Two Great Danes were evaluated for signs of congestive heart failure. Dilated cardiomyopathy was diagnosed in each dog. Both dogs were diagnosed concurrently with primary hypothyroidism. Following appropriate supplementation with levothyroxine, both dogs showed significant improvement in myocardial contractility, as demonstrated by increased fractional shortening and reductions in left atrial size, and left ventricular end-systolic and diastolic diameters. These observations suggest that hypothyroidism may lead to myocardial failure in Great Danes that is partially or fully reversible following thyroid hormone replacement therapy, and that hypothyroidism should be considered in all Great Danes presenting with systolic failure.

The treatment records of 30 dogs with lupoid onychodystrophy were evaluated retrospectively. Dogs were treated with fatty acid supplementation (n=18), doxycycline and niacinamide (n=12), tetracycline and niacinamide (n=10), pentoxifylline (n=6), prednisolone (n=5), azathioprine (n=1), clofazimine (n=1), or with combinations thereof. An excellent response was seen in almost half of the patients treated with tetra- or doxycycline in combination with niacinamide. Six of the dogs were maintained successfully on fatty acid supplementation. Spontaneous remissions and recurrences made evaluation of success rates difficult and emphasized the varied and often unclear etiology and natural course of the syndrome.

Thirteen dogs with prostatic abscesses and cysts were treated using percutaneous ultrasound-guided drainage. Eight dogs were diagnosed with prostatic abscesses and five with cysts on the basis of cytopathological examination and bacterial culture of the prostatic fluid. Antibiotic therapy, based on culture and sensitivity results, was administered for a minimum of 4 weeks. Intact dogs were castrated after initial drainage. Repeat ultrasonography of the prostate was performed every 1 to 6 weeks, and any residual cavitary lesions were drained and fluid analysis repeated. The median number of drainage procedures required to completely resolve the lesions was two (range, one to four). No complications were observed after drainage, and clinical signs resolved in all dogs. None of the dogs developed clinical signs of recurrent abscesses or cysts in the follow-up period (median, 36 months; range, 10 to 50 months). Ultrasound-guided, percutaneous drainage of prostatic abscesses and cysts appears to be a useful alternative to surgical treatment in select dogs.

Chronic esophagitis due to gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is rarely reported in the cat. This paper describes the clinical signs and diagnostic findings, including radiographic, endoscopic, and histopathological abnormalities, in three young, purebred, male cats with esophagitis presumed to be secondary to GER. Clinical signs included regurgitation, dysphagia, and weight loss. Contrast radiography revealed GER, esophageal dilatation, and decreased motility. Endoscopy showed hyperemia, increased vascularity, ulcers, erosion, and an abnormal lower esophageal sphincter. Histopathological lesions included squamous hyperplasia and dysplasia, erosions, ulcers, and an inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and neutrophils. Long-term follow-up demonstrated progression of the disease in two of the cats.

Cases diagnosed with portosystemic shunting between the years 1993 and 2001 were reviewed. Sensitivities of screening tests and abdominal ultrasonographic evaluation for the detection of portosystemic shunting were evaluated. Prognosis for surgically treated shunts was also evaluated. Results indicated that both paired serum bile acids and blood ammonia levels were useful screening tests for portosystemic shunting. However, paired bile acid tests were significantly more sensitive than blood ammonia levels. Overall postoperative mortality rates for extrahepatic shunts and intrahepatic shunts were 8.7% and 20%, respectively. Postoperative mortality rates were slightly higher for animals treated with partial ligation when compared to those treated with ameroid ring placement, although this did not reach statistical significance. Long-term complication rates for animals with single extrahepatic portosystemic shunts treated with complete ligation, ameroid ring placement, and partial ligation alone were 9%, 15.4%, and 42%, respectively. Animals >2 years of age with extrahepatic shunts had almost identical postoperative mortality and long-term complication rates as animals ≤2 years of age. No animal in this study had paired bile acid samples within the reference range postoperatively, indicating continued abnormal liver function after surgery.

Two dogs were emaciated and hypoalbuminemic due to protein-losing enteropathy associated with a severe, focal, mucoid, cryptal ectasia of the duodenum and marked villus atrophy. In one case, diseased portions of the duodenum were obvious endoscopically and were limited to discrete, focal areas in the small intestine, with apparently more undiseased tissue than diseased tissue being present. The signs and lesions in one dog resolved after initiating combination dietary and pharmacological therapy.

A placebo-controlled experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of potassium bromide on the canine thyroid gland. Basal total thyroxine, free thyroxine, and basal thyrotropin serum concentrations were evaluated over a 6-month period in potassium bromide-treated and control dogs. A thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test was also performed in all dogs at the beginning and conclusion of the study. Thyroid histopathology was compared between treated and control dogs at the end of the study. No difference was detected in any parameter between the two groups at the end of the study. A decline in thyroid hormone concentrations over the course of the study did occur in both groups of dogs. Potassium bromide does not appear to have a significant effect on canine thyroid function or morphology.

Two dogs presented with severe, peracute-onset, neurological signs. Neuroanatomical localization was cerebellovestibular. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed and revealed focal, wedge-shaped lesions in the cerebellum. Diagnosis of cerebellar infarctions was made based on peracute-onset, clinical signs, MRI, and outcome as well as ancillary diagnostic information. Both dogs recovered completely. Cerebellar infarction should be included in the differential of any dog with peracute-onset, central cerebellovestibular signs regardless of severity of clinical signs. Outcome was excellent in these dogs.

Seven bandage configurations were placed on the right forepaw of six English pointer dogs to evaluate the effects that configurations have on reducing pad pressure. The “clam shell” configuration resulted in less pressure being applied to all palmar pad surfaces. For the major weight-bearing pad, a basic paw bandage with an intermediate compressible foam sponge that had a hole under the major weight-bearing pad, combined with a metal splint paw cup under the sponge, resulted in a significantly lower pressure recording than for other bandage configurations. Digital pads 3 and 5 had the greatest pressure in a basic bandage configuration. Based on pressures on these pads, a basic paw bandage with an intermediate compressible foam sponge under the major weight-bearing pad, with or without a metal splint paw cup under the sponge, helped elevate the digits to relieve pressure on them. Placing a foam sponge pad, with or without a splint paw cup under the palmar paw surface, also provided less pressure on these pads.