scholarly journals Opisthotonos and unilateral internal hydrocephalus associated with aberrant migration of Serratospiculum sp. or Serratospiculoides sp. in a prairie falcon

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 770-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnaud J. Van Wettere ◽  
Jaqueline P. Kurz ◽  
Amanda Wilhelm ◽  
Jay Dee Ipsen

A juvenile, wild-caught prairie falcon ( Falco mexicanus) kept for falconry was presented to a veterinary hospital for intermittent opisthotonos and torticollis. Clinical examination, complete blood count, serum biochemistry panel, and fecal analysis were unremarkable. Clinical signs did not resolve, and the bird was euthanized 6 mo after the appearance of clinical signs. Autopsy revealed a mild, unilateral hydrocephalus and nematodes within the thoracic air sac. Histopathology demonstrated mild, unilateral hydrocephalus; scattered glial nodules; meningeal nematode sections; and meningeal and intraventricular embryonated eggs. Morphology and molecular characterization were consistent with the air sac nematode Serratospiculum or Serratospiculoides spp. Air sac nematode infection can be associated with air sacculitis or pneumonia in falcons. Aberrant migration of air sac filariid nematodes Serratospiculum or Serratospiculoides spp. into the nervous system resulting in clinical disease is rare, but should be included in the differential diagnosis of neurologic diseases in falcons.

Author(s):  
Tesh M. Smalle ◽  
Alane K. Cahalane ◽  
Liza S. Köster

Gallbladder mucocoele (GBM) is an abnormal, intraluminal accumulation of inspissated bile and/or mucous within the gallbladder. Older, small- to medium-breed dogs seem to be predisposed, but no sex predilection has been identified. Clinical signs are often non-specific and include vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, abdominal pain, icterus and polyuria–polydipsia. Results of a complete blood count may be unremarkable, but serum biochemistry usually reveals increased liver enzymes. The ultrasonographic appearance is diagnostic and well described in the literature. Surgical intervention for the treatment of GBM remains the therapeutic gold standard, with short- and long-term survival for biliary surgery being 66%. The worst outcome is seen in those dogs requiring cholecystoenterostomy. With GBM becoming an apparently increasingly common cause of extrahepatic biliary disease in canines, it is essential that clinicians become familiar with the current literature pertaining to this condition. Numerous predisposing factors are highlighted in this review article and the role of certain endocrinopathies (e.g. hyperadrenocorticism and hypothyroidism) in the development of GBM is touched upon. Furthermore, the aetiopathogenesis of this disease is discussed with reference to the latest literature. Cholecystectomy remains the treatment of choice, but other options are considered based on a current literature review.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 205511691878277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Silveira ◽  
Livia Benigni ◽  
Kaye Gugich ◽  
Janet Kovak McClaran

Case summary A 9-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented with a 2 day history of anorexia and vomiting. A minimum database, including a complete blood count, serum biochemistry profile and urinalysis were unremarkable apart from a toxic neutrophilic left shift and borderline proteinuria. Abdominal ultrasound revealed intramural gas entrapment with thinning of the gastric wall, a hypoechoic pancreas, peritoneal fluid and a small volume of peritoneal gas along with a hyperechoic mesentery. CT was performed and demonstrated gas within the gastric submucosa and gas in the peritoneal cavity. Generalised gastric erythema was present at surgery and histopathology of excised abnormal areas reported gastric erosion with no obvious causative agents; however, pretreatment with dexamethasone may have been a contributing factor. Culture from biopsied gastric tissue was sterile. Clinical signs resolved after partial gastrectomy and medical management. Relevance and novel information Feline gastric pneumatosis is a rare clinical finding. Imaging is essential for diagnosis and to decide on the appropriate treatment; this is often medical but in cases where there is suspicion or evidence of gastric perforation, surgery is indicated. To our knowledge, this is the first case of feline gastric pneumatosis secondary to gastric ulceration, diagnosed via CT and where dexamethasone may have been a contributing factor.


2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 157
Author(s):  
P. G. XENOULIS (Π.Γ. ΞΕΝΟΥΛΗΣ) ◽  
J. M. STEINER

Pancreatitis is the most common disorder of the exocrine pancreas in both dogs and cats. Ante-mortem diagnosis of pancreatitis can be challenging and the majority of cases is believed to remain undiagnosed. Complete blood count, serum biochemistry profile and urinalysis should always be performed in dogs and cats suspected of having pancreatitis, although findings are non-specific for pancreatitis. Abdominal ultrasonography is very useful for the diagnosis of pancreatitis, although the diagnostic utility depends largely on the clinician's experience. Abdominal radiography is a useful diagnostic tool for the exclusion of other diseases that may cause similar clinical signs to those of pancreatitis. Computed tomography has not been shown to be useful for the diagnosis of canine or feline pancreatitis and thus it cannot be recommended. Histopathologic examination of the pancreas is the only method to definitively diagnose pancreatitis, but exclusion of the disease is difficult. Serum amylase and lipase activities are of no clinical value in cats and should not be used for the diagnosis of pancreatitis in this species. In dogs, these tests may still have some clinical utility as an initial approach to animals with suspected pancreatitis. Due to its low sensitivity, serum TLI concentrations are considered of limited usefulness in diagnosing pancreatitis in dogs and cats. Finally, serum PLI concentrations are currently considered to be the most sensitive and specific test for the diagnosis of canine and feline pancreatitis.


2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Thalita Priscila Peres Seabra Da Cruz ◽  
Samara Rosolem Lima ◽  
David Ronald Parra Travagin ◽  
Caroline Argenta Pescador ◽  
Roberto Lopes De Souza

Background: The uterine horn agenesis or aplasia is a rare anomaly consisting of absence or incomplete development of the paramesonephric ducts that origin the uterine horns. This change occurs during fetal formation and may occur concomitantly to agenesis of the ovary and/or ipsilateral kidney. The extra-uterine pregnancy consists of fetal growth outside the uterine cavity and can occur as a tubal or abdominal pregnancy. We report here the case of a 7-years-old mix breed dog, attended at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Mato Grosso, with accidental diagnosis of agenesis of uterine horn and ovaries and ectopic fetal mummifcation.Case: A 7-years-old mix breed dog, not spayed, was attended at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Mato Grosso (HOVET-UFMT), complaining of mucous bloody vaginal discharge. The patient had regular estrus and was multiparous. There was no mating history in the last estrus neither trauma over the past months. In previous pregnancies the patientpresented eutocic labors. On physical examination the dog showed apathy although it was alert, pale mucous membranes, presence of perivulvar blackish secretion and discreet abdominal enlargement. As preoperative exams, a complete blood count, liver and renal function (serum creatinine and alanine aminotransferase) were performed. It has also performedthe abdominal ultrasound examination, which revealed the presence of uterus flled with hypoechoic luminal content and a thickened and irregular wall. The patient was referred to therapeutic ovariohysterectomy (OHE). After anesthesia and antisepsis, the access to the abdominal cavity was made, where there was a mummifed fetus with approximately 15.5 cmfrom neck to tail set, equivalent to 57 days of gestation. After removal of the papyraceus fetus, the uterus was found and then, when exposed, there was only the left uterine horn flled by content and ovarie, both were removed. After inspection, the synthesis of the abdominal cavity was carried out as the routine. During the postoperative period, the patient had no complications or other clinical signs similar to those observed in the initial presentation. Antibiotic (enrofloxacin 5 mg/kg every 12h), analgesic (dipyrone 20 mg/kg every 8 h) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (meloxicam 0.2 mg/kg every 24 h) were prescribed. The fetus and uterus were sent to the Veterinary Pathology UFMT Laboratory (PVL-HOVET).The fetus was covered by omentum and fat. After the initial incision, there was a hard fbrous capsule surrounding the mummifed fetus. There were no recent signs of rupture or scarring resulting from previous trauma in the uterus. Its size was 15x4.8x2.8 cm and it was flled out with mucus bloody brownish secretion (pyometra). Microscopically, had purulent inflammatory infltrate, diffuse and severe in mucosa and submucosa associated with cell debris and moderate hyperplasia glands containing microabscesses inside.Discussion: Reports of extra-uterine fetal mummifcation in dogs and cats are scarce. Even being reported infrequently in dogs if congenital uterine and ovarian abnormalities are found during surgery, a detailed inspection of the abdominal cavity should be performed in order to rule out the possible presence of the ipsilateral ovary. Even with the lack of specifc clinical signs, fetal ectopy can be diagnosed through a detailed clinical examination and image exams. Exploratory laparotomy can be used as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool, since the treatment is the excision of ectopic tissue and OHE in cases of uterine rupture.Keywords: aplasia, fetus, mummifcation, unicornuate uterus.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 747-756
Author(s):  
Jéssica Fontes Veloso ◽  
◽  
Leonardo Sauer ◽  
Lohana Mehnati Costa e Silva ◽  
Samantha Gusmão Pellizzoni ◽  
...  

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is an important virus that can be differentiated into two serotypes: feline enteric coronavirus (FECoV) and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) virus (FIPV). Researchers have suggested that a mutation of FECoV to FIPV leads to the emergence of FIP, a disease with worldwide distribution and a high mortality rate. Furthermore, in December 2019, a human infectious disease, coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), which is also caused by a coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) emerged, and clarity regarding its relationship with FCoV remains lacking. Studies have shown that cats are susceptible to infection with this novel coronavirus (i.e., SARS-CoV-2). The aim of the present study was to detect and semi-quantify the presence of feline antibodies to FIPV in cats examined at the Veterinary Hospital of Santa Cruz State University, microregion of Ilhéus and Itabuna, Bahia, Brazil, between January and April 2018. Blood samples were collected from 68 domestic cats to perform complete blood count (CBC) and biochemical tests, and an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used to detect FCoV infection. Of the 68 samples evaluated, seropositivity was observed in 4.4% (3/68) at titers of 1:20; only one sample remained seropositive at titers of 1:40 and 1:80. Two positive animals exhibited CBC and biochemical values within the normal range, while the other positive animals exhibited a mild decrease in platelet count (173,000 uL-1), mild lymphocytosis (7395 uL-1), and mildly increased alkaline phosphatase level (134 uL-1). Twelve months after the tests, none of the positive animals exhibited clinical signs consistent with FIP. Although the IFAT can facilitate diagnosis of FPIV, it cannot be used to differentiate antibodies for the FECoV and FIPV serotypes. Results of the present study demonstrated that FCoV was present in the population studied, and is an important risk factor for the development of FIP. In addition, the new COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of studies investigating FCoV because it was not possible to rule out, until now, the possibility of FCoV mutations in infected cats if it encounters SARS-CoV-2.


2021 ◽  
pp. 002367722110185
Author(s):  
Brian J Smith ◽  
Patrick W Hanley ◽  
Ousmane Maiga ◽  
Maarit N Culbert ◽  
Marissa J Woods ◽  
...  

Complete blood count, serum chemistry values, and biological reference intervals were compared between two age groups (34–49 and 84–120 days old) of healthy male and female laboratory raised natal multimammate mice ( Mastomys natalensis). Blood was collected via cardiocentesis under isoflurane anesthesia. Data sets of machine automated complete blood counts and clinical chemistries were analyzed. Significant differences between sex and age groups of the data sets were defined. The baseline hematologic and serum biochemistry values described here can improve interpretation of laboratory research using natal multimammate mice.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1098612X2110137
Author(s):  
James R Templeman ◽  
Kylie Hogan ◽  
Alexandra Blanchard ◽  
Christopher PF Marinangeli ◽  
Alexandra Camara ◽  
...  

Objectives The objective of this study was to verify the safety of policosanol supplementation for domestic cats. The effects of raw and encapsulated policosanol were compared with positive (L-carnitine) and negative (no supplementation) controls on outcomes of complete blood count, serum biochemistry, energy expenditure, respiratory quotient and physical activity in healthy young adult cats. Methods The study was a replicated 4 × 4 complete Latin square design. Eight cats (four castrated males, four spayed females; mean age 3.0 ± 1.0 years; mean weight 4.36 ± 1.08 kg; mean body condition score 5.4 ± 1.4) were blocked by sex and body weight then randomized to treatment groups: raw policosanol (10 mg/kg body weight), encapsulated policosanol (50 mg/kg body weight), L-carnitine (200 mg/kg body weight) or no supplementation. Treatments were supplemented to a basal diet for 28 days with a 1-week washout between periods. Food was distributed equally between two offerings to ensure complete supplement consumption (first offering) and measure consumption time (second offering). Blood collection (lipid profile, complete blood count, serum biochemistry) and indirect calorimetry (energy expenditure, respiratory quotient) were conducted at days 0, 14 and 28 of each period. Activity monitors were worn 7 days prior to indirect calorimetry and blood collection. Data were analyzed using a repeated measures mixed model (SAS, v.9.4). Results Food intake and body weight were similar among treatments. There was no effect of treatment on lipid profile, serum biochemistry, activity, energy expenditure or respiratory quotient ( P >0.05); however, time to consume a second meal was greatest in cats fed raw policosanol ( P <0.05). Conclusions and relevance These data suggest that policosanol is safe for feline consumption. Further studies with cats demonstrating cardiometabolic risk factors are warranted to confirm whether policosanol therapy is an efficacious treatment for hyperlipidemia and obesity.


Toxins ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliane Dallegrave ◽  
Eliane Taschetto ◽  
Mirna Bainy Leal ◽  
Flavia Techera Antunes ◽  
Marcus Gomez ◽  
...  

Phα1β, a purified peptide from the venom of the spider Phoneutria nigriventer, and its recombinant form CTK 01512-2 are voltage-dependent calcium channel (CaV) blockers of types N, R, P/Q, and L with a preference for type N. These peptides show analgesic action in different pain models in rats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute intrathecal toxicity of the native and recombinant Phα1β toxin in Wistar rats. Clinical signs, serum biochemistry, organ weight, and histopathological alterations were evaluated in male and/or female rats. Dyspnea was observed in males, hyporesponsiveness in females, and Straub tail and tremors in both genders. There were no significant differences in male organ weight, although significant differences in the female relative weight of the adrenal glands and spleen have been observed; these values are within the normal range. Serum biochemical data revealed a significant reduction within the physiological limits of species related to urea, ALT, AST, and FA. Hepatic and renal congestion were observed for toxin groups. In renal tissue, glomerular infiltrates were observed with increased glomerular space. These histological alterations were presented in focal areas and in mild degree. Therefore, Phα1β and CTK 01512-2 presented a good safety profile with transient toxicity clinical signals in doses higher than used to obtain the analgesic effect.


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