Veterinary Medical Data Base records of cats with diabetes mellitus (DM) from 1970 through 1999 were reviewed to identify trends in hospital prevalence of DM and potential host risk factors. Hospital prevalence increased from eight cases per 10,000 in 1970 to 124 per 10,000 in 1999 (P < 0.001). Case fatality percent at first visit decreased from 40% to 10% (P < 0.001). Hospital prevalence increased in all age groups (P < 0.002). There was no apparent seasonal pattern in hospital prevalence. Significant risk factors included male gender, increasing age for both genders (P < 0.001), increasing weight for males (P < 0.001), and mixed vs pure breed for females (P = 0.006).

L kirschneri serovar grippotyphosa infection was associated with most cases of leptospirosis in dogs. Use of an effective vaccine that includes this serovar is advisable for dogs at risk of leptospirosis.

Abstract.A young adult female Mastiff dog developed a large retroperitoneal mass, pleural effusion, and multiple pulmonary and pleural nodules. All masses were diagnosed as mesenchymal subtype chondrosarcomas, using histological and immunohistochemical criteria. Reports of canine extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcomas (EMCs) are rare but involved animals less than 3 years of age in 60% of the cases. This is the first description of this type of tumor developing distant metastases. Evidence from this case and previous reports suggests that EMCs are associated with a poor prognosis.A 20-month-old intact female Mastiff dog presented with a 1-week history of progressive dyspnea, lethargy, and mild weight loss. The dog was alert and responsive, with generalized weakness and mild muscle wasting. A firm, fixed caudal abdominal mass was palpated. Increased lung sounds were auscultated in all fields. Pleural effusion and diffusely scattered, variably sized, pulmonary nodules were visible radiographically. Approximately 1 liter of serosanguineous fluid was drained from the pleural cavity. No neoplastic cells were observed on cytological examination of this fluid, and fungal pneumonia was tentatively diagnosed. An ultrasoundguided fine-needle aspirate of the abdominal mass revealed small numbers of pleomorphic, round-to-oval, occasionally multinucleated cells with basophilic cytoplasm. A malignant mesenchymal tumor was considered most likely, and the dog was euthanatized 8 days after initial presentation.Necropsy revealed a firm white 10-ϫ 8-ϫ 6-cm multilobular retroperitoneal mass. The mass was adjacent, but not adhered, to the fourth, fifth, and sixth lumbar vertebrae near the origin of the left broad ligament of the uterus. Incision of this mass revealed numerous small areas of cavitation that often contained serosanguineous fluid. Approximately 1.5 liters of serosanguineous fluid was present within the pleural cavity. Myriad firm white nodules of up to 1-cm diameter were scattered throughout the lungs. Pleural surfaces were diffusely opaque, and numerous interpleural adhesions were present. No other significant lesions were observed. Tissue samples were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and routinely processed for histological examination. Immunohistochemistry was performed using commercially available antibodies to S-100 protein a vimentin, a desmin, a smooth muscle actin, b and cytokeratin. a The avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex system c was used to visualize all immune reactions.Histological examination of the retroperitoneal mass revealed a pleomorphic proliferation of cells arranged in 2 confluent cellular patterns (Fig. 1). Approximately 30% of the neoplastic cells formed dense sheets supported by a fine fibrovascular network. Cells within these areas were generally small and round-to-oval, with prominent basophilic cen- trally placed nuclei that contained indistinct nucleoli. Cytoplasm was scant and faintly eosinophilic. Cells within the second neoplastic cell pattern were arranged in whorls and bundles. The cel...

dAntigen detection has been reported to be a promising method for rapid diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis in humans. Coccidioides antigen detection has not been previously reported in dogs with coccidioidomycosis and was evaluated in 60 cases diagnosed based on detection of anti-Coccidioides antibodies at titers of 1:16 or more in serum. Controls included dogs with presumed histoplasmosis or blastomycosis, other fungal infections, or nonfungal diseases and healthy dogs. Urine and serum specimens were tested using an enzyme immunoassay for Coccidioides galactomannan antigen. Antibody testing was performed at commercial veterinary reference laboratories. Antigen was detected in urine or serum of 12 of 60 (20.0%), urine only in 2 of 57 (3.5%), and serum only in 11 of 58 (19.0%) dogs with coccidioidomycosis. Antigen was detected in the urine of 3 of 43 (7.0%) and serum of 1 of 37 (2.7%) dogs with histoplasmosis or blastomycosis but not in 13 dogs with other fungal infections (serum, 9; urine, 13), 41 dogs with nonfungal diseases (urine, 41; serum, 18), or healthy dogs (serum, 21; urine, 21). Detection of antigen was an insensitive method for diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis in dogs in which the diagnosis was based primarily upon detection of antibodies at titers of 1:16 or higher, and the highest sensitivity was in serum.