Information regarding signalment, duration of clinical signs, history of swimming, results of CBC and serum biochemical analyses, biopsy findings and mycological results, together with treatments and outcome, was retrieved from the medical records of 15 dogs with a diagnosis of pythiosis made between 1985 and 1995 at the Colleges of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University and the University of Florida. Most of the dogs were young (median age 22 months) and represented larger breeds (> 20 kg). Lesions were characteristically chronic, ulcerated, and nodular with multiple draining tracts on the limbs, thoracic wall or perineal regions. The median duration of these lesions was 3 months with a range of 2 weeks-6 months. Seven dogs had a history of swimming. Peripheral eosinophilia was observed in 14 of the dogs. Cytological evaluation of discharge, aspirates, or impression smears made from biopsy specimens revealed hyphae in five of 11 dogs (45%). Histopathological evaluation using the Gomori Methenamine-Silver (GMS) stain was the most useful test for providing presumptive evidence of cutaneous pythiosis. Immunotherapy or antifungal therapy using either amphotericin B, liposomal nystatin, itraconazole, or ketoconazole were all unsuccessful. The only dog to survive underwent amputation of the affected limb; thus, the prognosis for cutaneous pythiosis in the dog is poor.

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Complications of cat bite-associated P. multocida infections in humans are well known. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first documentation of P. multocida necrotizing cellulitis in a dog following a cat scratch wound. This case highlights the rapidity and severity of P. multocida cellulitis, if not recognized and treated early. Veterinarians should include P. multocida in the differential diagnosis of any local wound infection following a cat scratch.

A study of four marine salmon farms was undertaken in Ireland in 2008, with a focus on gill health and disease. All four farms suffered severe gill disease resulting in mortalities and, in some cases, failure to thrive. The aetiology of the gill pathologies in some cases was associated with small gelatinous zooplankton and bacteria, but also involved epitheliocystis and parasites such as marine costia (Ichthyobodo species) and amoebae (Neoparamoeba species). Treatments with oral broad-spectrum antibiotics and/or freshwater baths had equivocal benefits. There was a strong association of susceptibility to gill disease with one genetic strain of salmon.