Although the exact incidence of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in small animals is unknown, it is thought that PTE is a substantial, under-diagnosed complication. The difficulty in diagnosing PTE in small animals is confounded by its subtle symptomatic presentation and a lack of clinical suspicion, coexisting disease states, and lack of noninvasive tests that are sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of PTE. Although numerous laboratory markers of coagulation have been studied, only the D-dimer assay has shown clinical utility in detecting early embolism in humans. This paper examines the use of D-dimer assays and other clinical modalities in the diagnostic approach to thromboembolic disease in small animals.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important nosocomial pathogen in humans and is increasingly implicated in community-associated infections in people. In household pets, MRSA infections are uncommon but are on the rise, possibly because of the increased prevalence of human MRSA in the community. Clinical MRSA infections in some animals can be life threatening and difficult to treat; however, other animals may develop mild disease or only become colonized. Veterinarians should be aware of the concerns regarding MRSA and should develop an understanding of appropriate disease surveillance, diagnostic testing, and infection control in order to lessen the impact of MRSA on small animals.

Spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects (SCCEDs) in dogs are typically found in middle-aged dogs of all breeds. These epithelial defects may be present for weeks to months, particularly if left untreated or if treated inappropriately. Typical histopathological findings include loss of the corneal epithelial basement membrane and formation of a superficial, acellular, hyalinized zone in the stroma. Together, these histological abnormalities lead to delayed wound healing and poor epithelial adhesion. Epithelial debridement, anterior stromal puncture, grid keratotomy, and superficial keratectomy are the most common treatment options applied to the defects. Procedures that address the stromal changes present generally have a higher success rate than epithelial debridement alone.

Simultaneous bilateral femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO) was performed on 15 dogs for severe bilateral hip dysplasia. A follow-up survey was performed 6 to 48 months after surgery to assess the postoperative recovery and activity levels of the operated dogs. All dogs had normal activity levels and were pain free according to their owners. Owner satisfaction regarding the outcome of the surgery was high. Simultaneous bilateral FHO was a viable surgical option for the treatment of painful bilateral hip disease in dogs, especially when other surgical options were not indicated or were cost prohibitive.

Pneumogastrography utilizes negative contrast media such as air or carbonated beverages to improve visualization of luminal contents and mucosal surfaces within the stomach. Pneumogastrography as a diagnostic technique in cases of gastric disease has not been widely described in the veterinary literature and is a procedure that may yield additional information not obtained from survey radiographs. This technique is useful in the diagnosis of luminal and mucosal gastric diseases. In this article, the pneumogastrography technique and relevant literature are reviewed. Six case examples are included that demonstrate the utility of pneumogastrography in dogs with gastric disease.

Epistaxis was retrospectively evaluated in 35 dogs. Systemic disease was diagnosed in seven dogs and intranasal disease in 29. Nineteen dogs with intranasal disease had neoplasia. Dogs with neoplasia were older (mean 10.0 years) than dogs with nonneoplastic intranasal disease (mean 5.6 years). Signs persisting for >1 month occurred more often in dogs with intranasal than systemic disease. Unilateral epistaxis did not distinguish intranasal from systemic disease. Only dogs with intranasal disease had facial deformity, decreased airflow, or regional sub-mandibular lymphadenopathy. Dogs with systemic disease had a lower packed cell volume (mean 31.8%) than dogs with intranasal disease (mean 42.7%).

Ten dogs with caudal superficial epigastric axial pattern flap reconstruction of extensive skin defects were reviewed. Nine dogs had complete survival of the flap. In one dog, a small area of necrosis occurred near the flap tip. Other complications included seroma formation (n=3), partial incisional dehiscence (n=3), flap edema (n=9), and bruising (n=7). Use of the caudal superficial epigastric axial pattern flap provided full-thickness skin coverage of extensive skin defects of the rear limb and inguinal region, with relatively minor complications that were amenable to conservative management.

A cat was evaluated for a 5-year history of progressive, episodic, exercise-induced cyanosis and panting. Diagnostic testing demonstrated tetralogy of Fallot with predominant right-to-left shunting and right-sided heart failure. Following diagnostic catheterization, the cat developed clinical signs consistent with systemic arterial thromboembolization and was euthanized. Necropsy findings included multiple thrombi within the right atrium and ventricle, and thromboemboli within the terminal aorta and right common carotid artery, a condition most consistent with iatrogenic paradoxical embolization secondary to diagnostic catheterization. Paradoxical embolization and thromboembolic complications of diagnostic catheterization are discussed.

A 3.5-year-old, castrated male, giant schnauzer was presented with alopecic pustular dermatitis. Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia had been diagnosed 45 days previously. At the time of presentation, the dog was receiving prednisone, azathioprine, and cyclosporine. Cutaneous protozoosis was diagnosed, and postmortem examination revealed protozoa within cutaneous, cardiac, pancreatic, and pulmonary tissues. The protozoa divided by endodyogeny, had the morphology of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) tachyzoites, and stained positively with T. gondii polyclonal antibodies but not with antibodies to Neospora caninum or Sarcocystis neurona. Immunosuppression may have predisposed this dog to disseminated toxoplasmosis.

Two dogs were diagnosed with highly comminuted diaphyseal tibial fractures following traumatic incidents. Investigational hybrid interlocking nail (ILN) bolt/external skeletal fixator (ESF) pins were used to repair both fractures. The surgery was successful, and fractures healed without complications by 6 weeks (case no. 1) and 17 weeks (case no. 2) after surgery. This article describes the application and the advantages of a new, investigational ILN supplement that was specifically designed to accomplish initial rigid stability and allow progressive destabilization to the fracture repair. The authors are continuing to study the biomechanical properties of this procedure in order to accurately establish clear recommendations for its use in certain fracture situations.