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

Canine Angiostrongylus vasorum

The French heartworm Angiostrougylus vasorum is a parasitic nematode that lives in the pulmonary vessels and the heart of canids. Transmission occurs through ingestion of infected intermediate hosts, such as snails and slugs. There are increasing reports of autochthonous infections in our neighbouring countries. Clinical signs usually relate to the respiratory system, coagulopathy and the neurologic system. Anorexia, gastrointestinal dysfunction and weight loss are also frequently observed. Diagnosis is not straightforward, but abnormalities detected by thoracic radiography, echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan can be helpful. Eosinophilia, regenerative anemia and thrombocytopenia with or without abnormalities in the coagulation profile can occur. Definitive diagnosis is made by demonstrating the parasite in the cerebrospinal fluid, in faeces (Baermann technique) and/or in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Treatment consists of anthelmintic drugs and supportive care if necessary

Feliene idiopathische cystitis

Aandoeningen van de lagere urinewegen bij de kat, frequent benoemd met de term feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), vormen een veel voorkomend klinisch probleem. De term FLUTD omvat verschillende aandoeningen die de urineblaas en urethra bij katten aantasten en waarvan de belangrijkste oorzaak idiopathische FLUTD (iFLUTD) of feliene idiopathische cystitis is. De laatste jaren werden verschillende risicofactoren en mogelijke etiologische factoren van iFLUTD geïdentificeerd. Naast abnormaliteiten ter hoogte van de urineblaas zelf wordt de pathogenese van iFLUTD ook gekenmerkt door een overmatige stimulatie van het sympathisch zenuwstelsel en een afgezwakte endocriene respons. De diagnose van iFLUTD kan pas gesteld worden na de uitsluiting van alle andere gekende oorzaken van FLUTD. Omgevingsverrijking, stressreductie, blikvoer en andere strategieën om de wateropname te verhogen vormen de voornaamste behandelingsmethoden van iFLUTD. Het hoge risico op recidieven en de potentieel letale gevolgen van een urethrale obstructie verklaren de onvoorspelbare en soms gereserveerde prognose

Intratumoral chemotherapy in an integumentary squamous cell carcinoma in a cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)

An eight-year-old, female cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) was presented with anorexia, lethargy, a mass at the lower side of the wing and discoloration of the feathers. Physical examination showed an ulcerated nodular integumentary lesion of approximately 4 cm(3) ventromedial on the wing at the side of the propatagium and the humerus. Lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs revealed only hepatomegaly. After a stabilization period, surgical excision of the tumor was performed. Based on histopathological evaluation and bacterial culture of the surgically removed tissue, the lesion was typed as an integumentary squamous cell carcinoma with secondary bacterial infection (Corynebacterium sp). Four weeks postoperative, the tumor had recurred. Chemotherapeutic treatment was started with intratumoral carboplatin (1.5 mg/cm(3)) once a week. Because of further tumor growth after the second administration of carboplatin, resection of the mass was performed before the next infiltration. However, the bird died during anesthesia. Despite increase in tumor size, histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluations showed degeneration of the tumor with intercellular edema and vacuolization of the tumor cells, presumably resulting from carboplatin administration. More research is needed to investigate the efficacy and safety of the intratumoral administration of carboplatin as a treatment option in birds with integumentary squamous cell carcinoma

Hemotropic mycoplasmas in cats, part 2: case report

An eight-month-old apathic cat was referred to the Department of Medicine and Clinical Biology of Small Animals of the Ghent University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Merelbeke, Belgium. The cat had a severe case of non-regenerative anemia with a hematocrit of only 2.9%. Cytological examination of a bone marrow aspirate led to the diagnosis of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). Additionally, a PCR assay for "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum" ("Candidatus M. haemominutum") DNA was positive. Although unproven, an infection with "Candidatus M. haemominutum" could have contributed to the immune-mediated destruction of red blood cell precursors. The cat recovered completely after treatment, which consisted of multiple blood transfusions, antimicrobial agents, and long-term prednisolone therapy (10 months). There were no signs of clinical relapse at 20 months after cessation of therapy

Serratia marcescens catheter colonization and infection in a Yorkshire Terrier

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