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BackgroundDermoid sinus is an uncommon epithelial-lined fistula that may be associated with vertebral malformations. In humans, Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) is a rare condition characterized by congenital cervical vertebral fusion and may be associated with other developmental defects, including dermoid sinus. The present case report describes an adult Dachshund with cervical and cranial thoracic vertebral malformations as well as thoracic limb malformations resembling KFS with a concurrent type IV dermoid sinus.Case presentationA 1.5 year-old Dachshund with congenital thoracic limbs deformities and cervical-thoracic vertebral malformations presented with cervical hyperesthesia, rigidity of the cervical musculature and tetraparesis. Neurologic, radiographic, and computed tomography (CT) (2D, 3D, CT fistulography) examinations revealed skeletal anomalies, a dermoid sinus in the cranial thoracic region and epidural gas within the vertebral canal. Surgical resection and histopathological evaluation of the sinus tract were performed and confirmed a type IV dermoid sinus. The clinical signs progressively recovered postoperatively, and no recurrent signs were observed after 6 months of follow-up.ConclusionsCervical vertebral malformations associated with limbs anomalies have not been reported in dogs and may represent a condition similar to KFS in humans. KFS can occur concurrently with other congenital conditions including dermoid sinus and should be included among the complex congenital anomalies described in dogs.

Gurltia paralysans and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus are neglected metastrongyloid nematode species which infect domestic and wild cats in South American countries and in Chile, but no epidemiological studies on concomitant infections have been conducted in Chile so far. The aim of this study was not only to evaluate the occurrence of concomitant infections, but also to identify epidemiological risk factors associated with of G. paralysans and A. abstrusus infections in urban domestic cats (Felis catus) from Southern Chile. Blood samples from clinically healthy domestic cats from three cities of Southern Chile—Temuco, Valdivia, and Puerto Montt—were analyzed by an experimental semi-nested PCR protocol. A total of 171 apparently healthy domestic cats in Temuco (n = 68), Valdivia (n = 50), and Puerto Montt (n = 53) were sampled and analyzed. A total of 93 domestic cats (54.4%) were positive for G. paralysans, and 34 (19.9%) were positive for A. abstrusus infections. From those animals, 34 (19.9%) were co-infected. Cats positive with G. paralysans were found in all three cities; 47.2% in Puerto Montt, 48% in Valdivia, and 64.7% in Temuco. Levels of infection for A. abstrusus in the population under study were 4% (Valdivia), 10% (Puerto Montt), and 32.4% (Temuco). The present large-scale epidemiological study confirmed the presence of these neglected nematodes in domestic cat populations in Southern Chile, and described the possible risk factors associated with feline gurltiosis and aelurostrongylosis.

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El Ovejero Magallánico constituye una raza canina no reconocida oficialmente, localizada en el extremo sur de Chile en la Región de Magallanes y Antártica Chilena. El objetivo de este estudio fue realizar una primera descripción de la coloración del manto y señas del perro Ovejero Magallánico en una muestra de 74 caninos adultos. Los resultados de este estudio descriptivo preliminar indicaron el predominio del pigmento eumelanina en muestras de pelo de perros Ovejeros Magallánicos de la zona Austral de Chile. Se determinó la presencia de 16 fenotipos de colores de manto, predominando las coloraciones oscuras como gris pizarra, gris pizarra tricolor, azul mirlo y negro. Además, se observaron 3 colores de manto (marrón/arena, negro/marrón y arena azulado tricolor) no descritos para razas Collies. Se determinaron 12 fenotipos de señas en el manto del perro Ovejero Magallánico, observándose 2 patrones de señas (antifaz y orejas) que no se presentan en otras razas Collies. El perro Ovejero Magallánico, presentó algunas similitudes en coloración de manto y señas al ser comparadas con las razas Bearded Collie, Bobtail y Border Collie. Sin embargo, las tonalidades dentro y entre los colores observadas en el manto del Ovejero Magallánico evidencian un aspecto matizado, diferenciándolo de las razas Collie tradicionales.