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Biomedical subjects

T Glaus

Publications and source records attributed to T Glaus.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Evaluation of clinical signs and causes of lower urinary tract disease in European cats.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical signs and causes of lower urinary tract disease (LUTD) in 77 cats. METHODS: Cats diagnosed with LUTD over a two-year period were included in the study. RESULTS: The study population comprised 67 male and 10 female cats. Uroliths occurred in 17 of the 77 cats (22 per cent), urethral plugs in eight cats (10 per cent) and urinary tract infection in six cats (8 per cent). In 44 cats (57 per cent), no specific cause for the disease was found and they were classified as having idiopathic LUTD. In two of the 77 cats (3 per cent) no definitive diagnosis was established. Pain was less common in cats with uroliths and haematuria was more often seen in cats with urinary tract infection. At presentation, urethral obstruction was diagnosed in 45 of the 77 cats (58 per cent). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The causes of LUTD found in cats in this study are similar to those that have been previously documented, and idiopathic LUTD is the most frequent diagnosis. However, the rate of urethral obstruction, particularly in cats with idiopathic LUTD, was higher than in other reports. The cause of this difference is unknown.

Animals↗

Persistent truncus arteriosus and patent foramen ovale in a Simmentaler x Braunvieh calf.

A Simmentaler x Braunvieh calf had been anorexic during its first 36 hours of life, had a loud heart murmur and was suspected to have pneumonia. In the light of the results of radiographic and echocardiographic examinations, right heart catheterisation and angiography, a diagnosis of persistent truncus arteriosus and patent foramen ovale was made. The diagnosis was confirmed on postmortem examination.

Angiography↗

[Cardiac tamponade due to pericardial mesothelioma in an 11-year-old dog: diagnosis, medical and interventional treatments].

In a dog presenting with the clinical signs of exercise intolerance and ascites, cardiac tamponade due to suspected idiopathic pericarditis was diagnosed based on thoracic radiographs, electrocardiogram (EKG) and cardiac ultrasound. Pericardial effusion recurred soon after pericardiocenteses, prescription of colchizine and again after balloon pericardiotomy. After partial pericardectomy by thoracoscopy and after obtaining a histological diagnosis of mesothelioma adjuvant intracavitary chemotherapy using cisplatin was performed. Already one week later the dog developed marked dyspnea due to severe pleural effusion. The dog was maintained at acceptable life quality judged based on playfulness and appetite using repeated pleuro-centeses for an additional two months, when the dog was euthanized due to uncontrollable pleural effusion. Despite extensive treatments life span from initial presentation to euthanasia was only 5 months. Necropsy revealed extensive mesothelioma metastases covering the whole pleura, epicardium and remaining pericardium. Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of (recurrent) pericardial effusion are discussed based on this case.

Animals↗

Recurrent fever as the only or predominant clinical sign in four dogs and one cat with congenital portosystemic vascular anomalies.

Fever is not considered a typical clinical sign in animals with portosystemic vascular anomalies (PSVA). In a time period of 8 years, PSVA was diagnosed in 23 cases (20 dogs, 3 cats) at the Animal Hospital of the University of Zurich. Of these, recurrent fever was the only, the predominant or an early sign in 5 animals. Fever and associated unspecific clinical signs like lethargy, inappetence, and reluctance to move were present for weeks to months before the final diagnosis of PSVA was made. It was the lack of typical and well-known signs of PSVA that obscured and delayed the diagnosis. Therefore, PSVA should be included in the differential diagnosis of animals with fever of unknown origin (FUO).

Animals↗

Sebaceous adenitis in the Akita: clinical observations, histopathology and heredity.

Ninety-seven pure-bred Akitas were examined clinically and histologically for sebaceous adenitis. The diagnosis was established histologically in 23 Akitas by demonstrating an inflammatory reaction targeted against the sebaceous glands or a reduction in the number of glands. The clinical course of sebaceous adenitis in the Akita was similar to that seen in other breeds. The first skin lesions occurred mainly on the dorsal midline and ears. Compared with the Poodle, the age at first onset of the disease was more variable and the hair loss affected mainly the undercoat. The progression of sebaceous gland destruction varied between dogs and was not seen in all cases. Because bud-like sebaceous gland proliferation could be identified, it seems that regeneration of the sebaceous glands may occur. An autosomal recessive inheritance appears to be possible. Apart from a genetic background, immune-mediated factors possibly influence the onset and course of sebaceous adenitis.

Animals↗

[Life threatening metabolic disorders after application of a sodium phosphate containing enema in the dog and cat].

Application of a sodium phosphate containing enema caused life-threatening metabolic disorders in a Dachshund and two cats. Clinical signs were characterised by dehydration and various neurological deficits including seizures. Most striking laboratory abnormalities were hypernatremia, hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and polycythemia. Despite intensive treatment the dog died, whereas the cats recovered completely. In face of possible severe and potentially fatal metabolic abnormalities sodium phosphate enemas, such as Practo-Clyss, should be used with caution or not at all in cats and small dogs.

Animals↗

Glucagon-producing neuroendocrine tumour associated with hypoaminoacidaemia and skin lesions.

A nine-year-old neutered female crossbred Bernese mountain dog was diagnosed with superficial necrolytic dermatitis and a glucagon-producing islet cell tumour. Laboratory findings included hyperglucagonaemia and hypoaminoacidaemia. The dog was euthanased because of progression of the disease, and necropsy revealed liver metastases of a neuroendocrine carcinoma with immunohistochemical expression of glucagon and somatostatin. This report represents a case of canine glucagonoma syndrome; the previously reported cases in dogs are also briefly described.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗

Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism in six cats.

Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSH) was diagnosed in six cats during a three-year period, based on clinical, radiographic and laboratory findings. Clinical signs were attributable to severe osteopenia (n = 5) and hypocalcaemia (n = 4), which had resulted in spontaneous fractures of long bones, scapulae, pelvis, nasal bones, or spine, and in excitation, muscle twitching or seizures, respectively. Serum parathormone levels were markedly elevated, and 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 mildly elevated, whereas 25(OH)-vitamin D3 was mildly decreased compared to age-matched healthy cats. Treatment was limited to short-term parenteral calcium gluconate injections, as clinically indicated, a balanced diet and cage rest, which resulted in quick clinical recovery in four cases. The remaining two cats had to be euthanased because of progressive neurological deficits secondary to spinal fractures. At the time of writing, a multitude of commercial balanced diets is widely available and diseases secondary to dietary deficiencies have become rare. Nevertheless, NSH is still an important clinical entity, and should be considered in growing cats presenting with spontaneous fractures or seizures.

Animals↗

[Differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia--a retrospective study of 46 dogs].

UNLABELLED: The case records of 46 dogs with hypercalcemia were studied retrospectively. The most common cause of hypercalcemia was malignancy, of which the majority were diagnosed as having lymphosarcoma (LSA, n = 23). Interestingly only 15 had palpable lymphadenopathy. Other neoplasia were apocrine adenocarcinoma of the anal sac (n = 4), mammary adenocarcinoma (n = 2), anaplastic carcinoma (n = 1), and malignant histiocytosis (n = 1). Non-neoplastic reasons for hypercalcemia were hypoadrenocorticism (n = 5), acute renal failure (n = 2), chronic renal failure (n = 2), hypervitaminosis D (n = 1), and primary hyperparathyroidism (n = 1). In 4 cases no definitive diagnosis could be obtained. Moderate to marked hyperphosphatemia and azotemia was found in all dogs with primary renal failure and in 4 of 5 dogs with hypoadrenocorticism. In contrast only 4 of 31 dogs with neoplasia showed (mild) hyperphosphatemia and 20 showed mild to moderate azotemia. Elevated PTH levels were found in dogs with primary chronic renal failure and with primary hyperparathyroidism, but also in one dog with neoplasia. Low PTH concentrations were measured in the dog with hypervitaminosis D and in 8 cases with neoplasia. Additional three cases with neoplasia had values in the reference range. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The most common cause of hypercalcemia is LSA. Absence of palpable lymphadenopathy does not exclude LSA and further diagnostic steps may be necessary 2. The combination of moderate to marked hyperphosphatemia suggests primary renal failure or hypoadrenocorticism. 3. An elevated PTH level is consistent with primary hyperparathyroidism, but does not exclude other causes of hypercalcemia.

Adrenal Insufficiency↗

[Imported hepatozoonosis in the dog: 3 cases].

Canine hepatozoonosis is presented with 3 cases. The most common signs are: fever, anorexia, weight loss, diarrhea and vomiting, muscle weakness, lymphadenopathy, anemia and purulent discharge from the nose and the eyes. Because an infection with H. canis in the dog is often associated with other infectious diseases such as leishmaniasis, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis, the clinical picture may be dominated by these diseases. The diagnosis is made with the typical inclusions in neutrophilic granulocytes and monocytes. Only short remissions may be obtained with the presently available medications.

Animals↗

[Extensive stomach ulcers due to Dieffenbachia intoxication in a cat].

Extensive gastric ulceration was diagnosed endoscopically and histologically in a two-year-old cat with haematemesis, anorexia and severe dehydration. Based on history (previous ingestion of leaf pieces of Dieffenbachia) and exclusion of another cause, intoxication with Dieffenbachia was diagnosed. The toxical effect of Dieffenbachia on mucous membranes is probably explained by ejection of calcium oxalate crystals leading to injury of mast cells and a massive histamine release. Supportive treatment including electrolyte infusions, ranitidine, sucralfate, and forced feeding using an endoscopically placed gastrostomy tube resulted in quick clinical recovery of this cat.

Animals↗

Seroprevalence of Bartonella henselae infection and correlation with disease status in cats in Switzerland.

The prevalence of infection with Bartonella henselae was investigated in cats from different areas of Switzerland. Serum samples of 728 cats were examined for antibodies to B. henselae by immunofluorescent antibody testing, and the results were analyzed with a view to a possible correlation between a positive titer and signalment, clinical signs, infection with feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline coronavirus (FCoV), or feline spumavirus (FeSFV), and the living environments of the cats. The seroprevalence in all cats was 8.3%. No significantly different prevalence was found in sick versus healthy cats (9.2 versus 7.2%); however, in sick cats seropositive for B. henselae, there was an increased frequency of stomatitis and a variety of diseases of the kidneys and the urinary tract. There was an increased prevalence of B. henselae in cats positive for FCoV (P = 0.0185) or FeSFV (P = 0.0235) and no statistically significant increased prevalence in cats infected with FeLV or FIV. There was no correlation between a positive titer and sex or breed. The same prevalence of B. henselae antibodies was found in cats with and without access to the outdoors and in cats from single- and multicat households. The seroprevalence was increased in cats living south of the Alps (12.1%); however, this difference was not significant (P = 0.0616).

Age Factors↗

[What is your diagnosis? Iron deficiency anemia due to intestinal blood loss].

Iron lack anemia due to chronic blood loss was diagnosed in a 12 year old dog based on typical hematological abnormalities including moderate regenerative anemia (Hct 21%) and microcytosis (MCV 39 fl). Clinical abnormalities included weakness and episodic vomiting. Chronic occult blood loss in adult dogs most commonly occurs in the gastrointestinal tract associated with ulcus or neoplasia. Possible diagnostic steps include radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, gastroduodenoscopy and exploratory laparotomy. In the dog of this report gastric and duodenal adenocarcinomata were found during necropsy confirming the clinical suspicion of a bleeding gastrointestinal malignancy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[The "activated coagulation time (ACT)": two simple screening methods for evaluating coagulation disorders in dogs].

The use of the activated coagulation time (ACT) for testing the intrinsic coagulation is well established among veterinary practitioners in the USA. The advantage of the ACT compared to other coagulation tests is its ease to be performed under practice conditions. The ACT may be measured manually or instrumentally. The reference range of our instrumental measurement is between 90 and 120 seconds (median 105 seconds), of the manual measurement at room temperature between 115 and 145 seconds (median 125 seconds). Advantages of the instrumental method are the smaller amount of blood (0.4 ml versus 2.0 ml) necessary to perform the test, and the smaller potential for errors by unexperienced examiners. The spread is comparable between the two methods. The most important cause of false results is poor venipuncture technique: traumatic venipuncture will trigger the coagulation cascade already during venipuncture causing an artificially shortened ACT.

Animals↗

[Enteral forced feeding using blind fixed stomach probes: two practical methods].

Whereas fasting is well tolerated by the healthy organism, protein-energy malnutrition in the sick animal has a negative impact on organ functions, immunocompetence, wound healing, and reconvalescence. Sick animals, physically unable to eat or held off food for medical reasons for more than 5 days, consequently need some sort of nutritional support. Force feeding through a gastrostomy tube has several advantages compared to other forms of enteral nutrition. Gastrostomy tube feeding is relatively physiological, is quite comfortable for the animals and their owners, can replace oral feeding for weeks, and is associated with only rare complications. Gastrostomy tubes can be placed surgically, by use of a gastroscope, or blindly. Blind percutaneous gastrostomy tube placement is minimally invasive, fast, does not require any expensive equipment, and hence is well suited for practice.

Animals↗

[Neurologic symptoms in relation to hypothyroidism in the dog: review of the literature and case reports].

Primary hypothyroidism is commonly associated with lethargy, alopecia, hyperpigmentation, alterations in skin and hair coat, anestrus and bradycardia. However, there is also a neurological manifestation of hypothyroidism with neuromuscular signs. Four dogs with generalized polyneuropathy are described. Two dogs had peripheral vestibular signs, two other lower motor neuron disease with megaesophagus. Diagnosis was based on neurological examination, TSH-stimulation test and electrodiagnostic findings including electromyography, motor nerve conduction velocity and brainstem evoked potentials. On histological examination lymphocytic thyroiditis was diagnosed in two cases. Three dogs recovered after supplementation with Eltroxine (Levothyroxine) and one dog was euthanatized because of megaesophagus and concomitant aspiration pneumonia.

Animals↗

[Ehrlichiosis in dogs: literature review and case description].

A case of E. canis in a 7 year old intact female bearded collie is described and possible clinical signs of Ehrlichiosis are discussed. Non-specific findings included elevated rectal temperature, depression and anorexia. Additional findings were generalized lymphadenomegaly, myalgia and painful swollen joints. Significant changes in the CBC were leucopenia and thrombocytopenia. The positive E. canis titer of 1:40 and rising titer to 1:160 were specific for Ehrlichiosis. Doxycycline and prednisolone were needed to obtain clinical remission, which underlines, that immune-mediated processes are important in the pathogenesis of Ehrlichiosis.

Animals↗