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Dirofilariosis, caused by nematodes Dirofilaria repens, is a parasitosis of wild and domestic carnivores. Nematodes D. repens locate in the subcutaneous and intramuscular tissue. The aim of this article is to describe rare case of pleural infection of a dog with nematodes D. repens. 12-year-old golden retriever had been treated in the veterinary clinic due to emaciation, weakness and dehydration, observed for 2 weeks. Hematologic and biochemical tests revealed reduction in the number of leukocytes and erythrocytes, significant decrease of hemoglobin, hematocrit and albumins as well as increased ALAT, urea and creatinine levels. Parasitological examination of blood smear revealed the presence of multiple microfilariae. Increased echogenicity of renal parenchyma was visible during ultrasound examination. Necropsy of euthanized animal revealed adult nematodes D. repens, located in the pleural cavity. Additionally, enlarged kidneys with subcapsular petechiae and a single cyst in the renal cortex were observed. To our best knowledge, it is the first case of finding nematodes D. repens in a pleural cavity of a dog.

Sixty-four dogs were treated with single-agent doxorubicin (DOX) for presumptive cardiac hemangiosarcoma (cHSA). The objective response rate (CR + PR) was 41%, and the biologic response rate (CR + PR + SD), or clinical benefit, was 68%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) for treated dogs was 66 days. The median survival time (MST) for this group was 116 days and was significantly improved compared to a MST of 12 days for untreated control dogs (P = 0.0001). Biologic response was significantly associated with improved PFS (P < 0.0001) and OS (P < 0.0001). Univariate analysis identified larger tumour size as a variable negatively associated with PFS. The high rate of clinical benefit and improved MST suggest that DOX has activity in canine cHSA., (© 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of canine dirofilariosis from different districts of the Mazovian Province in central-eastern Poland. 462 dogs aged from 1.5-14 years were examined for dirofilariosis. Blood samples were examined for the presence of microfilariae using the Knott method, as well as the method of Kingston and Morton, after centrifugation in haematocrit microtubes in order to determine the intensity of infection as the number of microfilariae in 60 microliters of blood. The species of microfilariae found were determined after staining on the basis of the morphological characters. Samples were also examined using Canine Heartworm Antigen Test Kit SNAP HTWM (IDEXX, USA) that allows the detection of circulating antigens of females of Dirofilaria immitis. The positive samples were examined using multiplex PCR assay for species confirmation. Microfilariae belonging to the species D. repens were found in the blood samples of dogs originating from the city of Warsaw and from 18 districts of Mazovian Province. The mean prevalence of that species observed in the province was 25.8%. The range of intensity counted with the number of microfilariae found in 60 microliters of blood amounted to between 1-150; median intensity 9 microfilariae. The highest prevalence, reaching 52.9% and the highest median intensity of infection reaching 28 microfilariae, was found in Radom district. The lowest prevalence, amounting to 4.2%, was registered in Grójec district; however, the lowest median intensity reaching 6 microfilariae was noted in Żyrardów district. The infected dogs had not been outside of Poland, which means that this is an autochthonous infection. Microfilariae and antigens of D. immitis were not found in any examined blood samples. Results of the presented study show that autochthonous dirofilariosis caused by nematodes D. repens commonly occurs in the area of the Mazovian Province.

In 2011-2013 1588 samples of dogs' blood were examined for dirofilariosis using Knott method, as well as the Kingston and Morton method. The species of microfilariae was determined on the basis of morphometric characteristics. Samples were also examined using the Canine Heartworm Antigen Test. Positive samples were examined using a multiplex PCR assay for species confirmation. Microfilariae belonging to the species D. repens were found in the blood samples of dogs from all the provinces of Poland. The mean prevalence of this species observed in Poland was 11.7%. The range of intensity of infection was counted using the number of microfilariae found in 60 microl of blood amounted to between 1 and 158, and the mean intensity was 18 microfilariae. Microfilariae and antigens of D. immitis were not found in any examined blood samples.

Background: Dogs with multicentric lymphoma are treated with various cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP)-based chemotherapy protocols with variable success., Objectives: To describe the progression-free survival (PFS) time and overall survival time (OST) of dogs with T-cell lymphoma or hypercalcemic lymphoma treated with L-asparaginase and mechlorethamine, vincristine, prednisone, procarbazine (MOPP)., Animals: Fifty dogs with T-cell lymphoma, hypercalcemic lymphoma, or both treated at 3 referral veterinary hospitals., Methods: Retrospective study. Case were selected based on histologic or cytologic diagnosis of lymphoma; presence of the T-cell phenotype, presence of hypercalcemia or both; and absence of previous chemotherapy. The T-cell phenotype was determined by flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, or polymerase chain reaction of antigen receptor rearrangement., Results: The overall response rate was 98% (78% complete response, 20% partial response). The median PFS for the entire study population was 189 days with 25% PFS at 939 days. The median OST for the entire study population was 270 days with 25% surviving 939 days. Twenty percent of the dogs required hospitalization for treatment related complications., Conclusions and Clinical Importance: L-Asp/MOPP chemotherapy might result in longer PFS and OST for dogs with multicentric T-cell lymphoma, dogs with hypercalcemic lymphoma or both, than achieved with CHOP.

Dirofilariosis is caused by nematodes Dirofilaria repens Railliet et Henry, 1911. This parasitosis is widely distributed in south Europe among dogs, cats and wild carnivorous. It occurs also in Asia and Africa. Adult nematodes D. repens locate in nodules, in subcutaneous or intramuscular connective tissue of dogs. The mosquitoes from genera Anopheles, Aedes and Culex are the intermediate hosts and vectors of mentioned parasites. The finding of 6 adult nematodes belonging to the species D. repens in scrotum under tunica vaginalis, during the castration of the dog, which has never been abroad, tended us to undertake presented studies. In August and September of 2009, 64 genuine dogs age from 1.5 to 12 years originated from 3 kennels in central Poland were examined. Dogs did not show any pathological symptoms of infection. Blood samples were examined for the presence of infection and a number of microfilariae. Species of microfilariae was determined after staining on the basis of morphological characters. In examined blood samples from dogs microfilariae belonging to the species Dirofilaria repens were found. Mean prevalence of infection in all examined kennels was 37.5% and mean intensity 32 microfilariae in 30 microl of blood. Microfilariae of D. immitis were not found in any examined blood samples. The results of presented studies show that native dirofilariosis of dogs caused by D. repens is common in central Poland. The result of our investigations lets us suppose, that the range of occurrence of D. repens will spread significantly towards north Europe.

Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenla was diagnosed in four dogs. Initial platelet counts in all four dogs were less than 50,000 x 10(9)/litre and initial bone marrow examinations revealed megakaryocytic hypoplasia with minimal changes in the erythroid and myeloid cell lines. Two dogs had evidence of idiopathic immune-mediated disease and two dogs had evidence of associated infectious disease. One dog had a positive antibody titre to Borrella burgdorferi, and one dog had positive titres to both Ehrlichia canis and B. burgdorferi. Treatment consisted of prednisone and cyclophosphamide for the dogs with presumptive immune-mediated disease, and prednisone and tetracycline for the dogs with positive antibody titres to the Infectious organisms. Both dogs with evidence of associated infectious disease responded to treatment. A postmortem examination did not reveal the underlying aetiology in the two dogs with presumptive idiopathic immune-mediated disease.

Sixty-four dogs were treated with single-agent doxorubicin ( DOX) for presumptive cardiac hemangiosarcoma ( cHSA). The objective response rate ( CR + PR) was 41%, and the biologic response rate ( CR + PR + SD), or clinical benefit, was 68%. The median progression-free survival ( PFS) for treated dogs was 66 days. The median survival time ( MST) for this group was 116 days and was significantly improved compared to a MST of 12 days for untreated control dogs ( P = 0.0001). Biologic response was significantly associated with improved PFS ( P < 0.0001) and OS ( P < 0.0001). Univariate analysis identified larger tumour size as a variable negatively associated with PFS. The high rate of clinical benefit and improved MST suggest that DOX has activity in canine cHSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]