Breed-related disease: Siberian Husky
John K. Rosembert The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized working dog breed with a thick coat that comes in a multitude of colors and markings. Their blue or multi-colored eyes and striking facial masks only add to the appeal of this breed, which originated in Siberia. It is a breed that combines power, speed, and endurance. They are moderately compact, slightly longer than they are tall, and of definite Northern heritage. They are quick and light on their feet, with a smooth and effortless stride exhibiting both good reach and drive. Their expression is often keen but friendly, interested, and sometimes even mischievous. The Siberian Husky breed has an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years and is an ideal pet choice for lots of different people, including families. However, purebred Huskies do have several canine health problems that prospective owners should consider. As with all animals, it’s important to be aware of the common health concerns that plague Siberian Huskies since many of the problems can be expensive and time-consuming to treat. If you’re thinking of adopting a Husky, learn about their common health problems here so you can make an informed decision about the requirements of the dog breed. Here’s a list of the most common health problems for Siberian Husky: Cataracts: which is cloudiness in the lens of the eye leading to blurred vision, which ranges from partial to complete opacity. When the lens becomes cloudy it can prevent light from passing to the retina, contributing to vision loss. It is one of the most common health problems for Siberian Huskies, affecting about 10% of the breed, it will typically develop within 6 to 12 months of a Husky’s life and can, unfortunately, lead to blindness later on. Because of this, it’s important to have your dog’s eyes checked by a vet regularly. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): is also sometimes known as progressive rod and cone degeneration (PRCD), is a group of degenerative eye disorders in dogs that lead to blindness in both eyes.It is another common eye problem for Siberian Huskies. With PRA, the retina of a dog’s eye starts to deteriorate. Both cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy are considered to be costly health issues, so early detection is vital. Corneal Dystrophy: Corneal dystrophy is a hereditary disease that affects the cornea of Siberian Huskies. If your Husky is suffering from this condition, you will notice small white dots in his cornea. Huskies with this health issue may experience opaqueness or at times, hazy vision. Sadly, there is currently no known treatment for correcting corneal dystrophy. Uveodermatologic Syndrome: Uveodermatologic syndrome is another common eye disease with the Siberian Husky, although this condition also affects the skin as well as the nervous system. It’s important to keep in mind that the skin reaction to this syndrome is only cosmetic. However, its effects on the eyes can cause blindness in severe cases. Uveodermatologic syndrome is difficult to detect, but the first signs will usually be in a Husky’s eyes. Many dogs may show redness in their eyes as well as impaired vision. Hip Dysplasia: is an abnormal formation of the hip socket that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the joints, it is one of the most concerning health issues for any dog owner to worry about, it is very common with Siberian Huskies. Follicular Dysplasia: is a genetic disease causing alopecia, or hair loss. It is caused by hair follicles that are malfunctioning due to structural abnormality. This condition affects Huskies between 3 and 4 months of age and can result in abnormal hair growth, canine hair loss, or patchy, infectious skin. Siberian Huskies have a high risk of follicular dysplasia and unfortunately, there is currently no treatment. To better manage the disease, some vets will recommend that pet owners use specific shampoos, antimicrobials, and topical applications as needed. Zinc Deficiency: Just like humans, dogs need a sufficient amount of zinc in their bodies in order to remain at optimum health. When Siberian Huskies experience a zinc deficiency, they might suffer from hair loss on their feet, elbows, or eye, chin, and lip areas. Zinc supplements may help alleviate symptoms, but a vet should be consulted before adding any to your pet’s diet to avoid an overdose. Hypothyroidism: is a common health problem in Huskies that relates to an abnormal amount of secretion of the thyroid gland. If your Siberian Husky has this condition, you may notice that he’s gained weight, although he is eating less than normal. You might also notice fur loss or even bald spots located on his coat. Other symptoms include lethargy and increased sleep. Sources: https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/siberian-husky#/slide/1 https://canna-pet.com/siberian-husky-health-problems-issues/ Photo credit: http://www.opsopet.com/product/siberian-husky-dog/ https://www.clicktreatplay.com/know-dog-siberian-husky/
Breed-related disease: Siamese cat
John K. Rosembert Siamese, popular short-haired breed of domestic cat originally from Thailand, a country whose official name was Siam until 1939. The Siamese is a lithe long-bodied cat with slim legs and a long slim tail. It has a long wedge-shaped head and blue eyes. They have a distinctive “pointed” coat: a light-colored background with darker points on the ears, mask, legs, and tail in the seal, lilac, chocolate and blue. Other point colors include tabby, red, cream , silver and smoke. The Siamese was first exported from Siam to the United States in 1878 and the United Kingdom in 1884. By 1902 the first cat fanciers club devoted to the Siamese cat had been established in the United Kingdom, and by 1906 the Cat Fanciers’ Association had officially recognized the breed. The Siamese come in two types: “show and traditional”. The show Siamese is a work of modern art, all lines, and angles. He has a tubular body on long legs, a wedge-shaped head with large, triangular ears, and a long tail. The traditional Siamese, also known as the apple-headed Siamese, has a rounded head and chunky body. Both types have bright blue eyes that demand worship due to all cats. Whether you choose a show Siamese or a traditional Siamese, they should share the same wonderful personality. They are endlessly curious but inclined to be smart and demanding. This is a cat who has a passion for his people and will involve himself in everything they are doing. Here are some of the common health issues to watch out for in Siamese Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): Siamese cats are prone to this genetic eye problem which leads to progressive blindness. For diagnosis and to help your cat lead as normal a life as possible with PRA, input is needed from a veterinary ophthalmologist. Systemic amyloidosis: This is where protein builds up in various organs, stopping them from working properly, typically resulting in severe liver damage and / or kidney failure. This is a fatal disease. Mediastinal lymphoma: This form of cancer causes a buildup of fluid around the lungs. From chemo and steroids through to possible surgery, a vet should be able to advise you on the best way forward. Asthma: Siamese are one of the cat breeds most susceptible to this disease of the airway. Treatment options include anti-inflammatory drugs and bronchodilator therapy. Hip dysplasia: Siamese can be predisposed to this form of lameness of the hind leg, caused by abnormal development of the hip joint. It can’t be cured-but it can often be controlled. Vestibular Disease: Some Siamese cats develop vestibular disease. This is a genetic problem having to do with the inner ear, specifically the nerves serving the ear. Cats with vestibular disease will display symptoms consistent with a loss of balance, such as head tilting. Sources: https://www.britannica.com/animal/Siamese-breed-of-cat https://www.everypaw.com/all-things-pet/siamese-cat-breed-info-and-health-advice Photo credit: http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/siamese#0_ryz4d6cf https://www.catster.com/topic/offbeat
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): A Constant Threat to Our Cat Companion
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): A Constant Threat to Our Cat Companion Maigan Espinili Maruquin It was believed that the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is the one responsible in most disease- related deaths in cats. It was Jarrett, et al., 1964 who first identified FeLV as a causative agent of the viral infection of cats more than 40 years ago by electron microscopy (EM). However, the prevalence of FeLV as the disease- causing agent in cats has declined, and so is the death rate caused by the infection. Despite FeLV being a threat in the life expectancy of the cats, owners still choose to provide the proper treatment for their cats and proper care, leaving FeLV-infected cats live for many years with good quality of life (Hartmann 2012). Structure and Replication (https://veteriankey.com/feline-leukemia-virus-infection/) Fig. 01. The structure of FeLV containing two identical strands of RNA, reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease inside the capsid protein (p27), surrounded by a matrix and all enclosed by the envelope containing gp70 glycoprotein and the transmembrane protein p15E (https://veteriankey.com/feline-leukemia-virus-infection/). FeLV is approximately 8.4kb in length. It belongs to the genus Gammaretrovirus. Retroviruses have three- layered structure and RNA (two copies of single-stranded RNA), which makes the genetic material, is in the innermost- layer; together with the essential enzymes for its viral activities (including integrase, reverse transcriptase and protease) and nucleocapsid protein. The capsid protein in the middle layer surrounds the genome. And, the outer layer is the envelope from which glycoprotein ‘spikes’ project (Westman, Malik et al. 2019). The envelope spikes are responsible for the attachment of the virus to the target cell surface receptors which also represents an essential target for the host immune response. During replication, RNA is being reverse transcribed into DNA through the enzyme reverse transcriptase. This interrupts the normal cellular flow of genetic information, the Central Dogma, making this enzyme the target of many anti- viral drugs. The synthesized DNA from the RNA integrates into the genome of the target cell as a provirus, which is a required component for the viral replication, assisted by a second viral enzyme, the ‘integrase’. This provirus remains in the genome of the cell and upon cellular division, the provirus is expressed, leading to the production of progeny virions and virus shedding (Lavialle, Cornelis et al. 2013, Willett and Hosie 2013, Chiu, Hoover et al. 2018, Westman, Malik et al. 2019). FeLV Infection On a previous research, there were three important observations following FeLV Infection: (a) some cats can eliminate the virus before it progresses local replication after enough time and appropriate immune response; (b) some cats become persistently viraemic; (c) some cats are viraemic before immunity responds to eliminate the transient viraemia after 2–16 weeks, but not before a latent infection is established as DNA provirus (Westman, Malik et al. 2019). Antigen-negative, provirus positive cats are considered FeLV carriers. This was after cats infected with FeLV were found to remain provirus-positive. Following reactivation, they can act as a source of infection. As FeLV provirus is integrated into the cat’s genome, it is unlikely to be fully cleared over time and possibly in a transcriptionally silent (latent) state. Antigen-negative, provirus-positive cats do not shed the virus, but reactivation is possible (Torres, O’Halloran et al. 2008, Hartmann 2012). FeLV undergoes different stages of infection. On abortive infection, virus starts initial replication but an effective immune response may terminate the viral replication and avoid becoming viraemic by eliminating the FeLV-infected cells (Hofmann-Lehmann, Cattori et al. 2008, Torres, O’Halloran et al. 2008, Hartmann 2012)(Torres, Mathiason et al. 2005). In regressive infection, effective immune response contains the replication of the virus prior to or shortly after bone marrow infection (Hartmann 2012) despite retaining a low level of FeLV-infected cells in circulation and tissues. In some cases, infected cells are also eliminated and undergo abortive infection (Torres, Mathiason et al. 2005). Mainly, virus shed in saliva however, in this infection, viremia is terminated within weeks or months. However, virus undergoes latency since it is not completely eliminated, harboring viral DNA in circulation, and integrating the proviral DNA in the bone marrow stem cells and lymphoid tissues. The proviral DNA is not translated into proteins making it non- infectious. The cats are considered ‘protected’ from the development of viraemia and thus disease, but they remain infected. Under latent infection, viral replication is delayed. Therefore, these regressively infected cats are not infectious to others but the infection could be reactivated when antibody production decreases (Torres, Mathiason et al. 2005, Hofmann-Lehmann, Cattori et al. 2008, Torres, O’Halloran et al. 2008, Hartmann 2012). For the progressive infection, the infection is not contained early, resulting to extensive viral replication. They remain positive after 16 weeks of infection. This makes the cats persistently viraemic and infectious to other cats. They develop FeLV- related diseases, and most of them die within a few years. On the other hand, it is focal or atypical infection if there’s a persistent atypical local viral replication (e.g., in mammary glands, bladder, eyes). This leads to an irregular production of antigen causing alternate results of positive and negative (Hartmann 2012). Clinical Signs/ Pathogenesis There are two possible results following the first 4 weeks FeLV exposure of the host: (a) failure to contain the viral replication; and (b) successful immune response of the host against the virus (Rojko, Hoover et al. 1982, Hoover and Mullins 1991, Torres, Mathiason et al. 2005). After a long asymptomatic phase, cats can develop clinical signs including tumors, hematopoietic disorders, neurologic disorders, immunodeficiency, immune-mediated diseases, stomatitis, immunosuppression, hematologic disorders, immune-mediated diseases, and other syndromes (including neuropathy, reproductive disorders, fading kitten syndrome). This is determined by a combination of viral and host factors (Hartmann 2012). Mostly, tumors in cats are associated with FeLV, commonly lymphoma and leukemia, less often other hematopoietic tumors and rarely other malignancies (including neuroblastoma, osteochondroma, and others). FeLV vaccination resulted to a major decrease of FeLV infection in the overall
Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing to Combat Resistance
Introduction Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) plays a crucial role in combating bacterial infections and addressing the growing global challenge of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics, ranging from β-lactams to macrolides, have saved millions of lives since the accidental discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928. Despite their effectiveness, widespread misuse in healthcare and agriculture has accelerated the emergence of resistant pathogens, causing an estimated 700,000 deaths annually, a figure projected to rise to 10 million by 2050 (Brogan & Mossialos, 2016). (https://share.google/images/TSneDwQ3EQjAbSPAX) Importance of AST in Clinical Practice AST allows clinicians to determine which antibiotics are effective against specific bacterial isolates, enabling targeted therapy and reducing reliance on broad-spectrum antibiotics. Timely and accurate AST is critical, as delayed treatment can increase patient mortality and worsen clinical outcomes. Traditional AST Methods Disk Diffusion (Kirby–Bauer Test): Convenient and cost-effective, providing qualitative results based on the zone of inhibition around antibiotic discs. Broth Microdilution: Offers precise Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values, essential for correct dosage selection. Miniaturized 96-well plates allow testing of multiple antibiotics simultaneously. Etest: Gradient diffusion method that combines ease of use with quantitative MIC determination, correlating well with broth microdilution results. Automated AST Systems Modern laboratories increasingly rely on automated systems like VITEK®, BD Phoenix™, Sensititre™, and MicroScan WalkAway®. These platforms streamline bacterial identification and susceptibility testing, reduce manual workload, and provide faster results for effective patient care. Emerging Technologies Rapid AST innovations using optical imaging, micro-channel resonators, and biosensors are being developed. Some technologies can deliver results within hours and may allow direct testing on patient samples without pre-culturing, which is essential for timely therapy, especially in critical care. Conclusion AST remains an essential practice of modern clinical microbiology. By providing rapid and accurate results, AST enables targeted antibiotic therapy, reduces the use of broad-spectrum drugs, and improves patient outcomes. Continued innovation and integration of rapid AST technologies into routine practice are vital to combating antibiotic-resistant infections worldwide. The miniAST Veterinary Antibiotic Susceptibility Test Analyzer, a tool designed to help combat antimicrobial resistance with game-changing features: Feature Benefit Fast Results Get results in just 6 hours, enabling swift and confident treatment. Automated Interpretations Instantly deliver precise susceptibility profiles, supporting faster, more informed clinical decisions and optimizing patient care. Dual-Sample Testing Double the efficiency with simultaneous analysis of two samples at once. High Accuracy Achieve an impressive 92% accuracy rate compared to traditional disc diffusion tests. 📌 Note for Veterinarians: The miniAST Veterinary Antibiotic Susceptibility Test Analyzer is available exclusively to licensed veterinarians and veterinary hospitals. 📩 How to Order miniAST To purchase miniAST or request a quotation, please contact our sales team or email our customer service: 📧 service@bioguardlabs.com ☎️ Please include your hospital name and contact number so our sales representative can follow up with you directly. Source: World Health Organization (WHO) – Antimicrobial Resistance 🔗 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 🔗 https://clsi.org/standards/products/microbiology/ European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) MIC cut-offs and AST interpretation standards. 🔗 https://www.eucast.org/clinical_breakpoints/ Bauer AW, Kirby WMM, Sherris JC, Turk M. (1966) Antibiotic susceptibility testing by a standardized single disk method. Jorgensen JH, Ferraro MJ. (2009) Antimicrobial susceptibility testing: a review of general principles and contemporary practices. Clin Infect Dis. 49:1749–1755. Puskarich MA et al. (2011) Association between timing of antibiotic administration and mortality from septic shock.
Canine Parvovirus
Canine Parvovirus CHINESE EDITION IS WRITTEN BY DR. WANG, SHIH-HAO / ENGLISH EDITION IS TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY DR. LIN, WEN-YANG (WESLEY) Abstract The canine parvovirus (CPV) is a common, acute, high morbidity and high morality virus that mainly infect canine population. This virus possess highly survival rate for 5 weeks in the natural environment. It is highly contagious and easily transmitting among canine population by the fecal-oral route through contacting contaminated feces. CPV usually attack digestive system. Sometimes it may induce myocarditis among canine and cause sudden death. All ages, sexes and breeds of dogs could be susceptible to CPV, especially puppies. Clinical sighs of infected dogs may include fever, lethargy, continuous vomiting, continuous diarrhea, stinky viscous diarrhea with blood, dehydration and abdominal pain etc. Canine show signs of the disease would usually die within 3 to 5 days. There are no specific drugs for curing CPV until now. Supportive care such as consuming water-electrolyte fluid is the only present solution to maintain physiological function and relieve symptoms. The infected canine should have medical care as soon as possible; otherwise, more severe conditions like acute dehydration, hypovolemic shock, bacterial infections and death will occur. Infection prevention measures include environmental disinfection and routine vaccines. Pathogens The canine parvovirus (CPV) is an ssDNA virus, which belongs to the species carnivore protoparvovirus 1 within the genus protoparvovirus in the family parvovirus (parvoviridae). CPV is 98% identical to feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV) with variant in six coding nucleotide of structural proteins VP2: 3025, 3065, 3094, 3753, 4477, 4498 that makes CPV-2 infect canine host instead of replicating in cats. Two types of canine parvovirus were discovered – canine minute virus (CPV1) and CPV2, both can attack canine population and canidae family such as raccoons, wolves and foxes. Canine parvovirus may be susceptible to cats without pathogenic, and it is an inapparent infection. CPV2 could stably survive in feces for 5 months with ideal condition. Furthermore, CPV-2a, CPV-2b and CPV-2c type viruses have been isolated and sequenced from animals. Other than targeting on canine, large cats are susceptible to CPV-2a, CPV-2b. CPV-2c type viruses have high prevalence on infecting leopard cats. Figure 1. Model of CPV evolution showing VP2 amino acid differences between each virus and indicating the virus host ranges. (Karla M. Stucker, Virus Evolution In A Novel Host: Studies Of Host Adaptation By Canine Parvovirus, Published in 2010) Epidemiology In 1978, a novel infectious canine disease was firstly occurring in the east coast of America. Within 12 months, scientists identified CPV-2 as the aetiological key of severe symptoms among canine. Due to characters of highly contagious and potential environmental resistance, CPV-2 spread swiftly over entire USA, European countries, Australia and Asia. In 1978, canine parvovirus also invade among canine in Taiwan. Therefore, CPV caused large scale of canine death at the early stage of pandemic. By the establishment and development of CPV vaccine, global wide spreading of CPV has been rarely happen today. However, canine parvovirus still widely exists in domestic dogs and wild canidae. It became one of the canine endemic disease. Pathogenesis Incubation period of CPV-2 lasts 4 to 5 days. The virus mostly attacks rapidly dividing cells especially lymphopoietic tissues, the bone marrow, crypt epithelia of the jejunum, ileum and (in young dogs under 4 weeks old) myocardial cells. Rottweilers, black Labrador Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, and American Pit Bull Terriers are more susceptible than other species; once they are infected, would suffer severer conditions. Besides, CPV-2 take the major place to affect canine and wild canids. After entering into hosts’ body, CPV-2 firstly replicates in oropharynx lymphoid tissues, mesenteric lymph nodes and thymus gland, then spreading to other lymph nodes, lung, liver, kidney and rapidly dividing tissues (e.g. bone marrow, intestinal epithelial cell and myocardial cell) by the blood stream. 4 to 5 days after, clinical sighs like diarrhea, vomiting, lymphopenia, anorexia, depression, dehydration, hypothermia, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia would appear. Severe dehydration and hypovolemic shock may happen due to lose large amount of fluid and protein by vomiting and diarrhea. Transmission Fecal-oral route is the main transmission pathway of CPV-2. Large amount of virus would be detected in feces of infected canine within 1 to 2 weeks of acute phase. An infected pregnant canine could transmit virus to fetus through placenta. Fomites include contaminated shoes, cages, food bowls and other utensils could serve as CPV transmitting objects also. Clinical forms There are four clinical forms according to distinct signs and lesions: enteric, myocardial, systemic infection and inapparent Infection. A. Enteric form : It is known that CPV-2 caused enteritis symptoms. This form infect host with low virus titers (around 100 TCID50). Symptoms in initial stage are sopor, loss of appetite, acute diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, slight elevated body temperature, frailty and acting like in extreme pain. Severity of illness vary according to the age of canine, healthy condition, infectious dose of the virus, and other pathogens in intestine and so on. Typical signs of CPV induced enteritis and its course include loss of appetite, sopor, fever (39.5℃-41.5℃) within 48 hours follow vomiting. 6 to 24 hour after vomiting follow watery stool in yellow or white color, mucus stool or bloody stool with stench in severe cases. Due to consistent diarrhea and vomiting, dogs suffer worsen dehydrated condition. Common clinical pathologic examination consist assessing dehydrated condition and significant decreasing of white blood cell of dogs (400 to 3000 /μL). B. Myocardial form: This form only appear in puppies around 3 to 12 weeks of age. Major cases show pups’ age under 8 weeks. Mortality rate is extremely high with myocardial form (almost up to 100%). Clinical signs include irregular breathing, cardiac arrhythmia. Collapse, hard breathing may happen to acute cases follow death within 30 minutes. Most cases would die within 2 days. The subacute form would also die from hypoplastic heart syndrome within 60 days. Nevertheless female adult canine acquire antibodies against myocardial form by vaccination or infection, puppies may
Peritonitis in Canine
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Peritonitis in Canine Andy Pachikerl, Ph.D Introduction: Peritonitis is the inflammation of the peritoneum, which is a silk-like membrane that lines the inner abdominal wall of mammalian bodies and covers the organs within the abdomen, and it is usually due to a bacterial or fungal infection. Peritonitis typically results in rupture (perforation) in the abdomen or causes other medical conditions. In canine or dogs this condition is not that different compared to other mammals, which is the peritoneum of the abdominal cavity, becomes inflamed. In canines, this normally occurs because of an injury by physical trauma, disease, a stomach ulcer, or other problems (Latimer, et al., 2019). The most common cause of peritonitis in canine is actually bacterial infection that moves to the abdomen from an external wound or from perforation of an internal organ. An affected dog may seem to be well, then suddenly become ill. The condition is usually painful, and most dogs will show signs of discomfort when they are been touched on the abdomen (Kine, et al., 2019). Classification and Etiology Peritonitis in dogs are classified in various ways, but there are two main methods of identification are (1) localized or diffuse and (2) primary, secondary, or tertiary. Localized septic peritonitis occurs when a small amount of contamination, whether bacterial or fungal is confined. The contamination usually originates from an intraabdominal organ due to secondary surgery or an underlying disease process, such as gastrointestinal (GI) perforation due to a foreign body. Diffuse peritonitis arises from either a larger amount of contamination or a failure to control localized septic peritonitis. Primary septic peritonitis is spontaneous, and it is the infection of the peritoneal cavity with no specific intraperitoneal source of infection detected during surgery or necropsy. This type of peritonitis is more common in cats rather than dogs, with 14% of cats with septic peritonitis having primary septic peritonitis in one study (Costello, et al., 2004; Odonez & Puyana, 2006; Culp, et al., 2009). Primary septic peritonitis is usually monomicrobial, whereas secondary septic peritonitis is often polymicrobial (Mueller, et al., 2001). In one study (Mueller, et al., 2001), bacteria cultured from patients with primary peritonitis were gram positive in 80% of dogs and in 60% of cats. It is postulated that primary septic peritonitis may result from hematogenous or lymphogenous bacterial spread, transmural bacterial migration from the GI tract, or bacterial spread from the oviducts (Culp, et al., 2009; Enberg, et al., 2006). Secondary septic peritonitis is a consequence of an underlying primary disease process and is the most common cause of septic peritonitis in dogs and cats (Mueller, et al., 2001). There are many possible causes of secondary septic peritonitis in animals; the most common are loss of integrity of the GI tract (53% to 75% of cases), foreign-body penetration, perforating ulcers (Figure 1) and surgical wound dehiscence (Mueller, et al., 2001; Costello, et al., 2004). It is the upmost recommendation that canines showing peritonitis signs should seek medical help from a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment, as it can be a life-threatening condition. Figure 1: Septic peritonitis secondary to jejunal rupture from a perforating ulcer (arrow). Symptoms of Peritonitis in Dogs In most cases, the symptoms of peritonitis in canines are easy to recognize. A dog may seem fine, then suddenly become very ill the following day. They will almost certainly show signs of pain when their abdomen is been touched (DeClue, et al., 2011). Canine that has been injured or wounded seemed fine but suddenly develop the following symptoms the next day then one may consider seeking a veterinarian right away. Fever: – normal body temperature in canine ranges from 99.5 – 102.5 ° F, whereas a body temperature of at least 103.5 ° F (39.7 ° C) can be considered as fever. Vomiting Diarrhoea Black stools Anorexia Lethargy Weakness Abdominal pain Taking unusual positions to relieve pain Low blood pressure Increased heart rate Increased respiration rate Low body temperature Pale gums Jaundice: – Jaundice in canines refers to a build-up of yellow pigment in the blood and tissue, which causes a yellow discoloration in the skin, gums, and eyes. Swelling in the abdomen Ascites: – Ascites in canines is an abnormal build-up of fluid in the abdomen. It is also called abdominal effusion. Arrhythmia: – Arrhythmia in canines is an abnormality in the rhythm of the heart, which can include the speed, strength, or regularity of heart beats. There are cases when peritonitis could become severely complicated by gut microbiota of the dog. These can lead to changes in the dog’s micro flora forever. Such a case is shown as follow. Case Presentation: An 11‐year‐old intact male Poodle was brought to Oklahoma State University, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences (OSU‐CVHS), with a record of vomiting, abdominal distention, increased serum activities of alkaline phosphatase, γ‐glutamyl transferase, and hyperbilirubinemia. The dog had received amoxicillin and clindamycin (dosage and administration route unknown) prescribed by a referred veterinarian. An abdominal ultrasonographic examination revealed a moderate amount of peritoneal fluid, widespread vascular mineralization, and a markedly thickened and irregular gallbladder wall. The abdominal fluid had a total nucleated cell count (TNCC) of 51,000/μL (CELL‐DYN 3500 analyzer; Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, IL, USA), and a total protein of 5.6 g/dL via refractometry. Cytologic examination of direct smears of the abdominal fluid stained with an aqueous Romanowsky stain (Hematek 2000; Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Deerfield, IL, USA) demonstrated marked pyogranulomatous inflammation with abundant golden‐to‐dark green pigment, consistent with bile, present extracellularly and within macrophages. Cytologic diagnosis was bile peritonitis. No infectious organisms were identified, and successive aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures were negative. The dog was intravenously dosed with ampicillin/sulbactam and enrofloxacin. Exploratory abdominal laparotomy revealed a ruptured gall bladder and a cholecystectomy and duodenotomy were performed. Following surgery, the effusion persisted, despite antimicrobial therapy, and the dog’s condition began to deteriorate. Abdominal fluid collected 6 days postsurgery had a TNCC of 96,600/μL, and a total protein of 5.3 g/dL. Cytologic examination was shown to have pyogranulomatous inflammation with several yeast organisms
Breed-related disease: Chihuahua
John K. Rosembert The Chihuahuas are the world’s smallest dog breed, and they’re named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua. There are two varieties of Chihuahua recognized by t he AKC– the Smooth Coat (short-haired) and the Long Coat (long-haired) . Both the Smooth and the Long Coats have their special attractions and are equally easy to keep clean and well-groomed. It is a good companion dog. Courageous, extremely lively, proud and adventurous, they enjoy affection. Brave, cheerful and agile, Chihuahuas can be strong-willed without proper human leadership. They are loyal and become attached to their owners. For some, they may be slightly difficult to train, but they are intelligent, learn quickly, and respond well to proper, firm but gentle training. Do not let the Chihuahua get away with things you would not allow a large dog to do (Small Dog Syndrome), such as jumping up on humans. The Chihuahua may be just right for traveling around in a puppy purse, but they are not a good for house with children under the age of eight (8) because of their small size, and also they tend to be high-strung and prone to nipping, snapping and even biting when frightened or threatened, or when defending his people or territory. Chihuahuas are prone to certain health conditions. To help you be more aware and prepared for these potential ailments, we have put together information on the health issues that we see the most in Chihuahuas: Epilepsy: is a brain disorder that results in seizures or fitting. (It is likely the Chihuahuas can suffer from conditions that affect the brain, spine and some nerves) Tracheal collapse: a dog’s respiratory system runs from the nose to the air sacs in the lungs. Any part of this system can become diseased. Tracheal collapse, for example, is a common cause of airway obstruction in small breeds such as Chihuahuas. The trachea ( or windpipe) is a tube made up of sturdy rings of cartilage through which air is transported to and from the lungs when the dog breathes. Sometimes the tracheal rings begin to collapse, and the air is squeezed through, resulting in a characteristic honking cough. Heart disease: Chihuahuas are particularly prone to valve disease, which often leads to heart failure. Early diagnosis of heart problems is key because if they progress to the “heart failure” stage, treatment will then be needed for the rest of the dog’s life. Legg-Perthes disease: Legg-Perthes disease causes disintegration of the ‘ball’ part of the hip joint. It is commonly seen in younger, small breeds of dogs like the Chihuahua. Treatment involves rest and control of arthritis or surgery to remove the damaged part of the hip. Dislocating kneecap: a relatively common condition in Chihuahuas and other small breeds, dislocation happens because the alignment of the bones from the hip through the knee to the ankle is not straight, which pulls the kneecap to one side. Sources: https://www.dogster.com/dogs-101/chihuahua-dog-breed https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chihuahua_(dog) https://www.petplan.co.uk/pet-information/dog/breed/chihuahua/ http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/chihuahua Photo credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chihuahua_(dog)
Breed-related disease: Cyprus cats
John K. Rosembert The Cyprus Cat also is known as “Aphrodite’s Giant” is an ancient breed of landrace cats that are said to be inhabiting the island of Cyprus for at least 4000 years. The Cyprus cats are not recognized as a formal breed by itself, but a descendant of the ancient Egyptian cats. They developed in the mountainous regions of Cyprus. Considered to be one of the largest cat breeds, because of their massive size which enabled them to hunt large prey. Due to their physical appearance, kittens are big-boned right from the beginning. Their head is in a triangular shape, with long straight muzzle and nose, strong chin and teeth. They have very long back legs, which helps them in climbing steep slopes, their eyes are olive-shaped and all colors are allowed. Their ears are medium to large, wide at the base and slightly rounded at the top head. The tail of Cyprus cats is medium to long, and they also have soft cotton semi-long hair. It is not usually an independent cat that likes to be alone for any amount of time. However, some people have noted that their Cyprus cats are independent and like to have solo time on occasion. They also vary in terms of handling. Some like to be picked up, petted, and make for good lap cats, while others detest it. This does not mean that they are not affectionate, but they don’t always like to be handled. What is certain about the Cyprus cat is that it is a very active and playful cat breed. They love to run around, jump up to new heights, play with cat toys, and they are known for being explorative hunters as well. Either way, they usually want a lot of attention and interaction. The Cyprus cat is known for being quite a healthy and hardy cat. They are fairly rare, and not too much research has been done into their genetics. However, since they have been around for over 4,000 years, it is assumed that they are hardy and resilient. They may develop normal feline health conditions, such as minor heart diseases, periodontal disease, and kidney disease in cats, but nothing breed specific. https://www.catbreedselector.com/cyprus-cat.asp https://www.cat-breeds.com/cyprus-cat/ Photo credit: https://kittywise.com/cyprus-cat/
Breed-related disease: Asian Semi-longhair
John K. Rosembert The Asian Semi-Longhair is a cat breed similar to the Asian Shorthair except they have semi-long hair instead of short hair. These cats are normally known by the name Tiffanie. They are recognized in any of the Asian Shorthair or Burmese colors and patterns. Like the Asian Shorthair, the breed was developed in Britain and is not currently recognized by any U.S. Registries. It has full recognition in the GCCF and although it is a relatively rare breed some fine examples have become champions. The Asian Semi-longhair is a very sociable and people-friendly cat. It is often referred to as being a dependent cat, as it absolutely hates being alone and does not want to be left on its own. It’s not a type of cat to get if you do not have ample time to play and socialize with it. The Asian Semi-longhair loves to meet new people and old friends alike, plus it does fine with kids and dogs. In fact, it is a type of cat that really enjoys playing with children. It is a very playful cat that has a lot of fun with yarn, string, and all toys alike. This is also a very curious and adventurous cat that loves exploring new places. It has a tendency to get into drawers and cupboards, and it always wants to find out what is behind closed doors. The Asian Semi-longhair is a fairly vocal cat, and they will definitely tell you when they are unhappy with their fairly loud voices. The Asian Semi-longhair tends to be a fairly healthy cat, although they have been known to develop some issues with age. Some common problems include heart, renal, and periodontal diseases, although these are not really breed specific. They do require regular deworming, and they need to have their vaccinations. That said, they are not overly prone to serious health conditions. Sources: Photo credit: https://kittywise.com/asian-semi-longhair/ https://cats.fandom.com/wiki/Asian_Semi-longhair https://kittywise.com/asian-semi-longhair/
Breed-related disease: Affenpinscher
John K. Rosembert The Affenpinscher also known as the “monkey dogs,” could be described as cheeky little monkeys. That isn’t to say that they’re naughty but a comical little dog with bags of personality. He is a small, compact terrier-type dog with bushy eyebrows and a mischievous monkey-like expression. The coat is rough and of uneven length over the body adding to their somewhat comical appearance. They have a lively, strutting movement. He is one of the oldest breeds, known to have been in existence in the 17th century and similar dogs appear in paintings of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The Affenpinscher adores his family and is fine with other family pets, especially when raised with them. In the home, he is an inquisitive busybody who must check out new sights and sounds. His playful antics are delightfully entertaining as he bats toys around with his agile paws. Affenpinschers do have a mind of their own, and without a firm hand can be obstinate and demanding, tossing tantrums or sulking when they don’t get their own way. It might make you laugh, but spoiling is not recommended for this breed, especially since he is so bright and does respond well to calm, patient training, like most terrier-type dogs, the Affenpinscher is proud and sensitive and does not take kindly to being teased. This breed is happiest in a home without young children. According to dog experts, Affenpinscher Dogs score 3 out of 5 in the scale of breeds that are considered the most healthy dog breeds. They are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they’re prone to certain health conditions. Not all Affens will get any or all of these diseases, but it’s important to be aware of them if you’re considering this breed. Patellar Luxation: Also known as “slipped stifles,” this is a common problem in small dogs. It is caused when the patella, which has three parts-the femur (thigh bone), patella (knee cap), and tibia (calf)–is not properly lined up. This causes lameness in the leg or an abnormal gait, sort of like a skip or a hop. Legg-Perthes Disease: Generally a disease of small breeds, this condition–a deformity of the ball of the hip joint–usually appears at 6 to 9 months of age and can be confused with hip dysplasia. It causes wearing and arthritis. It can be repaired surgically, and the prognosis is good with the help of rehabilitation therapy afterward. Hip Dysplasia: This is a heritable condition in which the thighbone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. If you’re buying a puppy, ask the breeder for proof that the parents have been tested for hip dysplasia and are free of problems. Heart Murmurs: Heart murmurs are caused by a disturbance in the blood flow through the chambers of the heart. They’re an indicator that there may be a disease or condition of the heart that will need to be monitored and treated. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affenpinscher https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/affenpinscher#/slide/1 https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/affenpinschers.html Photo credit: https://www.thesprucepets.com/breed-profile-affenpinscher-1117931