Poodle Research Articles

Gait Analysis and Functional Outcomes Following Pan Tarsal Arthrodesis of Tarsal Joint in a Toy Poodle

Gait Analysis and Functional Outcomes Following Pan Tarsal Arthrodesis of Tarsal Joint in a Toy Poodle

IDIOPATHIC THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN DOGS - CASE REPORT

Thrombocytopenia represents a significant reduction in number of blood platelets in thecirculation of mammals. The causes of thrombocytopenia in dogs and cats are: various infectiousfactors, viruses, bacterias, parasites, various pathological conditions of the liver, spleen, bonemarrow or autoimmune diseases. Sometimes, thrombocytopenia causes many different factors orthe real cause can not be detected, and its origin is called idiopathic. In our practice, in the course ofhaematological analysis of blood, we encounter a reduced number of platelets in the blood of dogsand cats. Then we are facing the great challenge of diagnosing and treating possible idiopathicthrombocytopenia in animals.In our case, we have a Miniature poodle whose problems began at the age of 2.5. The dog had thefollowing symptoms: inapetency, somnolence, temperature of 38.80C, pale oral mucosa withpetechiae and behavioral changes. After the first hematological blood tests were performed, theresults of the parameters indicated thrombocytopenia in this dog. Diagnosis of the disease issupported by symptoms and differential diagnosis, so we started with frequent monitoring ofhaematological parameters.We included adequate therapy with the first symptoms of the disease in our case of idiopathicthrombocytopenia in a young dog. The therapy was successful, hematological parameters and thequality of life improved, and the dog is now eight years old. The treatment of idiopathicthrombocytopenia is a challenge for every small animal veterinarian and for this reason in this paperwe share our experiences with colleagues.

Brain Neoplasms in Elderly Dogs

Background: The prevalence of intracranial neoplasms in dogs represents 2.1 to 4.0% of the cases. Brain tumors may be primary or metastatic. The objective of this study was to describe two cases of intra encephalic neoplasia in elderly dogs received for necropsy by the Veterinary Oncology Service in the Federal University of Pelotas.Cases: Case 1: A 12-year-old female canine, without breed and medium size, was received for necropsy. The animal has had behavioral changes. Macroscopic examination of the encephalus revealed asymmetry and congestion. The organs were collected and fixed in 10% formalin. In the brain cleavage we noticed an extensive brown-gray mass with reddish areas, expansive, moderately demarcated, soft to cut and discrete hydrocephalus. Serial fragments of the brain and fragments of the organs were sent for processing. The slides were stained with the hematoxylin and eosin technique for histopathological analysis. At the microscopic examination, cuboidal cells were observed in the encephalus sometimes in acinar arrangements, of extensive and very limited pattern, diagnosed as ependymoma. Case 2: It is a 15-year-old, female poodle dog, with several tumors. During necropsy multiple subcutaneous nodules, mesentery, intestinal serosa, stomach and liver were noticed. At the cut these were firm and whitish. No macroscopic changes were observed in the other organs. Fragments of organs and brain were collected and a serial section of the encephalus was performed for further processing and histological analysis. In the histopathological analysis the masses were constituted by proliferation of sometimes rounded cells, elongated, with rounded nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm, allowing the diagnosis of mesothelioma. The same cell pattern was observed in other organs. In the frontal cortex of the encephalus there were small foci of cells similar to those observed in the mesentery, as well as metastatic emboli in the meningeal and encephalic vessels, characterizing the diagnosis of metastatic mesothelioma.Discussion: Neoplasms of the central nervous system may be primary or metastatic. The ependymoma observed in case 1 was only diagnosed after visualization of the encephalic mass during necropsy, pointing to the importance of postmortem examination. Brain neoplasms in dogs occur with a frequency and variety similar to that of humans. Most of these are found in older dogs, and 95% of those affected are over five years of age. One situation that may occur in ependymomas is the development of obstructive hydrocephalus by the expansion of the neoplasm into the ventricular system. The animal studied in case 1 presented behavioral changes for weeks before death, and at necropsy ventricular dilation was evidenced, suggesting that hydrocephalus had occurred and the behavioral changes due to tumor localization. Metastatic brain neoplasms occur due to the hematogenous spread of many tumors. The species in which the metastatic neoplasms are most commonly described is the canine. Metastases of mesotheliomas in the central nervous system are rare, which reinforces the need for a thorough postmortem examination, as evidenced in the second case of this study, since the animal did not manifest clinically signs of neurological involvement and the metastasis was only identified microscopically by serial cuts of the encephalon. It can be concluded that detailed, systematic and serial post-mortem examination of the central nervous system should be part of the diagnostic routine even if no clinical neurological signs are evident. The reports presented here are of importance since they are considered rare diagnoses of primary and metastatic brain tumors.

DLA class II haplotypes show sex-specific associations with primary hypoadrenocorticism in Standard Poodle dogs.

Addison's disease (AD) is a life-threatening endocrine disorder that occurs spontaneously in both humans and dogs. Associations between MHC class II genes and AD have been shown in several human studies. Our goal was to identify MHC class II associations with AD in a large population of Standard Poodles, a breed highly predisposed to AD. We sequenced exon 2 of the class II genes DLA-DRB1, DLA-DQA1, and DLA-DQB1 in 110 affected and 101 unaffected Standard Poodles and tested for association with AD. After correcting for population structure, two haplotypes were found to confer risk of developing AD in a sex-specific manner: DLA-DRB1*015:01-DQA1*006:01-DQB1*023:01 in males (x2p = 0.03, OR 2.1) and DLA-DRB1*009:01-DQA1*001:01-DQB1*008:01:1 in females (x2p = 0.02, OR 8.43). Sex-specific associations have been previously described in human populations, but this is the first report of this kind in dogs. Consistent with findings in other studies, we found the DLA-DQA1*006:01 allele (x2p = 0.04) to be associated with AD in males independent of haplotype. In females, the haplotype DLA-DRB1*009:01-DQA1*001:01-DQB1*008:01:1 confers a very high risk for developing AD, although its frequency was rare (9 of 124 females) in our study population. Further studies are warranted to validate the findings of this exploratory dataset and to assess the usefulness of this haplotype as a risk marker for AD in female Standard Poodles. Our results highlight the importance of evaluating MHC class II disease associations in large populations, and accounting for both biological sex and population structure.

Shelby Will Shine

Shelby Will Shine

Mandibulectomía parcial en perro con melanoma: Relato de caso

Melanocytic tumors are originated from melanocytes and melanoblasts, the conversion of normal melanocytes into neoplasms consists of multiple stages. Melanomas are primary cutaneous neoplasms found at body regions that have accumulation of melanocytes. Melanoma is formed by a dark macula that turns into a firm, fast-growing mass with local infiltration and early metastasis. The size and degree of pigmentation are not indicators of tumor malignancy. Neoplasms of the oral cavity in dogs and cats are frequent and represent the fourth site most affected by tumors, which melanoma being the most frequent. The diagnosis is based on histopathology and surgical excision remains the most indicated method of treatment. Total or partial mandibulectomy increases the survival of the animal within 10 months without any combination of adjuvant therapy. if it's not removed with tumor security margin, the survival increases 3 to 4 months. The objective of this study is to report a clinical case of a 14-year-old poodle dog with a nodule at the rostral region of the jawbone, with fast growth, in which the patient was diagnosed with melanoma in which partial mandibulectomy showed a better quality of life quality of life in this case, without having an unpleasant g an unpleasant aesthetic condition to the owner.

In Case You Haven't Heard…

It's been proven by science — dogs are good for your health, FamilyMinded reported Feb. 1. In separate studies recently conducted by the Journal of Psychiatric Research and the Journal of Applied Developmental Science, researchers found that owning a dog not only made people suffering from mental health issues feel better, but it also made them more likely to help others. Additional research has shown that dog ownership also lowers blood pressure, elevates serotonin and dopamine in the brain and even lowers triglycerides and cholesterol. If you own a dog, some of this may be a given. You know how having a dog has impacted your life. But if you're still on the fence about dog ownership and are also experiencing mental health issues, dogs offer companionship and comfort, and can help ease loneliness, depression and anxiety. Some examples of the best breeds, among more than a dozen to choose from if you need a calming best friend, include border collies, Yorkshire terriers, Labrador retrievers, pugs, and standard poodles.

Unicornual Uterine Twist in Non-Pregnant Bitch

Background: Uterine twisting in bitches is an uncommon disease in which the difficulty of diagnosis is due to nonspecific clinical signs. This condition is more commonly observed in pluriparous females and is usually associated with a pregnant uterus close to birth, or associated with hemometra, pyometra and neoplasms in non-pregnant bitches. This study reports a case of an 11-year-old Poodle bitch with a rare case of uterine twisting in a non-pregnant womb.Case: A 11-year-old Poodle dog, weighing 3.2 kg, was admitted at the institution with a history of anorexia, oligodipsia and apathy during one day. There was no information on the last phase of estrus or previous pregnancies. The patient arrived at the emergency room of the veterinary hospital with cardiorespiratory arrest and was resuscitated with mechanical ventilation, cardiac massage and administration of adrenaline (0.1 mg/kg IV, 1 mg/ml concentration), tramadol hydrochloride (2 mg/kg via IV) and oxygen therapy. Clinical examination revealed a distended and tense abdomen with a palpable mass in the mesogastric region. Ultrasound examination showed a heterogeneous structure (> 10cm. in diameter), with cavitary areas filled with heterogeneous anechoic content and septations, located between the liver and urinary bladder. It was not possible to identify in which organ or structure the mass originated, and the possibility of gestation and fetal death was discarded. The female died six hours after admission. The patient was submitted to necropsy and histopathological analysis revealed a dark red and enlarged segment of the uterine horn with a 360º twist, occupying most of the abdominal cavity. The left uterine horn was about 10 cm in diameter and firm, and cystic areas were observed on a reddish-black surface containing a large amount of bloody fluid. The right uterine horn was normal in appearance, but with a small amount of fluid, slightly viscous and translucent. The histopathological examination of the structure found in the left uterine horn showed areas of partially organized hematomas with red blood cells inside the vessels, without neoplastic or inflammatory cells. The definitive diagnosis was unilateral uterine twist, unrelated to the gestational or neoplastic process. Discussion: Uterine twist is an uncommon problem in most domestic species. The occurrence of this condition is higher in the gravid uterus, usually in pluriparous females at the end of gestation or delivery, or in non-pregnant bitches secondary to hemometra or pyometra. During uterine twist, occlusion of blood vessels occurs, with subsequent engorgement and vascular rupture, leading to intraluminal hemorrhage and tissue ischemia, which may lead to extravasation of blood into uterine lumen. Thus, the main suspect for the occurrence of unicornual twisting was hemometra in the left uterine horn, associated with relaxation of the uterine ligaments due to the advanced age of the patient. These factors may have favored abnormal mobility and the twist of the organ within the abdominal cavity, even in the absence of the most common predisposing factors, such as gestation and delivery. The rarity of the case is highlighted by the absence of a gestational process associated with the condition. In addition, due to the non-specific clinical signs, the difficulty in the accurate and immediate diagnosis was demonstrated, as well as the potential to cause a rapid clinical deterioration of the patient.

Long-term management of canine disseminated granulomatous meningoencephalitis with imatinib mesylate: a case report

A seven-year-old Toy Poodle was presented for progressive ataxia and seizure episodes. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed inflammatory lesions in the cerebrum and brainstem. Management with imatinib mesylate, prednisolone and hydroxyurea were initiated and resulted in complete resolution of the clinical signs. In regular magnetic resonance imaging scans, the overall appearance of the lesions deteriorated but improved again after an increase in the imatinib mesylate dose. The patient had not shown any neurological signs until death and survived for 1052 days after initial presentation. On histopathological examination, the patient was diagnosed with disseminated granulomatous meningoencephalitis involving the cerebrum and brainstem. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on the five types of tyrosine kinase (PDGFR-α, PDGFR-ß, VEGFR-2, c-Kit and c-Abl proteins), which constitute therapeutic targets for conventional multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that all these tyrosine kinases were expressed in the brain samples. The present report describes the first case of the use of imatinib mesylate therapy for granulomatous meningoencephalitis in the dog. Therapy with imatinib mesylate plus glucocorticoids appears promising as a new therapeutic intervention in meningoencephalitis of unknown aetiology.

Evidence of genetic contribution to patellar luxation in Toy Poodle puppies.

Patellar luxation (PL) is one of the most common orthopedic disorders in dogs and a genetic factor is considered to play an important role in the development of PL. Genomic analysis has attempted to identify the genetic markers associated with the development of PL but only suggestive markers have been identified. Carefully selecting breeds with higher incidence rates of congenital PL as well as affected dogs with more severe symptoms are required, but such information remains limited to date. This study aimed to assess the genetic contribution to the development of PL in puppies. Using data on PL from 2,048 puppies of the nine common breeds in Japan, the association of PL grades between the limbs, breed, and sex as well as the concordance of PL between littermates were examined. A significant correlation was found between right and left limbs in PL grades in all the puppies (Spearman rank correlation coefficient (rs)=0.91, P<0.001) and for each breed (rs=0.81–0.93, P<0.001). In total, 20.3% of the puppies were affected. The inter-breed difference in PL prevalence was 2.1–38.1%, and Toy Poodles showed the highest prevalence rates. Littermates of the affected puppies with PL grade ≥2 had a 16.2-fold higher risk (P<0.001). Thus, these results suggest that PL in puppies is primarily influenced by genetics, especially in Toy Poodles. These data highlight the necessity of using a breeding scheme to decrease the prevalence of PL.

Intracranial ectopic choroid plexus cyst in a dog

A 4-year-old male Toy Poodle was presented with a history of status epilepticus. On presentation, neurological examination revealed a delay in postural reactions in the right pelvic limb. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a fluid-containing cystic lesion that compressed the mesencephalon, hippocampus, and amygdala. The cyst was surgically removed via left rostrotentorial craniotomy. The final diagnosis was an intracranial ectopic choroid plexus cyst. The patient has remained free of seizures for 18 months after surgery. This is the first case report of an intracranial ectopic choroid plexus cyst that was surgically removed in a dog.

Myxomatous mitral valve disease in the miniature poodle: A retrospective study

Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common cardiovascular disease in the dog. The natural history of the disease is wide ranging and includes patients without clinical signs as well as those with significant clinical consequences from cardiac arrhythmias, pulmonary hypertension and/or congestive heart failure. The factors that determine which dogs remain asymptomatic and which develop clinical disease are not known. Disease characteristics could be breed or family related; some breeds of dogs, particularly the Cavalier King Charles spaniels, develop MMVD at an early age. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively characterize MMVD in the miniature poodle, a commonly affected breed in which MMVD has not been well characterized.Thirty-two miniature poodles met the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 11±three years. Clinical signs included exercise intolerance, syncope and coughing. Eighteen dogs were classified as ACVIM Stage B1, 12 as stage B2, and two as stage C. Mean vertebral heart scale (VHS) was 10.2 (±standard deviation of 0.9); 15 of 28 dogs had a VHS <10.3. One dog had radiographic evidence of congestive heart failure. Mean diastolic left ventricle dimension normalized to body weight was 1.6 (±0.4) and mean systolic was 0.8 (±0.3). Mitral valve prolapse was subjectively classified as mild or moderate in 19 dogs and severe in two.In the miniature poodles reported here, MMVD appears to be a fairly late onset disease and often is a mild phenotype.

Battle of the Sexes in Best of Breed: Sex Influences Dogs' Success in the Show Ring.

Simple SummaryWhen breeding dogs, the dam and the sire contribute equally to the genetics of each of their puppies, and so each parent should be equally important to show-ring success. The current study collated samples of dog show results to explore relationships between sex and the likelihood of success in the show ring. It focused on toy and giant breeds to explore any differences in equity, if it existed, at either end of the size spectrum. It revealed that the rate at which male and female dogs were exhibited were similar but that male dogs were a significant advantage of winning Best of Breed titles.Much of the research on pedigree dog breeding has been directed towards understanding the implications of reduced genetic diversity and the prevalence of inherited disorders. An example is the potential role of the popular sire effect in perpetuating genetic defects. If male dogs are more likely than bitches to be identified as examples of members of a breed that align with breed standard, they may be selected for breeding earlier. This may contribute to the influence of individual males and contribute to popular sire effect. Conversely, if breed standards are written in a sex-neutral fashion, and if dogs are entered, exhibited, and judged in a sex-neutral fashion, then we would expect the success of female dogs in the show ring to be equal to that of their male counterparts. With a focus on toy and giant breeds, the current pilot study collated samples of dog show results to explore relationships between sex and the likelihood of success in the show ring. It focused on toy and giant breeds to explore any differences in equity, if it existed, at either end of the size and concomitant age-at-maturation spectrum. For the purpose of this study, toy breeds were those that weigh < 10 kg at maturity while giant breed dogs were those that exceed 45 kg. Within these two clusters, the least (n = 3) and most popular (n = 3) breeds were then selected to explore any potential role of sex on success in the show ring. The popularity of breeds was determined using the numbers of dogs registered with the Australian National Kennel Council. Using results from dog shows (n = 18) from 2015 to 2016, data on 1,080 dogs were obtained. Within these 12 breeds for the 18 shows, there were 137 Best of Breed (BOB) titles awarded: Pug (n = 18), Toy Poodle (n = 18), Bullmastiff (n = 14), Rottweiler (n = 17), Fox Terrier (Smooth) (n = 18), Bloodhound (n = 3), Schnauzer (miniature) (n = 15), Great Dane (n = 17), Norfolk Terrier (n = 10), Norwich Terrier (n = 5), Central Asian Shepherd Dog (n = 2). Despite the near parity of male and female dogs being exhibited, of these 137 titles, 86 (62.8%) were awarded to male dogs (at least 41 individuals) and 51 (37.2%) to female dogs (at least 32 individuals) showing that male dogs are more likely to win BOB titles (χ2 = 9.4455, df = 1, p-value = 0.002117). Among the toy subset of breeds, this effect was higher (χ2 = 6.798, df = 1, p-value = 0.009126) than among the giant breed subset, for whom the advantage to male dogs did not reach statistical significance versus χ2 = 3.0967, df = 1, p-value = 0.07845). This suggests that judges find the male dogs more appealing, presumably because they are more aligned with breed standards.

Multiple infarcts and hemorrhages in the central nervous system of a dog with cerebral amyloid angiopathy: a case report

Backgroundβ-amyloid (Aβ) can accumulate in the brain of aged dogs, and within vessels walls, the disease is called cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). In humans, Alzheimer’s disease and CAA are strongly correlated with cerebrovascular disease. However, in dogs, this association has not been extensively studied yet. The present report highlights the pathological and clinical features of a concomitant cerebrovascular disease and amyloid precursor protein (APP) accumulation in the brain of a dog.Case presentationA female, 16-year-old, Standard Poodle with a one-year history of cognitive deficits presented with an acute onset of right-sided postural reaction deficit and circling, left-sided head tilt, positional nystagmus, and ataxia. Due to poor prognosis the dog was euthanized, and pathological examination of the brain revealed an acute lacunar infarction within the thalamus extending to rostral colliculus. Additional findings included subacute and chronic areas of ischemia throughout the brain and areas of hemorrhage within the medulla. Immunolabeling revealed APP deposition within intraparenchymal vessels of frontal, temporal and occipital cortex, hippocampus, diencephalon, mesencephalon and myelencephalon, besides meningeal vessels walls. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunolabeling showed marked astrocytosis around the acute area of infarction and within chronic areas of ischemia. Histological examination of the brain along with immunohistochemistry results showed a concomitant APP, which is an Aβ precursor, accumulation within the neuroparenchyma and vessels (CAA) with histological evidences of a cerebrovascular disease in an aged dog.ConclusionsThis report shows that APP accumulation in the brain can occur concomitantly to a severe cerebrovascular disease in a dog. Further studies are necessary to elucidate if cerebrovascular disease is associated with Aβ accumulation in the brain of dogs.

184 Dog-Assisted Therapy in the Emergency Department: Identifying Potential Risks of Clinically Significant Microbial Transmission

Dog- assisted therapy (DAT) has been shown to be useful in improving educational, psychological, and motivational effectiveness in regards to patient recovery. Petting dogs has been shown to have relaxing effects mediated by the release of serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin, and has significant positive effects on cardiovascular health. Dogs are known to be a major reservoir for both viral and bacterial zoonotic infections including Rabies, Norovirus, Pasturella, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Bordatella, Coxiella, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). There have been some case reports illustrating the possibility of transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria causing infection from pets to humans. This study sought to determine the presence of common “problematic” pathogens potentially carried by a group of emergency department (ED) therapy dogs, namely MRSA, E. Coli, Clostridium difficile, and Pseudomonas. It is hypothesized that the incidence of positive cultures would be negligible. A convenience sample of 7 therapy dogs was swabbed (coat, nose, and paws) before and after walking through the ED visiting patients. One perianal swab from each dog was obtained to test for Clostridium difficile (C. diff). Samples were cultured on plates containing Blood Agar, Chocolate Agar, Colistin and Naladixic acid (CNA), and MacConkey Agar (MAC). These culture mediums were specifically selected to optimize the growth of the pathogens of concern. A rapid membrane enzyme immunoassay for the simultaneous detection of C. diff glutamate dehydrogenase antigen and toxins A and B in a single reaction well was used to assess for C. diff. This test serves as a screen for the presence of C. diff and confirms the presence of toxigenic C. diff by detecting toxins A and B in fecal specimens. The rate (presence/absence) of pathogens was quantified for each dog during each session (pre/post). Paired samples t-tests were utilized to test for statistical significance (p < 0.05). The study involved 7 dogs of different breeds, including Golden Retrievers, Miniature Poodle, and Great Dane. The dogs were led through the department by their handler, and per protocol, did not visit the critically ill and suicidal patients. Upon arrival, all tests at baseline were negative for all 7 dogs. Following the dogs’ visits through the emergency department, all tests were negative for the 7 dogs on post-measure. Microbial analysis of the collected samples revealed that all 7 dogs carried commensal skin flora, even after very close contact with the patients who involved petting, hugging, and kissing the dogs. There was no growth of the pathogens of concern, namely E. coli, MRSA, C. diff, and Pseudomonas. Although there have been rare case reports of clinically significant transmission of microbial agents from domestic pets to humans, this study helps to demonstrate that pet therapy dogs do not pose a potential clinical harm to patients in the emergency department setting.

DRD2 is associated with fear in some dog breeds

Abstract Behavioral problems occur frequently in dogs and represent a significant threat to dog welfare. Anxiety, phobias, and fears comprise most of the canine behavioral conditions. The identification of an association between specific behavioral phenotypes and genetic variants of candidate genes would be a valuable tool in selection for dogs less susceptible to anxiety and fear, which may improve animal welfare. The DRD2 gene encodes the dopamine receptor 2. In this study, we found 8 SNPs in the DRD2 gene of the Havanese, a breed that shows large variation in a behavioral phenotype that manifests itself as a tendency to react fearfully by withdrawing in social situations. Significant associations were detected between 2 SNPs in exon 2 of the DRD2 gene and increased social fear in Havanese dogs (n = 158), as evaluated through observation by an external evaluator (respective allelic odds ratio: 4.35, 4.07) and through owner questionnaires (respective allelic odds ratio: 1.96, 2.2). Because different types of fear-related behavioral disorders commonly co-occur, the SNPs in exon 2 were also investigated for possible association to noise reactivity in 5 breeds: Havanese (n = 121), collie (n = 94), Irish soft-coated wheaten terrier (n = 44), Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever (n = 33), and standard poodle (n = 29). Significant associations were detected between SNPs in exon 2 of the DRD2 gene and noise reactivity in the Irish soft-coated wheaten terrier (respective allelic odds ratio: 2.64, 2.88) and collie (allelic odds ratio: 3.03). The same SNP alleles were associated with the beneficial phenotypes in the 3 breeds.

Canine hyperadrenocorticism associations with signalment, selected comorbidities and mortality within North American veterinary teaching hospitals.

To describe a large population of dogs with a diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism at the time of death in North American veterinary teaching hospitals, and to identify comorbid conditions associated with hyperadrenocorticism. Retrospective cohort study of 1519 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism from a population of 70,574 dogs reported to the Veterinary Medical Database. Signalment, presence or absence of hyperadrenocorticism, aetiology of hyperadrenocorticism (if described), frequency of select comorbidities and causes of death were evaluated in dogs with and without hyperadrenocorticism. Hyperadrenocorticism was more frequent in females. Neutering was associated with a minor, but significant, increase in the odds of hyperadrenocorticism. Hyperadrenocorticism was the presumed cause of death of 393 (25∙9%) of affected dogs. When aetiology was specified (527 dogs, corresponding to 34∙7% of the cases), pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism [387 (73∙4%) out of 527 dogs] was more common than functional adrenocortical tumour [136 (25∙8%) out of 527 dogs). Hyperadrenocorticism was over-represented in certain expected (miniature poodle, dachshund) and unexpected (Irish setter, bassett hound) breeds compared with the population at large. Of the select comorbidities investigated, dogs with hyperadrenocorticism were at increased risk for concurrent diabetes mellitus, urinary tract infection, urolithiasis, hypertension, gall bladder mucocoele and thromboembolic disease compared with dogs without hyperadrenocorticism. Hyperadrenocorticism is significantly associated with certain comorbid conditions but is not a major cause of mortality in affected dogs. Documented patterns now provide targets for prospective clinical research.

Luxação lateral de patela em um Poodle toy

Background: Luxating patella is one of the most frequent conditions of the stifle joint in dogs and it can evolve into a degenerative joint disease. The occurrence of the condition can be medial or lateral, unilateral or bilateral. Its origin can be traumatic or congenital and, additionally, it may undergo genetic and environmental influence. Lateral luxation is more common in large breed dogs, and it can rarely affect medium and small breeds, whilst medial luxation is more common in small breed dogs. The classification of patellar luxation comprises four grades, according to the patellar position, clinical signs and seriousness of the bone deformities found. The diagnosis is made based on the clinical evaluation, associated with a radiographic evaluation. The present study aims at describing a case of bilateral grade 3 lateral luxating patella in a Toy Poodle dog. Case: A five-month-old female Toy Poodle dog was presented for difficulty standing and claudication of hind limbs. Orthopedic evaluation revealed internal rotation of the stifle, claudication of hind limbs during walking and “jumps” during trotting, in addition to a lateral grade 3 luxating patella and slight restriction of the joint motion upon extension of the right and left hind limbs. Radiographic evaluation of both stifles evidenced an ectopic (lateral) position of the right and left patellas. The animal was referred to the surgery department, where it was submitted to surgical intervention of both stifles. A reduction of luxation in both stifles was achieved through medial arthrotomy, wedge recession trochleoplasty, lateral desmotomy and medial imbrication of the articular capsule techniques. Tramadol hydrochloride, dipyrone and meloxicam were prescribed as postoperative medication. Daily wound care, resting and mild walks using a lead were recommended for the animal. On the tenth postoperative day, the stitches were removed from the skin and the animal seemed to be in a good general state, using adequately its hind limbs when walking and trotting. Discussion: The medial form of the congenital patellar luxation is common both in large and small breeds. However, the lateral form is more common in large or giant breeds, differently to the findings of the present case, in which luxation occurred in a Toy Poodle. Surgery is recommended in animals with a luxating patella grade starting from 2, as even the smallest luxation grades may evolve into higher grades, causing functional inability of the limb and degenerative joint disease. Surgery was justified in this case, because the animal presented a grade 3 luxating patella. The decision on which technique should be used will depend on the luxating patella grade and on soft tissue compromise. The most recommended procedure is a combination of various techniques in the same articulation. In this case, the use of wedge recession trochleoplasty and medial imbrication of the articular capsule techniques was successful, as a few days after surgery the animal was able to walk adequately without presenting any instability of the patellas, thus improving its quality of life. Moreover, upon reaching adulthood, the animal maintained an adequate gait, without excessive patellar motion.

Persistent reticulocytosis in a case of poodle macrocytosis

A healthy 14-year-old, male neutered, Miniature Poodle was found to have a persistent erythrocyte macrocytosis and reticulocytosis with a normal and stable HCT. The hematologic features of macrocytosis, increased Howell-Jolly bodies, and metarubricytosis, in the absence of anemia or other cytopenias, combined with the cytologic evidence of bone marrow erythroid dysplasia, including megaloblastosis, binuclearity, increased mitotic activity, and nuclear fragmentation, are consistent with previous reports of congenital dyserythropoiesis termed poodle macrocytosis. We speculate that the additional presence of persistent reticulocytosis in the absence of an identifiable stimulus for accelerated erythropoiesis may represent a phenotypic variation of this inherited condition, and the morphologic abnormalities of the dyserythropoiesis are described.

Testicular Torsion in the Scrotum of a Young Canine

Background: Testicular torsion is a rare condition in canines, affecting any animal, regardless of age and racial predisposition. The possible cause, when talking about young dogs, is often unreliable, and can be associated with traumatic processes or excessive physical activity. Dogs with spermatic cord twist usually show signs of acute and sudden pain in one of the testicles that can be propagated to the abdomen; besides edema, heat and scrotal flush. The absence of blood flow toward the affected testicle can be observed, however, the definitive diagnosis can only be confirmed through a surgical procedure or necropsy. This situation is considered a medical emergency that requires surgical intervention for resolutionand has treatment of choice bilateral orchiectomy. The objective of this study was to report the case of a testicular torsion inside the scrotal pouch of a young dog.Case: A 6-month-old male Poodle dog, weighing 6.40 kg, was attended at the Metropolitan Veterinary Polyclinic, located in the municipality of Caucaia, Ceará, Brazil. During anamnesis it was reported by the owner of the animal an suddenly increase in volume of the scrotal pouch and right testicle. The physical examination observed normal mucous membranes,lymphadenopathy, capillary refill time of 2 s, temperature of 39.2°C, heart rate of 72 beats per minute and 68 breaths per minute. Hematologic test was requested, creatinine, dosage of ALT and ultrasound as complementary exams. The result of hemogram presented thrombocytopenia (150,000/mm3) and the presence of giant platelets. Besides, a biochemical series presented no alterations. On the Doppler ultrasound, the right testicle proved to show loss of normal structure, enlarged scrotum, hyperechoic epididymal region with adjacent liquid and absence of local vascularization. Pre-scrotal orchiectomy was performed and an enlarged right testicle was observed with blackened coloration and torsion of spermatic cord, that, possibly resulted in ischemia and testicular necrosis. On that occasion, the testicle was displaced to the incision line and maintained until the previous incision in the tunica albuginea, spermatic fascia and tunica vaginalis, parietal and visceral, in this order. After the identification of the torsioned spermatic cord, a ligature was made in order to remove testicle. The process was accomplished in both testicles. The contralateral gonad was found without alterations. The patient returnedafter fifteen days of surgical procedure for evaluation and presented evident improvement of overall clinical overview and surgery recuperation.Discussion: In spite of the testicular torsion be more associated to cases of senile and criptorquid animals, the present overview occurred in a testicle located in the interior of the scrotal sac in an extremely young animal. This can be related to a rupture of scrotal ligament, due to trauma or excessive physical effort, which fits overall overview of the patient in evidence. This results as presented in this report, in venous heart attack with testicle and epidimo becoming enlarged, congestioned with necrosis points. The rapid establishment of therapeutical surgery of orquiectomy can avoid the patients’ instability and evolution of the overall clinical overview. The rarity in literature of the reports of testicle torsion at the clinic of small animals demonstrated the importance, need for further investigation and previous knowledge regarding the origin of the abnormality. The ultrasound and surgical treatment of orquiectomy demonstrated an alternative capable and efficient to produce a favorable prognostic of this report.Keywords: testicular dilatation, vascular rupture, ischemia, necrosis, orchiectomy.