Valvular pulmonic stenosis in bullmastiffs

Six bullmastiffs with congenital heart disease were evaluated over a three-year period. In all the cases the problem was shown to be dysplasia of the pulmonary valve. Five cases were male, one was female. All dogs available to follow-up developed signs of cardiac decompensation. Bullmastiffs must be added to the list of breeds in which valvular pulmonic stenosis is encountered frequently.     

Effects of heartworm and intestinal parasitic infections on hematology and peripheral lymph node cytology in louisiana dogs

Hookworm infected dogs had higher blood basophil counts than hookworm negative dogs. Dogs with occult heartworm infection (i.e., without microfilaremia) had higher blood neutrophil counts than heartworm negative dogs. The percentage of eosinophils in peripheral lymph nodes was higher in heartworm infected, microfilaremic dogs than in both occult infected dogs and heartworm negative dogs. Heartworm or intestinal parasitic infection had no other significant effects on hematologic parameters or peripheral lymph node cytology.     

Effects of phenobarbitone on serum biochemical tests in dogs

OBJECTIVES: To investigate effects of phenobarbitone on serum activities of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase and concentrations of bilirubin, albumin, cholesterol and total protein in dogs. ANIMALS: Ten crossbreed experimental dogs and 10 client-owned dogs of mixed breeds treated chronically with phenobarbitone to control seizures. PROCEDURES: Experimental dogs were allocated to treatment (6 mg/kg oral phenobarbitone, n = 6) and control (no treatment, n = 4) groups in which serum biochemical tests were performed at intervals during a 3-month period. Biochemical tests were performed once on the 10 epileptic dogs. RESULTS: Phenobarbitone caused increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity but did not affect gamma-glutamyl transferase activity or bilirubin, cholesterol, albumin and total protein concentrations. Phenobarbitone had minimal effect on alanine aminotransferase activity. CONCLUSIONS: Individual dogs treated with phenobarbitone may have small increases in serum alanine aminotransferase activity and variable increases in alkaline phosphatase activity but are unlikely to have alterations in gamma-glutamyl transferase activity or bilirubin, cholesterol, albumin or total protein concentrations.