Comparison of effects of uncomplicated canine babesiosis and canine normovolaemic anaemia on abdominal splanchnic Doppler characteristics--a preliminary investigation.

A preliminary study was conducted to compare uncomplicated canine babesiosis (CB) and experimentally induced normovolaemic anaemia (EA) using Doppler ultrasonography of abdominal splanchnic vessels. Fourteen dogs with uncomplicated CB were investigated together with 11 healthy Beagles during severe EA, moderate EA and the physiological state as a control group. Canine babesiosis was compared with severe EA, moderate EA and the physiological state using Doppler variables of the abdominal aorta, cranial mesenteric artery (CMA), coeliac, left renal and interlobar, and hilar splenic arteries, and the main portal vein. Patterns of haemodynamic changes during CB and EA were broadly similar and were characterised by elevations in velocities and reductions in resistance indices in all vessels except the renal arteries when compared with the physiological state. Aortic and CMA peak systolic velocities and CMA end diastolic and time-averaged mean velocities in CB were significantly lower (P < 0.023) than those in severe EA. Patterns of renal haemodynamic changes during CB and EA were similar. However, the renal patterns differed from those of aortic and gastrointestinal arteries, having elevations in vascular resistance indices, a reduction in end diastolic velocity and unchanged time-averaged mean velocity. The left renal artery resistive index in CB was significantly higher (P < 0.025) than those in EA and the physiological state. Renal interlobar artery resistive and pulsatility indices in CB were significantly higher (P < 0.016) than those of moderate EA and the physiological state. The similar haemodynamic patterns in CB and EA are attributable to anaemia, while significant differences may additionally be attributed to pathophysiological factors peculiar to CB.

Bee sting-induced haemolysis, spherocytosis and neural dysfunction in three dogs.

Three dogs showed signs of intravascular haemolysis, spherocytosis and peripheral neuropathy following severe bee envenomation. These effects were ascribed to the constituents of bee venom, especially melittin and phospholipase A. All 3 cases recovered and were discharged subsequent to prednisolone and supportive therapy.

Serum digoxin concentrations in canine congestive heart failure.

Digoxin was administered to dogs (n = 10) in congestive heart failure, at an oral dosage rate of 0.01 mg kg-1 lean body mass twice daily. Lean body mass was determined by reducing gross mass by the estimated degree of ascites and body fat. The dose was further adjusted for factors such as renal and hepatic function, the bioavailability of different formulations, and the size of the patient. Trough and peak serum digoxin concentrations were determined after 10 days of digitalisation, or when signs of toxicity became apparent. Serum digoxin concentrations in 6 of the 10 dogs were found to be partially or completely in the toxic or subtherapeutic range. This indicates that an oral digoxin dosage rate of 0.01 mg kg-1 lean body mass administered twice daily, even when adjusted appropriately for factors that affect digoxin pharmacokinetics, provides no more than a rough approximation of the precise dose required to provide serum digoxin concentrations within the therapeutic range. The observations also lend support to a recent recommendation that the digoxin dosage rate should be based on body surface area, although even when administered on this basis, serum digoxin concentrations outside of the therapeutic range could be anticipated.

A pulmonary giant cell carcinoma in a dog.

A case of a large cell anaplastic carcinoma of the giant cell type in the lungs of a 5 year-old crossbred male Labrador is discussed. The dog was weak, depressed, febrile and markedly dyspnoeic. An intermittent moist cough and auscultable crackling rales were evident. Radiographic examination was indicative of pneumonia and pulmonic neoplasia. The dog died 36 hours after admission despite antibiotic and supportive therapy. At autopsy, the neoplasm appeared as numerous firm greyish-white nodules of varying size throughout all the lung lobes whilst in the right intermediate and diaphragmatic lobes the neoplasm was completely confluent. The microscopic features included: intra-alveolar composites of cells exhibiting considerable nuclear and cytoplasmic pleomorphism; the presence of numerous giant cells scattered throughout the tumour; the occurrence of tumour emboli within both venous and lymphatic vessels; and, metastatic foci in the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes. These features were considered to reflect a high degree of malignancy. Comparative and aetiological aspects of bronchogenic carcinomas in man and the dog are discussed.

Oestrogen-induced bone marrow aplasia in a dog.

A case of oestrogen toxicity in the dog is described. The bone marrow was primarily affected with resultant non-regenerative anaemia, leukocytosis followed by leukopaenia, and thrombocytopaenia. Endometritis, toxaemia and disseminate intravascular coagulation were complicating factors. The case terminated fatally intensive therapy.

Common canine dermatoses.

Refractory canine skin disorders from a large percentage of the cases referred to the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria. Included in these conditions are allergic skin diseases, primary pyoderma, generalised pustular demodicosis, endocrine alopecia, dermatomycosis, seborrhoea, acral pruritic nodule and nasal solar dermatitis. These conditions are discussed with emphasis on aetiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment. Thirteen colour plates illustrate the classical appearance of the dermatoses described.

A suspected lysosomal storage disease in Abyssinian cats. Part I: genetic, clinical and clinical pathological aspects.

The genetic, clinical and clinical pathological findings of a neurological syndrome in Abyssinian kittens are described. The findings are compared with similar cases in the literature and a tentative diagnosis of a lysosomal storage disease is proposed.

A suspected lysosomal storage disease in Abyssinian cats. Part II: histopathological and ultrastructural aspects.

The histopathological and ultrastructural findings in the central nervous system and lymphoid tissue of Abyssinian kittens suffering from a disease which was clinically characterised by neurological disturbances, are described. The lesions were vacuolisation of neurones and macrophages with light microscopy and lamellated membranous cytoplasmic bodies, initially in lysosomes with electron microscopy. Irregularly shaped membrane-bound bodies with an amorphous substance were eventually formed in the cytoplasm of affected cells. It is considered that this is a lysosomal storage disease.

Feline infectious peritonitis in South Africa.

The clinical, clinical pathological and pathological findings in ten natural and two experimental cases of feline infectious peritonitis are described. The literature is reviewed and compared with the findings of these cases. It is concluded that feline infectious peritonitis occurs as a distinct clinical disease entity in domestic cats in the Republic of South Africa.