Pancreatitis in a cat demonstrating pancreatic duct dilatation ultrasonographically

A 17-year-old, castrated male domestic shorthair cat presented with nonspecific clinical findings of three days' duration. Complete blood counts and serum biochemistry profiles revealed evidence of hepatic dysfunction. Ultrasonographic evaluation revealed abnormalities consistent with pancreatitis, with suspected pancreatic duct dilatation in the left limb of the pancreas. Surgery and eventual necropsy confirmed a diagnosis of pancreatitis, along with pancreatic duct dilatation. Dilatation of the pancreatic duct may be another ultrasonographic change to look for when suspecting feline pancreatitis.

Skeletal muscle lymphoma in a bullmastiff

A 16-month-old, neutered male bullmastiff was presented for acute onset of massive swelling of the right hind limb. Primary skeletal muscle lymphoma was diagnosed based on cytopathology, surgical biopsy, and necropsy findings. Cutaneous metastases developed during the hospitalization, and additional metastases were found in the heart and thoracic wall. Primary skeletal muscle lymphoma is a rare form of lymphoma in dogs and should be considered as a differential diagnosis for acute, soft-tissue swelling of the limb.

Silicate and metal dust in lungs of Greyhounds

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether the amount of opaque dust in lung specimens increases with age, the composition of that dust, and whether the composition is similar for Greyhounds and pet dogs.

DESIGN

Quantification of lung particulate dust burdens.

ANIMALS

192 Greyhounds and 5 pet dogs.

PROCEDURE

Lung specimens of 192 Greyhounds and 5 pet dogs were examined for dust accumulation, using light microscopy. Lung specimens from Greyhounds and the 5 pet dogs were analyzed, using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy to quantify the lung burden of inorganic particles.

RESULTS

Lung dust burden increased linearly with age. Pulmonary dust was composed of aluminum silicates, silica, and 18 metals. Silicate and metal particulate burdens were higher in Greyhounds than in the pet dogs. The 3 most common metals were iron, titanium, and chromium.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Amount of opaque dust increased with age. The higher pulmonary dust burden in Greyhounds than in pet dogs suggests that environmental exposure is important.

Glomerular ultrastructural lesions of idiopathic cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy of greyhounds

Idiopathic cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV) (Alabama rot) is a potentially fatal disease of unknown etiology that affects the skin and kidneys of racing- and training-age Greyhounds. Ultrastructural examinations were performed on two healthy control Greyhounds and 12 Greyhounds diagnosed with CRGV based on the presence of characteristic, well-demarcated cutaneous ulcers of the extremities (12/12), thrombocytopenia (< 200,000 platelets/dl) (12/12), and acute renal insufficiency (BUN > 40 mg/dl, serum creatinine > 2.0 mg/dl) (7/12). Early glomerular ultrastructural changes included endothelial swelling, detachment, and necrosis; membranous whorl formation; and platelet adhesion and aggregation. Some capillaries were occluded with aggregated platelets, cellular fragments, and fibrin. Later changes included narrowing of capillary lumina and thickening of glomerular capillary walls by subendothelial accumulation of flocculent, amorphous, variable electron-dense material and occasionally erythrocytes, cellular processes, and fibrin. Glomerular endothelial cells were increased in number and plump, with villouslike cytoplasmic projections. Mesangial cell cytoplasmic processes occasionally were interposed between the endothelium and the basement membrane. No etiologic agents or electron-dense deposits typical of immune complexes were observed. Although the specific etiology was not determined, the ultrastructural changes suggest that glomerular endothelial damage is an important early event in the pathogenesis of CRGV.

Body weight, heart weight, and heart-to-body weight ratio in greyhounds

Heart and body weights were obtained from 230 Greyhounds during necropsy. Sex and age were recorded for each Greyhound. Twenty-nine racing and 21 nonracing Greyhounds among the 230 dogs were compared. Heart-to-body weight ratio was calculated. Statistical analysis was done to determine the effects of age, sex, and racing on heart and body weights and heart-to-body weight ratio. In adult Greyhounds, mean +/- SD body weight was 28.4 +/- 3.1 and 31.5 +/- 2.8 kg, heart weight was 355.6 +/- 52.8 and 381.4 +/- 50.8 g, and heart-to-body weight ratio was 1.3 +/- 0.2 and 1.2 +/- 0.2% for females and males, respectively. Heart and body weights were significantly different between sex and age groups and among nonracing and racing males. However, heart-to-body weight ratio was not significantly different among age, sex, or racing groups.

Prognosis of canine mast cell tumors: a comparison of three methods

In this study, age, sex, recurrence, metastasis, death rate, and histologic patterns were in agreement with those of previous reports on canine mast cell tumors. Histologic grading, mitotic index, chromosome nucleolar organizer regions stained with silver (AgNORs), and anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were evaluated as indicators of prognosis. Histologic grading, AgNORs estimated in 100 cells, and PCNA-labeled fraction estimated in five high power fields (HPFs) were significantly different between recurring and nonrecurring tumors. Those prognostic factors were also significantly different between tumors that metastasized and those that did not. The survival time was lower in dogs with mast cell tumors with histologic grade 3 (Patnaik's), AgNOR counts higher than 2.25, and PCNA count in five HPFs higher than 261. The significance of these factors as markers for prognosis determined by logistic regression analysis differed with the time period considered. By combining the three most significant prognostic factors in a prognostic index, three models were obtained to determine the probability of nonrecurrence at 3, 6, and 9 months after surgery. The models were accurate in the prediction of the outcome of up to 80% of mast cell tumors. The use of these models provides a less subjective means of prognosticating mast cell tumors than the use of any one component alone.

Canine mast cell tumors: a comparison of staining techniques

Twelve histochemical methods; affinity staining with avidin peroxidase, wheat germ agglutinin, and concavalin-A agglutinin; and an immunohistochemical stain with Kp1 (CD68) antibody were compared for their relative effectiveness in staining canine mast cell tumors. Stains were compared in 28 mast cell tumors and 19 histiocytomas. The effectiveness of the histochemical methods and the lectins decreased as the mast cells became less differentiated. None of the staining methods were positive on histiocytomas. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) gave positive results in a few cases of mast cell tumors where other histochemical stains were negative. Although avidin peroxidase and Kp1 antibody stained more mast cell tumors than any other method, they did not differ significantly from Luna's method, toluidine blue pH 0.5, toluidine blue pH 4.5, alcian blue pH 2.5, safranin O, Unna's method, and Giemsa. No stain was ideal for the diagnosis of canine mast cell tumors; however, this study suggests that the use of avidin peroxidase, Kp1 antibody, and PAS may give additional information for individual poorly differentiated tumors without substantial increase in time or cost.

Identification of a nasal nematode (Eucoleus boehmi) in greyhounds

Eggs of Eucoleus boehmi were recovered from the faeces of greyhounds from three breeding farms and four racetrack kennels and from those of four greyhounds submitted for necropsy. Diagnosis was dependent on differentiation of the eggs of E. boehmi, E. aerophilus and Trichuris vulpis. Quantitative fecal examinations conducted weekly for 24 weeks in one greyhound suggested that the egg shedding pattern of E. boehmi is cyclical. Nasal swabs failed to reveal eggs of E. boehmi, but nasal washings gave positive results. Because of its small size (15-40 mm) its location within the epithelial lining of the nasal mucosa, turbinates, and sinuses, and difficulty in differentiating the bipolar plugged eggs, E. boehmi probably occurs more often than is currently diagnosed.

Gross and microscopic lesions of 230 Kansas greyhounds

Two hundred thirty greyhounds from Kansas were submitted to Kansas State University for necropsy to identify and document their diseases. Sex distribution was 124 females (1 spayed) and 106 males (1 castrated). Age range was 5 days-150 months. The mean body, heart, and liver weights for adult dogs (> 12 months) were 30 kg, 367 g, and 1,019 g, respectively. Greyhounds were divided into six groups by histories: skeletal injuries, 24 (10%); nonskeletal injuries, 23 (10%); old age (mean = 89 months), 25 (11%); poor performers, 83 (36%); sick, 68 (30%); and no history, 7 (3%). Gross lesions by system were as follows: skin, 85 (37%); lung, 13 (6%); skeletal, 36 (16%); gastrointestinal, 55 (23.9%); central nervous system, 3 (1%); thyroid, 5 (2%); cardiovascular and hemopoietic, 36 (16%); spleen, 30 (13%); male reproductive, 13 (12%); kidney, 9 (4%); liver, 7 (3%); and no gross lesions, 23 (10%). Correlation of the histories to the gross lesions showed that poor performers had the largest number with no gross lesions, the skeletal injury and sick groups had more gastrointestinal changes, and the nonskeletal injury and sick groups had most of the male reproductive abnormalities. Microscopic lesions of the 6 tissues examined were as follows: lung, 21 (9%); small intestine, 15 (6.5%); brain, 6 (3%); heart, 9 (4%); kidney, 57 (24.3%); liver, 26 (11.3%); and no microscopic lesions, 131 (57%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Canine distemper with spinal cord lesions

A case of distemper in a 6-month-old dog is described. The dog was presented with a history of tetraparesis suggestive of trauma. Neurological examination and clinical pathology findings of lymphopenia and pleocytosis suggested a viral cause. Microscopic findings of a nonsuppurative meningoencephalomyelitis with numerous intranuclear inclusions in the cerebellum, brain stem, and all parts of the spinal cord suggested a diagnosis of distemper.

Metastatic granulosa cell tumor in a mare

A 5-year-old Quarter Horse mare was referred for evaluation of an acute non-weightbearing lameness of the left hind limb in which musculoskeletal abnormalities had not been detected. After admission, the mare had signs of colic. Exploratory laparotomy revealed the left ovary to be large, masses in the left sublumbar space, and diffuse infiltration of the mesentery, omentum, liver, and spleen with variably-sized masses. The mare was euthanatized, and granulosa cell tumor was identified on histologic examination of the left ovary, left sublumbar and cranial thoracic lymph nodes, omentum, mesentery, liver, spleen, and lung.

Frozen cadaver. Antemortem versus postmortem

Three categories of skin from Hanford miniature swine were examined microscopically: normal, unfrozen skin; skin exposed to -75 degrees C air for 5 min, 6 h postinjury; and skin frozen postmortem. Frostbitten skin (antemortem freezing) was characterized grossly by a purple discoloration and microscopically by dilated, blood-filled, superficial capillaries. Other changes in the frostbitten skin were vacuolated epithelial cells and dermal edema. Unfrozen skin (controls) and skin frozen postmortem were more difficult to differentiate. However, the epidermis of the latter usually was compressed and more basophilic. We concluded that skin frozen antemortem could be separated from skin frozen postmortem by its intense hyperemia, characterized grossly as a purple discoloration and microscopically by engorged capillaries.

Experimental frost-bite in Hanford Miniature Swine. III. Sweat gland changes

Frost-bite was produced in five Hanford Miniature Swine by exposure to -75 degrees C air for 1, 3, 5, 10 or 20 min. Biopsies were taken at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h and 1, 2 and 15 weeks. Sweat glands were evaluated microscopically and graded: 0, no change to 5, severe change. Sweat gland changes were mild by 1 h and moderate by 24 h for all freeze groups, except the 1-min freeze group. Severe morphological changes were of two types: degeneration/necrosis and squamous metaplasia. These changes suggest that hyperhidrosis, as a sequel to frost-bite, may be more subjective than real and that squamous cell carcinoma, as a delayed sequel to frost-bite, could originate from sweat glands as well as from the epidermis.

Experimental frostbite: freezing times, rewarming times, and lowest temperatures of pig skin exposed to chilled air

Frostbite was produced in the skin of five Hanford Miniature Swine by exposing local areas to chilled air (-75 degrees C) for 1, 3, 5, 10, or 20 min. A copper-constantan thermocouple was inserted into the dermis to measure the temperature. The mean freezing time (the time required to reach 0 degrees C) was approximately 1.9 min. The mean lowest temperatures were 8.8, -15.7, -20.9, -22.5, and -23.4 degrees C for the 1-, 3-, 5-, 10-, and 20-min freezes, respectively. The mean times to rewarm the skin to 25 degrees C were 3.1, 4.5, 5.5, 7.0, and 8.6 min for the 1-, 3-, 5-, 10-, and 20-min freezes, respectively. Significant linear correlations existed between duration of freeze and rewarming times, duration of freeze and lowest temperature, and lowest temperature and rewarming times.

Experimental frost-bite in Hanford Miniature Swine. I. Epithelial changes

Frost-bite lesions were produced in five Hanford Miniature Swine exposed to - 75 degrees C air for 1, 3, 5, 10 or 20 min. Biopsies were taken at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h and 1 and 2 weeks. Two hundred slides were evaluated microscopically: pyknosis, vacuolation, individualization of cells, and degeneration were graded from 0-5; 0, no change; 5, severe change. Necrosis, new epithelium, and microabscesses were recorded as present or absent. Early changes of vacuolation of keratinocytes, individualization of cells and pyknosis increased with biopsy time until 1 week, at which time more severe changes predominated. Intermediate changes of advanced degeneration and dermoepidermal microabscesses were seen at 48 h and 1 and 2 weeks. Late changes of necrosis and epithelial regeneration occurred, both separately or together in the same tissue, at 1 and 2 weeks. Regeneration occurred either as complete replacement of epithelium, or as crescents of new epithelium beneath degenerating epithelium. The results show that necrosis is a late development, so prognosis based on early skin biopsies must be guarded to unfavourable. Furthermore, these findings suggest that cold has a direct effect on epithelial cell membranes.

Microscopic diagnosis from frozen canine tissues

Frozen tissues were studied microscopically to determine their value for diagnostic purposes. Sections were taken from lung, liver, kidney, small intestine, and brain of ten diseased dogs that died or were euthanatized. Some tissues were frozen, held for two or seven days, and then formalin-fixed. Tissues that were formalin-fixed immediately served as controls. Freezing changes such as transudate, cell shrinkage, fractures, hemolysis, and hematin formation were a nuisance, but usually did not prevent making a diagnosis. Viral inclusions, microfilaria, fibrosis, and intestinal bacteria remained distinct.

Effects of freezing and frozen storage on histological characteristics of canine tissues

Frozen tissues were studied histologically to determine what changes were produced by freezing. Samples of brain, lung, liver, small intestine, and kidney from 20 stray dogs were treated in 3 ways: formalin fixation (control), frozen for 2 days plus formalin fixation, or frozen for 7 days plus formalin fixation. Major histological changes caused by freezing were loss of staining, extracellular fluid accumulation, cell shrinkage, fractures, hemolysis, and hematin formation. Lesser changes included loss of bronchial cilia, prominence of collagen in alveolar septa and meninges, and intracellular vacuolization of epithelial cells. Although these changes were annoying, adequate visualization of the tissues was usually possible.

Age-related changes in the cat testis and epididymis

Forty-two pairs of testes and epididymides were obtained from clinically healthy cats and were examined histologically for age-related changes. All of the following testicular features increased with age: thickness of the testicular tunica adventitia, the amount of lipofuscin in the interstitial cell, hyperplasia of interstitial cells, vacuolation of Sertoli cell cytoplasm, degeneration of seminiferous tubules and thickness of the seminiferous tubular basement membrane. Two spermatoceles were found in the oldest cat. Age-related changes in the cat epididymis included increased thickness of the epididymal tunica adventitia, occasional intraepithelial cysts and hyperplasia of the epithelium, and one spermatocele in the head of the epididymal duct. Lymphocytic foci were common in testicular and epididymal connective tissue of cats of all ages and were reactive in the 2 oldest cats. Several changes were most frequent in 3- to 6.9-year-old cats: eosinophilic to amphophilic round cytoplasmic bodies in interstitial cells, proteinaceous tubular luminal debris, and spermatozoa in the epididymal duct. Cats less than 1 year old had significant (P less than 0.05) amounts of seminiferous tubular degeneration and a high percentage of epididymal intraepithelial cysts and hyperplasia.

Determining time of death of a dog by analyzing blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and vitreous humor collected at postmortem

Blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and vitreous humor collected at antemortem and postmortem from 60 dogs were analyzed to determine what chemical value may be used for estimating time of death. Euthanatized dogs were maintained at 4 C, 20 C, or 37 C for 3, 6, 12, 24, or 48 hours. At postmortem, vitreous humor potassium values increased with increased time and increased temperature. Cerebrospinal fluid chloride values decreased; potassium and phosphorus values increased markedly, and calcium and creatinine values increased slightly. Blood potassium, phosphorus, and creatinine values increased; sodium and chloride values decreased. Within 6 hours after death, blood carbon dioxide values decreased to a quarter of values determined at antemortem.

Postmortem biochemical changes in canine blood

Antemortem and postmortem blood samples from 60 dogs were evaluated for sodium, chloride, potassium, urea nitrogen, glucose, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, total protein, albumin, and carbon dioxide levels. Temperatures were 4, 20 and 37 degrees C. Postmortem intervals were 3, 6, 12, and 48 h. Blood urea nitrogen, calcium, and protein values remained stable after death, indicating diagnostic significance. Potassium, creatinine, and phosphorus levels increased with time and sodium, chloride, and total carbon dioxide levels decreased with time; therefore, determining these chemical values could be beneficial in estimating time of death. Glucose values were of limited value.

Postmortem sera and cerebrospinal fluid enzymes

Antemortem and postmortem sera from 60 dogs were evaluated for lipase, amylase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and alanine aminotransferase (AAT); cerebrospinal fluid was examined for AAT and alkaline phosphatase. The postmortem intervals were 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h at temperatures of 4, 20, and 37 degrees C. Amylase levels remained stable at 4 and 20 degrees C and may be beneficial for diagnosing pancreatitis. Lipase levels may be useful as an adjunct to amylase values. Serum alkaline phosphatase values increased with postmortem interval; values were higher at 37 degrees C than at 4 degrees C. Other enzymes were of little value for diagnosis.

Postmortem biochemical changes in canine cerebrospinal fluid

Time and temperature effects on postmortem cerebrospinal fluid samples from 60 adult mongrel dogs were studied. After death the dogs were held at 4, 20, or 37 degrees C for intervals of 3, 6, 12, 24, or 48 h. Antemortem and postmortem cerebrospinal fluid was evaluated for sodium, chloride, potassium, urea nitrogen, glucose, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, and carbon dioxide. Sodium and urea nitrogen values remained stable. Chloride may be of forensic science value. Low levels of postmortem calcium might indicate antemortem hypocalcemia; high levels of postmortem glucose may indicate antemortem hyperglycemia. Calcium and creatinine levels increased slightly but continually after death; carbon dioxide values dropped.

Postmortem biochemical changes in canine vitreous humor

Time and temperature effects on postmortem vitreous humor from 60 adult mongrel dogs were studied. After death the dogs were held at 4, 20, or 37 degrees C for intervals of 3, 6, 12, 24, or 48 h. Antemortem and postmortem vitreous was analyzed for sodium, chloride, potassium, urea nitrogen, glucose, and creatinine. Potassium levels rose with increases in temperature and time. Sodium, chloride, and urea nitrogen values were stable at 4 degrees C for 48 h; they were less stable at higher temperatures. Glucose dropped to less than half within 3 h at all temperatures. Creatinine values were inconsistent. In that postmortem glucose and sodium levels remained below antemortem levels, diagnosis of hyperglycemia and hypernatremia should be possible. Consequently, a diagnosis of hypoglycemia could not be supported; the diagnosis of hyponatremia could be made in the early postmortem period.

Effect of staphylococcal alpha-toxin on the fine structure of pancreatic acinar cells of dogs

Staphylococcal alpha-toxin induced pancreatitis in dogs was studied by electron microscopy. Pancreatic acinar cell injury was indicated by increased vesiculation of endoplasmic reticulum, loss of intracisternal granules, changes in mitochondria, membrane discontinuities and an increased number of dense complex bodies, lipid droplets and free ribosomes.