Tick-borne encephalitis virus seropositive dog detected in Belgium: screening of the canine population as sentinels for public health.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is an important emerging tick-borne viral infection of humans and dogs in Europe. Currently, TBEV surveillance is virtually nonexistent in Belgium, which is considered nonendemic. A commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adapted for the detection of TBEV-specific IgG-antibodies in canine sera.

Sero-epidemiological study of the presence of hantaviruses in domestic dogs and cats from Belgium.

Hantaviruses are worldwide rodent-borne pathogens infecting humans and other animals mainly through inhalation of aerosols contaminated with rodent excreta. Few data are available on hantavirus serology and geographical distribution in dogs and cats. We therefore screened sera from pet dogs (N=410) and cats (N=124) in two regions of Belgium, using IgG ELISA and IFA.

Nasal swelling due to plasma cell infiltrate in a cat without plasma cell pododermatitis.

A cat with an upper respiratory infection was presented for examination. Close examination of the face revealed a firm, haired rounded swelling on the bridge of the nose. Serum protein electrophoresis demonstrated a mild hypergammaglobulinaemia.

Diesel oil-induced alopecia in two cats.

Two cats were presented for acute onset of rapidly progressive, bilaterally symmetrical hair loss of the ventrum and limbs. Alopecia occurred within 2 weeks after accidental skin exposure to diesel oil. The remaining hair epilated easily in affected areas.