Computed tomography features and prevalence of focal diaphragmatic mineralization in 300 dogs.

A focal area of mineral attenuation is commonly observed in the diaphragmatic crura of canine patients undergoing a thoracic CT. There is no mention of this finding in either the human or veterinary medicine literature. This retrospective study evaluates 300 canine thoracic CT studies with the aim of describing the CT appearance of this finding and establishing a prevalence in a large cohort of dogs. The presence of the mineral focus and its CT characteristics, including length, attenuation, and appearance, were recorded and correlated with the patient's signalments and anamnesis. The focus was observed in 43 of 300 studies (14.3%). The most common appearance was a thin, millimetric, toothpick-like mineral attenuating structure in the confluence of the diaphragmatic crura, just ventral to the aorta. There was no association with adjacent potentially pathological changes. A significant correlation was found between the presence of the focus and the patient's body weight (P = .03), as well as with a brachycephalic conformation (P = .03). This focus of mineralization represents a relatively common incidental finding in the canine diaphragm and has no evident association with pathology.

Enzootic calcinosis in Toggenburg goats in New Zealand.

CASE HISTORY: Necropsies on Toggenburg goats culled from a small farm in the Manawatu district of New Zealand, performed at Massey University (Palmerston North, NZ) over a period of 29 years (1991-2019), revealed soft tissue mineralisation, particularly of cardiovascular tissues. The farm spans 10 acres and runs between 15 and 30 Toggenburg goats. The goats are predominantly on pasture comprising a variety of types. PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Necropsies were performed on all adult goats (n = 45) that died or were euthanised. Histopathology was performed on 42 goats (93%), of which 33 (73%) included sufficient tissues diagnostically relevant to soft tissue mineralisation. The most significant gross findings were in various arteries, with the aorta most commonly affected, followed by the heart and lungs. The aortic intima showed prominent, multifocal to coalescing, raised, wrinkled, white plaques. Microscopically there were multiphasic lesions of mineralisation, chondroid, and osseous metaplasia in the elastic arteries, aorta, heart and lungs. A lumbar vertebra from one goat had prominent, basophilic, fibrillar, tangled matrix lining Haversian canals and lamellae. LABORATORY FINDINGS: Blood samples were collected from 15 adult goats in the affected herd and from 10 adult Toggenburg goats from an unaffected herd. Samples were collected by jugular venipuncture at 2-month intervals for 12 months (April 2018-March 2019). Concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and D3 (25OHD2, 25OHD3) in serum were analysed. The concentration of total 25OHD in serum was 34.2 (95% CI = 18.9-49.4) nmol/L (p < 0.001) higher in goats from the affected herd than in goats from the unaffected herd. Serum 25OHD2 concentration was 46.2 (95% CI = 39.2-53.2) nmol/L higher (p < 0.001) in goats from the affected herd compared to the unaffected herd. Serum Ca concentrations in affected goats were 0.101 (95% CI = 0.005-0.196) mmol/L higher (p = 0.039) than unaffected goats, but remained within the reference range. There was no evidence of a difference in serum 25OHD3 and P concentration between the herds. VEGETATION SURVEY: All paddocks on the property were surveyed every 2 months along evenly spaced line transects, and then further traversed perpendicularly to form a grid. No known calcinogenic species were identified. Known plant sources of vitamin D identified on the farm included mushrooms (species not defined), Dactylis glomerata, lichen, pine pollen, and algae. DIAGNOSIS: Soft tissue mineralisation and enzootic calcinosis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Veterinarians are alerted to the possibility of either enzootic calcinosis in goats and the potential occurrence of calcinogenic plants in New Zealand; or chronic vitamin D toxicosis of non-plant origin.

Caudal peduncle mineralized lesion resembling calcinosis circumscripta in a wels catfish Silurus glanis.

This report presents an intriguing case of a mineralized lesion resembling calcinosis circumscripta observed in the caudal peduncle of a wels catfish, housed in a public aquarium in northern Italy. The investigation encompasses a comprehensive analysis of various aspects, including clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, as well as gross and microscopic pathology, and immunohistochemistry. Histopathology, in particular, highlighted a severe focally extensive granulomatous reaction, confirmed by dense histiocytic inflammatory infiltrates and the massive presence of multinucleated foreign body type giant cells localized around lakes and aggregates of mineralized material. Moreover, the usefulness and limitations of immunohistochemistry and special stains in characterizing fish tissues and cell types are highlighted. Although reported in elasmobranchs and sturgeons, to our knowledge, this is the first description of calcinosis circumscripta in teleost fish and it offers valuable insights into the understanding of similar pathologies in aquatic organisms.

Localized cutaneous calcinosis associated with leptospirosis in a 4-month-old beagle puppy.

A 4-month-old male beagle dog was presented for a 15-day history of firm cutaneous nodules. Histopathological examination of skin biopsies revealed calcinosis cutis. However, re-evaluation 40 d later confirmed spontaneous resolution of the lesions without specific treatment. Two weeks before development of the skin lesions, this dog had been hospitalized and treated for acute renal and hepatic disease attributed to leptospirosis, with both PCR and serology positive for Leptospira australis. Calcinosis cutis secondary to a systemic disease (leptospirosis, blastomycosis) has been rarely reported. In this case, the suspected pathogenesis included organic stress (cortisol hypersecretion) and abnormal calcium/phosphorus metabolism during acute renal failure. To our knowledge, this is the third published case of cutis calcinosis associated with leptospirosis in dogs. Key clinical message: Previous leptospirosis should be considered in a dog with calcinosis cutis. The cutaneous lesions appeared after acute leptospirosis and regressed spontaneously.

Calcinose cutanée localisée associée à une leptospirose chez un chiot Beagle de 4 mois. Un Beagle mâle de 4 mois a été présenté en consultation à la suite de l'apparition de nodules cutanés fermes 15 jours auparavant. L'examen histopathologique de biopsies cutanées a révélé une calcinose cutanée. Le contrôle à 40 jours a confirmé une résolution spontanée des lésions sans traitement spécifique. Deux semaines avant le développement des lésions cutanées, ce chien avait été hospitalisé et traité pour une maladie rénale et hépatique, attribuée à une leptospirose. Les examens PCR et sérologique étaient positifs pour Leptospira australis. La calcinose cutanée secondaire à une maladie systémique (leptospirose, blastomycose) est rarement rapportée et le mécanisme étiopathogénique suspecté comprenait un stress organique (hypersécrétion de cortisol) et un déséquilibre du métabolisme phosphocalcique lors de l'épisode d'insuffisance rénale aiguë. À notre connaissance, il s'agit du troisième cas publié de calcinose cutanée associée à la leptospirose chez le chien.Message clinique clé:Une potentielle leptospirose antérieure doit être mentionnée chez un chien atteint de calcinose cutanée. Les lésions cutanées semblent apparaître de manière décalée et régresser spontanément.(Traduit par Claude Muller).

Oral Calcinosis Circumscripta Associated with Wasp (Hymenoptera vespidae) Sting in a Cat.

In veterinary medicine, calcinosis circumscripta is a morphological diagnosis for which the cause may be known or idiopathic. The aetiology of the lesion must be investigated because the nature of the underlying disease process will dictate appropriate treatment. We present a case of oral calcinosis circumscripta in a cat caused by a wasp sting and associated with moderate unilateral facial oedema. Following corticosteroid therapy and oedema resolution, hyperaemic, circular, firm, elevated lesions were observed on the buccal mucosa and evolved into whitish, slightly elevated multifocal plaques with an irregular surface. As antibiotic and corticosteroid therapy was ineffective, an excisional biopsy was performed after 6 months of lesion development and a diagnosis of calcinosis circumscripta of dystrophic aetiology was made. To our knowledge, this is the first report of calcinosis circumscripta in association with an insect sting in an animal. Insect stings should be included in the differential diagnosis of calcinosis circumscripta in cats.

Systemic calcinosis in a Quarter Horse gelding homozygous for a myosin heavy chain 1 mutation.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 9-year-old Quarter Horse gelding was presented for lethargy, decreased appetite, polyuria and polydipsia (PU/PD), and severe muscle wasting suggestive of immune-mediated myositis. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The horse displayed lethargy, fever, tachyarrhythmia, inappetence, PU/PD, and severe epaxial and gluteal muscle wasting. Clinicopathologic findings were consistent with previously reported cases of systemic calcinosis in horses, including increased muscle enzyme activity, hyperphosphatemia, increased calcium-phosphorus product, hypoproteinemia, and an inflammatory leukogram. A diagnosis of systemic calcinosis was established by histopathologic evaluation of biopsy specimens from skeletal muscle, lung, and kidney. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Symptomatic treatment was complemented by IV treatment with sodium thiosulfate to reverse calcium-phosphate precipitation in soft tissue and PO aluminum hydroxide to decrease intestinal phosphorus absorption and serum phosphorus concentration. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first report in the veterinary literature of an antemortem diagnosis of systemic calcinosis in the horse that was successfully treated and had favorable long-term outcome.

Poisoning by Nierembergia veitchii: Effects on vascular smooth muscle cells in the pathogenesis of enzootic calcinosis.

Vascular mineralization is a hallmark of enzootic calcinosis. Histopathological, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical investigations were performed on the external carotid arteries of seven sheep naturally poisoned by Nierembergia veitchii. Histologically, moderate to marked hyperplasia of the tunica intima was observed without mineralization. The tunica media exhibited mild to severe mineralization and osteochondroid metaplasia. Sheep with enzootic calcinosis showed arterial overexpression of osteopontin and tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase and immunolabeling for osteonectin and osteocalcin in both intima and media layers of the tested arteries. The main ultrastructural finding in the tunica media was a marked phenotypic change of vascular smooth muscle cells from a contractile phenotype (VSMC-C) into a synthetic phenotype (VSMC-S). In the tunica media, VSMC-S produced matrix and extracellular vesicles, forming mineralizable granules associated with arterial mineralization. VSMC-S were also present in the tunica intima, but matrix and extracellular vesicles and mineralization were not observed. The absence of matrix and extracellular vesicles in the intimal hyperplasia, even in the presence of noncollagenous bone proteins, tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase, and vitamin D receptors, reinforces the hypothesis that the presence of matrix and extracellular vesicles are crucial for the development of vascular mineralization in enzootic calcinosis. It is proposed that the two different VSMC-S phenotypes in calcinosis are due to the expression of at least two genetically different types of these cells induced by the action of 1,25(OH)2D3.

Survival of dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism treated twice daily with low doses of trilostane.

BACKGROUND: Twice daily low trilostane doses have proven to be effective to manage canine Cushing's syndrome. However, survival and prognostic factors in dogs treated with this protocol have not been evaluated. The aim of the study was to evaluate survival and prognostic factors, including systolic blood pressure (SBP) at diagnosis, in dogs with pituitary-dependent hypercortisolism (PDH) treated with low trilostane doses. METHODS: Medical records of 91 dogs newly diagnosed with PDH initially treated with 0.2-1.1 mg/kg of trilostane twice daily were retrospectively included. Survival times were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier estimator. Univariable and multivariable analysis were performed using the Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. RESULTS: Overall, median survival was 998 days (range 26-1832 days, 95% confidence interval = 755-1241 days). In the multivariable analysis, age (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.337, p < 0.001), presence of calcinosis cutis (HR = 5.271, p < 0.001), body condition score (BCS) ≤3/9 (HR = 8.100, p < 0.001) and higher platelet count (HR = 1.002, p = 0.022) were negatively correlated with survival. SBP was not associated with survival. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose trilostane treatment twice daily provides slightly longer survival than previously reported for dogs with PDH treated once or twice daily at higher doses. Older age, presence of calcinosis cutis, low BCS and higher platelet count, but not systemic hypertension, are predictive of poorer prognosis in dogs with PDH.

Calcifying aponeurotic fibroma on the paw in a dog.

A 12-year-old, spayed female, Maltese dog with a round and firm mass on the dorsal part of the left rear paw and a cervical mass was brought to the clinic. The paw mass was contiguous to the adjacent tendon; it was composed of neoplastic mesenchymal cells and had scattered foci of calcification with chondroid differentiation microscopically. The neoplastic cells were positive for vimentin and S100, but negative for desmin and smooth muscle actin. Microscopic features and immunohistochemistry results were consistent with calcifying aponeurotic fibroma (CAF). The cervical mass was composed of polygonal cells forming acini with marked anisocytosis and anisokaryosis and diagnosed as thyroid follicular carcinoma. No recurrence or metastasis occurred during follow-up. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of canine CAF with features identical to its human counterparts. Key clinical message: This report describes the rare case of calcifying aponeurotic fibroma on the paw in a dog. This is apparently the first case in the veterinary literature with identical clinical and pathological features to the human counterpart.

Fibrome aponévrotique calcifiant sur la patte chez un chien. Une chienne maltaise stérilisée âgée de 12 ans avec une masse ronde et ferme sur la partie dorsale de la patte arrière gauche et une masse cervicale a été amenée à la clinique. La masse de la patte était contiguë au tendon adjacent; il était composé de cellules mésenchymateuses néoplasiques et présentait des foyers de calcification dispersés avec une différenciation chondroïde au microscope. Les cellules néoplasiques étaient positives pour la vimentine et le S100, mais négatives pour la desmine et l'actine des muscles lisses. Les caractéristiques microscopiques et les résultats d'immunohistochimie étaient compatibles avec un fibrome aponévrotique calcifiant (CAF). La masse cervicale était composée de cellules polygonales formant des acini avec une anisocytose et une anisocaryose marquées et diagnostiquée comme un carcinome folliculaire de la thyroïde. Aucune récidive ou métastase n'est survenue au cours du suivi. À notre connaissance, il s'agit du premier cas de CAF canin avec des caractéristiques identiques à ses homologues humains.Message clinique clé :Ce rapport décrit le cas rare de fibrome aponévrotique calcifiant sur la patte chez un chien. C'est apparemment le premier cas dans la littérature vétérinaire avec des caractéristiques cliniques et pathologiques identiques à son homologue humain.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Topical Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) administration following corneal diamond burr keratotomy for calcareous corneal degeneration in canines.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of canine patients diagnosed with corneal ulceration associated with presumed calcareous corneal degeneration (CCD) that were treated with diamond burr keratotomy (DBK) and ongoing postoperative topical 3% or 4% Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). PROCEDURES: Retrospective assessment of CCD cases treated with ongoing topical EDTA following DBK between 2011 and 2020 at Veterinary Ophthalmic Referrals. Descriptive statistics of the study population were assessed, and a survival analysis was performed using R statistical software. RESULTS: A total of 51 eyes from 41 dogs were assessed, with small terrier breeds overrepresented (27/41, 65.9%). Median age of dogs at the time of diagnosis was 14.3 years (range 8-17.2 years). Following DBK, the median time to commencement of topical EDTA was 11 days (range 0-28 days). Cases were followed for a median duration of 216 days (range 42-1379 days). Corneal ulceration recurred in 7/51 (13.7%) eyes at a median duration of 80 days (range 63-156 days). The probability of recurrence of corneal ulceration associated with CCD at 12 months was 15.6% (95% CI: 4.1-25.7%). A second DBK procedure followed by ongoing topical EDTA was performed in 4/7 (57.1%) of the recurred eyes. These retreated eyes had no further recurrence recorded and a median follow-up time of 401 days (range 120-858 days). CONCLUSION: Ongoing topical EDTA following DBK is an effective adjunct treatment method for CCD with reduced rates of recurrence of CCD-associated corneal ulceration when compared to published rates of recurrence when treated with DBK alone.

Uncommon Atlantoocciptal Localization of Tumoral Calcinosis in a Dog.

A 5-month-old male Rottweiler dog presented with an acute upper motor neuron tetraparesis. A computed tomography study of the cervical spine revealed amorphous mineralization of the soft tissues dorsal to the articular surface of the occipital bone and atlas. The calcification extended into the vertebral canal, causing significant dorsal compression of the spinal cord. Suboccipital craniectomy and partial dorsal atlas laminectomy were performed to remove the extradural calcification. Histopathology was compatible with tumoral calcinosis. Significant clinical improvement was noted in the immediate postoperative period, and there was complete recovery with no recurrence at the last clinical follow-up 15 months postoperatively. Suboccipital craniectomy and partial dorsal atlas laminectomy allowed successful surgical resection of a dorsal craniooccipital tumoral calcinosis in this dog. The decompression resulted in resolution of clinical signs and recurrence is unlikely since there is no underlying disease.

Mycobacterium fortuitum abortion in a sow.

Two aborted Chester White pig fetuses were presented to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory in Illinois. Postmortem examination identified no gross abnormalities. Histologic evaluation revealed multifocal necrosis of chorionic epithelial cells, coalescing areas of mineralization in the placenta, and focal accumulations of viable and degenerate neutrophils in the lung. Intra- and extracellular acid-fast bacilli were identified in the lesions in both the placenta and lungs. Bacterial culture of stomach contents yielded heavy growth of Mycobacterium fortuitum, a rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM), which was further confirmed through whole-genome sequencing. NTM are opportunistic pathogens commonly found in the soil and in contaminated water supplies. In animals, M. fortuitum is typically introduced through cutaneous wounds leading to infections limited to the skin, with systemic infection being uncommon. To our knowledge, abortion caused by M. fortuitum has not been reported previously.

Strain elastography for the assessment of skin nodules in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Strain elastography (SE) is a modern imaging technology that provides an additional way of evaluating the changes in soft tissue elasticity caused by pathophysiological processes. Despite its widespread use in human medicine, only a few studies on the application of SE in veterinary medicine are available. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the potential usefulness of SE as an integrative imaging model in the standard ultrasound technique to better discriminate between inflammatory and neoplastic skin nodules in dogs. ANIMALS: Fifty-one client-owned dogs with clinical evidence of single or multiple skin nodules detected during routine dermatological examination. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Margins, echogenicity, echo-structure, calcification and vascularisation of 65 skin nodules were assessed with ultrasound, and SE was used to score qualitative (E-score, E-index, E2) and semiquantitative (SR) parameters. A comparison of diagnostic yields with cytological and histological findings as the gold standard was performed. RESULTS: Mast cell and benign follicular tumours showed the highest E-scores and SRs among neoplastic nodules; statistically significant differences were not detected. Calcific and nonvascularised nodules showed significantly higher E-index values than the others. Overall, a negative correlation was observed between the longitudinal diameter of skin nodules and the qualitative elastic parameters. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: In this study, SE proved to be useful to identify only a subset of nodules such as mast cells and hair follicular tumours. Although evidence supporting the use of SE in evaluating skin nodules was demonstrated to below, indicators to guide further research were developed.

Calcification of the cavernosal bodies may be responsible for development of erectile dysfunction in uremic apolipoprotein E deficient (apoE-/-) mice / Calcificación de cuerpos cavernosos y desarrollo de disfunción eréctil en la falta de apolipoproteína urémica E (ratones ApoE-/-) en un modelo de ratón

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Erectile dysfunction's physiopathology in uremia is complex and multifactorial, involving a combination of classical risk factors and specific uremia-related risk factors such as increased oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on vascular calcification and endothelial function of cavernosal bodies in apolipoprotein E deficient (apoE−/−) mice, a well known model of erectile dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight-week-old male apoE−/− mice were randomly assigned to the following 3 groups: (I) subtotally nephrectomised (SNX apoE−/−, 12 mice), (II) uninephrectomised (UNX apoE−/−, 11 mice) or (III) sham operated (sham-op apoE−/−, 15 mice). At 16 weeks after surgery, aortas and penile erectile tissues were harvested for histological studies to assess atherosclerosis, vascular calcification, nitrotyrosine staining, total collagen content and macrophage staining. RESULTS: At sacrifice, SNX and UNX mice had significantly higher serum urea, total cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations than sham-op controls. Atherosclerotic lesions in thoracic aorta were significantly larger in uremic apoE−/− mice than in controls. There were no atheromatous lesions in cavernosal bodies or penile artery observed in any group. However, SNX and UNX animals showed a significant increase in calcification score, collagen content and nitrotyrosine staining in cavernosal bodies when compared with controls. The degree of macrophage infiltration was comparable between the 3 groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, even mild renal dysfunction, i.e., after uninephrectomy increases calcification score and aggravates endothelial function of cavernosal bodies in apoE−/− mice and this effect might be linked to increased oxidative stress in penile endothelium

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: La fisiopatología de la disfunción eréctil en la uremia es compleja y multifactorial, e incluye una combinación de factores de riesgo clásicos y factores específicos asociados a la uremia, como el aumento del estrés oxidativo, la disfunción endotelial y la inflamación. El objetivo de este trabajo es examinar el efecto de la enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) sobre la calcificación vascular y la función endotelial de los cuerpos cavernosos en caso de deficiencia de apolipoproteína E en ratones (ratones ApoE−/−), un modelo bien conocido de disfunción eréctil. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Los ratones machos de 8 semanas de edad con «ApoE−/−mice» se distribuyen aleatoriamente en 3 grupos: 1) con heminefrectomía (SNX ApoE−/−), 12 ratones; 2) con nefrectomía única (UNX ApoE−/−), 11 ratones, y 3) operación de placebo (sham-op ApoE−/−), 15 ratones. Dieciséis semanas después de la cirugía, se retiraron los tejidos eréctiles de la aorta y el pene para realizar estudios histológicos con el fin de evaluar la aterosclerosis, la calcificación vascular, las sombras de nitrotirosina, el contenido de colágeno total y las sombras de macrófagos. RESULTADOS: Durante el sacrificio, los ratones con SNX y UNX reflejaron valores de urea sérica, colesterol total y concentración de triglicéridos significativamente más elevados, en comparación con los casos controlados con placebo. Las lesiones ateroscleróticas en la aorta torácica fueron mucho mayores en los ratones urémicos «ApoE−/−» en comparación con los controles. No hubo lesiones ateromatosas en los cuerpos cavernosos ni en la arteria del pene en ninguno de los grupos. Sin embargo, los animales con nefrectomía seminal y única mostraron un aumento significativo en la calcificación, presencia de colágeno y manchas de nitrotirosina en cuerpos cavernosos en comparación con los controles. El grado de infiltración de macrófagos fue comparable entre los 3 grupos. CONCLUSIÓN: Se ha concluido que incluso una disfunción renal menor, es decir, tras una nefrectomía única, aumenta la calcificación y exacerba la función endotelial de los cuerpos cavernosos en ratones «ApoE−/−», y este efecto puede estar asociado a un aumento del estrés oxidativo en el endotelio del pene

Conjunctival calcinosis circumscripta in a dog: Treatment combining surgical resection and amniotic membrane grafting.

This report describes the clinical features, histopathology, and surgical treatment of a case of conjunctival calcification in a 5-month-old female English Setter, referred with a history of recurrent conjunctivitis in the right eye (OD). The ophthalmic findings were limited to multifocal white plaques embedded in a markedly inflamed conjunctiva of the eyelids and the anterior nictitating membrane OD. Calcification was suspected. The blood cell count, blood chemical profile, and urinalysis were within normal limits, and long-bone radiographs appeared normal. After removal of the affected area by means of a large conjunctivectomy, cryopreserved canine amniotic membrane (AM) was transplanted to fill in the defect. Multifocal ectopic calcium deposits in the conjunctival lamina propria were confirmed histopathologically. The postoperative healing was uneventful, and no recurrence was observed during a follow-up period of five years. Conjunctival mineralization is uncommon in canine ophthalmology, and the cause remained undetermined in the present case, for which AM transplantation was able to promote conjunctival healing after a large surgical excision.

Canine calvarial subperiosteal hematomas are fluid to soft tissue attenuating mass-like lesions with smoothly marginated peripheral mineralization on CT.

Subperiosteal hematomas are accumulations of blood between a bone and the periosteum leading to elevation of the periosteum. When ossified they have a mineralized outer rim. For this retrospective, multi-institutional case series, medical records were searched to identify dogs that underwent CT for focal calvarial swellings noted acutely after trauma. A total of four dogs were included. Computed tomography images were reviewed for each case. The focal swellings had progressed in size during the weeks after the head trauma until the time of imaging. Findings in all cases included a fluid to soft tissue attenuating mass-like lesion with smoothly marginated peripheral mineralization. Diagnosis was confirmed in two cases by cytology and/or histopathology. Therefore, authors recommend that subperiosteal hematoma be included in the differential diagnosis list for dogs with these clinical and CT characteristics. Based on our review of the literature, this is the first report to describe the CT features of calvarial subperiosteal hematomas in dogs.

Radiographic characteristics of alveolar microlithiasis and pulmonary ossification following chronic corticosteroid therapy in a dog.

A 10-year-old, neutered female, Australian Shepherd was referred for acute respiratory distress and a history of chronic exogenous steroid administration. On thoracic radiographs, a severe increase in mineral opacity characterized as a generalized unstructured interstitial pulmonary pattern, diffuse calcinosis cutis, and moderate hepatomegaly were noted. Cor pulmonale was identified on echocardiography. The patient developed a pneumothorax following sampling and had a cardiac arrest. Postmortem histopathology of the lungs revealed pulmonary interstitial mineralization and alveolar microlithiasis. This report supports including generalized pulmonary mineralization due to chronic exogenous steroid administration as a differential diagnosis for dogs with these clinical and imaging findings.

Vulvar calcinosis cutis in a female dog with urinary incontinence secondary to an ectopic ureter.

A 2-year-old, spayed female standard schnauzer dog was presented with a history of urinary incontinence and painful whitish lesions localized to the vulvar region. An ectopic ureter was diagnosed by cystoscopy. Histopathology of the biopsy specimens from the vulvar lesions was compatible with calcinosis cutis. Seven weeks following the cystoscopic laser ablation of the ectopic ureter and resolution of the urinary incontinence, the calcinosis cutis lesions completely resolved without any specific treatment. To the authors' knowledge, vulvar calcinosis cutis secondary to urinary incontinence has not been previously reported in a dog. Key clinical message: This is the first case report in the veterinary literature of vulvar calcinosis cutis in a female dog due to urinary incontinence.

Calcinose cutanée au niveau de la région vulvaire chez une chienne présentant une incontinence urinaire secondaire à un uretère ectopique. Une femelle stérilisée Schnauzer standard âgée de 2 ans a été présentée pour une histoire d'incontinence urinaire et des lésions blanchâtres douloureuses localisées en région vulvaire. Un uretère ectopique a été diagnostiqué par cystoscopie. L'analyse histopathologique des biopsies des lésions de la vulve était compatible avec une calcinose cutanée. Lors de la réévaluation 7 semaines après la résection cystoscopique de l'uretère ectopique par ablation au laser, les lésions de calcinose cutanée étaient complètement résolues sans traitement spécifique. D'après les auteurs, une calcinose cutanée secondaire à une incontinence urinaire et affectant la région vulvaire chez une chienne n'a pas été rapportée à ce jour.Message clinique clé:Ceci constitue le premier rapport dans la littérature vétérinaire d'un cas de calcinose cutanée vulvaire chez une chienne due à de l'incontinence urinaire.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Calcinosis in a roe deer fawn (Capreolus capreolus) in northern Germany.

BACKGROUND: Calcinosis has been reported for a broad range of different animals. Causes for calcinosis include metabolic disorders due to kidney failure, intoxication with calcinogenic plants, or iatrogenic overdose of vitamin D. Especially young animals seem to be very susceptible to developing calcinosis. Currently, however, there is a lack of information on calcinosis in wildlife. CASE PRESENTATION: The following case report describes a roe deer fawn admitted to a clinic due to general weakness and myiasis. Plasma levels for creatinine, urea and phosphate were highly elevated, whereas the total calcium level was decreased. Necropsy revealed calcinosis due to calcification in many organs. The reason for calcinosis in this particular case might be kidney failure. Plasma samples from other hunted roe deer fawns also showed high phosphate levels. CONCLUSIONS: Roe deer fawns might be susceptible to calcinosis due to high plasma phosphate, which could be a result of kidney failure or different feed. Further research into calcium and phosphate homeostasis in roe deer is necessary.