Caroli Syndrome in a 6-Year-Old Rottweiler Dog.

A 6-year-old entire female rottweiler dog with a recent history of ascites and respiratory disease was submitted for necropsy examination. The dog had been diagnosed ultrasonographically with biliary cysts as a puppy. Grossly, the liver was smaller than expected with an irregular surface. Islands of hepatocytes were separated by bands of fibrosis and many bile ducts were markedly dilated. Histologically, extensive fibrosis extended beyond the limiting plate and into the surrounding hepatic parenchyma and was associated with abundant small bile ducts throughout. In conjunction with the detection of biliary cysts early in life, the gross and histological findings were consistent with a diagnosis of Caroli syndrome. In man, Caroli syndrome is frequently associated with renal and pancreatic cysts; a single renal cyst was identified in this case.

Neoplasia in Captive Panthera Species.

This retrospective study identified the spectrum of neoplasia diagnoses, prevalence rates and the contribution of neoplasia to death or humane destruction within Panthera species housed at a large cat sanctuary. Biopsy and necropsy reports from January 2002 to December 2017 were examined and histological material from cases diagnosed with neoplasia was reviewed. One hundred and sixty-eight neoplasms were diagnosed in 108 large felids: 70 tigers (Panthera tigris), 26 lions (Panthera leo), three ligers (P. leo × P. tigris), eight leopards (Panthera pardus) and one jaguar (Panthera onca). Forty-four felids had multiple neoplasms. The overall neoplasia rate (animals with neoplasms/all Panthera spp. pathology accessions) was 50.2%. Neoplasms predominantly originated from the reproductive (n = 47), endocrine (n = 27) and integumentary (n = 24) systems, with mammary carcinoma the most common neoplasm (n = 28). Mammary carcinomas comprised 59.6% of the reproductive tumours diagnosed and commonly metastasized widely. Neoplasia was the cause of death or humane destruction in 50.9% of the animals diagnosed with neoplasms. All lymphomas (n = 16) were responsible for death or humane destruction. This study shows that malignant and benign neoplasms are present in approximately half of ageing, captive Panthera spp., and that half of these animals will die or be humanely destroyed as a result of their neoplasms.

Expression of receptor tyrosine kinase targets PDGFR-ß, VEGFR2 and KIT in canine transitional cell carcinoma.

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most common neoplasia of the canine urinary tract. It tends to be locally invasive and has a moderate metastatic rate. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) play an important role in promoting cell growth, differentiation and regulation of cell function. RTK inhibitor toceranib phosphate has been used anecdotally to treat TCC. The goal of this study was to evaluate archived normal urinary bladder, TCC and cystitis bladder samples for expression of toceranib phosphate targets: VEGFR2, PDGFR-ß and stem cell factor receptor (KIT). A significant number of TCC samples expressed PDGFR-ß compared with cystitis and normal bladder samples (P<.0001). While all the tumour samples stained positively for VEGFR2, there was no significant difference between tumour, cystitis and normal bladder samples in intensity scores or staining distribution. Minimal positive staining for KIT was noted in the tumour samples. Based on this proof of target study, further investigation is warranted to determine clinical response of TCC to toceranib phosphate.

Sarcocystis fayeri-Induced Granulomatous and Eosinophilic Myositis in 2 Related Horses.

This report describes 2 genetically related paint mares, case Nos. 1 and 2, presented to the Oklahoma State University Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for chronic weight loss and abnormal gait, respectively. Notable findings in both cases included marked persistent eosinophilia and multiple intramuscular lateral thoracic masses. Histologic examination of masses revealed eosinophilic, centrally necrotic granulomas and marked eosinophilic myositis. Granulomas in case No. 1 also contained intralesional Sarcocystis sp material, and adjacent muscle fibers contained intact protozoal cysts. Case No. 1 developed severe refractory muscle pain and recurrent esophageal dysphagia. At necropsy, disseminated, grossly visible granulomas were present throughout all examined striated muscles. Nested polymerase chain reaction of the 18S rRNA gene revealed >99% homology with Sarcocystis fayeri. Sarcocystis spp are apicomplexan protozoa that infect striated muscle of many omnivorous species, typically without inciting clinical disease. Sarcocystosis should be considered a rare cause of granulomatous eosinophilic myositis and choke in horses.

Histologic characterization of the cat middle ear: in sickness and in health.

The purpose of this study was to establish microscopic normal in the middle ear of the cat while concurrently characterizing gross and microscopic lesions reflecting spontaneous otitis media. Both ears from 50 cats were examined grossly and processed for histologic examination of the external, middle, and internal ear on a single slide. Gross lesions of the middle ear were present in 14 of 100 (14%) and included turbid fluid, frank pus, hemorrhage, and fibrous thickening of the auricular mucoperiosteum. Histologically, 48 of 100 (48%) ears had evidence of ongoing or previous inflammatory middle ear disease, including proteinaceous fluid; vascular ectasia; expansion of the auricular mucoperiosteum by neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages; cholesterol clefts; hemorrhage; fibrin; granulation tissue; membranous pseudo-glands; fibrosis; proliferation and/or osteolysis of the tympanic and septum bullae. Histologic lesions were identified in 34 of 100 ears (34%) lacking gross evidence of disease. Ears were classified histologically as either normal (52/100 [52%]) or diseased (48/100 [48%]). Diseased ears were further classified as mild to moderate (37/100 [37%]) or severely (11/100 [11%]) affected. Internal ear involvement was present in 11 of 100 (11%) ears. Histologic evidence of middle ear disease in cats is far greater than gross lesions or clinical literature suggests; further investigation and correlation of clinical and histologic disease are warranted. With minimal additional preparation, diagnostic specimens may be readily prepared and evaluated for this integral sensing organ.