Myxomatous mitral valve disease in a Shih Tzu dog

An 11-year-old intact male Shih Tzu dog was referred to the University Veterinary Hospital (UVH) with history of coughing and laboured breathing. Auscultation revealed that the dog had a left systolic heart murmur grade V/VI at the base of the heart. Radiography showed findings of cardiomegaly and pulmonary oedema. Echocardiography findings revealed that dog has a myxomatous mitral valve disease. The mitral valve was severely thickened and prolapsed into the left atrium. Congestive heart failure (CHF) was treated with an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and diuretic. An anti-mucolytic agent was prescribed as a symptomatic treatment for the coughing that could be due to mild bronchitis. Dog did not response well with treatment as the frequency of cough was not reduced and the duration was longer each time. Pimobendan was then added on to the initial treatment and there was a tremendous improvement seen from the patient after that. Episodes of productive cough were noticed greatly reduced and dog was much more active at home post two weeks of ACE inhibitor, diuretic and dual-acting inodilator. We successfully maintained the dog with minimal coughing episodes. However, the prognosis is moderate to poor in this case due to possibilities of refraction towards medications

Cystic benign prostatic hyperplasia in a dog

Old intact male dogs are often predisposed to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Both hypertrophy and hyperplasia of prostate gland occur due to hormonal influences. Clinical signs such as haematuria, stranguria and tenesmus are often associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. A seven year-old local breed intact male dog was presented with a primary complaint of haematuria and stranguria. Diagnostic work-up conducted inclusive of complete blood count, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, abdominal radiograph, cystourethrography and abdominal ultrasonography. The dog was diagnosed with cystic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Prostatic omentalisation and castration were performed in this case

Salmonella in pet and captive reptiles with reference to some studies in Malaysia and countries worldwide

Reptiles, which included snakes, chelonians (turtles, tortoises), iguanas and lizards, have been reported as important reservoirs for Salmonella. In Malaysia, reports on Salmonella in reptiles are not many. A search for works in Malaysia on salmonellae in reptiles found 28.0% chelonians, 27.5 - 61.0% snakes, 26.5 – 36.0% lizards and 31.0% house geckos carried Salmonella. The prevalence in some countries worldwide which included the United States of America, Brazil, Japan, Nigeria and few others were shown. The public health risk of the presence of salmonellae particularly in pet reptiles are discussed

Occurrences of heart disease in apparently healthy cats in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Objective: Annual health screening inclusive of heart workup is recommended for the detection of heart diseases, especially in asymptomatic patients (no clinical signs). This study determined the occurrences of the common heart disease and the risk factors in apparently healthy cats. Material and methods: This prospective study that screened 59 healthy cats and the status of the heart were evaluated based on a combination of findings from physical examination, electrocardiography, blood pressure measurement, routine blood test, urinalysis, and total thyroid level. Results: Approximately 40.7% (n = 24/59) of the apparently healthy cats were diagnosed with heart disease hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (62.5%) remains to be the most commonly diagnosed. The mean age was 4.9-year old (age range, 7-month-old to 19-year-old). The prevalence was higher in males(45.0%; n = 17/38) cats, especially the domestic shorthairs(46.0%; n = 11/24). Among the healthy cats with vertebral heart scale (VHS) > 8.0, only 52% (n = 12/23) of them were diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. However, 33% (n = 12/36) of the cats with normal VHS ≤ 7.9 were diagnosed with heart disease. Consistently, all healthy cats with abnormal heart sounds were diagnosed with heart disease. About 31.4% (n = 16/51) of these cats with typical heart sound had cardiomyopathy too. Conclusion: The occurrence of cardiomyopathy in apparently healthy cats has no association with the patient’s age, sex, and VHS, except for the heart sound. Echocardiography remains the best diagnostic tool, as normal heart size and normal heart sound do not exclude cardiomyopathy in this group of apparently healthy cats

Megaoesophagus secondary to oesophagitis and oesophageal stricture associated with doxycycline therapy in a domestic shorthair kitten

Oesophageal strictures associated with doxycycline therapy in cats are a rare occurrence but several cases have been reported. A 3-month-old kitten was presented to University Veterinary Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UVH-UPM) with the primary complaint of persistent vomiting. The kitten was prescribed with doxycycline two weeks prior to presentation. Regurgitation was observed during hospitalisation. Radiographs and endoscopy performed revealed findings consistent with a megaesophagus cranial to an oesophageal stricture located at the region of the second thoracic vertebrae

Serological prevalence and haematological profile of Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in semi-roamer and outdoor cats

Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is among the most common infectious diseases diagnosed in cats. In this study, 55 client-owned cats presented to the University Veterinary Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UVH-UPM) were sampled. Inclusion criteria were semi-roamer and outdoor cats aged more than 6 mont hs old. Blood samples were collected for serological testing us ing commercial immunochromatographic test kits and haematological an alysis. Of the 55 cats tested, 13 cats (23.6%) tested positive for FIV antibodies. There was a significant association (P<0.05) between neuter and health status to FIV seropositivity. FIV infect ions were more likely occured in intact cats compared to neutered cat s, and in sick cats compared to healthy cats. Erythrocytes, hemoglobin and packed cell volume (PCV) were significantly redu ced (P<0.05) in FIV cats compared to FIV-seronegative cats, however these parameters were within the normal range

Polycystic kidney disease in a Persian cat

A 6-year-old intact Persian cat was presented for the primary complaint of inappetence and weight loss. Irregular surface of kidneys was palpated during physical examination. Abdominal radiograph findings were indicative of renomegaly. Ultrasonography revealed multiple anaechoic structures within the renal parenchyma. The cortex, medulla and renal pelvis were unable to be differentiated. Both radiographic and ultrasonographic findings were suggestive of polycystic kidney disease. Blood test revealed normochromic, normocytic anaemia with azotaemia whereas urinalys is findings were hypostenuria and proteinuria, consistent of chronic kidney disease due to polycystic kidney. Ultrasound is a useful antemortem diagnostic tool to diagnose polycystic kidney disease in cats