Canine cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy in the Republic of Ireland: a description of three cases.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV) is a condition of unknown aetiology involving microvascular thrombosis. It has recently been described in over 160 dogs in the United Kingdom and usually has a grave prognosis. To date, this condition has not been described in dogs residing in the Republic of Ireland. CASE PRESENTATION: Three dogs presented to University College Dublin Veterinary Hospital (UCDVH) for investigation of rapidly progressive skin lesions. All dogs were diagnosed with CRGV on post-mortem examination. All three dogs had azotaemia on presentation or rapidly developed azotaemia, and all were euthanased because of progression of clinical signs and likelihood of CRGV. One dog was affected by seizure-like episodes and had thrombotic microangiopathy evident within the cerebrum. CONCLUSIONS: CRGV occurs in dogs residing in the Republic of Ireland and is a differential for cases presenting with skin lesions and azotaemia. The histopathological lesions of CRGV can also affect the brain leading to neurological signs such as seizures. Owners and veterinarians should be aware that this condition can occur in dogs in Ireland.

Marked paraneoplastic basophilia accompanying eosinophilia in a cat with alimentary T-cell lymphoma.

CASE SUMMARY: A 5-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was referred with a history of persistent pyrexia, pica, soft faeces, inappetence, intermittent vomiting, mild-to-moderate granulocytosis and mild hypercalcaemia. No significant improvement was noted after antibiotic and corticosteroid treatment, except that the hypercalcaemia resolved. Physical examination, including thoracic auscultation, and abdominal and peripheral lymph node palpation, were unremarkable. On admission, haematology revealed moderate leukocytosis (36.8 × 109/l) with moderate-to-marked eosinophilia (21.3 × 109/l) and marked basophilia (4.04 × 109/l), the latter identified microscopically. Lymphocytes were markedly decreased (0.37 × 109/l). Blood smear examination revealed 58% eosinophils, 28% neutrophils, 11% basophils, 2% monocytes, 1% lymphocytes and marked, diffuse platelet clumping. Biochemistry abnormalities indicated mild pancreatitis, dehydration and anorexia with mildly increased pancreatic lipase, mild hypernatraemia (157 mmol/l), a moderate decrease in urea (3.1 mmol/l) and a slight decrease in phosphate (1.32 mmol/l). Ultrasound and radiographic imaging revealed enlargement of the mesenteric lymph nodes. Fine-needle aspiration, a Tru-cut biopsy and immunohistochemistry were performed. Cytological examination revealed ~65-75% lymphocytes (~80% were larger than a neutrophil), ~25-35% eosinophils and occasional basophils. Lymphocytes had single, small (<1/3 red blood cells), prominent nucleoli and increased pale, mildly vacuolated cytoplasm. On histopathology, cells were monomorphic, large, with prominent nucleoli, and mild, multifocal, staining for T-cell marker CD3. Smaller cells were strongly CD3-positive. Cells were negative for B-cell marker CD45R. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: This is the most severe case of paraneoplastic basophilia reported with feline alimentary T-cell lymphoma with accompanying eosinophilia and lymph node infiltration. Feline basophil prevalence is reported for the first time.