Diagnostic benefits of platelet-to-lymphocyte, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte, and albumin-to-globulin ratios in dogs with nasal cavity diseases.

BACKGROUND: A multimodal approach for diagnostic tests under anesthesia is required to diagnose nasal cavity pathology (NP) reliably in dogs. Blood test results may provide clues to the suspected NP. METHODS: This prospective blinded study assessed 72 dogs with chronic nasal discharge due to NPs, and 10 healthy dogs as the control group (CG). NPs were diagnosed using whole-body computed tomography (CT), upper airway endoscopy, examination of nasal mucosal swabs by bacterial and fungal culture, and histopathological examination of nasal mucosa biopsies. The exclusion criteria were the presence of any additional diseases or corticosteroid pre-treatment. In consideration of these exclusion criteria, 55 dogs entered the study. Dogs were classified into benign (benign tumors, idiopathic rhinitis (IR), and others) and malignant (carcinomas and sarcomas) NP groups. Blood count and blood chemistry tests were performed. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) were calculated and compared. RESULTS: 25 dogs with malignant NP (13 and 12 with carcinomas and sarcomas, respectively) and 30 dogs with benign NP (seven with benign tumors,13 with IR, and 10 others) were included. In general, in dogs with NP there were only slight abnormalities in complete blood count. However, PLR was significantly higher in dogs with malignant NP (carcinoma and sarcoma) than in those with benign NP and in the CG. Compared with the CG, the NLR was significantly increased in all dogs with NP, and the AGR was mild but significantly lower, except in dogs with sarcomas and benign tumors. CONCLUSIONS: In dogs with nasal disease alone, there are usually no marked abnormalities in blood count. However, while mildly increased NLR and decreased AGR can be observed in almost all NPs, an increased PLR may indicate a malignant NP and can be used as an additional screening tool in dogs with nasal discharge due to nasal cavity pathology.

Canine distemper virus infection of vaccinal origin in a 14-week-old puppy.

The body of a 14-wk-old puppy (Canis familiaris) was submitted to the Animal Health Laboratory, University of Guelph, Ontario for postmortem examination following a history of intermittent anorexia and lethargy progressing to pyrexia, pruritic skin rash, mucoid nasal discharge, decreased mentation, dysphagia, muscle twitches, and focal seizures. Gross examination revealed rhinitis and pulmonary edema. Histologically, there was fibrinonecrotizing bronchopneumonia, tracheitis, and neutrophilic and lymphohistiocytic rhinitis; rarely within the cortical gray and white matter of the brain were small clusters of glial cells, with rare individual neutrophils in the choroid plexus. Although canine distemper was suspected, none of the usual supportive histologic lesions of distinct syncytial cells, viral inclusion bodies, or demyelinating leukoencephalitis were observed. Lung and brain tissues were PCR-positive for canine distemper virus (CDV), and CDV was detected immunohistochemically in the brain. The agent from the PCR-positive sample from the brain was genotyped and was a 99.9% match to the CDV Rockborn strain, indicating that the disease agent in our case was vaccinal in origin. Our unusual case highlights the possibility of reversion to virulence in a modified-live virus vaccine, and the occurrence of a disease in the absence of a full complement of the usual and compatible histologic lesions.

Dorsal rhinotomy in a dog with a chondro-osseous respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical presentation, novel surgical approach, and outcome of a dog diagnosed with chondro-osseous respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma (COREAH). ANIMAL: 5-year-old castrated male Yorkshire Terrier. CLINICAL PRESENTATION, PROGRESSION, AND PROCEDURES: The dog was presented with chronic upper respiratory noise, congestion, facial swelling, ocular discharge, and an abscess on the nasal bridge. Two CT scans were performed 4 months apart. The CT scans yielded similar results: cyst-like nasal masses with severely destructive bilateral rhinitis with extensive polyostotic bony lysis. A dorsal rhinotomy with a turbinectomy and debridement of the nasal cavity were performed. A poorly defined but extensive lesion was found occupying the entirety of the left frontal sinus as well as the nasal cavity. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Histopathology revealed a mass consistent with COREAH. The dog recovered well from surgery, except for self-limiting subcutaneous emphysema, and 3 weeks postoperatively was reportedly doing well, with mild nasal discharge. Stridor, nasal discharge, and sneezing episodes were reported postoperatively; however, these were improved. At 18 months postoperatively, the dog died from uncontrolled seizures while hospitalized for suspected acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome at a different hospital. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: COREAH should be considered a potential cause of destructive bilateral rhinitis and bony lysis in dogs. Dorsal rhinotomy can be a surgical treatment for dogs with possible COREAH with acceptable outcome, though complete remission of clinical signs may not be achieved. This is the first clinical description of COREAH in a dog.

Balloon dilation and transient stenting of unilateral membranous choanal atresia in a British Shorthair cat with chronic purulent rhinitis and ascending meningoencephalitis.

INTRODUCTION: Choanal atresia is a rare congenital anomaly in humans and animals, characterized by the absence of communication of one or both nasal cavities with the nasopharynx. The severity of clinical signs depends on the presence of unilateral versus bilateral stenosis as well as comorbidities. With bilateral atresia, respiration may be severely compromised particularly during sleep, as airflow can only occur when breathing through the open mouth. Various therapeutic modalities have been described in people and adopted for animals. All treatments may be associated with complications, the most important being post-therapeutic scar formation with re-stenosis. This report describes a 10-month-old British Shorthair cat with chronic unilateral serosal nasal discharge that changed to mucopurulent discharge. When acute neurological signs developed, the cat was presented to the veterinary hospital. A diagnosis of primary, membranous right sided choanal atresia was achieved via computed tomography (CT) and nasopharyngeal (posterior) rhinoscopy. Secondary changes included destructive rhinitis with progression to the CNS with a subdural empyema and meningoencephalitis. Retinal changes and aspiration bronchopneumonia were suspected additional complications. After recovery from the secondary infections, the membranous obstruction was perforated and dilated using a valvuloplasty balloon by an orthograde transnasal approach under endoscopic guidance from a retroflexed nasopharyngeal view. To prevent re-stenosis, a foley catheter was placed as a transient stent for 6 days. The cat recovered uneventfully and was asymptomatic after the stent removal. Endoscopic re-examination after 5 months confirmed a persistent opening and patency of the generated right choanal passage. The cat remains asymptomatic 10 months after the procedure. Transnasal endoscopic balloon dilation and transient stenting of choanal atresia is a minimally invasive and relatively simple procedure with potentially sustained success.

INTRODUCTION: L'atrésie des choanes est une anomalie congénitale rare chez l'homme et l'animal, caractérisée par l'absence de communication d'une ou des deux cavités nasales avec le nasopharynx. La gravité des signes cliniques dépend de la présence d'une sténose unilatérale ou bilatérale, ainsi que des comorbidités. En cas d'atrésie bilatérale, la respiration peut être gravement compromise, en particulier pendant le sommeil, car l'air ne peut circuler que par la bouche ouverte. Diverses modalités thérapeutiques ont été décrites chez l'homme et adaptées pour les animaux. Tous les traitements peuvent être associés à des complications, la plus importante étant la formation de cicatrices post-thérapeutiques avec resténose. Ce rapport décrit un chat British Shorthair de 10 mois présentant un écoulement nasal séreux unilatéral chronique qui s'est finalement transformé en un écoulement muco-purulent. Lorsque des signes neurologiques aigus sont apparus, le chat a été présenté à l'hôpital vétérinaire. La tomodensitométrie (CT) et la rhinoscopie nasopharyngée (postérieure) ont permis de diagnostiquer une atrésie choanale primaire membraneuse du côté droit. Les altératiins secondaires comprenaient une rhinite destructrice avec une progression vers le SNC avec empyème sous-dural et méningo-encéphalite. Des altérations de la rétine et une bronchopneumonie par aspiration étaient des complications supplémentaires présumées. Après guérison des infections secondaires, l'obstruction membraneuse a été perforée et dilatée à l'aide d'un ballonnet de valvuloplastie par une approche transnasale orthograde sous guidage endoscopique à partir d'une vue nasopharyngée rétrofléchie. Pour éviter une nouvelle sténose, une sonde de Foley a été placée comme stent transitoire pendant 6 jours. Le chat s'est rétabli sans incident et était asymptomatique après le retrait du stent. Le réexamen endoscopique effectué 5 mois plus tard a confirmé la persistance de l'ouverture et de la perméabilité de la voie choanale droite générée. Le chat reste asymptomatique 10 mois après l'intervention. La dilatation endoscopique transnasale par ballonnet et la pose d'une endoprothèse transitoire dans le cas d'une atrésie des choanes est une procédure peu invasive et relativement simple dont le succès peut être durable.

Construction of diagnostic prediction model for canine nasal diseases using less invasive examinations without anesthesia.

Advanced imaging techniques under general anesthesia are frequently employed to achieve a definitive diagnosis of canine nasal diseases. However, these examinations may not be performed immediately in all cases. This study aimed to construct prediction models for canine nasal diseases using less-invasive examinations such as clinical signs and radiography. Dogs diagnosed with nasal disease between 2010 and 2020 were retrospectively investigated to construct a prediction model (Group M; GM), and dogs diagnosed between 2020 and 2021 were prospectively investigated to validate the efficacy (Group V; GV). Prediction models were created using two methods: manual (Model 1) and LASSO logistic regression analysis (Model 2). In total, 103 and 86 dogs were included in GM and GV, respectively. In Model 1, the sensitivity and specificity of neoplasia (NP) and sino-nasal aspergillosis (SNA) were 0.88 and 0.81 in GM and 0.92 and 0.78 in GV, respectively. Those of non-infectious rhinitis (NIR) and rhinitis secondary to dental disease (DD) were 0.78 and 0.88 in GM and 0.64 and 0.80 in GV, respectively. In Model 2, the sensitivity and specificity of NP and SNA were 0.93 and 1 in GM and 0.93 and 0.75 in GV, respectively. Those of NIR and DD were 0.96 and 0.89 in GM and 0.80 and 0.79 in GV, respectively. This study suggest that it is possible to create a prediction model using less-invasive examinations. Utilizing these predictive models may lead to appropriate general anesthesia examinations and treatment referrals.

Cats with idiopathic chronic rhinosinusitis that develop clinical signs before two years of age have more severe nasal conchal lysis, sinus malformation, and more severe inflammation on histological examination.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the severity of sinonasal lesions on CT in cats with feline idiopathic chronic rhinosinusitis (FICR) comparing cats who developed the condition at a young age to those who developed it as an adult. And, to assess if CT findings correlate with histopathology. ANIMALS: 58 cats with FICR confirmed on histopathology. METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Cats were divided into 2 groups based on their age category: juvenile (group 1, n = 30) and adult (group 2, 28), with juvenile cats being 2 years old or younger and adults being older than 2 years at the onset of clinical signs. Computed tomographic findings were recorded and graded (mild, moderate, and severe) by a board-certified radiologist, comparing each group. The CT findings were then compared to the histopathology results. RESULTS: The overall CT grade was not significantly different between the 2 groups (P = .21). Nasal conchal lysis was more severe in group 1 than in group 2 (P = .002), and group 1 also had a higher incidence of sinusal malformation (OR 2.42). Inflammatory infiltrates were more severe on histopathology in group 1 than in group 2 (OR 4.95), and the overall CT grade was slightly positively associated with the histological severity (κ = 0.2). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Feline idiopathic chronic rhinosinusitis was associated with more severe nasal conchal lysis, sinus malformation, and more severe inflammation on histopathological examination in cats that develop clinical signs before 2 years of age. This finding could have an impact in term of clinical signs severity.

Assessment of the nasal microbiota in dogs with fungal rhinitis before and after cure and in dogs with chronic idiopathic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Pathogenesis of canine fungal rhinitis is still not fully understood. Treatment remains challenging, after cure turbinate destruction may be associated with persistent clinical signs and recurrence of fungal rhinitis can occur. Alterations of the nasal microbiota have been demonstrated in dogs with chronic idiopathic rhinitis and nasal neoplasia, although whether they play a role in the pathogenesis or are a consequence of the disease is still unknown. The objectives of the present study were (1) to describe nasal microbiota alterations associated with fungal rhinitis in dogs, compared with chronic idiopathic rhinitis and controls, (2) to characterize the nasal microbiota modifications associated with successful treatment of fungal rhinitis. Forty dogs diagnosed with fungal rhinitis, 14 dogs with chronic idiopathic rhinitis and 29 healthy control dogs were included. Nine of the fungal rhinitis dogs were resampled after successful treatment with enilconazole infusion. RESULTS: Only disease status contributed significantly to the variability of the microbiota. The relative abundance of the genus Moraxella was decreased in the fungal rhinitis (5.4 ± 18%) and chronic idiopathic rhinitis (4.6 ± 8.7%) groups compared to controls (51.8 ± 39.7%). Fungal rhinitis and chronic idiopathic rhinitis groups also showed an increased richness and α-diversity at species level compared with controls. Increase in unique families were associated with fungal rhinitis (Staphyloccaceae, Porphyromonadaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Neisseriaceae) and chronic idiopathic rhinitis (Pasteurellaceae and Lactobacillaceae). In dogs with fungal rhinitis at cure, only 1 dog recovered a high relative abundance of Moraxellaceae. CONCLUSIONS: Results confirm major alterations of the nasal microbiota in dogs affected with fungal rhinitis and chronic idiopathic rhinitis, consisting mainly in a decrease of Moraxella. Besides, a specific dysbiotic profile further differentiated fungal rhinitis from chronic idiopathic rhinitis. In dogs with fungal rhinitis, whether the NM returns to its pre-infection state or progresses toward chronic idiopathic rhinitis or fungal rhinitis recurrence warrants further investigation.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae serovar 61:k:1,5,(7) in Swiss sheep flocks.

Salmonella (S.) enterica subspecies diarizonae (IIIb) serovar 61:k:1,5,(7) (S. IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7)) is considered to be sheep-associated, as it can be found in the intestine, tonsils and nose of clinically healthy sheep, but it has also been described in separate clinical disorders in sheep. In particular, S. IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7) is described as the causative agent of chronic proliferative rhinitis (CPR) in sheep. In Switzerland, CPR in sheep due to S. IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7) was first described in 2017 in a flock of Texel sheep. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence of S. IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7) within the Swiss sheep population using a representative sampling strategy. From May 2017 to June 2018 a total of 681 nasal swabs from individual clinically healthy sheep of 141 different flocks throughout Switzerland were taken. Swabs were analysed by selective enrichment for the presence of S. IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7). Additionally, antimicrobial resistance of the isolates was determined by broth microdilution. A total of 146 out of 681 nasal swabs tested positive for S. IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7), which corresponds to a prevalence on animal level of 21% (95%CI 18%-25%). In 73 out of 141 flocks tested, at least one sheep tested positive for S. IIIb 61:k:1.5,(7), resulting in a minimal prevalence on flock level of 52% (95%CI 43%-60%). Positive flocks were found in all cantons except the canton of Jura. Adults were significantly more affected than sheep under one year/lambs and positive sheep were found in several breeds. No microbiologically resistant isolates were detected, except for one isolate showing resistance against ampicillin. Because of its widespread occurrence in the Swiss sheep population, further research should focus on the pathogenic impact of S. IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7) on the health status of sheep.

CT findings of nasal cryptococcosis in cats and dogs: A case series.

Cryptococcus spp. can cause chronic rhinitis in cats and dogs. Computed tomography (CT) descriptions of imaging features of nasal cryptococcosis are limited. This retrospective single-center consecutive case series aimed to describe the CT features of lesions in cats and dogs with nasal cryptococcosis. Ten cats and 12 dogs with a diagnosis of nasal cryptococcosis confirmed with cytology, histopathology, and/or serology that had undergone a head CT from 2010 and 2020 were included. Images were evaluated by a veterinary radiologist for the presence of a nasal or nasopharyngeal mass, regional destruction, intracranial extension, and lymphadenopathy. The majority of cats (8/10 [80%]) had nasal lesions with most cases described as non-destructive rhinitis (7/8 [88%]). Three cats (3/10 [30%]) had a nasal mass. All cats had a nasopharyngeal mass, and in most cases (8/10 [80%]) the nasopharyngeal mass was centered caudally near the temporomandibular joints. None of the cats had cribriform plate lysis or meningeal enhancement. All dogs had nasal lesions. Eleven dogs (11/12 [92%]) had destructive rhinitis with lysis of nasal conchae. Most dogs (8/12; 67%) had a nasal mass, of which in seven dogs the caudal nasal mass extended into the rostral nasopharynx. Most dogs had cribriform plate lysis (9/12 [75%]), of which four dogs (44%) had mass extension into the cranium. Our findings support potential differences in CT features between dogs and cats with nasal cryptococcosis. Nasal cryptococcosis should be considered a differential diagnosis in dogs and cats with nasal and nasopharyngeal masses.

Successful potassium iodide treatment for rhinofacial pythiosis in sheep.

BACKGROUND: Pythiosis in sheep is an important disease in Brazil, which could cause rhinitis, dermatitis and alimentary tract inflammation. It is caused by the aquatic oomycete, Pythium insidiosum. The rhinofacial pythiosis causes facial deformity and upper respiratory tract clinical signs associated with necroproliferative masses occupying the rostral nasal cavity and hard palate. Little is known regarding the therapy, prophylaxis and pathogenesis of this disease. METHODOLOGY: During the 6-year study, we examined 13 sheep presenting rhinofacial pythiosis. The diagnosis was performed through biopsy of the rhinofacial lesions followed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies against P insidiosum, polymerase chain reaction and an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: This study presents the clinical findings of a potassium iodide treatment of rhinofacial pythiosis in sheep. All sheep were treated with 10 ml of 10% potassium iodide solution, administered orally every day during 63-120 (mean 85) days. Among treated sheep, 84.6% demonstrated complete recovery. CONCLUSION: Potassium iodide therapy may treat rhinofacial pythiosis in sheep.

Computed tomography may be helpful in discriminating grass awn foreign body rhinitis from non-foreign body rhinitis in dogs.

Grass awn foreign bodies are a common cause of rhinitis in dogs.  Early detection and complete removal of these foreign bodies are important for minimizing risks of long term complications. The objective of this retrospective, descriptive cross-sectional study was to determine whether discriminating CT findings exist between dogs with grass awn foreign body rhinitis and dogs with non-foreign body rhinitis. Computed tomography scans of 47 dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of non-foreign body rhinitis (25 cases) or of a nasal grass awn foreign body (22 cases) were reviewed. In the latter group, grass seeds were visualized directly on CT images for one of 22 (5%) cases. Focal lysis was more strongly associated with the presence of a grass awn foreign body (P = .012, LR = 3.0) and widespread lysis (involving more than one-third of the nasal cavity and/or bilateral) appeared associated with non-foreign body rhinitis (P = .046, LR = 2.0). Maxillary recess filling was associated with non-foreign body rhinitis (LR = 4.4) as was widespread lysis (LR = 2.0). Findings supported prioritizing grass awn foreign body rhinitis as a differential diagnosis for dogs with the former CT characteristics, even if a grass awn cannot be directly visualized.

Feline lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis (FLPCR): Severity of inflammation correlates with reduced mucosal IgA expression.

Feline lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis (FLPCR) is a rare disease with an unclear pathogenesis characterized by lymphoplasmacytic (LPC) inflammation and progressive tissue destruction. Aims were to evaluate specific FLPCR clinical and pathological features to gain insights into disease pathogenesis. Signalment, clinical signs, serology and 47 pin. h biopsies were retrospectively collected from 33 FLPCR and 3 normal cats. Microscopical lesions and immunohistochemistry results utilizing anti-CD3, anti-CD20, anti-FOXP3, anti-feline-IgA, IgG, IgE and anti-FeLV (p27 and gp70), FIV, FCV and, FHV were scored and most were analyzed statistically. The majority of cats were domestic short haired (26/31) with median age of 11 years and a 0.35 F/M ratio. Serology evidenced 3/22 FIV and 1/22 FeLV positive cats. Immunohistochemistry evidenced 1/33 FeLV-p27 positive cats. Common clinical signs were sneezing (19/24 [79 %]), mucous discharge (13/24 [54 %]) and stertor (10/24 [42 %]). In normal tissues, IgAs were expressed in mucin, apical and lateral cell membrane of columnar cells and in periglandular plasma cells. IgGs were expressed in 20-30 % of columnar cells. Number of clinical signs was statistically significantly higher in female cats (p < 0.0001) and was significantly correlated with chronicity (p = 0.004), and IgG scores (p = 0.01). LPC severity scores correlated positively with infiltration of neutrophils (p = 0.015), gland destruction (p = 0.019) and angiogenesis (p = 0.016) and negatively with fibrosis (p < 0.0001). LPC severity scores were also significantly associated to female sex (p = 0.01) and to IgA (p = 0.03), with higher IgA scores associated to lower LPC scores. FLPCR associated to disruption of mucosal defense mechanisms generating cycles of tissue inflammation, tissue damage and repair with progressive loss of function independent from viral infections.

Prevalence of Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae serotype 61:k:1:5:(7) in nasal secretions and stool of sheep flocks with and without cases of chronic proliferative rhinitis.

Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae serotype 61: k: 1,5, (7) (SED) is a microorganism well adapted to sheep; however, it has also been described producing chronic proliferative rhinitis (CPR) in ovine. CPR causes a proliferative inflammation of the ventral nasal turbinates that may totally obstruct the nasal cavity. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of SED in nostrils and stool of sheep without CPR clinical signs in commercial sheep farms of Spain with and without previous clinical cases of CPR. Five samplings were performed in 10 commercial sheep farms for one year. Samples from nostrils and faeces were taken from four animals without CPR visible clinical signs that belonged to four different age ranges at each farm visit. The prevalence of positive animals was 45.3 %, and the number of positive samples in nostrils was higher than in faeces (38.5 % vs 22.5 %). Only on one farm was no positive result obtained in the entire study. In almost all positive farms, sheep belonging to the youngest age ranges accounted for more than 50 % of positive isolates. Finally, farms with a previous diagnosis of CPR were 1.784 times more likely to have an animal with positive isolation than farms without a previous diagnosis. This could suggest that the infection pressure in the farm might favour the occurrence of clinical cases of the disease. However, further studies will be necessary to unravel why this saprophytic bacterium is able to cross the epithelial barrier causing severe rhinitis in certain animals.

Upper digestive tract abnormalities in dogs with chronic idiopathic lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic idiopathic lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis (CILPR) is a common inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology affecting the nasal cavity of dogs. The diagnosis is made by exclusion of other causes of nasal disease and specific therapeutic protocols are lacking. In human medicine, a relationship between CILPR and gastrointestinal clinical signs has been postulated, and remission of respiratory signs after clinical trials with medications for gastrointestinal disorders has been observed. OBJECTIVES: To describe history, clinical presentation, endoscopic and histopathologic concurrent respiratory and digestive tract abnormalities, and to evaluate improvement of respiratory signs after treatment for gastrointestinal signs. ANIMALS: Twenty-five dogs with CILPR. METHODS: Prospective study. For inclusion, following information had to be available: respiratory and digestive clinical signs, airway and digestive tract endoscopic abnormalities, histologic evaluation of respiratory and gastrointestinal tract biopsy specimens, and clinical response to different treatment strategies. RESULTS: Twenty-two dogs had endoscopic gastrointestinal lesions, whereas 13 dogs had concurrent gastrointestinal signs. Most esophageal and duodenal endoscopic abnormalities were classified as moderate or severe. Respiratory and gastrointestinal tract histologic evaluation identified mostly chronic inflammation. Remission or marked improvement of respiratory signs was observed in the majority of dogs treated only for gastrointestinal signs up to 12 months after endoscopy. No significant associations between treatments and follow-up information were found. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Nasal and upper digestive tract abnormalities coexist in some dogs with CILPR. Lack of standardized therapeutic protocols suggests caution when interpreting improvement in nasal clinical signs. Additional studies are needed to explore the possibility of a cause-effect relationship between the 2 processes.

Canine nasal septum deviation can be a normal variation and correlates with increasing skull indices.

Nasal septal deviation has been studied in relation to nasal pathology and mass effect in dogs. The purpose of this retrospective, cross-sectional study was to compare the prevalence of nasal septal deviation in dogs with rhinitis, neoplasia, and those without nasal pathology based on the facial index, skull index, and cranial index. Computed tomographic studies of the nasal cavities of dogs performed over a 5-year period were retrospectively reviewed. This study had 233 dogs meeting the inclusion criteria with 135 dogs with no nasal pathology, 63 dogs with nasal neoplasia, and 35 dogs with rhinitis. The prevalence of nasal septal deviation, the angle, maximum distance, and longitudinal extent of deviation were recorded, as well as measurements to calculate the facial index, cranial index, and skull index. The results showed no difference in the prevalence of nasal septal deviation between dogs with nasal pathology and those without. The mean longitudinal extent of deviation and maximum distance of deviation was statistically greater for those with neoplasia compared to those with rhinitis and without nasal pathology. The longitudinal extent of deviation was inversely proportional to the cranial index, facial index, and skull index. The angle of deviation was directly proportional to the facial index and skull index. In conclusion, nasal septal deviation is an anatomic variant in different breeds of dogs with no predilection based on nasal pathology. Nasal septal deviation should be interpreted cautiously in the assessment of canine nasal disease.

DERMATITIS AND RHINOSINUITIS CAUSED BY CURVULARIA SPECIES IN A CHINESE GORAL (NAEMORHEDUS GRISEUS).

Curvularia spp. are globally distributed saprophytic fungi, classified in the literature as dematiaceous, or darkly pigmented fungi. These fungi have been increasingly recognized as causing cutaneous, ocular, respiratory, and central nervous system infections in humans, but have been infrequently documented as pathogens in the veterinary literature. A 5-yr-old male Chinese goral (Naemorhedus griseus) presented with bilateral fungal dermatitis of the pinnae, and subsequent pyogranulomatous rhinosinusitis. Clinical signs included epistaxis, mucosanguineous nasal discharge, and dyspnea. Sequential histologic examinations of cutaneous and nasal lesions revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation with extracellular and phagocytized nonpigmented yeasts. Fungal culture and polymerase chain reaction identified Curvularia sp. The absence of pigmentation in tissue in this case suggests that pigmentation may not be a consistent histologic finding for this fungus, emphasizing the importance of molecular identification to prevent misidentification. Despite intensive interventions in this goral, the disease progressed, and was ultimately fatal.

Computed tomographic features of destructive granulomatous rhinitis with intracranial extension secondary to leishmaniasis in a cat.

A 5-year-old castrated male Domestic Shorthair cat presented for evaluation of chronic history of nasal discharge and nasal stridor. On computed tomography (CT), a destructive ill-defined mass of soft tissue attenuation was occupying the right nasal cavity and extending into the left nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and rostral cranial cavity. Histopathology of the rhinoscopically excised samples consisted with destructive granulomatous rhinitis secondary to Leishmania spp. Chronic granulomatous rhinitis with intracranial and nasopharyneal extension secondary to Leishmania spp. infection should be included as a differential diagnosis for a destructive nasal mass of soft tissue attenuation, especially in endemic regions for leishmaniasis.

Chronic Rhinitis in the Cat: An Update.

The etiology of feline chronic rhinitis is incompletely understood and often is a diagnosis of exclusion. History, clinical signs, and investigations performed to reach this diagnosis are discussed. Several treatment options are provided, although cure of this frustrating disease is rarely achieved.

Rhinosinusitis in an Australian mare caused by Flavodon flavus, a recently recognized invasive fungal pathogen of the horse.

We describe herein the clinical, endoscopic, computed tomography (CT), pathologic, and microbiologic features of an infection caused by an under-recognized fungal pathogen, Flavodon flavus, in a 25-y-old Australian Quarter Horse. The horse had a unilateral obstructive nasal mass, resulting in stertor and dyspnea. On endoscopy, the mass was tan, multinodular, and completely obstructed the nasal passage. CT analysis revealed a large, soft tissue-attenuating and partially mineralized mass in the right nasal passage and dorsal-conchofrontal sinus, expanding into adjacent paranasal sinuses with associated bone lysis and rhinosinusitis. Histopathology of the mass on 2 occasions revealed suppurative inflammation initially, and pyogranulomatous inflammation subsequently. The inflammatory reaction surrounded numerous spherical fungal structures (~60-80 µm diameter) that stained positively on periodic acid-Schiff and Grocott methenamine silver stains. PCR for the fungal internal transcribed spacer 1 and 2 regions followed by Sanger sequencing on a cultured isolate identified the agent as F. flavus, which has only been reported previously as pathogenic in one horse in the United States, to our knowledge. Previous reports described this fungus as a nonpathogenic, environmental commensal fungus associated with insects and plants.