The canine sarcoglycan delta gene: BAC clone contig assembly, chromosome assignment and interrogation as a candidate gene for dilated cardiomyopathy in Dobermann dogs.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common disease of the myocardium recognized in human, dog and experimental animals. Genetic factors are responsible for a large proportion of cases in humans, and 17 genes with DCM causing mutations have been identified. The genetic origin of DCM in the Dobermann dogs has been suggested, but no disease genes have been identified to date. In this paper, we describe the characterization and evaluation of the canine sarcoglycan delta (SGCD), a gene implicated in DCM in human and hamster. Bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) containing the canine SGCD gene were isolated with probes for exon 3 and exons 4-8 and were characterized by Southern blot analysis. BAC end sequences were obtained for four BACs. Three of the BACs overlapped and could be ordered relative to each other and the end sequences of all four BACs could be anchored on the preliminary assembly of the dog genome sequence (www. ensembl.org). One of the BACs of the partial contig was localized by fluorescent in situ hybridization to canine chromosome 4q22, in agreement with the dog genome sequence. Two highly informative polymorphic microsatellite markers in intron 7 of the SGCD gene were identified. In 25 DCM-affected and 13 non DCM-affected dogs seven different haplotypes could be distinguished. However, no association between any of the SGCD variants and the disease locus was apparent.

Effect of pericardiocentesis on circulating concentrations of atrial natriuretic hormone and arginine vasopressin in dogs with spontaneous pericardial effusion.

Factors regulating the secretion of atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) have not been elucidated fully. In several studies the release of these peptides has been studied by inducing both increased atrial pressure and atrial distension. A few studies employ cardiac tamponade, allowing the effect of atrial pressure and atrial stretch to be studied separately. In eleven dogs with spontaneous cardiac tamponade the effect of pericardiocentesis on circulating concentrations of ANP and AVP was studied. Pericardiocentesis was followed by a prompt rise in (non-elevated) plasma ANH concentrations from 21.6 +/- 7.3 to 65.4 +/- 17.1 pmol/l (mean +/- SEM). The initially slightly elevated AVP concentration of 5.5 +/- 1.5 pmol/l declined following pericardiocentesis to 2.1 +/- 0.5 pmol/l. In three dogs the systolic arterial pressure was measured indirectly and the central venous pressure was measured with a fluid-filled catheter. Before and after pericardiocentesis arterial pressure readings did not change significantly. Central venous pressure values showed an immediate very steep significant decrease after centesis. It is concluded that ANH release is primarily regulated by stretch and not by atrial pressure, that plasma AVP concentrations are moderately elevated in cardiac tamponade and that in cardiac tamponade pericardiocentesis causes a rapid decline in plasma AVP concentration.

Age variance of left ventricular diameters in dogs with cardiac disease.

Ventricular size increases during growth, but often due to cardiac disease. This study aims to describe left ventricular dimension interrelations using a representation that is applicable to patients with cardiac disease, and subsequently to statistically study possible age and gender influences in a large population. In retrospect we analyzed echocardiographically obtained diameters of the left ventricle in 442 dogs of various breeds with congenital or acquired heart disease. Also, we compared our findings with published data on humans and other animals. Multivariate regression analysis was applied to assess possible influences of age and gender. A high correlation was found for end-systolic diameter (ESD) versus end-diastolic diameter (EDD): ESD (cm) = -1.01 cm + 0.93 x EDD (cm) with r = 0.94, p < .00001. Next, these patients were categorized into three age groups (divisions at 3 and 7 years). We detected a slight age dependent effect: the regression coefficients for the younger group differed from the two older groups. No significant gender-related influence was detected. The observation of a high correlation for the ESD versus EDD relationship could be confirmed by reanalysis of published data on normal individuals and human patients. The newly described relationship between ESD and EDD applies in particular to cardiac patients. This is a relevant finding, because clinically important indices of ventricular performance generally depend on ESD, EDD or both. Thus, ESD versus EDD offers a convenient framework for studies on cardiac volume regulation and performance in the cardiopathological spectrum, while permitting incorporation of modulating effects related to age.

Electrocardiogram of the racing pigeon (Columba livia domestica).

Using standard limb leads electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded in 60 pigeons. The greatest amplitude of the P wave was observed in lead II in the majority of ECGs. The predominant pattern of the P wave was positive in leads I and II, biphasic (-/+) in lead III, negative in aVR, biphasic (+/-) in aVL and positive in aVF. A Ta wave was observed in 50 out of 60 tracings. Wenckebach's phenomenon was observed in three different pigeons. In lead I the QRS pattern was rs or qs. In leads II, III and aVF the waveform was rS or QS. In leads aVR and aVL this pattern was R or qR. The highest voltage was observed in lead II. ST elevation and ST slurring were common findings. The T wave was always discordant, except for lead I, where the T wave was isoelectric. Reference values for electrocardiographic parameters were established.

Radionuclide angiocardiography in the normal dog: first-pass studies.

The first pass of a bolus of radioactivity (99mTc) through the heart and lungs was studied in 27 anaesthetised healthy adult mongrel dogs, using a gamma camera with a computer on-line. Bodyweights ranged from 9 to 60 kg, heart rate from 108 to 150 beats min-1. Quantitative analysis revealed that the distribution volume (DV) of the labelled blood, the cardiac output (CO), the stroke volume (SV) and pulmonary blood volume (PBV) were almost proportional to the bodyweight. Specific results were: DV 120 ml kg-1, CO 136 ml kg-1, SV 1.11 ml kg-1, PBV 6.9 ml kg-1. The pulmonary transit time varied between 1.0 and 3.6 seconds. Clinical applicability of the method, including visual inspection of camera images and quantitative analysis of a time-activity curve of the lung, was demonstrated for one dog with an aortic stenosis and another with a left-to-right shunt.

Radionuclide angiocardiography in the normal dog: equilibrium studies.

Equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography was applied in 27 healthy anaesthetised dogs (9 to 60 kg) after labelling the blood pool with 99mTc, using a gamma camera with a computer on-line. Quantitative analysis of the calibrated ventriculogram provided the following left ventricular parameters: the end diastolic volume (EDV), the ejection fraction (EF), the possible degree of regurgitation and as velocity indices the peak ejection and peak refilling rates (PER and PRR). Averaged results were: EDV 1.8 ml kg-1; EF 0.59; PER 4.3 EDV s-1; PRR 3.75 EDV s-1. Visual inspection of the camera images may reveal abnormal wall motions and dilatation of heart chambers.

Prognostic significance of the electrocardiogram in dogs with atrial fibrillation: a retrospective study of 59 cases.

The clinical histories of 59 dogs suffering from atrial fibrillation (AF) were reviewed and the relationship between the occurrence of AF and parameters such as breed, sex, age and bodyweight investigated. The survival period could be determined in 44 patients and electrocardiograms of these dogs were reinterpreted. The relationship between the survival period and electrocardiographic parameters, age and bodyweight were tested statistically. Significant relationships between the survival period and bodyweight, R wave voltage and QRS duration were established. No significant correlation between the survival period and age or heart rate at the time of diagnosis could be determined.

Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus using occluding spring coils.

The purpose of this study is to report our initial experience with the use of spring coils to close the patent ductus arteriosus in the dog. There are few large-patient series reported in the veterinary literature. Coil closure was attempted in 15 dogs (median weight, 6.5 kg; range, 1.2 to 38.7 kg) presenting with a patent ductus arteriosus between May 1997 and May 1999. Arterial catheterization followed by angiography was used to decide if coil placement was adequate. A 5- or 8-mm embolization coil, depending on the angiographic diameter of the ductus, was delivered, with 1 loop in the pulmonary arterial side and the remainder of the coil in the aortic side of the duct. Additional coils were used if a residual shunt was present, and closure was confirmed by aortography. Patients were discharged the day after the procedure. Successful coil closure, without residual shunt on angiography, was achieved in 11 of 13 dogs in which coils were released. In 6 dogs, a coil embolized to the pulmonary artery. Four of these dogs had successful closure with multiple coils, and 2 others had surgery. None of these dogs experienced adverse effects. In 2 dogs with conical patent ductus arteriosus >5 mm in minimal diameter, coil closure was not done. We conclude that the patent ductus arteriosus size and anatomical shape are crucial in deciding whether coil closure is the method of choice. In selected cases, coil closure represents an elegant alternative to surgical ligation. Although pulmonary embolism occurred commonly, it did not cause any obvious clinical problem.

Diagnosis and treatment of acquired diaphragmatic hernia by thoracotomy in 49 dogs and 72 cats.

Diaphragmatic hernia frequently occurs as a consequence of traffic accidents. The 'pendulating' or 'inspiratory abdominal' respiration and the sinistro- or dextrocardia are often diagnostic. Palpation of the apex beat proved to be reliable way of determining whether median, left- or right-sided thoracotomy was indicated. In this paper the results of surgical treatment of 49 dogs and 72 cats by means of a thoracic approach are presented. In 46 dogs full recovery was achieved, three animals died. From the 72 cats 10 patients died and 62 recovered. Based upon the comparison of these figures and reports from the literature using the abdominal approach, we consider thoracotomy superior to the abdominal approach for this type of patient.

Radiocardiography in dogs with atrial fibrillation.

In 54 of 99 dogs with atrial fibrillation heart function was examined scintigraphically. Data on the ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic volume (EDV) and regurgitation fraction (RF) are presented. Of these animals 37 had a seriously decreased EF (less than 30%) with a more or less normal RF value, whereas a smaller group (17) had a moderately decreased EF (but greater than or equal to 30%) and a seriously increased RF value. In both groups the EDV was increased.

Survival time in dogs with spontaneous atrial fibrillation related to scintigraphically measured cardiac performance.

In 40 canine patients with spontaneous atrial fibrillation (AF) cardiac performance was measured scintigraphically and correlated with the survival time (ST) following the diagnosis of AF. The parameters used for cardiac performance were heart rate (HR), end-diastolic left ventricular volume (EDV), ejection fraction of the left ventricle (EF), left ventricular regurgitation fraction (RF) and cardiac output (CO). ST varied from 3 days to 780 days. Two groups of animals were distinguished as previously described: group A (EF less than 0.3, n = 26) and group B (EF greater than or equal to 0.3, n = 14). The median ST (90 days) in group A was only weakly significant (p = 0.1) shorter than in group B (150 days). RF was significantly lower in group A than in group B (p less than 0.001). A weak correlation was found between ST and EF (r = 0.28; p = 0.04). It was concluded that the prognosis in the described AF patients is slightly favourable if EF is normal or only moderately reduced.

Relationship between atrial fibrillation and primary hypothyroidism in the dog.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and primary hypothyroidism are most often diagnosed in middle-aged and older dogs of large and giant breeds. We hypothesized that the frequency of primary hypothyroidism may be higher in dogs with AF than in those without AF. Two groups were investigated. Group 1 (March 1987-June 1990) consisted of 128 dogs with AF. A thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulation test was performed in dogs with a low voltage on the ECG and low uptake of pertechnetate on a thyroid scan. Group 2 (July 1990-July 1991) consisted of both dogs with AF (n = 38) and control dogs (n = 235) in which plasma thyroxine (T4) was measured. If T4 was below 15 nmol/l, a TSH stimulation test was performed. The frequencies of primary hypothyroidism in group 1 (8/128) and in the group 2 AF dogs (3/38) were not different, but were higher than in the control animals (3/235) (P < 0.05). The group 1 and the group 2 AF dogs were found to be comparable, and pooling of the data of the two groups enhanced the significance of the frequency of primary hypothyroidism in dogs with AF versus the control animals (11/166 versus 3/235) (P < 0.01). We concluded that the frequency of primary hypothyroidism in dogs with AF is higher than in the group of control dogs without AF. This may be due to the additional cardiovascular changes accompanying primary hypothyroidism in dogs that already have heart disease.

Seven cases of heartworm disease (dirofilariosis) in dogs in The Netherlands.

We present here the clinical history, diagnosis, and treatment of seven dogs with dirofilariosis. All dogs were imported into the Netherlands after residing in an area in which dirofilariosis is endemic. In three of these dogs the infection was occult, for the serological test was positive but there was no microfilaraemia. Weight loss, coughing, dyspnoea, and decreased exercise tolerance were the most prominent clinical signs. Two of the dogs had the characteristic electrocardiographic and radiographic signs of enlargement of the right heart. Treatment with thiacetarsamide and ivermectin resulted in complete remission in six dogs. One dog died, presumably as a result of acute renal failure. In the past year (1992-1993) seven cases of canine dirofilariosis were diagnosed, nearly equal to the number in the preceding 10 years (n = 9). This most probably reflects the greater sensitivity of the serological diagnosis of dirofilariosis in comparison with identification of microfilariae in the circulation, but a real increase in the number of dogs with dirofilariosis as a result of growing international traffic of tourists accompanied by pets cannot be excluded.

[En bloc ligation of the thoracic duct in twelve dogs with idiopathic chylothorax]. / En bloc ligatie van de ductus thoracicus bij twaalf honden met idiopatische chylothorax.

Twelve dogs with idiopathic chylothorax were treated by en bloc ligation of the thoracic duct. Six dogs recovered completely. Minimal follow-up in this group was 12 months. Five dogs were euthanized within 5 months of surgery because of persisting liquothorax: two with chylous and three with non-chylous effusions. One dog was euthanized 2 months after surgery because of a recurrence of dyspnoea. It is concluded that the results are comparable with those of a previously described surgical treatment; however, the technique described here is less complicated because it does not require mesenteric lymphangiography.

Heartworm infected dogs in the Netherlands.

Heartworm infected small animal patients are seldom seen in the Netherlands, because the parasite's life cycle cannot be completed in this climate. We report here four cases of the disease in dogs brought to the Netherlands from endemic heartworm areas. The initial diagnosis was based upon this knowledge and clinical signs (low exercise tolerance and coughing). The diagnosis was confirmed by the radiographic finding of variable pulmonary artery enlargement, the electrocardiographic finding of right ventricular hyperptrophy and the presence of microfilariae in the peripheral blood. Treatment resulted in recovery in three of these patients but the fourth died soon after initiation of the therapy.

[Thoracic surgery in companion animals. The role of Professor Dr. G.H.B. Teunissen (1907-1998)]. / Thoraxchirurgie bij gezelschapsdieren. De rol van professor dr. dr. h.c. G.H.B. Teunissen (1907-1998).

By this review we commemorate professor dr. dr. h.c. G.H.B. Teunissen, who died on August 20, 1998. We report his important role in the development of human and small animal thoracic surgery in the Netherlands following his appointment as professor in the Small Animal Clinic of the State University of Utrecht in January 1947. Comparing Teunissen's publications on thoracic surgery with other literature on this subject in the same period shows that he was aware of and made use of the possibilities of the developments at that time. Thanks to his contributions, the small animal thoracic surgery in Utrecht is internationally recognized.

An infection with the lungworm Filaroides milksi Whitlock, 1956 (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea) in a dog from Belgium.

A one-year-old male boxer coming from Belgium was presented at the Small Animal Clinic with signs of respiratory distress which had been present for three weeks. A radiograph of the thorax showed features of peribronchitis and infiltration in both lungs. In spite of antibiotic and supportive therapy the dog died. Postmortem examination of the lungs revealed a large number of nematodes in most of the bronchioles and alveoli. These nematodes were identified as filaroides milksi, Whitlock, 1956, a lungworm of dogs which has not been reported in Europe previously.

ECG changes in dogs with hypothyroidism.

The results of electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings in 19 dogs with primary hypothyroidism are presented. Low voltage and inverted T waves were the most frequently observed abnormalities. In a number of dogs the ECG changes contributed to the diagnosis of hypothyroidism. A few dogs had even been referred to the cardiopulmonary service because of decreased exercise tolerance and the ECG pointed to the need for thyroid function studies.

[Recent insights into the possibilities of resuscitation of dogs and cats]. / Huidige inzichten in de mogelijkheden van reanimatie bij de hond en de kat.

This article reviews the present state of the art of resuscitation of dogs and cats. The purpose of resuscitation is to revive animals so that the vital functions resume together with a normal brain function. Resuscitation must be started as soon as the cardiopulmonary arrest has been confirmed. Adequate ventilation and effective circulation to the most vital body organs, the heart and the brain, have the highest priority. They can be achieved by endotracheal intubation, artificial ventilation with 100% oxygen and rhythmic compression of the closed chest or direct cardiac massage following thoracotomy. Medical therapy is an important part of resuscitation. In the absence of a central venous route, deep endotracheal administration is the preferred method of administration. Most medications can be administered through the endotracheal tube in this fashion.

[Arterial hypertension in the cat. A pathobiologic and clinical review with emphasis on the ophthalmologic aspects]. / Arteriële hypertensie bij de kat. Een pathobiologisch en klinisch overzicht met nadruk op de oogheelkundige aspecten.

Arterial hypertension in cats appears to be an often underdiagnosed problem. Sudden disturbances of vision caused by intraocular haemorrhage and/or detached retina are often related to hypertension. The ability to measure blood pressure routinely in cats, by using an indirect method, has increased knowledge of feline hypertension in recent years. In cats mainly secondary hypertension is described, caused by as a consequence of renal disease, hyperthyroidism, chronic anaemia, primary aldosteronism, and a high-salt diet. This article describes the (patho) physiology of blood pressure control, the different methods of blood pressure measurements and the causes, clinical manifestations, and possibilities of antihypertensive therapy. Given our current knowledge, blood pressure should be measured regularly in older cats (> 10 years), especially in those with renal insufficiency, hyperthyroidism, or visual disturbances of unknown origin. Blood pressure measurements using the Doppler method is a relatively cheaply, quick and simple, method with enough reliability. Hence this method should be incorporated in veterinary practice.