Feline congenital hypothyroidism: a case report.

We report a two-month-old male cat weighing 630 grams with congenital hypothyroidism. The main complaints were difficulty defecating for more than three days and prostration. Physical examination revealed a broad, flat face, a short neck, enlarged submandibular lymph nodes, chemosis, mild bilateral mucopurulent ocular discharge, seborrheic coat, with gingival thickening around the upper and lower deciduous incisor teeth with partial eruption. The abdomen was distended due to constipation and right unilateral cryptorchidism. Based on this, feline congenital hypothyroidism was suspected. Hormonal tests (free T4 by equilibrium dialysis of 0.06 ng/dl, total T4 of 0.1 ng/ml and TSH of 4.7 ng/ml) confirmed this. Treatment was started with levothyroxine sodium (5-32.2 µg/kg/day). After 120 days of treatment, there was clinical stabilization. Then the patient underwent orchiectomy of the left and of the right ectopic testicles, and at 380 days of treatment, the thyroid scintigraphy showed intense uptake of the radiopharmaceutical by both thyroid lobes and a significant increase in volume. Clinical evaluation showed weight gain (2.6 kilograms during treatment), improvement in the shape of the skull, and a notable increase in body size. At 17 months of age, hormone values were within the reference limits after administration of levothyroxine sodium (32.2µg/kg/day).

O objetivo deste trabalho foi relatar o caso de hipotireoidismo congênito em um felino, macho, pelo curto brasileiro (PCB), com dois meses de idade, pesando 630 gramas. Apresentava como queixa principal dificuldade para defecar por mais de três dias e prostração. O exame físico geral constatou face larga e plana, pescoço curto, linfonodos submandibulares aumentados, quemose e discreta secreção ocular mucopurulenta bilateral. A pelagem apresentava-se opaca e seborreica, espessamento gengival em torno dos dentes decíduos incisivos superiores e inferiores com parcial erupção. À palpação, o abdômen apresentava-se distendido pela presença de fezes em cólon e criptorquidismo unilateral direito. Diante das alterações supracitadas, suspeitou-se de hipotireoidismo congênito felino. O qual foi confirmado através de exames complementares hormonais específicos (T4 livre por diálise do equilíbrio 0,06 ng/dl, T4 total 0,1 ng/ml e TSH 4,7 ng/ml). Iniciou-se o tratamento com levotiroxina sódica na dose de 5 a 32,2µg/kg/dia. Com 120 dias de tratamento houve estabilização clínica e então o paciente foi submetido à orquiectomia dos testículos esquerdo ectópico e direito. E aos 380 dias de tratamento ao exame de cintilografia de tireoide onde foi evidenciado intensa captação do radiofármaco por ambos os lobos tireoidianos e importante aumento de volume. Na avaliação clínica, foi observado ganho de peso (2,6 quilogramas ao longo do tratamento), melhora na conformação do crânio e notável aumento de tamanho corporal. Aos 17 meses de idade, os valores hormonais se encontravam dentro dos limites de referência, após a administração da dose de lexotiroxina sódica na dose de 32,2µg/kg/dia.

Pituitary carcinoma in a bitch: clinical, tomographic, histopathological and immunohistochemistry findings

Background: Primary pituitary carcinoma is rarely reported in dogs and only few reports describe its malignancy. In veterinary literature, primary pituitary carcinomas correspond up to 2.4% to 3.4% of intracranial neoplasms found in dogs andinformation regarding its biological behavior is quite limited. In humans, primary pituitary carcinomas represent less than1.0% of all tumors found in the pituitary gland. The proposed classification for pituitary carcinoma in humans and dogsdetermines that the tumor must have its origin in adenohypophyseal region and disseminated metastasis by cerebrospinalfluid or systemically to other organs must be observed. In dogs, a few reports have described primary pituitary carcinoma.The goal of this report was to describe clinical, tomographic, histopathological and immunohistochemistry features of abitch with primary pituitary carcinoma with adjacent invasion.Case: A 7-year-old female spayed Golden Retriever dog was assessed by general practice due progressive weight loss,muscular atrophy, lethargy, blindness, head pressing, and hyporexia for 21 days. Computed tomography (CT) showeda cerebral parenchyma with expansive extra-axial base formation, originating from sella turcica topography, measuringabout 2.0 cm dorsally, displacing the third ventricle, suggesting the diagnosis of pituitary neoplasia. The hormones thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) and total thyroxine (T4) as well as stimulation ACTH test were unremarkable. After 7 days,neurological clinical signs progressed and unfortunately the patient died ten days later after hospitalization. A necropsyexam revealed pituitary gland with increased dimensions (2.5 x 2.0 cm). Histopathological fi ndings revealed tumor proliferation in pituitary gland. The neoplasm showed invasion to the nervous parenchyma and metastatic foci between the brainlobes. Immunohistochemistry was positive for keratin and neuron-specifi c enolase...

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in cats

Background: Esophageal neoplasms are rarely reported in cats. The frequency rate is less than 0.5% and those neoplasms are usually malignant. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an idiopathic epithelial neoplasm, invasive and metastatic that can induce partial or complete obstruction of the esophageal lumen. There is no breed or sex predisposition, and it is more common in cats over 8-years-old. Esophageal SCC is more frequent in the middle third of the esophagus. The prognosis is poor, as the cats are usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. This report aims to describe clinical, endoscopic, radiographic, and pathological features of two cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in cats. Cases: A 11-year-old neutered male cat presenting regurgitation, weight loss, anorexia and dyspnea was referred to veterinary internal medicine care. Simple and contrast-enhanced radiographic images of the cervical and thoracic regions showed an alveolar pattern in the cranial lung lobes and signs of esophageal lumen irregularity and dilatation in the mediastinum topography. The upper digestive endoscopy showed a dilated esophageal lumen, and an irregular mass was observed in the thoracic esophagus involving the entire esophageal circumference. Biopsy fragments were collected, and the histopathological result was compatible with squamous cell carcinoma. The second case was a 10-year-old neutered male cat presenting hyporexia, regurgitation, dyspnea, tachypnea, and abnormal breath sounds. The ultrasound of the chest showed 3 amorphous hypoechogenic and heterogeneous areas in the right and left hemithorax between parietal and visceral pleura. The cytological examination was compatible with a malignant epithelial tumor. The patient died 3 months after the onset of clinical signs. At gross exam, it was observed a friable, irregular, and ulcerated mass of 5.0 x 3.0 cm in the middle third of the esophagus...

Fatores de risco e sintomatologia clínica associados à infecção pelo FELV: estudo caso-controle em um hospital escola veterinário / Risk factors and clinical symptomatology related with FELV: case-control study in a Veterinary Teaching Hospital

O objetivo do estudo foi identificar fatores de risco e características clínicas da infecção pelo vírus da leucemia felina (FeLV) em gatos domésticos (Felis catus) atendidos em um hospital escola veterinário. Para a determinação dos fatores de risco, foi realizado estudo caso-controle e para a caracterização da sintomatologia clínica dos animais doentes, foi realizado estudo descritivo. Foram avaliados 175 prontuários médicos de gatos atendidos no hospital durante o período de janeiro de 2013 a janeiro de 2014, sendo 34 animais (19,4%) positivos para o vírus. Foi observada associação entre idade e infecção pelo FeLV (p=0,009), em que a maior incidência da infecção ocorreu em animais com idade entre um e quatro anos. Neoplasias hematopoiéticas (p=0.00002), anemia (p<0,0000001), leucopenia (p=0,04) e hiperproteinemia (p=0,043) estiveram associadas com a FeLV. Sinais clínicos associados aos sistemas respiratório, digestório, tegumentar e nervoso estiveram presentes em 20,6%, 14,7%, 5,9% e 5,9%, respectivamente. Concluiu-se que a idade está associada à infecção pelo FeLV, sendo o grupo de animais entre um e quatro anos com maior risco, enquanto sexo e acesso à rua não são fatores de risco para a infecção. A infecção pelo FeLV está associada à anemia, leucopenia, neoplasias hematopoiéticas e hiperproteinemia.(AU)

The objective of this study was to identify risk factors and clinical features of the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection in domestic cats (Felis catus) seen at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital. A case-control study was performed to determine the risk factors and a descriptive study was done to define the clinical symptoms of the sick animals. From January 2013 to January 2014, 175 medical records of cats seen at the hospital were evaluated. FeLV was found in 34 of them (19.4%). It was noticed an association between age and the FeLV infection (p=0,009); higher incidence of the infection occurring in animals between one and four years old. Hematopoietic neoplasias (p=0,000022), anemia (p<0,0000001), leukopenia (p=0,04) and hyperproteinemia (p=0,043) were associated with FeLV infection. Unspecific symptoms were observed in 51.8% of the animals. Clinical signs associated with respiratory, digestive, tegumentary and nervous systems were present in 20.6%, 14.7%, 5.9% and 5.9% respectively. This study concluded that age between one and four years old is a risk factor for FeLV infection. On the other hand, sex and outdoor access are not risk factors for the infection. FeLV infection is associated with anemia, leucopenia, hematopoietic neoplasia and hyperproteinemia.(AU)

Fatores de risco e sintomatologia clínica associados à infecção pelo FELV: estudo caso-controle em um hospital escola veterinário / Risk factors and clinical symptomatology related with FELV: case-control study in a Veterinary Teaching Hospital

O objetivo do estudo foi identificar fatores de risco e características clínicas da infecção pelo vírus da leucemia felina (FeLV) em gatos domésticos (Felis catus) atendidos em um hospital escola veterinário. Para a determinação dos fatores de risco, foi realizado estudo caso-controle e para a caracterização da sintomatologia clínica dos animais doentes, foi realizado estudo descritivo. Foram avaliados 175 prontuários médicos de gatos atendidos no hospital durante o período de janeiro de 2013 a janeiro de 2014, sendo 34 animais (19,4%) positivos para o vírus. Foi observada associação entre idade e infecção pelo FeLV (p=0,009), em que a maior incidência da infecção ocorreu em animais com idade entre um e quatro anos. Neoplasias hematopoiéticas (p=0.00002), anemia (p<0,0000001), leucopenia (p=0,04) e hiperproteinemia (p=0,043) estiveram associadas com a FeLV. Sinais clínicos associados aos sistemas respiratório, digestório, tegumentar e nervoso estiveram presentes em 20,6%, 14,7%, 5,9% e 5,9%, respectivamente. Concluiu-se que a idade está associada à infecção pelo FeLV, sendo o grupo de animais entre um e quatro anos com maior risco, enquanto sexo e acesso à rua não são fatores de risco para a infecção. A infecção pelo FeLV está associada à anemia, leucopenia, neoplasias hematopoiéticas e hiperproteinemia.

The objective of this study was to identify risk factors and clinical features of the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection in domestic cats (Felis catus) seen at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital. A case-control study was performed to determine the risk factors and a descriptive study was done to define the clinical symptoms of the sick animals. From January 2013 to January 2014, 175 medical records of cats seen at the hospital were evaluated. FeLV was found in 34 of them (19.4%). It was noticed an association between age and the FeLV infection (p=0,009); higher incidence of the infection occurring in animals between one and four years old. Hematopoietic neoplasias (p=0,000022), anemia (p<0,0000001), leukopenia (p=0,04) and hyperproteinemia (p=0,043) were associated with FeLV infection. Unspecific symptoms were observed in 51.8% of the animals. Clinical signs associated with respiratory, digestive, tegumentary and nervous systems were present in 20.6%, 14.7%, 5.9% and 5.9% respectively. This study concluded that age between one and four years old is a risk factor for FeLV infection. On the other hand, sex and outdoor access are not risk factors for the infection. FeLV infection is associated with anemia, leucopenia, hematopoietic neoplasia and hyperproteinemia.