Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to O M Briggs.
A case of right atrial myxosarcoma is described in a Staffordshire bull terrier with a history of weight loss, exercise intolerance and collapse. The diagnosis of an intracavitary cardiac tumour was made on echocardiography. The dog was euthanased. Secondary spread to the lungs and lymph nodes was present. Myxoma is one of the rare intracavitary cardiac tumours and this case is believed to be the 1st report of its more malignant form in the dog.
Bacterial infection is often overlooked as an aetiological factor in small animal dermatology. The misuse of glucocorticoids may result in immunosuppression in the patient. Pyoderma may then become refractory to all forms of therapy. The impression smear is a simple technique to confirm a pyoderma. Empirical selection of antimicrobial agents is acceptable for initial therapy of uncomplicated pyoderma. Appropriate antibiotics must be used at therapeutic doses for extended periods. Primary pyoderma is caused by pathogenic bacteria alone. The underlying cause in secondary pyodermas must be eliminated in order to prevent recurrence.
The approach to the evaluation of a small animal patient with a dermatological condition is discussed with emphasis on systematic methods. The importance of obtaining an adequate history is stressed and the correct performance of screening tests is emphasised. Evidence of the body's reaction to disease or injurious agents is described since it must be recognised. Pruritus and alopecia are two common presenting clinical signs and systematic approaches to eliciting the aetiology of these are proposed.
The structure and function of the canine and feline skin is reviewed. Comparisons in tubular form have been made of certain aspects where confusion may arise.
The fate of radioactively labelled purines was examined in the Dalmatian Coach Hound after oral and intravenous administration. The incomplete intestinal absorption of urate, delayed conversion of urate to allantoin and the increased renal output and clearance of urate found in the Dalmatian Coach Hound when compared with the non-Dalmatian were consistent with a generalized defect in the transport of urate across cell membranes.
Aspects of the biology and life-cycle of the flea which are important to the practising veterinarian are discussed. The "cat flea", Ctenocephalides files is the most prevalent species on dogs and cats in those parts of the world where it has been surveyed. Whether the flea is a temporary or permanent obligatory parasite is still a controversy. The insecticides and product formulations available for flea control in South Africa are reviewed with emphasis on the systematic agent, fenthion. Practical protocols for flea control on dogs and cats are proposed.
Lentiginosis profusa was diagnosed in 3 pedigree Pugs namely two unrelated parents and their female offspring. Macroscopically the lentigines appeared as black macules up to 10 mm in diameter and occurred especially in the skin of the ventral parts of the body. Skin biopsies revealed localised acanthosis and hyperkeratosis with prominent rete ridges and epidermal hyperpigmentation in the absence of any other significant dermal pathology.
The mean concentration of urate in the serum of 80 Dalmatian Coach Hounds was approximately double that in the serum of 99 dogs of other breeds. Both values were higher than those reported previously.
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Feline infectious peritonitis was recently diagnosed in a 5 year old, male, neutered, Siamese cat. Euthanasia was performed. Macro- and histopathology confirmed the disease.