Volume 44: Issue 2

Dear Editor,

I recently read with interest a paper published in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association by Austin, et al., titled “Gallbladder Agenesis in a Maltese Dog.” I enjoyed the paper, but would like to inform the authors that this is not the first reported case of absence of the gallbladder reported in the veterinary literature.We published a similar case report, also in aMaltese dog (

Liptak et al:Aplasia of the Gallbladder in a Dog.J Small Anim Pract 2000;41:175–177

), but we termed this presumably congenital absence of

Pediatric devices based on a capillary system may provide an alternative to vacuum tubes for canine blood sampling. The potential advantages are absence of vein collapse, limited blood volume sampled, and improved safety. The aim of this study was to compare routine plasma and hematological variables in seven healthy dogs using both techniques. Five biochemical analytes were measured, and a complete hematological examination and plasma exogenous creatinine clearance test were performed. No clinically relevant difference between the two techniques was observed for any variable or functional test assessed.

A blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed to evaluate the postoperative analgesic effect of preoperative infiltration of the incision site with bupivacaine in dogs undergoing celiotomy. Sixty dogs were randomly allocated into four groups: preoperative bupivacaine, postoperative bupivacaine, preoperative saline, and postoperative saline. All dogs were premedicated with acepromazine and meperidine; then they were anesthetized with thiopentone and isoflurane. Each group received either bupivacaine or normal saline before midline incision or just before skin closure. After surgery, pain scores were assigned using a numerical rating scale. Preoperative bupivacaine was associated with significantly lower pain scores and a significantly lower need for opioid administration. The authors conclude that a preoperative incisional block with bupivacaine seems to be a useful adjunct for controlling pain after celiotomy in dogs.

Fifteen dogs with extrahepatic biliary tract disease underwent cholecystoenterostomy. Long-term survivors were significantly older at presentation (mean age 140.5 months) than dogs that survived the first 20 days after surgery but subsequently died from causes related to the surgery or hepatobiliary disease (mean age 72 months). Dogs that died during the first 20 days had significantly more complications in the hospital than dogs that survived this period. The type of underlying hepatobiliary disease (i.e., benign or malignant) was not associated with either short-term outcome or long-term survival. Eight dogs died from causes related to surgery or hepatobiliary disease. Long-term complications included hepatic abscesses, acquired portosystemic shunts, pancreatitis, and vomiting.

Severe Neurological Signs and Hypernatremia Secondary to Polyethylene Glycol Paintball Ingestion in a Dog

Bruce GravesDVM,

Jessica KielbDVM, DACVECC, and

Nolan ChalifouxDVM, MSTR, DACVECC

Letter to the Editor

Comparison of a New Blood Sampling Device With the Vacuum Tube System for Plasma and Hematological Analyses in Healthy Dogs

Incisional Block With Bupivacaine for Analgesia After Celiotomy in Dogs

Long-term Survival of Dogs After Cholecystoenterostomy: A Retrospective Study of 15 Cases (1981–2005)

Survival Data for Canine Oral Extramedullary Plasmacytomas: A Retrospective Analysis (1996–2006)

Technique and Outcome of Nares Amputation (Trader’s Technique) in Immature Shih Tzus

Persistent Vulvar Hemorrhage Secondary to Vaginal Hemangioma in Dogs

Prostatic Abscess in a Neutered Cat

Pseudothrombocytopenia Secondary to the Effects of EDTA in a Dog

Table of Contents

Severe Neurological Signs and Hypernatremia Secondary to Polyethylene Glycol Paintball Ingestion in a Dog

The Effect of Time of Antimicrobial Administration on the Outcome of Septic Dogs

Hyperechoic Retroperitoneal Fat in a Cat with Systemic Coagulopathy

Myocarditis in a Dog Positive for Brucella canis

A Retrospective Study on Boar-Induced Trauma in 42 Dogs

Soft-Tissue Sarcomas in Dogs: A Review

Vascular Encephalopathy Associated With Bacterial Endocarditis in Four Dogs

The Use of Carbon Dioxide Laser for the Ablation of Meibomian Gland Adenomas in Dogs

Outcomes of Dogs Presented for Cataract Evaluation: A Retrospective Study

Nutritional Myths