Diskospondylitis in Dogs

Alireza A. Gorgi, DVM 
Dennis O’Brien, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Neurology)
Compendium

June, 2007.

Diskospondylitis is an infection of the intervertebral disk and the end plates of the adjacent vertebrae. This disease is fairly common in dogs and has been seen with many different bacterial infections and some fungal infections. Staphylococcal infections are the most common cause of diskospondylitis in dogs. Other common causes include infections with Streptococcus spp, Escherichia coli, and Brucella canis. Some of the less common organisms isolated include Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Proteus, Actinomyces, Pasteurella, Candida, and Mycobacterium spp. Fungal diseases such as infection with Aspergillus or Paecilomyces spp as well as unspecified fungal infections have also been reported as causes of diskospondylitis.

Feline Pyothorax

Tonya E. Boyle, DVM 
Eleanor C. Hawkins, DVM, DACVIM
Standars of Care
August 2005

Pyothorax is the presence of a suppurative, septic effusion within the pleural space. It is typically easy to diagnose via cytologic analysis of fluid obtained by thoracentesis. The fluid obtained may be very turbid and can range in color from white to brown or red. Pyothorax is characterized as an exudate with protein above 3.5 g/dl, total nucleated cell count exceeding 7,000/μl of mostly degenerative neutrophils, pH below 6.9, and glucose concentration less than 10 mg/dl. Generally, extracellular and intracellular bacterial organisms are present on cytologic examination if the patient has not received antibiotic therapy before thoracentesis is performed. Because many cats with pyothorax present in respiratory distress, initial thoracentesis can be both a stabilizing, therapeutic measure as well as a definitive diagnostic test.

Causes of pancytopenia y dogs and cats

Shawn Ann Kearns, DVM 
Patty Ewing, DVM, MS, DACVP
Compendium 
February 2006

Pancytopenia (i.e., a decrease in all circulating hematologic cell lines) can result from peripheral destruction of cells or a primary insult to the bone marrow. Many infectious, immunemediated, and neoplastic conditions have been associated with pancytopenia in dogs and cats. Bone marrow aspirates and/or core biopsy samples are generally required to fully characterize the marrow disease, especially in cases of decreased hematopoietic cell production. Understanding the mechanisms by which various disorders alter circulating blood or marrow cells may aid in developing a diagnostic and/or treatment plan.The prognosis in pancytopenic patients is variable and depends on the underlying cause.

Canine Pyometra

Jennifer Roberts, DVM
Marc R. Raffe, DVM, MS, DACVA, DACVECC
Steven L. Marks, BVSc, MS, MRCVS, DACVIM
STANDARDS of CARE: EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE. 

MAY 2003

The cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH)/pyometra complex may present as either an acute or chronic disease that occurs as a result of chronic and repeated exposure of the endometrium to progesterone. The underlying uterine pathology is CEH, which predisposes the uterus to an ascending bacterial infection causing pyometra. Generally, the diagnosis of open-cervix pyometra is based on physical examination findings of enlarged uterine structures and the presence of a purulent vaginal discharge. Closed-cervix pyometra is more insidious, with early clinical signs of general malaise that may escalate to clinical signs compatible with a lifethreatening disease in later stages. Rapid recognition and intervention in fulminant cases of pyometra is important because these patients may be profoundly dehydrated and demonstrating signs of septicemia or shock secondary to systemic infection.

Blastomycosis

Alison Werner, DVM, Frank Norton, DVM, MS, DACVIM 
Compendium: Continuing Education for Veterinarians
(Vol 33, No 8)
August 2011

For more than 100 years, blastomycosis has been recognized as causing significant morbidity and mortality in people and dogs. The disease is rare in cats. Isolation of the organism is difficult, and novel methods to culture environmental samples are forthcoming. The most significant clinical dilemma is the inability to make a timely diagnosis when multiple cytologic samples are unrewarding. This article reviews the literature on advances in epidemiology and serology, clinical presentations, new antifungal drugs, and progress in formulating a vaccine.

 (Vol 33, No 8)

Canine parvoviral enteritis: a review of diagnosis, management, and prevention

Jennifer Prittie, DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC
Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care 
14(3), pp167-176
2004

To review and summarize current information regarding epidemiology, risk factors, and pathophysiology associated with canine parvoviral infection, and to outline diagnostic and treatment modalities for this disease. Preventative and vaccination strategies will also be discussed, as serologic documentation of immunocompetence and adoption of safe and effective vaccination protocols are crucial in limiting infection and spread of canine parvoviral enteritis.

Update on the diagnosis and management of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cats.

Michael R. Lappin DVM, PhD, DACVIM
Topics in Companion Animal Medicine
Volume 25, Issue 3, August 2010, Pages 136-141

Toxoplasma gondii is a coccidian that is one of the most prevalent parasites infecting warm-blooded vertebrates around the world.1-3 Only cats complete the sexual phase in the gastrointestinal tract and pass environmentally resistant oocysts in feces. Sporozoites develop in oocysts after 1 to 5 days of exposure to oxygen and appropriate environmental temperature and humidity (Fig 1). Sporozoites can penetrate the intestinal tract of cats or intermediate hosts and disseminate in blood or lymph as tachyzoites during active infection. Toxoplasma gondii can penetrate most mammalian cells and will replicate asexually within infected cells until the cell is destroyed. If an appropriate immune response occurs, replication of tachyzoites is attenuated, and slowly dividing bradyzoites develop that persist within cysts in extra-intestinal tissues. Tissue cysts form readily in the central nervous system (CNS), muscles, and visceral organs. Live bradyzoites may persist in tissues for the life of the host.