Prediction of future development of canine atopic dermatitis based on examination of clinical history.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify clinical features that could be used to identify individual dogs within the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association canine population at risk of being diagnosed as atopic in the future before they had fully developed the condition. METHODS: Clinical histories of atopic and non-atopic dogs from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association population were analysed and statistically significant differences identified between the two groups. RESULTS: Atopic dogs were consistently affected by skin disease at a younger age than non-atopic dogs and that there was a significant difference in event curves between atopic and non-atopic dogs at 10 months of age. From a predictive point of view, dogs that suffered from four or more episodes of atopic-type skin disease by the age of 15 months were at an increased risk of developing atopic dermatitis. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: It is suggested that the clinical history of all dogs from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association about to undergo training should be examined for these factors to assess whether or not they should undergo training.

Hypercalcaemia associated with granulomatous lymphadenitis and elevated 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D concentration in a dog.

A seven-year-old Labrador was presented with weight loss and mild generalised lymphadenopathy. Histopathology of an excised lymph node by the referring veterinarian demonstrated granulomatous lymphadenitis. At the time of referral, fine-needle aspirates of the lymph nodes confirmed the presence of ongoing granulomatous inflammation. Further investigations revealed marked hypercalcaemia, a low parathyroid hormone concentration, a parathyroid hormone related protein concentration within the reference range, and an elevated serum concentration of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D. An underlying cause of the granulomatous lymphadenitis could not be identified. The clinical signs, hypercalcaemia and elevated serum concentrations of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D resolved following prednisolone treatment. In contrast to dogs, hypercalcaemia occurred secondarily to granulomatous disease and elevated 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations is a well-recognised condition in human beings. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report to describe elevated serum calcium and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations in a dog with histologically confirmed granulomatous disease.

An epidemiological analysis of a canine-biopsies database compiled by a diagnostic histopathology service.

A case-control study was carried out on data from 21,371 canine tissue biopsies submitted to the external histopathology diagnostic service at the University of Glasgow Veterinary School (GUVS) over a 12.5-year period. Biopsies were received from 545 privately owned and charity veterinary practices located throughout the UK. The overall prevalence of neoplasia in samples with a confirmed diagnosis was 58.7%. A total of 156 pure breeds were represented in the dataset, with 22.2% of samples originating from mixed-breed dogs. Univariable and multivariable analyses assessed the effects of sex, breed, age and site on the likelihood of a diagnosis of neoplasia. Logistic regression showed that the highest odds ratio was associated with the mammary gland (OR=6.53;skin=the referent category). Using the Labrador retriever as the referent breed, Boxers had increased odds of neoplasia; the German shepherd dog and Doberman were among breeds with decreased odds ratios. Intact females and dogs over the age of 10 years were (unsurprisingly) also high-risk groups. Potential sources of bias influencing the dataset include the relative ease with which clinical abnormalities of the skin and mammary gland initially are detected by sight and/or palpation, compared with other organs. The high prevalence of biopsies originating from the skin and mammary gland is also likely to reflect the readiness of the veterinarian to biopsy lesions in these sites, compared with sites within the body cavities. The findings confirm many of the perceived risks for neoplasia based on previous clinical descriptive and univariable investigations. The results might also assist the pathologist in prioritisation of biopsy examination in busy histopathology laboratories.

Air sac and renal mucormycosis in an African gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus).

A case of mucormycosis in an African gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus) involving air sac and kidney is described. The causal fungus, Absidia corymbifera, had produced sporangia in the air-sac lesion.

Acute tubulo-interstitial nephritis in a dog after halothane anaesthesia and administration of flunixin meglumine and trimethoprim-sulphadiazine.

Acute tubulo-interstitial nephritis was diagnosed post mortem when a dog died four days after surgery for a femoral head resection. Possible causative factors associated with halothane anaesthesia, flunixin meglumine analgesia and prophylactic antibiotic therapy with trimethoprim-sulphadiazine are discussed. It is concluded that death was due to renal failure associated with tubulo-interstitial nephritis as a result of a combination of ischaemic and toxic events.

Massive scrotal swelling in two unusual cases of canine sertoli-cell tumour.

Two cases of Sertoli-cell tumour in dogs in which the presenting sign was a partially reducible scrotal swelling are described. In one animal intravenous extension of the tumour had led to varicosity of the testicular vein while lymphatic extension had resulted in the formation of both sublumbar and intrathoracic growths. In the second animal there was massive hydrocoele and some varicosity of the distal testicular vein and there was again lymphatic spread with tumours in the sublumbar lymph nodes and the spleen. Both animals showed changes considered to be evidence of feminisation.

Atlanto-occipital fusion and ataxia in the calf.

Atlanto-occipital fusion is a rare bony anomaly due to the failure of the developing arches of the first cervical vertebra to separate from the occiput. It may be associated with compressive myelopathy and must therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis of ataxia in the young animal. This report reviews the embryological development of the region and reports the findings in two cases of fusion in the calf.

An atypical case of lymphosarcoma (sporadic bovine leukosis) in a heifer.

An 18-month-old Friesian heifer had several unusual, raised, black, cutaneous plaques, some of which were up to 20 cm in diameter, on its head and neck, limbs, thorax and perineum. There was also generalised lymphadenopathy. A clinical diagnosis of lymphosarcoma (sporadic bovine leukosis) was derived from a fine needle aspiration of a skin lesion. Post mortem and histological examinations confirmed a multicentric lymphosarcoma with widespread infiltration into many of the tissues recognised as predilection sites for this type of tumour. However, in the authors' experience, the presence of tumour masses in the trachea and the right mainstem bronchus was atypical.

Studies of serum total immunoglobulin E concentrations in atopic and non-atopic dogs.

The serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentrations of two groups of atopic dogs and three groups of non-atopic dogs were compared. There was a wide range of concentrations with a high degree of overlap between the groups. The serum total IgE concentrations of a group of 15 non-atopic racing greyhounds were significantly higher than those of all the other groups. Atopic and non-atopic dogs receiving stringent parasite control treatments could not be differentiated on the basis of their serum total IgE concentrations. In the non-atopic dogs there was no correlation between their serum total IgE concentrations and the number of allergen-specific positive results obtained in an ELISA, or between their serum total IgE concentrations and their age.

Metabolic epidermal necrosis in two dogs with different underlying diseases.

Two dogs with metabolic epidermal necrosis had hyperkeratosis of the footpads accompanied by erythematous, erosive and crusting lesions affecting the muzzle, external genitalia, perineum and periocular regions. Histopathological examination of skin biopsies revealed a superficial hydropic dermatitis with marked parakeratosis. Both dogs had high plasma activities of alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase and high concentrations of glucose, and also a marked hypoaminoacidaemia. Despite these similarities, the cutaneous eruptions were associated with different underlying diseases. One dog had a pancreatic carcinoma which had metastasised widely; the primary tumour and the metastases showed glucagon immunoreactivity on immunocytochemical staining, and the dog's plasma glucagon concentration was markedly greater than that of control dogs. The other dog had diffuse hepatic disease; its plasma glucagon concentration was similar to that of control samples and cirrhosis was identified post mortem. Metabolic epidermal necrosis in dogs is a distinct cutaneous reaction pattern which may be associated with different underlying systemic diseases; however, the pathogenesis of the skin lesions remains unclear.

Ultrasonographic detection of a pancreatic glucagon-secreting multihormonal islet cell tumour in a dachshund with metabolic epidermal necrosis.

The clinical, ultrasonographic and histopathological features of a pancreatic multihormonal islet cell tumour are described in a 12-year-old dachshund with cutaneous lesions suggestive of metabolic epidermal necrosis. This condition was suspected because of the compatible cutaneous signs, a high plasma glucagon concentration and the detection of a well defined pancreatic mass by ultrasonography. The diagnosis was confirmed postmortem and by histology.

Malignant articular plasmacytoma in two dogs.

Malignant articular neoplasia in two dogs was diagnosed as plasma cell neoplasia on the basis of radiography and cytology, and was supported by histopathology. Both dogs were euthanased and widespread metastases were identified postmortem.

Dissecting aneurysm of the carotid artery as a cause of respiratory distress in adult cattle.

A two-and-a-half-year-old Friesian cow and a five-year-old Charolais cow developed severe respiratory distress and palpable swellings to the left of the larynx as a result of a dissecting aneurysm of the common carotid artery. Neither cow responded to medical treatment. The underlying pathogenesis of the condition was uncertain, but direct trauma to the carotid artery was a possible contributory factor. Aneurysms of the common carotid artery should be considered when swelling occurs in the region of the larynx or when respiratory distress is due to laryngeal compression.

Examination of serum total IgG1 concentration in atopic and non-atopic dogs.

In this study, serum immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) concentrations were examined in atopic and non-atopic dogs receiving different levels of parasite control. Significantly lower serum total IgG1 concentrations were found in non-atopic dogs receiving stringent parasite control than in atopic dogs or non-atopic dogs receiving less stringent parasite control. Examination of serum total IgG1 concentrations of atopic dogs after six months of allergen specific immunotherapy (ASIT) showed a significant increase in serum total IgG1 concentrations. It is proposed that serum total IgG1 concentrations are affected by parasitism, atopic dermatitis and ASIT.

Diagnostic features, confirmation and disease progression in 28 cases of lethal acrodermatitis of bull terriers.

Lethal acrodermatitis (LAD) is a genetically determined metabolic disease of bull terriers first described in the USA in the 1980s. In this study, the largest so far reported, 28 bull terriers born in the UK were diagnosed as suffering from LAD, and the clinical findings and the progression of the disease with time are described. The main characteristics of LAD are stunting, splayed digits, eating difficulties, skin disease of the face and feet, and increased susceptibility to microbial infections. In older dogs, paronychia, nail disease and hyperkeratosis of the footpads develops, becoming severe in dogs over six months of age. A diagnosis of LAD can be strongly suspected in any bull terrier showing a combination of the aforementioned signs from an early age. Dermatohistopathological demonstration of marked parakeratotic hyperkeratosis is strongly supportive of the diagnosis of LAD and, in association with the typical clinical findings, is sufficient to confirm a diagnosis. Although many of the clinical signs and the pathology of this condition suggest zinc deficiency, the measurement of blood zinc levels as a diagnostic aid is of limited value.

Canine eosinophilic folliculitis and furunculosis in three cases.

The historical, clinical and histopathological features of three dogs with eosinophilic folliculitis and furunculosis are described. The disease was characterised by the rapid development of pruritic, papular, pustular and ulcerative lesions on the dorsum of the muzzle. Skin lesions were confined to the face in two cases. The third dog had more generalised pustular lesions. Skin biopsy specimens showed marked eosinophil infiltration particularly centred on pilosebaceous units. Dermal collagen necrosis was evident in two cases. Similar facial lesions have previously been described as 'nasal pyoderma'. The three dogs failed to respond to initial antibacterial therapy but showed a rapid clinical response when prednisolone was given orally at doses ranging from 1 to 2.2 mg/kg, in addition to the antibacterial therapy, suggesting that glucocorticoids are indicated for the treatment of eosinophilic folliculitis and furunculosis. The aetiology of the disease was not determined.