Cranioschisis and anencephaly in a dog - challenging etiology

Nonato, Idelvânia dos AnjosFerreira, Marina RibeiroMiranda, Jéssica Lelis deBraz, Heloísia Maria BressanMachado, João Paulo

Background: Congenital anomalies involve changes that may occur in the central nervous system during the period fromgestation until birth. The present study reports a case of cranioschisis and anencephaly in a dog and aims to discuss thepossible etiologies of these malformations in dogs.Case: A pinscher bitch was referred to a private veterinary clinic in the city of Muriaé - MG, for routine consultation andgestational diagnosis, which was carried out by ultrasound on the 39th day. Routine care was extended until delivery, andclinical and complementary examinations were performed to assess the health of the female dog and that of the fetuses.Vital parameters and morphological characteristics showed that all fetuses had present cardiac activity, correctly formedbone skeleton, definition of the head, trunk and limbs, presence of fetal movements, definition of the hepatic region andhepatic parenchyma typically hypoechoic, hyperechoic pulmonary parenchyma, and visualization of the stomach and bladder. The delivery lasted two hours, and three female puppies were born. A macroscopically significant cranial alterationwas observed in the second pup; it was located in the middle line of the skull unprotected by skin. The placenta was darkin color. The puppy’s respiratory activity was present, but with dyspnea, body movements were limited and presentedhypothermia. In the first 24 h, the female puppy was fed homemade milk compound through a syringe because of difficulty in performing the suction movement. Delay in urination and defecation were also observed in relation to the otherneonates. Before completing the first 48 h of birth, this newborn died, and...(AU)

1. etiology
2. multifactorial
3. histopathology
4. anomalies
5. necropsy
6. PCR