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Multiple hemostatic abnormalities are associated with paraneoplastic syndrome and some malignant tumors. Lymphoma is the most common hematopoietic neoplasm in dogs, sometimes associated with hemostatic changes. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the behavior of coagulation parameters in dogs with multicentric lymphoma compared with diseased dogs without lymphoma, to separately evaluate the effect of immunophenotype (B lymphoma versus T lymphoma) on the variables of interest as well as the effect of disease stage (stage II to IV versus stage V). Specifically, a cross-sectional study was performed with a matched comparison group considering 170 dogs with B or T lymphoma (group 1) and 170 dogs with no lymphoma or other neoplastic processes but other diseases (group 0). Eight coagulation parameters were evaluated: platelet count (Plt), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen, fibrin/products of fibrinogen degradation (FDPs), fibrin D-dimers, and antithrombin (AT). Dogs with lymphoma showed prolonged PT and TT, decreased fibrinogen, increased FDP, and decreased Plt compared with group 0. The effect of disease stage was evaluated separately for dogs with stage II to IV lymphoma and dogs with stage V lymphoma; patients with stage II–IV lymphoma showed no significant differences, while in dogs with stage V lymphoma, a prolongation of PT and TT, a decrease in fibrinogen, an increase in FDPs and a decrease in Plt were found compared with the group 0. Finally, the comparison between B lymphoma and T lymphoma showed no significant differences in coagulation parameters between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that low fibrinogen and platelet levels were the most significant predictors of lymphoma in a cohort of canine patients. These hemostatic abnormalities in lymphoma appeared to be associated with the stage of the disease rather than the lymphoma immunophenotype. These findings pave the way for the possible scenario of lymphoma-associated fibrinolysis and the so far undescribed pattern of hyperfibrinolysis associated with the most severe stage of lymphoma.

The epidemiological characteristics of spontaneous hypercortisolism (HC) were derived from 21,281 client-owned dogs selected from 4 private veterinary clinics and 1 university reference centre for endocrinology. The odds ratio (OR) method was employed to investigate the risk of developing HC related to breed, gender and sexual status. The estimated prevalence of HC in the 4 private clinics was 0.20% (95% CI, 0.13–0.27) and was significantly different compared to the university reference centre (1.46%; 95%CI, 1.12–1.80). Sex, breed and age resulted in risk factors for HC. Mean (±SD) age for dogs with HC was 9.8 (±2.5) years. Females had higher risk for HC compared to males (OR 1.85; 95%CI, 1.24–2.75); all neutered dogs (both males and females) had higher risk than intact dogs (OR 2.54; 95%CI, 1.72–3.73); and neutered females had higher risk compared to intact females (OR 2.61; 95%CI, 1.54–4.42). Using the mixed breed dogs as a control population (OR=1), the risk of developing HC was significantly higher in the standard schnauzer (OR 58.1; p

In human medicine, central nervous system (CNS) concussion is defined as a transient neurological dysfunction following a traumatic event, without evidence of structural abnormalities of the affected region on advanced diagnostic imaging. Depending on the anatomical region involved, three forms of concussive syndromes are described: brain concussion, spinal concussion and cerebellar concussion. Although major textbooks of veterinary neurology admit the existence of canine brain concussion, spontaneous cases of this pathological condition have not been reported in small animals so far. This report describes two cases of concussion in dogs: a 9-month-old, intact male, shih-tzu with brain concussion; and a 10-month-old, intact male, poodle with cerebellar concussion. In addition, a brief review of the definition of the term “concussion” in the veterinary medical literature is provided, in comparison to its meaning in the human medical literature. Finally, this paper proposes an appropriate definition of “concussion” in dogs, that may facilitate clinicians in the recognition of such an elusive syndrome.

A wild young male red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was found in the mountainous hinterland of Rome (Italy) with a heavily depressed mental status and unresponsive to the surrounding environment. Neurological examination revealed depression, left circling, right head tilt, ventromedial positional strabismus and decreased postural reactions on the left side. Neurological abnormalities were suggestive of central vestibular syndrome. Two consecutive MRIs performed with 30 days interval were compatible with lacunar ischemic infarct in the territory of right caudal cerebral artery and its collateral branches. The lesion epicentre was in the right periaqueductal portion of the rostral mesencephalic tegmentum. Neuroanatomical and neurophysiological correlation between lesion localization and clinical presentation are discussed.

An 8-year-old intact male Lagotto Romagnolo was presented with forebrain signs. Neuroanatomic localization was diffuse prosencephalon. MRI revealed diffuse, bilateral, and symmetric T2 and FLAIR hyperintensities in the parieto-occipital white matter and corpus callosum. No mass effect or contrast enhancement was noted. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid revealed normal protein content and mild mononuclear pleocytosis. Atypical cells were not identified. 15 days later because of the worsening of clinical condition the patient was euthanized upon owner’s request. Neuropathological investigations were consistent with gliomatosis cerebri (GC). Such an unusual imaging pattern appeared similar to some cases of human GC and to a previous reported case in a dog, suggesting a possible repeatable imaging findings for this rare brain neoplasm. GC should be included in the MRI differentials for diffuse bilateral white matter signal changes and specific MRI findings described in this report may help in reaching a presumptive diagnosis of this tumor.