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A nine-month-old, intact male springer spaniel was presented with acute mandibular lymphadenopathy seven days following exploratory coeliotomy and biopsy of an enlarged mesenteric lymph node. Histology was consistent with sterile severe necrotising pyogranulomatous inflammation. An underlying cause of the granulomatous lymphadenitis could not be identified. The dog responded to prednisolone, showing complete resolution of the clinical signs. This could be an unusual presentation of canine juvenile cellulitis, without a cutaneous component and without initial submandibular or prescapular lymphadenopathy.

Urocortin (Ucn) peptides are the endogenous ligands for the corticotropin-releasing factor type 2 receptor (CRFR2). They have potentially important roles in cardiovascular physiology in health and disease, and show promise as therapeutics for congestive heart failure. Analysis of canine heart tissue showed mRNA expression of Ucn 1, Ucn 3 and CRFR2 in all heart chambers. Immunohistochemistry also demonstrated Ucn 1 and 3 expression in cardiomyocytes. To assess the potential usefulness of circulating Ucns as markers of heart disease, plasma samples from 45 dogs with cardiac disease and 15 controls were analysed by radioimmunoassay. Both Ucn 1 and 3 were measurable but the presence of cardiac disease did not alter their concentrations. Therefore, whilst Ucns are expressed in canine myocardium (where they may play a role in the endogenous neurohumoral response to cardiac disease or failure) they do not appear to be sensitive biomarkers of cardiac disease in our canine patient population.

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