Luiz Fernando Jantzen Gaspar

Malassezia pachydermatis e outros agentes infecciosos nas otites externas e dermatites em cães

The Malassezia pachydermatis ( Pityrosporum canis) is found in the whole skin microflora. It seems to occur as a consequence of changes in the local microenvironment, such as moist increase, temperature or substrate enhancement, generating a raising on cell quantity, which brings the transition from commensal form to parasitism. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of M. pachydermatis infection and other infectious agents in external otitis and dog dermatitis as well. We also examined 78 samples of dogs suffering from otitis, 36 samples of dogs having normal auditive tube and 24 having dermatitis. All samples were submitted to direct microscopic examination. They were cultured in blood agar, also in Sabouraud agar dextrose with cloranfenicol and cicloheximide. By direct examination showed that 50% of the samples on dogs with otitis and dermatitis 16.6% showed several cels resembling M. pachydermatis. However from healthy ear sample 83.3% did not present cells with this form. M. pachydermatis was isolated on 80.7% of otitis samples, on 25% of normal auditive tube samples and finally, 37.5% of dog dermatitis samples. It was isolated Staphylococcus intermedius, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus sp, Streptococcus sp and Otodectes cynotis from samples of animals with otitis. Cases of dermatites allowed also the isolation of Staphylococcus intermedius, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, Trychophyton mentagophytes and Demodex canis. M. pachydermatis was the most prevalent agent in cases of external otitis and dermatitis, being an opportunistic agent, that cause otitis and dermatitis when thereis a change in the microenvironment

Urethral obstruction by Dioctophyma renale in puppy

The authors describe the occurrence of obstruction of the pelvic urethra in a 6-month-old canine due to a single Dioctophyma renale female parasite. Diagnosis and treatment approaches are discussed.

Gastric pythiosis in a dog

BACKGROUND Pythiosis is caused by the agent Pythium insidiosum, an aquatic oomycete of the kingdom Stramenopila. AIMS To describe the symptoms, pathological changes and diagnosis methods of gastric pythiosis in dogs. METHODS A three-year-old female German shepherd, with access to wetlands, was attended due to vomiting and recurrent diarrhea of 30 days of duration. A palpable mass in the abdomen filling the left epigastric region was identified in the clinical examination. Simple and contrasted radiological examination and ultrasound of abdominal cavity were performed. The animal was referred for exploratory laparotomy for the removal of the mass. The extent of the mass prevented from the excision and the animal was euthanized. Samples of the tumor mass were collected and sent for morphological study and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The changes observed in imaging studies were consistent with gastric pythiosis. In cytology and histopathology, non-septate hyphae were identified, and in immunohistochemistry a strong positivity of anti-Pythium antibodies was observed, confirming the diagnosis of pythiosis. CONCLUSIONS Pythiosis in dogs is diagnosed late and tends to evolve in the animals death. The definitive diagnosis is by cytology, histology and immunohistochemistry.

Resposta adrenocortical em caninos tratados com betametasona e fludrocortisona por via auricular

Twenty four mature mixed-breed dogs, healthy, male and female, of several weights and ages were divided into control, betamethasone and fludrocortisone groups and received 2ml daily of these solutions: 0.9% saline solution, 0.1% betamethasone disodic phosphate and 0.1% fludrocortisone acetate, respectively. The dogs received, twice in day, 0.5ml of corresponding solution into each external ear canal for 14 days. During the treatments were realized collections of data on 7th and 14th day and in post-treatment (seven days later the end of treatments). In these times were obtained blood samples by jugular venopunction, for serologic determination of level serum cortisol pre- and post-ACTH. The pre- and post-ACTH cortisol concentrations of fludrocortisone and betamethasone groups reduced significantly (P<0.05) compared with control, during the experiment. Betamethasone and fludrocortisone by otic administration produce considerable effects in the adrenocortical function.

Nanismo hipofisário em um canino: achados clínicos e laboratoriais

This case report is about dwarfism in a German Shepherd dog, female, 14 months old. Clinical signals are described. The endocrinologic investigation was realized by dosages of plasma levels of growth hormone, pre and post xilazine estimulation. The maximal level of GH post-estimulation was 1ng/dl.