Chronic vomiting in cats is a common presenting problem seen in veterinary practice today. The initial step when presented with a vomiting patient is to differentiate between vomiting and regurgitation or dysphagia. There are numerous causes for chronic vomiting in cats, and therefore a detailed and comprehensive patient history and a systematic diagnostic approach are key steps in determining the cause for vomiting and the most appropriate treatment plan. Common causes for chronic vomiting in cats may include inflammatory bowel disease, food allergy, gastrointestinal motility disorders, neoplasia, and extra-gastrointestinal diseases, such as renal disease, hepatobiliary disease, and hyperthyroidism.
Nosocomial infections are a concern of growing interest in veterinary medicine. Clipper blades have been confirmed as fomites for numerous potential pathogens and, as such, may be associated with wound and surgical site infections. The goal of this study was to evaluate the disinfectant capabilities of several commonly used clipper blade cleaning products. Seventy sterile clipper blades were inoculated with strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Blades were then subjected to one of seven treatment groups for disinfecting. Quantitative cultures of remaining bacteria were performed. All blades in the control group showed large amounts of bacterial recovery. Culture results showed no recovery in blades soaked in alcohol or chlorhexidine or those sprayed with an ethanol/o-phenylphenol product, while moderate recovery was seen with all other treatments. These results show that persistent contamination of clipper blades can occur with the use of several commonly used disinfectant products. Further research is necessary to evaluate fungicidal capabilities as well as the effect of disinfection on clipper blade maintenance.
Clinical and metabolic variables were evaluated in 13 dogs with border collie collapse (BCC) before, during, and following completion of standardized strenuous exercise protocols. Six dogs participated in a ball-retrieving protocol, and seven dogs participated in a sheep-herding protocol. Findings were compared with 16 normal border collies participating in the same exercise protocols (11 retrieving, five herding). Twelve dogs with BCC developed abnormal mentation and/or an abnormal gait during evaluation. All dogs had post-exercise elevations in rectal temperature, pulse rate, arterial blood pH, PaO2, and lactate, and decreased PaCO2 and bicarbonate, as expected with strenuous exercise, but there were no significant differences between BCC dogs and normal dogs. Electrocardiography demonstrated sinus tachycardia in all dogs following exercise. Needle electromyography was normal, and evaluation of muscle biopsy cryosections using a standard panel of histochemical stains and reactions did not reveal a reason for collapse in 10 dogs with BCC in which these tests were performed. Genetic testing excluded the dynamin-1 related exercise-induced collapse mutation and the V547A malignant hyperthermia mutation as the cause of BCC. Common reasons for exercise intolerance were eliminated. Although a genetic basis is suspected, the cause of collapse in BCC was not determined.
Ten dogs that presented with trauma-induced upper airway rupture or stenosis were reviewed. Tracheal rupture was seen in seven dogs, tracheal stenosis in one dog, and laryngeal rupture in two dogs. Clinical abnormalities included respiratory distress in five dogs, subcutaneous emphysema in eight, air leakage through the cervical wound in seven, stridor in three dogs, pneumomediastinum in four and pneumothorax in one dog. Reconstruction with simple interrupted sutures was performed in four dogs, tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis in five dogs, and one dog was euthanized intraoperatively. Complications were seen in three dogs including aspiration pneumonia in one and vocalization alterations in two dogs.
The prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in dogs with Type I intervertebral disc extrusion has been reported as high as 38% within 6 wk of surgery. Proper treatment of a UTI is important with myelopathy because it is a risk factor for persistent infection and reinfection in dogs. The study authors' investigated the incidence of UTIs in dogs having received either cefovecin or cefazolin as a preoperative prophylactic antibiotic for thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy. Thirty-nine dogs were retrospectively identified and assigned to groups based on preoperative antibiotic administration and postoperative urinary tract management. Urinalysis and urine culture performed preoperatively, at 2 wk, and at 6 wk, were reviewed to determine the incidence of UTIs. Urinary tract management, grade of neurologic deficit, time to ambulation, and time to voluntary urination were identified to evaluate for additional risk factors. No significant prevalence of UTI incidence was appreciated between the cefovecin and cefazolin groups. Patients with higher grades of neurologic deficit and that took longer to regain ambulation and voluntary urination were at significantly greater risk for UTIs throughout the postoperative period. This study reemphasizes the importance of continued surveillance for UTIs in patients with prolonged neurologic recovery.
Modern spirometry, like no other monitoring technique, allows insight into breath-to-breath respiratory mechanics. Spirometers continuously measure volume, airway pressure, and flow while calculating and continuously displaying respiratory system compliance and resistance in the form of loops. The aim of this case series is to show how observation of spirometric loops, similar to electrocardiogram or CO2 curve monitoring, can improve safety of anesthetic management in small animals. Spirometric monitoring cases described in this case series are based on use of the anaesthesia monitor Capnomac Ultima with a side stream spirometry sensor. The cases illustrate how recognition and understanding of spirometric loops allows for easy diagnosis of iatrogenic pneumothorax, incorrect ventilator settings, leaks in the system, kinked or partially obstructed endotracheal tube, and spontaneous breathing interfering with intermittent positive-pressure ventilation. The case series demonstrates the potential of spirometry to improve the quality and safety of anesthetic management, and, hence, its use can be recommended during intermittent positive-pressure ventilation and procedures in which interference with ventilation can be expected.
Two cats, both over 10 yr old, were presented for evaluation of non-painful bony proliferations on the appendicular skeleton. These proliferations were identifiable via palpation. Radiographs showed a smooth, proliferative bony lesion of the distal femur (case 1) and tarsus (case 2) with mild soft tissue swelling. Surgical debulking with incomplete resection was performed in each cat. Subsequent histopathology resulted in a diagnosis of periosteal chondrosarcoma (PC). Although both cats have experienced local recurrence, both are still alive more than 2.5 yr after mass debulking. Periosteal chondrosarcoma is a differential diagnosis in proliferative cortical bony lesions near an articular surface in older cats. Partial resection of these masses can lead to an excellent quality of life, and proper diagnosis can avoid amputation or even euthanasia.
Primary hypodipsic hypernatremia is a rarely reported disease in dogs. Reported underlying causes associated with this disease in dogs include congenital malformations, encephalitis, intracranial neoplasia, and pressure atrophy of the hypothalamus secondary to hydrocephalus. The dog in this report had an infiltrative neoplastic disorder, likely causing damage to the hypothalamic osmoreceptors responsible for the thirst generation. The neoplastic process was identified histopathologically as glioblastoma multiforme, an unusual tumor to occur in a dog this young. A tumor of the central nervous system causing physical destruction of the osmoreceptors has rarely been reported in dogs and none of the previously reported cases involved a glial cell tumor.
Intrathoracic extracardiac hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is rare in dogs. This report describes three dogs with acute onset dyspnea due to hemorrhagic pleural effusion resulting from intrathoracic extracardiac masses, which were confirmed as HSA by histopathology. The dogs were stabilized with thoracocentesis and intravascular fluid resuscitation. Computed tomography identified intrathoracic masses, which were not originating from the heart or pulmonary parenchyma. Surgical exploration was performed in all cases. Case 1 was euthanized intraoperatively as the tumor could not be dissected from the aorta. In cases 2 and 3, hemostasis and resection of the tumors was successful. Case 2 was euthanized 1 mo after surgery and case 3 was alive at the time of writing, 5 mo postoperatively. Intrathoracic extracardiac HSA should be considered as a differential for nontraumatic hemothorax and surgical treatment can be palliative.
This case report describes the diagnosis of a peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the deep branch of the radial nerve distal to the elbow in a dog. The lesion was identified using computed tomography and ultrasonography and confirmed as sarcoma on histopathological analysis of incisional biopsies. Clinical signs dramatically improved following surgical biopsy before recurring three months later. Repeat epineurotomy of the deep branch of the radial nerve resulted in clinical improvement for a further month before signs once again returned. Epineurotomy as a palliative treatment for peripheral nerve sheath tumors has not been previously described, but may have a place in palliation of clinical signs in specific cases of peripheral nerve sheath tumors in which limb amputation is not an option.
To date, descriptions of pathologic conditions of the seminal vesicle in rabbits are scarce and limited to the laboratory animals in experimental conditions. The present article describes three cases of strangury, abdominal pain, and anorexia associated with seminal vesiculitis in pet rabbits. Three non-neutered male pet rabbits aged 3.6, 1.5, and 2.1 yrs were presented with strangury, abdominal pain, and anorexia. Seminal vesiculitis was diagnosed based on clinical signs and ultrasonography findings. Vesiculectomy was performed in two cases that presented strangury refractory to medical treatment, and diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology. In the third case, the patient received medical treatment, and a sequela in the form of lithiasis of the seminal vesicle was detected 3 yrs later. Plain radiographs were nearly unremarkable, and results from complete blood analysis and urinalysis were not specific in all three cases. Contrast radiography was performed in one case, showing a dilated seminal vesicle. Ultrasound and surgical biopsy seem to be the most sensitive techniques in the diagnosis of this pathology. Seminal vesiculitis must be included in the differential diagnosis of acute or chronic strangury in male pet rabbits.