Endocardial fibroelastosis in a dog with congestive heart failure.

In a 6-month-old, intact female, Japanese spitz presenting with severe dyspnea, lung ultrasonography revealed confluent B lines associated with severe echocardiographic left sided volume overload and systolic dysfunction. A congenital shunt or valvular dysplasia was not demonstrable. On electrocardiogram, there was a constant sinus rhythm, respectively sinus tachycardia. Cardiac troponin I was normal. Within 2 days of admission, the dog died of heart failure. On macroscopic postmortem examination, the left ventricle and atrium were markedly dilated, and the left ventricular endocardium had a mild diffuse whitish appearance. Histopathology revealed moderate to severe thickening of the left ventricular endocardium, composed mostly of abundant elastic fibers and fewer collagen fibers, diagnostic for endocardial fibroelastosis. In addition, there were mild degenerative changes of the atrioventricular valves. Endocardial fibroelastosis is a rare congenital disease and should be considered in a young dog if more common causes of echocardiographic dilated cardiomyopathy phenotype are ruled out.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour in the nasopharynx of a cow.

This case describes the findings in a Swiss Braunvieh cow with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) in the nasopharynx. The major clinical signs were mixed dyspnoea with inspiratory and expiratory noises. Radiographic views of the head revealed an irregular mass with soft-tissue density in the nasopharynx originating from the dorsal pharynx and occupying and restricting the pharyngeal cavity. Endoscopic examination showed a lobulated mass obstructing almost the entire lumen of the aboral nasal passages and nasopharynx. Postmortem examination revealed a lobulated mass in the choanae with a broad attachment to the dorsal pharynx and histologically a soft tissue sarcoma with tumour cells positive for the S-100 and p75NTR (neurotrophin receptor) proteins and negative for CNPase. Electron microscopic examination showed few structures that indicated that the tumour originated from Schwann cells.

Primary leiomyosarcoma in the heart of a guinea pig.

Leiomyosarcoma was diagnosed in the heart of a 3-year-old female guinea pig. Neoplastic tissue was located in the ventricular septum extending into the right ventricular lumen, but was not obvious grossly. Microscopically, the mass was nodular and infiltrative and was composed of streams and bundles of spindle cells. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells expressed vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin. There was no cross striation of the muscle cells. This is the first report of cardiac leiomyosarcoma in a guinea pig.

[Biphasic mesothelioma in a Swiss Braunvieh cow: clinical, histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopical findings]. / Biphasisches Mesotheliom bei einer Braunviehkuh: Klinische, histomorphologische, immunhistochemische und elektronenmikroskopische Befunde.

A 10-year-old Swiss Braunvieh cow near term was referred to our clinic because of severe abdominal distension, which caused loss of demarcation between the udder and ventral abdominal wall. Ultrasonographic examination revealed marked ascites and multiple echogenic nodules in the greater omentum. Based on the findings, non-inflammatory ascites attributable to neoplasia was diagnosed. Rupture of the prepubic tendon from the pubic symphysis was also suspected. Because of a grave prognosis, parturition was induced and a live calf was delivered. The cow was euthanized and a postmortem examination was carried out. The abdominal cavity contained 248.5 litres of clear fluid. The greater omentum was thickened and oedematous and regionally contained fluid-filled cystic structures, which varied in size with a maximum diameter of 10 centimetres. Based on the histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopical findings, biphasic mesothelioma with cyst formation affecting the entire abdominal cavity was diagnosed.

[Polychondritis: a new disease in Swiss Braunvieh?]. / Polychondritis: Eine neue Erkrankung beim Braunvieh?

Over the last 10 years Swiss Braunvieh cattle with malformations of the pinnae have repeatedly been reported. Endoscopy revealed a shortened and thickened epiglottis and malformations of the arytenoid cartilage in some of these animals. In most cases the elastic cartilage was replaced by fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage. The direct cause and pathogenesis of the malformations could not be determined.

[Conjunctival changes in a Swiss Braunvieh heifer with malignant lymphoma]. / Veränderungen an den Konjunktiven bei einem Braunviehrind mit malignem Lymphom.

This report describes a 2.8-year-old Swiss Braunvieh heifer with conjunctival changes as the lead clinical signs of malignant lymphoma. The heifer was referred to our clinic because of conjunctivitis that did not respond to treatment with antibiotics. The patient had bilateral lacrimation, severe swelling of the third eyelids and prolapse of the conjunctivae, which were erythematous and covered with haemorrhagic crusts. A clinical examination revealed enlarged prescapular and prefemoral lymph nodes. Based on cytological examination of a fine needle aspirate from a prescapular lymph node, a tentative diagnosis of malignant lymphoma was made. The heifer was euthanased and a postmortem examination carried out. The conjunctival lesions consisted of diffuse multifocal nodules of varying size. There was generalised lymphadenopathy and beige nodules were seen in several internal organs. Histological and immunohistological examinations confirmed the diagnosis of multicentric leukosis characterised by T-cell lymphoblasts, which had also infiltrated the conjunctivae. Examination of a blood sample for enzootic bovine leukosis virus yielded a negative result.

[Posterior paresis due to a malignant lymphoma in a goat]. / Nachhandparese infolge eines malignen Lymphoms bei einer Ziege.

This report describes a 4-year-old goat with posterior paresis and subsequent paralysis caused by malignant lymphoma. The goat was referred to our clinic because of progressive posterior ataxia, which developed into posterior paresis and paralysis. The goat was presented in sternal recumbency but was able to assume a dog-sitting position. A neurological examination revealed reduced sensitivity to pricking of the skin with a needle, and a bilateral reduced panniculus reflex. The cerebrospinal fluid was slightly cloudy with increases in the protein concentration and leukocyte count, which consisted of 98 % lymphocytes, 1 % monocytes and 1 % neutrophils; three cells had mitotic figures. Based on the clinical findings, a tentative diagnosis of central nervous system disease of the thoracolumbar spinal cord was made, and euthanasia and postmortem examination were carried out. The lymph nodes in the ileosacral region appeared as a 15 × 12 × 5 cm confluent mass, which involved the ventral vertebral column and infiltrated the spinal canal. Histological examination of the tumour yielded a diagnosis of microcytic malignant lymphoma.

[Ultrasonographic findings in a cow with extraskeletal chondroblastic osteosarcoma of the neck region]. / Ultraschallbefunde bei einer Kuh mit extraskelettalem chondroblastischem Osteosarkom am Hals.

This case report describes the clinical, ultrasonographic and pathological findings in a five-year-old Swiss Braunvieh cow with extraskeletal chondroblastic osteosarcoma of the neck region. The cow was referred because of a firm, non-painful swelling, approximately 25 cm in diameter, which was situated mainly on the lower left side of the neck but extended to the right. Ultrasonographic examination of the mass revealed a chambered structure containing echoic material that was separated by hyperechoic septa. Chondroblastic osteosarcoma was diagnosed based on histological evaluation of a biopsy sample, and the diagnosis was confirmed by postmortem examination.

Sonographic findings in an alpaca with Mycobacterium kansasii infection.

This case report describes the clinical, ultrasonographic and postmortem findings in an alpaca with Mycobacterium kansasii infection. The alpaca was referred because of chronic weight loss and weakness. The results of clinical examination, haematology and serum biochemistry were not diagnostic. Ultrasonography of the liver revealed multiple, hyperechogenic lesions with a diameter of 1 to 3 cm. Histological evaluation of a liver biopsy sample showed acute, multifocal, suppurative, necrotising hepatitis. Despite treatment with antibiotics, the alpaca died. Postmortem examination revealed nodular to coalescing lesions in the liver, lungs, mediastinum, pleura and greater omentum, which could not be differentiated macroscopically or histologically from lesions caused by tuberculosis. Ziehl-Neelsen staining showed massive numbers of rods within epithelioid macrophages, which were identified as Mycobacterium kansasii by polymerase chain reaction analysis.

[Imported coenurosis in sheep]. / Importierte Coenurose beim Schaf.

Thirteen sheep from a milk producing farm in the Canton of Grisons that presented chronic coenurosis were examined and subjected to treatment trials at the veterinary hospital in Zurich. Symptoms were first observed around two months after the import of two dogs from Italy (Abruzza) of which one was infected with Taenia multiceps and Echinococcus granulosus. The most frequently observed clinical symptoms of the sheep were reduced general condition, circling, reduced menace reflex, apathy, unsteady gait and head tilt. Analyses of cerebrospinal fluid revealed an increased leucocyte count in 3 sheep and eosinophilia in 4 sheep. In 4 animals that underwent computertomography, one or more hypodense, definable lesions were found in the brain. In 2 sheep surgical treatment and in 10 animals medical treatment with either Praziquantel (n=8) or Oxfendazol (n=2) was attempted. Only one animal treated with Praziquantel needed not to be euthanized. At necropsy, one or two coenurus cysts could be found either in a side ventricle (n=2), in the cerebellum (n=3) or in the cerebrum (n=7). The locations corresponded with the clinical findings. Despite Praziquantel or Oxfendazol treatment, living protoscoleces could be found in the parasite cysts.

Experimental alveolar echinococcosis in pigs, lesion development and serological follow up.

Liver lesions were found in 6/6 pigs 7 months after oral inoculation with 5000 or 35,000 Echinococcus multilocularis eggs. However, lesion morphology differed considerably among the animals. The largest lesions (3-8mm in diameter) were found in a single pig and smaller lesions (1.5-3mm) in three pigs. These lesions were clearly circumscribed and had pronounced central necroses and dystrophic calcifications. In contrast, most of the smallest (usually <1.5mm in diameter) found in two other pigs, had small compact fibrotic areas and blurred borders with obvious fibrous infiltrations into the interlobular tissues. E. multilocularis specific DNA was detected by PCR in all lesion types, but metacestode viability, as assessed by in vivo intraperitoneal inoculations in jirds, could not be demonstrated. Within 1 month post inoculation, all pigs developed specific IgG antibody responses against a battery of different antigens (metacestode, cyst fluid, and protoscoleces-derived native E. multilocularis and E. granulosus antigens, affinity purified Em2G11 antigen, antigen B, recombinant Em II/3-10 antigen). Two different reaction patterns were recorded. In the two pigs with the small lesions, pronounced reactions against all crude antigens with peaks 3-5 months p.i. and clearly elevated levels until the end of the experiment were noted. In all other pigs, antibody reactions remained low in all cases. In conclusion, we demonstrated two types of E. multilocularis metacestode development in pigs with distinct immunological response patterns.

Diagnostic investigation into the role of Chlamydiae in cases of increased rates of return to oestrus in pigs.

Cervical swabs and serum samples were taken from Swiss herds of sows with high rates of irregular return to oestrus (group A) and from control herds without reproductive problems (group B. The genital tracts of 21 slaughtered sows of group A were also examined. The swabs and genital tracts were screened for Chlamydiae by a new 16S rRNA PCR and the sera by an ELISA for Chlamydiaceae lipopolysaccharide. Chlamydophila (Cp) abortus was isolated from seven of the 65 swabs taken from group A but from none of the 128 swabs taken from group B. Chlamydia suis was present in swabs from both groups A (1.5 per cent) and B (2.3 per cent). In addition, Cp abortus was detected in 33.3 per cent of the genital tracts. Of the 193 sera tested, 61.7 per cent were positive, with no significant difference between group A (52.3 per cent) and group B (66.4 per cent). Chlamydia-like organisms were detected in 28.2 per cent of the swabs from group A and in 22 per cent of those from group B.

A comparison of biopsy and post-mortem findings in the lungs of healthy cows.

Lung biopsy in cattle for the diagnosis of lung diseases is rarely used or described. The clinical effects and the gross findings in lung and pleura after ultrasonic-guided percutaneous lung biopsy in the upright animal of healthy cattle were reported previously (Braun et al., 1999). This report describes the yield of attained lung tissue and the local tissue reaction in 60 healthy adult cows slaughtered 24 h (50 animals) and 10 days (10 animals) after invasion. The yield of lung tissue in the biopsies was high (85.5%) in 90 histologically examined biopsy specimens and judged 'good to excellent'. The local tissue reaction and the extent of haemorrhage in the lung parenchyma, both 24 h and 10 days after the biopsy, were minimal. In the latter group, the scar tissue had approximately the same dimensions as the tissue cylinders punched 10 days before. There were no local adhesions between the pleural surfaces. Previously published data concerning clinical reactions and complications, macroscopically examined local tissue bleeding and the histologically evaluated minimal local inflammatory reaction, following lung biopsy of cattle, indicate that this procedure is safe and satisfactory for sampling of accurate lung material. The results of this study concur and indicate that local complications in the animal were minimal to absent.

Metastatic calcification in a dog attributable to ingestion of a tacalcitol ointment.

A 22-week-old 21-kg female Bernese Mountain Dog ingested a topical antipsoriatic preparation containing the synthetic vitamin D analog tacalcitol. The dog died after a history of lethargy, recumbency, paresis of the hindlimbs, increased rectal temperature, dyspnea, and hematemesis. Histologic examination revealed metastatic calcification in the kidneys, lungs, myocardium, brain, stomach, and tear glands. The appearance of soft tissue mineralization in multiple organs is consistent with hypercalcemia derived from excessive vitamin D uptake. Oral toxicity studies for tacalcitol in the dog are not available, but the present report emphasizes the extraordinary toxic risk of drugs containing this vitamin D analog to dogs.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous lung biopsy in sheep.

Lung biopsies were taken through the ninth intercostal space on the two sides of the thorax of 10 clinically healthy sheep, using a Tru-Cut needle on one side and the Bard Biopty-System on the other. Nine of the 10 sheep remained clinically healthy, but one coughed transiently and had a mild bloody discharge from the right nostril immediately after the biopsy. The sheep were slaughtered 10 days later and the lungs and pleura were examined macroscopically; there were either no lesions or only small scars visible at the sites of the biopsies. However, well-developed subpleural nodules due to parasites were observed in some of the lungs. There were no adhesions between the costal and pulmonary pleurae. Of the 20 biopsy specimens, 18 were ideal for histological examination, and none of them was histologically normal. Mild interstitial pneumonia was diagnosed in 15 specimens, chronic bronchiolitis in nine specimens, and hyperplasia of smooth muscle or connective tissue in 17.

Percutaneous lung biopsy in cattle.

OBJECTIVE: To determine safety of lung biopsy in healthy cattle and compare 3 biopsy instruments for suitability of use. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 60 healthy cows. PROCEDURE: Bilateral lung biopsy through the ninth intercostal space was attempted in all cows. The procedure was performed with cows standing and restrained by an assistant. To study the short-term effects of lung biopsy, 50 cows were slaughtered 1 day after the procedure and examined. To study the long-term effects of lung biopsy, the remaining 10 cows were examined daily for 10 days and then slaughtered. Three biopsy instruments--the Autovac biopsy cannula, the Tru-Cut needle, and the Bard Biopty-System--were evaluated. RESULTS: 2 cows collapsed momentarily during the procedure but recovered quickly. The remaining cows did not develop adverse effects, and general attitude and condition were not affected. Postmortem examination of the 50 cows slaughtered 1 day after the procedure revealed lesions < or = 5.0 mm long and with a surface area < or = 4.0 mm2 at 108 of 154 (71%) biopsy sites involving the pulmonary pleura. Biopsy specimens were obtained during 48 of 50 (96%) procedures in which the Tru-Cut needle was used, during 38 of 39 (97%) procedures in which the Bard Biopty-System was used, and during only 1 of 11 biopsy procedures in which the Autovac cannula was used. At postmortem examination of the 10 cows slaughtered 10 days after the procedure, lesions were seen as small scars; adhesions were not observed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Percutaneous lung biopsy is a safe procedure in healthy cows.