Atrial cardiomyopathy in an adult Labrador retriever dog.

INTRODUCTION: A 7-year-old castrated male Labrador retriever was examined for a 10-day history of weakness and syncope. Physical examination revealed bradycardia and a grade III/VI left apical systolic heart murmur. Electrocardiography demonstrated bradycardia, absence of P waves and an atrio-ventricular nodal escape rhythm. Echocardiography revealed marked biatrial enlargement. Thoracic radiographs showed no evidence of pulmonary edema. Routine plasma biochemistry and electrolytes, basal serum cortisol, total thyroxin concentration, and complete blood count were within normal limits. Serum cardiac troponin I concentration was moderately increased. Serological examinations for antibodies against vector-borne diseases were negative. A pacemaker was implanted one month after the initial presentation due to worsening of the dog's clinical condition despite medical treatment. The dog remained asymptomatic for 18 months but was then re-presented with a gastric dilatation volvulus and subsequently euthanized. Necropsy and histology of the heart yielded a diagnosis of atrial cardiomyopathy.

Extraction of urethral calculi by transabdominal cystoscopy and urethroscopy in nine dogs.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a minimally invasive technique for treating urethral obstructions in male dogs and to review the postoperative results. METHODS: All dogs (n=9) had urethral obstruction due to calculi. Obstructions were verified by radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations. Dogs with impaired kidney function were not included in the study. A 5-mm diameter trocar and cannula were placed in the ventral midline, 2 cm cranial to the umbilicus, allowing placement of a 10-mm diameter cannula under visual guidance, adjacent to the apex of the bladder. The bladder was then partially exteriorised and sutured to the skin. A 5-mm diameter cystoscopy sheath was introduced into the bladder lumen and advanced into the urethra. Continuous retrograde flushing was used to dislodge the calculi from the site of obstruction and collect them upstream. RESULTS: The nine dogs were followed up for a minimum of 6 months. No major postoperative complications were identified. One dog exhibited transient macroscopic haematuria (for 3 weeks postoperatively). All urethral calculi were removed in the nine dogs. No recurrence was found during the follow-up period. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A minimally invasive approach is used to treat urethral obstructions resulting from calculi in the male dogs.

Patent ductus arteriosus in a family of Chihuahuas.

This report describes a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in four puppies from the same family of Chihuahuas, bred from the same mother and from two different litters. Identification of this congenital anomaly relies on clinical examination, radiography and ultrasonography. Three of these puppies were female, and had a type-1 PDA. A conventional surgical ligation was performed on one of them, whilst the others underwent no treatment. One puppy was male, and presented with a type-4 PDA, requiring euthanasia. Post-mortem examination and histopathological examination of the PDA allowed characterisation of the histological anomalies, which were identical to those described in other breeds. The mother and the two stud dogs were not affected. Even though the mode of transmission has not been fully identified, it is evident that this PDA is hereditary in nature. To the authors' knowledge this is the first description of this congenital cardiopathy in a family of this breed, and in a significant number of first-generation individuals.