Hypereosinophilic paraneoplastic syndrome in a cat with intestinal T cell lymphosarcoma

A 10-year-old, neutered female, domestic shorthair cat was presented with a recent history of weight loss, polydipsia, diarrhoea and vomiting. On physical examination, intestinal thickening and mesenteric lymph node enlargement were apparent. Clinical investigations revealed peripheral blood eosinophilia, eosinophilic abdominal effusion and eosinophilic mesenteric lymphadenitis. There was a temporary response to treatment with glucocorticoids but signs progressed and the cat was euthanased. On histology, there was eosinophilic infiltration and fibroplasia of intestine and mesenteric lymph nodes. Large aggregates of neoplastic round cells in the intestine and lymph nodes were identified as T lymphocytes using immunohistochemistry. A diagnosis of intestinal T cell lymphosarcoma was made. This case demonstrates that hypereosinophilic paraneoplastic syndrome may occur in cats with lymphosarcoma. Eosinophil chemotaxis may be a response to the production of interleukin-5 by neoplastic lymphocytes.

Diagnostic features, confirmation and disease progression in 28 cases of lethal acrodermatitis of bull terriers

Lethal acrodermatitis (LAD) is a genetically determined metabolic disease of bull terriers first described in the USA in the 1980s. In this study, the largest so far reported, 28 bull terriers born in the UK were diagnosed as suffering from LAD, and the clinical findings and the progression of the disease with time are described. The main characteristics of LAD are stunting, splayed digits, eating difficulties, skin disease of the face and feet, and increased susceptibility to microbial infections. In older dogs, paronychia, nail disease and hyperkeratosis of the footpads develops, becoming severe in dogs over six months of age. A diagnosis of LAD can be strongly suspected in any bull terrier showing a combination of the aforementioned signs from an early age. Dermatohistopathological demonstration of marked parakeratotic hyperkeratosis is strongly supportive of the diagnosis of LAD and, in association with the typical clinical findings, is sufficient to confirm a diagnosis. Although many of the clinical signs and the pathology of this condition suggest zinc deficiency, the measurement of blood zinc levels as a diagnostic aid is of limited value.

Pentastomiasis in Bosc's monitor lizards (Varanus exanthematicus) caused by an undescribed Sambonia species

Two wild-caught Bosc's monitor lizards (Varanus exanthematicus) developed clinical signs of pentasomiasis approximately 3 yr after arrival in the United Kingdom. One died of chronic parasitic pneumonia associated with adult pentastomids of an undescribed Sambonia species. Eggs and immature pentastomids were also seen in histologic sections of the lungs and liver. The other animal was treated for pneumonia and for nodular inflammation of the larynx that restricted the diameter of the glottis. Fragments of pentastomid larvae were seen in a laryngeal biopsy, and the animal recovered after treatment with ivermectin and supportive therapy.

Histologic classification and immunophenotype of lymphosarcomas in cats with naturally and experimentally acquired feline immunodeficiency virus infections

Lymphosarcoma (malignant lymphoma) is the commonest hematopoietic tumor in the cat. Many cases are associated with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection, but epidemiologic and experimental data suggest that feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) may also have a role in lymphomagenesis. In this paper, we describe the clinical presentation, histologic classification, and immunophenotype of lymphosarcoma in eight domestic cats with natural or experimental FIV infections. The tumors were often of unusual distribution, with the majority of cases conforming to the least common anatomic classification of "miscellaneous." Histopathologic and immunophenotypic analysis using a panel of anti-cat and cross-reactive anti-human monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies identified seven of these tumors as high-grade B cell lymphomas of the centroblastic or immunoblastic subtypes. The remaining case was a T-cell tumor associated with a concurrent FeLV infection. Our findings, together with the results of an analysis of FIV proviral DNA in these tumors, indicate that the B-cell lymphosarcomas were comparable to those observed in human and simian immunodeficiency virus infections and that the role of FIV in lymphomagenesis is indirect and related to the potential for malignant transformation during polyclonal B cell activation.

Lymphosarcoma in experimentally induced feline immunodeficiency virus infection [corrected]

A cat experimentally infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) but known to be free of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) developed lymphosarcoma. The lesions in the liver and kidneys were present nine months after infection, when the cat was 21 months old. The cat had no overt signs of immunodeficiency and it is suggested that the B cell activation induced shortly after FIV infection produced a large pool of proliferating lymphocytes from which the malignant cells emerged.

Distemper encephalitis in pups after vaccination of the dam

A five-year-old labrador bitch which had whelped 10 pups three days previously was given booster vaccination against distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenzavirus and leptospirosis. Eighteen days later, signs of central nervous system disease developed in some of the pups, five of which were ultimately euthanased. The cause of the nervous disease was found to be canine distemper, and serological studies showed that the infection was limited to some members of the litter, suggesting that the vaccinal rather than a field virus was more likely to have been responsible.

Experimental reproduction of acute lesions of porcine pleuropneumonia with a haemolysin-deficient mutant of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

The role of the heat-labile haemolysin of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in acute porcine pleuropneumonia was examined. A virulent strain was compared with an isogenic haemolysin-deficient mutant in experimental infections. The pigs which received the virulent strain showed clinical signs of acute respiratory disease whereas the animals infected with the mutant strain appeared to be less severely affected. At post mortem examination, both groups showed similar acute pulmonary lesions and pleurisy typical of A pleuropneumoniae infection. The bacterial antigen representing the haemolysin was detected in lung lesions infected with the parent strain but not in those infected with the mutant. These results demonstrate that the haemolysin of serotype 2 A pleuropneumoniae is not an essential factor for the production of the lesions of pleuropneumonia in pigs.

Aortic valvular dysplasia in a calf

Aortic valvular dysplasia, a congenital abnormality not previously reported in cattle, was diagnosed in a calf with a pulsating mass at the base of its neck, an enlarged area of cardiac dullness and a loud (grade IV/V) systolic cardiac murmur. Electrocardiography and thoracic radiography demonstrated that the left atrium and ventricle were enlarged. Dysplasia of two aortic valve cusps and post stenotic dilatation of the ascending aorta were identified by echocardiography and confirmed post mortem.

Studies on canine parvovirus infection: preparation of challenge virus

Two techniques, adsorption on to hydroxylapatite and density gradient centrifugation, were investigated as prospective methods for the large scale purification of canine parvovirus from faecal suspensions. Adsorption with hydroxylapatite successfully removed virus from faecal material. However, the resultant virus was contaminated and some virus was left behind in the faecal suspension. Repeated adsorption with hydroxylapatite appeared to result in some damage to the virus particles. In contrast, density gradient centrifugation provided a simple, economical method of purification which yielded uncontaminated, infectious virus. The final method, using both isopyknic and rate zonal centrifugation is described.

Studies on canine parvovirus infection: preparation of challenge virus

Two techniques, adsorption on to hydroxylapatite and density gradient centrifugation, were investigated as prospective methods for the large scale purification of canine parvovirus from faecal suspensions. Adsorption with hydroxylapatite successfully removed virus from faecal material. However, the resultant virus was contaminated and some virus was left behind in the faecal suspension. Repeated adsorption with hydroxylapatite appeared to result in some damage to the virus particles. In contrast, density gradient centrifugation provided a simple, economical method of purification which yielded uncontaminated, infectious virus. The final method, using both isopyknic and rate zonal centrifugation is described.

Canine parvovirus: interaction between passive immunity and virulent challenge

Two groups of puppies, one passively immunised by the administration of hyperimmune serum and the other with natural maternally derived antibody, were inoculated orally with virulent canine parvovirus of faecal origin. Serum antibody titres declined more rapidly in both groups after challenge than before. The dogs became clinically affected but the onset of clinical signs, seroconversion and faecal excretion of virus was delayed when compared to controls. It is postulated that this rapid decline of antibody was due to its sequestration by virus after the initial phase of viral replication in the lymphoid tissues. These findings have important implications. The incubation period of the disease is prolonged, making it more difficult to estimate accurately the time of infection in clinically affected animals. Furthermore, the more rapid decline of maternally derived antibody, which could occur in endemically infected premises, may complicate immunisation programmes based on the isolation and segregation of puppies in anticipation of a predicted decline in maternally derived antibody before vaccination.

Studies of parvovirus vaccination in the dog: the performance of live attenuated feline parvovirus vaccines

The performance of three live attenuated feline parvovirus vaccines licensed for use in the dog was studied. At the end of the primary vaccination course 67 per cent of dogs had inadequate antibody levels (less than or equal to 32) as measured by a haemagglutination inhibition test. Interference by maternal antibody accounted for some of the failures but the fact that there was no significant difference in performance between dogs vaccinated at 12 weeks or 16 weeks of age indicated that maternal antibody was not the only factor.

Experimental infection of dogs with Campylobacter jejuni

Three groups of conventional puppies were inoculated orally with Campylobacter jejuni biotype 2 which had been isolated from the small intestine of a dog with enteritis. Mild enteric disease was observed in one group. There was superficial intestinal colonization by the organism but penetration of intestinal epithelial cells was not apparent. C jejuni was isolated from the blood and viscera of inoculated dogs which showed no histological evidence of disease.

Encephalitis in dogs associated with a batch of canine distemper (Rockborn) vaccine

During a period of seven months in 1982-83 cases of postvaccinal encephalitis were recorded in dogs in various parts of Britain after the administration of a particular batch of combined distemper/hepatitis vaccine. Detailed investigations of one of these cases revealed that the distemper component was responsible and the vaccine virus was recovered from the brain of an affected dog.

A study of 31 cases of gastric carcinoma in dogs

Over a five year period 31 dogs were diagnosed as having advanced gastric carcinoma. The most frequent clinical features were vomiting, polydipsia and weight loss. A predisposition to the tumour was found in the rough collie and Staffordshire bull terrier. In 18 dogs the main finding endoscopically was a large deep ulcer with thickened, irregular rims and walls. Fluoroscopically a marked irregularity of the mucosal surface was noted in 10 dogs. Pathologically, large ulcers with thickening of the stomach wall and involvement of the serosal lymphatics were evident in 17 dogs, and similar ulcers with involvement of the gastric lymph nodes were evident in 18 dogs.

Canine parvovirus enteritis 3: Scanning electron microscopical features of experimental infection

A group of 10-week-old puppies was orally inoculated with canine parvovirus of faecal origin. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study and compare the surface topography in both control and inoculated animals. In control dogs the villi were tall and finger-like in shape and numerous irregular transverse circumferential grooves were present on the surface. At higher magnification, the outlines of individual epithelial cells and depressions, interpreted as goblet cells, could be discerned. In the inoculated dogs, scanning electron microscopy changes were first seen at six days after inoculation. The small intestinal mucosa was covered by a thick layer of mucus. The underlying villi were stunted and had lost their surface features. In some instances there was loss of the luminal epithelium, exposing the lamina propria. In addition, there was dilation of the circumvillar basins and the crypt mouths. There appeared to be regenerative changes by day 7 after inoculation. The surface of the small intestinal mucosa was still covered by a thick layer of mucus. Where villi could be discerned, they were short and pointed and transverse grooves could be seen on their surface. There was some hypertrophy of the intervillus ridges. The changes in the surface topography of the small intestinal mucosa following canine parvovirus infection are compared to those seen in enteric infections in other species and the similarity of the lesion to that seen following sublethal irradiation is discussed.

Canine parvovirus enteritis 2: Pathogenesis

Two groups of puppies, eight and 10 weeks of age, were inoculated orally with canine parvovirus of faecal origin. The patterns of faecal excretion of virus, antibody production and systemic viral localisation following inoculation were studied. Faecal excretion of virus was first apparent at day 3 after inoculation, was present most frequently and in greatest quantity at days 4 to 7 after inoculation and fell sharply thereafter. Serum antibody was first detected at day 5 after inoculation with high titres in all samples from day 7 onwards. Virus isolation from serum samples revealed a non-cell associated viraemia at days 3 and 4 after inoculation. Immunocytochemical examination, using both immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase techniques, first revealed antigen in the thymic cortex at day 1 after inoculation and in the germinal centres of the lymph nodes and the splenic white pulp from days 2 and 3. Viral antigen was first detected in the intestines at day 4 in individual cells in the proliferative zone of the crypt epithelium. From day 5 onwards, the amount of antigen present in the lymphoid tissue decreased so that by days 7 and 8, only a trace was present. There was widespread specific staining in the small intestinal mucosa at day 6, but little antigen was present by day 7. Virus was present in the bone marrow of some dogs killed at days 5 and 6.

Canine parvovirus enteritis 1: Clinical, haematological and pathological features of experimental infection

The effect of oral infection of puppies, eight and 10 weeks old, with canine parvovirus of faecal origin was studied. Clinical signs of enteric disease were first apparent at five days after inoculation and persisted during days 6 and 7 after inoculation. The severity of clinical signs varied from transient dullness and anorexia to emesis, dysentery and death. Changes in haematological parameters were first found at day 3 after inoculation when a relative lymphopenia was observed. A profound neutropenia developed in severely affected dogs after the appearance of clinical enteric disease. Post mortem examination revealed thymic atrophy in all dogs killed on day 4 after inoculation. Macroscopic changes in the small intestine were apparent only in animals examined during the phase of severe enteric disease and consisted of thickening, rigidity and congestion of the small intestines. Microscopically there was lymphocytolysis in the thymic cortex and the germinal centres of the lymph nodes from days 2 and 3 after inoculation respectively and this rapidly resulted in depletion of these tissues. There was repopulation of lymph nodes from day 7 after inoculation but significant thymic regeneration was not apparent during the course of this study. In the small intestine, necrosis of crypt epithelium, atrophy of villi and, in some areas, complete collapse of mucosal architecture were found but the extent of these changes varied along the length of the small intestine and between individuals. Regenerative intestinal changes were observed in those animals surviving the acute phase of enteric dysfunction. The variable severity of clinical and enteric lesions, together with the factors which may affect the expression of clinical disease, are discussed.

Unusual vascular ring in a cat: left aortic arch with right ligamentum arteriosum

A young kitten was presented with regurgitation of food at weaning. Episodes of respiratory distress and cyanosis were also present. The cause of food regurgitation was a perioesophageal vascular ring caused by left descending aorta and a right ligamentum arteriosum. This type of vascular ring has not previously been described. There was also anomalous development of the right subclavian artery and a large ventricular septal defect. The respiratory distress and cyanosis was most probably caused by a combination of tracheal compression by the vascular ring and a polycythaemia associated with the ventricular septal defect. Surgical correction was not attempted.

Progressive haematoma of the maxillary sinus in a horse

A nine-and-a-half-year-old three quarters thoroughbred gelding was presented with unilateral epistaxis. The cause was a destructive, progressive haematoma in the left maxillary sinus. In all previous reports of progressive haematomata in the equine nasal cavity, the site of origin has been the ethmoidal labyrinth. Surgical removal of the progressive haematoma resulted in an apparent cure.

Immunity to canine adenovirus respiratory disease: effect of vaccination with an inactivated vaccine

Nine puppies without maternal antibody to canine adenovirus (CAV) were divided into two groups. The first consisted of six puppies, each of which was given two doses of a commercial inactivated CAV-1 vaccine, 14 days apart. Eight days after administration of the second dose of vaccine, all six puppies, together with the second group, consisting of three unvaccinated controls, were challenged with an aerosol of virulent CAV-2. One dog from each group was killed on the third, fifth and 10th days after challenge and the three additional vaccinates killed at intervening times. All of the dogs developed respiratory signs, mainly coughing and tachypnoea, but the vaccinated dogs made a more rapid recovery. The lungs of both groups were consolidated, the areas affected being more extensive in the controls, and histological examination revealed the main lesion to be a severe necrotising bronchiolitis. Virus was isolated from the respiratory tissues and from throat swabs collected from both groups of dogs. The presence of neutralising antibody in the serum was not, of itself, sufficient to control viral replication and oblate the disease.

Patterns of cilia formation in the lower respiratory tract of the dog: a scanning electron microscopic study

A scanning electron microscopic study of the distribution of ciliated cells in the tracheobronchial tree of 25 dogs whose ages ranged from four hours to six months was carried out. In newborn puppies, only the dorsal wall of the trachea was completely ciliated while the lateral and ventral walls showed patchy ciliation. This pattern of cilia formation persisted until five days of age when the whole tracheal wall was found to be completely ciliated. The bronchus of newborn puppies was uniformly poorly ciliated but almost complete ciliation was achieved by two days. Likewise, large and small bronchioles of newborn animals had few cilia and, although the number of ciliated cells had increased by two days, complete ciliation was never observed regardless of the age of the dog. No ciliated cells were found in the respiratory bronchioles of any of the 25 dogs.

Immunity to canine adenovirus respiratory disease: a comparison of attenuated CAV-1 and CAV-2 vaccines

Four litters of puppies were divided into three groups. One group was vaccinated with a live CAV-1 vaccine and another with a live CAV-2 vaccine. Throat swabs were collected from two dogs in each of these groups to monitor the possible excretion of vaccine virus, but none was found. Both groups, together with the third group of unvaccinated controls, were challenged 17 days later with an aerosol of virulent CAV-2. One dog from each group was killed on the third, fourth, seventh, ninth, 11th and 14th days after challenge. The unvaccinated dogs developed a clinical disease characterised by anorexia, dullness, coughing and tachypnoea. The lungs were consolidated and histological examination revealed the main lesion to be a severe necrotising bronchiolitis. Large amounts of virus were present in the respiratory tissues of these dogs and high titres of virus were isolated from throat swabs. In contrast, both groups of vaccinated dogs remained clinically almost normal with minimal lesions, present for a much shorter period of time. Virus was found on day 4 in the respiratory tissues of one dog vaccinated with CAV-1 but the other vaccinated animals contained little or no virus. In general, the degree of protection afforded by CAV-1 vaccine seemed similar to that provided by CAV-2 vaccine.

Canine bordetellosis: chemotherapy using a sulphadiazine-trimethoprim combination

Respiratory disease was induced in young dogs by exposure to an aerosol of Bordetella bronchiseptica. The affected dogs were then treated with a sulphadiazine-trimethoprim combination by daily subcutaneous injection for five days. There was marked improvement in the clinical, bacteriological and pathological features of the respiratory disease during and immediately after the treatment period but treated dogs relapsed a few days after chemotherapy was stopped. The use of a sulphadiazine-trimethoprim combination over a longer period of time may be of value in the treatment of dogs with respiratory disease associated with B bronchiseptica.

Hormone producing ovarian tumours in the dog

In two cases of granulosa cell tumours of the ovary in bitches there was production of sex hormones by the neoplasm. Both tumours produced oestrogens but one also produced significant concentrations of progesterone. In both bitches, the presenting sign was abnormally prolonged oestrus activity. One dog also developed a haemorrhagic diathesis as a result of endogenous oestrogen toxicity.

Diseases produced by feline caliciviruses when administered to cats by aerosol or intranasal instillation

Specific pathogen free cats were infected by two feline calicivirus isolates of different plaque type, an extra-large plaque (ep) former and a minute plaque (mp) former. A comparison was made of the disease produced when these isolates were administered by either aerosol or direct intranasal instillation. With both isolates, aerosol infection produced lesions and gave rise to virus replication throughout the respiratory tract. The effects of intranasal infection were more confined to the upper respiratory tract and oropharynx. By both routes of infection the disease produced by the mp virus was clinically and pathologically less severe than that produced by the ep virus.

Vaccination against canine bordetellosis using an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant vaccine

Six collie dogs, eight weeks old, were inoculated intramuscularly with an aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted preparation of killed Bordetella bronchiseptica; the inoculation was repeated after two weeks. Two weeks after the second inoculation, the vaccinated dogs and a comparable group of six unvaccinated animals were challenged by exposure to an aerosol of pathogenic B bronchiseptica. All six unvaccinated control dogs developed respiratory disease characterised by persistent coughing. In contrast, four of the vaccinated dogs remained free from clinical respiratory disease while, in the other two dogs, disease was less severe and of shorter duration than in controls. At necropsy, there were only slight changes in the lungs of vaccinated dogs but in controls there was a severe tracheobronchitis with areas of exudative pneumonia. Bacteriological examination showed a marked reduction in the numbers of B bronchiseptica isolated from the respiratory tract of vaccinated animals compared with controls. An aluminium hydroxide adjuvant vaccine may be of value in controlling naturally occurring respiratory disease in dogs in which B bronchiseptica is involved.

Vaccination against Bordetella bronchiseptica infection in dogs using a heat-killed bacterial vaccine

A group of eight-week-old dogs was inoculated with a heat-killed suspension of Bordetella bronchiseptica by the intramuscular route on two occasions at an interval of two weeks. All vaccinated animals developed high circulating agglutinin titres by two weeks after the second inoculation at which time the vaccinated dogs and a comparable group of unvaccinated animals were challenged by exposure to an aerosol of live B bronchiseptica. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated dogs subsequently developed clinical respiratory disease characterised by persistent coughing but the onset of disease in vaccinated animals was delayed by up to five days when compared with the controls. B bronchiseptica was isolated from the nasal cavity, tracheobronchial tree and lung parenchyma of vaccinated and control dogs.

Vaccination against canine bordetellosis: protection from contact challenge

Eight collie-cross pups, eight weeks old, were inoculated intramuscularly with an aluminum hydroxide adjuvanted preparation of killed Bordetella bronchiseptica; the inoculation was repeated after two weeks. Two weeks after the second inoculation, the vaccinated dogs and a control group of four unvaccinated animals were placed in contact with a group of five pups of similar age which had been experimentally infected with a pathogenic strain of B bronchiseptica by an aerosol method. All four unvaccinated control dogs as well as all five experimentally infected dogs developed a respiratory disease characterised by persistent coughing. Six of the vaccinated dogs remained free from clinical respiratory disease while disease was less severe and of shorter duration in the remaining two than in controls. Only slight changes were found in the lungs of vaccinated animals at necropsy while in the controls there was a severe tracheobronchitis. There was a marked reduction in the numbers of B bronchiseptica isolated from the respiratory tract of vaccinated animals when compared with controls. An aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted vaccine may be of value in controlling naturally occurring canine respiratory disease in which B bronchiseptica is involved.

Brain abscess associated with a penetrating foreign body

Oropharyngeal foreign bodies are not infrequently encountered in dogs and are usually associated with dysphagia. In this case an oropharyngeal foreign body resulted in nervous signs as a result of penetration of the cranial cavity and the development of a brain abscess.

A study of dogs with kennel cough

A detailed study of a population of dogs with kennel cough was undertaken. Twenty-seven (77 per cent) of a total of 35 dogs had pathological evidence of respiratory disease in the form of tracheobronchitis with, in some animals, exudative pneumonia. A variety of viral and bacterial agents were isolated from the respiratory tract of diseased dogs but Bordetella bronchiseptica and canine parainfluenza virus SV-5 appeared to be the most significant organisms recovered.

Experimental respiratory disease in dogs due to Bordetella bronchiseptica

Young dogs of two age groups, six weeks and 12 weeks respectively, were infected by aerosol with a strain of Bordetella bronchiseptica which had been isolated from a dog with pneumonia. Clinical respiratory disease characterised by coughing and in some cases purulent nasal discharge was induced in both groups of infected dogs and also in dogs kept in contact. B bronchiseptica was recovered from the nasal cavity, trachea, bronchi and lung parenchyma of infected and contact animals. At necropsy, masses of Gram-negative bacteria were found trapped in the cilia of the respiratory epithelia and there was an exudate containing neutrophils in the mucosae of the respiratory tract at all levels. A close similarity was noted between the lesions produced in the dog and those described in pertussis infection in man. Experimental respiratory disease in the dog due to B bronchiseptica may offer a model system for the study of the human disease.