Andrei Kelliton Fabretti

Doença vestibular em cães: 81 casos (2006-2013)

Eighty-one cases of vestibular disease in dogs were diagnosed by the neurology service in a veterinary teaching hospital in southern Brazil from 2006 to 2013. Approximately 2/3 of these cases were interpreted as central vestibular disease (CVD) with the remaining cases being considered as peripheral vestibular disease (PVD). Pure breed dogs, especially Dachshunds (PVD) and Boxers (CVD) were more affected than mixed breed dogs. The main clinical signs observed in cases of CVD and PVD included head tilt, vestibular ataxia, and ventral or ventrolateral strabismus. Proprioceptive deficits, cranial nerve V-XII dysfunction, and changes in the levels of conscience were observed only in cases of CVD, whereas absence of palpebral reflex occurred only in cases of PVD. Inflammatory or infectious diseases, especially canine distemper and bacterial otitis were the most commonly observed conditions associated with CVD and PVD, respectively. This article establishes the epidemiology (sex, age, and breed) and prevalence of clinical signs related to canine vestibular disease in the Central Rio Grande do Sul State; discusses the use of the clinical findings in the correct diagnosis and differentiation between CVD and PVD; and defines the main specific diseases responsible for the occurrence of CVD and PVD in dogs.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Erythrocytosis in a Dog: A Case Report.

Primary erythrocytosis, or polycythemia vera, is a myeloproliferative disease caused by the exaggerated increase of erythroid precursor cells in the bone marrow. We report the case of an 11-year-old male mixed-breed dog that had tachypnea and spastic tetraplegia. There was a significant increase in hematocrit. After phlebotomy and fluid therapy, the dogs condition improved. A diagnosis of primary erythrocytosis was supported by serum levels of erythropoietin. The dog responded well to treatment with administration of hydroxyurea (15 mg/kg), phlebotomies, and fluid therapy. However, after 18 months, he had an acute recurrence of clinical signs and was euthanized. We observed that long-term maintenance with hydroxyurea at a dosage of 15 mg/kg every 48 hours was adequate for managing polycythemia vera, with a survival time of 18 months in the present case. However, longer dose intervals are likely not appropriate. We believe that this may be helpful to other veterinarians facing the same problems in the treatment of polycythemia vera.