Angiolipomatous tumors in dogs and a cat.

Variants of lipoma are uncommon, although fibrolipoma and infiltrative lipoma have been well documented. This report describes two cases of rare angiolipoma in dogs and the first documentation of angiofibrolipoma and infiltrating angiolipoma in a cat and a dog, respectively. Tumors were solitary, and most were located on the thorax of middle-aged patients. Angiolipomas were composed of mature adipose tissue mixed with variable numbers of blood vessels. In addition to the adipose and vascular components, the angiofibrolipoma contained bundles of collagenous connective tissue. The infiltrative angiolipoma had a primary mass external to the muscle and was histologically similar to a mixed intramuscular hemangioma that was confined to the muscle. Both disrupted bundles of striated muscle and were associated with segmental degeneration and loss of myofibers.

Protection of pigs by vaccination of pregnant sows against eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus.

Serum-virus neutralizing antibodies were detected in serum and colostrum of sows vaccinated during pregnancy with commercially available vaccines against eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus (EEEV), and antibodies were detected in serum from nearly all pigs from vaccinated sows following colostrum uptake. Serum-virus neutralizing antibody (SVN) test titers were measured in colostrum and pigs at the next farrowing, and additional vaccination of sows prior to the third farrowing led to elevated SVN titers in serum, colostrum and all pigs. Six pigs from vaccinated sows challenged at 8 to 9 days of age with 1 x 10(6) TCID50 EEEV did not develop the high temperatures or signs of central nervous system disease that 6 pigs from non-vaccinated sows developed. Virus was isolate from blood and oropharyngeal swabs from all pigs from non-vaccinated sows with blood virus titers as high as 9.3 x 10(4) TCID50, while only low levels of virus were detected in blood and oropharyngeal swabs from pigs from vaccinated sows. Virus was also isolated from tonsils collected at necropsy from 3 pigs from non-vaccinated and 1 pig from vaccinated sows. Vaccination of pregnant sows leads to development of maternal antibodies that are transmitted via colostrum to pigs and are protective against clinical EEEV related disease after experimental challenge with EEEV. In addition, vaccination prevents amplification of virus in infected pigs and could result in protection of animals and farm labor in the environment of infected pigs.

Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus infection in swine.

In 1 of 2 outbreaks of eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus (EEEV) infection in swine, 280 of 350 pigs died. Histopathologic findings in the brain were typical of EEEV infection. In addition, multifocal necrosis and inflammation were seen in the myocardium. Follow-up investigation in 1 of the herds revealed antibody response to EEEV in surviving pigs and in adult swine. Growth retardation was noticed in surviving pigs. Histologic examination revealed mild lesions in the brain of the survivors.

Sequential study of lesion development in experimental haemophilus pleuropneumonia.

Recently weaned pigs were infected aerogenically with Haemophilus (Actinobacillus) pleuropneumoniae, serotype 5. At three, six, 12, and 18 hours and one, two, four and seven days after exposure to haemophili a pair of animals were killed and necropsied. Pulmonary oedema with multifocal petechial haemorrhages and a diffuse neutrophilic bronchiolitis and alveolitis were observed at three and six hours after infection. Focal areas of coagulative necrosis developed in areas of intense suppuration at 12 and 18 hours after infection. At one and two days after infection, necrotic areas were surrounded by dense bands of degenerating leucocytes and contained unidentifiable round and elongated cells characteristic of this disease. In subacute lesions a thick layer of granulation tissue formed around the outer margin of developing abscesses. Most of the round and elongated cells in alveolar exudates could not be identified by enzyme histochemistry or electron microscopic examination. Neutrophils in various stages of degeneration and deterioration provided strong evidence that some of the cells were of this type. These findings suggest that neutrophils may play an early and significant role in development of lesions.

Myospherulosis in the subcutis of a pony.

Myospherulosis was diagnosed in a mature pony. Several parent bodies containing many spherules were observed microscopically in biopsy material from an area of cellulitis. The spherules are altered red blood cells that form as the result of prolonged contact with necrotic fat or petrolatum-based ointments. These structures must be differentiated from fungal elements. The recommended treatment is surgical excision.

Acute inflammatory effects of intratracheally instilled Escherichia coli endotoxin and sonicated suspension of Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae in swine.

A single bolus of either Escherichia coli endotoxin, sonicated suspension of Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae, or pyrogen-free normal saline was intratracheally instilled in six week old specific-pathogen-free pigs. Pigs exposed to E. coli endotoxin developed fever, leukopenia followed by leukocytosis, and endotoxemia. Leukocytosis was the only clinical abnormality noted in pigs receiving the sonicated suspension of H. pleuropneumoniae. At one day postexposure, focal areas of atelectasis and consolidation were observed in the caudal lung lobes of animals receiving either E. coli endotoxin or the sonicated suspension of H. pleuropneumoniae. Lesions were characterized by a neutrophilic bronchitis and bronchiolitis with alveolitis in the surrounding tissue. Increased numbers of alveolar macrophages and evidence of phagocytosis were observed by light and electron microscopy. No clinical abnormalities or lesions were observed in animals receiving normal saline. Lesions typical of acute porcine Haemophilus pleuropneumonia were not produced by either E. coli endotoxin or sonicated suspension of H. pleuropneumoniae, indicating that multiple virulence factors are probably involved in lesion development.

Canine aflatoxicosis: a continuing problem.

Aflatoxins are hepatotoxic in many species including dogs. In two separate outbreaks, the primary signalment was high morbidity and mortality in hunting dogs presenting with clinical signs of icterus, anorexia and listlessness. Preliminary laboratory examinations revealed toxic hepatitis, bilirubinuria and anemia. In the first case, a feed sample was not available and the diagnosis was established by confirming the presence of significant levels of aflatoxin B1 in tissues. In the second case, cornmeal utilized in formulating the ration contained 511 ng aflatoxin B1 and B2/g. These cases illustrate that aflatoxicosis is a continuing problem despite widespread awareness and testing for aflatoxin.

Canine laryngopharyngeal rhabdomyoma resembling an oncocytoma: light microscopic, ultrastructural and comparative studies.

A laryngopharyngeal rhabdomyoma was diagnosed in a four-year-old dog with clinical signs of upper respiratory obstruction. In people, rhabdomyomas have a predilection for the head and neck area. Features of this tumor were compared with an oncocytoma with which it may be confused.

Pseudohyperchloremia associated with bromide intoxication in a goat herd.

Pseudohyperchloremia and a negative anion gap were detected in goats with bromide intoxication. Bromide interferes with ion-specific electrodes, resulting in a falsely increased serum chloride concentrations. Bromide intoxication should be considered in animals with progressive neurologic signs, a high serum chloride value, and a low or negative anion gap.