BACKGROUND Ultrasound examination is commonly used in the diagnostic evaluation of liver disease in dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES To determine if hepatic sonographic features were predictive of findings on liver histopathology. We hypothesized that there would be a relationship between sonographic features and the category of liver disease based on histologic assessment. ANIMALS One hundred and thirty-eight dogs in which the liver was evaluated by both abdominal ultrasound examination and histopathologic examination. Twenty-five dogs were included in each of the following categories based on histopathology: normal, degenerative, vascular, inflammatory, and neoplasia. Thirteen dogs had nodular regeneration. METHODS Retrospective study. Medical records of dogs from 2005 to 2010 were searched for cases in which the liver was evaluated by abdominal ultrasound examination as well as by histopathology. After independent evaluation of ultrasound images, the recorded sonographic features were analyzed to identify abnormalities associated with each histopathologic diagnosis or degree of fibrosis. RESULTS Sixty-four percent of sonographically unremarkable livers had histologic abnormalities. Both microhepatia and the identification of abnormal vasculature were significantly associated with a histopathologic diagnosis of vascular disease. Hepatic masses were significantly associated with a diagnosis of neoplasia. Dilated common bile duct and thickened gall bladder wall were significantly associated with hepatitis. There were no sonographic findings consistently present with hepatic fibrosis. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Although some ultrasonographic findings, including masses, microhepatia, anomalous veins, and biliary changes, are associated with specific histopathologic abnormalities, sonographic findings are inconsistently detected in many disorders. Overall, hepatic ultrasonographic abnormalities have substantial limitations in predicting the underlying disease.

BACKGROUND:Sterile nodular panniculitis (SNP) is an uncommon inflammatory condition of subcutaneous fat that can be idiopathic, but has also been associated with underlying conditions such as pancreatic disease or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The pathogenesis and clinical course of the condition are not well understood.OBJECTIVES:To retrospectively review cases of SNP associated with systemic signs, concurrent disease, or both and characterize the clinical, laboratory, imaging, and histopathologic findings, treatment, and response to treatment.ANIMALS:Fourteen dogs with histologically confirmed SNP diagnosed between 1996 and 2008.METHODS:Retrospective study.RESULTS:Skin lesions were ulcerated or draining nodules in 9 dogs and nonulcerative subcutaneous nodules in 5. Most dogs had systemic signs, such as fever, inappetence, lethargy, and multiple lesions. Common clinicopathologic findings included neutrophilia with or without left shift, increased alkaline phosphatase activity, mild hypoglycemia, hypoalbuminemia, and proteinuria. Concurrent diseases included pancreatic disease, SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, polyarthritis, lymphoplasmacytic colitis, and hepatic disease. Dogs responded to immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids when administered. Prognosis for recovery was related to the underlying disease process.CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE:SNP is not a single disease. Rather, it is a cutaneous marker of systemic disease in many cases. After thorough evaluation for concurrent disease and infectious causes, immunosuppressive treatment is often effective.

Gossypol, a pigment of cotton, is a hepatic toxin for chickens. Thus, despite its high protein content, inclusion of cottonseed meal in poultry diets is problematic. Silymarin, an extract from milk thistle, has hepatoprotective qualities and could potentially serve as a feed additive to offset the toxicity of gossypol. The objective of this study was to determine if silymarin could counteract gossypol toxicosis. Cockerels (n = 144) from lines divergently selected for humoral immunity were used. Three individuals from each line were randomly assigned to a cage and fed a corn-soybean meal (control) diet for 14 d. Six cages per line were then randomly assigned 1 of 4 dietary treatments (1,000 mg/kg of gossypol, 1,000 mg/kg of silymarin, 1,000 mg/kg of both gossypol and silymarin, or a control diet). Body weight and feed intake data were collected for 21 d, with chickens bled weekly to collect plasma and determine hematocrits. Chickens were then killed, and livers were collected for subsequent histology and enzymatic activity analyses. Endpoints measured weekly were analyzed with repeated measures and regression methodologies. Plasma and liver enzyme activities, and histological measures, were analyzed using ANOVA. No significant interactions between diets and lines were observed. Chickens assigned to the gossypol and gossypol-silymarin diets stopped gaining weight at d 14 (P < 0.001) and lost weight by d 21 (P < 0.001). Gamma glutamyltransferase was also elevated in these chickens at d 14; activities increased further by d 21 (P < 0.001). Histological examination of liver slices indicated substantial lipidosis (P < 0.001). Furthermore, quinone reductase activity was higher in gossypol- and gossypol-silymarin-treated chickens than in control and silymarin-treated chickens (P < 0.001). Silymarin did not alleviate any clinical effects of gossypol toxicosis.

A thin, lactating and uncoordinated female white-tailed deer was submitted for necropsy as part of a surveillance program for chronic wasting disease (CWD). Laboratory tests for CWD and rabies were negative. Post-mortem examination revealed pulmonary and submandibular lymph node abscesses associated with Arcanobacterium pyogenes and Pasteurella. The overall presentation suggests that the infections may have been associated with chronic stress.

Background: Thin, lactating and uncoordinated female white-tailed deer was submitted for necropsy as part of a surveillance program for chronic wasting disease (CWD). Laboratory tests for CWD and rabies were negative. Post-mortem examination revealed pulmonary and submandibular lymph node abscesses associated with Arcanobacterium pyogenes and Pasteurella. The overall presentation suggests that the infections may have been associated with chronic stress. Methods: Brain tissues were removed aseptically and transferred to Virginia's Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for analysis for CWD and rabies virus, and Brain culture swabs were sent to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine for aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures, including Listeria monocytogenes culture. Lung, lymph node, brain, intestine and heart samples were preserved in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histopathologic examination. Lung and lymph node samples were taken aseptically for aerobic culture, including culture for Mycoplasma and Salmonella. Lung and lymph node were plated onto Blood Agar, MacConkey Agar and Columbia CAN Agar. Culture swabs of lung tissue were plated onto Chocolate agar, TSA and CAN agar. Chocolate Agar plates were incubated in 5% CO2 incubated at 37 °C with no CO2 analysis. Results: Arcanobacterium pyogenes was isolated from lung and submandibular lymph node, and identified using bioMérieux API Coryne strips. Pasteurella spp. was isolated from the same lymph node, and identified using bioMérieux API 20 NE strip. Laboratory tests for rabies, CWD, Listeria, Mycoplasma, Mycobacterium and Salmonella were all negative. Histopathologic examination was performed on lung, brain, spleen, lymph node, intestine, heart and liver.The lung had multiple discrete nodules of coagulative necrosis containing neutrophils and macrophages (figure 1). A rim of neutrophilic inflammation surrounded the necrosis; peripheral to this was a layer of fibroplasia and fibrosis. Conclusion: In conclusion, even though it was not isolated from the lung, Pasteurella was the primary cause of infection in the lung and from there it spread to the lymph node. A. pyogenes was considered to be a secondary infection in the lungs where pneumonia was already present. The final diagnosis was pulmonary and lymph node abscesses due to A pyogenes and fibrinopurulent and necrotizing bronochopneumonia due to a mixed Pasteurella and A. pyogenes. Abstracts for SupplementInternational Journal of Infectious DiseasesVol. 14Preview Full-Text PDF Open Archive

BACKGROUND:Eosinophilic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract of dogs occurs in numerous disorders, typically resulting in diffuse intestinal thickening. Rarely, eosinophilic masses have been reported.OBJECTIVE:Describe a series of dogs with 1 or more idiopathic eosinophilic gastrointestinal masses (IEGM) to better characterize the clinical features, treatment, and prognosis.ANIMALS:Seven dogs with 1 or more gastrointestinal masses composed primarily of eosinophilic infiltrates for which no underlying cause was found.METHODS:Retrospective case series.RESULTS:Rottweilers and purebred, large breed dogs predominated. Dogs were middle-aged and typically had chronic signs of upper or lower gastrointestinal disease. Decreased appetite, vomiting, and evidence of gastrointestinal hemorrhage were present in the majority of cases. An abdominal or rectal mass was frequently noted on physical examination. Common laboratory abnormalities included peripheral eosinophilia, mature neutrophilia, hypoproteinemia, and hypocholesterolemia. The masses were histologically composed of moderate to severe eosinophilic infiltrates, which were often transmural and accompanied by fibrosis. All dogs treated with surgery alone died of complications of their disease. Treatment with corticosteroids and ivermectin improved clinical signs, caused resolution of eosinophilic infiltrates, and prolonged survival in most dogs treated medically.CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE:These findings suggest that the prognosis for dogs with IEGM may be good when recognized and managed appropriately. When surgery is performed, medical treatment should also be added.

A B-cell, Burkitt-type lymphoma, diffusely affecting the peripheral nerves and intramuscular nerve branches was diagnosed in a 4-year-old domestic shorthair cat with a chronic progressive history of flaccid tetraparesis and generalized muscle atrophy. There was no evidence of cranial nerve, central nervous system, radicular, bone marrow, splenic, or lymph node involvement. The cat tested negative for feline retroviruses and a wide variety of herpes viruses, including Epstein-Barr virus. The clinical manifestation of this case was similar to the chronic polyneuropathic variant of human diffuse neurolymphomatosis; a condition most commonly caused by an axonopathy resulting from infiltration of peripheral nerves with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

An 11-year-old, male, neutered Cavalier King Charles spaniel was euthanatized because of recurrent seizures and inflammatory bowel disease. An incidental finding at necropsy was the presence of bilateral, firm, white nodules across the petrosal crest of the skull. Microscopically, the nodules were composed of normal myelinated nerve fibers within a mucinous stroma. A diagnosis of cranial nerve hamartoma was made.

Systemic granulomatous disease involving the spleen, heart, lymph nodes, omentum, liver, kidney, lung, mediastinum, and salivary glands developed in an 8-year-old Rottweiler. The dog also had sialometaplasia of both submandibular salivary glands. Bartonella henselae and B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii DNA was amplified from the salivary gland by polymerase chain reaction analysis. Bartonellae may be the cause of this systemic disease, but to the authors' knowledge, involvement of omentum, mediastinum, and salivary glands has not previously been reported in association with Bartonella infection. Bartonellae should be considered potential causes of sialometaplasia.

BACKGROUND:Methylnitrosourea (MNU), an alkylating agent derived from creatinine metabolism, is cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic. Mid-gestational exposure to MNU leads to distal limb defects in mice. Previous studies have shown that nonspecific maternal immune stimulation protects against MNU-induced teratogenesis. A role for immune-mediated placental improvement in this effect remains uncertain.METHODS:The immune system of timed-pregnant C57BL/6N and CD-1 mice was stimulated by GD 7 intraperitoneal (IP) injection with the cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). A teratogenic dose of MNU was then administered by IP injection on the morning of GD 9 to disrupt distal limb formation. Fetal limb length, body length, digital deformities, and placental integrity were evaluated on GD 14.RESULTS:The incidence of syndactyly, polydactyly, and interdigital webbing in MNU-exposed mice was decreased by maternal IFN-gamma treatment. In C57BL/6N mice, these defects were reduced by 47, 100, and 63%, respectively, as compared to previous reports on CD-1 mice, by 39, 71, and 20%, respectively. Administration of IFN-gamma significantly diminished MNU-induced endothelial and trophoblast placental damage in both strains of mice.CONCLUSIONS:These findings support a possible link between maternal immunity, placental integrity, and fetal distal limb development. Further, these results suggest that IFN-gamma might act through placental improvement to indirectly protect against MNU-induced fetal limb malformations.

Candida albicans is a normal fungal inhabitant of the gastrointestinal, upper respiratory, and genital mucosae of dogs.Opportunistic infections in dogs may develop as a result of breaks in the normal mucosal barrier, immunosuppression, and treatment with broad-spectrum antimicrobials.

Thirteen lactating dairy cows from a herd of 650 died over a 6-week period. Most animals were down in milk production at 1 milking and were found dead at the next milking. Two cows had elevated heart rate and enlarged mandibular lymph nodes. Two others had azotemia, elevated heart rate, hyperglycemia, and weight loss. Necropsy of 10 cows revealed hemorrhages on the intestinal serosa and epicardium, lymphadenopathy, interstitial nephritis, small intestinal hemorrhage, and interstitial pneumonia. Histopathology showed lymphocytic to lymphogranulomatous inflammation in the heart, spleen, kidney, lymph nodes, liver, lung, pancreas, and adrenal gland. Phlebitis was present in 2 livers. The lesions resembled those of hairy vetch toxicosis, but no vetch was being fed. Similar lesions have been reported with the feeding of citrus pulp. Citrus pulp was being fed to the lactating cows and had been added to the diet 6 weeks before the first death. The syndrome resolved with elimination of citrus pulp from the diet.

A three-year-old, male neutered domestic longhair cat was referred for evaluation of icterus, vomiting, and anorexia. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a proximal duodenal mass obstructing the common bile duct. The mass was surgically resected, and a cholecystoduodenostomy was performed. The histopathological diagnosis was osteosarcoma. Thoracic radiographs showed no evidence of metastasis, and bone scintigraphy revealed no signs of a primary skeletal osteosarcoma. Four months after surgery, the cat had intermittent vomiting, marked weight loss, and died.

The cytologic and histologic features of 2 intracranial and 2 spinal (extramedullary cervical) canine meningiomas were compared. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis in 2 cases revealed mild, mixed cell pleocytosis, primarily composed of small lymphocytes and monocytoid cells, with a moderate increase in total protein concentration. Cytologic features suggestive of meningioma included cells with both epithelial and mesenchymal characteristics and a tendency towards cell clustering. Tumor location also was useful in making a diagnosis. The 4 meningiomas differed histologically from one another, and included angioblastic, psammomatous, meningotheliomatous, and microcystic anaplastic types, which conformed to a classification scheme for human meningiomas. The classification scheme could not be applied to cytologic specimens.

Veterinary Clinical PathologyVolume 29, Issue 1 p. 19-21 Mediastinal Mass in a Dog with Syncope and Abdominal Distension Kurt L. Zimmerman DVM, Corresponding Author Kurt L. Zimmerman DVM Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061.Address correspondence to Dr. Zimmerman (kzimmerm@vt.edu).Search for more papers by this authorJohn H. Rossmeisl Jr. DVM, John H. Rossmeisl Jr. DVM Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061.Search for more papers by this authorCatherine E. Thorn DVM, DVSC, Catherine E. Thorn DVM, DVSC Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061.Search for more papers by this authorGeoffrey K. Saunders DVM, MS, Geoffrey K. Saunders DVM, MS Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061.Search for more papers by this author Kurt L. Zimmerman DVM, Corresponding Author Kurt L. Zimmerman DVM Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061.Address correspondence to Dr. Zimmerman (kzimmerm@vt.edu).Search for more papers by this authorJohn H. Rossmeisl Jr. DVM, John H. Rossmeisl Jr. DVM Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061.Search for more papers by this authorCatherine E. Thorn DVM, DVSC, Catherine E. Thorn DVM, DVSC Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061.Search for more papers by this authorGeoffrey K. Saunders DVM, MS, Geoffrey K. Saunders DVM, MS Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061.Search for more papers by this author First published: 05 March 2008 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-165X.2000.tb00392.xCitations: 6Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume29, Issue1March 2000Pages 19-21 RelatedInformation

The influence of urinary diversion procedures on urethral healing was studied in 15 male dogs following transection and anastomosis of the intrapelvic portions of their urethras. Dogs were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups and had urine diverted from the surgical site by indwelling transurethral catheter, cystostomy catheter, or a combination of transurethral catheter and cystostomy catheter. There were no statistically significant differences in urethral healing when considering the different diversion methods, based on clinical, radiographic, and urodynamic parameters evaluated.

Veterinary Clinical PathologyVolume 28, Issue 3 p. 97-99 Mandibular Salivary Gland Aspirate from a Dog Robert B. Duncan DVM, PhD, Corresponding Author Robert B. Duncan DVM, PhD Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061.[email protected]Search for more papers by this authorBernard F. Feldman DVM, PhD, Bernard F. Feldman DVM, PhD Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061.Search for more papers by this authorGeoff K. Saunders DVM, MS, Geoff K. Saunders DVM, MS Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061.Search for more papers by this authorM. Renee Prater DVM, MS, M. Renee Prater DVM, MS Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061.Search for more papers by this authorGregory C. Troy DVM, MS, Gregory C. Troy DVM, MS Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061.Search for more papers by this author Robert B. Duncan DVM, PhD, Corresponding Author Robert B. Duncan DVM, PhD Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061.[email protected]Search for more papers by this authorBernard F. Feldman DVM, PhD, Bernard F. Feldman DVM, PhD Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061.Search for more papers by this authorGeoff K. Saunders DVM, MS, Geoff K. Saunders DVM, MS Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061.Search for more papers by this authorM. Renee Prater DVM, MS, M. Renee Prater DVM, MS Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061.Search for more papers by this authorGregory C. Troy DVM, MS, Gregory C. Troy DVM, MS Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061.Search for more papers by this author First published: 23 February 2009 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-165X.1999.tb01056.xCitations: 3AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat References 1 Brooks DG, Hottinger HA, Dunstan RW: Canine necrotizing sialometaplasia: a case report and review of the literature. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 31: 21–25, 1995. 2 Spangler WL, Culbertson MR: Salivary gland disease in dogs and cats: 245 cases (1985–1988). J Am Vet Med Assoc 198: 465–469, 1991. 3 Chandra S., Ginn PE: Case #C97–47. Proceedings, 25th Annual Southeast Veterinary Pathology Conference, Tifton, GA 1997. 4 Schroeder H., Berry WL: Salivary gland necrosis in dogs: a retrospective study of 19 cases. J Small Anim Pract 39: 121–125, 1998. Citing Literature Volume28, Issue3September 1999Pages 97-99 ReferencesRelatedInformation

An 18-month-old, spayed female Australian terrier cross was presented with a 10-month history of chronic large bowel diarrhea. Ulceration and two proliferative masses in the rectum were seen on colonoscopy. Surgical resection was performed to remove the masses, and the dog recovered without complications related to surgery. Histopathology was consistent with the diagnosis of ganglioneuroma. The dog had no clinical signs of disease within three months of surgery and was completely normal 2.5 years after diagnosis. This is the first report providing follow-up and successful outcome of a ganglioneuroma in the gastrointestinal tract of a dog.