Intact Male Dog Research Articles

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma in two dogs in Grenada, West Indies: Case report

Primary lung tumours are uncommon in the dog, whereas pulmonary metastatic neoplastic involvement is common. We report the pathologic features of pulmonary adenocarcinoma in two dogs (case No. 1:10 -year-old castrated male German Shepherd dog; case No. 2: adult intact male pothound stray dog). Case No. 1 presented with left hind limb paralysis and pain upon walking; it was also positive for heart worm disease. There was no history for Case No. 2 which was euthanized and submitted for disposal under the stray dog control program of the Ministry of Health and the Division of Veterinary and Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry, Fisheries & Environment, Grenada. Post-mortem examination revealed a single pulmonary nodule in both cases with metastasis to the liver and pelvic canal in case No. 1. Histopathologically, all the tumour masses consisted of neoplastic, polygonal to cuboidal epithelial cells with moderate amounts of cytoplasm and a large hyperchromatic nucleus arranged in nests and trabeculae. Immunohistochemically, the epithelial cells possessed keratin-cytokeratin in their cytoplasm. The origin of these tumours from bronchiolar epithelial cells or alveolar type I pneumocyte is suggested. Although the incidence of canine primary lung neoplasms is markedly low, this condition must be considered in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary lesions in older dogs.

The use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for the detection of active renal hemorrhage in a dog with spontaneous kidney rupture resulting in hemoperitoneum.

To describe the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for the detection of active renal hemorrhage in a dog with spontaneous kidney rupture resulting in hemoperitoneum. A 9-month-old, sexually intact male Boxer dog presented for acute collapse, abdominal pain, and tachycardia. Physical examination findings were consistent with hypovolemia and acute abdomen. B-mode ultrasonography revealed peritoneal effusion and a right kidney mass. Subsequently, a CEUS study was performed on the right kidney, which demonstrated active hemorrhage from that kidney resulting in both hemoretroperitoneum and hemoperitoneum. At exploratory surgery, ultrasonographic findings were confirmed and a right nephrectomy was performed. Histopathology demonstrated severe parenchymal alterations along with the presence of nematode larvae. Fecal and urine testing for the presence of parasitic ova were negative. Identification of the larvae was inconclusive. At 30 days postoperatively, repeat B-mode ultrasound and clinicopathologic testing was unremarkable. The dog was alive at 1 year postsurgery with no ill effects. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of CEUS for the detection of active hemorrhage from a kidney resulting in hemoretroperitoneum and hemoperitoneum in a dog. Although rare, the finding of nematode larvae within the renal parenchyma may have been the cause of kidney rupture. Importantly, surgical removal of the kidney was curative. Benign processes causing kidney rupture such as parasitic infestation should be considered in the working diagnosis as related to geographical location.

Idiopathic Atrial Standstill in an Old English Sheepdog Cross Dog

An 1 year old intact male mixed dog (weighing 20 kg) was presented with primary complaints of abdominal distension and severe exercise intolerance. Electrocardiogram found profound bradycardia (46-79 beats/min) with atrial standstill. Laboratory studies found no particular abnormalities. Serum cortisol and T4 concentration were within normal range. Diagnostic imaging studies revealed generalized cardiomegaly, ascites, dilation in all cardiac chambers, absence of atrial contraction, absence of transmitral A-peak, mitral and tricuspid valve insufficiency and normal left ventricular systolic dimension. Based on diagnostic findings, the case was diagnosed as idiopathic atrial standstill. The dog was treated with conventional therapy for heart failure.

Bilateral femoral arterial dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria immitis in a dog

A two-year-old intact male Anatolian shepherd dog presented with a one-month history of bilateral hindlimb lameness and digital necrosis. Supportive evidence of systemic arterial parasitism included ultrasonographic findings of parallel...

Echocardiographic Diagnosis of Mitral Valve Dysplasia Concurrent with Mitral Stenosis and Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia in a Dog

4년령의 수컷 골든 리트리버 견이 복부 팽만 및 호흡곤란을 주증상으로 내원하였으며, 신체 검사 결과 부정맥과 심잡음이 청진되었다. 흉복부 방사선 검사 결과 전반적인 심비대, 흉수 및 복수가 관찰되었다. 심초음파 검사에서 비정상적인 승모판 및 삼첨판의 움직임과 역류가 관찰되었으며, 좌심실의 편심성 비대와 좌심방 비대가 보였다. 컬러 도플러 영상에서 확장기에 승모판 입구로부터 좌심실로 유입되는 와류가 관찰되었으며, 수축기에는 좌심방 및 우심방으로의 와류가 보였다. 도플러 검사로 확장기 승모판 유입 속도가 매우 증가하였으며 pressure half time이 지연되었다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 심초음파 검사 결과에 기초하여 승모판 협착증과 병발된 승모판 이형성증과 삼첨판 이형성증을 진단하였다.

Combined Intraocular Silicone Prosthesis and Conjunctival Flap for Glaucoma after Corneal Perforation in a Dog

A 7-month-old intact male Maltese dog was presented with a 1.5-month history of glaucoma in the right eye (OD). Ophthalmic examinations revealed a corneal perforation with iris entrapment, corneal edema and neovascularization, and buphthalmos OD. Intraocular pressures were 33 mmHg OD and 19 mmHg in left eye (OS). The right eye was diagnosed with chronic glaucoma and corneal perforation with iris entrapment. Now that the eye was blind, implantation of intraocular silicone prosthesis (ISP) and conjunctival flap were elected to salvage the globe. The corneal perforation healed with the conjunctival pedicle flap and the cornea accommodated the ISP properly. A satisfactory cosmetic result was achieved without complications in the 15 months following the procedure. Therefore, this case report indicates the combined an ISP and a conjunctival flap would be an alternative for the treatment of glaucoma associated with corneal perforation in dogs.

Double filtration plasmapheresis in a dog with multiple myeloma and hyperviscosity syndrome

A 12 year old, 38 kg, mix-breed, intact male dog presented with a 20 day history of clinical signs consistent with hyperviscosity syndrome secondary to multiple myeloma. The dog received three double filtration plasmapheresis treatments on day 0, 7 and 22 after presentation. A significant (p<0.05) reduction in serum total protein, alpha-2 and gamma globulins was found following each treatment. These reductions were accompanied by a complete resolution, although temporary, of the clinical signs of hyperviscosity syndrome. The present study reported for the first time the use of double filtration plasmapheresis to reduce clinical signs of hyperviscosity syndrome in a dog with multiple myeloma.

Identification of Parabodo caudatus (class Kinetoplastea) in urine voided from a dog with hematuria.

A voided urine sample, obtained from a 13-year-old intact male dog residing in a laboratory animal research facility, was observed to contain biflagellate protozoa 5 days following an episode of gross hematuria. The protozoa were identified as belonging to the class Kinetoplastea on the basis of light microscopic observation of Wright-Giemsa-stained urine sediment in which the kinetoplast was observed basal to 2 anterior flagella. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay using primers corresponding with conserved regions within the 18S ribosomal RNA gene of representative kinetoplastid species identified nucleotide sequences with 100% identity to Parabodo caudatus. Parabodo caudatus organisms were unable to be demonstrated cytologically or by means of PCR in samples collected from the dog's environment. The dog had a history of 50 complete urinalyses performed over the 12-year period preceding detection of P. caudatus, and none of these were noted to contain protozoa. Moreover, the gross hematuria that was documented 5 days prior to detection of P. caudatus had never before been observed in this dog. Over the ensuing 2.5 years of the dog's life, 16 additional complete urinalyses were performed, none of which revealed the presence of protozoa. Bodonids are commonly found in soil as well as in freshwater and marine environments. However, P. caudatus, in particular, has a 150-year-long, interesting, and largely unresolved history in people as either an inhabitant or contaminant of urine. This historical conundrum is revisited in the current description of P. caudatus as recovered from the urine of a dog.

Heartworm Extraction in a Pitbull Terrier Dog with Heavy Worm Burden Using A Loop Snare

A 7-year-old intact male Pitbull terrier dog was presented with complaints of marked abdominal distension and severe exercise intolerance. Diagnostic studies found a right-sided cardiomegaly with marked dilation of pulmonary arteries, diffuse interstitial pulmonary infiltration and heavy worm burden in the right atrium and ventricle. Color and spectral Doppler echocardiography also revealed tricuspid and pulmonic regurgitation indicating severe pulmonary hypertension. The 104 heartworms were removed by interventional extraction using a loop snare (Snare, Boston Scientific, USA) through external jugular vein. After heartworm removals, the clinical condition of this dog was remarkably improved. To author’s best knowledge, this is the first case of interventional heartworm extraction using a loop snare in Korea.

A canine case of otitis media examined and cured using a video otoscope

Otitis media of the left ear was diagnosed by video otoscopic examination in a 7-year-old, intact male Shih-tzu dog (weight, 5.1 kg), that also had three complex ceruminous adenomas and a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in the left ear canal. In such cases, total ear canal ablation is usually required. However, a complete cure was achieved in the present case without total ear canal ablation. The complex ceruminous adenomas were excised using a diode laser, and repeated cleansing of the tympanic cavity and ear canal was implemented using a video otoscope. As a result, the ear canal was closed in a U-form, and the otitis media was cured.

Extradural spinal cord lesion in a dog: First case study of canine neurological histoplasmosis in Italy

A 7-year-old intact male mixed dog was presented with a history of acute and progressive paraparesis. Abnormal clinical signs consisted of non-ambulatory paraparesis, hind limbs hypertonia and severe thoracolumbar pain. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an isointense in T1 and T2 WI epidural lesion, with good contrast enhancement, extending from T-10 to T-13. Laminectomy was carried out to remove the epidural mass. Histological examination revealed a pyogranulomatous lesion characterized by numerous macrophages containing yeast-like Grocott and PAS-positive bodies. Immunohistochemistry and PCR performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue confirmed Histoplasma capsulatum as the causative agent.H. capsulatum has a worldwide distribution in temperate and subtropical climates but its presence as an autochthonous fungus in Europe is now recognized. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first report of canine histoplasmosis in Italy with lesion confined to the central nervous system.

Juvenile cellulitis in a 7-month-old Shih-Tzu dog

A-7-month-old, intact male Shih-Tzu dog was referred with facial dermatitis and stifle pain with 7 days duration. Erythema, hemorrhage, and crusted nodular lesions of the face, swollen eyelids, and otitis externa were observed. A painful response was noted on palpation of the right stifle joint. Impression smears and skin biopsies revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation consistent with canine juvenile cellulitis (CJC). Skin lesions and pain were greatly improved following immunosuppressive corticosteroid therapy. This report firstly describes clinical and histopathological findings as well as treatment responses of CJC in a 7-month-old, domestic dog.

Idiopathic sterile inflammation of the epidural fat and epaxial muscles causing paraplegia in a mixed-breed dog

A 4-year-old sexually intact male mixed-breed dog was evaluated because of clinical signs of acute-onset pelvic limb ataxia, rapidly progressing to paraplegia with severe spinal hyperesthesia. General physical examination revealed pyrexia, tachycardia, and tachypnea. Neurologic examination demonstrated severe spinal hyperesthesia and paraplegia with decreased nociception. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed extradural spinal cord compression at T13-L1 and hyperintense lesions on T1- and T2-weighted images in the epaxial musculature and epidural space. Decompressive surgery, consisting of a continuous dorsal laminectomy, with copious lavage of the vertebral canal was performed. Cultures of blood, urine, and surgical site samples were negative. Histologic examination results for samples obtained during surgery demonstrated suppurative myositis and steatitis. These findings confirmed a diagnosis of sterile idiopathic inflammation of the epidural fat and epaxial muscles with spinal cord compression. The dog's neurologic status started to improve 1 week after surgery. After surgery, the dog received supportive care including antimicrobials and NSAIDs. The dog was ambulatory 1 month after surgery and was fully ambulatory despite signs of mild bilateral pelvic limb ataxia 3 years after surgery. Although idiopathic sterile inflammation of adipose tissue, referred to as panniculitis, more commonly affects subcutaneous tissue, its presence in the vertebral canal is rare. Specific MRI findings described in this report may help in reaching a presumptive diagnosis of this neurologic disorder. A definitive diagnosis and successful long-term outcome in affected patients can be achieved by decompressive surgery and histologic examination of surgical biopsy samples.

Synovial Osteochondromatosis With Malignant Transformation to Chondrosarcoma in a Dog

A 4.5-year-old intact male Labrador Retriever dog had a 1-month history of right forelimb lameness with painful swelling of the elbow. The radiographic findings of increased synovial mass with mineralized opacities and the gross and histologic findings in the synovial biopsy specimens were consistent with a diagnosis of primary (idiopathic) synovial osteochondromatosis. Twenty months after initial presentation, based on progression of clinical signs and radiographic evidence of marked bone lysis in the distal aspect of the humerus and proximal aspects of the radius and ulna, the affected leg was amputated. The histologic diagnosis was chondrosarcoma with fibroblastic differentiation and bone lysis. The chondrosarcoma was interpreted as malignant transformation of primary synovial osteochondromatosis.

Urinary diversion via preputial urethrostomy with bilateral pubic-ischial osteotomy in a dog

A 4-year-old, 8.7-kg intact male Pekingese dog was presented with stricture of the urethral opening after a perineal urethrostomy revision surgery. Total penile amputation and preputial urethrostomy with bilateral pubic-ischial osteotomy were performed. After surgery, the dog was able to urinate through the natural preputial orifice, avoiding urine scalding associated with urethral anastomosis to the adjacent skin. Nine months after surgery, no major complications were noted with the exception of a small amount of urine dribbling after urination.

Porencephaly and cortical dysplasia as cause of seizures in a dog

BackgroundSeizures are a common problem in small animal neurology and it may be related to underlying diseases. Porencephaly is an extremely rare disorder, and in Veterinary Medicine it affects more often ruminants, with only few reports in dogs.Case presentationA one-year-old intact male Shih-Tzu dog was referred to Veterinary University Hospital with history of abnormal gait and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Signs included hypermetria, abnormal nystagmus and increased myotatic reflexes. At necropsy, during the brain analysis, a cleft was observed in the left parietal and occipital lobes, creating a communication between the subarachnoid space and the left lateral ventricle, consistent with porencephaly; and also a focal atrophy of the caudal paravermal and vermal portions of the cerebellum. Furthermore, the histological examination showed cortical and cerebellar neuronal dysplasia.ConclusionsReports of seizures due to porencephaly are rare in dogs. In this case, the dog presented a group of brain abnormalities which per se or in assemblage could result in seizure manifestation.

Babesia canis rossi infection in a Texas dog

A 5-month-old intact male Boerboel dog, imported from South Africa 1 week previously, was presented to a Texas veterinarian for lethargy, anorexia, and labored breathing. The dog was febrile, anemic, leukopenic, thrombocytopenic, and slightly azotemic. Results of the IDEXX SNAP-4Dx enzyme immunoassay were negative for Dirofilaria immitis antigen and antibodies against Ehrlichia canis, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. An EDTA blood sample analyzed at Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences revealed nonregenerative anemia, neutropenia, and large protozoal piroplasms in 0.7% of the RBCs. Piroplasms were 2-5μm long and varied in shape from round to oval to piriform; extracellular merozoites were also observed. Nested PCR was performed on DNA extracted from blood using primers that amplify the 18s rRNA gene from all known Babesia species, and the product was sequenced. Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analysis of the 437 base sequence revealed 99-100% similarity to Babesia canis rossi, 92-93% similarity to Babesia canis canis, and 92% similarity to Babesia canis vogeli. The dog responded well to treatment with imidocarb. PCR analysis of a second blood sample 2 weeks later was negative for Babesia spp. DNA. This case represents the first diagnosis of B. canis rossi infection in the United States.

Sellar Xanthogranuloma in a Dog

A 7-year-old, intact male standard Poodle dog with hypothyroidism and atypical hyperadrenocorticism developed acute signs of lethargy, weakness, inappetence, vomiting, and diarrhea. Clinical signs progressed to hind limb proprioceptive deficits, aggressive behavior with obtundation, and an equivocal seizure. Necropsy revealed a mass in the sellar region that histologically consisted of multinucleated giant cells, macrophages, and hemosiderin-laden macrophages with fewer lymphocytes and plasma cells admixed with large regions of cholesterol cleft deposition, fibrin, and prominent Rosenthal fibers. Pituitary tissue was not identified on gross or histologic examination, but the mass was partially bordered by epithelial cells. The histologic characteristics are similar to changes described in the human medical literature as xanthogranuloma of the sellar region and xanthogranulomatous hypophysitis.

Establishment and Characterization of Canine Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell Line CMS-C

A novel canine tumor cell line designated as the CMS-C cell line was established from pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) raised in the prostate gland of a 14-year-old intact male mixed-breed dog. CMS-C cells displayed the same immunohistochemical characteristics (positive for vimentin and desmin and negative for cytokeratin and smooth muscle actin) as the original tumor cells and express myoD1 and UCP3, known as striated muscle-specific molecules, as shown by RT-PCR assay. Therefore, the established CMS-C cell line appears to be of rhabdomyoblast cell origin. The CMS-C cell line established from pleomorphic RMS will be a useful tool for further studies about canine RMS.

Neutropenia Associated with Osteomyelitis due to Hepatozoon canis Infection in a Dog

A 4-year-old, intact male Shiba dog was referred to Yamaguchi University Animal Medical Center, Yamaguchi, Japan, for the following complaints: anorexia, lethargy, intermittent fever, gingival bleeding and abdominal purpura. The dog presented with persistent neutropenia. Histopathological examination of a bone marrow sample revealed round to oval structures that resembled Hepatozoon micromerozoites and formed a "wheel-spoke" pattern. Furthermore, mature neutrophils were observed around these structures. PCR and sequencing using bone marrow aspirate confirmed Hepatozoon canis (H. canis) infection. These findings suggest that the neutropenia observed in this case was associated with osteomyelitis due to H. canis infection. This is the first report of neutropenia associated with H. canis infection. H. canis infection can be included in the differential diagnosis in canine cases of neutropenia in areas where the disease is endemic.