The skeletal neoplasms of small dogs are characterized poorly. In this retrospective study, the bone tumors of 37 small dogs (with body weights less than 15 kg), 74 large dogs (with body weights greater than 25 kg), and 134 small dogs previously reported in the literature were compared. Metastases accounted for about 25% of the bone tumors in small dogs, but less than 5% of the bone tumors in large dogs. In small dogs, osteosarcomas represented less than 50% of all skeletal neoplasms, frequently affected the axial skeleton, and had no apparent predilection for the distal radius. In this series and in the literature, fewer than 10 small dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma were treated with curative intent. Clinicians should use caution when extrapolating information on the biological behavior of osteosarcoma from large- and giant-breed dogs to small dogs.

Twenty-seven dogs with oral tumors were treated with either rostral mandibulectomy, partial mandibulectomy, or partial maxillectomy. Owner satisfaction with the respective surgical procedure was assessed by telephone survey; 85% of owners were satisfied with the decision to treat their dogs. The percentage of satisfied owners was directly proportional to the increase in pet life span. Although difficulty in eating was noted for 12 (44%) of 27 dogs, pain was perceived to be reduced by the surgery for most animals. All owners found the cosmetic appearances of their dogs acceptable after facial hair regrew. The quality of the pets' lives was perceived by the owners to be most improved after rostral mandibulectomy and least improved after partial maxillectomy.

A 15-year-old, castrated male domestic shorthair was presented for a recurrent, perineal apocrine gland adenocarcinoma. A right adrenal mass was identified on abdominal radiography and ultrasonography performed as routine staging prior to surgical excision of the perineal tumor. An ultrasonographic-guided biopsy of the adrenal mass was performed and a pheochromocytoma was diagnosed upon histopathology. The perineal and adrenal tumors were removed surgically. The cat developed fatal thromboembolic disease following surgery and was euthanized. This is the third reported case of phenochromocytoma in a cat and is unusual in that two rare tumors were identified in one animal.

A nine-year-old, castrated male golden retriever had lethargy, fever, massive peripheral lymphadenomegaly, hepatosplenomegaly, and pale mucous membranes. There was a marked leukocytosis (456.3 x 10(3) cells/microliter) with 99% blasts; a moderate, nonregenerative anemia; and marked thrombocytopenia. A tentative diagnosis of acute lymphocytic leukemia was made pending results of cytochemical staining. Despite the severity of the laboratory and clinical findings, the dog exhibited a partial response to an induction chemotherapy protocol commonly used for lymphoma. Subsequent cytochemical staining of the original blood and bone-marrow samples resulted in a revised diagnosis of acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AML-M4). Clinicopathological findings, response to treatment, and clinical outcome in this case of canine AML-M4 are discussed.

A nine-year-old, intact female, mixed-breed dog was presented with a history of chronic regurgitation and weight loss. Endoscopy and contrast radiography confirmed the presence of a distal esophageal mass. The dog was euthanized, and histopathological diagnosis of the mass was an esophageal/gastric adenocarcinoma.

A nine-year-old golden retriever was referred for evaluation of chronic anorexia, vomiting, and diarrhea. Low body weight, mucous membrane pallor, and palpably enlarged liver and spleen were detected by physical examination. Anemia, hyperglobulinemia, and concurrent trichuriasis and coccidiosis were identified upon initial diagnostic evaluation. Punctate vertebral lysis was apparent radiographically. Atypical plasma cell proliferation was found in the bone marrow, liver, and spleen. An immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G biclonal gammopathy was demonstrated by serum protein electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis. The dog was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and euthanized per owner request. Multiple myeloma should be considered in the differential diagnosis for biclonal gammopathy in the dog.

A feeding-tube gastrostomy technique used in dogs and cats has been adapted to the rabbit. A detailed description of the percutaneous, incisionless placement of a gastrostomy tube using a gastroscope is presented. Management of the feeding tube and the formulation of a liquid diet for rabbits also are described. The percutaneous endoscopical gastrostomy (PEG) tube was used successfully to administer enteral nutritional support to the rabbit.

An alternative technique for placement of tube esophagostomy in small animals is described. Tube esophagostomy was placed in 13 dogs and nine cats. The mean duration of tube placement was 23 days (range, one to 48 days). No significant complications related to the tube were noted. In each case, tube esophagostomy was tolerated and time to healing of the esophagostomy site following tube removal was less than two weeks. Tube esophagostomy is suitable for use in a nutritionally compromised small animal with a functional esophagus and gastrointestinal tract.

Fluoroscopically guided, percutaneous antegrade pyelography in canine patients has been described previously in the veterinary literature. This report describes the technique with ultrasonographic guidance and its clinical application in the diagnosis of four cases (two dogs, two cats) of obstructive uropathy. The technique provided successful diagnosis of ureteral obstruction in all four cases. No complications were observed in three cases. In one feline case, ureteral obstruction with a blood clot occurred following the procedure; however, it could not be ascertained whether this event represented a complication of the technique.

The resistive index (RI), an ultrasonographic method of evaluating intrarenal resistance to blood flow, may be used to aid in diagnosis of renal failure. Values for arcuate artery RI, expressed as mean +/- two standard deviations, were obtained in clinically normal female dogs sedated with atropine, acepromazine maleate, diazepam, and ketamine hydrochloride. No statistically significant differences were noted between the values for the right kidney (0.33 to 0.57) versus the left kidney (0.32 to 0.56); however, the values were statistically significantly lower than values reported for nonsedated, normal dogs.

The measurement of central venous pressure (CVP) will provide objective information about intravascular blood volume. Limitations exist with direct and indirect methods of measuring CVP; however, the purpose of this study was to determine if such factors as catheter size, patient position, or measurements taken with either a water manometer or a strain-gauge transducer would affect the accuracy of CVP measurements. The study population consisted of six adult, mixed-breed dogs. Catheter sizes evaluated were 16- and 19-gauge. Patient positions evaluated were right and left lateral recumbencies. Right atrial pressures (RAPs) were used as the reference standards for CVP measurements. Measurements of RAP and CVP were obtained with a water manometer and a strain-gauge transducer. No significant differences were observed in measured CVPs for the effects of catheter size and right versus left lateral recumbency. A 2.7-mmHg difference in water manometry was demonstrated when compared to strain-gauge transducer measurements. Also, strain-gauge transducer measurements had less precision compared to water manometer measurements.

An 18-month-old, neutered male beagle presented with acute abdominal signs and a suppurative infection of the urogenital tract. Chromosomal sex was female (78, XX), gonadal sex was male (testicles), and phenotypic sex was ambiguous, with evidence of both male and female duct systems. The internal and external genitalia consisted of epididymides, an underdeveloped uterus with an immature spermatic cord, communication between the uterus or cranial vagina and the membranous urethra, a urethrographically male urethra, a hypoplastic os penis, and a hypoplastic penis with hypospadia. Based on these findings and the familial history of a similarly affected litter mate, the dog was diagnosed as having the XX male syndrome with pyovagina and uterine stump pyometra. Radiographic and ultrasonographic investigations are described, and abnormalities of chromosomal sex, gonadal sex, and phenotypic sex are discussed.

The sartorius muscle in the cat is a broad, sheet-like muscle which covers the craniomedial aspect of the thigh. The major portion of the blood supply arises from the proximal pole of the muscle. A single sartorius muscle can be positioned over the abdomen in a transverse manner along the pubis, to cover the entire (i.e., left and right sides) caudal 30% of the abdomen. It also can be extended in a cranial-to-caudal fashion where it covers approximately 80% of the length and 75% of the width of the ipsilateral abdomen. The sartorius muscle flap is easy to harvest and provides good coverage for defects of the caudal abdominal wall. This muscle flap was used successfully in two feline patients.