Subaortastenose bij de newfoundland: erfelijkheid, pathofysiologie, diagnose, prognose en fokadvies

Subaortic stenosis is a narrowing of the left ventricular outflow tract just below the aortic valve, and is one of the most diagnosed congenital inherited heart diseases in the Newfoundland. The classification of subaortic stenosis is based on the lesions or the findings on echocardiography. Although the mode of inheritance is uncertain, a dominant trait with variable penetrance is generally accepted. The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor oncogene is, together with the Ptim11-gene, a possible candidate gene to be involved in this disease. The diagnosis is particulary based on auscultation and echocardiography. The prognosis is variable and breeding advice is based on echocardiographic screening at the age of eighteen months; however, it remains a difficult issue

Tricuspid valve dysplasia in dogs

A general overview of tricuspid valve dysplasia in dogs is presented in this review. This congenital disease has been described in numerous large dog breeds but especially the Labrador retriever is predisposed. The condition is relatively uncommon, with a prevalence of approximately seven percent of all congenital heart diseases in dogs. The asymptomatic phase may last for several years and depends on the severity of the valve malformation. In the clinical phase, exercise intolerance, fatigue, anorexia, cardiac cachexia, dyspnea and signs of right-sided congestive heart failure can be present. Echocardiography including Doppler imaging is warranted to confirm the diagnosis. Curative treatment involves surgical valve replacement but is technically challenging and still in its experimental phase in dogs. As such, treatment in dogs involves the administration of supportive medication once the dogs develop symptoms of congestive heart failure and consists of diuretics, ace-inhibitors and positive inotropic drugs

Development and performance of a targeted whole exome sequencing enrichment kit for the dog (Canis Familiaris Build 3.1)

Whole exome sequencing is a technique that aims to selectively sequence all exons of protein-coding genes. A canine whole exome sequencing enrichment kit was designed based on the latest canine reference genome (build 3.1.72). Its performance was tested by sequencing 2 exome captures, each consisting of 4 pre-capture pooled, barcoded Illumina libraries on an Illumina HiSeq 2500. At an average sequencing depth of 102x, 83 to 86% of the target regions were completely sequenced with a minimum coverage of five and 90% of the reads mapped on the target regions. Additionally, it is shown that the reproducibility within and between captures is high and that pooling four samples per capture is a valid option. Overall, we have demonstrated the strong performance of this WES enrichment kit and are confident it will be a valuable tool in future disease association studies

Idiopathische eosinofiele bronchopneumonie bij een cavalier king charles spaniël: een casereport en differentiaaldiagnose met Pneumocystis carinii infectie

The present case describes a dog with eosinophilic bronchopneumonia. The dog was presented with a history of coughing and dyspnea at the Department of Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University. A presumptive diagnosis of Pneumocystic carinii was made based on signalment, history, clinical examination, blood work and medical imaging, and the dog was treated with trimethoprim-sulfadiazine. Because of lack of improvement, a bronchoalveolar lavage was performed and the serum IgG and IgM concentrations were determined. Cytology of bronchoalveolar lavage showed an excessive amount of eosinophils. The IgG was within normal limits and the IgM was increased. These findings excluded pneumocystosis as a possible cause, and the definitive diagnosis of eosinophilic bronchopneumonia was made. Prednisolone was added to the treatment. The dog was sent home with a treatment of trimethoprim-sulfadiazine and prednisolone gradually diminished. On control, six weeks later, the dog only coughed occasionally, and another three months later it was free of coughing

Comparative aspects of pulmonary toxicity induced by cytotoxic agents with emphasis on lomustine, and a veterinary case report

In veterinary oncology the use of the nitrosourea compound lomustine is increasing. veterinary oncologists need to be aware of the pulmonary toxicity of this drug. Because of the lack of veterinary publications on this subject, the incidence and pathophysiology in human cancer patients of pulmonary toxicity induced by cytotoxic agents in general and by nitrosoureas in particular are discussed. Three clinical syndromes can be recognized, the most devastating of which is interstitial pneumonitis resulting in pulmonary fibrosis. Disturbances in the homeostatic mechanisms of the oxidant/antioxidant-, immunologic-, matrix repair-, proteolytic-, and central nervous systems are some of the major mechanisms of pulmonary injury in human medicine. Risk factors such as cumulative dose, age, radiation, oxygen administration and multi-drug regimens are recognized. For the first time in veterinarv medicine, a case report of a dog with pulmonary fibrosis, probably caused by chronic lomustine administration, is presented

Prevalence of and risk factors for degenerative mitral valve disease in dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in england

Background To date, epidemiological studies on degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) in dogs have largely reported referral caseloads or been limited to predisposed breeds. Analysis of primary‐care data to identify factors associated with DMVD would help clinicians identify high‐risk individuals and improve understanding. Objectives To estimate the prevalence of and identify risk factors for DMVD in dogs attending primary‐care veterinary practices in England. Animals Cases were identified within the electronic patient records of 111,967 dogs attending 93 practices. Four hundred and 5 dogs were diagnosed with DMVD (diagnosed cases) and a further 3,557 dogs had a heart murmur (HM) consistent with DMVD (possible cases). Methods Retrospective cross‐sectional study design. Prevalence was adjusted for the sampling approach. Mixed effects logistic regression models identified factors associated with DMVD. Results Prevalence estimates of diagnosed DMVD and HMs consistent with DMVD (both diagnosed and possible cases) were 0.36% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29–0.45) and 3.54% (95% CI: 3.26–3.84) respectively. In the multivariable analysis, males had higher odds of diagnosed DMVD than did females (odds ratio [OR] 1.40, 95% CI: 1.12–1.74). Insured dogs had increased odds of DMVD compared with noninsured dogs (OR 3.56, 95% CI: 2.79–4.55) and dogs ≥20 kg had approximately half the odds of DMVD diagnosis compared with dogs(OR 0.51, 95% CI: 0.36–0.74). Strong associations between a DMVD diagnosis and individual breeds and age were identified. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Degenerative mitral valve disease was a common disorder in practice‐attending dogs. Knowledge of identified risk factors for DMVD could improve clinical diagnosis and direct future research

Ureterobstructie bij een ragdoll ten gevolge van calciumoxalaat-urolithiasis

This case report describes a ureteral obstruction in a neutered female Ragdoll cat due to calciumoxalate urolithiasis. The patient was presented with polyuria/polydipsia. Abdominal palpation revealed unilateral renomegaly. Radiography in combination with ultrasonography led to the diagnosis of multiple nefro- and ureteroliths. One calculus caused an obstruction of the distal aspect of the left ureter. Infusion therapy was initiated to decrease the azotemia, to improve the diuresis and to stimulate the passage of the uroliths through the ureters. However, the therapy was not successful, and the obstructing urolith was surgically removed using cystotomy. Quantitative urolith analysis revealed a calciumoxalate composition, and an appropriate diet was initiated. During the following period of approximately one year, the patient had persistent polyuria/polydipsia without azotemia. New non-obstructing calculi in the left ureter were visualized by ultrasonography. Since the patient did not show any clinical signs, the owner decided not to reevaluate the abdomen by medical imaging

Peritoneopericardiale hernia diafragmatica met eenmalige pericardiale effusie bij een beagle

A male, four-year-old, castrated Beagle was presented with ascites, tachypnee, partial anorexia and lethargy. Through radiography, echocardiography and computed tomography, the diagnosis of pericardial effusion and a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia was made, where probably only omentum was herniated into the pericardium. Abdominocentesis and pericardiocentesis were performed. The peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia was treated conservatively because, after one pericardiocentesis, no new pericardial effusion developed and the patient did well. At a control visit six months later, the patient was active, playful and without recurrence of pericardial effusion