Envenomations caused by Loxosceles (brown spider) have been reported throughout the world. Clinical signs associated to bites of these spiders involve dermonecrotic lesions and intense local inflammatory response, besides systemic manifestations such as intravascular hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulation and acute renal failure. The present study aimed to report and to describe dermonecrotic lesions probably caused by a Loxosceles envenomation in a four year-old poodle female dog, treated at the Dermatology Service of the Veterinary Hospital of the Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry School, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil. Initially, the animal presented two skin lesions with blackish aspect that evolved into ulcerative crusts. The owner reported the presence of a brown spider near the place where the animal spent most of the time. Histological examination of lesions revealed necrosis of the epidermis extending to adnexa and panniculi, which is compatible with Loxosceles bite reaction. The animal was treated with systemic antibiotic and local curatives. Lesions healed by second intention in two months

Obesity in dogs is increasingly present in the veterinary practice. In humans, it is known that there is a significant correlation between obesity and the development of hypertension and insulin resistance (IR), a clinical picture called metabolic syndrome. In dogs, however, there are only anecdotes about the syndrome. The objectives of this study were to determine serum levels of adiponectin, leptin, triglycerides, cholesterol, insulin, glucose, homeostasis assessment of B cell function (HOMA-B), homeostasis assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in dogs with different body conditions (BC) and body fat (BF) without endocrine disease. For this purpose, 76 healthy dogs were submitted to evaluation of body conditions score (BCS) and morphometry. The dogs were separated into 3 groups: optimal BC [BCS 3,4, or 5 of 9 and BF% of 13 to 27-Group 1 (G1)], overweight [BCS 6 and 7 of 9 and BF% of 14 to 38- Group 2 (G2)], obese [BCS 8 and 9 of 9 and BF% greater than or equal to 34-Group 3 (G3)]. G3 presented higher serum levels of total protein, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR. Adipokines did not correlate to any other parameter, but the occurrence of hyperinsulinemia was higher in G3. The results have shown that obese dogs presented IR and alterations in fat metabolism.

The primary hyperaldosteronism, an endocrine disease increasingly identified in cats, is characterized by adrenal gland dysfunction that interferes with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, triggering the hypersecretion of aldosterone. Pathophysiological consequences of excessive aldosterone secretion are related to increased sodium and water retention, and increased excretion of potassium, which induce hypertension and severe hypokalemia, respectively. The most common clinical findings in cats include: polydipsia, nocturia, polyuria, generalized weakness, neck ventroflexion, syncope, anorexia, weight loss, pendulous abdomen and blindness. Diagnosis is based on the evidence of hormonal hypersecretion with suppression of renin release, imaging and histopathological evaluation of adrenal glands. Treatment may be curative with adrenalectomy, in cases of unilateral disease, or conservative, through administration of aldosterone antagonists, potassium supplementation and antihypertensives. Prognosis varies from fair to good with the appropriate therapy. This article reviews the main aspects of primary aldosteronism in cats, providing the clinician with important information for the diagnosis of this disease.

A ausência completa do bulbo ocular é muito rara em cães e gatos, enquanto a hidrocefalia é comumente observada como distúrbio congênito em cães de raças miniatura ou braquicefálicas, com menos de um ano de idade. O presente trabalho relata a ocorrência de anoftalmia clínica bilateral associada à hidrocefalia congênita em um cão da raça poodle, sendo este o primeiro relato de caso da associação dessas alterações no Brasil.