UhL's anomaly in a cat associated with severe right‐sided cardiac decompensation

This cat was first presented with a history of vomiting and seizures. Signs of exercise intolerance and right‐sided cardiac failure later developed. Diuretic and cardiac glycoside therapy temporarily improved the condition. When terminal decompensation became apparent (6 months later), euthanasia was suggested. Autopsy revealed a grossly dilated right ventricle with absence of a section of right ventricular myocardium producing a ‘window’ defect in the right ventricular free wall. There was extensive myocardial hypertrophy and degeneration, probably secondary to the congenital hypoplastic defect. Copyrigh

The effect of prostaglandin inhibition on the development of pulmonary pathology associated with dead Dirofilaria immitis

Flunixin meglumine was used to examine the effect of prostaglandin inhibition on the pathogenesis of Dirofilaria immitis in the pulmonary arteries of dogs. Immunopathological reactions to dead filariae were monitored by light and transmission electron microscopy and serology. Lung lesions in prostaglandin-inhibited dogs exposed to dead filariae were enhanced compared to control dogs. This was associated with the persistence of parasitic antigen in lung tissue and in the blood. Serology demonstrated that after insertion of D. immitis in treated dogs, antibody levels did not change, while immune complex and antigen levels increased. These results indicate that prostaglandin may have a protective effect on the way the lung reacts to dead D. immitis, and that altered dynamics of the antigen processing may well contribute to the associated lung lesions