Differences in the cytological interpretation of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) after cytospin preparation (CP) or manual smearing of pelleted cells preparation (MSP) were investigated in client-owned dogs and cats with inflammatory or infectious lower respiratory disease. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from healthy cats was also examined. With MSP, cell lysis was more frequently observed, and cellular distribution was more heterogeneous throughout the slide. When samples from healthy and diseased animals were considered together, a significantly greater percentage of neutrophils was seen on CP than on MSP slides (P<0.002). Cytospin preparations were considered of better quality in all individual comparisons. Cytospin preparation is advised in the evaluation of BALF with low total cell count. When only MSPs are evaluated, clinicians should be aware that differential neutrophil counts may underestimate the counts found on CP slides.

Completed surveys were obtained from owners of 225 Labrador retrievers affected by the syndrome of exercise-induced collapse. Questions addressed signalment, age of onset, description of collapse episodes, and owner perception of activities and factors associated with collapse. Most dogs were young (mean 12 months) when collapse episodes began. Retrieving was the activity most commonly associated with collapse. Owners felt that excitement (187/225; 83%) and high environmental temperatures (71/225; 31%) increased the likelihood of collapse. Analysis of pedigrees collected from 169 affected dogs was most consistent with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.

The records of 33 dogs that had perianal fistula disease treated with en bloc surgical excision and bilateral anal saculectomy, and that were perioperatively administered an exclusive white fish and potato diet, were reviewed to determine outcome. By 1 year after surgery, 87.9% of the dogs had complete or near-complete resolution of visible fistula disease, while only 20.7% continued to have mild intermittent clinical signs. Fecal incontinence was not reported in any dog. Overall, complications were considerably less in both severity and frequency when compared with previous reports.

In this retrospective study of 42 cases of lingual tumors in dogs, 27 (64%) were malignant, and 15 (36%) were benign. Median survival time for dogs with benign tumors was >1607 days, compared to 286 days for malignant tumors. Prognostic factors significantly associated with increased survival included complete histological margins (P=0.036), smaller tumor size (P=0.003), and benign tumor type (P=0.011). Smaller tumors were more likely to be completely resected (P=0.008) and were less likely to recur (P=0.001). Partial or subtotal glossectomies were performed in 13 cases. Short-term morbidity associated with glossectomy included ptyalism and dehiscence. Long-term morbidity included minor changes in eating and drinking habits.

Medical records for six dogs treated with tobramycin-impregnated calcium sulfate beads were reviewed for indications, duration of disease, number of beads implanted, complications, radiographic appearance of the beads, and outcomes. Beads were no longer visible on radiographs made 5 weeks after implantation. Osteomyelitis resolved in five of five dogs with follow-up. The lack of complications and the resolution of clinical signs associated with tobramycin calcium sulfate bead implantation support their clinical application in treating osteomyelitis.

An endobronchial polyp was visible radiographically and bronchoscopically in an 11-year-old, mixed-breed dog with a persistent cough. The polyp was removed by traction. Initial histological examination suggested it was a myxomatous fibroma. The cough resolved but recurred with polyp regrowth. Two additional lung masses became visible radiographically. The polyp was removed twice more at 6-month intervals. Euthanasia was performed 15 months after first presentation when coughing recurred soon after the final bronchoscopy. Histological examination revealed that the mass was a myxomatous sarcoma. The lung contained two other unrelated tumors: a bronchioloalveolar carcinoma and a carcinoma of unknown origin.

Four Chinese shar pei littermate puppies were presented for vomiting, regurgitation, hypersalivation, and poor growth. Diagnosis of hiatal hernia was made for each of the four dogs based on survey radiographs and barium esophagram studies. All dogs initially underwent medical therapy, to which only one dog responded. All dogs underwent surgical treatment, which included manual hernia reduction followed by phrenoplasty, esophagopexy, and left incisional gastropexy, 5 to 40 days following initiation of medical therapy. The three surgical techniques described eliminated the need to enter the pleural cavity and offered excellent long-term results with no recurrence of clinical signs following surgery.

Two dogs, 3 and 6 months of age, were presented with painful, swollen shoulder and carpal joints; reluctance to stand; and pyrexia. Radiographs in both cases revealed an irregular lucent zone in the metaphysis of the proximal humerus, parallel and adjacent to the physis. The same lucent zone was also evident in the physes of the distal radial and ulnar metaphyses. Clinical signs and radiographs were consistent with hypertrophic osteodystrophy. Clinical signs resolved in both dogs with administration of carprofen, tramadol, and intravenous fluids. No signs of recurrence were reported at 3-month follow-ups.