The immunopathology of canine vector-borne diseases

The canine vector-borne infectious diseases (CVBDs) are an emerging problem in veterinary medicine and the zoonotic potential of many of these agents is a significant consideration for human health. The successful diagnosis, treatment and prevention of these infections is dependent upon firm understanding of the underlying immunopathology of the diseases in which there are unique tripartite interactions between the microorganism, the vector and the host immune system. Although significant advances have been made in the areas of molecular speciation and the epidemiology of these infections and their vectors, basic knowledge of the pathology and immunology of the diseases has lagged behind. This review summarizes recent studies of the pathology and host immune response in the major CVBDs (leishmaniosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, hepatozoonosis, anaplasmosis, bartonellosis and borreliosis). The ultimate application of such immunological investigation is the development of effective vaccines. The current commercially available vaccines for canine leishmaniosis, babesiosis and borreliosis are reviewed

LeishVet guidelines for the practical management of canine leishmaniosis

The LeishVet group has formed recommendations designed primarily to help the veterinary clinician in the management of canine leishmaniosis. The complexity of this zoonotic infection and the wide range of its clinical manifestations, from inapparent infection to severe disease, make the management of canine leishmaniosis challenging. The recommendations were constructed by combining a comprehensive review of evidence-based studies, extensive clinical experience and critical consensus opinion discussions. The guidelines presented here in a short version with graphical topic displays suggest standardized and rational approaches to the diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, control and prevention of canine leishmaniosis. A staging system that divides the disease into four stages is aimed at assisting the clinician in determining the appropriate therapy, forecasting prognosis, and implementing follow-up steps required for the management of the leishmaniosis patient

Feline hyperthyroidism: diagnosis and treatment

Hyperthyroidism is a common endocrinopathy in cats older than 8 years, with no sex or breed predisposition. Benign adenomas and adenomatous hyperplasia of the thyroid gland is observed in the majority of cases. Symptoms reflect the effect of thyroid hormone excess in various systems, with weight loss, polyphagia, polyuria-polydipsia, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal abnormalities being common clinical manifestations. On clinical examination, there is frequently prominent thyroid enlargement. Common laboratory abnormal findings include increased activity of alkaline phosphatase and alanino-aminotransferase, hyperphosphataemia, azotaemia and decreased concentration of ionized calcium and creatinine. Definite diagnosis of the disease is based on the demonstration of increased blood concentration of thyroid hormones. Measurement of thyroxine concentration, alone or in conjunction with concentration of free thyroxine, is usually sufficient to reach a diagnosis. When diagnosis is uncertain, thyroid stimulating hormone, scintigraphy and dynamic function tests can be used. The possibility of concurrent diseases (e.g., renal failure, diabetes mellitus) must be investigated, as their presence has implications on diagnosis and treatment. Medical therapy, thyroidectomy, radionine therapy and low iodine diet are also valid options for treatment. Each has advantages and disadvantages that a clinician must take into consideration before instigating treatment. Prognosis for hyperthyroidism is favourable if no severe disease exists concurrently

Paraneoplastic exfoliative erythroderma in a cat with thymoma

A 14-year-old domestic shorthair cat was admitted with a 2-month history of excessive body weight loss and generalized exfoliative dermatitis with erythroderma. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examination revealed a cranioventral cavitary mass within the anterior mediastinum. An ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology from the mass revealed numerous small mature lymphocytes intermingled with much fewer inflammatory mast cells. These findings, along with a cell-poor interface and mixed cell dermatitis demonstrated on skin histopathology, made the diagnosis of paraneoplastic exfoliative dermatitis straightforward. This uncommon case illustrates the relative value of keratosebborheic skin disease as a useful indicator of an internal malignancy in the cat