We evaluated 43 published cases of dogs with confirmed Pneumocystis infection regarding the value of clinical parameters indicating the presence of the disease as well as tools for the detection of the pathogen. The assessed parameters included clinical signs, laboratory findings, results of thoracic radiography, autopsy, histopathology, methods for the detection of Pneumocystis, as well as medical therapy. Pneumocystosis was diagnosed most often in certain breeds (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Miniature Dachshund) with a predisposition for impaired immunity. The median age of the dogs was 1 y. Chronic therapy-resistant respiratory signs, such as tachypnea, dyspnea, and cough, along with leukocytosis, neutrophilia, and hypogammaglobulinemia, were the most frequently described clinical and clinicopathologic abnormalities. Pneumocystosis can be masked by coinfections with other respiratory pathogens, and the successful detection of Pneumocystis organisms is of major relevance. Several detection methods have been used in the past, but only a few provide reliable results. In 2017, the cytologic evaluation of Giemsa-stained bronchoalveolar lavage samples is generally used, even if sensitivity is only moderate. More reliable results can be achieved using special stains or sensitive molecular techniques. Fast and reliable detection of Pneumocystis is the essential basis for appropriate treatment and higher survival chances for dogs.

Due to high vaccination coverage of the dog population in Western and Middle Europe, veterinarians are usually not familiar with clinical signs and treatment of Infectious Canine Hepatitis (ICH). This case report describes a 4-month-old female mixed breed dog that was imported from Bulgaria. According to the history, the puppy was presented with lethargy, pyrexia, icterus and melaena. On clinical examination, the dog additionally exhibited a painful abdomen and bleeding tendency at the venous puncture sites. Blood analysis revealed anaemia, left shift without leucocytosis, increased liver enzymes and prolonged coagulation times. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and subsequently sequence analysis performed out of urine confirmed Canine Adenovirus 1 (CAV-1) as the causative agent of the disease. Peripheral oedema developed on the dog´s head and limbs during the progression of the disease due to severe hypoalbuminaemia. Initial treatment of the puppy included transfusion of whole blood and fresh frozen plasma. Hypoalbuminaemia was treated by transfusion using human albumin. On day eight after starting the treatment, the dog was released from the hospital due to an unremarkable clinically condition. This case report indicates that ICH might become a re-emerging disease by means of rising dog imports. Especially, the severe form of ICH can be associated with several life-threatening complications that require hospitalisation and intensive care treatment.

A 3-year-old intact female guinea pig was presented with a history of polydipsia, polyphagia, and hyperactivity combined with non-pruritic hair loss. The physical examination revealed bilateral alopecia mainly including the flanks and the ventral abdomen. Bilateral rounded masses just caudal to the kidneys were detected on abdominal palpation. Abdominal ultrasound examination confirmed bilateral ovarian cysts and an enlarged uterus with cystic lesions. Blood biochemistry revealed highly increased glucose and fructosamine concentrations. The final diagnoses were diabetes mellitus, bilateral ovarian cysts, and pathologic changes of the uterus. The guinea pig underwent ovariohysterectomy. After surgery, diabetes mellitus and all of the existing clinical signs were fully resolved. A causal relationship between hormonally active ovarian cysts and diabetes mellitus that commonly present independently from each other in the guinea pig can be strongly assumed in the present case. In suspicious cases of gestagen-induced diabetes mellitus ovariohysterectomy could be considered a potential treatment option in guinea pigs.

Background Canine eosinophilia has not been evaluated over the last two decades. As in human local differences, changes in the prevalence and associated diseases over time can be expected. Objective This study aims to determine the prevalence and causes of marked blood eosinophilia in dogs. Methods Retrospective study. A total of 317 clinical histories of dogs with an eosinophil concentration > 1.5 × 109/L (marked eosinophilia) between 2013 and 2017 were evaluated. Patients were allocated to 10 groups according to their major clinical findings. Results Eosinophilia was present in 1,592 of 10,829 dogs (14.7%); it was mild (0.8–1.49 × 109/L) in 78.4%, moderate (1.5 – 4.9 × 109/L) in 20.5% and severe (> 5 × 109/L) in 1.1% of cases. Rottweilers were overrepresented (16.1%). Of 317 cases with marked eosinophilia, 19.6% had neoplasia, 19.1% gastrointestinal disorders, 13.6% health check, 10.4% endoparasites, 6% respiratory, 5.4% neurologic, 5.4% dermatologic, 4.8% urogenital, 3.2% endocrine disorders and 12.6% miscellaneous. Lymphomas (29%) and mast cell tumours (12.9%) were the most frequent tumours in the neoplasia group. A total of 72.6% of tumour‐bearing dogs were older than 8 years, while 63.6% of dogs had endoparasites, and 86% of apparently healthy dogs were younger than 5 years. Eosinophilia was significantly higher in patients with respiratory disorders (p < 0.0146). Leukocytosis was found in 50.2% of cases. Conclusion Malignancy was the most common cause of marked blood eosinophilia in older dogs and endoparasitism in younger dogs. Eosinophilia was common in apparently healthy young dogs and may be related to undiagnosed parasitic infestations.

A four-year-old intact male Boxer, that had a history of travelling to Serbia, was referred for lethargy and anaemia. Shortly before the dog was referred, it was diagnosed twice with an infection with Babesia canis and was treated with imidocarb both times. A blood smear evaluation was indicative of the presence of intraerythrocytic piroplasms. After receiving inconclusive results regarding the type of piroplasm, the dog was diagnosed with simultaneous infections with B. canis and Babesia gibsoni via real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) testing. The dog was treated with imidocarb, atovaquone and azithromycin, and in a follow-up examination, the PCR results were negative for B. canis and B. gibsoni. Several weeks later, the dog was presented again, and a PCR was positive for B. gibsoni. After atovaquone and azithromycin failed to eliminate the parasites, a therapy attempt using metronidazole, clindamycin and doxycycline was initiated. Six months after diagnosis, the treatment appeared successful in eliminating B. gibsoni. This case report describes the clinical findings of the co-infection and the initiated diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.