Pathology in Practice.

In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.

Localized Demodicosis in a Dog After Fluticasone Propionate Treatment for Chronic Bronchitis.

An 11-year-old, castrated male Shetland Sheepdog presented for a 3-week history of localized nonpruritic alopecia and scaling affecting the peri-nasal region. The dog was being managed for several comorbidities, including chronic bronchitis successfully controlled with the chronic administration of inhaled fluticasone propionate. The physical examination was unremarkable aside from erythema, symmetrical alopecia, scaling and follicular casts affecting the peri-nasal region. Deep skin scrapings and histopathological examination from the lesional skin revealed several live demodex mites consistent with Demodex canis. Transcriptome analysis of lesional skin demonstrated significant downregulation of several cytokines involved in the T helper (Th) 2 and Th17 pathway with moderate upregulation of Th1 cytokine IFN-γ and T-cell recruitment chemokine CXCL10. The dog was immediately treated with oral fluralaner. Clinical signs of demodicosis resolved after 8 weeks and a trichogram was negative for live and/or dead demodex mites. The dog has remained on twice-daily administration of inhaled fluticasone and oral fluralaner every 3 months for 15 months without a demodicosis relapse, in addition to medication to manage the dog's comorbidities. To the author's knowledge, this is the first case of localized demodicosis caused by an inhaled glucocorticoid in a dog.

The effect of a low molecular weight heparin on coagulation parameters in healthy cats.

The low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), dalteparin sodium, was administered subcutaneously (100 IU/kg) to 8 healthy cats twice daily for 13 doses. Anti-activated factor X (anti-Xa) activity was measured prior to administration (time 0), and 4, 6, 8, and 12 h after the 1st dose, 4 h after administration of the 3rd dose, and at 4, 6, 8, and 12 h after the last dose. Four cats developed measurable anti-Xa activity 4 h following a single dose, returning to baseline by 6 h. Anti-Xa activity was not detected at any time point in 4 cats. Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and antithrombin (AT) concentrations were unaffected by LMWH administration. Dalteparin, at 100 IU/kg SC, did not achieve anti-Xa activity in 4 out of 8 cats and failed to maintain anti-Xa activity beyond 4 h in the other 4 healthy cats.

Immune mediated neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in 3 giant schnauzers.

Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and splenomegaly were recognized in 3 adult female giant schnauzers. Antineutrophil antibodies were demonstrated in 2 dogs. Following splenectomy, administration of prednisone and azathioprine resulted in normalization of neutrophil and platelet numbers in all dogs.