Young German Shepherd Dog Research Articles

Stabilization with a String-of-Pearls Plate as Treatment for Degenerative Lumbosacral Disease in a Young German Shepherd Dog

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to report the use of a String-of-Pearls (SOP) plate for lumbosacral stabilization as treatment for a 1-year-old German Shepherd suffering from sacral osteochondritis and compressive myelopathy due to lumbosacral subluxation and causing a chronic right hindlimb lameness.Clinical, imaging, and surgical features are described. Study Design Case report. Results A dorsal laminectomy allowed for debridement and lumbosacral stabilization using an SOP plate which led to significant improvement of clinical signs and resolution of pain and discomfort. Conclusion Successful surgical management was achieved with good long-term results using an SOP plate to stabilize the lumbosacral junction.

Canine parvovirus infection in young German Shepherd dog : A Case Report

Canine parvovirus infection in young German Shepherd dog : A Case Report

Hypernatraemia in a young German shepherd dog with a middle fossa mass

A 10-month-old female entire German shepherd dog presented with inappetence, pyrexia and weight loss. It had marked hypernatraemia, which did not fully resolve despite receiving hypotonic intravenous fluid therapy. Physical...

Proliferation And Differentiation Potential Of Canine Synovial Fluid Cells

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine whether synovial fluid (SF) of dogs contains cells that have characteristics of MSCs and to describe their differentiation potential. SF adherent cells from 5 young German shepherd dogs (average 3.8 ± 0.9 years) were expanded (37°C, 5% CO2, humidified atmosphere) three weeks before their phenotype was characterized by flow-cytometry for the presence of CD90 and CD34. Population doubling time (PDT), number of CFU-F and adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic potentials have been determined in vitro. In early passages PTD was 31 ± 10 hours and expansion fold after 3 sub cultivations (9 days) theoretically could be 372 ± 134. At P1, 0.55 ± 0.05% of SF cells had the ability to form CFU-F. Sixty-six percent of cells expressed CD90 and none of the cells expressed markers of hematopoietic cells. Oil Red O staining has shown accumulation of fat droplets in cells grown in adipogenic medium, while deposits of calcium in the osteogenic medium were evidenced with Alizarin red staining. SF cultured in hondrogenic and control medium in three-dimensional conditions formed a cartilage-like tissue. Alcian blue staining of pellets’ slides have shown a significant amount of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and immunohistochemistry analysis documented collagen type II expression. The amount of GAGs in pellets grown in both conditions showed no difference. SF cells in vitro exhibited osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation potentials, suggesting the presence of different mesenchymal progenitors. These results also demonstrated that SF cells have a spontaneous chondrogenic potential that should be further explored for possible tissue engineering protocols.

Canine Parvovirus-2 in a young German shepherd dog---A Case Report

Canine parvovirus (CP) is a life threatening disease in young dogs. Lack of proper immunization and mismanagement are the key factors associated with its occurrence. The disease manifests itself in cardiac and intestinal form, however, intestinal form is more frequently observed. The present case report describes Canine parvovirus in 4 month old Germen shepherd dog diagnosed on the basis of history, clinical signs, biochemical parameters and significant post mortem examination.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in a German shepherd dog with ventricular arrhythmias

This report describes the use of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in a young German shepherd dog afflicted with inherited ventricular arrhythmias. Proper generator and lead placement was necessary for successful termination of ventricular fibrillation during device testing at the time of implantation. The risks of inappropriate therapy triggered by sinus tachycardia and oversensing of the T wave were controlled by extensive programming of the device. Following spontaneous resolution of the arrhythmia and due to the development of sepsis associated with the device, the ICD was successfully removed.

Genetic Analysis of Ventricular Arrhythmia in Young German Shepherd Dogs

Ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and sudden death are inherited in German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs). To estimate the genetic parameters (heritabilities and correlations) of 3 traits of VA (single premature ventricular complexes (PVCs), 2 consecutive PVCs (couplets), and 3 or more consecutive PVCs-ventricular tachycardia [VT]). Three hundred and ninety-eight GSDs. Prospective, observational, case control study. Dogs were phenotyped by 24-hour ambulatory ECG from 6 to 45 weeks of age. Edited ECG records included the number of incidents of (1) single PVCs, (2) couplets, and (3) VT. A data set of 1,239 Holter records from 398 GSDs was used to estimate genetic variables. Phenotypic correlations for affectedness (binarily coded 0/1) of the 3 traits ranged from 0.55 to 0.74, whereas correlations for severity (continuous values of 24-hour VA counts) ranged from 0.26 to 0.39. Estimates of genetic correlation among the severity traits were 0.06 to 0.27. Estimated heritabilities were 0.54, 0.54, and 0.46 for affectedness and 0.33, 0.69, and 0.69 for severity of PVCs, couplets, and VT, respectively. Month and year of birth and age at ECG recording had significant effects on all 3 traits. Season of ECG recording had a significant effect on the number of single PVCs, but not couplets or incidents of VT. Age of onset differed, with single PVCs appearing an average of 4 days earlier than couplets and VT. These results imply a strong genetic component for this disease but suggest that differences in the 3 traits should be taken into consideration in studies to identify the underlying genes.

Compound maxillary odontoma in a young German shepherd dog

A three-month-old, male German shepherd dog was admitted with a facial mass of two months' duration. Clinical examination showed a round mass, 3 cm in diameter, in the left infraorbital area. The upper last premolar deciduous tooth was not erupted. No other abnormalities were detected. Radiological examination revealed a posterior maxillary mass of mixed opacity. The mass was surgically excised. Histopathological examination demonstrated a connective tissue stroma containing foci of irregular enamel and dentine, resembling rudimentary teeth (denticles), surrounded by new bone formation. Morphology and structure of the denticles were also confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. A compound odontoma was diagnosed. One year after surgery, the dog was free of clinical signs.

Deep tissue mass aspirate from a young German shepherd dog.

Deep tissue mass aspirate from a young German shepherd dog.

Inherited ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death in German shepherd dogs

Objectives. This report describes a unique group of German shepherd dogs with inherited ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. Before death, these dogs have no evidence of cardiovascular failure.Background. There are few spontaneous animal models of sudden death that permit intensive investigation.Methods. To determine the temporal evolution of ventricular arrhythmias and to characterize ihe syndrome of sudden cardiac death in these dogs, 24-h ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring, echocardiograms, electrophysiologic testing and breeding studies were conducted.Results. The 24-h ambulatory ECGs from dogs that died showed frequent ventricular arrhythmias with rapid polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (rates > 480 beats/min). Affected dogs had a window of vulnerability for arrhythmias, with the highest incidence and severity of arrhythmias between 20 to 30 and 40 to 50 weeks of age. Affected dogs that died did not have prolongation of the QT interval over a spectrum of heart rates compared with unaffected dogs. The clinical arrhythmia was not induced in dogs during programmed electrical stimulation. Severely affected dogs monitored > 5 years did not develop any evidence of heart failure or cardiomyopathy, and no histopathologic abnormalities existed. Seventeen dogs died suddenly (age 4 to 30 months) and were either 1) found dead at first observation in the morning (n = 8), 2) observed to die during sleep (n = 4), 3) observed to die while resting after exercise (n = 3), or 4) observed to die during exercise (n = 2). All sudden deaths occurred between the end of September and April, with most (n = 11) during January and February.Conclusions. The cause of the inherited severe ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death in these young German shepherd dogs is still undetermined. A purely arrhythmic disorder is supported by the lack of cardiac pathology. Moreover, the window of vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmias and the age and circumstances of death invite speculation about the role of the autonomic nervous system.

Canine transmissible venereal tumour and ovarian papillary cystadeno‐carcinoma in a bitch

ABSTRACTA young German shepherd dog was presented for a protruding vaginal mass of one month's duration. Clinical appearance of the mass was suggestive of a canine transmissible venereal tumour. Diagnosis was confirmed by cytology; a single drug chemotherapy regimen using vincristine was instituted. Regression was evident within seven days after the first treatment. Bilateral ovarian papillary cystadenocarcinoma was an incidental finding after an elective ovariohysterectomy was performed.

Thoracic spinal calcinosis circumscripta causing cord compression in two German shepherd dog littermates

Two young German shepherd dog littermates had progressive, painless, hindlimb ataxia. In both dogs plain radiography of the vertebral column revealed a solitary mineralised lesion on the dorsal laminae between the dorsal spines of the second and third thoracic vertebrae, and myelography with iopamidol demonstrated cord compression at the level of the lesions. The first dog died 18 hours after the myelography. A dorsal laminectomy performed in the second dog resulted in neurological improvement. A histopathological examination confirmed that both lesions were calcinosis circumscripta. The cause of the death of the first dog was meningitis.

Conservative treatment of tetanus associated with hiatus hernia and gastroesophageal reflux

ABSTRACTA case of tetanus, complicated by hiatus hernia with gastro‐oesophageal reflux, is reported in a young German shepherd dog. Conservative treatment of the tetanus and the hiatus hernia resulted in complete remission of clinical signs, although hiatus hernia remained present.

A degenerative myelopathy in young German shepherd dogs

ABSTRACTTwo young male German shepherd dogs, six and seven months old, were evaluated for progressive hindlimb ataxia and paresis. Both dogs were found to be thin and poorly muscled on physical examination, and on neurological examination, the lesions were localised to the spinal cord between T2 and L4. Microscopical examination of the spinal cords demonstrated widespread axonal degeneration similar to that seen in aged German shepherd dogs with chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy (CDRM), although the distribution of these changes was not identical to CDRM.

Inherited ventricular ectopy and sudden death in young German Shepherd dogs

Inherited ventricular ectopy and sudden death in young German Shepherd dogs

Prediction of mature values of conformation characteristics for young German shepherd dogs

ABSTRACTA series of 19 different conformation characteristics, including the body length, front and hind heights, and bodyweight, was measured on German shepherd dogs ranging from 180 days old to fully mature dogs. Regressions were derived for the prediction of mature values. Variable growth rates did not have a significant effect on the accuracy of the predicted mature values.