Brain magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography findings in cats and dogs with central nervous system cryptococcosis in Australia: 23 cases (2009-2020).

Objective: To describe the imaging findings in Australian cats and dogs with CNS cryptococcosis.

Animals: 23 cases (10 cats; 13 dogs) with CNS cryptococcosis and brain MRI or CT studies available to review.

Methods: Retrospective, multi-institutional case series.

Clinical features, outcomes, and long-term survival times of cats and dogs with central nervous system cryptococcosis in Australia: 50 cases (2000-2020).

Objective: To describe the clinical findings and outcomes of Australian cats and dogs with CNS cryptococcosis.

Animals: 19 cats and 31 dogs with CNS cryptococcosis diagnosed between 2000 and 2020.

Procedures: A case series and cohort study were performed using the same 50 animals.

Biology, diagnosis and treatment of Malassezia dermatitis in dogs and cats Clinical Consensus Guidelines of the World Association for Veterinary Dermatology.

Background: The genus Malassezia is comprised of a group of lipophilic yeasts that have evolved as skin commensals and opportunistic cutaneous pathogens of a variety of mammals and birds.

Objectives: The objective of this document is to provide the veterinary community and other interested parties with current information on the ecology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of skin diseases associated with Malassezia yeasts in dogs and cats.

Methods And Material: The authors served as a Guideline Panel (GP) and reviewed the literature available prior to October 2018.

Successful use of topical mitomycin C for the treatment of a putative neoplastic vascular mass on the nictitating membrane of a dog.

A nine-year-old female desexed Great Dane presented with a painful, proliferative, soft red putative neoplastic vascular mass on the nictitating membrane. Three 7-day cycles of the topical cytotoxic drug mitomycin C 0.04%, applied four times daily to the lesion using a low-dose alternate-week pulse therapy, brought about rapid remission of the lesion.

Concurrent spinal epidural empyema and endocarditis in a dog.

A 9-year-old neutered male Rhodesian ridgeback cross dog was evaluated for progressive non-ambulatory paraparesis, fever, and leukocytosis. The dog was diagnosed with spinal epidural empyema (SEE) and infectious endocarditis (IE) of the mitral valve based on the findings of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), CT myelography, echocardiography, and bacterial culture. The report herein describes the clinical presentation, CT findings, clinical and surgical management of this case, together with the electrocardiography, and echocardiography findings.

Canine intranasal tumours treated with alternating carboplatin and doxorubin in conjunction with oral piroxicam: 29 cases.

Few veterinary studies have evaluated the response to chemotherapy treatment of canine intranasal tumours, while many have focused on the efficacy of radiation therapy. Given the higher costs and limited access to radiation therapy, alternative treatment options are needed. The study describes a cohort of dogs with histologically confirmed intranasal tumours treated with chemotherapy as a sole therapy.

Hypoglycemia in dogs: Causes, management, and diagnosis.

Hypogylcemia in dogs is defined as a blood glucose concentration of less than 3.3 mmol/L (60 mg/dL) and is a relatively common problem encountered in veterinary practice. This metabolic disorder can have an array of clinical signs, ranging from subtle abnormalities to a life-threatening emergency.

Type 1 immune-mediated polyarthritis in dogs and lack of a temporal relationship to vaccination.

Objectives: To investigate whether there is a temporal relationship between vaccination and the onset of type 1 immune-mediated polyarthritis in dogs.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective case-control study: 39 dogs from a referral hospital with a diagnosis of type 1 immune-mediated polyarthritis were age-matched with 78 control dogs with other diagnoses. A temporal association between vaccination and polyarthritis was considered positive if recent vaccination had been performed within 28 days of the onset of clinical signs of immune-mediated polyarthritis.

Diagnostic accuracy of pre-treatment biopsy for grading cutaneous mast cell tumours in dogs.

Mast cell tumours (MCTs) are common tumours of the canine skin, and are estimated to represent up to 20% of all skin tumours in dogs. Tumour grade has a major impact on the incidence of local recurrence and metastatic potential. In addition to helping the clinician with surgical planning, knowledge of the tumour grade also assists in proper prognostication and client education.

Therapeutic effectiveness of calcineurin inhibitors in canine vesicular cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

Background: Oral and topical calcineurin inhibitors (CIs) have been reported to lead to complete lesion remission in several dogs with vesicular cutaneous lupus erythematosus (VCLE).

Objectives: To report retrospectively on the effectiveness and adverse effects of systemic (ciclosporin) and/or topical (tacrolimus/pimecrolimus) CIs in 11 dogs with VCLE.

Methods: Inclusion criteria were: (i) presence of characteristic annular, polycyclic or serpiginous ulcerations distributed over the groin, axillae and/or ventral abdomen; (ii) a histopathological diagnosis of VCLE (i.

A vesicular (blistering) skin condition in a dog following putative contact exposure to Plumbago auriculata.

Case Report: A 2-year-old male Airedale Terrier was presented with an acute and painful, predominantly ventral, vesicular skin eruption following putative dermal contact with Plumbago auriculata (Sky Flower, Leadwort). Prompt dermal decontamination and supportive therapy brought about a rapid recovery in the patient.

Conclusion: Contact with botanical triggers is an important consideration for causes of acute vesicular skin conditions in dogs.

Prolonged survival of a cat diagnosed with feline infectious peritonitis by immunohistochemistry.

A 4-year-old, neutered male, British shorthair cat was presented with inappetence, vomiting, hyperproteinemia, and hyperglobulinemia. An exploratory celiotomy identified enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. Immunohistochemistry of lymph node biopsies confirmed feline infectious peritonitis.

Canine cerebrospinal fluid total nucleated cell counts and cytology associations with the prevalence of magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities.

Introduction: The combination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are often used to investigate intracranial disease in dogs. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine if the total nucleated cell count (TNCC) or cytology findings in abnormal CSF are associated with the prevalence of MRI abnormalities.

Materials And Methods: For each case, the TNCC was categorized into one of three groups: A (<25×10/L); B (25-100×10/L); and C (>100×10/L).

Leucocyte adhesion deficiency III in a mixed-breed dog.

Background: Leucocyte adhesion deficiencies are inherited disorders characterised by immunodeficiency leading to recurrent infections and a marked leucocytosis. We describe the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and management of an Australian mixed- breed dog with leucocyte adhesion deficiency III.

Case Report: A 16-month-old male, neutered, German Shepherd × Rottweiler dog was investigated for pyrexia, persistent leucocytosis, marked periodontal disease, lameness, increased mucosal haemorrhages and poor wound healing.

Tumor thrombus formation in two dogs with insulinomas.

Case Description: A 9-year-old sexually intact male Staffordshire Bull Terrier and a 9-year-old neutered male Boxer were evaluated for intermittent neurologic signs including muscle tremors, ataxia, episodic collapse, disorientation, and seizures.

Clinical Findings: Both dogs had low blood glucose and high serum insulin concentrations. Results of abdominal ultrasonography were unremarkable for both dogs.

Effect of pimobendan on the clinical outcome and survival of cats with non-taurine responsive dilated cardiomyopathy.

This retrospective study was designed to assess the effect of pimobendan on the median survival time (MST) of cats with non-taurine responsive dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Thirty-two client-owned cats with a left ventricular internal dimension at end systole (LVIDs) >14 mm, a fractional shortening (FS) <28% and a lack of response to taurine therapy were included over a 9-year period (2001-2010). These cats were divided into pimobendan (n=16) and non-pimobendan (n=16) treatment groups.

Lung lobe torsion in association with a chronic diaphragmatic hernia and haemorrhagic pleural effusion in a cat.

Unlabelled: CLINICAL SUMMARY: This report describes torsion of the right cranial lung lobe in a cat with haemorrhagic pleural effusion and a chronic diaphragmatic hernia. Surgical treatment comprising lung lobectomy without de-rotation, and repair of the diaphragmatic defect, led to an uneventful recovery.

Practical Relevance: Lung lobe torsion is a rare condition in cats.

CCNU (lomustine) toxicity in dogs: a retrospective study (2002-07).

Objective: To describe the incidence of haematological, renal, hepatic and gastrointestinal toxicities in tumour-bearing dogs receiving 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU).

Design: The medical records of 206 dogs that were treated with CCNU at the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre between February 2002 and December 2007 were retrospectively evaluated.

Results: Of the 206 dogs treated with CCNU, 185 met the inclusion criteria for at least one class of toxicity.

Combination CCNU and vinblastine chemotherapy for canine mast cell tumours: 57 cases.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a CCNU and vinblastine chemotherapy protocol for canine mast cell tumours. Fifty-seven tumours in 56 dogs were evaluated, 37 had macroscopic disease and 20 had microscopic disease. A 57% response rate was seen in dogs with macroscopic disease for a median duration of 52 weeks.

Cytological examination and physical characteristics of the anal sacs in 17 clinically normal dogs.

Objective: To quantify numbers of leucocytes, keratinocytes and microorganisms in, as well as the turgidity, colour and consistency of, anal sac exudates in clinically normal dogs.

Design: Selection criteria were formed based on the absence of clinical signs associated with anal sac disease, and the absence of factors potentially affecting colonic flora. Anal sacs were palpated for turgidity then expressed onto a swab, where colour and consistency were noted.

Cyclosporin: applications in small animal dermatology.

Cyclosporin has been increasingly used for the treatment of skin diseases in small animals. Reported uses include the treatment of atopy, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, feline acquired alopecia resembling pseudopelade of humans, pemphigus erythematosus, pemphigus foliaceus, perianal fistulae and sebaceous adenitis. In addition, cyclosporin has been used anecdotally for several other skin diseases.

Hiatal hernia controversies--a review of pathophysiology and treatment options.

Objective: To provide a detailed discussion of the aetiology and pathophysiology of hiatal hernia in both humans and small animals, and review current medical and surgical treatments.

Design: Review article.

Summary: Hiatal hernia is not completely understood in humans or animals.