Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin in dogs

Background: Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) is a critical cause of neurological disorders in dogs, mainly affecting small young individuals. Its symptomatology is varied and depends on the affected neuroanatomic region. The ante mortem diagnosis of this condition is uncertain, being achieved by discarding other conditions and often occurring definitively only by performing a necropsy. Thus, this study aims to report 2 cases of meningoencephalitis, one necrotizing and the other granulomatous in dogs. Cases: Case 1. A 3-year-old, Shih Tzu bitch with a body weight of 4 kg, showing proprioceptive ataxia, behavior of walking in circles, and evolving rapidly to non-ambulatory paresis, was treated. The neurological examination showed a posture of decerebrate stiffness and absence of withdrawal reflex and proprioception, suggesting brainstem injury. Laboratory tests showed mild neutrophilia and lymphopenia, while the rapid test for distemper was non-reactive. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed lymphocytic pleocytosis, and the PCR tests of the CSF, blood, and urine for the detection of infectious diseases were negative, as well as the culture. With no improvement in clinical condition and exams showing a progressive degenerative condition unresponsive to available treatments, the tutor opted for euthanasia of the patient. The subsequently requested necropsy confirmed the diagnosis of granulomatous meningoencephalitis. Case 2. This case refers to a 1-year-and-5-month-old male Maltese breed weighing 4.8 kg. This animal presented walking in circles behavior and loss of vision for a week, with signs worsening rapidly. In the neurological evaluation, the patient presented sensitivity in the middle ear, difficulty opening the mouth, hearing deficit in the right ear, blindness in the right eye, a proprioceptive deficit in the right anterior limb, and head pressing. Laboratory tests showed nonregenerative anemia and mild lymphopenia. After 1 day of hospitalization, the patient showed worsening clinical condition, with obstruction, absence of facial and auricular sensitivity, and nasal stimulus. In addition, onset of generalized seizures was observed; therefore, CSF was analyzed, which did not present significant alterations except for detecting reactive lymphocytes. The bacteriological culture of CSF resulted in no bacterial growth. In addition, the same neurological PCR panel performed for the previous patient was negative. After 5 days of intensive care, the patient presented a cardiorespiratory arrest and died. The subsequently requested necropsy confirmed the diagnosis of necrotizing meningoencephalitis. Discussion: The 2 reported cases confirm that MUO should be considered during the differential diagnoses of patients with neurological alterations. It is known that small-breed dogs are predisposed to these diseases. Laboratory tests and medical imaging are crucial for clinical guidance, helping to discard other neurological pathologies, especially those due to bacterial, fungal, and/or viral agents. However, definitive diagnosis of MUO can only be performed through necropsy and histopathological analysis. For the reported cases, CSF analysis, neurological PCR panel for detecting possible infectious agents, and bacterial culture were essential to rule out other possible causes of meningoencephalitis. Unfortunately, MUO includes progressive neurological disorders causing the patient's death.

Aspectos Clínicos, ultrassonográficos e anatomopatológicos da displasia renal em Lhasa Apso com nefropatia juvenil progressiva / Aspects clinical, ultrasonographic and pathologic features of renal dysplasia in Lhasa Apso with progressive juvenile nephropathy

A displasia renal é caracterizada como uma desordem do parênquima renal. Ocorre no período embrionário durante a diferenciação dos tecidos renais e sua etiologia ainda permanece indefinida. Esta patologia, de origem congênita e hereditária, acomete principalmente animais jovens. A afecção pode levar ao desenvolvimento de doença renal crônica, com manifestação clínica de poliúria, polidipsia, perda de peso e apatia. Exames de imagem auxiliam na avaliação da arquitetura renal, evidenciando áreas de perda da definição córtico-medular. O diagnóstico definitivo é obtido por histopatologia. Destaca-se a importância de evitar o cruzamento de animais portadores de displasia renal, pois a doença é de caráter transmissível. O presente trabalho tem por objetivo relatar um caso de displasia renal, em um canino da raça Lhasa-apso, caracterizando seus aspectos clínicos, ultrassonográficos e anatomopatológicos.

Renal dysplasia is characterized as a disorder of the renal parenchyma. It occurs in the embryonic period during differentiation of renal tissues and its etiology remains unclear. This congenital and hereditary pathology affects mainly young animals. The condition can lead to the development of chronic kidney disease with clinical signs of polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss and apathy. Imaging tests help the evaluation of renal architecture, highlighting areas of loss of cortical-medular definition. The definitive diagnosis is made by histopathology. Highlights the importance of avoiding crossing animals with renal dysplasia, because the disease is transmitted character. This paper aims to report a case of renal dysplasia in a Lhasa-apso canine, featuring its clinical, ultrasonographic and anatomopathological aspects.

Aspectos Clínicos, ultrassonográficos e anatomopatológicos da displasia renal em Lhasa Apso com nefropatia juvenil progressiva / Aspects clinical, ultrasonographic and pathologic features of renal dysplasia in Lhasa Apso with progressive juvenile nephropathy

A displasia renal é caracterizada como uma desordem do parênquima renal. Ocorre no período embrionário durante a diferenciação dos tecidos renais e sua etiologia ainda permanece indefinida. Esta patologia, de origem congênita e hereditária, acomete principalmente animais jovens. A afecção pode levar ao desenvolvimento de doença renal crônica, com manifestação clínica de poliúria, polidipsia, perda de peso e apatia. Exames de imagem auxiliam na avaliação da arquitetura renal, evidenciando áreas de perda da definição córtico-medular. O diagnóstico definitivo é obtido por histopatologia. Destaca-se a importância de evitar o cruzamento de animais portadores de displasia renal, pois a doença é de caráter transmissível. O presente trabalho tem por objetivo relatar um caso de displasia renal, em um canino da raça Lhasa-apso, caracterizando seus aspectos clínicos, ultrassonográficos e anatomopatológicos.AU

Renal dysplasia is characterized as a disorder of the renal parenchyma. It occurs in the embryonic period during differentiation of renal tissues and its etiology remains unclear. This congenital and hereditary pathology affects mainly young animals. The condition can lead to the development of chronic kidney disease with clinical signs of polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss and apathy. Imaging tests help the evaluation of renal architecture, highlighting areas of loss of cortical-medular definition. The definitive diagnosis is made by histopathology. Highlights the importance of avoiding crossing animals with renal dysplasia, because the disease is transmitted character. This paper aims to report a case of renal dysplasia in a Lhasa-apso canine, featuring its clinical, ultrasonographic and anatomopathological aspects.AU

Penectomy and scrotal urethrostomy in dogs: report of four cases / Penectomia com uretrostomia escrotal em cães: relato de quatro casos

Wide trauma and neoplasms constitute the main indications for penectomy and scrotal urethrostomy in the dog. Reconstruction of the prepuce is technically challenging, which may not be feasible in cases of extensive tissue loss, requiring penile amputation. The aim of the current study was to report four cases of penectomy associated to scrotal urethrostomy in dogs. The patients were subjected to hematological, histopathologic exams, thoracic radiographs and abdominal echographic evaluations for surgical triage. Malignant neoplasms were diagnosed in three patients and fibrosis with extensive penile exposition was found in one dog. The patients were submitted to penile amputation and scrotal urethrostomy postoperative complications included mild hemorrhage in one dog and wound infection and myiasis in another dog. In conclusion, surgical resection followed by penectomy with scrotal urethrostomy was the best option for the treatment of the preputial lesions and resolution was achieved.

Os traumatismos extensos de prepúcio e pênis, além de neoplasias, constituem as principais indicações cirúrgicas de penectomia associado à uretrostomia escrotal no cão. A reconstrução do prepúcio é desafiadora e torna-se inviável em casos de lesões amplas, requerendo a amputação peniana. O objetivo do presente estudo foi relatar quatro casos de indicação para penectomia associada à uretrostomia escrotal em cães. Os pacientes foram submetidos a exames complementares hematológicos, citologia das lesões, radiografia de tórax, ultrassonografia abdominal foram realizadas para triagem cirúrgica. Em três pacientes diagnosticou-se neoplasias malignas e em um paciente, fibrose com extensa exposição peniana. Os cães foram submetidos a penectomia, associado a uretrostomia escrotal. As complicações pós-operatórias incluíram hemorragia leve em um paciente e infecção e miiase em outro cão. Concluiu-se que a ressecção cirúrgica seguida de penectomia com uretrostomia escrotal foi a melhor opção para as lesões prepuciais, obtendo-se sucesso no tratamento realizado.

Penectomy and scrotal urethrostomy in dogs: report of four cases / Penectomia com uretrostomia escrotal em cães: relato de quatro casos

Wide trauma and neoplasms constitute the main indications for penectomy and scrotal urethrostomy in the dog. Reconstruction of the prepuce is technically challenging, which may not be feasible in cases of extensive tissue loss, requiring penile amputation. The aim of the current study was to report four cases of penectomy associated to scrotal urethrostomy in dogs. The patients were subjected to hematological, histopathologic exams, thoracic radiographs and abdominal echographic evaluations for surgical triage. Malignant neoplasms were diagnosed in three patients and fibrosis with extensive penile exposition was found in one dog. The patients were submitted to penile amputation and scrotal urethrostomy postoperative complications included mild hemorrhage in one dog and wound infection and myiasis in another dog. In conclusion, surgical resection followed by penectomy with scrotal urethrostomy was the best option for the treatment of the preputial lesions and resolution was achieved.(AU)

Os traumatismos extensos de prepúcio e pênis, além de neoplasias, constituem as principais indicações cirúrgicas de penectomia associado à uretrostomia escrotal no cão. A reconstrução do prepúcio é desafiadora e torna-se inviável em casos de lesões amplas, requerendo a amputação peniana. O objetivo do presente estudo foi relatar quatro casos de indicação para penectomia associada à uretrostomia escrotal em cães. Os pacientes foram submetidos a exames complementares hematológicos, citologia das lesões, radiografia de tórax, ultrassonografia abdominal foram realizadas para triagem cirúrgica. Em três pacientes diagnosticou-se neoplasias malignas e em um paciente, fibrose com extensa exposição peniana. Os cães foram submetidos a penectomia, associado a uretrostomia escrotal. As complicações pós-operatórias incluíram hemorragia leve em um paciente e infecção e miiase em outro cão. Concluiu-se que a ressecção cirúrgica seguida de penectomia com uretrostomia escrotal foi a melhor opção para as lesões prepuciais, obtendo-se sucesso no tratamento realizado.(AU)