Nasal Transmissible Venereal Tumor (TVT) in Dogs

Background: Transmissible venereal tumors (TVT) are naturally occurring neoplasms that can be transmitted through copulation or cell transplantation. It is a disease that affects canines, has no preference for sex or breed, and generally noticed in the external genital apparatus. Extragenital occurrence may eventually be seen; however, nasal involvement has been described in only a few reports of studies conducted in Brazil. Therefore, the objective of this study is to report 3 cases of nasal TVT in dogs who were treated in 2 municipalities in the mountainous region of Santa Catarina, Brazil.Cases: This case report includes 3 male mixed-breed canines of age 3-13. Only 1 of the animals was castrated. As per the medical history, some points, such as an enlarged nasal region, sneezing, nasal discharge, and hoarseness, reported by the dogs’ respective owners were similar among all the dogs. Likewise, nosebleed was observed on physical examination in all the cases. The result of cytological examination was inconclusive only in 1 case. Rhinoscopy, incisional biopsy, and histopathological examination were then performed for achieving a definitive diagnosis. In the 2 cases wherein cytology gave conclusive results, the cytological smears showed changes suggestive of TVT, such as cells with eccentric nuclei and little cytoplasm, which had vacuoles inside them. In 2 cases, radiographic examinations of the skull were also performed. The images showed changes in bone radiopacity, conformation of trabeculae with areas of bone lysis and cell proliferation, and irregularity in the contour of the nasal bone. After TVT diagnosis was confirmed, chemotherapy was initiated using vincristine at a dose of 0.75 mg/m2 for 2 cases and 0.025 mg/kg for the remaining case. The number of chemotherapy sessions and duration of treatment until the resolution of lesions and clinical signs varied as per the differences in the patients’ blood counts performed prior to each session.Discussion: TVT occurs between 1 and 7 years of life. It occurs more frequently in sexually active animals and has no preference for breed. Of the 3 cases reported herein, only one of the patients was elderly. All the patients were male mixed-breed dogs, and only 1 of them was castrated. The implantation of neoplastic cells through natural mounts, licks, scratches, or bites of affected areas are the most widely accepted reasons for the transmission of this neoplasm. With regard to the nasal presentation described in the present report, it is hypothesized that the smelling or licking of the neoplastic areas by the animal may favor cell implantation, leading to the subsequent development of a tumor. Nasal TVT should be considered as a differential diagnosis for dogs with chronic symptoms of the upper respiratory tract, such as increased local volume, nasal discharge, nosebleed, and sneezing. These signs are consistent with those described in this report. Radiographic evaluation was performed in 2 cases and both showed changes in bone radiopacity and trabeculae conformation, in addition to areas of bone lysis and cell proliferation, which are common in neoplastic processes. A presumptive diagnosis can be achieved from the medical history, clinical signs, and physical examination. Cytological and histopathological examination are the confirmatory methods; however, it is used less frequently and especially when cytological evaluation does not provide a definitive diagnosis. Antineoplastic chemotherapy with vincristine is the first-choice treatment protocol, which also proved to be effective for the patients in this report. Although TVT commonly affects the external genitalia of dogs, in the cases reported herein, it was located exclusively in the nasal region. Keywords: TVT, dog, nasal, vincristine.Título: Tumor venéreo transmissível (TVT) nasal em cãesDescritores: TVT, cão, nasal, vincristine

Central Diabetes Insipidus in a Young Feline

Background: Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is an endocrine disorder caused by the failure to produce, transport, or release ADH. This disease may show a primary etiology (idiopathic or congenital) or a secondary one (trauma or neoplasms). It is characterized by signs such as polyuria and polydipsia. The definitive diagnosis is obtained by the two-step water deprivation test; the absence of adequate urinary concentration in the first stage confirms the diagnosis of diabetes insipidus and, in the second stage, the response to the application of synthetic desmopressin confirms a central origin. Because CDI is rare in felines, the aim of this study was to report the occurrence of a case of CDI, probably of congenital primary origin, in an 8-month-old kitten.Case: An 8-month-old male feline, castrated, 3.2 kg, was brought to consultation with a report of polydipsia, polyuria, smaller size and weight, and lower activity when compared to his brother, for several months. On physical examination, lethargy, body score 2/5, and mild dehydration were noted, as well as deciduous teeth that should have already been replaced. Abdominal ultrasound and laboratory tests were requested, which ruled out chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperadrenocorticism (HAC), and hyperthyroidism. Due to the fact that urinalysis evidenced hyposthenuria (urinary density [UD] 1.004), CDI was suspected. The patient underwent a water  deprivation test and, after 7.5 h, lost 4.7% of his initial weight, while UD was 1.012, confirming the diagnosis of DI. The investigation then proceeded to the evaluation of the response to synthetic desmopressin by the application of 5 U IM. Two h later, UD was 1.019, confirming the diagnosis of CDI. The prescribed treatment was oral desmopressin at a dose of 100 μg BID. Upon return after 30 days, the feline had gained weight, was well hydrated, and the tutor reported higher activity. A new urinalysis showed a UD of 1.004 and inactive sediment. The tutor was asked to start administering the drug three times a day. However, noting that the patient’s quality of life had significantly improved, and wishing to spare the animal from the stress of taking medication once more a day, she chose not to modify the therapy and not to perform additional tests, due to financial limitation.Discussion: First, CKD, DM, HAC, and hyperthyroidism, more common conditions, were ruled out, and the investigation then proceeded to a water deprivation test. The feline lost 3% to 5% of the initial weight and UD was on the borderlinebetween hypo- and isosthenuria, as described in the literature for the diagnosis of DI. In the second stage of the test, slight urinary concentration was observed after the application of synthetic desmopressin, which confirmed the diagnosis of CDI. The dose of desmopressin prescribed for home treatment, 100 μg BID, was effective to relieve the clinical signs, but urine remained in hyposthenuria in the interval between administrations, suggesting that, for this patient, treatment would be more effective by administering the medication three times a day, in order to maintain an adequate serum concentration. Due to the diagnosis of CDI and the feline being young, the condition’s primary origin is believed to be congenital. It is also suspected that the patient may still have congenital hypothyroidism, due to the clinical signs of late tooth exchange and constant lethargy, in addition to laboratory results of thyroid hormones below reference levels. However, because thyroid tests were made by chemiluminescence, a repetition by radioimmunoassay is indicated. If hypothyroidism is confirmed,it would be possible to assume a common etiological factor between CDI and hypothyroidism, such as hypothalamicpituitary malformation

Visceral Leishmaniasis in Dogs

Background: Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is a zoonosis of variable clinical presentation, either in systemic or cutaneous form. Clinical signs include anorexia, ophthalmopathies, and chronic kidney disease. In the state of Santa Catarina, the foci are concentrated in the capital and its adjacencies, in the east side of the state. The objective of this study is to outline the first three reported cases of CVL in the municipality of Curitibanos, since there are no reports to date in the region of the mountainous plateau, in the middle west of Santa Catarina.Cases: All dogs were treated at the Veterinary Clinic School of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Curitibanos. The animals, two males and one female, belonged to the same tutor, resided in Curitibanos, and were attended between 2016 and 2020. In the first case, attended in 2016, the complaint was of eye and skin changes about three months ago. The animal lived in an urban environment and came from Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul. On physical examination, the animal presented skin peeling, wet and crusty lesions, bloody discharge in the ears and nasal hyperkeratosis, as well as signs suggestive of uveitis. In this case, euthanasia was carried out. The second case had complaints of respiratory, eye changes, hyporexia, and polydipsia. The dog was prostrate, dehydrated, with lymphadenomegaly and respiratory disorders, compatible with bacterial pneumonia. Bilateral corneal edema confirmed uveitis. Upon return, the animal remained dehydrated with enlarged lymph nodes. In the aspiration of the lymph nodes, suggestive forms of Leishmania sp. were observed. The recommended confirmatory tests were performed, leading to a definitive diagnosis of CVL. The patient was treated with miltefosine, but later died. The third case was attended for general evaluation after a positive diagnosis for CVL during an epidemiological survey of the second case. The animal was alert, tachycardic, and tachypneic with hyperemic mucous membranes. Miltefosine-based treatment and permanent use of deltamethrin-impregnated collar were prescribed and ovariohysterectomy was carried out. The patient is clinically well. In the search for vectors, in no place or moment of search, referring to the cases, vectors for CVL were found.Discussion: It is suggested that patients 2 and 3 are autochthonous cases, whose transmission form has not been fully elucidated, and vector transmission cannot be ruled out, as well as other less common forms of transmission. For case 1, it is suggested that it is an allochthone case, probably imported from the Uruguaiana region, where the disease is endemic. The conduct of a positive result for CVL is euthanasia, with the exception of dogs that have guardians who wish to perform treatment, but not always possible due to the high cost of miltefosine, the only drug approved for dog therapy in Brazil. In the first case, the owner opted for euthanasia, since in 2016 there was no possibility of treatment. For the last two cases, a treatment cycle was performed as recommended by the guidelines. Regarding the municipality of Curitibanos, in the first case diagnosed in 2016, the animal came from Uruguaiana. In conclusion, this study aimed to report the clinical and epidemiological characteristics related to the first three patients with CVL reported in Curitibanos

Effects of nitric oxide inhibitors in mice with bladder outlet obstruction

To investigate the lower urinary tract changes in mice treated with L-NAME, a non-selective competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), or aminoguanidine, a competitive inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), after 5 weeks of partial bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), in order to evaluate the role of constitutive and non-constitutive NOS in the pathogenesis of this experimental condition. Materials and Methods: C57BL6 male mice were partially obstructed and randomly allocated into 6 groups: Sham, Sham + L-NAME, Sham + aminoguanidine, BOO, BOO + L-NAME and BOO + aminoguanidine. After 5 weeks, bladder weight was obtained and cystometry and tissue bath contractile studies were performed. Results: BOO animals showed increase of non-voiding contractions (NVC) and bladder capacity, and also less contractile response to Carbachol and Electric Field Stimulation. Inhibition of NOS isoforms improved bladder capacity and compliance in BOO animals. L-NAME caused more NVC, prevented bladder weight gain and leaded to augmented contractile responses at muscarinic and electric stimulation. Aminoguanidine diminished NVC, but did not avoid bladder weight gain in BOO animals and did not improve contractile responses. Conclusion: It can be hypothesized that chronic inhibition of three NOS isoforms in BOO animals leaded to worsening of bladder function, while selective inhibition of iNOS did not improve responses, what suggests that, in BOO animals, alterations are related to constitutive NOS432356366CAPES – COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL E NÍVEL SUPERIORsem informaçã

HEPATOZOONOSE CANINA ASSOCIADA A QUIMIOTERAPIA PARA LINFOSSARCOMA DE STICKER EM SANTA CATARINA, BRASIL

Canine hepatozoonosis, caused by the Hepatozoonspp, is a disease that affects domestic carnivores. The development of the disease sometimes depends on the animal's immune status and it can develop, in most cases, in the subclinical and chronic form. Sticker's Lymphosarcoma, also known as Transmissible Venereal Tumor (TVT), is a round cell neoplasma that mainly affects the mucous membrane of the external genitalia. This study aimed to describe the diagnosis of Hepatozoonosis in a dog associated with chemotherapy treatment for TVT. A male dog, elderly, SRD, not neutered was seen at the Veterinary Clinic of UFSC. In the anamnesis, an increase in volume at the base of the penile with bleeding through the preputial orifice was reported. Upon exposure of the glans penis, nothing was observed, but during the internal palpation of the foreskin, several polypoid masses were noticed, which, through cytology, showed TVT. The patient started chemotherapy with vincristine and, after the third session, started having weight loss, conjunctivitis and blepharitis. At hemogram, a gamonte of H. canis was observed in neutrophils. The patient was treated with doxycycline and atropine-associated imidocarb dipropionate and recovered well. The blood smear was a very important diagnostic tool in this case, as the forms of H. canis were better observed due to the increase in parasitemia caused by the animal's immunosuppression.A hepatozoonose canina, causada pelo protozoário Hepatozoonspp, é uma enfermidade que acomete carnívoros domésticos. O desenvolvimento da doença por vezes depende do estado imunológico do animal e pode se desenvolver, na maioria dos casos, na forma subclínica e crônica. O Linfossarcoma de Sticker, também conhecido como Tumor Venéreo Transmissível (TVT), é uma neoplasia de células redondas que acomete principalmente a membrana mucosa da genitália externa. Este trabalho teve por objetivo descrever o diagnóstico de Hepatozoonose em cão associado ao tratamento quimioterápico para TVT. Foi atendido na Clínica Veterinária Escola da UFSC um cão macho, idoso, SRD, não castrado. Na anamnese foi relatado aumento do volume na base da região peniana com presença de sangramento pelo orifício prepucial. À exposição da glande do pênis, nada foi observado, mas, durante a palpação interna do prepúcio, foram notadas várias massas de aspecto polipoide que, por meio de citologia, evidenciaram TVT. O paciente iniciou quimioterapia com vincristina e, após a terceira sessão, iniciou com quadro clínico de emagrecimento, conjuntivite e blefarite. Ao hemograma, observou-se gamonte de H. canis em neutrófilo. O paciente foi tratado com doxiciclina e dipropionato de imidocarb associado à atropina e recuperou-se bem. O esfregaço sanguíneo foi uma ferramenta diagnóstica muito importante nesse caso, pois as formas de H. canis foram melhor observadas em decorrência do aumento da parasitemia causada pela imunossupressão do animal

Bem-estar animal em foco: conscientização infantil através da arte em município de Santa Catarina

Desde 2019, o projeto "Contando Histórias sobre guarda responsável, saúde e bem-estar animal" da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina conscientiza crianças sobre saúde única através de ferramentas artísticas. Abordando o abandono de animais e superpopulação, integra estudantes e docentes de Medicina Veterinária à comunidade local. Ao envolver as crianças em atividades lúdicas e interativas, os resultados evidenciam o engajamento e conscientização sobre a temática e o estabelecimento de um vínculo significativo entre a universidade e a comunidade. O projeto não apenas forma uma geração consciente na proteção dos animais, mas destaca a interconexão entre a saúde humana, ambiental e animal, contribuindo para uma conscientização integral. Essa iniciativa busca transformar positivamente a relação entre pessoas e animais, construindo um futuro sustentável

HIPERTENSÃO SITUACIONAL EM CÃES DÓCEIS ADULTOS

Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) is a silent disease that can affect cats and dogs. Although well described in felines, “white coat syndrome”, or situational hypertension, is little reported in dogs. Thus, this paper aims to show the importance of stress in the measurement of blood pressure from adult dogs. The study was conducted with 46 dogs of both sexes, docile, adults, apparently healthy. After anamnesis, physical examination, ambiance, and friendly management of animals, systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured by the doppler method in the thoracic limb. Several measurements were made to obtain an arithmetic average. Animals up to 160mmHg of SBP, in the first measurement, were considered normotensive (36 dogs, corresponding to 78.26%). For those with SBP higher than or equal to 160mmHg (10 dogs, equivalent to 21.74%), a second measurement was performed after 15 to 30 minutes, with the animals at rest. Therefore, six of these dogs presented SBP between 154mmHg and 200mmHg (one considered prehypertense and five hypertensives) and four normotensives. For the animal with prehypertension and the hypertensives, complementary examinations were performed, in which four dogs were diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and two with family dyslipidemia of the Schnauzers. Thus, it can be concluded that among the 46 dogs evaluated, there were 36 normotenses (78.26%), a one prehypertense (2.17%), five hypertensives (10.87%), and four with situational hypertension (8.7%). Therefore, regarding dogs in a hospital environment, it is important to perform friendly management and, when necessary, more than one moment of SBP measurement to avoid erroneous diagnoses of SAH.A hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) é uma enfermidade silenciosa que pode afetar gatos e cães. Embora bastante descrita em felinos, a “Síndrome do Jaleco Branco”, ou hipertensão situacional, é pouco relatada em cães. Assim, este trabalho tem como objetivo mostrar a importância do estresse na aferição da pressão arterial de cães adultos. O estudo foi realizado com 46 cães de ambos os sexos, dóceis, adultos, e aparentemente saudáveis. Após anamnese, exame físico, ambientação e manejo amigável dos animais, mensurou-se a pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) pelo método Doppler no membro torácico. Foram feitas várias aferições para obtenção de média aritmética. Animais com até 160mmHg de PAS, na primeira aferição, foram considerados normotensos (36 cães, correspondente a 78,26%). Para os que tiveram PAS maior ou igual a 160mmHg (dez cães, equivalente a 21,74%), realizou-se um segundo momento de aferição, após 15 a 30 minutos, com os animais em repouso. Assim, seis desses cães apresentaram PAS entre 154mmHg e 200mmHg, sendo, então, um considerado pré-hipertenso e cinco hipertensos, e outros quatro considerados normotensos. Para o animal com pré-hipertensão e para os hipertensos, realizaram-se exames complementares, pelos quais quatro cães foram diagnosticados com doença renal crônica e dois com dislipidemia familiar dos Schnauzers. Dessa forma, pode-se concluir que, dos 46 cães avaliados, 36 apresentaram-se normotensos (78,26%), um pré-hipertenso (2,17%), cinco hipertensos (10,87%) e quatro com hipertensão situacional (8,7%). Portanto, para cães em ambiente hospitalar, é importante realizar um manejo amigável e, quando necessário, mais de um momento de aferição de PAS para evitar diagnósticos errôneos de HAS