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.     

USE OF ULTRASONOGRAPHY AND CONTRAST RADIOGRAPHY FOR SNAKE GENDER DETERMINATION

The purpose of this paper is to characterize the sonographic and radiographic features of hemipenes in male snakes and to use these features for gender determination. The sonographic and radiographic examination of 17 male and 10 female snakes, whose gender was determined previously by probing, were evaluated by one examiner who was unaware of the gender. Sonographically, hemipenes appeared funnel shaped with an echogenic thin wall and hypo to anechoic contents. Radiographically, hemipenes filled by positive contrast medium appeared as funnel-shaped radiopacities pointing caudally. Snake gender was correctly determined in all snakes using sonography (accuracy=100%). Radiographic accuracy was 81.4%. Interpretation of radiographic examinations was limited by poor distribution of the contrast medium within the hemipenes.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF CANINE LIPOMAS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ultrasonographic features of canine lipomas. A group of 94 dogs with a soft tissue mass was considered. All dogs were examined ultrasonographically and cyto/histologic examination was performed. Twenty-four dogs, whose mass was diagnosed as a lipoma, were selected. Fifty-five lipomas were present on the 24 dogs. Fifty-one lipomas were superficial and located subcutaneously. Four lipomas were deep and located in the paratesticular region. Ultrasonographically, lipomas appeared as oval, well-defined, encapsulated, striated masses.     

INFLUENCE Of PATIENT POSITIONING ON THE L5–L6 MID-LAMINAR DISTANCE

The aim of this project was to determine the effect of patient position on the L5-L6 mid-laminar distance (MLD). The lumbar area of 22 recently euthanatized dogs of various breeds was radiographed in three positions: lateral recumbency with the spine in neutral position, lateral recumbency with the spine flexed in a kyphotic position, and sternal recumbency with the spine flexed in a kyphotic position. Digital images of the radiographs were analyzed using a computer program that allowed measurement of the MLD between L5-L6 in the three positions. The L5 and L6 MLD was significantly larger in sternal recumbency with the spine flexed (142.3 units) than both in lateral recumbency with the spine flexed (138.7 units; P= 0.001) and lateral recumbency with the spine in the neutral position (135.8 units; P < or = 0.001). The MLD in lateral recumbency with the spine flexed was significantly larger than in lateral recumbency with the spine in neutral position (P = 0.005). Positioning a dog in sternal recumbency with the spine flexed produces a significantly larger MLD than in lateral recumbency with the spine flexed; this should simplify needle placement when performing a lumbar puncture.