A diagnostic treatment using Ivermectin or Milbemycin oxime was carried out in 45 dogs with pruritus as a main complaint. In two dogs (4%), Canine Scabies was detected by a skin scraping test, and the treatment improved their symptoms. Forty-three dogs were negative for Canine Scabies. In 13 Scabies negative dogs (29%), the treatment improved their symptoms, although antibiotics and anti-bacterial shampoo were used in addition to one of these medicines for five dogs suffering from pyoderma. Considering the low rate of detection by the scraping test, there was high possibility that eight Scabies negative dogs (18%) were actually Scabies positive, because Ivermectin or Milbemycin oxime was effective. However, this therapy was ineffective for the remaining 30 dogs (67%). This group of dogs turned out to have atopy, food allergy, or other skin troubles. The results indicate that diagnostic treatment with Ivermectin or Milbemycin oxime is necessary for differential diagnosis of pruritus.

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From January in 2002 through January in 2004 twenty domestic dogs and wild two foxes in Okayama and Tottori Prefecture referred to or sheltered in our hospitals were diagnosed with leptospirosis, based on the clinical signs, complete blood count, blood tests, and serological measurement of titers of antibody to Leptospira. Nineteen dogs had not had the necessary vaccinations. Clinically all the animals suffered from anorexia and weakness. Almost all suffered from vomiting and neurosis, probably caused by azotemia. Blood tests revealed severe renal failure and hepatic insufficiency. These infected animals were found not only in remote areas surrounded by mountains but also in towns, which may indicate a threat of wide prevalence of leptospirosis among both wild and domestic animals. So we need to establish more correct diagnosis and effective treatment, and to inform pet owners to take precautions such as vaccinations.

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A thirty-months-old Golden Retriever was presented with lameness of the left forelimb. These clinical signs were gradually aggravated rather than improved by medical therapy. Because of progression of clinical symtoms, myelography and CT examination were performed under general anesthesia in the 93rd day. Then, this case was diagnosed as an extradural vertebral mass at C3-4. Moreover, an osteolytic lesion of the vertebral arch was confirmed on the cross-sectional CT images. Surgical masstectomy was attempted to decompress the spinal cord by removing the extradural mass. The mass was histologically diagnosed as a chondrosarcoma. Paresis of the left forelimb was disappeared immediately after surgery, and the locomotive function of this case was also improved significantly for about 11 months after surgery. In the follow-up period, reccurrence of the tumor at its original site was confirmed by CT examination. However, neurological abnormalities were not found until knuckling of the left forelimb reccurred on the 395th day. Although another surgery was tried on the 440th day, this case died from respiratory insufficiency.

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A 12-year-old mixed-breed dog was referred to us with facial edema and abdominal enlargement. Hypoproteinemia and hypoalbminemia was found in blood tests. Radiography revealed the presence of ascites and pleural effusion. Since ultrasonography revealed a dull-edged liver, dilated bile duct, enlarged pancreas, and thickened duodenum, the disease was suspected to be chronic pancreatitis. From these findings, poor prognosis was predicted, and the dog was euthanized. Histopathologically the dog was diagnosed with cholecystitis, chronic pancreatitis, and lymphocytic, plasmacytic enterititis. In this case, abdominal ultrasonography was useful for differential diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis. Thus, abdominal ultrasonography can be helpful in making a differential diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis.

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This is a report of borna disease virus infection in a cat, which was diagnosed as immunologically. The two-year-old mixed-breed cat was brought in with a principal complaint of lameness in the left hindlimb. An anti-inflammatory analgesic was administered, but the symptoms progressed; three days later, the cat lost its appetite, and kept its left fore paw in a raised position. At the time, no particular abnormality was noted in blood tests. Encephalitis was suspected, and predonisolone and antibiotics were begun, but the cat became unable to stand or eat on the seventh day. Then force-feeding with a nasal tube was initiated, but the cat's general paralysis worsened. On the tenth day the cat had difficulty urinating, and died due to general paralysis on the 11^th day. Histologically nonsuppurative meningitis was noted on the surface of the cerebrum. Antibodies to borna disease virus were detected using the blood obtained on the third day. Viral genes of borna disease were also detected in the brain tissue obtained at the autopsy. Consequently the results strongly indicate that the disease was borna virus infection.

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