47 research outputs found
Otitis Media and Internal with Brainstem Extension in a French Bulldog
Background: Otitis is a frequent condition in dogs, with a multifactorial etiology covering primary causes, predisposing and perpetuating factors. It is characterized by an inflammatory process of structures that make up the auditory system, with prevalence data ranging from 15 to 20%, which can occur in any age group and without sex predisposition. According to the location, it can be classified as uni or bilateral, affecting the outer, middle and / or inner ear, the latter two being associated with neurological changes such as vestibulopathy, facial nerve paresis and Horner's syndrome. The morbidity and mortality of otitis media and internal may increase with delay in diagnosis, resulting in delay in the correct treatment, and the extension to brainstem is described in felines and considered rare in dogs. The present study aims to report an atypical case of otitis media and internal, with extension to the brain parenchyma in a brachycephalic dog.Case: A 3-year-old bitch French Bulldog canine was seen, weighing 12 kg, with a history of vomiting, apathy, nystagmus, ataxia and acute evolution hemiparesis. As a result of adoption, it was not known about the animal's morbid past. On special physical and clinical examination, depressed mental status, changes in postural reactions, nostril stenosis with unilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge, corneal ulcer, palpebral and labial ptosis, absence of eyelid reflex and spontaneous strabismus were observed, all of these findings observed on the left side of the face. No signs of otitis external to otoscopy were found. The clinical signs found characterize left facial nerve paresis and peripheral and central vestibulopathy. Otitis media / internal and meningoencephalitis were suspected. Hemogram, serum biochemistry (glucose, urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, total proteins, albumin, globulin, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltransferase, phosphorus, total bilirubin, cholesterol and total calcium), urinalysis, rapid tests for erlichiosis, anaplasms , borreliosis, heartworm, distemper and leishmaniasis, CSF analysis, neurological panel performed by PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) that tested the animal for Bartonellosis, Lyme Disease (Borrelia burgdorferi), Blastomyces dermatitidis, Cryptococcus sp., Virus West Nile, Distemper, Toxoplasmosis, Neosporose and Coccidioides sp. using conjunctival swab, whole blood, urine and CSF samples. The samples were negative for all of these tests. As an image exam, brain magnetic resonance was performed. In the latter, otitis media and left internal was observed with extension of the lesion to the brain parenchyma. CSF analysis showed cytological changes compatible with a non-suppurative inflammatory process, mild pleocytosis with predominantly mononuclear leukocyte infiltrate. As a form of treatment, antibiotic therapy and total ablation of the auditory canal with lateral bulectomy were performed, showing good results with reduced clinical symptoms.Discussion: It is concluded that although the diagnosis of otitis media and internal with extension to brainstem is more common in cats, it should be included as a differential for central vestibular disorders in dogs, and that the diagnosis together with early and effective treatment are important, since that the evolution of the infection to the central nervous system represents a risk to the patient.Keywords: vestibulopathy, meningoencephalitis, brachycephalic.Descritores: vestibulopatia, meningoencefalite, braquicefálico.Título: Otite média e interna com extensão para tronco encefálico em cão buldogue francês
Eventration in Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)
Background: The reptile class could be considered one of the biggest vertebrate groups and are divided in orders and suborders according to their characteristics. These animals’ maintenance in captivity, either at home, captive bred or at zoos, can generate risk to their health, if the required cares are not given for each respective species. The lack of individual cares could lead to bone and muscular diseases and to traumatic lesions in soft tissues, mainly in the coelomic cavity. The report that is being presented aims to describe the case of a green iguana (Iguana iguana) that presented an increase of volume in the coelomic cavity. The animal belongs to the squad of the Zoo “Dr. Fábio de Sá Barreto”.Case: A green iguana arrived at the Zoo in February 2019 coming from another Zoo, with already an increase of volume in the coelomic cavity. The animal was put in quarantine and later on, it was put in display at a terrarium in the Zoo considered adequate to reptiles, with another seven green iguanas along with an argentine tegu (Salvator rufescens). Their feed was offered in the morning and was composed of fruits, vegetables and flowers like hibiscus. In the end of July 2019, it was reported by the attendant that the animal was presented with anorexia and prostration, and these symptoms progressed to neurologic signs, as it walked in circles. So, the animal was evaluated by the Zoo veterinarians and on exam they noticed lethargy, dehydration, absence of reflexes (pupillary, eyelid and painful), locomotion difficulty and when the iguana moves, it walks in circles. The increase in volume had the same size as reported in February and a soft consistency. After that, the animal was interned and treated according to the symptoms and the clinical evolution. Ten days after the hospitalization, the animal was still not eating, and locomotion stopped completely. It was performed in an ultrasonographic exam evaluating all the coelomic cavity, in which a great anechoic area was visualized, and a true hernia was diagnosed. However, the content of the hernia was not identified. In the next day, the animal died, and, in the necropsy, it was possible to verify that the increase in volume was actually a bladder eventration. The eventration occurred due to a laceration in the coelomic cavity musculature that allows the passage of the bladder to the subcutaneous space and its incarceration. So, the elimination of the urine and of nitrogen compounds was difficult and a large accumulation of uric acid from the bladder to the urodeo.Discussion: Iguana iguana is a uricotelic animal, which means that the main nitrogenous waste product is uric acid. Nevertheless, ammonia is also eliminated in less quantity, because of the excess of protein in the diet. These animals eliminate around 98 to 99% of the nitrogen compounds as uric acid and less than 1% as ammonia, which prove that it is possible for the accumulation of ammonia in reptiles, if any obstacle in its elimination exists. The excess of ammonia is extremely toxic to the organism, leading to emesis, irritability, lethargy, anorexia, ataxia, motor difficulties, behavioral and neurological changes, and could progress to coma or even death. The bladder incarceration reported in this case, made it impossible for the excretion of urine, uric acid and ammonia, and these compounds remained accumulated. So, the clinical signs, along with the necropsy findings, were suggestive of intoxication by ammonia accumulation which could be responsible for the signs presented by the animal and the evolution to neurologic symptoms, coma and death
Corticosteroid Responsive Tremor Syndrome Associated with Estrus in a Female Dog
Background: Corticosteroid responsive tremor syndrome is an immune-mediated disorder that primarily affects small dogs aged 1 to 5 years. It is manifested by generalized tremors of high frequency and low amplitude, with involvement of head, trunk and limbs. The diagnosis is based on history, clinical signs and laboratory tests to rule out other conditions, as well as on the response to corticosteroid treatment. The aim of the present study was to report a case of a female dog with corticosteroid responsive tremor syndrome that began after estrus.Case: A 1-year-old, undetermined dog, weighing 4.9 kg, was attended at the Veterinary Hospital of Uberaba, with generalized tremors that impaired her walking and feeding. The picture had an acute onset, there was no history of intoxication, trauma, but the animal had an organophosphate-based collar. The bitch was not castrated and had been in heat for a month. In the clinical evaluation, it was observed that besides the tremors, the dog had hypermetria and hyperthermia. Suspected adverse reaction to organophosphorus or encephalitis. The collar was removed from the animal. Hemogram, serum biochemistry, analysis and culture of cerebrospinal fluid and test for distemper were performed. The hemogram was leukopenia due to lymphopenia. No alterations were observed in serum biochemistry CSF culture and the distemper test were negative. The CSF analyte revealed pleocytosis with predominantly lymphocytes, density and glucose increased slightly. The diagnosis of encephalitis of inflammatory etiology was established. Treatment with prednisone and diazepam was performed. Clinical signs improved after seven days of therapy. Approximately one and a half years after the initial clinical picture, the animal presented recurrence of the tremors associated with estrus again. The same treatment was instituted and the dog underwent ovariohysterectomy. There was no relapse of the clinical picture.Discussion: Syndromes characterized by generalized tremors were initially described in white-coated dogs. Later, they were observed in dogs of other pelts and in cats. It currently receives different nomenclatures such as idiopathic tremor syndrome or corticosteroid responsive tremor syndrome. The animal history of the present case allowed to exclude the main differential diagnoses of tremors caused by medication, intoxication and hypomyelination. The clinical manifestations of hyperthermia, hypermetry and generalized tremors of high frequency and low amplitude were also described by other authors in cases of corticosteroid responsive tremor syndrome. The age and size of the animal is consistent with previous reports that observed a higher frequency in animals from 1 to 5 years of age of small breed. The absence of alterations in the tests that indicated an infectious process allowed the diagnosis of inflammatory disease and the rapid improvement of the clinical signs after treatment with prednisone allowed to establish the diagnosis of the syndrome of the responsive corticosteroid tremor. Recurrence of the clinical picture again after estrus suggests that the variation of the hormones estrogen and progesterone during this phase may influence neuronal excitability as well as stimulate an inflammatory reaction. Further studies are needed to clarify the pathophysiology of corticosteroid responsive tremor syndrome and to investigate this hypothesis of sex hormone involvement in inflammation
Ovos de Toxocara sp. e larvas de Ancylostoma sp. em praça pública de Lavras, MG
Larva migrans visceral e cutânea são zoonoses parasitárias causadas pela infecção da larva de Toxocara sp. e Ancylostoma sp., respectivamente. O objetivo do estudo foi verificar a contaminação por ovos de Toxocara sp. e ovos e larvas de Ancylostoma sp. em amostras de solos coletadas de praças públicas e de áreas de recreação infantil de Lavras, Estado de Minas Gerais, por meio da técnica de centrífugo-flutuação e do método de Baermann. A ocorrência de ovos de Toxocara sp. e, ovos e larvas de Ancylostoma sp. foi observada em 69,6% (16/23) das amostras de solo coletadas de praças públicas. A contaminação somente por ovos de Ancylostoma sp. em amostras de solo coletadas em escolas/creches foi de 22,2% (4/18). A percentagem de amostras de areia coletadas de escolas/creches contaminadas somente com larvas de Ancylostoma sp. foi de 11,1% (2/18). Praças públicas são as áreas com maior risco potencial de infecção por Toxocara sp. e Ancylostoma sp. Exame coproparasitológico realizado em 174 amostras de fezes de cães observou 58% e 23%, respectivamente, com ovos de Ancylostoma sp. e Toxocara sp.Visceral and cutaneous larva migrans are parasitic zoonoses caused by the infection of larval nematodes Toxocara sp. and Ancylostoma sp. respectively. The objective of this study was to investigate the contamination by Toxocara sp. eggs and Ancylostoma sp. eggs and larva of soil samples collected from public parks and children's playground areas in state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, using both Baermann's method and centrifugal flotation technique. Toxocara sp. and Ancylostoma sp. eggs were observed in soil samples collected from public squares in 17.4% (4/23) and 69.6 (16/23) respectively. In schools and child day care settings the contamination by Ancylostoma sp. larva in sand samples was 11.1% (2/18). Public parks are settings of more potential risk of Toxocara sp. eggs and Ancylostoma sp. infection. Stool parasitology testing of 174 stool samples showed 58% and 23% of Ancylostoma sp and Toxocara sp eggs infection respectively
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Associated with Neurological Manifestations in a Border Collie Bitch
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an immune-mediated and multisystemic disorder which etiology is believed to be multifactorial. Its clinical signs vary accordingly to affected organs, cutaneous lesions being the most frequently observed. There are few reports of SLE in dogs with neurological manifestations. Therefore, the aim of this report is to describe a case of SLE in a dog with indicative signs of nervous system involvement.Case: A 6-year-old Border Collie bitch was referred to the Veterinary Hospital (HVU) of the University of Uberaba (UNIUBE) with a history of with cluster seizures, inappetence and urinary incontinence. Erythema and flaking of nasal plan were noted on physical examination, and splenomegaly on abdominal palpation. Thrombocytopenia and slightly increased ALT were found on blood tests. Ehrlichiosis was suspected and doxycycline was prescribed together with phenobarbital for the control of seizures. In the follow-up visit, the dog was still presenting urinary incontinence, thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly. Also, an ulcer on the nasal mucocutaneous junction was observed. The patient went through a neurological examination which indicated thalamocortical lesion. Cerebrospinal fluid samples were obtained for cytology, culture and canine distemper test, and serology tests for leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis and neosporosis were done. No alterations were found in these exams. The histopathology of the nasal lesion was proceeded and showed results consistent with lupus erythematosus. It was prescribed a 15-day course of prednisolone at immunosuppressive dose. The patient showed clinical improvement with this treatment. Azathioprine was started along with gradual removal of prednisolone. After twenty days of discontinuation of this drug, the dog presented epileptic seizures, urinary incontinence, thrombocytopenia, increased ALT and worsened nasal lesion. Prednisolone at immunosuppressive dose was reintroduced and the dose of azathioprine, increased. One week past this, the patient showed inappetence and an extensive hematoma in the thoracic region. Lab exams confirmed drug-induced acute pancreatitis. All medications were interrupted, the patient was hospitalized, and treatment for pancreatitis was initiated, but the dog passed away.Discussion: For involving multiple body systems and for presenting varied clinical signs, diagnosing SLE can be challenging in clinical routine. The dog from this report was a Border Collie; this breed is considered to be predisposed to this disease. The animal had a history of being exposed to solar radiation for a large part of the day, had dyspigmentation of nasal plan and had no application of sunscreen, predisposing the occurrence of SLE. Neurological signs are uncommon in SLE, but the seizures and the urinary incontinence were the main reasons for the dog’s guardian to look for medical assistance. The suspicion for SLE was raised due to cutaneous manifestations and persistent thrombocytopenia along with splenomegaly. Histopathological findings are essential for diagnosing SLE, as well as antinuclear antibody tests. Nonetheless, due to financial limitations, this last test was not performed. Azathioprine is an immunomodulating drug largely used along with glucocorticoids when treating SLE; however, this medication is prone to induce side effects as the ones presented by the dog from this report. Therefore, it is concluded that SLE should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients showing cutaneous, hematological, systemic and neurological manifestations, considering the variety of signs caused by this disorder.Keywords: seizures, dog, immune-mediated encephalopathy. Lúpus eritematoso sistêmico associado a manifestações neurológicas em cadela da raça Border CollieDescritores: crises epilépticas, cão, encefalopatia imunomediada
Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumor in a Bitch
Background: The diagnostic of neoplasia in dogs has risen significantly in the last years and this fact is mostly attributed to the longer life expectancy of these animals, which contributes to a greater chance of exposure to carcinogenic agents. In between the diverse tumors that could compromise skin, the mastocytoma is the third most commonly diagnosed neoplasia. It is characterized by being a form of neoplasia with round cells, these being the mast cells. The objective of the present study consisted in relating a case of cutaneous mastocytoma in a 7-year-old bitch mixed-breed treated at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the University of Uberaba (UNIUBE) - Uberaba, MG, Brazil.Case: The bitch initially presented a localized nodule external to the right ear pinna with cytology test suggesting a mastocytoma. The nodule was surgically removed and, posteriorly, an histopatholgy was not requested. After 5 months since the emergence of the nodule and a month after its surgical resection, the tutor noticed the presence of a new growth in the ipsilateral cervical region to the previous nodule. At this moment, the responsible veterinarian decided to refer the animal to an oncologist. During the appointment with the oncologist, alterations such as hyporexia and anemia were related, and the presence of a nodule in the right cervical region measuring 4.5 to 4 cm of diameter was verified. Material for cytologic evaluation of the neoplasia was collected and again the result suggested a mastocytoma. The new tumor was also surgically removed but was then referred to histopathological evaluation for diagnostic confirmation, grading and evaluation of surgical margins. The tumor was classified as an infiltrative subcutaneous mastocytoma presenting, additionally, compromised surgical margins. After its excision, the association with a chemotherapy treatment using a protocol of Vimblastina 2 mg/m², i.v. in unique dosage per section, associated with Predinisona 1 mg/kg, v.o, SID was indicated. Each section was realized with an interval of 7 days in between. Only 2 chemotherapy sessions took place. Because of the worsening of the clinical condition associated with a very weakened animal the veterinarian opted for the euthanasia of the animal.Discussion: The diagnostic of mastocytoma must be realized through the association of cytology and histopathology, in case histopathological evaluation is needed to confirm the obtained cytology result, to grade the tumor and to evaluate the compromising of surgical margins. In this sense, it was observed that the bitch was submitted only to cytology diagnostic when it presented the nodule in the ear pavilion. Yet, at the second approach realized by the oncologist, it was possible to realize adequate diagnose methods. However, the animal was not submitted to clinical staging of the mastocytoma due to the non-authorization of the exam by the tutor. Such measure is very important, as it reflects directly in the treatment and prognostic of the animal. Thus, image exams such as abdominal ultrasonography and chest X-ray should have been realized, as well as cytological and histopathological evaluation of the regional lymph nodes, in order to search for metastasis points in these places. As the data suggests, the importance of clinical staging of animals affected by this neoplasia and the importance of cytological evaluation associated with histopathology for a correct diagnosis, prognosis and mastocytoma treatment is noted. It is emphasized that many times veterinarians face impediment related to requesting all necessary exams coming from tutors, which compromises treatment success.Keywords: canine, mast cell, cytology, histopathology, neoplasia, tumor, chemotherapy.
Título: Mastocitoma Cutâneo em uma cadela
Descritores: canino, mastócito, citologia, histopatologia, neoplasia, tumor, quimioterapia
Reactive Seizures Due to Hyperlipidemia in a Maltese Dog
Background: Primary hyperlipidemia is a condition that affects some specific breeds. It has been previously described in Miniature Shnauzer, Beagles, Shetland Shepdog and West Highland White Terrier. There are no reports of primary hyperlipidemia in Maltese dogs. It is a hereditary disorder of lipoprotein metabolism. The etiology is unknown and may be related to a genetic problem in lipoprotein lipase or to the absence of apaprotein CII. Clinical signs include spontaneous arterosclerosis, retinal lipemia, cutaneous xanthomas, abdominal pain, lethargy, vomiting and / or diarrhea. Neurological manifestations such as seizures and behavioral changes may also occur. The aim of this report is to describe a case of reactive seizures due to hyperlipidemia in a dog.Case: A 5-year-old male Maltese dog was admitted with a history of seizures. Hypertension and abdominal distension with large amounts of intestinal gases were found in general physical examination. Neurological examination revealed impaired nasal septum sensory perception, which was slightly bilaterally reduced, and pain on cervical palpation and in the brachial plexus region. Based on history and clinical examination, it was possible to locate the lesion in the thalamocortical region and to suspect idiopathic epilepsy, reactive seizures, and symptomatic epilepsy due to meningoencephalitis of unknown origin. The diagnosis of primary hyperlipidemia was made by exclusion with the aid of laboratory tests and ultrasound. After the establishment of a fat restriction diet, bezafibrate, phenobarbital, and omega-3 supplementation, the animal improved significantly with the reduction of epileptic seizures.Discussion: The initial clinical suspicion was hyperadrenocorticism as the primary cause of hyperlipidemia. This suspicion was based on the presence of polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria and abdominal distension, together with laboratory results of thrombocytosis, increased ALT and AF, and hyposenuria; but ultrasound images and ACTH stimulation test ruled out this differential diagnosis. Hypothyroidism was also ruled out since LDL values were normal and the animal was extremely active. Regarding nephrotic syndrome, it was also excluded for some alterations would be present, such as severe proteinuria, cholesterol reduction and hypoalbuminemia. As for diabetes mellitus, it was discarded because of the dog’s young age and due to the absence of suggestive clinical signs. The suspicion of primary hyperlipidemia was based on increased levels of triglycerides, and the presumptive diagnosis was of reactive seizures due to hyperlipidemia. It is essential, when treating hyperlipidemia, to readjust to a low-calorie diet with fat concentration below 8% and protein level above 18%. Generally, these restricted diets are for life. Omega-3 supplementation can be performed to help maintain low levels of triglycerides. Drug therapy is usually carried out with bezafibrate, which is used in human medicine as treatment for hypertriglyceridemia, and has showed good results in the control of hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia in dogs with primary and secondary hyperlipidemia. Six months after the beginning of the treatment, the animal no longer presented abdominal distension and pain, cholesterol values and its fractions were controlled, as well as triglycerides. Seizures were also under control. Therefore, hyperlipidemia is an important differential diagnosis in cases of patients presenting seizures, especially when dealing with young animals showing signs of metabolic diseases
FÍSTULA ABOMASO-UMBILICAL EM BEZERRO: RELATO DE CASO
Objetivou-se por meio deste relato a ocorrência de fístula abomaso-umbilical em bezerro Girolando, descrevendo a sintomatologia clínica e tratamento instituído. Um bezerro com quatro meses de idade e 80 kg, apresentou histórico de onfaloflebite e lesão eritematosa com edemaciação umbilical. À inspeção física, verificou-se gotejamento de secreção esbranquiçada com aspecto leitoso e presença de orifício na região umbilical. Verificou-se pela palpação digital a presença de tecido pregueado semelhante mucosa abomasal. Por meio desses achados, sugeriu-se o diagnóstico de fístula abomaso-umbilical e procedeu-se a correção cirúrgica da lesão fistulante. Após 15 dias do tratamento instituído, o animal recebeu alta médica. Dessa forma, pôde-se concluir que, apesar de rara, essa patologia foi de fácil diagnóstico clínico e a terapia foi capaz promover a completa recuperação do animal
ISOLAMENTO E CULTIVO DE CÉLULAS TRONCO MESENQUIMAIS EXTRAÍDAS DO TECIDO ADIPOSO E DA MEDULA ÓSSEA DE CÃES
Objetivou-se estabelecer um protocolo para extração, cultivo e expansão de células tronco mesenquimais (CTM), utilizando-se 3,0 mL da medula óssea e 3,0 cm3 de tecido adiposo do subcutâneo de três cães machos com seis meses de idade. As amostras foram processadas e as células extraídas e cultivadas em DMEM. Para comprovação do isolamento de CTM, procedeu-se a caracterização fenotípica e a diferenciação osteogênica, adipogênica e condrogênica. As células isoladas apresentaram morfologia alongada e fusiforme e capacidade de se diferenciar em osteoblastos, adipócitos e condrócitos. A caracterização fenotípica revelou alta expressão de marcadores de CTM CD90 (80,04%) e CD29 (96%) nas células de origem medular e CD90 (60,94%) e CD29 (77,08%) nas de origem adiposa. A expressão de marcadores hematopoiéticos foi baixa tanto nas células de origem medular CD45 (1,45%) e CD34 (1,53%), quanto nas de origem adiposa CD45 (1,45%) e CD34 (1,53%). As modificações e adaptações realizadas nos protocolos clássicos simplificaram o processo e foram eficientes, permitindo o isolamento e cultivo de CTM da medula óssea e do tecido adiposo de cães.
Palavras-chaves: cultivo celular; diferenciação; medicina regenerativa