Dorsal duplication of paw pads in the four limbs of a cat.

An approximately one-year-old intact male domestic short hair cat was presented with plantigrade stance and dorsally duplicated paw pads in all limbs covered by hyperkeratotic material. True nails were rudimentary and located between the dorsal and ventral digital pads. Histologically, the biopsied duplicated dorsal paw pad was completely developed (paw pad choristoma).

Un chat domestique à poil court mâle intact d'environ un an a été présenté avec une position plantigrade et des coussinets de patte dupliqués dorsalement dans tous les membres recouvert de matériel hyperkératosique. Les vrais ongles étaient rudimentaires et situés entre les coussinets digitaux dorsaux et ventraux. Histologiquement, le coussinet de la patte dorsale dupliqué biopsié était complètement développé (choristome du coussinet de la patte).

Un gato macho doméstico de pelo corto, entero de aproximadamente 1 año de edad se presentó con una postura plantígrada y almohadillas de las patas dorsalmente duplicadas en todas las extremidades cubiertas por material hiperqueratósico. Las uñas verdaderas eran rudimentarias y estaban ubicadas entre las almohadillas digitales dorsal y ventral. Histológicamente, la almohadilla de la pata dorsal duplicada de la biopsia estaba completamente desarrollada (coristoma de la almohadilla de la pata).

Aproximadamente um ano-velho gato de pêlo curto doméstico macho intacto foi apresentado com postura plantígrada e almofadas das patas duplicadas dorsalmente em todos os membros coberto por material hiperqueratótico. As unhas verdadeiras eram rudimentares e localizadas entre as almofadas digitais dorsal e ventral. Histologicamente, a biópsia duplicada a almofada dorsal da pata estava completamente desenvolvida (coristoma da almofada da pata).

Clinical and histological findings of cutaneous wound healing in the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) housed in unheated outdoor enclosures.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous wounds are common in chelonians. The clinical and histological features of wound healing in these species are not well described and this prevents evaluation of new therapies. OBJECTIVES: To describe clinical and histopathological features of cutaneous wound healing in the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans). ANIMALS: Twenty four healthy adult females housed in outdoor facilities with free access to water and exposed to daily variations in temperature. METHODS: Full thickness 6 mm skin biopsy punch wounds were created in the rear limbs. The turtles were assigned to Group 1 (n = 12 for clinical evaluation) and Group 2 (n = 12 for microscopic study). Group 1 was photographed on Day 1 and weekly, until 28 days post wounding. Wound retraction was expressed as the percentage of perimeter reduction. For Group 2, three skin wounds were sampled at 2, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, 60 and 135 days post wounding for histological study. The avidin-biotin-peroxidase (ABC) staining method was used to evaluate five commercial antibodies. RESULTS: Wound contraction was limited; crust persisted at least 28 days. Re-epithelialization was complete by Day 14 in many animals; active inflammation persisted until 28 days; connective tissue re-constitution and remodelling was achieved from 42 to 135 days. Antibodies AE1/AE3, Factor VIII, MAC 387, CD3 and NCL-MSA showed cross reactivity with the cell counterpart in turtle tissues. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Second intention wound healing progressed slowly and with an indolent behaviour. Microscopically there was marked overlapping of the inflammatory and proliferative phases over a long time period.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy in horses with insect bite hypersensitivity: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a common cause of pruritus in horses, but there are few controlled studies on the efficacy of allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT). Atopic dermatitis and IBH can present with overlapping clinical signs; multiple insect and environmental allergens could be indicated in these horses to achieve effective hyposensitization. Although the success of ASIT using Culicoides spp. whole-body extracts is controversial, there are no controlled studies published that clearly show benefit from this form of therapy. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of ASIT in horses with IBH using commercially available extracts and tests. ANIMALS: Twenty horses with seasonal pruritus and positive intradermal reactions to a whole Culicoides extract. METHODS: An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test (Allercept(®) ) was used to detect concurrent allergen-specific IgE for other insects and environmental allergens. The ASIT was formulated by adding the relevant serologically positive allergens to the Culicoides extract. After randomization, 10 horses received ASIT and the rest a placebo solution. Clinical response was assessed every 4 months during 1 year using a clinical scoring system based on the severity of four clinical signs at 10 different body regions. Horses were not stabled and, to minimize dropouts, an insect repellent was used weekly in both groups. RESULTS: Differences in clinical scores between groups were nonsignificant at any re-evaluation, while both groups improved to a similar extent, probably due to the insecticide treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Using commercially available extracts and tests, we could not demonstrate a beneficial effect of 1 year multiple ASIT in nonstabled horses with IBH.

Three-Dimensional Volume Rendering in Computed Tomography for Evaluation of the Temporomandibular Joint in Dogs.

Based on computed tomography (CT) images, volume rendering was used to obtain a three-dimensional representation of data (3DVR). The aims of this study included: describing the bone anatomy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of dogs; comparing the TMJs of each dog by skull type and age; comparing 3DVR images with three-standard-plane CTs; assessing soft tissues adjacent to the TMJ and assessing pathological cases. Multidetector computed tomography scans of bilateral TMJs of 410 dogs were observed. From a ventral view, slight displacements in the positions of the skulls were seen, whereas from a caudal view, differences in amplitude of the articular space were observed. Dolichocephalic and mesaticephalic dogs showed more similar TMJ features than brachycephalic dogs. The shape of the TMJ bones were irregular in dogs under 1 year old. The 3DVR images related to the three-standard-plane CT improved the overall comprehension of the changes in the articular space amplitude and condylar process morphology. The fovea pterygoidea, mandibular fossa and retroarticular process were perfectly shown. A better spatial situation of adjacent soft tissues was obtained. The 3DVR represents an ancillary method to the standard-plane CT that could help in the understanding of the anatomy and diagnoses of different pathologies of the TMJ in dogs.

Maxillary Incisors of the Horse before and at the Beginning of the Teeth Shedding: Radiographic and CT Study.

To gain insight into the radiographic appearance of maxillary deciduous incisors and dental germs of maxillary permanent incisors in the period prior to teeth shedding, radiographs and computed tomography (CT) of 25 horse skulls, with an estimated age of between 12 and 42 months, were studied. Data regarding morphology and development were obtained. Dental germs of first maxillary permanent incisors were identified radiographically as rounded radiolucent areas at the level of the apical parts of the first deciduous incisors, in skulls with an estimated age of twelve months. The first sign of crown mineralization of these dental germs appeared in skulls supposedly a few months older. Before teeth shedding, the unerupted, mineralized crowns of the first permanent incisor could be identified radiographically relatively caudal to the corresponding first deciduous incisors. The results of the present study indicate that radiographic intraoral images are suitable to identify the grade of development of the dental germs of maxillary permanent incisors. A detailed description of the radiographic appearance of deciduous incisors and dental germs of permanent incisors will help clinicians to expand their knowledge for diagnostic or treatment purposes.

Effect of probiotic Enterococcus faecium SF68 on liver function in healthy dogs.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics are widely used in dogs but can be associated with alterations in some serum biochemistry test results. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of Enterococcus faecium SF68 administration for 14 days on serum alanine transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in healthy dogs. ANIMALS: Thirty-six healthy privately owned neutered dogs were randomly allocated, stratified by sex, to control or probiotic groups. Dogs were clinically healthy, with normal physical examination findings, blood, urine, and fecal analyses and ultrasonographic examinations. METHOD: In this blinded, controlled study E. faecium SF68 was administered to the probiotic group for 14 days. Blood samples were taken from all dogs at days 0, 14, and 28. Serum ALT and ALP activity and total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were determined on these 3 days. RESULTS: The probiotic induced no significant changes in mean ALT and ALP activity. Mean cholesterol concentration did not change during probiotic administration but a significant decrease was seen on day 28 (P < .01). Mean triglyceride concentration increased progressively, becoming significant at day 28 (P < .05), with 1 dog developing hypertriglyceridemia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: E. faecium SF68 would not create confusion when monitoring dogs with hepatobiliary disease because ALT and ALP activity did not change significantly. A significant decrease in cholesterol and significant increase in triglyceride concentrations were seen at day 28 but were not clinically relevant, with 1 dog showing hypertriglyceridemia. A longer trial is warranted to assess if the probiotic effects could be clinically relevant and to assess its potential use in hypertriglyceridemic dogs.

A newly recognized pattern of canine osteochondromatosis.

Clinicopathological findings are described for a unique skeletal pattern of osteochondromatosis (syn. multiple osteochondromas) in three crossbred littermate dogs. Multiple nonpainful bilaterally symmetric skeletal lesions arose from focal semiannular and annular areas of periosteal thickening on the cortical surface of the metaphyses and diaphyses of long bones. Flat bones of the skull were spared. In radiographs osteochondromas in different stages of evolution were apparent. Grossly there were smoothly contoured, nodular subperiosteal masses of dense fibrocartilaginous and osseous tissue that were continuous with and overlying apparently normal but thin trabeculae of cancellous bone. Cortical compacta was attenuated or absent beneath exostoses. In histologic sections of the cartilage-capped exostoses a hyperplastic periosteum formed a focal semiannular or annular cap of proliferative hyaline cartilage tissue that underwent endochondral ossification and replacement by cancellous bone at its base. Intertrabecular spaces in the cancellous bone of exostoses were filled with fibro-osseous and hematopoietic tissue. A hereditary origin was suspected for the osteochondromas. Origin of some osteochondromas as semiannular or annular perturbations of the perichondrial ring of metaphyseal physes of long bones likely contributed to limb shortening and a pattern of billaterally symmetric angular limb deformities of all limbs as occurs in some children affected by osteochondromatosis.