The vast majority of dogs with cervical disk herniation experience cervical pain and only mild motor deficits; therefore, not much is known about the factors that predict recovery in dogs with nonambulatory tetraparesis (NAT) secondary to cervical disk herniation. In this retrospective study, we tested the hypothesis that two previously reported prognostic factors, site of disk herniation and severity of neurological deficits, are useful predictors of complete recovery. Overall, 20 (62%) of 32 dogs with cervical disk herniation-associated NAT had complete recovery. Site of disk herniation was not a significant predictor of complete recovery; dogs with high cervical lesions (C₂ to C₃, C₃ to C₄) did not have a higher likelihood of complete recovery than other dogs. Likewise, severity of neurological deficits (i.e., intact voluntary motor function versus absent voluntary motor function) was not a significant predictor of complete recovery. Using stepwise logistic regression, two significant predictors of complete recovery were identified. Small dogs (δ15 kg body weight) were six times more likely to achieve complete recovery than larger dogs. Dogs that regained the ability to walk within 96 hours after surgery were seven times more likely to completely recover than dogs not walking 96 hours after surgery. We conclude that neither the site of disk herniation nor severity of neurological deficits assists the clinician in predicting postoperative outcome in dogs with cervical disk herniation-associated NAT. Reliable preoperative predictors of complete recovery are needed to advance current diagnostic and treatment protocols to improve overall prognosis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of combined local anesthesia in dogs undergoing nictitating membrane (NM)-to-superotemporal bulbar conjunctiva flap construction. Medical records of 47 dogs that had received local anesthesia for NM-to-superotemporal bulbar conjunctiva flap were reviewed. Combined local anesthetic technique included auriculopalpebral nerve block, topical anesthesia of the eye, and infiltration anesthesia of the superotemporal bulbar conjunctiva and palpebral surface of the NM. Forty-two (89.3%) dogs complied with the anesthetic procedures and underwent NM flap without general anesthesia or sedation. No complications were related to the combined local anesthesia. Combined local anesthesia for NM-to-superotemporal bulbar conjunctiva flap may be a time- and cost-effective method that produces both analgesia of the surgical site and akinesia of the eyelid.

Primary omental abscessation was diagnosed in three dogs after laparotomy. Laparotomy was performed to explore an abdominal mass of unknown origin and chronic fat necrosis diagnosed in one dog as an incidental finding during ovariohysterectomy. Primarily hypoechoic masses not connected to any abdominal structures were visualized with abdominal ultrasound in three dogs. Suppurative inflammation was diagnosed from fine-needle aspirate evaluation in two dogs. Bacteria were cultured from two abscesses despite the absence of organisms on Gram stain, cytology, and histopathology. Foreign material was found in one abscess. All four dogs experienced weight loss and/or an episode of gastrointestinal signs. Primary omental abscessation may be preceded by omental vascular compromise and/or interaction of the omentum with foreign material.

A 4-year-old, neutered male, soft coated wheaten terrier mixed-breed dog was presented for evaluation of a nonhealing ulcer of the metacarpal pad of 10 to 12 weeks’ duration. A diagnosis of an ulnar nerve deficit and secondary trophic ulceration was made. The ulcer was repaired using a neurovascular island flap. Postoperatively, a fiberglass clamshell splint was used to protect the healing flap. The flap healed successfully and developed a highly keratinized epithelium much like a normal footpad.

A 3-year-old, intact female golden retriever was presented with a sudden onset of inspiratory obstructive dyspnea following general anesthesia to perform a mastectomy. The cuneiform process of the left arytenoid cartilage was found to be extremely mobile on laryngeal examination. Fracture of the cuneiform process of the left arytenoid cartilage was diagnosed. A combined cricoarytenoid and thyroarytenoid caudolateralization procedure was performed on the left side, and no further dyspnea was observed during a follow-up period of 7 months. Fracture of the cuneiform process of the arytenoid cartilage has not been previously reported in dogs. The condition may respond favorably to cricoarytenoid and thyroarytenoid caudolateralization surgery.

A 7-week-old, female Siberian husky was presented to Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital with an acute onset of respiratory distress and regurgitation. Thoracic imaging identified an intraluminal esophageal mass with concurrent aspiration pneumonia. Esophagoscopy identified the mass as stomach, and a diagnosis of gastroesophageal intussusception was made. The intussusception was reduced endoscopically, and fixation of the stomach to the abdominal wall was performed using a tube gastropexy. Gastroesophageal intussusception is an uncommon disease in small animals and traditionally has been managed surgically. This case report describes an alternative method of treatment associated with a good outcome in this puppy.

This case series constitutes a report of dacryops in multiple Labrador retrievers and the use of smooth-muscle actin immunostaining to confirm the lacrimal duct origins of the cyst wall. Three Labrador retrievers were presented with a history of a slowly enlarging mass adjacent to the left medial canthus. Ultrasonography of the masses revealed they were each spherical, thin-walled cystic structures. Aspiration cytology was performed in two cases revealing mixed inflammation and absence of detectable microorganisms. Dacryocystorhinography of the left nasolacrimal system performed in two cases revealed a normal nasolacrimal system that was closely associated, but not communicating with, the cystic mass in both cases. Surgical excision of all cysts was curative. Histopathology and positive immunohistochemical staining for smooth-muscle actin confirmed a diagnosis of dacryops in all cases.

A 12-year-old, spayed female Australian cattle dog was evaluated for a 5-month history of progressive vomiting. Abdominal radiographs and ultrasound revealed significant gastric wall thickening and a peripancreatic mass, and serum gastrin concentration was increased (127 pg/mL, reference range 10 to 40 pg/mL). Surgical exploration of the abdomen revealed a thickened, firm, and irregular gastric fundus, pylorus, and antrum; nodules were present throughout the spleen and mesentery adjacent to the left limb of the pancreas. Mucinous gastric carcinoma with carcinomatosis was diagnosed by histopathological examination of surgically excised tissues. Unfortunately, severe postoperative complications resulted in euthanasia 10 days after surgery, and a necropsy was not performed. This case is significant, because it is the first report of a mucinous gastric carcinoma associated with hypergastrinemia in a dog.