The successful use of a prosthesis in the correction of a palatal defect in a dog

The use of a palatine prosthesis in the treatment of a traumatic cleft palate in a dog is described. Attempts at surgical repair of the cleft failed and the prosthesis successfully obturated the defect for 10 months. The value of this technique used alone or in combination with palatoplasty is discussed.     

Use of a Cortico-Cancellous Bone Graft in the Repair of a Cleft Palate in a Dog

We report the successful use of a cortico-cancellous bone graft to repair a cleft of the secondary palate in a 6-month-old Akita dog. The cleft extended from the incisal papilla to the posterior border of the soft palate. It was 10 mm wide in the hard palate and 16 mm in the soft palate. The cleft was repaired using the "push-back" method with single-pedicled mucoperiosteal flaps to close the cleft in the soft tissues, and a free bone graft from the tibia (cortex with cancellous bone attached) to fill the defect in the hard palate. Two and one-half years after the operation the graft was indistinguishable from surrounding bone on radiographs. Maxillary growth appeared to have progressed normally, resulting in normal occlusion.     

Simultaneous presence of a seminoma and a leiomyoma in the testes of a horse

An 18‐year‐old stallion was presented for castration because of insidious, bilateral scrotal enlargement of one year's duration. The left testis was firm, while the right was soft and lobulated; both were larger than normal. Palpation of the scrotum and its contents did not cause the horse to show signs of discomfort. Ultrasonography of scrotal contents revealed abnormal, heterogeneous tissue with ill defined regions of hyper‐ and hypoechogenity throughout both testes. Several hours after admission the horse developed severe signs of colic. On the basis of anamnesis, clinical findings, and results of ultrasonography and transrectal palpation bilateral testicular neoplasia and incarcerated inguinal hernia were tentatively diagnosed. Because the horse's owner did not consent to surgical treatment, the stallion was subjected to euthanasia. Histological and immunohistochemical examination of the testicular tissue collected post mortem revealed a seminoma in the left testis and a leiomyoma in the right testis. The post mortem examination also revealed incarceration of the small intestine in addition to the testicular tumours. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the simultaneous presence of bilateral, yet different testicular tumour types in a stallion.     

Computerized tomography in the diagnosis of a brain tumour in a dog

A case of a brain tumour in the right hemisphere of a male Boxer is described. The diagnosis was made successfully by computerized tomography and confirmed histologically at necropsy.     

Use of a one-piece drainage system in the treatment of a closed angle glaucoma in a dog

Unilateral closed angle glaucoma was controlled for a 12 month plus period in a dog using a one-piece (Joseph) drainage implant. The implant consists of a valved anterior chamber tube which is attached to a large surface area strap placed under conjunctiva, Tenon's capsule and rectus muscles. The tube bypasses the closed iridocorneal angle, and the intraocular pressure has been maintained within the normal range by aqueous absorption from a large subconjunctival scar sac which has developed around the strap. Additional hypotensive therapy has not proved necessary, and untoward sequelae associated with the presence of the implant within the ocular tissues have not occurred.     

Use of a biodegradable self-expanding stent in the management of a benign oesophageal stricture in a cat

An 11-year-old domestic shorthair cat presented with a six-week history of regurgitation following a dental procedure. Endoscopy identified a single oesophageal stricture in the cervical oesophagus. Stricture reformation occurred following endoscopic balloon catheter dilation on two occasions. Following a third balloon dilation a biodegradable polydioxanone self-expanding stent was placed across the stricture site. Following the implantation the cat was able to eat soft canned food orally without regurgitation. Fluoroscopic examination performed four months after placement indicated that the stent was no longer present and the cervical oesophagus was able to pass boluses of canned food with no signs of obstruction.     

Cytology of a mass on the meningeal surface of the left brain in a dog

An 11-year-old neutered male Labrador Retriever presented to Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine for a 2-week history of seizures and altered behavior. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a homogeneously enhancing mass involving the surface of the left temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes of the brain, causing secondary hydrocephalus. Cytology samples obtained during rostrotentorial craniectomy contained abundant amorphous pink material suggestive of neuropil, scattered leukocytes, capillary fragments, large polyhedral nerve cell bodies, and other smaller cells with pale blue cytoplasm that occasionally were vacuolated and contained fine eosinophilic granules. The cytologic diagnosis was neoplasia, possibly meningioma. Ninety days after surgery the patient was euthanized after MRI results confirmed regrowth of the tumor. Histologic samples of the meningeal lesion collected at necropsy consisted of sheets and nests of loosely packed, large polygonal cells that compressed the brain parenchyma. The cytoplasm was eosinophilic and slightly granular, whereas nuclei were dense and eccentric. Neoplastic cells stained positive for S-100 protein, periodic acid-Schiff, and were partially diastase resistant. Vimentin staining was negative. Ubiquitin staining was light but diffusely positive. Ultrastructural features of the neoplastic cells included numerous secondary lysosomes and irregular pleomorphic nuclei. The final diagnosis was meningeal granular cell tumor. This case documents the cytologic and histologic features of an uncommon type of meningeal tumor.     

Treatment of a poorly differentiated sarcoma in the oropharynx of a horse

A 10-year-old Thoroughbred mare was referred to Tennessee Equine Hospital for evaluation and treatment of a subepiglottic mass. Physical and laboratory examinations revealed no other abnormalities. The tumour was excised through a laryngotomy site using transendoscopic laser and sharp excision. Histological evaluation revealed a poorly differentiated sarcoma with features of a leiomyosarcoma, a rarely identified neoplasm in the oropharynx of the horse. The mare developed intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (iDDSP) after surgery but was able to resume full training. There was no evidence of regrowth 8 months post-operatively.     

Osteosarcoma in the femur of a horse

A 27-year-old Arabian pony gelding presented for evaluation of weight loss, intermittent sheath oedema, persistent neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, and acute left hindlimb swelling and gait abnormality. Clinical findings included swelling, heat and sensitivity localised over the left greater trochanter, mild to moderate ventral and sheath oedema, a left hindlimb post-legged gait, and off-loading of weight from the left hindlimb at rest. Initially, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were confirmed on bloodwork, but neutrophilia and thrombocytopenia persisted as the case progressed. Diagnostic imaging (radiography and percutaneous ultrasonography) of the left hindquarters revealed an aggressive, mixed proliferative and lytic bony lesion of the proximal left femur as well as associated muscle fibre disruption and a soft tissue mass. A percutaneous core biopsy of the lesion led to the diagnosis of osteoblastic osteosarcoma on histopathology. Pain and inflammation associated with the lesion was medically managed in the hospital with mild improvement. Additionally, palliative radiation was performed under general anaesthesia. Unfortunately, before a response to palliative radiation could be assessed, the patient was subjected to euthanasia due to development of acute neurological signs.     

Volvulus of the colon in a Cat

We report the first case of colonic volvulus in a cat. A 12-year old spayed, female domestic shorthair cat with chronic bowel disease presentated with one-day history of lethargy and anorexia. Physical examination abnormalities included cachexia, poor perfusion, and poor skin turgor. A large, non painful, gas-filled, tubular structure, occupying the majority of the abdominal cavity was noted by palpation. Abdominal radiographs revealed a gas-filled displaced colon. Exploratory laparotomy confirmed a volvulus at the root of the colonic mysetery, along with a partial torsion of the distal colon. The majority of the colon was determined to be necrotic and was surgically resected. Due to persistent hypotension and perceived poor prognosis, the cat was euthanized.     

Computed tomographic diagnosis of a fracture of the floor of the pelvis in a Thoroughbred foal

This case report describes the clinical and diagnostic imaging findings, treatment and outcomes of a 15-day-old Thoroughbred foal referred for the evaluation of severe left hindlimb lameness of 8 days' duration. Radiographic examination of the left hindlimb and transcutaneous ultrasonographic examination of the pelvis were unremarkable. A computed tomographic (CT) examination was performed to investigate the proximal aspect of the limb and the pelvis; CT scans of the thorax were also acquired. In this case, CT images allowed detection of a closed, slightly displaced, oblique wedge-like fracture of the left caudal ramus of the pubis and medial ramus of the ischium, allowing an accurate diagnosis to guide appropriate treatment and prognostication. The foal was treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and box-rest. A follow-up by telephone interview with the trainer 3 years later revealed that the horse is in full athletic activity without any residual gait alteration related to the pelvic fracture.     

The use of sarmazenil in the treatment of a moxidectin intoxication in a foal

A13-day-old Arabian Thoroughbred filly weighing 40 kg (88 1b) was presented to the University of Zurich Equine Clinic with a history of depression after deworming with moxidectin at a dose of 2 mg/kg (recommended dose 0.4 mg/kg body weight)^a the day before admission. The foal was found recumbent 12 hours after drug administration and was in an unconscious state 6 hours later     

Fracture of the extensor process of the distal phalanx in a bull and a cow

Two cases of extensor process fracture of the distal phalanx in the forelimb in a Holstein bull and a lactating Holstein cow are described. Each animal showed acute onset of severe lameness with a gait characterised by lengthening of the cranial phase of the step in order to place more weight on the heel. Mild swelling and a localised pain response upon application of deep pressure above the coronet were also observed. A definitive diagnosis was made by radiography with complementary ultrasonography, which provided the best definition of the fracture fragment over the dorsal aspect of the distal interphalangeal joint. Applying a wooden block to a sound claw for three weeks was curative and provided a good prognosis in both cases.