Abstract. We describe a 10-month-old, intact female American Cocker Spaniel with pulmonary lymphomatoid granulomatosis (PLG). On clinical examination, this dog presented with nonproductive dry cough, serous nasal discharge, dyspnea, and lack of appetite. Radiography showed a consolidated lesion in the left cranial lung lobe. Histopathologic examination showed a mixed population of atypical lymphoid cells that had infiltrated into the pulmonary blood vessels angiocentrically. The lymphocytes were CD3 positive, consistent with a pan-T-cell phenotype. The lymphoid cells in the lesion were also positive for CD20cy and CD79a, indicative of the presence of B cells. We also observed large ReedSternberg-like cells that were positive for CD15 and CD30, similar to observations in human pulmonary Hodgkin's disease (PHD). In conclusion, canine PLG in this Cocker Spaniel was associated with B and T cells, which is first identified in a case of canine PLG. It was histopathologically similar to human lymphomatoid granulomatosis and immunophenotypically similar to human PHD.

A seven-month-old, entire, male miniature schnauzer dog was referred with acute vomiting, inappetence and depression primarily as a result of a gastric foreign body (pine cones). During investigations, thoracic radiographs revealed increased volume of the right lung lobes, deviated cardiomediastinal structures and elevation of the heart from the sternum. Thoracic computed tomography revealed left cranial lung lobe hypoplasia and extension of the right cranial lung parenchyma across the midline to the left hemithorax. Branches of the right pulmonary vessels and bronchi also crossed the midline and extended to the left caudal lung lobe. These findings suggested that the right and left lungs were fused. In humans this finding is consistent with horseshoe lung, which is an uncommon congenital malformation. To the authors' knowledge, this case represents the first report of such a pulmonary anomaly in a dog.

ABSTRACT:The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of a topical skin cream containing a mixture of emu oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, and tea tree oil against the canine skin pathogens Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Malassezia pachydermatis. Three S. pseudintermedius isolates from dogs and a type strain of M. pachydermatis were used. Based on the standards of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimal bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC) were determined. In addition, microbial inactivation time was determined for both pathogens. The MICs against S. pseudintermedius and M. pachydermatis were 0.23% and 0.63%, while the MBC/MFCs were 7.5% and 5%, respectively. In assessments of the microbial inactivation time, after 12 h of incubation with the cream, the growth of both pathogens was completely inhibited. These results suggest that the skin cream tested here can be used as a substitute for generally used antibiotic/antifungal agents. Keywords: natural oil; Staphylococcus pseudintermedius; Malassezia pachydermatis; antimicrobial effectSupported by High Nature Ltd in 2014 (Grant No. 2013-A012-0038).Superficial skin infections such as superficial pyoderma and otitis externa are commonly encountered in veterinary practice and account for a significant number of antimicrobial prescriptions (Escher et al. 2011). Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Malassezia pachydermatis are the most common pathogens isolated from pyoderma and otitis externa in dogs (Cafarchia et al. 2005;Fitzgerald 2009). In the last decade, resistance to antimicrobial agents has increased, particularly with the emergence and widespread dissemination of methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius in dogs as a result of the broad use of certain antimicrobial agents (Neu 1992;Kadlec and Schwarz 2013). The increased resistance to most available antimicrobial agents has created a need to identify alternative treatment strategies. As one possible alternative, the use of essential oils against various pathogens such as bacteria, virus, fungi, parasites, and insects has been widely evaluated (Weseler et al. 2002;Moon et al. 2006;Prabussenivasan et al. 2006;LaPlante et al. 2007;Wu et al. 2010;Freire et al. 2012;Valentine et al. 2012). These oils contain numerous constituents that contribute to the characteristic odour and medicinal effects, but they are not a usual choice for the treatment of infection, primarily because of the lack of scientific evidence of their efficacy.The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of a topical skin cream containing a mixture of natural oils against the canine skin pathogens S. pseudintermedius and M. pachydermatis. MATERIAL AND METHODSTest materials. A topical skin cream (Dara cream ® , Koreai1, Kimpo, Korea) containing a mixture of emu oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, and tea tree oil was evaluated. Ampicillin sodium salt and miconazole nitrate were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Corp. (St. Louis, MO, USA) a...

Skin physiology in cats has received little attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term influence of sex, time and the level of dietary fat and energy on the dynamics and qualities of the hair coat. Twenty-four European short-haired laboratory cats were followed over a 1-year period. They were divided into eight groups of three, according to: sex (12 males and 12 females), sexual status (intact or neutered) and diets [(high energy 4300 kcal/kg as fed, 21% fat) vs. (moderate energy 3500 kcal/kg as fed, 10% fat)]. Both diets were fed for 6 months to all cats following a cross-over design. The following parameters were evaluated throughout the study: thickness of hair coat and hair lengths (neck, rump, lateral, flank), hair regrowth (after periodic clippings of 25 cm 2 areas), and telogen/anagen ratio. The thickness of the hair coat initially varied from 1.2-1.7 cm on the neck, 1-1.4 cm on the rump, 1.8-2.5 cm on the flank, and hair shaft lengths were 1.7-2.5, 3.7-3.9 and 2.5-3.2 cm, respectively. Comparison of values revealed few statistical differences: increase of the thickness of hair coat in neutered cats (male and female) during the study, and increase of the length of lateral hairs in all groups during the study. Over all periods and in all groups, the curve of growth was similar (rapid then slower). Some transient variations were attributed to temporary changes in ambient conditions. In conclusion, neither sex, nutrition or season (in housed cats) influenced the general quality of hair coat, in particular hair regrowth. Funding: Royal Canin. P-2Evaluation of the influence of sex, diet and time on skin pH and surface lipids of cats P. BOURDEAU, K. W. TAYLOR, P. NGUYEN and V. BIOURGE National Veterinary School of Nantes, Nantes, France; Royal Canin, Aimargues, France Skin lipids and pH are two factors classically considered of importance in homeostatic characteristics of skin. Skin physiology in cats has received little attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term influence of sex, sexual status, season, and dietary fat and energy on these parameters. Twenty-four European short-haired laboratory cats, 14 months of age, were followed over a 1-year period. They were divided into 8 groups of three, according to: sex (12 males and 12 females), sexual status (intact or neutered) and diets [(high energy 4300 kcal/kg as fed, 21% fat) vs. (moderate energy 3500 kcal/kg as fed, 10% fat)]. Both diets were fed to all cats for 6 months following a cross-over design. Parameters regularly evaluated were skin pH and hair total lipid content (extraction from samples of 0.6-1.2 g of clipped hairs). The pH of the skin varied from 6.6-6.8 initially to 7.2-7.4 at the end of the study. This increase was significant only in intact animals (male and female). The dietary changes did not affect skin pH. Hair total lipid content was not affected by sex or the diets but slightly increased in all groups over the study period from 1.5-2.4 to 2.4-3.3%. In conclusion, skin pH appeared to be potentially m...

Skin physiology in cats has received little attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term influence of sex, time and the level of dietary fat and energy on the dynamics and qualities of the hair coat. Twenty-four European short-haired laboratory cats were followed over a 1-year period. They were divided into eight groups of three, according to: sex (12 males and 12 females), sexual status (intact or neutered) and diets [(high energy 4300 kcal/kg as fed, 21% fat) vs. (moderate energy 3500 kcal/kg as fed, 10% fat)]. Both diets were fed for 6 months to all cats following a cross-over design. The following parameters were evaluated throughout the study: thickness of hair coat and hair lengths (neck, rump, lateral, flank), hair regrowth (after periodic clippings of 25 cm 2 areas), and telogen/anagen ratio. The thickness of the hair coat initially varied from 1.2-1.7 cm on the neck, 1-1.4 cm on the rump, 1.8-2.5 cm on the flank, and hair shaft lengths were 1.7-2.5, 3.7-3.9 and 2.5-3.2 cm, respectively. Comparison of values revealed few statistical differences: increase of the thickness of hair coat in neutered cats (male and female) during the study, and increase of the length of lateral hairs in all groups during the study. Over all periods and in all groups, the curve of growth was similar (rapid then slower). Some transient variations were attributed to temporary changes in ambient conditions. In conclusion, neither sex, nutrition or season (in housed cats) influenced the general quality of hair coat, in particular hair regrowth. Funding: Royal Canin. P-2Evaluation of the influence of sex, diet and time on skin pH and surface lipids of cats P. BOURDEAU, K. W. TAYLOR, P. NGUYEN and V. BIOURGE National Veterinary School of Nantes, Nantes, France; Royal Canin, Aimargues, France Skin lipids and pH are two factors classically considered of importance in homeostatic characteristics of skin. Skin physiology in cats has received little attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term influence of sex, sexual status, season, and dietary fat and energy on these parameters. Twenty-four European short-haired laboratory cats, 14 months of age, were followed over a 1-year period. They were divided into 8 groups of three, according to: sex (12 males and 12 females), sexual status (intact or neutered) and diets [(high energy 4300 kcal/kg as fed, 21% fat) vs. (moderate energy 3500 kcal/kg as fed, 10% fat)]. Both diets were fed to all cats for 6 months following a cross-over design. Parameters regularly evaluated were skin pH and hair total lipid content (extraction from samples of 0.6-1.2 g of clipped hairs). The pH of the skin varied from 6.6-6.8 initially to 7.2-7.4 at the end of the study. This increase was significant only in intact animals (male and female). The dietary changes did not affect skin pH. Hair total lipid content was not affected by sex or the diets but slightly increased in all groups over the study period from 1.5-2.4 to 2.4-3.3%. In conclusion, skin pH appeared to be potentially m...