Paratuberculosis in a domestic dog in South Africa.

This case report shows that Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) infection can cause clinical disease in domestic dogs, and should be considered as a differential diagnosis for gastrointestinal inflammatory conditions. A male dachshund presented with lethargy and pain. Enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes were found on abdominal ultrasound examination. Cytological examination of lymph node aspirates was consistent with granulomatous inflammation, which was culture-confirmed as MAP. Although we were unable to confirm the source of infection, the dog's history included exposure to sheep in the Western Cape.

NT-ProBNP and cardiac troponin I in virulent canine babesiosis.

Although cardiac pathology and consequently elevated serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) have been reported, clinically it remains difficult to diagnose cardiac involvement in canine babesiosis. Thus the use of cardiac biomarkers would be useful in determining if a dog with babesiosis also has concurrent cardiac dysfunction. The objectives of this study were to determine plasma N terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in canine babesiosis and if it is correlated with cTnI. Three groups of dogs with babesiosis were used: mild uncomplicated (Group 1), severe uncomplicated (Group 2), and complicated (Group 3), and a control group (Group 4) with 15 dogs per group. Each animal had the following determined: serum urea and creatinine, urea: creatinine ratio, cystatin-C, cTnI, blood lactate, plasma NT-proBNP, fractional shortening (FS), and blood pressure. The median NT-proBNP value in Groups 1-4 was 246, 650, 638, and 106 pmol/l. All 3 babesiosis groups had a statistically elevated NT-proBNP level compared to the control group and Groups 2 and 3 showed significantly higher values compared to Group 1. Median cTnI in Group 1-3 was 0.39, 0.4, and 1.45 ng/ml, respectively with the control group having concentrations below the detection limit (0.2 ng/ml). There was a significant difference in cTnI concentration between the control group and group 3 but no statistical difference between the other babesiosis groups. The study concluded that dogs with babesiosis showed elevated levels NT-proBNP and the more severe the disease process the greater the elevation. This elevation is earlier or independent of the increased cTnI.

Quadricuspid aortic valve and associated abnormalities in a dog.

An 11-month-old, female Scottish terrier was presented with a history of a heart murmur. The electrocardiogram showed signs of left ventricular enlargement, and radiography confirmed generalized cardiomegaly. Echocardiography revealed four equally sized aortic valve cusps. A ventricular septal defect, with systolic left-to-right shunting, and aortic regurgitation into both ventricles were also present. The dog was free of clinical signs 1 year after diagnosis.