐glycine; T_1‐4 = 20% CP + LA + L‐glutamate; T_1‐5 = 20% CP + LA + L‐glycine + L‐glutamate. Experiment II: T_2‐1 = basal diet with 22% CP + LA; T_2‐2 = 20% CP + LA; T_2‐3 = 17.6% CP + LA + L‐glycine; T_2‐4 = 17.6% CP + LA + L‐glutamate; T_2‐5 = 17.6% CP + LA + L‐glycine + L‐glutamate. The reduction of dietary protein based on the concept of ideal protein decreases nitrogen excretion in quails when L‐glycine is added to the diets. Quails fed diets supplemented with L‐glutamate as the non‐specific nitrogen source equivalent to the nitrogen level of the control diet had increased nitrogen excretion. However, quails had reduced nitrogen excretion in both experiments when L‐glycine was added to diets with L‐glutamate. Carcass fat was increased by reducing dietary protein, but fat deposition was reduced by adding L‐glutamate and L‐glycine, or both. The dietary addition of L‐glutamate and L‐glycine in quails based on the ideal protein concept is not necessary (Exp. I). Although the total nitrogen, electrolytic balance and glycine level were adjusted in diets, quails had decreased performance. Therefore, other hypotheses besides protein reduction need to be studied (Exp. II). Protein reduction with supplementation of only limiting essential amino acids does not affect quail performance. Dietary addition of L‐glycine reduces nitrogen excretion.     

Acute myelomonocytic leukaemia with short-term spontaneous remission in a cat

A 2-year-old, spayed female domestic shorthair cat was referred with a history of anorexia and depression of 1 week duration. On physical examination, the cat was lethargic and febrile, with splenomegaly, anisocoria and ulcerative stomatitis. A complete blood count (CBC) and a biochemistry profile showed leukocytosis, numerous blast cells in the peripheral blood, thrombocytopenia, hyperglobulinaemia and a positive test for feline leukaemia virus antigen. A diagnosis of acute myelomonocytic leukaemia was made on the basis of the results of bone marrow cytology, histopathology, and immunochemistry (CD3, CD79a, lysozyme, and myeloperoxidase) tests. Following an unexpected 1-month period of clinical and clinicopathological remission without chemotherapy, the cat relapsed and died 1 week later.     

Apoptosis and proliferation during seasonal testis regression in the brown hare (Lepus europaeus L.)

Testes samples of 52 brown hares (Lepus europaeus L.), sacrificed between July and January, were subjected to immuno histochemical analysis. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated d'UTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) method was applied to detect apoptosis; and antibodies to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were used to evaluate cell proliferation in the testes. In the seminiferous epithelium, the apoptotic processes were evident from August to early November with maximal values in September. Cell death in germ cells occurs predominantly during the prophase of the first meiotic division. In July, and from mid-November onwards, only the occasional TUNEL-positive cells can be seen. The proliferation of germ cells continues during the testis regression phase. The average number of PCNA-positive cells decreases slightly from September onwards and rises again in mid-November.