ABSTRACT
A distinctive nodular dermatitis induced by Straelensia cynotis, a newly described trombidioid larval mite which resides in hair follicles, was identified in 12 dogs living in France. They all had scattered, small (1 to 3 mm in diameter), pale, firm skin nodules, variable in distribution but always affecting the dorsal regions of the head and trunk; they were distributed over the whole body of seven of the dogs. The animals were otherwise healthy except for three severely infested fox terriers which had a decreased appetite, were lethargic, and whose skin nodules were painful to the touch. The nodules did not induce pruritus. The lesions usually began as erythematous papules which developed into firm pale nodules. The dermatitis resolved within two to 12 months. Topical acaricides were ineffective but the skin nodules regressed after treatments with systemic avermectins. Histologically, each nodule was composed of a dilated follicular ostium containing a well-preserved larval mite, and showed a pseudoepitheliomatous follicular hyperplasia and an abundant perifollicular mucinosis. The larvae were identified as belonging to the genus Straelensia (Acari: Leeuwenhoekiidae). It was clearly established that the three fox terriers had become infested within a fox's den. The nymphs and adults of this species of mite are believed to live in foxes' dens; foxes are considered to be the natural host for the larval stage, and dogs a permissive but occasional host.
Subject(s)
Dermatitis/veterinary , Dog Diseases/parasitology , Trombiculiasis/veterinary , Trombiculidae/pathogenicity , Animals , Dermatitis/physiopathology , Dog Diseases/pathology , Dogs , Female , Male , Trombiculiasis/physiopathology , Trombiculidae/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
A unique, symmetrical onychodystrophy is described in 18 dogs. A rather sudden onset of onychomadesis is followed by chronic onychodystrophy affecting all claws. Pain and lameness are recognized in half of the patients, but the dogs are healthy otherwise. Histopathologically, this disorder is characterized by hydropic and lichenoid interface dermatitis. Nine dogs were treated with a commercial, fatty-acid supplement and had good-to-excellent responses. Due to the clinicopathological characteristics of this disorder, the authors propose the name "symmetrical lupoid onychodystrophy."
Subject(s)
Dog Diseases/diagnosis , Hoof and Claw/pathology , Animals , Biopsy/veterinary , Dermatitis/diagnosis , Dermatitis/drug therapy , Dermatitis/veterinary , Dog Diseases/drug therapy , Dogs , Fatty Acids, Omega-3/therapeutic use , Fatty Acids, Omega-6 , Fatty Acids, Unsaturated/therapeutic use , Female , Foot Dermatoses/diagnosis , Foot Dermatoses/drug therapy , Foot Dermatoses/veterinary , Hoof and Claw/drug effects , Lameness, Animal/diagnosis , Lameness, Animal/drug therapy , Male , Pain/diagnosis , Pain/drug therapy , Pain/veterinary , Prednisone/therapeutic use , Retrospective Studies , Vitamin E/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Three horses with fibrotic myopathy were examined for neuromuscular disease. In 2 horses, concentric needle electromyography was performed. Dense spontaneous activity suggestive of denervation, was found in multiple thigh muscles of 1 of the 2 horses. All 3 horses were euthanatized. Histochemical and histologic examination of tissue specimens was performed. All horses had degenerative lesions in peripheral and intramuscular nerves. Angular atrophy of type-1 and type-2 muscle fibers, indicative of denervation atrophy, was seen in multiple muscle specimens from all 3 horses. One horse was found to have a fracture of the greater trochanter, with fibrous entrapment of the sciatic nerve at that site. The cause of the peripheral neuropathy was not determined in the other 2 horses. It was concluded that peripheral neuropathy should be considered in horses with fibrotic myopathy.
