Abstract:This narrative review critically summarizes and classifies the available literature on the relationship between nutrition, nutritional status, and neoplastic diseases in dogs. The evaluation shows that there is evidence of associations between nutritional status and certain tumor entities as well as their prognosis. However, the underlying studies often display relevant methodological limitations, and at times the evidence is weak. For individual nutrients and nutritional components only few, sometimes contradictory data are available and the reported effects are mostly minor or of merely limited clinical relevance. Abstract:Overall, the current body of evidence does not allow a definitive conclusion regarding the causal significance of individual nutritional factors in canine tumor development. This article aims to enable a realistic appraisal of the existing evidence and to provide veterinarians with guidance in dealing with nutrition-related questions in the oncologic context.
Abstract:Feline plasma cell pododermatitis is an uncommon disease, particularly in cases with concurrent nasal involvement. The underlying pathophysiology remains incompletely understood. We present a case report of feline plasma cell pododermatitis with nasal lymphoplasmocytic dermatitis. The feline patient exhibited signs of soft, diffuse swelling across multiple paw pads, severe swelling of the nasal bridge and mild pruritus. Histopathology revealed predominant plasma cell infiltration in the paw pads, whereas nasal biopsies showed lymphoplasmocytic inflammation. This case supports the hypothesis that feline plasma cell pododermatitis may represent a hypersensitivity-associated reaction pattern rather than being a strictly distinct disease entity.
Abstract:In addition to the culture methods perfomed in commercial laboratories, point-of-care tests (POC tests) are available for the assessment of bacteriuria in dogs and cats. This article provides an overview of the POC tests currently used to detect bacteriuria in veterinary medicine. Manual urine sediment analysis is a cost-effective method for the detection of bacteria, but there is no clear standardization. Devices for automated urine sediment analysis require visual follow-up by the user, which is essential to correctly identify bacteria. RapidBacVet, a lateral flow immunoassay, enables rapid detection of bacteria in the urine - but without the possibility of differentiation. Culture tests allow bacteria to be grown and tested for sensitivity to antibiotics. However, these methods are limited in cases of mixed infections or specific resistance testing. A chromogenic culture test such as UTid+provides rapid diagnosis of bacteriuria, but does not allow for the quantification of bacterial growth. Accutest Uriscreen, a catalase-based rapid test, detects bacteriuria and pyuria with high sensitivity, but requires a large sample volume of urine. This article highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each POC test and describes how these may contribute to more efficient diagnostics and improved treatment selection in small animal practice.
Objective:For spaying in older female dogs, ovariohysterectomy (OHE) is often preferred over ovariectomy (OE) in practice due to possible uterine diseases in advanced age. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate patient data in order to assess OE as a surgical method for the prevention of uterine diseases in older female dogs without uterine abnormalities. In addition, complications and long-term effects after spaying were determined in the patient population and compared with regard to the surgical technique. Material and methods:The evaluation was based on patient data in the patient management system, questionnaires and internal follow-up checks. In addition, an ultrasound examination of the uterus was performed in female dogs>3 years of age at the time of OE. Patients who underwent major regional surgery under the same anesthesia or with an anesthesia time of>150 minutes were excluded. Complications were classified as minor or major, with major complications requiring surgical treatment or intensive inpatient care. Results:486 bitches were included in the evaluation (OE: 267; OHE: 219). A total of 19 ultrasound examinations after OE revealed no abnormalities, and none of the questionnaires reported uterine disease after OE in any patient with a follow-up of up to 9 years. Intraoperatively only minor complications occurred in 35/486 (7.2%) bitches. For postoperative complications, 315 cases were evaluated, with complications occurring in 18 (5.7%) bitches. These included wound healing disorders (12/315; 3.8%), reoperation due to abdominal bleeding (3/315; 1.0%) and the occurrence of sepsis (3/315; 1.0%). These included 9 (2.9%) major complications. Long-term effects were examined in 205 patients: urinary dribbling was reported in 19 (9.3%), coat changes in 50 (24.4%) and weight gain in 65 (31.7%) of the bitches. No difference was found between OE and OHE. Age had no significant influence. Conclusion and clinical relevance:The results of the study suggest that OE can also be recommended for older bitches without macroscopically detectable uterine abnormalities. The complications that occurred were comparable overall for OE and OHE.
Objective:To establish reference values for the vertebral heart scale (VHS) and vertebral left atrial size (VLAS) in clinically healthy dogs and to evaluate their relationship with echocardiographic left atrial measurements. Material and methods:Forty clinically healthy dogs of various breeds, sexes, and age groups (28 males and 12 females; 26 small, 8 medium, and 6 large breeds) were examined using right lateral and dorsoventral thoracic radiography. VHS and VLAS were measured according to standardized protocols. Echocardiographic assessment included measurement of the left atrium (LA), aortic root (Ao), and calculation of the LA/Ao ratio. Dogs with cardiovascular abnormalities were excluded. Statistical analyses were performed to compare measurements across sex, age, and body size, and to evaluate correlations among VHS, VLAS, and LA/Ao. Results:The mean VHS, VLAS, and LA/Ao values were 9.86, 1.32, and 1.17, respectively. No significant differences were identified between sex, age groups, or breed size categories. No correlations were found between VHS and VLAS, VHS and LA/Ao, or VLAS and LA/Ao. Conclusion:VHS and VLAS values in clinically healthy dogs fall within previously reported normal ranges and are not significantly influenced by demographic variables. Clinical relevance:VHS and VLAS can be used as stable and independent radiographic indices for cardiac size assessment in dogs, particularly when echocardiography is unavailable. However, they should be interpreted alongside clinical findings and echocardiography when possible.
Abstract:The knowledge regarding Babesia canis infections in puppies is limited to 3 dogs aged 43-46 days. A 45-day-old, male intact German Shepherd dog was presented due to lethargy, inappetence, and gait disorders. An acute Babesia canis infection was diagnosed by PCR. Marked thrombocytopenia, anemia, and hyperbilirubinemia were noted. A subcutaneous injection of imidocarb dipropionate (ID, 2.0 mg/kg bodyweight) was applied. The puppy's general condition significantly improved, but vomitus was noted. A negative PCR and mild hematological abnormalities were seen 14 days later. A second subcutaneous injection of ID (4.2 mg/kg bodyweight) was applied. Babesia canis infections should be considered in puppies with fever, marked thrombocytopenia, and marked anemia in the immunological gap. Next to vectorial transmission, transplacental Babesia canis infections are reported but considered unlikely in the presented puppy. The puppy responded well to a lower-ranged dose of ID, but side effects were noted (vomiting). In adult dogs, treatment of acute Babesia canis infections using ID dosed 6.6 mg/kg bodyweight is recommended. No safety regulations are published by the manufacturer regarding the use of ID in puppies, but vomitus is reported as a potential side effect after the use in adult dogs. A second ID injection (4.2 mg/kg bodyweight) was applied to avoid a potential disease relapse. The case report highlights the significance of the immunological gap in puppies with Babesia canis infections and the need for ectoparasite prophylaxis in puppies, if vector contact is possible.
Zusammenfassung Ein 5 Jahre altes Zwergkaninchen (Oryctolagus cuniculus) mit einem Körpergewicht von 2,46 kg wurde aufgrund akuter Inappetenz, Apathie und Diarrhoe vorgestellt. Das Tier lebte mit einem Partnertier in einem Außengehege mit natürlichem Bodengrund und einem unterirdischen Tunnelsystem. Die klinische Allgemeinuntersuchung ergab eine hochgradige Apathie, Hypothermie (36,3°C) sowie eine verstärkte abdominale Atmung. Labordiagnostisch wurden eine nicht-regenerative Anämie sowie eine heterophile und monozytäre Leukozytose festgestellt. Röntgenologisch waren eine vergrößerte Leber sowie ein peritonealer Detailverlust erkennbar. Als Hauptbefunde konnten im abdominalen Ultraschall neben einer Vergrößerung von Leber und Milz mehrere hypoechogene Rundschatten in der Leber sowie deutlich vergrößerte mesenteriale Lymphknoten und freie Flüssigkeit nachgewiesen werden. Zudem waren mehrere Umfangsvermehrungen in den Metren und ein fokaler Niereninfarkt im Bereich des kraniodorsalen rechten Nierenkortex auffällig. In der Computertomografie wurden neben den bereits im Ultraschall festgestellten Veränderungen generalisierte Verdickungen der Dickdarmwände nachgewiesen. Aufgrund des schlechten Allgemeinbefindens und der Befunde wurde das Tier auf Wunsch des Besitzers euthanasiert und pathologisch untersucht. Hauptbefunde waren neben einer Lymphadenomegalie multifokaler Darmlymphknoten multiple nekrotisierende Entzündungen in Milz, Leber und Knochenmark. Aus der Milz konnte Yersinia pseudotuberculosis isoliert und die Diagnose Pseudotuberkulose gestellt werden. Diese potenzielle Zoonose wurde bisher nur in einem weiteren Fallbericht bei Heimtierkaninchen in der Fachliteratur dokumentiert und sollte differenzialdiagnostisch bei schwerer Allgemeinerkrankung von Kaninchen in Außenhaltung berücksichtigt werden.
Zusammenfassung Die Enzephalitozoonose ist eine bei Kaninchen weit verbreitete Krankheit, die zudem als potenzielle Zoonose von Bedeutung ist. Ziel der Untersuchung war die Analyse der Encephalitozoonose in Bezug auf die Diagnose und Behandlung anhand einer retrospektiven Auswertung von Patientendaten. 107 Fälle von Kaninchen mit Verdachtsdiagnose Encephalitozoonose, die zwischen 2013 und 2022 in einer universitären Klinik vorgestellt wurden, wurden retrospektiv ausgewertet. Die Aufarbeitung der Fälle erfolgte bezüglich Form der Encephalitozoonose, Haltung, Fütterung, Diagnostik, Therapie und Outcome. Die Haltungsformen – Innenhaltung versus Außenhaltung, Einzelhaltung versus Gruppenhaltung – sowie die kürzlich erfolgte Integration eines Tiers in den Bestand ergaben keinen statistischen Effekt als prädisponierende Faktoren. Klinisch manifestierte sich die Encephalitozoonose bei 63,6% (n=68) der Fälle im zentralen Nervensystem. Das Durchschnittsalter der Tiere mit okulärer Form war mit 23,7 Monaten signifikant niedriger (p<0,001) und dasjenige der Tiere mit renaler Form mit einem Mittelwert von 71,4 Monaten höher als das Durchschnittsalter der gesamten untersuchten Population erkrankter Tiere. Beim Vergleich des Outcomes von 84 Kaninchen wiesen 29,8% (n=25) eine Besserung auf, eine Stabilisierung wurde bei 44,0% (n=37) erreicht und 28,2% (n=22) verstarben oder mussten euthanasiert werden. Der IgG-Titer war mit>1:5120 bei den verstorbenen beziehungsweise euthanasierten Kaninchen mit 50,0% (n=6) deutlich häufiger stark erhöht. Die vorliegende Untersuchung ergab keinen Einfluss von Haltungsparametern auf die Encephalitozoonose. Es bestand ein Zusammenhang zwischen Alter und Krankheitsform. Der Nachweis von Antikörpern spielte in der Diagnostik eine zentrale Rolle, ließ jedoch nur eine Verdachtsdiagnose zu. Therapeutisch kamen Fendendazol, Analgesie, Entzündungshemmer sowie unterstützende Maßnahmen zum Einsatz. Solche Maßnahmen umfassten bei der zentralnervösen Form eine ruhige und stressfreie Haltung sowie Physiotherapie und bei der renalen Form das Sicherstellen der Hydratation. In rund 70% der Fälle wurde eine Besserung oder Stabilisierung des Zustandes erreicht.
