First Documented Cases of Canine Neuroangiostrongyliasis Due to Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Hawaii.

Two young dogs domiciled in Honolulu, Hawaii, were presented in November and December 2018 (respectively) for spinal hyperesthesia, hindlimb weakness, and proprioceptive ataxia. Both dogs had neurologic findings referable to spinal cord disease. Both dogs had a combination of lower motor neuron signs (reduced muscle mass, decreased withdrawal reflexes, low tail carriage) and long tract signs (conscious proprioceptive deficits, crossed extensor response, increased myotatic reflexes). Peripheral eosinophilia was present in the second case, but hematology and serum biochemistries were otherwise unremarkable. Plain radiographs and computed tomography scans ± contrast were unremarkable. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from both patients demonstrated eosinophilic pleocytosis, and real-time polymerase chain reaction testing demonstrated Angiostrongylus cantonensis deoxyribonucleic acid in CSF, confirming a diagnosis of neuroangiostrongyliasis. Treatment included glucocorticoid therapy, ± anthelmintic (fenbendazole). Both dogs made a complete recovery. These are the first confirmed cases of autochthonous neuroangiostrongyliasis in canine patients in the United States and the first dogs anywhere to be diagnosed definitively with A cantonensis infection based on real-time polymerase chain reaction testing of CSF. A clinician examining a patient with severe spinal hyperesthesia and a combination of upper and lower motor signs should consider A cantonensis as a differential, especially in endemic areas.

Novel COL5A1 variants and associated disease phenotypes in dogs with classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Human patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) are categorized into subtypes based on causative genetic variants and phenotypes. The classical form of EDS, primarily caused by variants in COL5A1 or COL5A2, is a very common subtype in people but is poorly characterized in dogs. OBJECTIVE: Describe likely causal COL5A1 variants in dogs with classical EDS, summarize clinical histories, discuss potential disease mechanisms, and draw conclusions about disease prognosis. ANIMALS: Seven client-owned dogs that exhibited clinical signs of classical EDS. METHODS: Clinical information was recorded from medical records and communication with attending veterinarians and dog owners. To identify potential causal gene sequence variants whole-genome sequence analyses (n = 6) or Sanger sequencing (n = 1) were performed on DNA isolated from the probands. Pathological abnormalities in skin biopsy samples were assessed using histology and electron microscopy in 3 dogs. RESULTS: Six distinct heterozygous COL5A1 sequence variants were identified. The most common clinical signs included fragile skin (n = 7), hyperextensible skin (n = 7), joint hypermobility (n = 6), and atrophic scars (n = 5). The median age at last follow-up or death was 12 years (range, 6.5-14 years). Ultrastructural abnormalities in dermal collagen differed among dogs with different COL5A1 variants. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: We describe the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of the classical subtype of EDS by identifying 6 novel COL5A1 variants in conjunction with detailed clinical histories that included long-term follow-up information in 7 dogs.

Use of gadolinium diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid, as measured by ELISA, in the determination of glomerular filtration rates in cats.

The goal of this study was to evaluate a commercially available assay for gadolinium diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA) for use in estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in cats (Gd-DTPA GFR) with a wide range of GFRs. Eighteen adult cats (11 healthy and seven with chronic kidney disease) were included. Plasma concentrations of Gd-DTPA following intravenous injection were measured with an ELISA kit (FIT-GFR). Results for Gd-DTPA GFR were compared with simultaneously obtained values for plasma clearance of iohexol (iohexol GFR), plasma blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine concentrations. A negative correlation existed between iohexol GFR and plasma concentrations of BUN and creatinine. A positive correlation existed between Gd-DTPA GFR and iohexol GFR. There was no correlation between Gd-DTPA GFR and plasma concentrations of BUN and creatinine. In this study plasma clearance of Gd-DTPA assayed by FIT-GFR did not appear to provide a sufficiently accurate estimation of GFR in cats when compared with plasma clearance of iohexol, and plasma concentrations of BUN and creatinine.