Lymphoplasmacytic Prostatitis Associated With Urethral Obstruction in a Dog; A Case Report.

A 10-year-old, male intact, mixed breed dog was admitted with a history of intermittent lower urinary tract signs of 18-months duration. Dysuria, stranguria, pollakiuria and overflow incontinence developed 2 weeks prior to presentation, while vomiting, polydipsia and anorexia were seen a few days prior to admission. Physical examination revealed prostatomegaly. Biochemistry results were compatible with postrenal azotemia. Abdominal imaging confirmed prostatomegaly with consequent urethral obstruction, and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology of the prostate gland was consistent with granulomatous inflammation. The dog was hospitalized, urethral patency was preserved and upon laparotomy a cystostomy tube was placed, and prostatic biopsy was obtained. Orchiectomy was also performed. Urine culture performed 2 days prior to the surgery was negative. Prostatic histopathology revealed mild to moderate lymphoplasmacytic prostatitis. Three months postoperatively, clinical signs had resolved completely and urinations remained normal while the dog is still in good health 3 years after diagnosis. This is the first case of canine lymphoplasmacytic prostatitis in which clinical signs, diagnostic evaluation, management and long-term follow up are available.

Is Angiostrongylosis a Realistic Threat for Domestic Cats?

Three species of Angiostrongylus have been found in felids thus far, i.e., Angiostrongylus chabaudi, Angiostrongylus felineus and Angiostrongylus vasorum. Angiostrongylus chabaudi lives in the right heart and pulmonary arteries of the definitive natural host, the European wildcat (Felis silvestris), and non-patent infections have been reported in domestic cats (Felis catus). Angiostrongylus felineus, described in the Puma yaguarondi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi), has never been reported in domestic felids, while recently a non-patent infection by A. vasorum was unequivocally described in a F. catus. Nonetheless, epizootiological and clinical relevance of angiostrongylosis in domestic cats are practically unknown. This study investigated whether cases of angiostrongylosis may be missed in cats living in areas enzootic for Angiostrongylus spp. and other metastrongyloids. Overall, 100 cats that were either positive (n.50) or negative (n.50) for metastrongyloid larvae at the Baermann's test, were examined for Angiostrongylus spp. with DNA-based methods and with the serological test Angio Detect™ for circulating antigen. The PCR analysis confirmed the copromicroscopy results, where 25 cats scored positive for Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, 16 for Troglostrongylus brevior and 9 for both, while no cats were positive for Angiostrongylus-like larvae, including A. chabaudi. None of the 100 sera samples scored positive at the Angio Detect™ test. These data suggest that currently feline angiostrongylosis is a minor parasitosis for domestic cats. Nevertheless, it cannot be excluded that the epizootiological drivers which have favored the spillover of A. vasorum and T. brevior from wildlife to dogs and cats, could promote the emergence of feline angiostrongylosis, with an unpredictable health impact.

Canine and feline dirofilariosis in a highly enzootic area: first report of feline dirofilariosis in Greece.

Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) is enzootic in many areas of the world and quite prevalent in southern European countries. Although dogs are the main host of the parasite, cats may also be infected, and the prevalence of feline dirofilariosis is associated with the respective prevalence of canine infection in any given area. The aim of the present study was to investigate the proportion of D. immitis infection among dogs and cats that were not under any kind of prophylactic treatment and were living in a heartworm enzootic area. In total, 180 stray animals (148 dogs and 32 cats) living in a shelter in Northern Greece were examined for heartworm infection by the Knott's test and serology (antigen and in cats also antibody detection), and additionally echocardiography in the infected cats. Thirty-seven (25%, CI 18.7-32.5%) of the dogs and 3 (9.4%, CI 3.2-24.2%) of cats were found to be positive, by at least one of the tests applied. In 2 of the infected cats, the parasites were also detected by echocardiography. One of the positive cats died suddenly 1 year after diagnosis and at necropsy two decomposing D. immitis were found in the right ventricle and pulmonary artery. This is the first report of confirmed feline dirofilariosis in Greece. The detected proportion of infection in cats was 38% of the respective canine infection in the examined shelter. The results of the present study underline the high risk of infection of cats living in enzootic areas and the imperative character of preventive measures in such conditions.