Degenerative myelopathy in dogs

One of the chronic progressive disorders of the spinal cord in dogs is the degenerative myelopathy (DM). The most predisposed age in dog is 5 to 14 years, while rarely noted in younger, there is no gender predisposition. This disorder most commonly appears in dogs of the German shepherd breed, but it can appear in other breeds too. The main changes about this disease are degeneration of the myelin, especially in the thoracic-lumbar segments of the spinal cord and the dorsal nerve roots. The progression of the disease is slow and can last months to years. Undoubtedly, diagnosis is made by examinations of the CSF and establishing elevated level of protein segments

Case report of canine co-infection with Leishmania infantum and Ehrlichia canis

Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) due to Leishmania infantum and canine monocytic ehrilichiosis (CME) due to Ehrlichia canis are common diseases with zoonotic potential in the Mediterranean area. Their prevalence in R. Macedonia as a neighboring Mediterranean county is expected. In both diseases similar clinical symptoms can be manifested in dogs such as: lethargy, anorexia, weight loss, epistaxis, fever, pale mucous membranes, enlarged lymph nodes, splenomegaly, ocular signs. This case report present an atypical case of 11 year old female Samoyed with starting single clinical symptom epistaxys. Initial diagnostic procedures revealed the presence only of CanL, which was diagnosed using indirect immunofluorescence method and ELISA. First laboratory findings showed normal hematological and renal profiles. Dog was put on a treatment with Allopurinol (20mg/kg, p/o) for at least 9 months. Termination of the therapy after 6 months brought a numerous clinical symptoms involving weakness, dehydration, pale mucous membranes lost pupilar reflex, uremic breath and biochemical parameters revealed a renal failure. Using a commercial ELISA kit Ehrlichia canis as a co infection was diagnosed. Most probably the second infectious agent was induced in the past 6 months, causing more severe pathological effects than CanL infection alone

Molekularna detekcija ehrlichia canis u populaciji pasa -kućnih ljubimaca u Severnoj Makedoniji

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is a widespread, tick-borne, canine disease, caused by an obligate intracellular bacterium, Ehrlichia canis. The main vector, a brown-dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, is widely distributed, especially in areas with tropic, subtropic, or Mediterranean climates (Central and South America, Eastern and Western Asia, Africa, Australia and Southern Europe). The study performed in 2012, by Stefanovska et al., determined a seroprevalence of 18.7% of E. canis among the Macedonian dog population. Up to date, the presence of E. canis, using molecular diagnostic methods, has not been investigated in Macedonia. Therefore, this study aimed to confirm the presence of E. canis, in the pet-dog population on the territory of the city of Skopje, North Macedonia, using a highly sensitive multiplex Real-Time PCR method (qPCR). Whole blood samples from 80 dogs of different breeds and ages, with clinical symptoms of CME and positive serology result for the presence of antibodies against E.canis, were collected for analyses. Out of 80 dogs, 36 (45%) were found as positive. The present work reports the first molecular detection of E. canis in pet dogs on the territory of the city of Skopje, Macedonia.Monocitna erlihioza pasa (CME) je široko rasprostranjena bolest pasa, koja se prenosi krpeljima, a uzrokuje je obligatno-intracelularna bakterija Ehrlichia canis. Glavni vektor, smeđi krpelj pasa, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, široko je rasprostranjen, posebno u oblastima sa tropskom, subtropskom ili mediteranskom klimom (Centralna i Južna Amerika, Istočna i Zapadna Azija, Afrika, Australija i Južna Evropa). U Studiji izvedenoj 2012. godine, Stefanovska i saradnici su utvrdili da među severnomakedonskom populacijom pasa, seroprevalencija E. canis iznosi 18,7%. Do danas, prisustvo E. canis, koristeć i molekularne dijagnostičke metode, nije istraženo u Severnoj Makedoniji. Stoga je ova studija imala za cilj da potvrdi prisustvo E. canis u populaciji kuć nih ljubimaca na teritoriji grada Skoplja u Severnoj Makedoniji, koristeć i visoko osetljivu multiplex Real-Time PCR (qPCR). Za analize su prikupljeni uzorci pune krvi od 80 pasa različitih rasa i uzrasta, sa kliničkim simptomima CME i pozitivnim serološkim rezultatom na prisustvo antitela protiv E.canis. Od 80 pasa, 36 (45%) je ocenjeno kao pozitivno. Ovaj rad izveštava o prvom molekularnom otkrivanju E. canis kod pasa kuć nih ljubimaca na teritoriji grada Skoplja, Severna Makedonija

Serological profile and pleurisy lesions associated with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in pig farms in North Macedonia

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) is one of the most important swine respiratory pathogens that causes porcine pleuropneumonia and massive financial losses in pig industry. The objective of this study was to investigate App infection in five pig herds from North Macedonia experiencing clinical respiratory infections by serological testing and a slaughterhouse pleurisy evaluation system (SPES). In total, 250 blood samples were taken from pigs aged 6, 10, 14, 18, and 22 weeks. Ten animals per age category from each farm were sampled and analyzed for presence of antibodies against App. At the slaughterhouse, 50 lungs per herd from slaughtered age pigs were scored by the SPES for the presence of lesions associated with chronic pleurisy. The overall seroprevalence to App was 65.6%, ranging from 34% to 98% at the farm level. The highest seroprevalence was found in 6-week-old pigs in all farms, while significant differences were observed between farms in the 10-, 14-, 18-, and 22-week-old pig groups. Pleurisy associated with App was found in 26.4% of all examined lungs, with the mean SPES score being 0.75 (0.14 - 1.10). The percentage of SPES scores of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 in all lungs were 73.4%, 1.6%, 8.8%, 8.4%, and 7.6% respectively. A significant difference in mean SPES score was obtained between two farms. High seroprevalences of App detected on the tested farms were probably due to constant natural infection. The highest seroprevalences, measured in the youngest pigs, could be due to maternallyderived antibodies. Higher seroprevalence against App and lower SPES scores in some farms suggests immunity resulting from infection by corresponding field serotypes

Examination of the content of heavy metals using hair samples in dogs of urban areas of Macedonia

Dogs can be very good indicators for the environmental pollution. They share the same environment as humans and are exposed to action of the same pollutants. Contamination of the environment with heavy metals is performed by emissions of different origin, especially present in the urban areas. That is why it was great advantage to analyze the heavy metal levels in dogs from several urban areas in Macedonia. The objectives of this study were examination and analyzing the content of two heavy metals: cadmium and lead in dogs. For these purposes dog's hair samples were used. Samples were collected from 35 dogs from different localities. They were analyzed using the method of atomic absorption spectrometry. Statistical data processing was performed. Mean lead level in the hair samples from Veles, Bitola and Prilep were: 930.15, 715.66 and 525.63 μg/kg; while for cadmium were: 54.28, 42.65 and 27.82 μg/kg respectively. According to reference intervals for hair elements all the values are in normal ranges (for Cd <100 μg/kg, and for Pb<2000 μg/kg). Comparison of the results between these areas showed significance in arithmetic means (<0.05) between Veles and Prilep for Pb and absolute significance (<0.001) in arithmetic means for Cd between Veles and Prilep. The study presents the need for further research in this area, using dogs as bioindicators. [Vet. World 2011; 4(8.000): 368-370

Improved determination of macroscopic parasite preparations using S10 modified plastination procedure

Macroscopic preparations of parasites fixed in formaldehyde or alcohol don’t fulfill in complete the requests for education, as well as their determination, mainly because of the toxic fumes and not enough visible structure of fixed parasite. Using the modified С10 plastination method, parasites from three different phylum were prepared: Plathelminthes: Class Cestoda (Dipilidum caninum, Moniezia spp and larvae from T.Echinococcus granulosus - Echinococcus unilocularis, larvae from T. pisiformis - Cysticercus pisiformis, , larvae from T. hidatigena - Cysticercus tenuicollis), Phylum Nemathelminthes, Class Nematoda, (Ascaris suum, Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus, Diro filaria immitis), Phylum Arthropoda, Class Arachnida (tick from the Ixodidae family) and Class Insecta (Gasterophilus intestinalis, Hypoderma bovis). The aim of this study was conserving the parasites in native condition with plastination method and improved determination according to their visible morphologic structure. Parasites were previously kept in 10% formaldehyde. Prepared parasites were dry, chemical free, not toxic and safe for the environment, flexible and with detained form and structure. There was a variation in the natural colors in some of the parasites, as a result from long-time formalin fixation. Preparations made with this method are permanent educative material which enables improved study of parasite’s structure

Retrospective study on trilostane titration dose treatment in dogs with terminal stage of hyperadrenocorticism

Hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) in dogs is routinely treated with trilostane single-dose (CTG) which is reported to cause adverse reactions. The current retrospective study of several dogs with terminal stage of HAC aimed to compare the clinical, hematological, and biochemical effects of trilostane titration-dose treatment (TTG) with the single-dose treatment (CTG). All clinical cases (n=7) were confirmed on HAC by anamnestic, clinical, hematology, biochemistry, and low-dose dexamethasone suppression test findings, indicative for Cushing’s disease. Two cases were treated with CTG (2.2-6.7 mg/kg, single dose daily) and their treatment was discontinued on the second week due to adverse reactions. The TTG cases were treated for up to 12 weeks (0.5 mg/kg once daily for 7 days, and then with 0.5 mg/kg twice daily for 7 days). Blood samples and clinical checks were performed on 0., 4., and 12. weeks of the treatment. Hemoglobin was non-significantly higher in TTG at 12 weeks. Alanine transaminase was significantly lower in the TTG cases on the 12. week of the treatment (78.04±15.37 U/L) compared to the 0-week (137.81±24.03 U/L), and 4-week samples (131.92±23.36 U/L). No significant differences were observed with the CTG cases. Alkaline phosphatase was significantly lower on 12-week samples in TTG (251.02±93.06) compared to the 4-week (567.94±283.93 U/L), and 0-week samples (1,341.84 U/L). In conclusion, TTG has indicated to have significantly higher tendency to decrease alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase, alleviating the negative effects on the liver. The clinical findings were more adverse for the CTG

Cytological diagnostic of canine transmissible venereal tumor - Case report

Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor (CTVT) is a benign reticuloendothelial (histiocytic) tumor of the dog that mainly affects the external genitalia. This tumor was found in male 2 years old mongrel dog. According the anamnestic data, there was no visible change of its general clinical status, except spontaneous bleeding with blood drops on the praeputium and the presence of blood in the urine. With clinical examination a multilobular mass on radix penis mucosa was found, which actually caused pseudohemorrhagia. The material for cytological diagnostic was taken with the imprint method and 4 cytological films were prepared and strained. The conclusion of the cytological diagnosis was CTVT. The tumor cause only local disturbances, and the differential diagnosis of the other "round cells tumors", histiocytomas, plasmacytomas, lymphoma, some melanomas and especially lymphosarcomas, which could be located on the external genitalia, had a big significance. Although some authors are mentioning spontaneous regression, however, because this is invasive tumor, a complete chirurgical excision was made

Immunohistochemical investigation of FIPV3-70 antigen expression in the ileum of cats with effusive feline infective peritonitis

One of the most common infectious causes of cat mortality is feline infective peritonitis (FIP), along with panleukopenia and viral upper respiratory tract infections. FIP is more likely to affect cats whose immune system is weak or suppressed. It is thought that the infection of macrophages and monocytes plays a major role in the pathogenic process. In order to set a definitive diagnosis for this infectious disease, a histopathological examination of tissues, and feline coronavirus (FCoV) detection by immunohistochemistry (IHC) is necessary. In this investigation, 15 cats between the ages of 5 and 24 months with clinical suspicion of FIP, underwent post-mortem necropsy, pathohistological and immunohistochemical examination. The results showed that all the cats had abdominal effusion with pyogranulomas throughout the abdominal serosa. Ten out of fifteen cats were FIP positive using immunohistochemical methods. This method also showed the antigen deposition in the macrophages thus confirming their role in the pathogenesis of FIP

Immunohistochemical detection of estrogen receptors in canine mammary tumors

Mammary tumors are among the most common neoplasms in intact female dogs.They have a complex morphology, usually affecting middle age and older bitches. Almost 50% of the mammary tumors in dogs are malignant neoplasms. Prognosis is based on several factors: stage, age, tumor size, metastasis, histopathology, ovariectomy status and hormone-receptor activity. Immunohistochemical (IHC) measurement has become increasingly an important diagnostic and prognostic parameter, with the development of monoclonal antibodies against nuclear estrogen and progestin receptors. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of ER receptors in malignant canine mammary tumors and to identify their association with the clinical course of the tumor. Mammary tumor samples have been obtained by mastectomy from dogs presented at our clinic. Detailed clinical examination, CBC and basic serum biochemical profile were performed in all patients. Surgery was the only treatment. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemical detection of estrogen α receptors (ERα) was performed on 8 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples, using the PT LINK immunoperoxidase technique. Histopathological examination of the mammary tumor samples (n=11) revealed tubular adenocarcinoma (n=6,54.5%) and ductal adenocarcinoma (n=3, 27.3%), one patient with benign adenoma and one with mastitis. Patients with positive ER tumors are alive, without remission, while 3 of the patients that were ER negative died due to lung metastases. According to our results, it can be concluded that the appearance and development of canine mammary tumors is highly connected with ovarian steroid hormones and that immunostaining of the tumors may be used as a good prognostic parameter in these patients