Canine recurrent flank alopecia: a synthesis of theory and practice

Canine recurrent flank alopecia is a non-inflammatory, non-scarring alopecia of unknown etiology and has a visually striking clinical presentation. Although this disease entity is relatively common in the northern hemisphere, there is only scant information in the literature regarding case descriptions. The aim of this article was to review the literature and to describe clinical presentations recognized in practice, which are not always extensively documented in the literature

Canine lymphoma: a retrospective study (2009-2010)

This study reviews the medical records of 56 dogs diagnosed with lymphoma based on the cytological and/or histological results between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. Most of the dogs were middle-aged to old, and were diagnosed with multicentric lymphoma (ML) (n=36). The majority of the dogs were presented in stages III to V (n=55) and substage b (n=43). A complete blood count and serum biochemistry, urinalysis, serum protein electrophoresis, thoracic radiographs and/or abdominal ultrasound were performed. The results correlated with previously described results in the literature. Therapy was initiated in 80% of the dogs (n=45). After diagnosis, the median survival time of 62% of these dogs (n=28) treated with only prednisolone was 32 days (range 3 - 224 days). For 24% of the dogs (n=11) treated with chemotherapy, the median survival time was 119 days (range 11 - 273 days). Surgical resection of the macroscopic tumor was performed in the remaining six dogs (13%). Three of these dogs received subsequent prednisolone therapy. The median survival time of these six dogs was 47 days (range 0 - 669 days). The dogs that received chemotherapy had significantly longer survival times than those treated with only prednisolone, although negative prognostic factors were present in all of the cases treated with chemotherapy

Monitoring of diabetic dogs

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine disorders in the dog. Although diagnostics are relatively straightforward, treatment and especially adequate long-term monitoring are challenging. To avoid complications, such as hypoglycemia, weight loss, diabetes ketoacidosis and urinary tract infections, adequate monitoring is indispensable. In this review different monitoring tools, such as history and clinical signs, single and serial blood glucose measurements, glycated blood products, continuous glucose measurements and urine glucose will be evaluated. Because each monitoring technique has its limitations, the challenge for the veterinarian is to use an adequate combination of these tools to obtain a good image of the patient's glycemic status

Immunological deep dermal vasculitis in a cat

In this case report, a 13.5-year-old, neutered, female domestic shorthaired cat with immunological deep dermal vasculitis is described. The patient was presented with lethargy, fever, polydipsia, anorexia and swollen distal limbs. Dermatological examination revealed partial alopecia, pitting edema and painfulness in all distal limbs. Several diagnostic examinations were conducted to confirm the suspected diagnosis and to look for possible triggers of cutaneous vasculitis. Morphological changes that were indicative for deep dermal vasculitis were seen during the histological examination of the skin. The other examinations did not reveal an underlying trigger or cause of the dermal vasculitis. The cat was diagnosed with immunological deep dermal vasculitis. The cat was treated with antibiotics, infusion, tube feeding and prednisolone. Improvement and healing of the dermal symptoms were only noticed after the start of prednisolone therapy

Diabetes mellitus and hypercortisolism in a cat

A fourteen-year-old Persian cat was referred because of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus despite insulin and dietary treatment. Clinical signs were severe polydipsia/polyuria (pupd), poor hair coat quality, stomatitis and hind limb weakness. At the time of initial presentation, he was treated with glargine insulin (0,75 IU/kg BID). A low dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST) revealed hypercortisolism (HC). The cat was additionally treated with trilostane, and remission of diabetes mellitus was obtained one year later. This case illustrates the importance of diagnosing an underlying cause of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. Although hypercortisolism is rare in cats, it is important to consider the disease in these cases. The hypercortisolism in this cat was efficiently managed with trilostane, resulting in a good quality of life

Sensing of endogenous nucleic acids by ZBP1 induces keratinocyte necroptosis and skin inflammation

Aberrant detection of endogenous nucleic acids by the immune system can cause inflammatory disease. The scaffold function of the signaling kinase RIPK1 limits spontaneous activation of the nucleic acid sensor ZBP1. Consequently, loss of RIPK1 in keratinocytes induces ZBP1-dependent necroptosis and skin inflammation. Whether nucleic acid sensing is required to activate ZBP1 in RIPK1-deficient conditions and which immune pathways are associated with skin disease remained open questions. Using knock-in mice with disrupted ZBP1 nucleic acid–binding activity, we report that sensing of endogenous nucleic acids by ZBP1 is critical in driving skin pathology characterized by antiviral and IL-17 immune responses. Inducing ZBP1 expression by interferons triggers necroptosis in RIPK1-deficient keratinocytes, and epidermis-specific deletion of MLKL prevents disease, demonstrating that cell-intrinsic events cause inflammation. These findings indicate that dysregulated sensing of endogenous nucleic acid by ZBP1 can drive inflammation and may contribute to the pathogenesis of IL-17–driven inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis

Acute pancreatitis in two dogs

Acute pancreatitis in 2 dogs is discussed. A possible underlying cause was present in 1 dog. The clinical signs and routine blood results were unspecific and insufficient to confirm the diagnosis. Acute pancreatitis was diagnosed during exploratory celiotomy (case 1) and by abdominal ultrasonography (case 2). Aggressive medical treatment consisted of fluid administration, analgesics, anti-ulcer therapy, antibiotics, transfusion of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and nutritional support. Despite the presence of negative prognostic factors, intensive therapy and monitoring resulted in complete recovery in both patients

Comparison of FGF18 protein concentration in normal canine hair follicles versus dogs with seasonal recurrent flank alopecia

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Immunohistochemical identification of FGF18 in the hair follicle of Beagle dogs in the shoulder and flank in winter and summer

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