Sterile granulomatous dermatitis and lymphadenitis (juvenile cellulitis) in adult dogs: a retrospective analysis of 90 cases (2004-2018).

BACKGROUND: It has long been speculated that sterile granulomatous dermatitis and lymphadenitis (SGDL) occurs in adult dogs. However, only three published case reports exist. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To describe clinical presentation, identify breed predispositions, and assess treatment and outcomes of adult dogs with the histopathological diagnosis of SGDL. ANIMALS: Included are 90 dogs with biopsies submitted to a veterinary teaching hospital with a histopathological diagnosis consistent with SGDL, from 2004 to 2018, of which 35 had medical records available for review. METHODS: Data were analysed retrospectively from histopathology submission forms, medical records, surveys and telephone calls. Scoring systems were created to aid statistical analysis of outcomes. RESULTS: Havanese dog (P < 0.0001), Australian shepherd dog (P < 0.0001), Irish setter (P < 0.0001), Dachshund (P = 0.0002), bichon frise (P = 0.0003) and Maltese dog (P = 0.004) were significantly over-represented breeds. The median age at onset was 1,292 days (3.54 years). Dogs up to five years of age were significantly over-represented (P < 0.01). Of 35 dogs with medical records available for review, the median treatment duration was 60 days and the median time to remission 28 days. Remission status was not established for five dogs but the remaining 30 dogs reached remission. Nineteen dogs remained in complete remission. Recrudescence occurred in 11 dogs (median follow-up 60 days). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study shows a close parallel in clinical appearance, histopathological results and clinical behaviour, of both adult and juvenile onset SGDL; therefore, SGDL should be considered as a differential diagnosis for dogs of all ages.

Discriminatory features of acute eosinophilic dermatitis with oedema (Wells-like syndrome) and sterile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet's-like syndrome) in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Canine acute eosinophilic dermatitis with oedema (CAEDE) and sterile neutrophilic dermatosis have overlapping clinical and histopathological features. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify features that differentiate these entities. ANIMALS: Forty dogs. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Retrospective case series. Forty cases with diagnoses of either CAEDE and/or sterile neutrophilic dermatosis were included based on histopathological review. Medical records (29 of 40 dogs) were reviewed for clinical findings and historical data. Commercially available immunohistochemical stains for granulocytes and a Luna stain were performed (40 of 40 dogs) to assess the granulocytic infiltrate. RESULTS: Nineteen cases had been previously diagnosed as CAEDE, seven cases had been designated as sterile neutrophilic dermatosis and 14 cases had overlapping features. Based on review and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, 30 cases with >12% eosinophils, enumerated by Luna staining, were diagnosed as eosinophilic dermatitis and oedema. Ten cases were diagnosed as sterile neutrophilic dermatosis. Dogs with CAEDE frequently had gastrointestinal signs (24 of 30;80%) and pruritus (11 of 30;33%). In dogs with sterile neutrophilic dermatosis, five of 10 (50%) had diagnoses of or histories compatible with immune-mediated polyarthropathy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: In this case series, CAEDE was encountered more frequently than neutrophilic dermatosis and could be distinguished by the eosinophilic infiltrate, aided by a Luna stain. Concurrent arthralgia was more frequently identified with neutrophilic dermatosis. It remains unclear whether CAEDE and sterile neutrophilic dermatosis are separate disease entities or varied manifestations of the same disease.

Canine ischaemic dermatopathy: a retrospective study of 177 cases (2005-2016).

BACKGROUND: Ischaemic dermatopathy encompasses a poorly understood subset of canine diseases that share similar clinical and histological features. Very little information is currently available regarding population characteristics, progression and outcome. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe the clinical features and therapeutic outcomes of ischaemia dermatopathy, excluding familial dermatomyositis, using cases diagnosed by histopathological analysis. ANIMALS: One hundred and seventy-seven cases submitted for histopathological analysis between 2005 and 2016 met inclusion criteria, of which 93 had complete medical records available. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Both records and pointed surveys were used to retrieve information. Scoring systems were created to subjectively evaluate clinical outcomes and likelihood of a vaccine association. RESULTS: Of 177 cases, toy and miniature poodles, Chihuahuas, Maltese, Yorkshire terriers and Jack Russell terriers were significantly over-represented (P < 0.001). Of the 93 cases for which historical data were obtained, median age at skin biopsy was five years (0.42-13 years) and median body weight was 7.3 kg (range 1.32-50.3 kg). The condition in 45 dogs (48.3%) was found likely to be associated with vaccination. Younger ages (P = 0.011) and higher body weights (P = 0.003) were positively correlated with greater likelihood of vaccination. Body weight <10 kg (P = 0.0045) and older ages (P = 0.0048) were significantly associated with worse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study provides support for breed predispositions and identifies potential prognostic factors. Importantly, over half of the cases were considered unlikely to be vaccine-associated, demonstrating the need to investigate other underlying causes of this condition.

Scrotal tumors in dogs: a retrospective study of 676 cases (1986-2010).

The objective of this study was to determine common tumor types that occur on the canine scrotum in relation to other cutaneous locations and to identify potential risk factors for specific scrotal tumor development. A retrospective study was conducted and the database of pathology reports from the Surgical Pathology Service of the Department of Pathology and Toxicology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania from 1986 to 2010 was searched for canine neoplastic scrotal and non-scrotal cutaneous lesions. Neoplastic lesions were evaluated based on diagnosis, breed, age, and number and location of tumors (scrotal versus non-scrotal cutaneous). Mast cell tumor, melanocytoma, malignant melanoma, vascular hamartoma, hemangiosarcoma, hemangioma, and cutaneous histiocytoma were the most common tumor types identified on the canine scrotum. Breed predispositions and mean age at diagnosis were identified for each tumor type and should be considered when planning surgical excision of a canine scrotal tumor.

Tumeurs scrotales chez les chiens : étude rétrospective de 676 cas (1986­2010). Cette étude avait pour objectif de déterminer les types communs de tumeurs qui se produisent sur le scrotum canin par rapport à d'autres endroits cutanés et d'identifier les facteurs de risque potentiels pour le développement de tumeurs scrotales spécifiques. Une étude rétrospective a été réalisée et une recherche a été effectuée dans la base de données des rapports de pathologie du Service de pathologie chirurgicale du Département de pathologie et de toxicologie de l'École de médecine vétérinaire de l'Université de la Pennsylvanie de 1986 à 2010 pour les lésions scrotales néoplasiques et les lésions cutanées non scrotales canines. Les lésions néoplasiques ont été évaluées en fonction du diagnostic, de la race, de l'âge ainsi que du nombre et de l'emplacement des tumeurs (scrotales par opposition à cutanées non scrotales). Les tumeurs à mastocytes, les mélanocytomes, les mélanomes malins, les hamartomes vasculaires, les hémangiosarcomes, les hémangiomes et les histiocytomes cutanés étaient les types les plus communs de tumeurs identifiées sur le scrotum canin. Les prédispositions des races et l'âge moyen lors du diagnostic ont été identifiés pour chaque type de tumeur et devraient être considérés lors de la planification de l'excision chirurgicale d'une tumeur scrotale canine.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).