Follicular Dysplasia in Adult Black and Red Doberman Pinschers

Abstract— Four black and two red Doberman Pinschers with a slowly progressive, dorsal hypotrichosis were studied. All six dogs developed the hair loss as adults and hypotrichosis was permanent. Skin biopsies showed changes compatible with follicular dysplasia.
Résumé— L'etude porte sur 4 Dobermans noirs et 2 Dobermans marrons présentant une hypotrichose dorsale d'extension progressive. L'hypotrichose dorsale d'extension progressive. L'hypotrichose s'est développée chez les 6 chiens à l'âge adulte et est permanente. Les biopsies cutanées ont montré des images compatibles avec le diagnostic de dysplasie folliculaire.
Zusammenfassung— Bei vier schwarzen und zwei roten Dobermännern wurde eine langsam fortschreitende dorsale Hypotrichose festgestellt. Alle 6 Hunde verloren als adulte Tiere permanent Haare. Die histologischen Untersuchungen zeigten Veränderungen, die einer Follikeldysplasie entsprechen.
Resumen  Se describe la presencia de una hipotricosis dorsal de progresión lenta en cuatro perros de raza Doberman color negro y dos perros de raza Doberman y color rojo. En los seis animales la hipotricosis se inició cuando eran adultos y se mantuvo de forma permanente. Las biopsias cutáneas mostraron cambios histopatológicos compatibles con una displasia folicular.     

Colour Dilution Alopecia in Doberman Pinschers with Blue or Fawn Coat Colours: A Study on the Incidence and Histopathology of this Disorder

Abstract— A population of 57 blue or fawn Doberman Pinschers was studied to determine the incidence of colour dilution alopecia in this breed. Forty two dogs had hair loss, typical of colour dilution alopecia. The diagnosis was confirmed in 11 dogs by skin biopsy and in 6 dogs by light microscopic examination of plucked hairs. Key diagnostic features included large macromelanosomes in the hair shafts, free clumps of melanin in the lumens of hair follicles, and numerous perifollicular melanophages. An hypothesis on the pathogenesis of colour dilution alopecia is proposed. Résumé— Une population de 57 Pinschers à robe bleue ou feu a étéétudiée pour déterminer la fréquence de l'alopécie par dilution de couleur dans cette race. 42 chiens ont présenté une perte de poils caractéristique de l'alopécie par dilution de couleur. Le diagnostic a été confirmé chez 11 chiens par biopsie cutanée et chez 6 chiens par l'examen au microscope optique des poils épilés. Les caractéristiques diagnostiques comprennent la présence de grands macromélanosomes dans les racines des poils, de manchons libres de mélanine dans la lumière des follicules pileux et de nombreux mélanophages périfolliculaires. Une hyhpothèse sur la pathogénie de l'alopécie par dilution de couleur est proposée. Zusammenfassung— Untersucht wurden 57 blaue und rehfarbene Dobermänner, um das Vorkommen der Farbmutanten-Alopezie bei dieser Rasse feststellen zu können. 42 dieser Hunde zeigten den für diese Erkrankung typischen Haarausfall. Bei 11 Patienten wurde die Diagnose durch Hautbiopsie und bei 6 durch lichtmikroskopische Untersuchung von ausgezupften Haaren gesichert. Die charakteristichen Bilder waren Makromelanosome in den Haarschäften, freies zusammengeballtes Melanin im Lumen der Haarfollikel und zahlreiche perifollikuläre Melanophagen. Eine Hypothese für die Pathogenese dieser Erkrankung wird aufgestellt. Resumen Se estudió una población de 57 perros de raza Doberman y color gris o azul para determinar la incidencia de la alopecia por dilución de color en esta raza. 42 perros presentaban pérdidas de pelo típicas de la alopecia por dilución de color. En 11 perros el diagnóstico se confirmó mediante biopsia y en 6 mediante examen microscópico del pelo. Las características diagnósticas de este proceso consistían en la presencia de macromelanosomas en las vainas de los pelos, y en la presencia de acúmulos de melanina libre en el interior de los folículos pilosos y de melanófagos perifoliculares. Se propone una hipótesis sobre la patogenia de esta enfermedad.     

Results of ophthalmologic screening examinations of German Pinschers in Finland – a retrospective study

Objective To retrospectively review ophthalmologic findings in German Pinschers in Finland. Animals studied One hundred and twenty‐two German Pinschers that had ophthalmologic examination performed according to the Finnish Kennel Club’s Eye Scheme before June 15, 1999. Procedures A total of 154 eye examination reports of 122 dogs were analysed and all described findings were reported. Results Persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis (PHTVL) was diagnosed in 8.4% of all cases, and hereditary cataract (HC) in 6.5%. Even higher numbers of similar changes were reported by ophthalmologists; some of the dogs, however, were officially diagnosed as ‘free of symptoms’ of inherited ocular diseases. A relatively high number (4.5%) of dogs had reported changes in Y sutures. A pedigree analysis suggests recessive inheritance for both diseases. Because of missing information about many dogs in the pedigree, an autosomal incomplete inheritance pattern cannot be ruled out in either case. Conclusions Both HC and PHTVL are inherited diseases in German Pinschers. Further studies are needed to determine the importance of the changes found in Y sutures. Discrepancies between the official diagnosis and described changes are probably partially due to the lack of familiarity with the published literature concerning this breed. Further studies are needed to ascertain the inheritance pattern for both diseases. So far breeding with affected animals should be avoided.     

Antihistone Autoantibodies in Dobermans With Hepatitis

Background

Immune system involvement is suggested as an underlying cause for Doberman hepatitis (DH) based on female predisposition, lymphocyte infiltration, abnormal hepatocyte expression of major histocompatibility complex class II antigens, and homozygosity for dog leukocyte antigen DRB1*00601.

Objective

To measure serum antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and serum antihistone antibodies (AHA) in Dobermans with hepatitis. To determine whether increased serum ANA or serum AHA could be used to support the diagnosis of Doberman hepatitis (DH).

Animals

Privately owned 25 subclinically and 13 clinically affected DH Dobermans and 17 healthy control Dobermans.

Methods

Case–control study. Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) microscopy and line blot tests were employed for the ANA pilot studies and an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay for detection of IgG AHA.

Results

Indirect immunofluorescence revealed ANA‐positive cases, and line blot showed AHA reactivity. In ELISA, importantly increased concentrations of AHA were found in 92% (23/25) of dogs in the subclinical stage and 84.6% (11 of 13) of dogs in the clinical stage of DH compared with no control dogs (0/17) (P < 0.0005). The mean AHA absorbance values of the blood samples obtained from the 25 subclinical DH dogs (1.36 ± 0.60, mean ± SD) and the 13 clinically affected dogs (1.46 ± 0.49) were significantly higher than in 17 control dogs (0.51 ± 0.18; P < 0.0001).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

As the presence of AHA indicates autoimmune activity, our results favor an autoimmune background as one cause for DH. Antihistone antibody could represent a novel means for screening Dobermans with increased serum alanine transaminase concentrations and suspicion of DH.     

农机作业服务对农业生态效率的影响：本地效应与空间溢出

为探究农机作业服务对农业生态效率的影响,基于中国2004—2019年省级面板数据,采用规模报酬可变型非期望超效率SBM模型对中国农业生态效率进行测算,并运用双向固定效应模型和双固定空间杜宾模型分析了农机作业服务对农业生态效率的本地效应及空间溢出影响。结果表明：中国农业生态效率近年来呈现波动式下降趋势,东部地区生态水平较高,中、西部地区相对滞后;农机作业服务与农业生态效率间存在正向相关关系,农机作业服务对农业生态效率的直接效应、间接效应和总效应分别为0.006、0.017和0.024,间接效应约占总效应的75%,表明农机作业服务对农业生态效率影响将会是系统性的,这对推动中国农业高质量发展具有重要作用。     

Black Hair Follicular Dysplasia in Black and White Saluki Dogs: Differentiation from Color Mutant Alopecia in the Doberman Pinscher by Microscopic Examination of Hairs

Abstract— Four black and white female Saluki puppies developed variably severe hypotrichosis in black haired areas. Histologically, follicles in black haired areas were dilated with keratin and clumps of melanin pigment, and were irregularly shaped. Melanin pigment was also clumped in hair shafts, basal layer of epidermis, epithelial cells of hair bulbs and macrophages around follicles, especially at the base. White haired areas were normal grossly and histologically. Light microscopic examination of dehydrated and cleared primary black hair shafts from one Saluki with black hair follicular dysplasia and primary blue hair shafts from two blue Doberman pinschers with color mutant alopecia revealed that the blue Dobermans had many more visible macromelanosomes than the Saluki. On scanning electron microscopy, cuticular abnormalities were identified in some white and all black hairs from the Saluki. Several black hairs had shallow, oval defects in the superficial cortex. Blue hairs from one Doberman had similar, but more extensive changes. Résumé— Quatre chiots femelles Saluki noirs et blancs ont développé une hypotrichose plus ou moins étendue des zones de poils noirs. Sur le plan histologique, les follicules pileux des zones de poils noirs étalent dilatés, de forme irrégulière et obstrué par des bouchons de keratine et de mélanine. Des pigments mélaniques en motte sont aussi retrouvés dans la lumière des poits, les cellules basales de l'epiderme, les cellules épithéliales de bulbes pileux et les macrophages entourant les follicules pileux. Les zones de poils blancs étaient normales, tant macroscopiquement que micrioscopiquement. L'examen en microscopie optique de poils noirs primaires deshydratés et éclaircis provenant d'un de ces Saluki et de deux Doberman atteints d'alopécle des mutants de couleur a révélé un beaucoup plus grand nombre de macromélanosomes chez les Dobermans que chez le Saluki. En microscopie électronique à balayage des anomalies de la cuticule ont été observées sur quelques poils blancs et tous les poils noirs des Salukis. Plusieurs poils noirs présentaiert des déformations ovales peu profondes de la cuticule. Les poils bleus des Dobermans présentaient le même type de déformation, mais de façon plus étendue. Zusammenfassung— Vier schwarz-weiße weibliche Salukiwelpen entwickelten abwechselnd eine schwere Hypotrichose in den schwarzgefärbten Fellbezirken. Im histologischen Bild waren die Follikel in den schwarzgefärbten Fellbezirken durch Keratin und Melaninpigmentklumpen dilatiert sowie unregelmäßig geformt. Das Melaninpigment war in den Haarschäften, in der Basalzellschicht der Epidermis, den Epitheizellen der Haarbulbi und den Makrophagen um die Follikel, besonders an der Basis, ebenfalls zusammengekiumpt. Die weißen Fellbezirke waren makroskopisch und histologisch unverändert. Die lichtmikroskopische Untersuchung von dehydrierten und aufgehellten Schäften schwarzer Primärhaare eines Salukis mit follikulärer Dysplasie schwarzer Haare und der Untersuchung der Haarschäfte blauer Primärhaare zweier blauer Dobermannhunde mit Farbmutantenalopezie zeigte, daß die blauen Dobermänner viel mehr sichtbare Makromelanosomen als der Saluki aufwiesen. Bei der Untersuchung mit dem Elektronenmikroskop konnten Abnormitäten der Kutikula bei einigen weißen und bei alien schwarzen Haaren des Salukis festgestellt werden. Einige der schwarzen Haare zeigten flache, ovale Defekte in der oberflächlichen Rinde. Blaue Haare eines Dobermanns zeigten ähnliche, aber viel ausgedehntere Veränderungen. Resumen Cuatro cachorros hembra de Saluki negro y bianco se desarrollaron con variable gravedad hipotricosis en areas de pelo negro. Histológicamente los folículos de las zonas de pelo negro fueron dilatados con keratina y grupos de pigmento de melanina, y fueron irregularmente formados. El pigmento de melanina también fue encontrado irregularmente en el cuerpo del pelo, capa basal de la epidermis, células epiteliales de los bulbos pilosos y macrófagos alredador de los folículos, especialmente en la base. Las areas de pelo bianco eran normales en cuanto tanto macroscopicamente como histológicamente. El examen microscópico del cuerpo de pelos negros deshidratados y aclarados de un saluki con displasia folicular de pelo negro y cuerpo de pelo azul primario de dos Doberman pinschers con alopecia de color mutante, reveló que los Dobermans azules tenían muchos mas macromelanosomas visibles que el Saluki. Al microscopio electrónico se identificaron abnormalidades cuticubres en algunas pelos blancos y todos los negros en el Saluki. Varios pelos negros tenían pequenos defectos ovales en la corteza superficial. Los pelos azules de uno de los Doberman presentaban cambios similares pero más extensos.     

Effect of pimobendan on case fatality rate in Doberman Pinschers with congestive heart failure caused by dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Despite traditional therapy of a diuretic, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, digoxin, or a combination of these drugs, survival of dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is low. Pimobendan, an inodilator, has both inotropic and balanced peripheral vasodilatory properties. HYPOTHESIS: Pimobendan when added to conventional therapy will improve morbidity and reduce case fatality rate in Doberman Pinschers with congestive heart failure (CHF) caused by DCM. ANIMALS: Sixteen Doberman Pinschers in CHF caused by DCM. METHODS: A prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with treatment failure as the primary and quality of life (QoL) indices as secondary outcome variables. Therapy consisted of furosemide (per os [PO] as required) and benazepril hydrochloride (0.5 mg/kg PO q12h) and dogs were randomized in pairs and by sex to receive pimobendan (0.25 mg/kg PO q12h) or placebo (1 tablet PO q12h). RESULTS: Pimobendan-treated dogs had a significant improvement in time to treatment failure (pimobendan median, 130.5 days; placebo median, 14 days; P= .002; risk ratio = 0.35, P= .003, lower 5% confidence limit = 0.13, upper 95% confidence limit = 0.71). Number and rate of dogs reaching treatment failure in the placebo group precluded the analysis of QoL. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Pimobendan should be used as a first-line therapeutic in Doberman Pinschers for the treatment of CHF caused by DCM.