[Efficacy of the combination of glucocorticoids, mycophenolate-mofetil and human immunoglobulin for the therapy of immune mediated haemolytic anaemia in dogs]. / Wirksamkeitsstudie zur Kombinationstherapie von Glukokortikoid, Mycophenolat- Mofetil und humanem Immunglobulin zur Therapie von primärer immun vermittelter hämolytischer Anämie beim Hund.

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) is one of the most common immune-mediated diseases in dogs with a high mortality rate. In this retrospective study, we examined the effect of mycophenolate- mofetil (MMF) and human intravenous immunoglobulin (hIVIG) in combination with glucocorticoids on canine IMHA patients. Six dogs were treated with prednisolone and MMF (hIVIG-) and in 15 patients hIVIG was added (hIVIG+). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding age, weight, number of blood transfusions or hematocrit on the day of diagnosis. The hIVIG+ group showed a significantly faster recovery of the hematocrit, but this difference was only short-lived. The survival in the first year was similar in both groups and was with 71.5% somewhat higher than in other published studies. The addition of MMF to prednisolone for the treatment of dogs with acute IMHA was well tolerated and seemed to positively affect the course of the disease. Randomized studies are necessary to confirm this observation. Human immunoglobulin had only minimal clinical advantages and no effect on mortality.

INTRODUCTION: Une anémie hémolytique auto-immune idiopathique (IMHA) compte chez le chien au nombre des affections auto-immunes les plus fréquentes avec un taux de mortalité élevé. Dans le cadre de la présente étude rétrospective, nous avons examiné l'effet du mycophénolate mofétil (MMF) et des globulines humaines par voie intraveineuse (hIVIG) en combinaison avec des glucocorticoïdes sur des chiens souffrant d'IMHA. Six chiens ont été traités au moyen d'une combinaison prédnisolone/ MMF (hIVIG­) et chez 15 patients on a en plus utilisé des hlVIG (hIVIG+). Les deux groupes ne se différenciaient pas de façon significative en ce qui concerne l'âge, le poids, le nombre de transfusions sanguines ou l'hématocrite lors du diagnostic. Les patients du groupe hIVIG+ ont montré une normalisation significativement plus rapide mais de courte durée de l'hématocrite. Le taux de survie à une année était similaire dans les deux groupes avec 71,5%, ce qui est un peu plus élevé que dans d'autres études. L'ajout de MMF à la prédnisolone dans le traitement de chiens atteints d'IMHA est bien supporté et semble influencer le cours de la maladie de façon positive. Des études randomisées sont nécessaires pour confirmer ces observations. Les immunoglobulines humaines n'ont eu qu'un effet limité et pas d'influence sur la mortalité.

Unexplained bleeding as primary clinical complaint in dogs infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum.

INTRODUCTION: Unexplained bleeding was the primary clinical complaint in 15 dogs diagnosed with A. vasorum and was observed in the mouth, as external bleeding, as large subcutaneous hematoma, as hemoptysis, in the brain, post ovariectomy, as epistaxis, in the anterior ocular chamber and on a tracheal intubation tube. In 8 dogs the cause of bleeding initially was suspected to be a minor trauma or a surgical complication, and various surgical approaches had been undertaken to eliminate the problem. In only 3 dogs respiratory signs were observed before the bleeding prompted referral. The median time elapsed between the first recognized clinical signs attributed to A. vasorum until diagnosis was 2 weeks (range1 day to 4 months). Four dogs died, 3 on the day of admission and 1 dog 4 days after admission. Suspected causes of death were respiratory failure and cerebral hemorrhage in 2 dogs each. Four dogs had been pre-treated with NSAIDs; of these, 2 dogs developed severe hemoptysis (1 died), 1 dog developed brain hemorrhage (and died), and 1 dog developed a large subcutaneous hematoma with marked anemia. Bleeding at various sites may be the only recognized abnormality in A. vasorum infection. Without a high index of suspicion, the diagnosis and appropriate therapy may be delayed to the point of a fatal outcome. Tests of coagulation were quite variable and the cause of bleeding likely multifactorial.

INTRODUCTION: Un saignement inexplicable a été le symptôme clinique primaire chez 15 chiens chez lesquels une infestation à A. vasorum a été diagnostiquée par la suite. Ces saignements ont été observés sous forme d'hémorragies dans la gueule, de saignements externes, de gros hématomes sous-cutanés, d'hémoptysie, de saignements cérébraux, de saignements abdominaux après ovariectomie, de saignements dans la chambre antérieure de l'oeil ou sur le trachéotube lors d'intubations. Chez 8 chiens, on a supposé que le saignement était initialement dû à un petit traumatisme ou à une complication opératoire et diverses mesures chirurgicales ont été prises pour résoudre le problème. Chez trois chiens, des symptômes respiratoires ont été observés avant que le saignement n'amène à l'envoi dans un centre de référence. Le temps moyen écoulé entre les premiers symptômes causés par A. vasorum et le diagnostic était de 2 semaines (1 jour à 4 mois). Quatre chiens sont décédés, 3 le jour de leur arrivée et un 4 jours plus tard. Les causes probables de la mort étaient dans deux cas une déficience respiratoire et dans deux une hémorragie cérébrale. Quatre chiens avaient été traités précédemment avec des AINS; deux d'entre eux ont développé une hémoptysie massive et un en est mort, un chien a présenté une hémorragie cérébrale fatale et le dernier a développé un volumineux hématome sous-cutané avec une anémie massive. Un saignement à un endroit quelconque peut être la seule anomalie constatée lors d'une infestation par A. vasorum. Si on n'a pas d'importants soupçons de cette affection, le diagnostic et le traitement adéquat peuvent être tellement retardés qu'une issue fatale survient. La cause pathophysiologique des hémorragies est vraisemblablement multifactorielle.

Intestinal epidermoid cyst in a cat.

A 3-year-old cat was presented with anorexia and vomiting. Palpation revealed a caudal abdominal mass. Ultrasound and explorative abdominal surgery revealed a cystic mass in the jejunum. Histopathologic findings were consistent with an epidermoid cyst. The cyst was likely of congenital origin, since the cat had not undergone previous abdominal surgery, and gradually grew to reach a size that caused intestinal obstruction. Extrapolating from findings in people, intestinal epidermoid cysts are considered benign with a good long-term prognosis when completely excised.

Clinical, laboratory and pathological findings in cats experimentally infected with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus.

Aelurostrongylus abstrusus parasitizes the respiratory tract and can heavily affect the breathing and general condition of cats. Experimental infections of six cats were initiated by intragastric administration with 100 or 800 third-stage larvae (L3) obtained from the terrestrial snail Helix aspersa. First-stage larvae were isolated from faecal samples after 35-41 days post infection (dpi) in five animals and until end of study (84 dpi) in two cats. Cough and respiratory sounds were observed starting from 28 to 41 dpi and dyspnoea and panting starting from 52 dpi. All cats had enlarged lymph nodes and, starting from 56 dpi, reduced body weight, and four cats showed intermittent reduced general condition with apathia and anorexia. Eosinophilia and leucocytosis partially with massive lymphocytosis, and occasional basophilia and monocytosis were observed. Mild anaemia was present in five cats, while alterations in coagulation parameters suggested stimulation of the coagulation cascade with increased consumption of coagulation factors (delayed PT, hypofibrinogenemia). Adult A. abstrusus specimens were isolated from the five patent cats at necropsy and all six cats showed pathological changes in the lungs, including disseminated inflammatory cell infiltrates, often associated with incorporated larvae and eggs. There was some degree of overlap between the severity and the inoculation doses. Infections starting from 100 L3 of A. abstrusus had an impact on the lung tissues and on the health of the cats, despite the presence of only mild haematological abnormalities. Due to the worldwide occurrence of feline lung worms, parasitic infections should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lung diseases regardless of the presence of clinical signs and larval excretion.

Clinical presentation, echocardiographic findings, treatment strategies, and prognosis of dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease presented with pericardial effusion due to suspected left atrial tear: a retrospective case-control study.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: Left atrial tear (LAT) is a life-threatening complication in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). The study objective was to describe clinical presentation, echocardiographic findings, treatment strategies, and survival in dogs with LAT compared to a control group of dogs with a similar stage of MMVD but no LAT. ANIMALS AND MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two-center retrospective case-controlled study including 15 dogs with and 15 dogs without LAT was conducted. Clinical and echocardiographic data were reviewed, and survival information were collected. RESULTS: Nine dogs in each group were in stage C of MMVD, while the remaining were in stage B2. No differences between groups were found regarding age, body weight, sex, kidney values, and echocardiography-derived cardiac dimensions. Most reported clinical signs associated with LAT included weakness, respiratory signs, and syncope. Treatment varied and was mainly focused on the management of congestive heart failure. Three dogs with LAT received a pericardiocentesis. All 15 dogs with LAT had died of cardiac causes, five dogs during the first seven days after admission. The median survival time for all 15 dogs with LAT was 52 days compared to 336 days in the control group (P=0.103). When excluding five dogs with LAT that died during the first seven days, the median survival increased to 407 days, not different compared to the control group (P=0.549). CONCLUSIONS: Dogs with MMVD and LAT have a high short-term mortality; however, when surviving the acute phase, the long-term prognosis may not differ from dogs with a similarly advanced degree of MMVD but without LAT.

Balloon dilation and transient stenting of unilateral membranous choanal atresia in a British Shorthair cat with chronic purulent rhinitis and ascending meningoencephalitis.

INTRODUCTION: Choanal atresia is a rare congenital anomaly in humans and animals, characterized by the absence of communication of one or both nasal cavities with the nasopharynx. The severity of clinical signs depends on the presence of unilateral versus bilateral stenosis as well as comorbidities. With bilateral atresia, respiration may be severely compromised particularly during sleep, as airflow can only occur when breathing through the open mouth. Various therapeutic modalities have been described in people and adopted for animals. All treatments may be associated with complications, the most important being post-therapeutic scar formation with re-stenosis. This report describes a 10-month-old British Shorthair cat with chronic unilateral serosal nasal discharge that changed to mucopurulent discharge. When acute neurological signs developed, the cat was presented to the veterinary hospital. A diagnosis of primary, membranous right sided choanal atresia was achieved via computed tomography (CT) and nasopharyngeal (posterior) rhinoscopy. Secondary changes included destructive rhinitis with progression to the CNS with a subdural empyema and meningoencephalitis. Retinal changes and aspiration bronchopneumonia were suspected additional complications. After recovery from the secondary infections, the membranous obstruction was perforated and dilated using a valvuloplasty balloon by an orthograde transnasal approach under endoscopic guidance from a retroflexed nasopharyngeal view. To prevent re-stenosis, a foley catheter was placed as a transient stent for 6 days. The cat recovered uneventfully and was asymptomatic after the stent removal. Endoscopic re-examination after 5 months confirmed a persistent opening and patency of the generated right choanal passage. The cat remains asymptomatic 10 months after the procedure. Transnasal endoscopic balloon dilation and transient stenting of choanal atresia is a minimally invasive and relatively simple procedure with potentially sustained success.

INTRODUCTION: L'atrésie des choanes est une anomalie congénitale rare chez l'homme et l'animal, caractérisée par l'absence de communication d'une ou des deux cavités nasales avec le nasopharynx. La gravité des signes cliniques dépend de la présence d'une sténose unilatérale ou bilatérale, ainsi que des comorbidités. En cas d'atrésie bilatérale, la respiration peut être gravement compromise, en particulier pendant le sommeil, car l'air ne peut circuler que par la bouche ouverte. Diverses modalités thérapeutiques ont été décrites chez l'homme et adaptées pour les animaux. Tous les traitements peuvent être associés à des complications, la plus importante étant la formation de cicatrices post-thérapeutiques avec resténose. Ce rapport décrit un chat British Shorthair de 10 mois présentant un écoulement nasal séreux unilatéral chronique qui s'est finalement transformé en un écoulement muco-purulent. Lorsque des signes neurologiques aigus sont apparus, le chat a été présenté à l'hôpital vétérinaire. La tomodensitométrie (CT) et la rhinoscopie nasopharyngée (postérieure) ont permis de diagnostiquer une atrésie choanale primaire membraneuse du côté droit. Les altératiins secondaires comprenaient une rhinite destructrice avec une progression vers le SNC avec empyème sous-dural et méningo-encéphalite. Des altérations de la rétine et une bronchopneumonie par aspiration étaient des complications supplémentaires présumées. Après guérison des infections secondaires, l'obstruction membraneuse a été perforée et dilatée à l'aide d'un ballonnet de valvuloplastie par une approche transnasale orthograde sous guidage endoscopique à partir d'une vue nasopharyngée rétrofléchie. Pour éviter une nouvelle sténose, une sonde de Foley a été placée comme stent transitoire pendant 6 jours. Le chat s'est rétabli sans incident et était asymptomatique après le retrait du stent. Le réexamen endoscopique effectué 5 mois plus tard a confirmé la persistance de l'ouverture et de la perméabilité de la voie choanale droite générée. Le chat reste asymptomatique 10 mois après l'intervention. La dilatation endoscopique transnasale par ballonnet et la pose d'une endoprothèse transitoire dans le cas d'une atrésie des choanes est une procédure peu invasive et relativement simple dont le succès peut être durable.

Comparison of the diagnostic value of a small, single channel, electrocardiogram monitoring patch with a standard 3-lead Holter system over 24 hours in dogs.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare a novel small event recorder device, the Carnation Ambulatory Monitor (CAM), with a standard Holter. ANIMALS: Nineteen adult dogs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Comparative and explorative study. The two devices were simultaneously applied for approximately 24 h. RESULTS: Analysis time (P=0.013) and percentage of artefacts (P<0.001) were greater for the CAM (110 min [40-264]; and 9% [0-34], respectively) compared to a standard Holter (30 min [18-270]; and 0.3% [0-9], respectively). The total number of beats (P=0.017) and maximum (P=0.02) and mean (P=0.037) heart rates were lower for the CAM (113,806 ± 23,619 beats; 227 ± 35 bpm; and 88 ± 22 bpm, respectively) compared to the standard Holter (131,640 ± 40,037 beats; 260 ± 64 bpm; and 92 ± 26 bpm, respectively). The minimal heart rate (P=0.725), number of pauses (P=0.078), duration of the longest pause (P=0.087), number of ventricular ectopic complexes (P=0.55), ventricular couplets (P=0.186), ventricular triplets (P=0.203), ventricular tachycardia (P=0.05), Lown grade (P=0.233), presence or absence of ventricular bigeminy, trigeminy, supraventricular tachycardia, and atrial fibrillation (P=0.98) did not differ. The CAM missed some relevant events, like complex ventricular arrhythmias, and the Lown grade did not match in 5/19 dogs when comparing the devices. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac Ambulatory Monitor can be used to record ECG traces in dogs over a prolonged period, allowing to detect arrhythmias. Due to some clinically relevant limitations, including a higher percentage of artefacts, a longer reading time (which precludes quantitative counts of >300ventricular premature complexes), and underestimation of complex ventricular arrhythmias, the CAM appears not suitable for quantitative arrhythmia analysis in dogs.

[Myocardial damage and paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia in a dog after Albuterol intoxication]. / Myokardschädigung und Paroxysmale Ventrikuläre Tachykardie bei einem Hund nach Albuterolintoxikation.

Intoxication with the beta2-agonist Albuterol may lead to immediate signs of beta-adrenergic stimulation like excitation, tachypnea and tachycardia. Furthermore, it typically causes severe hypokalemia, which then leads to muscle weakness and which predisposes to ventricular arrhythmias. We describe a dog where albuterol intoxication caused runs of fast paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia that persisted after normalization of the hypokalemia. Based on a markedly elevated serum troponin I level acute myocardial damage was identified as cause of the tachyarrhythmia. Repeated Troponin I measurements and Holter-ECGs were the means to document complete cure.

Long-term palliation of right-sided congestive heart failure after stenting a recurrent cor triatriatum dexter in a 10½-year-old pug.

A 10½-year-old, male neutered, pug presented with increasing ascites over two months. Echocardiography revealed cor triatriatum dexter with no concurrent cardiovascular anomalies, subsequently confirmed by computed tomography angiography. Balloon dilation of the perforated intra-atrial membrane under fluoroscopic guidance resulted in the transient resolution of all clinical abnormalities, but six months later stenosis and ascites recurred. After repeated balloon dilation, a stent was placed across the membrane. The dog remains asymptomatic fourteen months after the second procedure. One noteworthy feature of this case is the onset of congestive heart failure due to a congenital defect only at more than 10 years of age.

[Treatment of atresia ani type I by balloon dilatation in 5 kittens and one puppy]. / Behandlung von Atresia ani Typ I mittels Ballondilatation bei 5 Katzen- und Einem Hundewelpen.

Atresia ani is the most common anorectal anomaly in small animals. In the present study, an anal stricture (atresia ani type I) in five 3 to 8 weeks old kittens and one 4 month old puppy was treated by balloon dilation. In 4 kittens and the puppy the stricture was eliminated permanently and without complications by a single intervention. Only the smallest kitten with the most severe stenosis developed a rectal fistula as a complication of repeated balloon dilation, which necessitated surgical correction. Balloon dilation proved to be an efficient therapeutic method for anal atresia type I, and can be recommended as the treatment of choice.

[Placement of intraluminal stents for treating tracheal collapse in dogs]. / Implantation intraluminaler Stents zur Behandlung des Trachealkollaps beim Hund.

Tracheal collapse is a progressive disease particularly of small breed dogs. In the terminal stage, when dyspnea becomes the dominating sign and is no longer manageable with medical treatment, a surgical procedure is necessary. With increasing frequency intraluminal tracheal stents are implanted minimal-invasively. In individual animals this is a lifesaving procedure, leading to immediate elimination of dyspnea. In most dogs cough for some time has to be anticipated as the stent acts as a foreign body, but severe complications like excessive formation of granulation tissue, stent migration or stent fracture are rare. Stents represent an attractive treatment modality for tracheal collapse in dogs with dyspnea.

Effect of a single dose of pimobendan on right ventricular and right atrial function in 11 healthy cats.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of pimobendan on echocardiographic parameters of right ventricular and atrial function in healthy cats. ANIMALS: Eleven privately owned, healthy adult cats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Each cat underwent five echocardiographic examinations: the first and second examinations were performed 1 h apart on day 0. On day 1, the third examination served as baseline, whereas the fourth and fifth examinations were performed one and 6 h after administration of a single oral dose of pimobendan (1.25 mg/cat), respectively. Parameters of right ventricular and atrial morphology and function were collected and compared among time points. RESULTS: Pimobendan administration produced a change in some echocardiographic variables. Specifically, heart rate, right ventricular fractional shortening and peak velocity of systolic lateral tricuspid annular motion increased (P = 0.032, P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively), whereas right ventricular end-systolic internal diameter and right atrial maximum and minimum internal diameters decreased (P = 0.004, P = 0.025 and P = 0.01, respectively). Right ventricular fractional area change and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion did not change. CONCLUSIONS: This novel study showed that pimobendan had positive effects on right ventricular and right atrial function in healthy cats. Further studies are needed to determine whether pimobendan has similar effects in cats with cardiac diseases.

Echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular systolic function in healthy Beagle dogs compared to high field cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Ten healthy Beagle dogs were used to compare selected echocardiographic parameters of right ventricular (RV) systolic function with high field cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All dogs underwent complete transthoracic echocardiography before and during anesthesia, as well as cardiac MRI with determination of morphology-based ejection fraction, and phase contrast angiography-derived stroke volume. A correlation analysis was carried out between echocardiographic and MRI parameters. The values of fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, tissue Doppler imaging derived peak velocity of the isovolumic contraction wave and systolic wave of the lateral tricuspid valve annulus showed lower values under general anesthesia. Of all echocardiographic parameters of RV systolic function, only fractional area change (r = 0.671, P = 0.034) and tissue Doppler imaging derived peak velocity of the systolic wave of the lateral tricuspid valve annulus (r = 0.768; P = 0.01), showed a significant correlation with MRI derived stroke volume. None of the echocardiographic parameters correlated with MRI derived ejection fraction. When evaluating the RV echocardiographically, fractional area change and peak velocity of the systolic wave of the lateral tricuspid valve annulus appear to be the most reliable predictors of RV systolic function when compared to MRI under anesthesia.

Balloon valvuloplasty of valvular pulmonary stenosis in a neonatal foal.

In a 1-day old filly with a loud heart murmur, transthoracic echocardiography revealed right ventricular hypertrophy associated with severe pulmonary valvular stenosis and a transvalvular pressure gradient (between right ventricle and pulmonary artery) of 125 mmHg. Computed tomographic angiography confirmed the finding, with no evidence of other relevant concurrent abnormalities. Balloon valvuloplasty was performed using a single balloon technique. The foal recovered well from anaesthesia. Following the procedure, the right ventricle-pulmonary artery transvalvular gradient decreased to 38 mmHg. At follow up examinations after 1 month, 1 year and 2 years, the filly showed normal exercise capacity and echocardiography confirmed the persistent substantial improvement in the transvalvular outflow gradient.

Microbiologic evaluation of gallbladder bile of healthy dogs and dogs with iatrogenic hypercortisolism: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: In people, hypercortisolism (HC) has been associated with acalculous cholecystitis and biliary dyskinesia, which may potentiate ascending biliary infections. In dogs, an association between HC and gallbladder disease recently has been documented, although the role of bacteria remains controversial. Furthermore, there is no information on the gallbladder bile microbial flora in healthy dogs. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the microbial flora in gallbladder bile in healthy dogs, the relationship between iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism and bactibilia and possible changes in biliary microbial flora after cortisol withdrawal in dogs. ANIMALS: Six control dogs and 6 dogs treated with hydrocortisone. METHODS: Gallbladder bile obtained by percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis was cultured aerobically and anaerobically and examined cytologically before (d0), during (d28, d56, d84), and after (d28p, d56p, d84p) administration of hydrocortisone (8 mg/kg PO q12h). RESULTS: In the control group, 2/42 bile cultures yielded bacterial growth (Enterococcus sp.; Escherichia coli on d0) and 1/42 bile smears had cytological evidence of bacteria (d28). In the HC group, 2/42 bile cultures yielded bacterial growth (Enterococcus sp. on d28; Bacillus sp. on d28p) and 3/42 bile smears had cytological evidence of bacteria (d84, d84, d28p). All dogs remained healthy throughout the study period (168d). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Based on the results of conventional bacterial culture techniques, gallbladder bile of healthy dogs periodically may harbor bacteria, which do not appear to be clinically relevant. A 3-month period of iatrogenic HC was not associated with bactibilia. A higher prevalence of bactibilia may be detected with micromolecular techniques.

Pulmonary artery thrombosis in experimental Angiostrongylus vasorum infection does not result in pulmonary hypertension and echocardiographic right ventricular changes.

BACKGROUND: Dogs experimentally inoculated with Angiostrongylus vasorum develop severe pulmonary parenchymal lesions and arterial thrombosis at the time of patency. HYPOTHESIS: A. vasorum-induced thrombosis results in arterial hypoxemia, pulmonary hypertension (PH), and altered cardiac morphology and function. ANIMALS: Six healthy Beagles experimentally inoculated with A. vasorum. METHODS: Thoracic radiographs and arterial blood gas analyses were performed 8 and 13 weeks postinoculation (wpi) and 9 weeks posttherapy (wpt). Echocardiography was done before and 2, 5, 8, 13 wpi and 9 wpt. Invasive pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) measurements were obtained 8 wpi. Two untreated dogs were necropsied 13 wpi and 4 treated dogs 9 wpt. RESULTS: All dogs had patent infections at 7 wpi and clinical respiratory signs at 8 wpi. Moderate hypoxemia (median PaO2 of 73 and 74 mmHg) present at 8 and 13 wpi had resolved by 9 wpt. Echocardiographically, no evidence of PH and no abnormalities in cardiac size and function were discernible at any time point. PAP invasively measured at 8 wpi was not different from that of control dogs. Severe radiographic pulmonary parenchymal and suspected thrombotic lesions at 13 wpi were corroborated by necropsy. Most histopathologic changes had resolved at 9 wpt, but focal inflammatory, thrombotic, and fibrotic changes still were present in all dogs. CONCLUSION: In experimentally infected Beagles, pulmonary and vascular changes induced by A. vasorum are reflected by marked radiographic changes and arterial hypoxemia. These did not result in PH and echocardiographic changes in cardiac size and function.

[Left ventricular hypertrophy in the cat - "when hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is not hypertrophic cardiomyopathy"]. / Linksherzhypertrophie bei der Katze - <>

According to WHO classification hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a primary genetic cardiomyopathy. Echocardiographically HCM is characterized by symmetric, asymmetric or focal left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) without recognizable underlying physical cause. However, echocardiographically HCM in cats may not be distinguishable from other causes of a thick appearing left ventricle. Hypovolemia can look like a hypertrophied ventricle but is basically only pseudohypertrophic. Well recognized and logical physical causes of LVH include systemic hypertension and outflow obstruction. LVH similar to HCM may also be found in feline hyperthyroidism. The context of the disease helps to differentiate these physical / physiological causes of LVH. Difficult to distinguish from HCM, particularly when based on a snapshot of a single echocardiographic exam, are myocarditis and <>. Only the clinical and echocardiographic course allow a reasonably confident etiological diagnosis and the differentiation between HCM and secondary LVH.

[Cardiogenic and non cardiogenic pulmonary edema: pathomechanisms and causes]. / Kardiales und nicht kardiales Lungenödem: Pathomechanismen und Ursachen.

The development of pulmonary edema is divided in cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic. Cardiogenic edema pathogenically is caused by elevated hydrostatic pressure in the pulmonary capillaries due to left sided congestive heart failure. Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema is categorized depending on the underlying pathogenesis in low-alveolar pressure, elevated permeability or neurogenic edema. Some important examples of causes are upper airway obstruction like in laryngeal paralysis or strangulation for low alveolar pressure, leptospirosis and ARDS for elevated permeability, and epilepsy, brain trauma and electrocution for neurogenic edema. The differentiation between cardiogenic versus non-cardiogenic genesis is not always straightforward, but most relevant, because treatment markedly differs between the two. Of further importance is the identification of the specific underlying cause in non-cardiogenic edema, not only for therapeutic but particularly for prognostic reasons. Depending on the cause the prognosis ranges from very poor to good chance of complete recovery.

[Natural infection with Angiostrongylus vasorum: characterisation of 3 dogs with pulmonary hypertension]. / Natürliche Angiostrongylus vasorum Infektion: Charakterisierung des Krankheitsbildes bei drei Hunden mit pulmonärer Hypertonie.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH), together with its accompanying clinical signs and underlying causes, e.g. pulmonary thrombosis, are more and more recognized as an important clinical entity also in dogs. This article characterizes the clinical picture of 3 dogs with PH caused by natural infection with Angiostrongylus vasorum. All 3 dogs were of small breeds ( < 10 kg), the age at the time of diagnosis was 1, 2 and 11 years. Clinically, dyspnea and exercise intolerance were the predominating signs, 2 dogs developed hemoptysis, 1 dog developed right sided congestive heart failure. Severe arterial hypoxemia (PaO2 41 - 53 mmHg) reflected the severity of pulmonary parenchymal and vascular damage. Severe hyperglobulinemia (59 und 88 g/l) in two dogs implicated a long lasting infection. Anthelmintic treatment in 2 dogs resulted in quick clinical, radiographic and echocardiographic normalization. PH is the consequence of multiple causes and pathomechanisms, and the recognition of PH is primarily of differential diagnostic relevance. Prognosis and therapy in cases with PH mainly depend on the underlying cause, rather than on the PH and on its degree.

[Prevalence of heart murmurs, aortic and pulmonic stenosis in boxers presented for pre-breeding exams in Switzerland]. / Prävalenz von Herzgeräuschen, Aorten- und Pulmonalstenosen bei Zuchtuntersuchungen von Boxern in der Schweiz.

Boxer are predisposed to subaortic (SAS) and pulmonic stenosis (PS). To decrease the prevalence, pre-breeding cardiologic exams were performed in the last years. In our study the results of 309 pre-breeding exams of boxers presented between 1999 and 2008 were evaluated retrospectively. The overall prevalence of heart murmurs was 26.5 %. A SAS was diagnosed in 25 (8.1 %) and a PS in 10 (3.3 %) dogs. A combination of both defects was found in 7 (2.3 %) Boxers. Animals with a heart murmur of at least grade 3/6 had a significantly higher peak aortic flow velocity (VmaxAo) than animals without or only soft heart murmurs. Over the study period both the frequency of heart murmurs and diagnosis of SAS and PS decreased.