Syndactyly in a litter of cats

In this case report, we describe the clinical and radiographic features of a litter of kittens affected with complex syndactyly. We also provide guidelines for the diagnosis, possible treatment and prevention of propagation of this condition. This is the first report of syndactyly in a litter of kittens and syndactyly affecting both the pectoral and pelvic limbs.     

Peripheral nerve sheath tumour of the equine maxillary sinus

This case report describes an 8‐year‐old Belgian Warmblood mare that was initially diagnosed and treated for a dental sinusitis. Despite removal of the diseased teeth and appropriate treatment, the sinusitis did not resolve. Over time, growth of a peripheral nerve sheath tumour of the left maxillary sinus became apparent, with recurrence after surgical removal. The clinical, radiographic, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and pathological (gross and histological) findings of the first reported peripheral nerve sheath tumour of the equine paranasal region are described and illustrated.     

Two Unusual Cases of Canine Prostatitis: Prostatitis in a Castrated Dog and Preputial Oedema in an Intact Male

In this study, two unusual presentations of canine prostatitis are described; in the first case a 10‐years‐old neutered Boxer dog was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Extremadura with a complaint of anorexia, apathy and preputial discharge. In the second case, a local veterinarian referred an 8‐years‐old male Labrador to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Extremadura. The dog had a history of pain in the caudal abdomen and preputial oedema. The final diagnosis in both cases was acute prostatitis. It is concluded that although canine prostatitis is a common disease, sometimes can have presentations that may differ from those classically described in the literature.     

Retrospective study of outcome following desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon for type 1 flexural deformity in Thoroughbreds

Objective Determine the long‐term outcome for Thoroughbreds undergoing desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (DAL‐DDFT) for type 1 flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ). Design Retrospective matched cohort study Procedure Medical records were retrieved over a 17‐year period for Thoroughbreds that underwent DAL‐DDFT for type 1 flexural deformity. Long‐term outcome was determined by analysis of race records and comparison with maternal siblings. Comparisons between cases and controls included 2‐year‐old, 3‐year‐old and total career performance data. Results There were 46 cases of DAL‐DDFT. The mean age at surgery was 151 days (median 118, range 2–562); 48% of case horses and 77% of 90 controls started in a race. For case horses that did race, the time to first race, total number of starts and prize money per race were not significantly different to maternal siblings. Age at the time of surgery did not alter the likelihood of starting a race. Conclusion Thoroughbreds undergoing DAL‐DDFT for type 1 flexural deformity of the DIPJ are less likely to race when compared with their maternal siblings. For those that do race, the time to first race, total races and earnings per race are not different from controls. There is no evidence to suggest that age at the time of surgery influences the likelihood of racing.     

Application of event time analysis to replacement, health and reproduction data in dairy cattle research

Life data statistical methods are proposed for the analysis of dairy cattle production data representing the time from one event to another. The Kaplan-Meier estimator of survival is described and its applications to dairy cattle data are exemplified with data sets of replacement times, time from calving to first case of mastitis and time from calving to first insemination. All data sets include censored data from cows for which the event had not been observed at the end of lactation or data collection period. A method for modifying replacement times to a standard calving interval is presented. A simple non-parametric test of homogeneity in two samples is described.     

Geno‐Diver: A combined coalescence and forward‐in‐time simulator for populations undergoing selection for complex traits

Geno‐Diver is a combined coalescence and forward‐in‐time simulator designed to simulate complex traits with a quantitative and/or fitness component and implement multiple selection and mating strategies utilizing pedigree or genomic information. The simulation is carried out in two steps. The first step generates whole‐genome sequence data for founder individuals. A variety of trait architectures can be generated for quantitative and fitness traits along with their covariance. The second step generates new individuals forward‐in‐time based on a variety of selection and mating scenarios. Genetic values are predicted for individuals utilizing pedigree or genomic information. Relationship matrices and their associated inverses are generated using computationally efficient routines. We benchmarked Geno‐Diver with a previous simulation program and described how to simulate a traditional quantitative trait along with a quantitative and fitness trait. A user manual with examples, source code in C++11 and executable versions of Geno‐Diver for Linux are freely available at https://github.com/jeremyhoward/Geno-Diver .     

Intra‐thoracic gossypiboma (textiloma) in a 6‐year‐old cocker spaniel

This report documents the first case of gossypiboma (textiloma) identified within the thorax of a dog. CT findings, surgical removal and histopathology are described. Intra‐thoracic gossypiboma has not previously been reported in dogs and is rarely reported in the human medical literature, where it is most commonly associated with previous cardiac or pulmonary surgery. This dog had previously had a thoracotomy for attempted surgical correction of a persistent right aortic arch and left ligamentum arteriosum 6 years prior to presentation. A brief review of the previous literature and recommendations for prevention of this condition are provided.     

An intersex horse with X chromosome trisomy

An X-trisomy has been detected in an intersexuality Spanish-bred horse by using G- and C-banding methods. The external characteristics and the behavioural and physiological irregularities of the horse are described. This is the first time that an association between an X-trisomy and a case of intersexuality has been reported in any domestic animal.     

Cutaneous epitheliotropic T‐cell lymphoma with dissemination to the liver in an eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus)

Cutaneous epitheliotropic T‐cell lymphoma with liver metastasis was diagnosed in a 10‐year‐old eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus). Physical findings included intracutaneous swellings, ulcerated plaques and nodules, hypotrichosis and erythema of the skin. Fine needle aspiration from the skin lesions showed a population of large lymphocytes and lymphoblasts, and was helpful in establishing the diagnosis antemortem. The post‐mortem examination revealed epitheliotropic lymphoma with liver metastasis. Immunohistochemistry proved the T‐cell origin both in the liver and skin tumours. Electron microscopy did not reveal any viral particles within the tumour. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case of lymphoma described in this species.     

Iatrogenic,sulfonamide‐induced hypothyroid crisis in a Labrador Retriever

This case report describes a sulfonamide‐induced hypothyroid crisis in a 4‐year‐old Labrador Retriever bitch. Empirical therapy with high‐dose trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole for 10 days produced signs of weakness, ataxia and mental depression and the clinicopathological results supported hypothyroid‐induced central nervous system depression. Short‐term levothyroxine sodium therapy led to complete resolution of all clinical signs and follow‐up thyroid hormone assays ruled out underlying thyroid pathology. This case report is the first to highlight this potentially life‐threatening manifestation of sulfonamide‐induced hypothyroidism. Sulfonamide combinations are widely used antimicrobials in veterinary medicine and early recognition of this syndrome is critical.     

A case series of unilateral orbital aspergillosis in three cats and treatment with voriconazole

Feline orbital aspergillosis is increasingly described in the published reports and may be an emerging disease. Orbital mycotic infections were diagnosed in three cats with exophthalmos, significant dorso‐temporal globe deviation and pronounced resistance to retropulsion. Advanced imaging was performed in all three cases to evaluate the extent of disease as well as to obtain guided orbital biopsies in two cases. Surgical intervention in the form of a lateral orbitotomy was pursued in the first case with the other two cases treated with enucleation or medical management alone. The available published reports concerning sino‐orbital aspergillosis are reviewed. Oral therapy with a novel triazole, voriconazole, was instituted in two cases. Although voriconazole was apparently effective against the fungal organisms, it is also resulted in adverse reactions.     

Cysticercus tenuicollis Vesicle in Fetal Structures: Report of a Case

Cysticercus tenuicollis is the larval stage of the canine tapeworm Taenia hydatigena, the presence of which has been reported in wild and domestic ruminants all over the world. It is a common parasite of small ruminants in the north of Portugal. C. tenuicollis is generally seen attached to the omenta, the mesenteries or also found in the liver. In the ewe, tissue lesions have been associated with degenerative cysts or with oncosphere migrations. Unusual locations of the cysticerci of T. hydatigena have been described. The most frequent unusual locations are in the lungs, the kidneys and the brain. Less common locations have been reported to occur in the ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina. In the case described here, and for the first time, an aberrant location of a C. tenuicollis vesicle was found inside the chorion‐allantoic membrane of a goat’s foetus, in a gemelar gestation of approximately 70 days. Finding a C. tenuicollis vesicle inside fetal membranes forewarns of the possibility of larval migrations into the fetal structures during pregnancy, which is particularly concerning in human populations that are infested.     

Management of apposing,full‐thickness tracheal perforations in two horses

Two horses, one 15‐year‐old Arabian gelding and one 10‐year‐old Quarter Horse gelding, presented with a history of marked subcutaneous emphysema. The first case exhibited no external wound, although there was a depression noted on the ventral neck. The second case had a laceration on the ventral aspect of the neck over the trachea. Endoscopic examination revealed both horses to have concurrent dorsal and ventral perforations of the trachea. The horses were managed by placing a short, cuffed, J‐shaped tracheostomy tube in the ventral perforation, while the dorsal perforation healed. The dorsal perforation in the first horse was allowed to heal by second intention, whereas sutures were placed in the dorsal perforation in the second case to reduce the healing time. Both horses were maintained on oral antimicrobial and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory medications throughout treatment. The dorsal perforation healed after 13 days in the first horse, and 22 days in the second horse. The ventral perforation healed in both horses by second intention following tracheostomy removal, giving a cosmetically acceptable result. In addition to facilitating tracheal healing, the tracheostomy tubes prevented the progression of subcutaneous emphysema, and promoted its resolution.     

Conversion of atrial fibrillation after levothyroxine in a dog with hypothyroidism and arterial thromboembolism

A six‐year‐old female spayed mixed‐breed dog was referred following a 3‐week history of lameness and progressive neurological deficits in both hindlimbs, and a 1‐week history of a cardiac arrhythmia. The dog was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, atrial fibrillation, myocardial dysfunction and arterial thromboembolism. Cardioversion occurred after 2 weeks of levothyroxine supplementation, with improved systolic function over time. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case reported in the veterinary or human literature documenting hypothyroidism with persistent atrial fibrillation being converted to sinus rhythm with levothyroxine as sole therapy.     

Idiopathic aseptic pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade in a horse

This report describes the successful treatment of pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade in a 10‐year‐old Hanoverian gelding. Pericarditis and pericardial effusion are uncommon conditions in horses. Although many potential causes for the effusion have been described most cases are classified as idiopathic. The most valuable diagnostic procedure for the detection of pericardial effusion is echocardiography. Pericardiocentesis and drainage of the fluid were carried out in this case. At one year follow‐up there were no clinical signs of recurrence and the horse has returned to his previous level of athletic performance.     

Successful transendoscopic oesophageal mass ablation in two dogs with Spirocerca lupi associated oesophageal sarcoma

This report describes two cases of oesophageal tumours managed by transendoscopic neodymium:yttrium‐aluminum‐garnet laser ablation and polypectomy snare electrocautery. In each dog oesophagoscopy revealed caudal oesophageal masses, suspected to be Spirocerca lupi‐induced oesophageal neoplasia. To resect the masses, transendoscopic neodymium:yttrium‐aluminum‐garnet laser ablation was used in the first case and polypectomy snare electrocautery in the second. Recovery was uneventful. Histopathology was consistent with oesophageal fibrosarcoma and osteosarcoma in each case, respectively. Follow‐up oesophagoscopy revealed apparently healthy oesophageal tissue except for focal scar tissue in the first case. Transendoscopic laser ablation and polypectomy snare electrocautery is a potential non‐invasive, cost effective alternative for surgical oesophageal mass resection.     

Canine calvarial subperiosteal hematomas are fluid to soft tissue attenuating mass‐like lesions with smoothly marginated peripheral mineralization on CT

Subperiosteal hematomas are accumulations of blood between a bone and the periosteum leading to elevation of the periosteum. When ossified they have a mineralized outer rim. For this retrospective, multi‐institutional case series, medical records were searched to identify dogs that underwent CT for focal calvarial swellings noted acutely after trauma. A total of four dogs were included. Computed tomography images were reviewed for each case. The focal swellings had progressed in size during the weeks after the head trauma until the time of imaging. Findings in all cases included a fluid to soft tissue attenuating mass‐like lesion with smoothly marginated peripheral mineralization. Diagnosis was confirmed in two cases by cytology and/or histopathology. Therefore, authors recommend that subperiosteal hematoma be included in the differential diagnosis list for dogs with these clinical and CT characteristics. Based on our review of the literature, this is the first report to describe the CT features of calvarial subperiosteal hematomas in dogs.     

A case of unilateral pelvic limb adactyly in a puppy dog

A case of unilateral hindlimb adactyly is described in a 3-month-old female Pointer dog. Clinical and radiographic findings are described. Adactyly or transverse hemimelia is a rare condition in most animal species. In dogs, this condition has been reported only three times as a deformity of the forelimb. To the authors' knowledge, the congenital pelvic limb deformity described here is the first case documented in a dog.