Anasarca associated with restrictive cardiomyopathy in cats

Background: Cardiomyopathies are a primary heart disorder and are one of the most causes of heart failure and sudden death in cats. Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a diastolic dysfunction resulting from endomyocardial fibrosis, with filling restriction and ventricular distention. In these cases, a poor outcome is expected. Anasarca in animals is often associated with dystocia secondary to congenital changes. In adults, this is a rare condition, since subcutaneous edema in animals with congestive heart failure is an uncommon finding. Therefore, this report describes clinical and pathological findings in an unusual presentation of anasarca in two adult cats with restrictive cardiomyopathy. Cases: A 12-year-old female mixed breed cat (case 1) and a 6-year-old male mixed-breed cat (case 2) were present on an emergent basis at the veterinary hospital with a history of respiratory distress. Case 1 showed on physical examination intense restrictive mixed dyspnea and lethargy, with muffled heart sounds and respiratory noises in cardiorespiratory auscultation. The cat exhibited abdominal distension resulting from ascites. Generalized subcutaneous edema was evident mainly in the abdominal and submandibular areas and the thoracic and pelvic limbs. In these regions, a positive Godet signal was observed. Thoracic radiography revealed pleural effusion, and the cat underwent fluid drainage on both sides of the thoracic cavity. Drainage material was sent to the laboratory for clinical analysis, which indicated that it was a modified transudate. The clinical signs worsened, and the cat was euthanized. In case 2, physical examination showed severe restrictive mixed dyspnea, lethargy, and low body temperature (< 32°C). Abdominal distension resulting from ascites and generalized edema in the subcutaneous tissue with a positive Godet sign was observed. On cardiorespiratory auscultation, cardiac sounds and breathing noises were muffled. Thoracic radiography revealed pleural effusion. The cat was immediately placed in an incubator for clinical stabilization with oxygen therapy and warm-up. After 2 h of hospitalization, thoracentesis and drainage of cavity fluids were performed, which were classified as modified transudate. The patient remained in critical condition during hospitalization, evolving to death. The two cats were referred for a complete post mortem examination. Grossly, both cats showed distension of the abdomen and marked edema of subcutaneous tissue, mainly in the abdominal, ventral cervical, and thoracic and pelvic members. In the abdominal and thoracic cavities, a moderate amount of serous-free liquid, slightly reddish was observed. The heart of both cats was enlarged, with a globose appearance and a slightly whitish epicardium. The left ventricular endocardium was mild and diffusely thick and whitish, in addition to moderate dilation of the left atrium. Histological analyses of the heart showed in both cats moderate and diffuse proliferation of fibrous connective tissue in the endocardial region. Discussion: Restrictive cardiomyopathy has major importance in feline medicine due to its severity and poor outcome. Pleural effusion, pulmonary edema, and ascites are common findings in cats with congestive heart failure; however, generalized subcutaneous edema is uncommon. To the author's knowledge, there are no published cases in the literature of anasarca in adult cats with restrictive cardiomyopathy. In human cardiology, this presentation is commonly related to congestive heart failure, and it is reported under several conditions, such as restrictive cardiomyopathy and constrictive pericarditis. The present study suggests that anasarca should be included in the list of associated clinical signs suggestive of severe congestive heart failure, mainly related to restrictive cardiomyopathy.

Aspectos clinicopatológicos e imunoistoquímicis do histocitoma fibroso maligno estoriforme-pleomórfico em um cão / Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of storiform-pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytoma in a dog

Histiocitoma fibroso maligno (MFH) é um neoplasma pleocelular de origem incerta e prognóstico sombrio. O correto diagnóstico através de exames imunoistoquímicos é difícil e, na maioria das vezes, inconsistente. Descreve-se os aspectos clinicopatológicos e imunoistoquímicos de um caso de MFH em um cão Rottweiler, macho, de seis anos. O neoplasma foi testado para tricômico de Masson, citoqueratina, vimentina, lisozima, proteína S100 GFAP e NSE. A positividade para vimentina, lisozima e proteína S100 nas células redondas e multinucleadas são características dos histiócitos. Resultados negativos foram observados para os demais anticorpos. Com base nos resultados, diagnósticos diferenciais foram discutidos e a origem histiocítica ou de células pluripotenciais ds células tumoriais pôde ser sugerida. O MFH ainda permanece um desafio diagnóstico em animais e humanos(AU)

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is a pleocellular neoplasm of uncertain cellular origin and poor prognosis. The right diagnosis through immunohistochemical test is difficult and most of the time inconsistent. Clinicopathological features of a MFH in a six-year-old male Rottweiler were described. Additional immunohistochemical data were also provided for diagnosis. The tumor was tested for Masson trichrome, cytokeratin, vimentin, lysozyme, S100 protein, GFAP and NSE. Positive results for vimentin, lyzozyme and S100 protein observed in round and multinucleated cells are characteristic of histiocytes. The result allowed the distinction between the differential diagnosis and suggested an histicytic or pluripotential cell origin. The MFH still remains a diagnostic challenge in dogs and humans(AU)

Aspectos clinicopatológicos e imunoistoquímicis do histocitoma fibroso maligno estoriforme-pleomórfico em um cão / Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of storiform-pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytoma in a dog

Histiocitoma fibroso maligno (MFH) é um neoplasma pleocelular de origem incerta e prognóstico sombrio. O correto diagnóstico através de exames imunoistoquímicos é difícil e, na maioria das vezes, inconsistente. Descreve-se os aspectos clinicopatológicos e imunoistoquímicos de um caso de MFH em um cão Rottweiler, macho, de seis anos. O neoplasma foi testado para tricômico de Masson, citoqueratina, vimentina, lisozima, proteína S100 GFAP e NSE. A positividade para vimentina, lisozima e proteína S100 nas células redondas e multinucleadas são características dos histiócitos. Resultados negativos foram observados para os demais anticorpos. Com base nos resultados, diagnósticos diferenciais foram discutidos e a origem histiocítica ou de células pluripotenciais ds células tumoriais pôde ser sugerida. O MFH ainda permanece um desafio diagnóstico em animais e humanos

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is a pleocellular neoplasm of uncertain cellular origin and poor prognosis. The right diagnosis through immunohistochemical test is difficult and most of the time inconsistent. Clinicopathological features of a MFH in a six-year-old male Rottweiler were described. Additional immunohistochemical data were also provided for diagnosis. The tumor was tested for Masson trichrome, cytokeratin, vimentin, lysozyme, S100 protein, GFAP and NSE. Positive results for vimentin, lyzozyme and S100 protein observed in round and multinucleated cells are characteristic of histiocytes. The result allowed the distinction between the differential diagnosis and suggested an histicytic or pluripotential cell origin. The MFH still remains a diagnostic challenge in dogs and humans

Meningoencefalite necrosante dos Yorkshires: relato de caso / Necrotizing meningoencephalitis in a Yorkshire dog: case report

Um cão da raça Yorkshire macho de 5 anos foi apresentado ao clínico com crises convulsivas. Na ressonância magnética havia importantes alterações multifocais sugestivas de necrose e inflamação. No exame do líquido cefalorraquidiano observa-se discreta pleocitose. Não foram observadas alterações na necropsia. Histologicamente, havia meningoencefalite não supurativa necrosante multifocal moderada a acentuada, principalmente no córtex telencefálico, hipocampo e tálamo. Os sinais clínicos e as lesões histológicas são compatíveis com a meningoencefalite necrosante descrita em cães Yorkshire(AU)

A male five-year-old Yokshire dog was presentedwith convulsions. In the MRI, there were multifocal changs suggesting necrosis and inflammation. In the cerebrospinal fluid, mild pleocitosis was present. Macroscopic changes moderate to accentuated multifocal non supurative necrotizing meningoencephalitis, mainly in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and thalamus. The clinical signs and histological lesions are compatible with the necrotizing meningoencephalitis reported in the Yorshire breed(AU)

Meningoencefalite necrosante dos Yorkshires: relato de caso / Necrotizing meningoencephalitis in a Yorkshire dog: case report

Um cão da raça Yorkshire macho de 5 anos foi apresentado ao clínico com crises convulsivas. Na ressonância magnética havia importantes alterações multifocais sugestivas de necrose e inflamação. No exame do líquido cefalorraquidiano observa-se discreta pleocitose. Não foram observadas alterações na necropsia. Histologicamente, havia meningoencefalite não supurativa necrosante multifocal moderada a acentuada, principalmente no córtex telencefálico, hipocampo e tálamo. Os sinais clínicos e as lesões histológicas são compatíveis com a meningoencefalite necrosante descrita em cães Yorkshire

A male five-year-old Yokshire dog was presentedwith convulsions. In the MRI, there were multifocal changs suggesting necrosis and inflammation. In the cerebrospinal fluid, mild pleocitosis was present. Macroscopic changes moderate to accentuated multifocal non supurative necrotizing meningoencephalitis, mainly in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and thalamus. The clinical signs and histological lesions are compatible with the necrotizing meningoencephalitis reported in the Yorshire breed