Feminization and severe pancytopenia caused by testicular neoplasia in a cryptorchid dog

In this case report, a paraneoplastic syndrome caused by testicular neoplasia in a ten-year-old cryptorchid dog is described. Feminization and pancytopenia were observed, resulting from the testicular neoplastic production of estrogens. A diagnosis of testicular tumor and associated bone marrow suppression was made by ultrasonography and blood examination, with estrogen blood levels being severely elevated. Urinalysis revealed a urinary tract infection. Castration was performed together with a blood transfusion, and antibiotic treatment was started. After an initial improvement, the dog died suddenly after approximately three weeks. In this report, the importance is highlighted of identifying clinical signs associated with feminization in intact male dogs at an early stage, to avoid severe, potentially irreversible, hematological consequences due to bone marrow suppression. Elective orchidectomy of both testes is highly recommended in cryptorchid dogs as neoplastic transformation of the undescended testis may occur, with potentially fatal outcome

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

Treatment of necrotizing fasciitis using negative pressure wound therapy in a puppy

A two-month-old German shepherd dog was presented with anorexia, lethargy and left hind limb lameness associated with swelling of the thigh. Clinical findings combined with cytology led to the presumptive diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis (NF). Extensive debridement was performed and silver-foam-based negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) was applied. During the first 48 hours, a negative pressure of -75 mmHg was used. Evaluation of the wound demonstrated no progression of necrosis and a moderate amount of granulation tissue formation. A new dress- ing was placed and a second 48-hour cycle of NPWT was initiated at -125 mmHg. At removal, a healthy wound bed was observed and surgical closure was performed. The prompt implementation of NPWT following surgical debridement led to accelerated wound healing without progression of necrosis in this case of canine NF. Negative pressure wound therapy could become an integral part of the management strategy of canine NF, improving the prognosis of this life-threatening disease

Patroonalopecia ten gevolge van cysteuze ovaria bij een bouvier

A 9-year-old spayed female Flemish cattle dog was presented with a history of vaginal discharge and a slowly progressive bilateral symmetrical alopecia on the neck, shoulders and flanks, ventral abdomen and the perinea! area. Clinical examination revealed pattern alopecia with the presence of macular melanosis on the ventral abdomen and in the perineal area The dog also had a swollen vulva and gynecomasty. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed the presence of two intact ovaria (with cystic follicles in the right ovarium) and a stump pyometra. Ovariectomy and stump removal were performed Histopathological examination demonstrated that one polycystic ovary was characterized by multiple follicular cysts. The collection of all data led to the diagnosis of hyperestrogenism caused by a cystic ovary. This case demonstrates that even with a misleading history (spayed bitch) a correct interpretation of skin lesions can lead to the diagnosis of hyperstrogenism due to ovarian cysts

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

De therapeutische opties voor caniene atopische dermatitis : 2010 versus 2015 = Therapeutic options for canine atopic dermatitis : 2010 versus 2015

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is the most common skin disease in dogs, yet the therapeutic approach can be challenging. In recent years, more and more insight has been gained into pathogenesis, which has led to a changed approach to CAD and to the development of new therapeutic options. During this study, 28 patients with CAD in 2010 and 34 patients with CAD in 2015 were compared, to assess the effects of recent recommendations and to evaluate the arrival of a new product in 2014, i.e. Apoquel (R) (Oclacitinib, Zoetis, USA). Oclacitinib was frequently chosen as the main treatment in 2015, but other alternatives to corticosteroids were also preferred. In 2015, more patients showed a better itch reduction and the occurrence of bacterial infections after therapy decreased more than in 2010. However, reducing the frequency of yeast infections remained a challenge

Multipele dermoïd sinuscysten op de kop van een dwergschnauzer

A one-year-and-nine-months-old, neutered, female Miniature schnauzer was presented to the primary care veterinarian with a skin lesion between the eyebrows. There were multiple papulae present at birth, and later, small fistulae with protruding hair bundles appeared. Topical antibiotic therapy and epilation of the hairs only brought temporary relief and a presumptive diagnosis of dermoid sinus cysts was made. The dog was referred and the skin lesions were surgically excised. During histopathological examination, the lesion was diagnosed as multiple dermoid sinus cysts, a consequence of the incomplete separation of the ectoderm during embryogenesis. Depending on the depth of the tubular dermal invaginations and the location of the lesions, different types have been recognized. This is the third dog described in the literature with dennoid sinus cysts on the head