2019 - 88 (1)

At present, only 5% of pedigree dogs is being used for breeding. To increase the number ofbreeding dogs, one solution could be to start a canine semen bank based on the principle of semendonation, like in humans. Many dog owners have no desire to become dog breeders but are willingto preserve the genetic material of their dog, if offered this possibility. However, not all canineejaculates are suitable for cryopreservation as the initial quality may differ and the resistance ofsperm cells to survive the freezing procedure is highly variable. In order to freeze the semen ofas many male dogs as possible, it is important to optimize and individualize the cryopreservationprotocol per ejaculate. Practically, frozen semen can be stored in the CanIfreeze-semen bank orin veterinary practices adjacent to the owner of the bitch and can be used for insemination at alater time.

A neutered, seven-year-old, female Labrador retriever was presented with complaints of tachypnea,gagging and abdominal distension. A left apical systolic murmur with an intensity of 3/6, tachycardia,weak femoral pulses and positive undulation were observed on physical examination. After echocardiographicand electrocardiographic examination, dilated cardiomyopathy (primary or secundary) andsupraventricular tachycardia were diagnosed. At a later control visit, after initiation of treatment withdigoxin, electrocardiography revealed isorhythmic atrioventricular dissociation (IAVD) and poor controlof the SVT. After transition to diltiazem, the tachycardia was well-controlled. A full recovery ofthe heart was observed on echocardiographic examination. Twenty-four months later, the dog showedno more cardiac signs. In this case report, a rare arrhythmia, i.e. IAVD in combination with SVT isdescribed. It shows the importance of SVT as a reversible cause of a DCM-like phenotype on echocardiography.

A ten-year-old, female Malinois shepherd was presented with a large swelling caudally of themandibula and at the base of the throat. On cytological examination, a hematoma was diagnosed bymeans of a fine needle aspiration. Coincidentally, some Dirofilaria repens microfilariae were observedin the slide-out. Next to the case description, a review of the literature of Dirofilaria repens is given.

A nine-year-old warmblood mare was presented with clinical signs of mild colic and fever. Onpercutaneous ultrasound of the abdomen, a mass was identified on the left side of the abdomenbetween the spleen and the stomach. During examination the following day, intra-abdominalblood was observed. On rectal examination, a mass was palpated in the pelvis. The presumptivediagnosis of hematoma with intra-abdominal bleeding was made. On consecutive ultrasoundsand radiographs, the mass evolved in shape and other masses were identified in the liver and thelungs. No change was noticed in the pelvic mass. Cytology and histology of a tru-cut liver biopsyrevealed abnormal, most likely neoplastic cells, whereas cytology of the abdominal and thoracicfluid did not reveal any neoplastic cells. Due to the presence of several rapidly growing masses,a neoplastic process was most likely. Because of the malignant character of the disease and thepersistence of the clinical signs, euthanasia was suggested but refused by the owner. Supportivetreatment was instituted. Initially, the general condition remained stable, after which the horsesuddenly collapsed and died. Post-mortem examination revealed a primary neoplasm located inthe pelvic cavity, as well as multiple disseminated masses within several tissues. The mass foundin the liver had ruptured with loss of probably 50 liters hemorrhagic fluid within the abdominalcavity. Based on gross pathology, cytological and histological findings, a hemangiosarcoma wassuspected. This diagnosis was confirmed using immunohistochemistry for von Willebrand factor.In this case report, the importance of differentiating hematoma from hemangiosarcoma in thehorse is highlighted.

A six-year-old American Staffordshire terrier with proprioceptive deficits of the right thoracicand pelvic limb was referred for further work-up. Cervical computed tomography (CT)and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a triple cervical canal stenosis with dorsal spinalcord compression and concomitant compressive myelopathy caused by vertebral arch andligamentum flavum proliferation and hypertrophy. Vacuum phenomena were noticed within theligamentum flavum tissue, a previously unreported location for vacuum phenomena, which areprimarily reported within degenerative joints and intervertebral discs. Decompressive surgeryand rehabilitation resulted in a complete clinical recovery.

Two horses were presented with problems during ridden exercise due to a firm, sensitiveswelling at the level of the cheek adjacent to an upper Triadan 06. Oral, radiographic andcomputed tomographic examinations (n=1) identified the presence of a palatal supernumerarytooth being the causing factor of a buccally displaced 06. In both cases, the supernumerarytooth was extracted on the standing sedated horse. A couple of months following extraction,the buccally displaced tooth had spontaneously moved into a more physiological position dueto orthodontic forces of the cheek and masticatory forces. Both horses uneventfully returned toridden work without further problems.

Injuries to the structures within the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) can be the primarycause of non-infectious tenosynovitis, for which diagnostic and therapeutic tenoscopy canbe performed. In this retrospective study, the medical records of fifty horses that underwenttenoscopic treatment of non-infectious tenosynovitis of the DFTS from 2008 to 2016 at theFaculty of Veterinary Medicine (Ghent University), were evaluated. Telephonic follow-up informationwas obtained for forty horses.In jumping horses, front limbs were significantly more often involved, whereas in non-jumpinghorses, the hind limbs were affected more frequently (P=0.01). Lesions of the deep digitalflexor tendon (DDFT) were observed in 45% of the cases and lesions of the manica flexoria (MF)in 39% of the cases. Ultimately, 27.7% of horses with lesions of the DDFT and 53% of horses withlesions of the MF returned to their original level of performance, with a mean follow-up periodof 4.6 ± 2.5 years.

Urinary incontinence, an uncontrolled urine leakage during the storage phase of micturition,is a common condition in female dogs. In intact bitches, the reported prevalence is only 0.2-0.3%,but in spayed bitches it varies between 3.1-20.1%. Most commonly, dogs with acquired urinaryincontinence suffer from urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence. This condition seems tobe multifactorial, and although the exact pathophysiology remains unclear, potential risk factorsinclude gender, gonadectomy, breed, body weight, urethral length and bladder neck position. Indaily practice, the diagnosis of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence is usually made aftereliminating other potential causes of urinary incontinence. Incontinent bitches are primarilytreated with medications, such as alpha-adrenergic drugs, e.g. phenylpropanolamine and oestrogens.Surgery is recommended when patients become refractory to medical treatment.