A diagnostic approach to the pruritic horse

Pruritus is a common complaint in equine medicine. While pruritus in most horses is due to ectoparasites (midges, flies, mites) or environmental allergens (pollens, barn dust, moulds, etc.), other causes such as staphylococcal or fungal infections, vasculitis, and internal organ dysfunction should not be overlooked. In a rational approach to the pruritic horse, history and physical examination become very important as a guide to choosing diagnostic tests.     

Canine Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like Syndrome in Two Siberian Husky Dogs

Abstract— A syndrome of uveitis, associated with depigmentation and erosion of areas of skin and mucous membrane on the head and, in one dog, on the scrotum, was observed by the authors in two male Siberian Huskies. These clinical signs are similar to the Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome in man. Histological examination of the affected skin revealed a lichenoid dermatitis of the upper dermis. Intensive topical therapy with mydriatic and cycloplegic drugs and corticosteroids coupled with systemic prednisolone and azathioprine were used to control the disease. Both subjects were monitored for 10 months and retained useful vision. The skin and oral lesions resolved. Résumé— Un syndrome d'uvéite idiopathique, non traumatique, associée à une dépigmentation et une érosion de zones cutanée et muqueuse sur la tête et, chez un chien, sur le scrotum, a été observé par les auteurs sur deux mâles Siberian Huskies. Ces signes cliniques évoquent le syndrome de Vogt—Koyanagi—Harada de l'homme. Un examen histologique de la peau atteinte a montré l'existence d'une dermatite lichénoide du derme superficiel. Un traitement topique intensif par des médicaments mydriatiques et cyclopégiques, ausociéà l'administration systémique de prednisolone et d'azathioprine a été utilisé pour controler la maladie. Les 2 sujets ont été observés pendant 10 mois et ont retrouvé une vision utile. Les lésions cutanées et orales ont guéri. Zusammenfassung— Bei zwei Husky-Rüden wurden von dem Autoren ein Krankheitssyndrom aus idiopathischer, nicht-traumatisch bedingter Uveitis, Depigmentierung einzelner Haut- und Schleimhautbezirke am Kopf und—bei einem Hund—am Skrotum festgestellt. Diese Symptome ähneln dem Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-Syndrom beim Menschen. Bei der histologischen Untersuchung von Biopsien der erkrankten Hautbezirke wurde eine lichénoide Dermatitis der oberen Dermisschichten diagnostiziert. Durch eine intensive örtliche Behandlung mit Mydriatica, Cycloplegica und Corticosteroiden in Kombination mit systemischer Prednisolon- und Azathioptringabe konnte die Erkrankung unter Kontrolle gehalten werden. Beide Patienten wurden 10 Monate überwacht und sahen zufriedenstellend aus. Die Veränderungen an Haut und Mundhöhle bildeten sich zurück. Resumen Los autores describen un síndrome de uveitis no traúmatica idiopática asociada a una despigmentación y erosión de áreas de la piel y de las membranas cutáneas de la cabeza, en un perro y del escroto en otro perro. Ambos animales pertenecían a la raza Siberian Husky. Estos signos clínicos se asemejan en los descritos en la síndrome de Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada de las personas. El examen histológico mostró la presencia de un infiltrado inflamatorio liquenoide en la dermis superficial. Para el tratamiento a la enfermedad se aplicaron corticosteroides y fármacos midriáticos y ciclopéjicos de forma tópica y prednisona de forma sistémica. Ambos animales fueron controlados durante diez meses y mantuvieron la visión. Las lesiones orales y cutáneas se resolvieron por completo.     

Common allergens of atopic dermatitis in dogs: comparative findings based on intradermal tests

Intradermal tests were performed on 58 dogs diagnosed with atopic dermatitis from 2004~2008 at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Konkuk University, Korea. To compare the allergen distribution observed in the present investigation to the results from other studies conducted in Korea and elsewhere, the allergens were grouped according to their kinds. There was no significant difference in gender distribution among the dogs. The most common breeds among the 58 dogs were Maltese (n = 11) and Shih-tzu (n = 11). The average age was 4.8 years. The most frequently produced a positive reaction on the intradermal tests was mold (67.3%) followed by house dust (54.5%) and house dust mites (49.1%). The present study found a low distribution of dogs allergic to various outdoor allergens compared to studies performed in other countries; this may reflect differences in living conditions for dogs living in Korea.     

生物素缺乏及肉鸡和种鸡日粮中添加生物素效果的研究

５４０只１日龄红布罗商品代雏鸡随机分为９组，第１组饲喂以小麦为基础的诱发日粮，第２和第３组在１组基础上分别添加３００（μｇ／ｋｇ日粮）生物素和动物脂肪（前期２％，后期３％）。第４至９组饲以玉米－豆饼型日粮，前后期分别添加０，５０，９０，１２０，１５０，２００和０，５０，７０，９５，１２０，１６０（μｇ／ｋｇ日粮）的生物素。结果表明：生物素缺乏造成足底皮肤炎，肝脏脂肪酸成分发生变化：不饱和脂肪酸（棕榈油酸）显著增加（Ｐ＜０．０１），饱和脂肪酸（硬脂酸）减少（Ｐ＜０．０５）。２９日龄绝食２４ｈ，饲喂诱发日粮的鸡，血糖、肝糖原和肝脏总脂肪含量下降，血浆甘油三酯增加，但无显著差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）。玉米－豆饼型日粮中添加不同水平生物素，绝食后血糖、肝糖原和甘油三酯含量未发生显著变化，随生物素添加水平提高，对足部皮肤状况有一定的改善作用，前期添加１５０或２００（μｇ／ｋｇ日粮）生物素对增重和饲料报酬较好，而后期添加生物素影响不大。种鸡试验选用３３６只２０周龄育成种鸡随机分为３组，分别饲以添加有０，１００，１５０μｇ／ｋｇ生物素的日粮。初步结果表明：生物素对蛋重无影响，日粮添加１００和１５０μｇ／ｋｇ生物素可提高受精率０     

HEPATIC ULTRASONOGRAPHIC AND PATHOLOGIC FINDINGS IN DOGS WITH CANINE SURPERFICIAL NECROLYTIC DERMATITIS

A unique, "honeycomb" pattern was found on ultrasonographic evaluation of the liver of 5 dogs with canine superficial necrolytic dermatitis (hepatocutaneous syndrome). This pattern consisted of variably-sized, hypoechoic regions measuring 0.5–1.5 cm in diameter surrounded by highly echogenic borders. Histologically, the hypoechoic regions corresponded to distinct regenerative nodules bounded by severely vacuolated (fat-laden) hepatocytes, numerous bile ductules, and a network of reticulin and fine collagen fibers representing remnants of collapsed hepatic lobules. While certain features of the architectural disruption were characteristic of cirrhosis, the lesion lacked the extensive fibrosis and reduced liver size usually associated with chronic cirrhosis. To our knowledge, this hepatic ultrasonographic pattern has only been seen with canine superficial necrolytic dermatitis. Therefore, it appears to be pathognomonic in a dog with questinable skin lesions. A liver biopsy is required to confirm the unique histopathologic features of the hepatopathy found in this syndrome.     

Clinical use of a ceramide-based moisturizer for treating dogs with atopic dermatitis

In humans, skin barrier dysfunction is thought to be responsible for enhanced penetration of allergens. Similar to conditions seen in humans, canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is characterized by derangement of corneocytes and disorganization of intercellular lipids in the stratum corenum (SC) with decreased ceramide levels. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a moisturizer containing ceramide on dogs with CAD. Dogs (n = 20, 3~8 years old) with mild to moderate clinical signs were recruited and applied a moisturizer containing ceramide for 4 weeks. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, pruritus index for canine atopic dermatitis (PICAD) scores, and canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index (CADESI) scores of all dogs were evaluated. Skin samples from five dogs were also examined with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using ruthenium tetroxide. TEWL, PICAD, and CADESI values decreased (p < 0.05) and skin hydration increased dramatically over time (p < 0.05). Electron micrographs showed that the skin barrier of all five dogs was partially restored (p < 0.05). In conclusion, these results demonstrated that moisturizer containing ceramide was effective for treating skin barrier dysfunction and CAD symptoms.     

Inhibitory action of intravenously administered ammonium acetate on the motility of the rumen in sheep

Summary

The effect of 60 minutes’ intravenous infusions, before morning feeding, of ammonium acetate (18.6 micromole/min/kg of body weight) and ammonium acetate with propranolol (11 μg/min/kg of body weight) on the ruminal motility of sheep was examined. Ammonia has an adrenaline‐like action therefore propranolol, a beta‐receptor blocking agent, was administered in order to eliminate the possible effect of adrenaline on ruminal motility. The contractions of the dorsal sack of the rumen were registered by means of the balloon method, with the gauge inserted through the rumen fistula. The infusion of ammonium acetate caused an increase of the ammonia concentration in the blood to 0.6 mmolel/at the end of 60 minutes’ infusion. Already during the first 5 minutes of the intravenous infusion of ammonium acetate there was a decreased frequency of ruminal contractions, which was observed throughout the infusion. After the infusion there was a radical decrease of the concentration of ammonia in the blood, and at the same time an increase in the frequency of rumen contraction was observed.

Blocking of the beta‐adrenergic receptors by propranolol did not eliminate the inhibiting action of ammonium ion on rumen motility. The infusion of the ammonium acetate caused an increase of adrenaline and glucose concentration. This response was eliminated by propranolol in the case of adrenaline but not glucose. It is assumed that the action of ammonium ion on the rumen motility is derived primarily by the central nervous system.