Tim S. Rallis

Evaluation of cytology in the diagnosis of acute canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis): a comparison between five methods

The purpose of this study was the comparison of the diagnostic sensitivity between buffy coat (BC), peripheral blood (PB), lymph node (LN), bone marrow (BM) and short-term culture (P-D) cytology that has been based on the detection of Ehrlichia canis morulae, in the acute phase of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME). Their cellular localization, total numbers and microscopic differentials were also investigated. The highest sensitivities were achieved after evaluating 1000 oil immersion fields (OIFs) in BC (66%) and an equal number in LN (60.9%) smears, separately or together (74%). The morulae were more often detected into lymphocytes than monocytes. The highest total number of morulae (n=143) were found in P-D smears. Finally, to avoid false positive diagnoses, platelets, lymphocytic azurophilic granules, lymphoglandular bodies and phagocytosed nuclear material should not be confused with the morulae.

Flea species from dogs and cats in northern Greece: environmental and clinical implications

Fleas were identified after being collected from 129 dogs and 38 cats of random breed, sex and age. All these animals, infested with fleas and admitted to the Clinic of Medicine of the Veterinary Faculty in Thessaloniki for routine procedures, were from different habitats and originated from various parts of northern Greece. Ctenocephalides canis was the most common species found on the dogs (71.3%). Conversely, its prevalence in the 14 cats was substantially lower (5.3%). Ctenocephalides felis was found on 97.4% of the cats and 40.3% of the dogs surveyed. Of the other flea species, with much lower prevalence, Pulex irritans (0.8%) and Xenopsylla cheopis (0.8%) were observed only on the dogs. Seventeen dogs (13.2%) and one cat (2.6%) had mixed infestations. Flea-associated dermatoses were observed in 26 dogs (20.2%) and four cats (10.5%). Flea-allergic dermatitis, with its typical manifestations, was seen in ten of the dogs (38.5%) with skin lesions. Three out of four flea-allergic cats presented miliary dermatitis and one symmetrical hypotrichosis.

A survey on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in the area of Thessaloniki, Greece

Faecal specimens randomly taken from 232 healthy dogs living in the area of Thessaloniki were screened for internal parasites. In 39.2% of the examined dogs excretion of Sarcocystis bovicanis (1.3%), Isospora ohioensis/burrowsi (3.9%), Giardia lamblia (0.8%), Hammondia heydorni (0.4%), Dicrocoelium dendriticum (0.8%) Diplopylidium nolleri (0.4%), Joyeuxiella pasqualei (0.8%), taeniids (0.4%), Toxocara canis (22.4%), Toxascaris leonina (1.3%), Uncinaria stenocephala (3.0%), Trichuris vulpis (2.6%), Spirocerca lupi (0.4%), or Linguatula serrata (0.4%) was detected. The overall rate of infection did not show any significant difference concerning sex or age. T. canis, however, was significantly more often found in the youngest age group (1-3 months).

Acute Enteritis or Gastroenteritis in Young Dogs as a Predisposing Factor for Intestinal Intussusception: a Retrospective Study

Summary Various types of intestinal intussusception were diagnosed in 29 of 220 young dogs with acute enteritis or gastroenteritis, due to canine parvovirus (85 cases) or presumably to other infectious agents, inflammation or less common hypermotility and metabolic derangements (135 cases). As the other causes of the disease were excluded, acute enteritis or gastroenteritis was considered to be the most likely predisposing factor for the intestinal intussusception. The most common type of intussusception was found to be the ileocolic. Of the 21 dogs that underwent surgical resection and anastomosis of the intestine, 18 dogs recovered completely and three died due to complications. The high survival rate was due to the effective pre‐operative, surgical and post‐operative therapy.

A comparison of the prevalence of Spirocerca lupi in three groups of dogs with different life and hunting styles

The prevalence of Spirocerca lupi in 260 privately owned dogs with different life and hunting styles in Greece was based on the examination of randomly taken faecal samples using Telemans sedimentation technique. The dogs did not demonstrate any clinical signs of spirocerciasis. Although the prevalence was 10%, it was found to be significantly higher in trace hunting dogs (21%), than in scent hunting dogs (5%) and household pets (0%). There was no relationship between prevalence and age/sex of dogs. The impact of life and hunting styles on the prevalence of S. lupi in the dog and that of the faecal examination technique, are discussed.

Prevalence of microfilaraemia in episodic weakness and clinically normal dogs belonging to hunting breeds

Blood samples from 50 dogs with episodic weakness and 50 clinically normal dogs, all belonging to hunting breeds, were examined for microfilariae using the modified Knotts method. The prevalence of microfilaraemia in dogs belonging to the episodic weakness group was 10% for Dirofilaria immitis, 30% for Dirofilaria repens and 8% for Acanthocheilonema reconditum. In the clinically normal group, the figures were 14% for Dirofilaria repens and 4% for Acanthocheilonema reconditum. The overall percentage of dogs with microfilaremia in the episodic weakness group was 44 and that of the clinically normal group 16, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01). The prevalence of microfilaremia due to the nonpathogenic filarial species (Dirofilaria repens, Acanthocheilonema reconditum) was 34% and 16% for the episodic weakness group and the clinically normal dogs, respectively, with no significant difference.

Effects of meloxicam on the haemostatic profile of dogs undergoing orthopaedic surgery

The buccal mucosal bleeding time (BMBT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and intraoperative bleeding score (IBS) of 38 dogs that underwent orthopaedic surgical procedures and received meloxicam orally and/or parenterally were measured. Fourteen of the dogs (group A) received a single subcutaneous dose of 0·2 mg/kg meloxicam at premedication, 18 dogs (group B) received 0·1 mg/kg meloxicam orally daily for five days followed by a single subcutaneous dose of 0·2 mg/kg meloxicam preoperatively, and six dogs (group C) received 0·5 ml of normal saline subcutaneously at premedication. No statistically significant differences among the groups were detected in relation to the mean (sd) values of BMBT, PT and IBS before and after the surgery, or in the values of APTT in group A. In group B there was a small but significant increase in APTT after the surgery, but all the measurements were within the normal range for dogs.

Congenital anorectal abnormalities in six dogs

Congenital anorectal abnormalities were diagnosed in three male and three female dogs. One dog had anal stenosis, three had a persistent anal membrane, and the other two had an imperforate anus associated with a rectovaginal fistula. Five of the dogs were treated surgically, and four of them which were followed up for periods ranging from one to five years continued to pass faeces normally.

Tidal breathing flow-volume loop analysis for the diagnosis and staging of tracheal collapse in dogs.

BACKGROUND Tracheoscopy is generally used for the diagnosis of tracheal collapse (TC) in dogs; yet, it is costly, requires anesthesia, and can irritate the airway. The tidal breathing flow-volume loop (TBFVL) is a safe, quick, and noninvasive pulmonary function test currently used in humans. HYPOTHESIS TBFVL will differentiate dogs with TC from healthy controls and contribute to disease grading. ANIMALS Twenty-eight dogs with naturally occurring TC and 10 healthy controls. METHODS Cross-sectional, prospective clinical study: The 38 dogs were assigned to one of 4 groups based on tracheoscopy results: group A (n=10, healthy controls), group B (n=10, grade I TC), group C (n=10, grade II TC), and group D (n=8, grade III TC). The TBFVL measurement was performed on all dogs and loops were assessed for their shape. Forty-four TBFVL parameters were calculated. RESULTS Two types of TBFVL shapes were identified: Type I, representative of the 10 healthy controls, and Type II, representative of the 28 dogs with TC. Statistical analysis showed the dogs could be differentiated into healthy or affected by TC by 3 indices, TE/TI (expiratory time divided by inspiratory time), TI/TTOT (inspiratory time divided by total respiratory time), and EF75/IF75 (expiratory flow at end tidal volume plus 75% end tidal volume divided by inspiratory flow at end tidal volume plus 75% end tidal volume). The TC could also be graded as mild-moderate (grades I and II) or severe (grade III), showing a diagnostic value of 97.4%. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE TBFVL is accurate, quick, noninvasive, and safe and can contribute to the diagnosis of TC in dogs.

Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in a randomized placebo controlled study of canine plasmacytic-lymphocytic colitis.

The purpose of this study was to determine serum and colonic monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) concentration in dogs with plasmacytic-lymphocytic (PL) colitis, as well as to demonstrate if the concentration of MCP-1 may be an accurate diagnostic and prognostic marker for PL colitis in dogs receiving three different therapeutic protocols. Serum and colonic MCP-1 concentration were measured in 18 dogs with PL colitis and in 6 controls. Dogs with PL colitis were randomly divided in 3 groups and for a period of 30 days received the following: Group 1, sulfasalazine, prednisone and placebo; Group 2, placebo and Ω3/Ω6 fatty acids, and Group 3, sulfasalazine, prednisone and Ω3/Ω6 fatty acids. Colonic and serum MCP-1 concentration were determined at the beginning and at the end of this period. Serum MCP-1 concentrations at the beginning were not significantly increased in dogs with PL colitis compared to the controls. On the contrary, colonic tissue MCP-1 concentrations at the beginning were significantly increased in the same dogs compared to the controls. Moreover, the colonic tissue MCP-1 concentration in the dogs of group 3 was significantly decreased (P<0.001) at the end of the experiment. The same observations were obtained from dogs of groups 1 and 2, in which the colonic MCP-1 concentration also significantly decreased (P<0.01). These data demonstrate that in canine PL colitis, colonic MCP-1 concentration is increased in comparison to those of controls and suggest that the colonic MCP-1 concentration may aid in the diagnosis of canine PL colitis.