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A 14-year-old, female spayed Bichon Maltese with no other known previous pathologies was presented for dermatological examination after being referred from a private clinic with the suspicion of generalized, treatment-resistant demodicosis. Upon presentation and clinical examination, multiple deep skin scrapings were performed, returning negative parasitological results. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry revealed mild hepatic damage. Abdominal ultrasound revealed an abnormal echostructure of the liver displaying a honeycomb or Swiss cheese-like pattern, reported as pathognomonic for hepatocutaneous syndrome. The owner declined any further paraclinical examination, including skin biopsy and histopathological examination, requesting a treatment protocol that could be pursued at home, considering the age of the dog and its reactive behavior during the examination. The present case report highlights a non-invasive method of diagnosing the hepatocutaneous syndrome in a dog by clinical examination, routine blood testing, and ultrasound assessment of the abdomen, in the absence of the possibility of doing a histopathological diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A 14-year-old, female spayed Bichon Maltese with no other known previous pathologies was presented for dermatological examination after being referred from a private clinic with the suspicion of generalized, treatment-resistant demodicosis. Upon presentation and clinical examination, multiple deep skin scrapings were performed, returning negative parasitological results. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry revealed mild hepatic damage. Abdominal ultrasound revealed an abnormal echostructure of the liver displaying a honeycomb or Swiss cheese-like pattern, reported as pathognomonic for hepatocutaneous syndrome. The owner declined any further paraclinical examination, including skin biopsy and histopathological examination, requesting a treatment protocol that could be pursued at home, considering the age of the dog and its reactive behavior during the examination. The present case report highlights a non-invasive method of diagnosing the hepatocutaneous syndrome in a dog by clinical examination, routine blood testing, and ultrasound assessment of the abdomen, in the absence of the possibility of doing a histopathological diagnosis.

Hepatocutaneous syndrome ( HS) is an uncommon skin disorder that occurs in conjunction with liver disease and is diagnosed based on decreased plasma concentrations of amino acids and the histopathology of skin lesions. The survival period generally is <6 months. A 10-year-old castrated male Maltese dog was presented for evaluation of lethargy, polyuria, polydipsia, and skin lesions including alopecia, erythema, and crusts. Based on increased liver enzyme activity, low plasma amino acid concentrations, and findings from liver cytology and skin biopsy, the dog was diagnosed with HS. In addition to administration of antioxidants, hepatoprotective agents, and amino acids IV, allogenic adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells were infused 46 times over a 30-month period: 8 times directly into the liver parenchyma guided by ultrasonography and the remainder of the times into peripheral veins. After commencing stem cell therapy, the dog's hair re-grew and the skin lesions disappeared or became smaller. During ongoing management, the patient suddenly presented with anorexia and uncontrolled vomiting, and severe azotemia was observed. The dog died despite intensive care. On necropsy, severe liver fibrosis and superficial necrolytic dermatitis were observed. The dog survived for 32 months after diagnosis. A combination of amino acid and stem cell therapy may be beneficial for patients with HS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 10-year-old dog presented with convulsive crisis and symmetrical hyperkeratotic cutaneous lesions affecting the abdomen, inguinal area, eyelids, muzzles, both pinnae, and all the paw pads. Hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinemia were the main biochemical findings. A mass 2 cm in diameter was detected within the left pancreatic lobe by ultrasonography. It was surgically removed and histologically and immunohistochemically diagnosed as an insulin-producing pancreatic islet cell carcinoma. The animal was eventually euthanized due to lack of clinical improvement. At necropsy, metastatic nodules were observed in the pancreatic lymph nodes and liver. Histopathological findings of cutaneous lesions were highly suggestive of superficial necrolytic dermatitis and were interpreted as a paraneoplastic syndrome derived from the islet cell carcinoma. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of superficial necrolytic dermatitis associated with an insulin-producing pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents a study that examines the association of hypoaminoacidemia with ulcerative lesions in black rhinoceros (rhino) (Diceros bicornis). Monthly plasma collection up to one year was performed from 15 female and 23 male black rhinos with and without lesions clinically at one with superficial necrolytic dermatitis (SND) at 16 certified zoos of Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The plasma amino acid concentrations were assessed with the automated analyzer's help using cation-exchange chromatography and spectroscopic identification of a ninhydrin response with amino acids. In the study period, hypoaminoacidemia was not seen in any of the black rhinos that showed ulcerative skin or oral lesion, suggesting that this syndrome is not totally at one with SND seen in other species.

Metabolic epidermal necrosis (MEN) was diagnosed in an unspayed nine-year-old male Poodle, associated with interface hepatitis and with active chronic pancreatitis. Also, a tumour formation was noticed at the cranial pole of the right kidney, both in ultrasound and in laparotomy examination. The histopathology did not establish the type of tumour, due to a human error. It is the first case of MEN in dogs recorded in Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superficial necrolytic dermatitis (SND), is an uncommon disease in dogs, associated with systemic metabolic disorders and prolonged administration of phenobarbital. This study describes clinical and microscopic alterations of 20 cases of SND in dogs. Were predisposed breeds: West Highland White Terrier, Shetland Sheepdog and Cocker Spaniel, mainly male dogs and mean age for was 9.6 years. The main affected areas were the pawpads, mucocutaneous junctions, and nasal planum. The most commum clinical signs were thickening and crusting of pawpads. Histologically, all cases had a parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, extra/intracellular edema of keratinocytes in the stratum spinosum, basal cell hyperplasia and superficial dermatitis. The cases described in this report are similar to those previously described in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]