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Mast cell tumours (MCTs) are often diagnosed by cytology based on the identification of purple intracytoplasmic granules with methanolic Romanowsky stains, including May‐Grünwald‐Giemsa (MGG). In clinical practice, aqueous rapid stains (RS) are commonly used, but mast cell granules may not stain properly. Aim of this prospective study was to investigate the frequency of MCT hypogranularity with RS and its potential implications in tumour identification, cytological grading assessment and recognition of nodal metastatic disease. Cytological preparations of canine primary MCTs and metastatic lymph nodes with subsequent histopathological confirmation were included. For each case, good‐quality smears were stained with both MGG and RS and comparatively assessed. Eleven of 60 (18.3%) primary MCTs were hypogranular with RS; 9 of them were histologically high‐grade tumours and in 3 cases (5%) a definitive MCT diagnosis could not be made. Accuracy in cytological grading assessment (85%) did not differ between RS and MGG. Thirteen of 28 (46.4%) metastatic lymph nodes were hypogranular with RS and 3 independent observers failed to identify nodal MCT metastases in 7% to 18% of RS‐stained smears. This study confirms that, in limited cases, RS can be ineffective in staining MCT granules, particularly in high‐grade tumours, thus making diagnosis more dependent on experience and quality of preparations. In dubious cases, methanolic stains should be applied. The use of RS is discouraged for the search of nodal metastases, as the identification of isolated mast cells can be more challenging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes a clinical and pathological case study of a one-month old female Holstein calf with bilateral trochlear nerve palsy as a consequence of cerebellar medulloblastoma. Information provided include the findings of physical and neurological examinations, comparison of the thickness of brainstem structures in the affected calf and in a control calf, and the characteristics of the medullo-blastoma.

Abstract: In May and July 2010 and in March 2011, the presence of multiple bleeding nodules at the level of the neck, shoulders, withers, back and rump in five cattle from three herds in north-central Italy were observed. A diagnosis of parafilariosis was made. Fragments of adult females of Parafilaria bovicola could be identified from the derma of three to five bioptic extirpates. Larvated eggs and free larvae were observed in serohemorrhagic exudates. This paper is the first report of the occurrence of parafilariosis in Italy and subsequent to the various outbreaks reported, it can now be said that bovine parafilariosis is also currently present in Italy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Waldenström Macroglobulinemia is a low-grade immunosecretory disorder associated with lymphoid tumours, which is rarely reported in veterinary medicine. In this study, we describe two clinical cases of this rare syndrome in dogs, each characterized by a different onset and clinical course. In one case, a hyperacute onset and aggressive behaviour of the neoplasm was observed. Absolute serum viscosity (SV) was retrospectively evaluated in order to explain clinical findings. Rotational viscosimetry showed good precision in measuring SV. Both dogs had SV values higher than a control groups of healthy dogs although only one subject developed hyperviscosity symptoms and complications. At high paraprotein concentrations, a slight reduction of the M-component was associated with a marked decrease in SV. Thus, this work suggests that SV assessment is a relevant tool for managing monoclonal gammopathies, whose usefulness should be further confirmed in larger cohorts of dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of mandibular salivary gland adenocarcinoma in a 9-year-old female dog is described. Material collected by fine needle aspiration underwent cytological examination and after the diagnosis of salivary carcinoma the mass was surgically excised and then was processed for histological examination. The aim of this work is to describe the cytopathological features of this carcinoma and to emphasize the usefulness of fine needle aspiration technique, which is an effective, inexpensive and minimally invasive method of diagnosis that can be performed before incisional biopsy or even before surgical excision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the renal pelvis was found in two dogs, a 7-year-old male English Setter and a 11-year-old female Shetland shepherd. Affected dogs were presented for clinical examination without any specific symptoms but haematuria in case 1 and occurrence of whitish material in the urine of case 2; neoplastic disorders were discovered with ultrasonographic investigation and fine needle aspiration biopsy. Histopathological examination was carried out after nephrectomy and ureterectomy of the affected kidney of both dogs, and confirmed the diagnosis of non-invasive and low grade TCC in case 1 and of infiltrating TCC in case 2. The clinical, gross, cytological and histopathological features of these rare tumours originating from transitional epithelium of the renal pelvis are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the findings of a series of punch calf cases in 23 Romagnola cattle examined between February 2003 and March 2007. Punch calf is a complex malformation characterized by facial deformities, enlarged fluid-filled abdomen, and hepatic fibrosis. The calves' genealogical evaluation showed common ancestors and inbreeding loops, which suggest a genetic etiology with convincing evidence that a single autosomal locus acting in a recessive manner regulated the defect.

The article presents a report describing the cytopathological features of actinomycotic osteomyelitis in cattle, emphasized by the usefulness of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in Bologna, Italy. It notes that FNAB is a less aggressive procedure in recognizing microorganisms and sulphur granules. It also notes that FNAB is a safe, easy-to-use, fast, and effective diagnostic technique before microbiological examination and antimicrobial therapy.