The role of surgery in the management of canine anal furunculosis. A review of the literature and a retrospective evaluation of treatment by surgical resection in 51 dogs

AIMS: To retrospectively evaluate the outcome of surgical management of anal furunculosis (AF) in 51 dogs. To compare the outcome of surgery with those of current medical protocols by way of a review of the literature. METHODS: Dogs referred for treatment of AF (n=51) were treated by en bloc surgical resection of diseased tissue and primary wound closure. This technique was combined with bilateral anal sacculectomy in all cases in which the anal sacs had not been previously removed. Immunomodulatory therapies were not used, with the exception of post-operative metronidazole antibiosis for 7-10 days. Follow-up was performed by the author using a telephone questionnaire. RESULTS: Forty-eight dogs were eligible for post-operative follow-up 1.5 to 36 (mean 17.4, median 18) months after surgery. Lesion recurrence, faecal incontinence and stricture formation occurred in 2%, 4% and 13% of dogs, respectively. The percentage of dogs considered by their owners to have an acceptable level of faecal continence and an improved quality of life was 94%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The aetiopathogenesis of canine AF remains unclear. Whilst recent advances in medical management by the use of various immunomodulatory medications (such as cyclosporine) hold promise, this approach has yet to be refined with respect to affordability, long-term efficacy and morbidity. With meticulous surgical dissection and reconstruction techniques (anoplasty), excellent success rates can be achieved following a single surgical procedure with minimal complications. Surgery remains a viable treatment option, alone or in combination with immunomodulatory medications, until a more thorough understanding of this debilitating disease is achieved.     

Perianal Fistulas in the Dog Retrospective Evaluation of Surgical Treatment by Deroofing and Fulguration

Deroofing and fulguration (DR&F) was used as a surgical treatment for perianal fistulas in 30 dogs over a 5 year period at the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. A retrospective evaluation of the efficacy of this procedure was based on a written questionnaire completed by the owners. Dogs were placed initially into one of four categories according to their degree of perianal involvement: 0 to 90°, 91 to 180°, 181 to 270°, and 271 to 360°. The mean elapsed time between the last surgical treatment and follow-up evaluation was 39 months (range 6 to 63 months). Seventy-seven percent of the dogs were German shepherds. Sixty-seven percent of the dogs were intact males. The mean age of the dogs at the time of onset was 59 months (range 22 to 106 months). The most common presenting clinical signs were owner recognition of fistulous tracts (97%), tenesmus (37%), and licking of the perianal region (20%). The most frequently encountered postoperative complications were recurrence (70%) followed by varying degrees of incontinence (23%) and tenesmus (20%). Incontinence was transient in 5 of 7 dogs. Long-term results were the following: 5 dogs (17%) excellent, 13 dogs (43%) good, 3 dogs (10%) fair, and 9 dogs (30%) poor. Anal sacculectomy as an adjunct therapy was generally done only when the anal sacs were secondarily involved. In 2 dogs, prophylactic anal sacculectomy was done at the time of DR&F. The use of this technique is advocated in dogs moderately affected with perianal fistulas (0 to 180°) because of the minimal invasiveness, limited postoperative morbidity, and relative effectiveness of the procedure as demonstrated by the results of this study. In those dogs more severely affected, DR&F was not shown to be superior to other methods previously described.     

Open versus closed bilateral anal sacculectomy for treatment of non-neoplastic anal sac disease in dogs: 95 cases (1969-1994)

OBJECTIVE: To determine complications associated with anal sacculectomy in dogs with non-neoplastic anal sac disease and compare complication rates for open versus closed techniques. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 95 dogs. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed for information on signalment, history, physical examination findings, type of anal sac disease, surgical technique (closed, standard open [surgery performed prior to 19801, or modified open [surgery performed after 19801), and postoperative complications. RESULTS: In 57 dogs, a closed technique was used, and in 38, an open technique was used. Only 3 dogs developed short-term complications (excessive drainage, scooting and inflammation, and seroma formation), and 14 developed long-term complications (continued licking of the surgery site, fecal incontinence, fistulation, and stricture formation). Development of postoperative complications was significantly associated with surgical technique. Dogs that underwent standard open sacculectomy prior to 1980 were 13.67 times as likely to have a long-term complication as were dogs that underwent closed sacculectomy. Weight of the dog, type of anal sac disease, age at the time of surgery, and whether the wound was closed surgically were not significantly associated with whether dogs developed postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that anal sacculectomy is a safe and effective treatment for non-neoplastic anal sac disease in dogs and is associated with a low rate of complications. The standard open technique was associated with the greatest number of complications, whereas complication rates for the closed and modified open techniques were similar to each other.     

Management of Perianal Fistulae A Retrospective Study of 23 Cases

The records of all dogs surgically treated for perianal fistulae during a S-year period were reviewed. The findings indicated that perianal fistulae occur predominantly in middle aged, intact male German shepherd dogs. The dogs were treated by superficial surgical excision of the involved skin, anorectal mucosa, and anal sacculectomy. Deeper fistulous tracts were flushed two to three times weekly with 10% Lugol's solution until healed by granulation. Fecal incontinence, the most common postoperative complication, was seen initially in 20% of cases. Fifty per cent of these animals regained fecal continence by the sixth month postoperatively, at which time they were considered acceptable house pets. The complication rate with this treatment regimen was less than that reported for techniques in which all diseased tissue is surgically excised.     

Results of surgical excision of perianal fistulas in dogs

Eighty-seven dogs that had perianal fistulas diagnosed at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, Davis, were treated by excision of the diseased tissues and bilateral anal sacculectomy. Males were affected more often than females (66 to 21), and the German Shepherd Dog was the predominant breed (59 of 87). Information from owners regarding long-term postoperative progress was available for 41 dogs. Twenty-two of the 41 dogs had been euthanatized, 15 (36.6%) because of complications related to perianal fistulas and 7 because of unrelated causes. The mean postoperative period, ie, from the time of surgery to the time of euthanasia, was 34.7 months (range, 1 to 82 months). The remaining 19 dogs were examined after a mean postoperative period of 42.3 months (range, 13 to 100 months). Postoperative complications included development of clinically evident fistulas in 23 of the 41 dogs (56.1%), lack of normal continence (26.8%), tenesmus (19.5%), flatulence (17.1%), and anal stricture (14.6%). Twenty-one of the 41 dogs (51.2%) were judged by their owners to be satisfactory pets or to have been satisfactory pets before euthanasia for unrelated reasons     

Surgical excision of primary canine rectal tumors by an anal approach in twenty-three dogs

OBJECTIVE: To describe an anal approach for excision of primary rectal tumors in dogs and to report outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Dogs (n=23) with primary rectal tumors. METHODS: Review of medical records (1990-2000) of dogs with primary rectal neoplasia excised surgically using an anal approach with rectal prolapse. With dogs anesthetized, the rectum was prolapsed, stabilized with stay sutures during tumor excision with 1 cm margins to the level of the muscularis, then the rectal mucosa was sutured. RESULTS: Each dog had only 1 tumor type (adenocarcinoma [8], solitary polyp [5], carcinoma [4], plasmacytoma [2], adenoma [1], leiomyoma [1], mucinous carcinoma [1], and papilloma [1]). Mean tumor volume was 3.1 cm(3) (range 0.1-37.7 cm(3)). Postoperative complications (rectal bleeding [5], tenesmus [4]) were mild and resolved within 7 days after surgery; another dog had partial mucosal dehiscence identified at 6 days. The primary tumor was incompletely excised in 1 dog (4.3%), and local recurrence occurred 16 and 24 months after surgery in 2 dogs. Outcome beyond the immediate postoperative period was known for 18 dogs, including 2 dogs still alive. Mean postoperative disease-free interval for these 18 dogs was 36.8 months (range 5-84 months). CONCLUSION: Surgical excision of tumors of the caudal rectum can be accomplished through the anus after rectal prolapse. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An anal approach facilitated by rectal prolapse should be considered as a viable option for the surgical treatment of selected cases of tumors of the caudal aspect of the rectum in dogs.     

Anal sac tumours of the dog and their response to cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy

A retrospective study of anal sac tumours without pulmonary metastases, from the author's clinical records for the period July 1989 to July 2002, was conducted to establish the response to treatment with surgery and melphalan chemotherapy. Of 21 dogs with tumours of the anal sacs 19 had apocrine gland adenocarcinomas of anal sac origin, one had a benign papillary cystadenoma and another had a malignant melanoma. Two of the 19 dogs had bilateral anal sac adenocarcinomas. Ten of the 19 dogs with apocrine gland adenocarcinomas of anal sac origin had sublumbar lymphadenopathy. Five dogs were excluded by their owners from recommended treatment. Fourteen dogs with apocrine gland adenocarcinomas of anal sac origin were treated by surgical cytoreduction and chemotherapy with melphalan. Seven of the 14 dogs had regional lymph node metastases. Cytoreduction was by local excision of the anal sac in all 14 dogs and concurrent removal of the sublumbar retroperitoneal lymph nodes in the seven dogs with regional lymph node metastases. The median survival time of dogs with sublumbar nodal metastasis was 20 months and for dogs with tumour localised to the anal sac the median survival time was 29.3 months. There was no difference in median survival of those dogs with sublumbar metastases compared to those without. This study suggests there is a role for melphalan in the treatment of dogs with anal sac adenocarcinoma when combined with cytoreductive surgery, with treatment survival times and the local recurrence rate of the primary tumour comparing favourably with previously published treatment regimes.     

Management of perianal fistulae in five dogs using azathioprine and metronidazole prior to surgery

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate combination therapy with azathioprine and metronidazole in German Shepherd Dogs with perianal fistulae. DESIGN: Prospective study. PROCEDURE: Five dogs (31.5 to 36.0 kg) with perianal fistulae were treated with azathioprine (50 mg per dog orally every 24 h) and metronidazole (400 mg per dog orally every 24 h). Patients were re-evaluated at 2 week intervals by inspection, palpation, photographs of the perineal region and assessment of white blood cell counts where possible. Treatment was continued until improvement in lesions reached a plateau. Surgical excision of residual fistulae and anal sac remnants was then performed, with medical therapy continued for an additional 3 to 6 weeks. RESULT: Signs attributable to anal irritation were reduced or eliminated in all dogs within 2 weeks, although visible healing of lesions progressed more slowly. Ulcerated lesions reduced in surface area and depth, and some fistulae healed completely. Non-healing areas were usually associated with anal sac rupture or chronic fibrosis. Visible improvement typically reached a plateau 4 to 6 weeks after commencing treatment. Immunosuppressive therapy continued for 5 to 24 weeks before surgical intervention to remove anal sacs (four dogs) and/or residual fistulae (five dogs). All dogs remain disease free 7 to 10 months postoperatively. No important complications of treatment were encountered. CONCLUSION: Azathioprine with metronidazole effectively reduced perianal irritation, and the severity and extent of lesions prior to surgery. Treatment was economical even in large dogs and associated with few untoward sequelae. The combined use of immunosuppressive and antimicrobial therapy followed by surgery minimised potential morbidity associated with aggressive use of either medical of surgical treatment alone.     

Outcome in dogs with surgically resected oral fibrosarcoma (1997-2008)

Oral fibrosarcoma (FSA) is a common oral tumour in dogs, and historically reported survival times after surgical excision range from 7.0 to 12.2 months with local recurrence rates of 32-57%. The purpose of this retrospective study was to report outcome in a cohort of dogs with oral FSA treated with surgical excision with or without adjuvant radiation therapy. Twenty-nine dogs with a histological diagnosis of FSA arising from the oral cavity that underwent surgical resection of their oral FSA were included in this study. Twenty-one dogs were treated with surgical excision alone and eight dogs with both surgery and radiation therapy. The median progression-free interval was >653 days. The median survival time was 743 days. The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 87.7 and 57.8%, respectively. Seven (24.1%) dogs developed local recurrence. Seven dogs (24.1%) developed metastasis.     

Bilateral thyroarytenoid cartilage lateralization and vocal fold excision with mucosoplasty for treatment of idiopathic laryngeal paralysis: 67 dogs (1998-2005)

Objective— To evaluate combined bilateral thyroarytenoid cartilage lateralization, vocal fold excision, and mucosoplasty technique (BTAL) through ventral median laryngotomy for treatment of laryngeal paralysis in dogs.
Design— Retrospective study.
Animals— Dogs (n=67) with laryngeal paralysis.
Methods— Medical records were reviewed for dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis that had BTAL between January 1998 and March 2005. Retrieved data included signalment, history, physical and laryngoscopic examination findings, clinicopathologic tests, and results of recheck examination findings.
Results— BTAL was performed by a single surgeon. Short-term (<6 months) follow-up information was available for 67 dogs and long-term (>12 months) for 40 dogs. Major postoperative complications were surgical failures (13; 7 short term, 6 long term) and aspiration pneumonia (1). Mean recurrence of clinical signs was at 19 weeks (range, 2–30 weeks). Minor complications occurred in 22 (33%) dogs including occasional coughing or gagging, stridorous breathing during exercise, panting, noisy or heavy breathing, and aspiration pneumonia (3 dogs) that did not require hospitalization. All owners reported an improved quality of life and had no regrets with surgical outcome.
Conclusions— BTAL is seemingly an effective procedure for treatment of laryngeal paralysis.
Clinical Relevance— BTAL is associated with a low incidence of aspiration pneumonia; however, there is substantial risk of recurrence of clinical signs associated with narrowing of the glottis. Consequently, unilateral arytenoid lateralization currently represents the accepted approach to the treatment of laryngeal paralysis.     

Evaluation of complications and short-term outcome after unilateral or single-session bilateral tibial tuberosity advancement for cranial cruciate rupture in dogs

Objective: To compare the resulting complications, short-term results, and client satisfaction for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture using either unilateral or bilateral single-session tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) in dogs. Methods: Medical records of 68 dogs (101 stifles) undergoing unilateral or bilateral single-session TTA were evaluated. Data gathered included signalment, history, physical examination findings, anaesthesia and surgical time, type of cranial cruciate ligament rupture and meniscal injury, implants, and intra-operative and postoperative complications. A mixed effect logistic regression analysis was performed to determine if complications were grouped by surgical procedure. Linear regression was performed to determine the influence of the variables on the occurrence of complications. Values of p <0.05 were considered significant. Results: No major intra-operative complications occurred. Twenty stifles (20%) developed a complication after surgery (11 minor, 9 major). There was no significant difference in occurrence of complications between dogs undergoing unilateral (n = 8) or bilateral single-session (n = 12) TTA (p = 0.69). The only risk factor found to be associated with complication occurrence was age. Clinical significance: This is the first report evaluating the use of bilateral simultaneous TTA. There was no significant difference in complication rates between unilateral and bilateral single-session TTA. Additional evaluation is needed to fully determine the extent of complications and long-term outcome of bilateral single-session TTA.     

Surgical treatment and radiation therapy of frontal lobe meningiomas in 7 dogs

The cases of 7 adult dogs with generalized seizures managed by surgical excision and radiation therapy for frontal lobe meningiomas were reviewed. The neurological examination was unremarkable in 6 of the 7 dogs. Five dogs were operated on using a bilateral transfrontal sinus approach and 2 using a unilateral sinotemporal approach to the frontal lobe. One dog was euthanized 14 d after surgery; radiation therapy was initiated 3 wk after surgery in the remaining 6 dogs. Long-term follow-up consisted of neurological examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or computed tomography (CT) scan after radiation therapy. The mean survival time for dogs that had surgery and radiation therapy was 18 mo after surgery. Frontal lobe meningiomas have been associated with poor prognosis. However, the surgical approaches used in these cases, combined with radiation therapy, allow a survival rate for frontal lobe meningiomas similar to that for meningiomas located over the cerebral convexities.     

Neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser-assisted excision of progressive ethmoid hematomas in horses: 20 cases (1986-1996)

OBJECTIVE: To describe a technique of contact neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser-assisted excision of progressive ethmoid hematoma (PEH) in horses, to determine the recurrence rate of clinical signs of PEH in horses with follow-up time of a minimum of 12 months, and to compare this result with reported results achieved by using conventional techniques. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 21 horses with 26 PEH. PROCEDURE: Medical records of all horses with PEH treated by Nd:YAG laser excision from December 1986 through August 1996 were analyzed. Twenty-one horses underwent unilateral (18 surgeries) or bilateral (14) frontonasal bone flap with excision of the mass, using an Nd:YAG laser. One horse with bilateral PEH underwent a unilateral bone flap twice, 1 year apart. RESULTS: 1 horse died. Four of 20 horses with followup times of 12 months or longer had recurrence of PEH. The PEH recurrence rate was 20% (5/25 PEH). Three of 6 horses with bilateral lesions had recurrence of PEH. Recurrence rate for horses that had bilateral PEH (3/6 horses) was greater than for horses with unilateral PEH (1/14 horses). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Treatment of PEH by Nd:YAG laser excision through a frontonasal bone flap results in a recurrence rate comparable with that reported for conventional techniques. Horses with bilateral lesions are more likely to have a recurrence of PEH.     

Long term follow-up of avascular necrosis of the femoral head in the dog

In a clinical study of 35 dogs with avascular necrosis of the femoral head, 60 per cent were Yorkshire terriers; the mean age of 33 of the dogs at onset of clinical signs was seven months. The dogs had the following signs: muscle atrophy (n = 25), shortening of the affected leg (n = 14), pain on passive movement of the hip joint (n = 28), and crepitation of the hip joint (n = 8). Radiographic findings were irregular density and flattening of the femoral head in combination with degenerative joint disease. Conservative treatment consisted of exercise therapy, and surgical treatment of a standard femoral head and neck excision. In 17 of the dogs the results of therapy were evaluated with the help of a questionnaire. It is concluded that femoral head and neck excision is indicated when conservative treatment fails to lead to clinical improvement within four weeks. Femoral head and neck excision has a good long term prognosis; however, slight intermittent lameness may remain.     

犬乳腺肿瘤手术治疗及其预后的调查

本研究采用单个乳腺切除、区域乳腺切除、单侧乳腺切除对临床31例犬乳腺肿瘤病例进行手术治疗,调查不同手术方法及肿瘤质量对良性、恶性乳腺肿瘤术后预后的影响。结果显示,犬乳腺肿瘤的大小与其预后相关,随着犬瘤体质重的增加,其术后预后不良愈加明显,复发率、死亡率呈上升趋势;区域乳腺摘除术或乳腺完全根除术对乳腺肿瘤患犬的预后有一定影响。     

Surgical treatment of lumbosacral foraminal stenosis using a lateral approach in twenty dogs with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis

Objectives— To describe clinical signs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and surgical findings using a lateral approach to the lumbosacral intervertebral foramen and to evaluate clinical outcomes in dogs with or without concurrent dorsal decompression and annulectomy.
Study Design— Retrospective study.
Animals— Dogs (n=20) with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS).
Methods— Medical records (2002–2006) of dogs that had lumbosacral lateral foraminotomy alone or in combination with dorsal decompression were reviewed. Degree of dysfunction was assessed separately for each pelvic limb; dogs with unilateral signs were included in group A, those with bilateral signs in group B. Retrieved data were: signalment, history, neurologic status on admission, 3 days, 6 weeks, and 6 months postoperatively, duration of clinical signs, results of MRI, surgical site(s), intraoperative findings, and outcome.
Results— Based on the clinical and MRI findings unilateral foraminotomy was performed in 8 dogs, bilateral foraminotomy in 1 dog, unilateral foraminotomy with concurrent dorsal decompression in 7 dogs, and bilateral foraminotomy with concomitant dorsal decompression in 4 dogs. Surgery confirmed the presence of foraminal stenosis in all dogs, with osteophyte formation and soft tissue proliferations being the most common lesions. Outcome was good to excellent in 19 dogs and poor in 1 dog. Mean follow-up was 15.2 months (range, 6–42 months).
Conclusion— Lateral foraminotomy addresses compressive lesions within exit and middle zones of the lumbosacral foramen.
Clinical Relevance— Successful surgical management of DLSS is dependent on recognition and correction of each of the compressive lesions within the lumbosacral junction.     

Interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma mRNA expression in canine anal furunculosis lesions and the effect of ciclosporin therapy

German Shepherd Dogs have an increased incidence of anal furunculosis (AF), which is a disease characterised by inflammation and ulceration of the perianal tissues. Ciclosporin, an immunosuppressive drug, has been successfully used to treat AF, suggesting that the pathogenesis of disease is likely to have an immune-mediated component. Previous research has shown that the cytokine mRNA profile in AF lesions is consistent with T cell-mediated inflammation. The aims of the current study were to quantify IL-2 and IFNgamma mRNA expression in AF biopsies taken before and after treatment with ciclosporin and to compare cytokine expression with lesion severity. Twenty-two dogs with AF were recruited into the study and lesional biopsies were taken prior to ciclosporin therapy. Lesion severity was graded using a visual analogue scale. All dogs were evaluated after 4 weeks of ciclosporin therapy and, in 10 dogs with persistent disease, residual lesions were resected. RNA was extracted from AF-lesional tissue and control perianal tissue samples (n=10), which was used as the template for RT-PCR. Analysis of IL-2 and IFNgamma mRNA expression was performed using real-time PCR. IL-2 and IFNgamma mRNA was consistently detected in pre-treatment AF biopsies and, when quantified, this was significantly increased compared to control tissue (P<0.05). However, no correlation was seen between lesion severity and pre-treatment cytokine mRNA expression. In the ten paired pre- and post-treatment samples, IL-2 mRNA expression was significantly reduced in residual disease tissue following ciclosporin therapy (P=0.013). Treatment with ciclosporin seemed to result in decreased expression of IFNgamma mRNA in AF lesions but this was not statistically significant. In six of the 10 dogs with persistent disease, T cell cytokine mRNA could still be detected in the tissues, suggesting that there was inadequate immunosuppression. The absence of a correlation between T cell cytokine expression and the severity of disease suggests that tissue destruction observed in AF might be a consequence of other inflammatory mediators or downstream effects of T cell activation.     

Recurrence rates and clinical outcome for dogs with grade II mast cell tumours with a low AgNOR count and Ki67 index treated with surgery alone

Grade II mast cell tumours (MCT) are tumours with variable biologic behaviour. Multiple factors have been associated with outcome, including proliferation markers. The purpose of this study was to determine if extent of surgical excision affects recurrence rate in dogs with grade II MCT with low proliferation activity, determined by Ki67 and argyrophilic nucleolar organising regions (AgNOR). Eighty‐six dogs with cutaneous MCT were evaluated. All dogs had surgical excision of their MCT with a low Ki67 index and combined AgNORxKi67 (Ag67) values. Twenty‐three (27%) dogs developed local or distant recurrence during the median follow‐up time. Of these dogs, six (7%) had local recurrence, one had complete and five had incomplete histologic margins. This difference in recurrence rates between dogs with complete and incomplete histologic margins was not significant. On the basis of this study, ancillary therapy may not be necessary for patients with incompletely excised grade II MCT with low proliferation activity.     

Idiopathic lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis in dogs: 37 cases (1997-2002)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical signs and rhinoscopic, computed tomographic, and histologic abnormalities in dogs with idiopathic lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 37 dogs. PROCEDURE: Clinical information was obtained from medical records. Nasal computed tomographic images and histologic slides of biopsy specimens were reviewed. RESULTS: Dogs ranged from 1.5 to 14 years old (mean, 8 years); most (28) were large-breed dogs. Nasal discharge was unilateral in 11 of 26 (42%) dogs and bilateral in 15 of 26 (58%) dogs. In dogs with unilateral disease, duration of clinical signs ranged from 1.5 to 36 months (mean, 8.25 months; median, 2 months), and in dogs with bilateral disease, duration of signs ranged from 1.25 to 30 months (mean, 6.5 months; median, 4 months). Computed tomography (n = 33) most often revealed fluid accumulation (27/33 [82%]), turbinate destruction (23/33 [70%]), and frontal sinus opacification (14/33 [42%]). Rhinoscopy (n = 37) commonly demonstrated increased mucus and epithelial inflammation; turbinate destruction was detected in 8 of 37 (22%) dogs. Bilateral biopsy specimens from all 37 dogs were examined. Four dogs had only unilateral inflammatory changes. The remaining 33 dogs had bilateral lesions; in 20, lesions were more severe on 1 side than the other. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings suggest that idiopathic lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis is a key contributor to chronic nasal disease in dogs and may be more common than previously believed. In addition, findings suggest that idiopathic lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis is most often a bilateral disease, even among dogs with unilateral nasal discharge.     

Inflammatory polyps of the middle ear in 5 dogs

OBJECTIVE: To describe inflammatory polyps of the middle ear in 5 dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: Five dogs with ear disease. METHODS: Medical records (1995-2001) were reviewed to identify dogs with inflammatory polyps of the middle ear. Signalment, clinical signs, ancillary diagnostic procedures, treatment, postoperative complications, and outcome were recorded. Owners and referring veterinarians were contacted to document outcome. RESULTS: Dogs with inflammatory polyps of the middle ear were male and aged 4 to 13 years. Two dogs had bilateral polyps, whereas 3 had unilateral polyps. The most common clinical presentation was otitis externa and media, with radiographic evidence of otitis media. Polyps were treated by ventral bulla osteotomy (VBO) in 1 dog and total ear canal ablation with lateral bulla osteotomy (TECA-LBO) in 4 dogs. Polyps consisted of a fibrovascular stroma infiltrated with neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. The overlying epithelium was frequently ulcerated. Immediate postoperative complications included a seroma after VBO (1 dog) and transient unilateral facial nerve paralysis after bilateral TECA-LBO (1 dog). No recurrence occurred within 9 to 69 months. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral or bilateral, inflammatory polyps can occur in the middle ear of dogs in association with otitis externa and media. No recurrence occurred after surgical removal of the polyps. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Inflammatory polyps of the middle ear in dogs can be a cause of otitis externa/media. Surgical removal of aural polyps has a good prognosis.