S. Vandenabeele

Hypercortisolism affects glomerular and tubular function in dogs.

Renal function was assessed in 25 dogs with Cushings syndrome and in 12 healthy controls. Routine renal parameters and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured and urinary biomarkers such as urinary albumin (uALB), urinary immunoglobulin G (uIgG), and urinary retinol-binding protein (uRBP) were assessed by ELISA. Urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase activity (uNAG) was determined colorimetrically. All urinary markers were indexed to urinary creatinine concentration (c). Plasma exo- (Cl(exo)) and endo-iohexol (Cl(endo)) clearance were used to measure GFR. Based on a Mann-Whitney U test, urea and Cl(exo) did not differ, sCr was significantly lower, and UPC, uALB/c, uIgG/c, uRBP/c, uNAG/c and Cl(endo) were higher in the dogs with Cushings syndrome when compared with controls. The findings indicate that glomerular and tubular function are both altered in dogs with Cushings syndrome. Further longitudinal studies will be required to elucidate the pathogenesis of the changes in GFR.

USE OF HYPOSENSITIZATION INJECTIONS TO CONTROL SEASONAL PRURITUS IN A BACTRIAN CAMEL (CAMELUS BACTRIANUS)

Abstract A 9-yr-old, female Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) developed severe pruritus in June 1993. During the next 8 yr, the camel exhibited annual episodes of pruritus and epiphora, generally beginning in June and subsiding in October of each year. These signs could usually be controlled with topical agents and fly repellents, although pruritus flare-ups were effectively controlled with intermittent injections of diphenhydramine and corticosteroids. There were no signs during the colder months. The pruritus became more severe and difficult to control when the camel reached its 18th year. Histopathologic descriptions of skin biopsies taken from several sites suggested a hypersensitivity reaction with secondary changes because of bacterial infection or corticosteroid administration (or both). An intradermal test (IDT) performed using 62 allergens regionalized to Northern California resulted in 17 positive test sites. Hyposensitization therapy was initiated using allergens chosen on the basis of exposure, availability, and the results of the IDT, using standard protocols. The clinical signs of pruritus were markedly reduced in the 2 yr after the hyposensitization injections were initiated.

Cutaneous adverse drug reaction in a dog associated with imepitoin

BACKGROUNDnThe macroscopic appearance of cutaneous adverse drug reactions can be similar to a plethora of skin diseases and in particular may resemble autoimmune and immune-mediated disorders. The reaction can occur after single or multiple administrations, with the latter varying in durations of up to years of treatment. These reactions are mostly self-limiting with cessation of the offending drug.nnnOBJECTIVESnTo report a cutaneous adverse drug reaction associated with chronic administration of imepitoin.nnnCASE REPORTnA 4-year-old, Jack Russell terrier dog was presented with progressive skin lesions of 1-week duration. The dog had a 6 month history of idiopathic epilepsy treated with imepitoin for the previous 5 months. Imepitoin is an anti-epileptic drug that acts as a low-affinity partial agonist of the benzodiazepine site at the GABAA receptor. The dosage of imepitoin was increased from 20 mg/kg twice daily to 30 mg/kg twice daily, 3 days before the onset of skin lesions, due to uncontrolled seizures. [Correction added on 15 February 2016 after first online publication: In the preceding sentence, the dosage of imepitoin was previously incorrect and has been amended in this current version.] Dermatological examination revealed erythema and exfoliation at the mucocutaneous junctions of the lips, lip folds, philtrum, ears, axillae and the ventral abdomen. Small erosions and depigmentation were visible on the oral mucosa, lip folds and philtrum. Histopathology was supportive of a lupoid drug reaction. Complete resolution of skin lesions was seen after discontinuation of imepitoin and low dose of prednisolone during a period of 4 weeks. No recrudescence of skin lesions was observed during a 6 month follow-up period.nnnCONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCEnImepitoin may result in cutaneous adverse drug reactions in dogs.

Immunohistochemical localization of fibroblast growth factor 18 in hair follicles of healthy beagle dogs

Increasing emphasis is being placed on the role of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in hair follicle cycling. In mice, expression of FGF18 mRNA peaks during the late telogen phase, leading to the hypothesis that FGF plays a role in anagen induction. There are no data on the presence of FGF18 in dogs. The main objective of this study was to identify and locate FGF18 in the canine hair follicle. The second objective was to assess potential differences in FGF18 concentration between biopsies taken in winter and summer, shoulder and flank regions, and between different sexes. Skin tissue from 10 healthy beagle dogs (three intact females, three spayed females and four intact males) was collected from the shoulder and flank. The biopsies were collected in February and August on day 0, after which the dogs were clipped and biopsies collected again from the shoulder and flank on days 1, 3, 7 and 17. Paraffin sections (4 μm thick) of the biopsies were stained with an anti-FGF18 antibody. The FGF18-positive cells were counted in the hair follicle epithelium from seven follicular units of each biopsy. Fibroblast growth factor 18 was detected as granular cytoplasmatic staining in follicles at the level of the inner root sheath, and rarely in the outer root sheath and dermal papilla. It was also detected in the apocrine glands, in arrector pili muscles and in vascular endothelial cells. There was no statistical difference in the number of FGF18-positive cells or follicles between sexes, different anatomical locations, seasons or the consecutive days of sampling.

Biomechanical properties of celiotomy wounds closed with tape and cyanoacrylate versus intradermal sutures

OBJECTIVEnTo compare cutaneous wound closure with mesh and 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (MOC) vs an intradermal suture pattern (ISP) in terms of time of application and biomechanical properties.nnnSAMPLE POPULATIONnExperimental study with 12 female beagle dogs.nnnMETHODSnA skin incision was created from the xiphoid to the pubis as part of an ovariohysterectomy; the linea alba and subcutaneous tissue were closed routinely. Half of the skin incision was closed with MOC, and the other half was closed with an ISP. Tissue samples were collected from both sections at days 14 and 28 and tested for ultimate strength and stiffness.nnnRESULTSnClosure with MOC (72.8u2009±u200914.0 s) was faster than with an ISP (398.4u2009±u200936.4 s; Pu2009=u2009.001). The ultimate load and stiffness increased with time for MOC (Pu2009=u2009.005 and Pu2009=u2009.005, respectively) and ISP (Pu2009<u2009.001 and Pu2009<u2009.001, respectively). On day 14, ultimate load and stiffness were greater in wounds closed with MOC compared with ISP (Pu2009=u2009.014 and Pu2009=u2009.02, respectively). No difference between groups was detected at day 28.nnnCONCLUSIONnCutaneous wound closure with MOC was faster and resulted in superior strength at 14 days compared with closure with an ISP in this healthy population.nnnCLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEnMesh and 2-octyl cyanoacrylate offers an attractive alternative to ISP for skin closure after celiotomy in dogs, especially if surgical/anesthesia time is a concern.

First evidence of Besnoitia bennetti infection (Protozoa: Apicomplexa) in donkeys (Equus asinus) in Belgium

BackgroundBesnoitiosis is caused by different species of intracellular protozoan parasites belonging to the family Sarcocystidae and affecting multiple host species worldwide. Including B. besnoiti, ten species are described infecting animals. Among ungulates, Besnoitia bennetti infects horses, donkeys and zebras and was described in Africa and in the USA where donkey besnoitiosis is considered as an emerging disease.Case presentationA two-year-old male donkey was purchased in May 2016 in poor body condition (cachexia, alopetic areas and pruritus mainly on neck and head) by the present owner in Le Roeulx (Belgium) from a milk producing donkey farm in Frasnes-lez-Buissenal (Belgium). Shortly after its purchase and shearing, the donkey presented with crusts, hyperkeratosis (both flanks and neck) anorexia and cachexia. A treatment with phoxim was given with no improvement. A cutaneous biopsy of hyperkeratotic skin was performed in July. It showed a perivascular eosinophilic infiltrate with a large thick walled cyst located in the dermis containing numerous bradyzoites. This was highly suggestive of besnoitiosis. Several skin biopsy samples were obtained for qPCR analysis and confirmed the presence of Besnoitia spp. DNA. Further laboratory diagnosis tests were performed (western blot and rDNA sequencing) confirming Besnoitia bennetti aetiology for the male. For the female, the punch-biopsy, haematology and qPCR were negatives but the western blot showed the presence of antibodies directed to Besnoitia spp. Further clinical examination performed in August highlighted scleral pinhead sized cysts (pearl) in the right eye and between nares. Another ten-year-old female donkey purchased in France and sharing the same accommodation showed a good clinical condition, but a thorough clinical examination showed the presence of numerous cysts on the inner face of upper labial mucosa. A daily treatment based on sulfamethaxzole and trimethoprim (Emdotrim 60% Mix®, 30 mg/kg) was given orally and some improvement was noticed.ConclusionThis is the first evidence of Besnoitia bennetti infection (Protozoa: Apicomplexa) in donkeys (Equus asinus) in Belgium.