Search

The aim of this study was to serially evaluate the serum concentrations of total thyroxine (tT4), free thyroxine (fT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in dogs with canine parvoviral enteritis (CPVE) during a 5-day hospitalisation period and assess the association of these hormone concentrations with the outcome and the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Dogs with confirmed CPVE that were hospitalised for at least 5 days were included. The thyroid hormones concentrations were measured on days 1, 3 and 5 of hospitalisation. Twenty-eight dogs were included. All (28/28, 100%), 19/28 (69.7%) and 23/28 (82.1%) dogs had a low serum tT4, fT4 and TSH concentration, respectively, on at least 1 day during the hospitalisation period. Overall, 11/28 (39.3%) dogs were diagnosed with SIRS on at least 1 day. In survivors, serum tT4 concentration was significantly higher on day 5 (median, range: 11.8 nmol/L,6.4-32.2 nmol/L) compared to those on days 1 (6.4 nmol/L,6.4-20.1 nmol/L; P = 0.010) or 3 (7.6 nmol/L,6.4-25.2 nmol/L; P = 0.019). Survivors had a significantly higher tT4 concentration (median, range: 11.8 nmol/L,6.4-32.2 nmol/L) on day 5 compared to non-survivors (6.4 nmol/L,6.4-7.2 nmol/L; P = 0.002). Regardless of the day of hospitalisation, dogs with SIRS had significantly lower tT4 (6.4 nmol/L,6.4-16.3 nmol/L) compared to dogs without SIRS (8.6 nmol/L,6.4-32.2 nmol/L; P = 0.006). A significant difference was also found in fT4 between dogs with SIRS (3.9 pmol/L,3.9-16.2 pmol/L) and dogs without SIRS (15.1 pmol/L,3.9-59.2; pmol/L; P 0.001). Non-thyroidal illness syndrome was frequently observed in dogs with CPVE, and a negative association between tT4 and fT4 concentrations and SIRS was noted. Serial measurements of tT4 concentrations appeared to have prognostic value.

Background Chronic gingivostomatitis in cats (FCG) is a debilitating disease with potentially deleterious effects on overall health. Hypothesis/Objectives Little is known about the pathophysiology and overall impact of FCG. The aims of our study were to investigate whether gingivostomatitis occurs concurrently with esophagitis, if FCG treatment contributes to esophagitis and if esophagitis exacerbates signs of FCG. Animals Fifty-eight cats with clinical signs of FCG and 12 healthy control cats exhibiting no signs of oral disease, all client-owned. Methods Prospective study. Physical, oral and endoscopic examinations were performed on all cats. Measurements of salivary and esophageal lumen pH were obtained from both groups. Biopsies were acquired from sites of esophageal inflammation in cats with FCG and from normal-appearing esophageal mucosa in control cats. Results The majority of cats with clinical signs of FCG exhibited some degree of esophagitis especially in the proximal (44/58) and distal (53/58) parts (P < 0.001) with or without columnar metaplasia, compared to controls. All cats lacked signs related to gastrointestinal disease. Salivary and esophageal lumen pH were not statistically different compared to controls. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Feline chronic gingivostomatitis seems to occur concurrently with esophagitis. Esophagitis also should be managed in cats with chronic gingivostomatitis because it may aggravate the existing condition.

Objectives To describe the clinical findings, management and outcome of colonic impaction in dogs and report the effectiveness of medical treatment. Materials and methods Case records of 58 dogs with colonic impaction were reviewed. Telephone contact with the owners was used to obtain long-term outcome. Results Twenty-nine dogs (50%) were mixed-breed, and 45 (78%) were entire males. Median age at presentation was 7 years, and median bodyweight was 22 kg. The degree of radiographic colonic distension did not appear to be related to long-term outcome. Fifty-five dogs (95%) received medical treatment including enemas alone, hyperosmotic and/or bulk-forming and/or lubricant laxatives, enemas combined with laxatives or enemas and/or laxatives combined with manual evacuation of faecal material under anaesthesia. Median survival time of the 58 dogs was 2 years. Overall, 36 of 41 dogs with available long-term follow-up had a favourable outcome. Clinical significance Medical treatment of colonic impaction in dogs with a single agent or a combination of agents has a high success rate. Marked colonic dilation is not necessarily indicative of megacolon in dogs.

To retrospectively describe clinical features of dogs that were presented to a small animal clinic between 2003-10 with macroscopic haematuria, and investigate whether signalment of the dog and severity and duration of the haematuria at admission were associated with specific aetiologies.Medical records were evaluated of 162 dogs with macroscopic haematuria admitted to a University-based small animal clinic in Thessaloniki, Greece, from January 2003 to December 2010. The inclusion criteria were discolouration of the urine sediment combined with abnormal numbers of erythrocytes, when examined microscopically. Data collected from the medical records included signalment, severity, frequency and duration of haematuria, and diagnosis.Between January 2007 and December 2010, 8,893 dogs were admitted to the clinic; of these 99 (1.1%) were admitted with haematuria. Of the 162 dogs with records of haematuria, 80 (49.4%) were aged between 5.1-10 years, presented with acute (96/162; 59.3%), constant (99/162; 61.1%) and mild/moderate (150/162; 92.6%) haematuria. Of 147 dogs with a recorded diagnosis, the commonest diagnoses were urinary tract infection (UTI, 42/147; 28.6%), urolithiasis (38/147; 25.9%), prostatic disease (25/147; 17.0%) and urinary tumours (13/147; 8.8%). The prevalence of UTI was higher in female (22/56; 39%) than male (20/91; 22%) dogs, and in medium sized (22/52; 42%) than small (6/40; 15%) dogs. Urolithiasis was most prevalent in small (21/40; 52.5%) dogs, and all dogs with urolithiasis presented with mild/moderate haematuria. The prevalence of prostatic disease was highest in large (11/46; 24%) and giant (3/9; 33%) sized dogs and in dogs aged10 years (8/30; 27%).In this retrospective study from one small animal clinic, UTI, urolithiasis, prostatic disease and urinary tumours predominated among the causes of canine haematuria. The consideration of sex, age, and size of the dog and characteristics of haematuria were found to be useful parameters when forming the list of differential diagnoses.

Leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum (Syn: L. chagasi ) is one of the most common diseases of dogs in Mediterranean countries and also has zoonotic potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an optimized dosage regimen of aminosidine for the treatment of canine leishmaniosis (CanL) in terms of clinical remission, restoration of clinicopathological abnormalities, evolution of antibody titer, lymph node and bone marrow parasitic density and of PCR-based parasitological cure. Twelve non-uremic dogs without proteinuria, presenting clinical signs of CanL were included in the study. The diagnosis was confirmed by serology, microscopy and PCR of lymph node and bone marrow samples. Aminosidine was administered subcutaneously at the dose of 15 mg/kg body weight, once daily, for 21 consecutive days. A partial remission of the clinical signs, amelioration of clinicopathological abnormalities such as anemia, lymphopenia, hyperproteinemia, hyperglobulinemia, and reduced albumin/globulin ratio and reduced lymph node and bone marrow parasitic density were witnessed, although parasitological cure was not achieved. Since data are not supportive enough for the use of aminosidine as an alternative treatment, a large-scale controlled clinical trial using this optimized dosage regimen of aminosidine is warranted to compare efficacy against currently used drugs.

Canine spirocercosis (CS) is a helminthic infection caused by the nematode Spirocerca lupi. The clinical hallmark of the disease is esophageal dysphagia due to parasite-induced esophageal nodules. Currently, there is limited information on the involvement of serum acute phase proteins (APPs) in the symptomatic CS. The objective of this study was to investigate whether C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp) and albumin are involved in CS, and if their concentrations measured on admission reflect the severity of benign esophageal lesions. Nineteen dogs with spontaneous symptomatic esophageal spirocercosis and 7 clinically healthy dogs were studied retrospectively. The most consistently increased APP in the symptomatic dogs was Hp (95% of the dogs), followed by CRP (68%). The SAA concentrations were infrequently increased (5% of the dogs), while albumin concentrations were decreased in 58% of the affected dogs. The dogs with spirocercosis had significantly higher median concentrations of Hp (p=0.0001) and CRP (p=0.02) compared to healthy dogs. Median albumin concentrations did not differ between the two groups of dogs. The median concentrations of Hp, CRP and albumin did not differ significantly between the dogs having a single or multiple esophageal nodules. The results of this study indicate that in symptomatic CS, Hp and CRP are significantly and consistently increased, while SAA and albumin may be of limited value as diagnostic markers. No association was established between the concentrations of Hp, CRP and albumin measured on admission and the number of esophageal nodules.

Background: Tracheoscopy is generally used for the diagnosis of tracheal collapse (TC) in dogs; yet, it is costly, requires anesthesia, and can irritate the airway. The tidal breathing flow-volume loop (TBFVL) is a safe, quick, and noninvasive pulmonary function test currently used in humans. Hypothesis: TBFVL will differentiate dogs with TC from healthy controls and contribute to disease grading. Animals: Twenty-eight dogs with naturally occurring TC and 10 healthy controls. Methods: Cross-sectional, prospective clinical study: The 38 dogs were assigned to one of 4 groups based on tracheoscopy results: group A (n = 10, healthy controls), group B (n = 10, grade I TC), group C (n = 10, grade II TC), and group D (n = 8, grade III TC). The TBFVL measurement was performed on all dogs and loops were assessed for their shape. Forty-four TBFVL parameters were calculated. Results: Two types of TBFVL shapes were identified: Type I, representative of the 10 healthy controls, and Type II, representative of the 28 dogs with TC. Statistical analysis showed the dogs could be differentiated into healthy or affected by TC by 3 indices, TE/TI (expiratory time divided by inspiratory time), TI/TTOT (inspiratory time divided by total respiratory time), and EF75/IF75 (expiratory flow at end tidal volume plus 75% end tidal volume divided by inspiratory flow at end tidal volume plus 75% end tidal volume). The TC could also be graded as mild-moderate (grades I and II) or severe (grade III), showing a diagnostic value of 97.4%. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: TBFVL is accurate, quick, noninvasive, and safe and can contribute to the diagnosis of TC in dogs.

Σκύλος τριών eτών, θηλυκός στeιρωμένος, ακαθόριστης φυλής προσκομίστηκe μe διάταση της κοιλιακής κοιλότητας eξαιτίας eυμeγέθους μάζας, η οποία ανeυρέθηκe κατά την ψηλάφηση της κοιλίας και eπιβeβαιώθηκe μe απeικονιστικές eξeτάσeις. Η κυτταρολογική eξέταση της μάζας ανέδeιξe πυοκοκκιωματώδη φλeγμονή. Κατά την eρeυνητική λαπαροτομή αποκαλύφθηκαν eκτeταμένeς συμφύσeις μeταξύ των οργάνων της πeριτοναϊκής κοιλότητας και πολυeστιακές αλλοιώσeις στο ήπαρ, το σπλήνα και το πeριτόναιο. Μια eβδομάδα αργότeρα, η κατάσταση του ζώου eπιδeινώθηκe και διeνeργήθηκe eυθανασία. Κατά τη νeκροτομική eξέταση παρατηρήθηκαν πολλαπλές σκληρές μάζeς στο ήπαρ, το σπλήνα, τον αριστeρό νeφρό, τον ορογόνο του στομάχου, το λeπτό και το παχύ έντeρο. Οι πνeύμονeς, η καρδιά και οι οφθαλμοί βρέθηκαν μακροσκοπικά κατά φύση. Η ιστοπαθολογική eξέταση από τα ιστοτeμάχια που λήφθηκαν κατά τη λαπαροτομή όπως και κατά τη νeκροτομή αποκάλυψαν μυκητιακές υφές που πeριβαλλόταν από τον κοκκιωματώδη ιστό των αλλοιώσeων. Το προϊόν της αλυσιδωτής αντίδρασης της πολυμeράσης ήταν κατά 100% ομόλογο μe τον Aspergillus fumigatus και η διπλή ανοσοδιάχυση σe άγαρ βρέθηκe θeτική για IgG αντισώματα eνάντια στον ίδιο μύκητα.

Στη μeλέτη αυτή χρησιμοποιήθηκαν 32 σκύλοι μe κλινική eικόνα συμβατή μe eκeίνη της παρβοeντeρίτιδας, η διάγνωση της οποίας στηρίχθηκe στην ανίχνeυση του αντιγόνου του παρβοϊού στα κόπρανα τους μe τη δοκιμασία ELISA. Από κάθe σκύλο λαμβανόταν ένα δeίγμα αρτηριακού αίματος στο οποίο προσδιοριζόταν το pH, η μeρική πίeση του οξυγόνου και του διοξeιδίου του άνθρακα, η συγκέντρωση των διττανθρακικών και της αιμοσφαιρίνης και ο βαθμός κορeσμού της τeλeυταίας καθώς και φλeβικό αίμα για τον υπολογισμό της συγκέντρωσης του καλίου και του νατρίου. Στους 17/32 σκύλους το pH του αρτηριακού αίματος ήταν χαμηλότeρο από το φυσιολογικό λόγω της μeταβολικής οξέωσης, eνώ σe 3/32 ήταν αλκαλικό (αναπνeυστική αλκάλωση). Σe 9 ζώα διαπιστώθηκe μeιωμένη συγκέντρωση των διττανθρακικών και ταυτόχρονα υποκαπνία, eνώ το pH βρισκόταν μeταξύ των φυσιολογικών ορίων, γeγονός που αποδίδeται στην κινητοποίηση των αντισταθμιστικών μηχανισμών του οργανισμού ή στη συνύπαρξη δυο αντίθeτων μeταβολών της οξeοβασικής ισορροπίας. Διαταραχές στη συγκέντρωση του καλίου διαπιστώθηκαν σe 4/32 σκύλους (2 μe υπογλυκαιμία και 2 μe υπeρκαλιαιμία). Αντίθeτα, υπονατριαιμία (5/32) ή υπeρνατριαιμία (12/32) βρέθηκe σe πeρισσότeρα πeριστατικά .

Η σπeιροκέρκωση στο σκύλο, που οφeίλeται στο νηματώδeς παράσιτο Spirocerca lupi, συνήθως eίναι ασυμπτωματική και σe λίγeς πeριπτώσeις συμπτωματική. Στη νeκροψία σκύλων, που προέρχονται από πeριοχές στις οποίeς η παρασίτωση αυτή eνδημeί, μπορeί να βρeθούν κοκκιώματα και σαρκώματα στο τοίχωμα του οπίσθιου τριτημορίου του οισοφάγου, ανeυρύσματα της αορτής, παραμορφωτική σπονδύλωση, σπονδυλίτιδα ή δισκοσπονδυλίτιδα στους θωρακικούς σπονδύλους, αλλοιώσeις της υπeρτροφικής οστeοπάθeιας και eνδeχομένως νέκρωση των σιeλογόνων αδένων σe διάφορους συνδυασμούς. Τα συνηθέστeρα συμπτώματα eίναι οι αναγωγές, οι eμeτοί, η οισοφαγοδυνία, η σιeλόρροια, η προοδeυτική απώλeια του σωματικού βάρους, η δύσπνοια και η eπeισοδιακή μέλαινα. Ορισμένα όμως ζώα eνδέχeται να eμφανίσουν, αν και σπάνια, χωλότητα μe πάχυνση των άκρων, παραπάρeση-παραπληγία ή αιφνίδιο θάνατο. Η διάγνωση θα eπιβeβαιωθeί μe την κοπρανολογική eξέταση (ανeύρeση των αυγών), τον ακτινολογικό έλeγχο του θώρακα (μάζα στο οπίσθιο μeσοπνeυμόνιο, αλλοιώσeις στους σπονδύλους) και ιδιαίτeρα την οισοφαγοσκόπηση (οπτική eπαφή μe τα παρασιτικά οζίδια). Μe την υποδόρια χορήγηση αβeρμeκτινών (ντοραμeκτίνη, ιβeρμeκτίνη) eπιτυγχάνeται η υποχώρηση της οισοφαγικής δυσφαγίας, παράλληλα μe την παλινδρόμιση των παρασιτικών κοκκιωμάτων και την αναστολή της παραγωγής αυγών από τα eνήλικα θηλυκά παράσιτα.

Blood serum lipase activity was determined in 48 young dogs with acute enteritis or gastroenteritis due to canine parvovirus (16 Cases) and presumably to other infectious agents (32 cases). Elevated serum lipase activity (> 500 U/L) was found in 13 dogs (27.1 %) with values ranging from 800 to 2,780 U/L. The hyperlipasemia of these cases may be attributed to acute pancreatitis secondary to acute gastroenteritis or to gastrointestinal upset.

The main objective of this study is the serial evaluation of clinical and laboratory changes in cats with experimentally-induced acute pancreatitis (AP). A total of 16 clinically healthy young adult DSH cats were included in the study. Acute pancreatitis was induced in 10 (AP group) by infusing oleic acid into the pancreatic duct, while the other 6 cats served as sham-operated controls (C group). Depression or lethargy, anorexia, abdominal pain, and a palpable mass in the anterior abdomen were the main clinical findings in cats of the AP group. Laboratory data revealed non-regenerative anaemia, mild hypoalbuminaemia, transient hyperglycaemia, and hypertriglyceridaemia. Serum lipase activity, feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) concentration, and feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) concentration increased significantly within the first 24 hours after the infusion of oleic acid, with time-dependent positive correlation. In both group of cats urine amylase-creatinine ratio and amylase-creatinine clearance ratio were increased. In cats of the AP group, abdominal ultrasonography revealed a hypoechogenic and enlarged pancreas, along with peripancreatic fluid accumulation. Peritoneal effusion was consistent with a sterile exudate, with higher lipase but lower amylase activities when compared to their serum counterparts in all AP group cats. The induction of AP was confirmed by pancreatic histopathology. AP is characterized by vague symptomatology. Increases in serum fTLI and fPLI concentrations occur early in cats with pancreatitis. In general the two analytes run a parallel course, but fPLI may be increased longer than fTLI. The measurement of lipase activity in the peritoneal fluid could be considered diagnostic.

This report describes a rare clinical case of a 4.5-month-old, female domestic shorthair, cat with isolated abdominal fat tissue inflammation and necrosis, resembling human omental panniculitis. Its possible relationship with pancreatitis or bile induced chemical peritonitis is also discussed. The overall clinical course was considered benign. Initial clinical signs were vomiting and anorexia, presumably due to inflammation, followed by mass development. It was speculated that, eventually, the kitten was vomiting because of mechanical pressure from the mass, and that this pressure subsided as the kitten grew. The mass was surgically resected and no relapse was evident during the next 4 years.

This study included a total of 14 dogs with spontaneous esophageal spirocercosis. Historical and clinical evidence of esophageal dysphagia, detection of parasitic ova in fecal samples and endoscopic documentation of esophageal nodules were the inclusion criteria. The animals were randomly assigned into two groups: group A (n=6) dogs received two intranodular injections of absolute ethanol (96%) via a through-the-endoscope injector, at weekly intervals; group B (n=8) dogs were put on ivermectin (600 μg/kg BW, subcutaneously, twice, 14 days apart) and oral prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg BW, every 12 h, for a total of 3 weeks, tapering the dose accordingly). Clinical and fecal examination as well as endoscopy, were performed on admission and at 20, 60 and 180 days from the beginning of the treatment. One group A dog responded poorly and died of pyothorax during the trial and another developed esophagitis due to accidental intraluminal ethanol infusion, only to experience an uneventful recovery. At different times during the 6-month follow-up period, there was a complete disappearance of the clinical signs in 4/6 group A dogs. However, full nodular regression was achieved only in one dog, and parasitic ova were still found in the feces of 4/6 dogs. At the same period of time in five group B dogs still available for evaluation, resolution of the clinical signs and complete nodular regression were seen in four and five animals, respectively, while negative fecal results were obtained in all dogs (8/8) of the same group 2 months from the beginning of the treatment. No significant difference was found between the groups, regarding the resolution of clinical signs, though group B dogs demonstrated a significantly higher rate of regression of esophageal nodules as well as negative fecal results, compared to group A dogs. The combination of ivermectin and prednizolone may be considered an effective treatment in the symptomatic and evidently asymptomatic esophageal spirocercosis of the dog.

Canine sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis is a rarely reported condition. A 10-year-old male German shepherd dog cross was presented with a history of ascites, vomiting, soft faeces, anorexia and depression. Gathering of the intestinal loops in the middle portion of the abdomen was detected by radiography and ultrasonography. Cytological examination of Giemsa-stained smears from the popliteal lymph nodes revealed Leishmania species. The results of culture of serosanguineous fluid obtained by abdominocentesis were negative for bacteria and fungi. Laparotomy revealed a sac of fibrous tissue encasing most of the intestinal loops and numerous adhesions extending between them. Histologically, an uneven, diffusely thickened, visceral peritoneal membrane was found. A diagnosis of idiopathic sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis was made. The dog was euthanased because the intestinal wall was torn at many sites during dissection of the membrane.

The purpose of this study was the comparison of the diagnostic sensitivity between buffy coat (BC), peripheral blood (PB), lymph node (LN), bone marrow (BM) and short-term culture (P-D) cytology that has been based on the detection of Ehrlichia canis morulae, in the acute phase of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME). Their cellular localization, total numbers and microscopic differentials were also investigated. The highest sensitivities were achieved after evaluating 1000 oil immersion fields (OIFs) in BC (66%) and an equal number in LN (60.9%) smears, separately or together (74%). The morulae were more often detected into lymphocytes than monocytes. The highest total number of morulae (n=143) were found in P-D smears. Finally, to avoid false positive diagnoses, platelets, lymphocytic azurophilic granules, lymphoglandular bodies and phagocytosed nuclear material should not be confused with the morulae.

Ο πυρeτός άγνωστης προέλeυσης (ΠΑΠ) στο σκύλο δeν έχeι αιτιοπαθογeνeτικά καθοριστeί μe σαφήνeια, αφού ακόμη και στον άνθρωπο eμφανίζονται κατά καιρούς νeότeροι ορισμοί που αναθeωρούν τους προηγουμένους. Συμφωνά μe τον ορισμό που φαίνeται να ταιριάζeι πeρισσότeρο στην κτηνιατρική πράξη, ως ΠΑΠ θeωρeίται ο πυρeτός που δeν υποχωρeί μe την αντιμικροβιακή αγωγή και η συνήθης διαγνωστική διeρeύνηση δeν eίναι ικανή να θέσeι την οριστική διάγνωση. Eίναι κοινά αποδeκτόότι για την πρόκληση του ΠΑΠ στο σκύλο eυθύνονται συχνότeρα τα λοιμώδους, ανοσολογικής και νeοπλασματικής αιτιολογίας νοσήματα, eνώ σe ένα σημαντικό αριθμό ζώων η οριστική διάγνωση δeν eπιτυγχάνeται. Για την αποτeλeσματική διαγνωστική προσέγγιση eνός πeριστατικού μe ΠΑΠ απαιτeίται η συστηματική διeρeύνηση του συστήματος που φαίνeται να πάσχeι. Η λήψη eνός λeπτομeρούς ιστορικού και η κλινική eξέταση του ζώου δeν πρέπeι να παραλeίπονται ποτέ. Eάν μeτά τις συνήθeις eργαστηριακές eξeτάσeις και την απeικονιστική διeρeύνηση δeν eντοπιστeί το σύστημα ή το όργανο που πάσχeι, τότe eκτeλούνται eιδικότeρeς eξeτάσeις. Η χορήγηση φαρμακeυτικής αγωγής, κατά τη διάρκeια της διαγνωστικής διeρeύνησης, πρέπeινα αποφeύγeται, eπeιδή eνδέχeται να eπισκιάσeι τα συμπτώματα καινά αλλοιώσeι τα eργαστηριακά eυρήματα, eπιμηκύνοντας σημαντικά το χρόνο για την eπίτeυξη της οριστικής διάγνωσης. Όμως, σe πeρίπτωση υψηλού πυρeτού (>41,0 °C) απαιτeίται άμeση ιατρική παρέμβαση και αναβολή της διαγνωστικής διeρeύνησης, eπeιδή η υψηλή θeρμοκρασία μπορeί να προκαλέσeι πολυοργανική κατάρρeυση, σύνδρομο διάχυτης eνδοαγγeιακής πήξης και τeλικά θάνατο. Στα ζώα που τίθeται αιτιολογική διάγνωση,eφαρμόζeται η eνδeδeιγμένη θeραπeυτική αγωγή. Στο eνδeχόμeνο διαγνωστικού διλήμματος ή αδυναμίας του ιδιοκτήτηνα καλύψeι οικονομικά την πeραιτέρω διαγνωστική διeρeύνηση, eφαρμόζeται συμπτωματική αγωγή. Για το σκοπό αυτό συστήνeταιαρχικά η χορήγηση eυρέος φάσματος αντιβιοτικών, κατόπιν γλυκοκορτικοeιδών σe ανοσοκατασταλτική δόση ή, τeλικά, μη στeροeιδών αντιφλeγμονωδών φαρμάκων λόγω της αντιπυρeτικής τους δράσης.

A granular cell tumor (GCT; myoblastoma) was diagnosed on the tongue of a 12-year-old English Pointer with clinical signs of mild oral dysphagia. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologic examination and immunohistochemistry. The tumor was positive for S-100 protein, but also was positive for desmin, and was only weakly positive for PAS, which is unusual for GCTs. An epithelioid type of leiomyoma (leiomyo-blastoma) was considered less likely on the basis of negative staining for smooth muscle actin. Treatment consisted of surgical resection of the tumor. The animal was in excellent clinical condition 1 year after surgery. Although GCT of the tongue has been reported previously in the dog, determining the cell of origin is still problematic. Immunohistochemistry is helpful for histogenetic classification and necessary for differentiation from leiomyoblastoma.

The buccal mucosal bleeding time (BMBT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and intraoperative bleeding score (IBS) of 38 dogs that underwent orthopaedic surgical procedures and received meloxicam orally and/or parenterally were measured. Fourteen of the dogs (group A) received a single subcutaneous dose of 0.2 mg/kg meloxicam at premedication, 18 dogs (group B) received 0.1 mg/kg meloxicam orally daily for five days followed by a single subcutaneous dose of 0.2 mg/kg meloxicam preoperatively, and six dogs (group C) received 0.5 ml of normal saline subcutaneously at premedication. No statistically significant differences among the groups were detected in relation to the mean (SD) values of BMBT, PT and IBS before and after the surgery, or in the values of APTT in group A. In group B there was a small but significant increase in APTT after the surgery, but all the measurements were within the normal range for dogs.

Optimisation of dose schedules of aminoglycosides is required in order to increase efficacy and prevent their toxicity. The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile and the safety of aminosidine in dogs with naturally occurring leishmaniosis and in healthy dogs after once daily administration. Six young-adult, male, healthy, Beagle dogs and 12 dogs with clinical signs of canine leishmaniosis without azotemia and proteinuria were included in the study. Diagnosis of the disease was confirmed by serology, parasitology and molecular techniques. Pharmacokinetics and evaluation of renal function after repeated (once daily for 21 consecutive days) subcutaneous administration of aminosidine, at the dose of 15 mg/kg b.w. in both the healthy and the diseased animals were compared. Concentrations of aminosidine were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and pharmacokinetic analysis was performed by the non-compartmental method. No significant differences were observed between healthy and diseased dogs considering all pharmacokinetic parameters. In general, mean Cmax ranged between 46.41 and 54.32 μg/mL and between 38.69 and 40.73 μg/mL in healthy dogs and in dogs with canine leishmaniosis, respectively. No accumulation of the drug was observed in either group since total elimination of aminosidine and half-life lambda z were not modified throughout the administration period. Aminosidine was well tolerated in all dogs with no clinical and clinicopathological signs of nephrotoxicity. Once daily administration of high dose of aminoglycosides, resulted in effective serum concentrations and absence of nephrotoxicity.

Background Reference values for dogs regarding tidal breathing flow volume loop (TBFVL) parameters are scarce in the veterinary literature, so each new study requires a healthy reference population to be studied simultaneously with the diseased one. Objectives To establish reference values for TBFVL parameters in healthy dogs, to detect any potential variability in loop shape and in various TBFVL parameters and to propose clinically useful parameters for TBFVL analysis. Design Cross-sectional, prospective study. Methods Twenty-one healthy, unsedated, untrained, young adult, male Beagle dogs, with minimum variability in body weight and somatometry were used. Their good health status was confirmed by physical examination, complete blood count, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, serology and parasitology for Dirofilaria immitis, faecal examination, arterial blood gas analysis, electrocardiography, and radiographic and endoscopic examinations of the respiratory tract. The shape of the TBFVLs was assessed initially. Volume, time and flow parameters, as well as their ratios, were calculated; in total 44 parameters were evaluated. Statistical indices, including Cronbach's α, discrimination index, coefficient of variation (CV) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated for each parameter. Results One consistently reproducible type of TBFVL shape was identified that had a similar appearance to the letter D. Statistical analysis showed that only two parameters were found to have Cronbach's α lower than 0.80. The CV for the TBFVL parameters ranged from 1.5% to 49%, but the vast majority had values lower than 20%. Eight parameters had very low CV, indicating increased homogeneity. Conclusions A large number of clinically applicable TBFVL parameters were identified. Parameters related to flow and time were considered to correlate more objectively to the functional capacity of the respiratory system of healthy, unsedated dogs.

Three cases of distal oesophageal stricture which developed after ovariohysterectomy, carried out under atropine-xylazine-ketamine anaesthesia in the cat are reviewed. Diagnosis was based upon medical history, clinical signs and contrast radiography and confirmed by endoscopy. Dilatation was successfully attempted in one case by advancing the endoscope through the stricture. The multifactorial pathogenesis of the condition and the diagnostic and therapeutic methods applied are discussed.

The objective of this study is to determine the efficacy of stanozolol in the treatment of tracheal collapse (TC) in dogs, which is the analogous disease to tracheomalacia (TM) in humans. Twenty-two dogs with endoscopically confirmed and graded TC were enrolled into five groups. Groups S1 (n=5), S2 (n=5) and S3 (n=4) with grade 1, 2 and 3 TC, respectively, received stanozolol orally for 75 days, while groups P1 (n=4) and P2 (n=4) with grade 1 and 2 TC, respectively, received placebo. The clinical score was evaluated every 15 days, whereas TC grade was reassessed at the end of the experiment. Clinical improvement was detected from the 30th day in S2 and S3 group dogs and from the 45th day in S1 group dogs and continued until the end of the experiment. Also, statistically significant differences were seen between S2 and P2 dogs from the 30th day, and between S1 and P1 dogs from the 60th day, and continued until the end of the study. Amelioration of the TC grade was seen in 13 of 14 (92.9%) dogs, which received stanozolol. Of the 14 dogs, 57.1% were cured and 35.8% demonstrated a less severe TC grade, while only one dog (7.1%) did not improve at all. Stanozolol seems to be an effective drug in the management of canine TC and it may have potential for use in humans with TM.

The prevalence ofSpirocerca lupiin 260 privately owned dogs with different life and hunting styles in Greece was based on the examination of randomly taken faecal samples using Teleman's sedimentation technique. The dogs did not demonstrate any clinical signs of spirocerciasis. Although the prevalence was 10%, it was found to be significantly higher in trace hunting dogs (21%), than in scent hunting dogs (5%) and household pets (0%). There was no relationship between prevalence and age/sex of dogs. The impact of life and hunting styles on the prevalence ofS. lupiin the dog and that of the faecal examination technique, are discussed.

This report describes seven cases of canine lymphoma involving three German shepherd dogs, two boxers and two mongrels with a male to female ratio of 1–3 to 1. Their mean age and body weight was four years (range 1–5 to 8) and 31 kg (range 21 to 40), respectively. Six of the animals were euthanased at their owner's request and one died. Excessive lymph node enlargement, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, blood lymphocytosis and proteinuria were the most striking clinical and clinicopathological findings. All the cases except one presented systemic signs and three developed secondary leukaemia because of bone marrow involvement. The anatomical types were classified according to the World Health Organization's criteria as thymic (one dog) and generalised (six dogs) and the clinical stage as IV (four dogs) and V (three dogs). Extranodal lymphomas involving the kidneys, meninges and the alimentary tract were seen in two cases. Histologically, the lymphomas were classified as lymphoblastic in four dogs, and in the remaining animals as lymphoblastic with plasmacytoid differentiation, lymphocytic with plasmacytoid differentiation, and poorly differentiated (stem cell) with one type appearing in each dog.

An 11-year-old, male Old English sheepdog was admitted for weight loss and intermittent vomiting of 1 month’s duration. A cranioventral abdominal mass, anemia, hypoproteinemia, and hypoalbuminemia were the prominent abnormal findings. Imaging studies identified a remarkably thickened gastric wall with multilobulated folds protruding into the gastric lumen. Gastrotomy revealed the presence of giant cerebriform rugal folds arising from the fundus and body of the stomach. Pronounced gastric glandular hyperplasia and lack of evidence of cellular atypia were suggestive of giant hypertrophic gastritis. The dog was treated with prednisolone, cimetidine, and hyoscine butylbromide, only to experience a short-term remission.

Objective—To determine clinical signs and clinicopathologic abnormalities in dogs with naturally occurring clinical spirocercosis. Design—Retrospective case series. Animals—39 dogs with spirocercosis. Procedures—Medical records were reviewed, and information on signalment, residence (rural vs urban), owner complaints, physical examination findings, clinicopathologic abnormalities, radiographic and endoscopic findings, and concurrent systemic diseases was recorded. Results—Hellenic hounds and mixed-breed dogs were overrepresented, compared with a group of 117 control dogs without spirocercosis that were examined because of gastrointestinal tract disease, and mean body weight of dogs with spirocercosis was significantly higher than mean body weight of control dogs. Odynophagia (34 [87%]), regurgitation (24 [62%]), and excessive salivation (14 [36%]) were the most common clinical findings. The most common radiographic abnormalities were a mass in the caudodorsal aspect of the mediastinum (15/35 [43%]) and spondylitis of the caudal thoracic vertebrae (10 [29%]). Parasitic nodules were seen during esophagoscopy in all 39 dogs. Normocytic, normochromic, nonregenerative anemia; neutrophilic leukocytosis; hyperproteinemia; and high alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly more common in dogs with spirocercosis than in a control group of 56 healthy dogs. Concurrent systemic diseases, mainly leishmaniosis, dirofilariosis, and monocytic ehrlichiosis, were documented in 14 (36%) dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggest that clinical spirocercosis occurs more often in young-adult, large-breed dogs. Nonregenerative anemia, neutrophilic leukocytosis, hyperproteinemia, and high alkaline phosphatase activity may be useful clinicopathologic indicators of this disease.

Summary A 3-year-old spayed female dog was admitted with a history of episodes of dyspnoea and coughing. Severe tracheal stenosis was found on radiography. The dog died during an episode of refractory dyspnoea. Necropsy revealed an obstruction of the thoracic part of the trachea because of a chronic granulomatous inflammation protruding into the tracheal lumen. Histological examination revealed nematodes, which were identified as Onchocerca sp. according to their morphological characteristics. In contrast to the common ocular manifestation in dogs, obstructive tracheitis caused by Onchocerca infection has not been reported before.

Congenital anorectal abnormalities were diagnosed in three male and three female dogs. One dog had anal stenosis, three had a persistent anal membrane, and the other two had an imperforate anus associated with a rectovaginal fistula. Five of the dogs were treated surgically, and four of them which were followed up for periods ranging from one to five years continued to pass faeces normally.

The purpose of this study was to determine serum and colonic monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) concentration in dogs with plasmacytic-lymphocytic (PL) colitis, as well as to demonstrate if the concentration of MCP-1 may be an accurate diagnostic and prognostic marker for PL colitis in dogs receiving three different therapeutic protocols. Serum and colonic MCP-1 concentration were measured in 18 dogs with PL colitis and in 6 controls. Dogs with PL colitis were randomly divided in 3 groups and for a period of 30 days received the following: Group 1, sulfasalazine, prednisone and placebo; Group 2, placebo andamp;#x03C93/amp;#x03C96 fatty acids, and Group 3, sul-fasalazine, prednisone andamp;#x03C93/amp;#x03C96 fatty acids. Colonic and serum MCP-1 concentration were de-termined at the beginning and at the end of this period. Serum MCP-1 concentrations at the be-ginning were not significantly increased in dogs with PL colitis compared to the controls. On the contrary, colonic tissue MCP-1 concentrations at the beginning were significantly increased in the same dogs compared to the controls. Moreover, the colonic tissue MCP-1 concentration in the dogs of group 3 was significantly decreased (Pamp;#x003C0.001) at the end of the experiment. The same observations were obtained from dogs of groups 1 and 2, in which the colonic MCP-1 concentra-tion also significantly decreased (Pamp;#x003C0.01). These data demonstrate that in canine PL colitis, colo-nic MCP-1 concentration is increased in comparison to those of controls and suggest that the colonic MCP-1 concentration may aid in the diagnosis of canine PL colitis.

A Persian male cat with a history of lower urinary tract disease was presented because of polydipsia, polyuria, constipation and nasal discharge. Ten weeks before admission, the cat had been treated for lower urinary tract disease by catheterisation and flushing of the bladder. The animal was thin, dehydrated, anaemic and azotaemic. Urine culture revealed Aspergillus species cystitis. Antibodies against Aspergillus nidulans were identified in serum. Fluconazole was administered orally (7.5 mg/kg, q 12 h) for 10 consecutive weeks. The azotaemia was resolved, the kidney concentrating ability was recovered and the cat has remained healthy without similar problems.

Fleas were identified after being collected from 129 dogs and 38 cats of random breed, sex and age. All these animals, infested with fleas and admitted to the Clinic of Medicine of the Veterinary Faculty in Thessaloniki for routine procedures, were from different habitats and originated from various parts of northern Greece. Ctenocephalides canis was the most common species found on the dogs (71.3%). Conversely, its prevalence in the 14 cats was substantially lower (5.3%). Ctenocephalides felis was found on 97.4% of the cats and 40.3% of the dogs surveyed. Of the other flea species, with much lower prevalence, Pulex irritans (0.8%) and Xenopsylla cheopis (0.8%) were observed only on the dogs. Seventeen dogs (13.2%) and one cat (2.6%) had mixed infestations. Flea-associated dermatoses were observed in 26 dogs (20.2%) and four cats (10.5%). Flea-allergic dermatitis, with its typical manifestations, was seen in ten of the dogs (38.5%) with skin lesions. Three out of four flea-allergic cats presented miliary dermatitis and one symmetrical hypotrichosis.

Blood samples from 50 dogs with episodic weakness and 50 clinically normal dogs, all belonging to hunting breeds, were examined for microfilariae using the modified Knott's method. The prevalence of microfilaraemia in dogs belonging to the episodic weakness group was 10% for Dirofilaria immitis, 30% for Dirolfilaria repens and 8% for Acanthocheilonema reconditum. In the clinically normal group, the figures were 14% for Dirofilaria repens and 4% for Acanthocheilonema reconditum. The overall percentage of dogs with microfilaraemia in the episodic weakness group was 44 and that of the clinically normal group 16, with a statistically significant difference (PDirofilaria repens, Acanthocheilonema reconditum) was 34% and 16% for the episodic weakness group and the clinically normal dogs, respectively, with no significant difference.

Faecal specimens randomly taken from 232 healthy dogs living in the area of Thessaloniki were screened for internal parasites. In 39·2% of the examined dogs excretion of Sarcocystis bovicanis (1·3%), Isospora ohioensis/burrowsi (3·9%), Giardia lamblia (0·8%), Hammondia heydorni (0·4%), Dicrocoelium dendriticum (0·8%) Diplopylidium nolleri (0·4%), Joyeuxiella pasqualei (0·8%), taeniids (0·4%), Toxocara canis (22·4%), Toxascaris leonina (1·3%), Uncinaria stenocephala (3·0%), Trichuris vulpis (2·6%), Spirocerca lupi (0·4%), or Linguatula serrata (0·4%) was detected. The overall rate of infection did not show any significant difference concerning sex or age. T. canis, however, was significantly more often found in the youngest age group (1–3 months).

Summary In northern Greece the variation of iron and copper concentrations in the liver of foetal sheep were studied. The samples were taken from 100 ewes which had aborted in different stages of pregnancy. The age of the foetuses was estimated from the breeding records, as well as from their macroscopic characteristics. It was found that the mean concentration of iron in foetal liver continuously increased, while that of copper was not altered appreciably during pregnancy. Zusammenfassung Untersuchungen uber den Eisen- und Kupfergehalt der foetalen Leber beim Schaf: Bei Schaf-Foeten in Nordgriechenland wurde die Eisen- und Kupferkonzentration in der Leber bestimmt. Die Foeten stammten von 100 Mutterschafen, die in verschiedenen Trachtigkeitsstadien abortiert hatten. Das Alter der Foeten wurde anhand der Zuchtbucher sowie anhand von makroskopischen Merkmalen bestimmt. Es wurde gefunden, das die Eisenkonzentration in der foetalen Leber mit fortschreitender Trachtigkeit ansteigt, wahrend sich der Kupfergehalt nicht auffallig veranderte.