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     

Prognosis after surgical excision of canine melanomas.

One hundred and thirty-four dogs from which melanomas had been excised were studied until death or for at least 2 years after surgery. Seven of 49 (14%) intraoral and lip tumours and 52 of 85 (61%) skin tumours were histologically benign; in spite of this, three of seven (43%) "benign" oral and four of 52 (8%) "benign" skin lesions led to the eventual death of the host. Thirty eight of 42 (90%) dogs with a histologically malignant melanoma of the lip or oral cavity died because of the tumour but only 15 of 33 (45%) with malignant skin melanomas died. Six of 59 (10%) dogs with a tumour of mitotic index 2 or less died from the tumour 2 years after surgery compared to 19 of 26 (73%) dogs having a tumour with a mitotic index of 3 or more.     

Thyroid and immunologic status of dogs with perianal fistula

Lymphocyte-proliferation responses, absolute lymphocyte counts, and thyrotropin-stimulation responses were determined in 33 dogs with perianal fistula; serum immunoglobulin values also were determined in 15 of the 33 dogs. Lymphocytes were stimulated with concanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen, and phytohemagglutinin and were cultured with medium containing normal pooled canine serum or fresh patient's autologous serum. Initially, lymphocytes from 9 dogs (27.3%) had depressed stimulation responses to greater than or equal to 1 phytomitogen, and 4 of the 9 dogs had absolute lymphopenia. One month after recovery in these 9 dogs, lymphocytes from 4 dogs (66.7%) had normal proliferation responses. Of immunoglobulin determinations in 15 dogs, serum IgA values were 32 to 185 mg/dl (mean, 69 +/- 10 mg/dl) and were low in 2 dogs (13%), and serum IgM values were 48 to 610 mg/dl (mean, 263 to 46 mg/dl) and were high in 8 dogs (53%). Serum IgG values were 1,050 to 3,220 mg/dl (mean, 2,339 +/- 165 mg/dl) and were high in 10 dogs (71%). After thyrotropin stimulation, 1 dog was considered hypothyroid. Neither pathogenesis nor prognosis of canine perianal fistula was clarified via immunoglobulin concentrations or absolute lymphocyte counts. Based on lymphocyte-proliferation assays, suppression of cell-mediated immunity was probably a result of perianal fistula, rather than a cause of the fistula.     

The treatment of canine mast cell tumours with electrochemotherapy with or without surgical excision

To describe the results of electrochemotherapy (ECT) in dogs with mast cell tumours (MCTs) either as first line therapy or as an adjuvant to surgery. The treatment combines administration of low dose chemotherapeutic drugs with the application of microsecond electric pulses, which cause the temporary permeabilization and increased porosity of the tumour cell membranes. The design of this study is a retrospective case series. A total of 51 dogs with MCTs were included and classified according to ECT procedure into 4 groups (ECT only, 15 cases, intra‐surgery ECT, 11, ECT Adjuvant to surgery, 14, Surgery followed by ECT, 11). The four groups (staged with location, size and grade) were evaluated to assess complete or partial remission, disease free interval, overall survival time and local toxicity. In this case series, Boxers, mixed breed and Labrador Retrievers, male dogs, between 4 and 9 years old were more represented. MCTs were predominantly grade 2 (Patnaik) and T stage 0–1, I‐1 (World Health Organization). Treated lesions were most commonly identified on the hindlimb and head where curative surgery would involve cosmetic or functional compromise. The intra‐surgery group of dogs showed the best disease free interval with Kaplan–Meyer analysis. Local toxicity induced by ECT ranged mostly from 1 to 4 in a 5‐point arbitrary scale with 0 – no toxicity to 5 – highest toxicity. In this study, ECT can be applied successfully as an exclusive therapy in smaller MCTs as an alternative to surgery. ECT can be combined with surgery either intra‐operatively or post operatively for larger lesions without significant toxicity.     

Bacterial population and histologic changes in dogs with perianal fistula

Ages of 44 dogs with perianal fistula, ranged from 6 months to 13 years (mean, 5.2 years). German Shepherd Dogs and Irish Setters were statistically (P less than 0.01) over-represented compared with those breeds in a canine hospital population (n = 22,047) for the same period. There was a 2:1 male-to-female ratio, with 38 (86.4%) of dogs sexually intact and 6 (13.6%) of dogs neutered. Eleven types of bacterial organisms were recovered from deep perianal tissues of which Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, beta-hemolytic streptococci, and Proteus mirabilus were most common. Organisms were not recovered from 7 dogs. Of 93 isolates, 88.3% were susceptible to gentamicin, 80.5% to cephalothin, 79.2% to chloramphenicol, and 74% to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Fifty-one biopsy specimens from 44 dogs were classified as having early, intermediate-, and late-stage lesions based on the amount of fibrosis, severity of the inflammatory response, and, if present, depth of sinus tracts. In most biopsy specimens, all 3 stages were represented in the same histologic section. In 45 specimens, most inflamed lesions were in the dermis of the zona cutanea. Hidradenitis was present in 22 biopsy specimens and was associated with the formation of epithelial-lined sinus tracts.     

Functional thyroid gland adenoma in a dog treated with surgical excision alone

An 11-year-old male Golden Retriever presented with progressive weight loss, tachycardia, hyperthermia, polyuria and polydipsia. A freely movable mass, 4.5 x 4 cm in size, was palpated at the cranioventral cervical region. Hormonal study revealed high levels of serum thyroid hormones, and a tentative diagnosis of hyperthyroidism due to a thyroid tumor was made. The tumor was removed surgically and diagnosed histopathologically as thyroid gland adenoma. Serum thyroid hormone levels decreased after surgery with improved clinical signs. At 12 months after surgery, the dog maintained a good physical condition with no evidence of recurrence.     

Surgical resection of a squamous cell carcinoma in the perianal region of a 25-year-old crossbred American Paint gelding using sharp surgical excision,laser excision and chemotherapy

A 25 year-old American Paint gelding was referred to the Onderstepoort Academic Veterinary Hospital with an ulcerated lesion of nonpigmented skin at the right lateral aspect of the perianal region. An infiltrating squamous cell carcinoma was suspected. Surgical excision and ablation with sharp surgical excision and a diode laser was performed although complete excision was not possible due to the tumour location. Intralesional chemotherapy was performed at the completion of the surgical excision and continued in the post-operative period. Histological examination of the excised lesion confirmed a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma and revealed incomplete resection margins at the medial, dorsal and ventral aspects of the surgical site. The surgical site healed uneventfully and a re-examination at 6 months post-surgery revealed the gelding to have normal clinical parameters with no perianal lesions.     

Safety and feasibility of short course pre-operative radiation therapy followed by surgical excision for canine solid tumours

Surgical resection of solid tumours, especially in early stages of disease, remains a cornerstone of cancer treatment in dogs and cats. There are numerous publications that show a strong association between local tumour control and outcome. To achieve local control in some cases radiation therapy and surgery are combined, with radiation therapy being delivered in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting. The objective of the study was to report acute toxicity and surgical site complication data in dogs that received a short-course pre-operative (SCPO) radiation therapy protocol, followed by surgical excision for various solid tumours. Medical records were reviewed, and data was analysed retrospectively. Dogs were included if a dermal or subcutaneous solid tumour was treated with SCPO radiation therapy and then was resected on the last day of radiation or 2–3 weeks later. A total of 34 dogs with 35 primary tumours were included. Acute radiation toxicity was diagnosed in 14 sites (40%). VRTOG scores were grade 1 in 50%, grade 2 in 43%, and grade 3 in 7%. Surgical site complications were identified in 17% of dogs with an overall surgical site infection rate of 11%. According to the Clavien-Dindo classification, two dogs required medical intervention (grade 2), 1 dog required surgical intervention under general anaesthesia (grade 3b), and 1 dog died as a result of complications (grade 5). Logistic regression analysis found that anatomic site was significantly associated with complications, where tumours located on the extremity was protective (P = .02; OR 0.06).     

Recurrence rates and sites for grade II canine cutaneous mast cell tumors following complete surgical excision.

A retrospective study was performed on 31 dogs with completely excised, grade II, cutaneous mast cell tumors in order to determine recurrence rates and sites. Distant tumor recurrence developed in 22% of dogs, and local tumor recurrence developed in 11% of dogs; however, the vast majority of these animals were incompletely staged initially. Complete surgical excision of grade II mast cell tumors was associated with effective local control in 89% of these dogs. Therefore, adjuvant radiation therapy might not be indicated in the majority of dogs with complete surgical excision.     

Performance of lactating dairy cows fed a diet based on treated rice straw and supplemented with pelleted sweet potato vines

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of sweet potato vine pellet (SWEPP) in concentrate diets on nutrient digestibility and rumen ecology in lactating dairy cows fed on urea-treated rice straw. Three multiparous Holstein crossbred cows in mid-lactation were randomly assigned according to a 3?×?3 Latin square design, and the treatments were as follows: T1 = control (no supplementation), T2 = supplementation of sweet potato vine pellet with 50 g/kg urea (SWEPP I) at 300 g/head/day, and T3 = supplementation of sweet potato pellet with 100 g/kg urea (SWEPP II) at 300 g/head/day, in concentrate diets, respectively. The result revealed that supplementation of SWEPP did not affect feed intake, ruminal pH, and blood urea nitrogen (P?>?0.05). However, apparent digestibilities of organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber were higher in SWEPP II than those in others. Furthermore, ruminal ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N) and milk yield were significantly higher (P?<?0.05) in animals fed with SWEPP II than those fed with SWEPP I and control, respectively. In addition, there were no differences in purine derivatives and microbial nitrogen supply among all the treatments. Based on this study, it could be concluded that SWEPP is a good source of supplement which resulted in significant improvement in apparent digestibility, rumen fermentation, and milk yield in lactating dairy cows fed on urea-treated rice straw.     

Clinical outcome in 94 cases of dermal haemangiosarcoma in dogs treated with surgical excision: 1993-2007*

Canine dermal haemangiosarcoma (HSA) is believed to have a better prognosis compared to HSA in other organs, but outcome has only been reported in a small number of dogs. The purpose of this study was to assess outcome and prognostic factors in a larger cohort of dogs with dermal HSA. Clinical data was collected retrospectively for 94 dogs and histopathology was reviewed in 53 dogs. Median overall survival time was 987 days. Dogs of predisposed breed with ventral location and histologic solar changes had longer survivals. Loco-regional recurrence occurred in 72/94 (77%) dogs. Predisposed breeds with ventral location and multiple masses were more likely to develop recurrence. Non-predisposed breeds with invasive tumours were more likely to develop metastasis. Results suggest that dogs with solar-induced dermal HSA may have high recurrence rates, but prolonged survivals. Dogs with non-solar tumours may be at increased risk for metastasis and shorter survival.     

Clinical observations of the treatment of canine perianal fistulas with topical tacrolimus in 10 dogs

Tacrolimus ointment, a potent immunosuppressive medication, was evaluated for efficacy in the treatment of perianal fistulas in dogs. Ten dogs with perianal fistulas were treated with topical tacrolimus ointment once to twice daily for 16 weeks. Full healing of the fistulas occurred in 50% and was noticeably improved in 90% of dogs.     

Long-term survival after surgical excision of a schwannoma of the sixth cervical spinal nerve in a dog

A schwannoma of the sixth cervical spinal nerve in a 5-year-old Shetland Sheepdog was surgically excised, sparing the thoracic limb and resulting in long-term survival. The dog had been referred because of slowly progressive left thoracic limb lameness. The lesion was localized to the left suprascapular and musculocutaneous nerves or the C6 and C7 spinal nerves on the basis of neurologic examination, electrodiagnostic examination, and myelography. Surgical exploration revealed a mass, which was excised and identified histologically as a schwannoma. Three and a half years later, the dog was normal except for mild gait abnormality, focal muscle atrophy, and a focal area of decreased cutaneous sensation of the left thoracic limb.     

A retrospective evaluation of four surgical methods of treating canine transmissible venereal tumour

A total of 109 lesions were treated in a total of 109 dogs and bitches using simple surgical excision or diathermy, with or without the simultaneous removal of the gonads. Evaluation of the case, 49 months after surgery, showed that 35 (32.1 per cent) of the tumours had regressed completely whilst 74 (67.9 per cent) had recurred. Excision using diathermy was the more effective treatment irrespective of whether the gonads were removed. There was a significant difference in the frequency of recurrence and the time interval for it to recur (P < 0.05 and P < 0.25 respectively) when the methods of treatment were compared, however castration of either males or females had no significant effect upon the frequency of recurrence.     

Outcome of 19 dogs with parathyroid carcinoma after surgical excision

Parathyroid carcinoma (PTC) is rare in dogs and there is little information documenting its treatment and prognosis. The objective of this study was to describe the outcome of dogs with PTC treated with surgical excision. Medical records of 19 dogs undergoing surgical excision of PTC between 1990 and 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Dogs were presented for clinical hypercalcaemia or incidental hypercalcaemia noted by referring veterinarians on routine serum chemistry profiles. A parathyroid nodule was identified with cervical ultrasound in 17/17 dogs. Hypercalcaemia resolved in 18/19 dogs within 4 days postoperatively. Nine developed hypocalcaemia. None were confirmed to develop recurrent or metastatic PTC. The only death associated with PTC was a dog that was euthanized for intractable hypocalcaemia 9 days after surgery. Estimated 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 72, 37 and 30%, respectively. Excision of PTC results in resolution of hypercalcaemia and excellent tumour control.     

Prognosis following surgical excision of canine cutaneous mast cell tumors with histopathologically tumor-free versus nontumor-free margins: a retrospective study of 31 cases

The purpose of this study was to determine if the presence of histopathologically tumor-free versus nontumor-free margins was prognostic for relapse or tumor-related death in dogs following surgical excision of single or multiple cutaneous mast cell tumors confined to the skin without evidence of metastasis to lymph nodes or other noncutaneous sites. Differences in tumor-related death or frequency of relapse between the two groups were not significant. Failure to achieve histopathological tumor-free margins frequently did not lead to local relapse. All tumor-related deaths occurred following local relapse. The lack of statistical support for an association between prognosis and histopathological tumor-free versus nontumor-free margins may be a result of small sample size.     

Periocular cutaneous mast cell tumors in cats: evaluation of surgical excision (33 cases)

Objective  To describe feline periocular cutaneous mast cell tumor (CMCT) clinical features, rates of local tumor recurrence and metastases, and cat survival time following surgical excision.
Animals studied  Thirty-three cats with periocular CMCTs.
Procedures  Medical records of cats diagnosed with periocular CMCTs were reviewed; cats were included if CMCTs were surgically excised and the diagnosis confirmed by histopathology. The appearance, size, location and histopathology findings of CMCTs were recorded. Rates of local recurrence, metastasis, and survival time following surgical excision were collected when available.
Results  All periocular CMCTs were restricted to the eyelids. In addition to surgical excision, three cats were treated with adjunctive therapy (strontium-90 irradiation or cryotherapy) intraoperatively. Local tumor control was achieved in 22/23 cats with a minimum follow-up of 30 days (median follow-up time of 711 days); one cat developed disseminated CMCTs but no local recurrence. Cats with periocular CMCTs had a median survival time of 945 days. Metastatic disease involving peripheral lymph nodes or abdominal viscera was not detected in any cat at any time during the study. All periocular CMCTs were classified as low-grade based on histopathology, and complete excision was achieved in approximately 50% of cases.
Conclusions  Surgical excision of periocular CMCTs in cats is an effective treatment option with rare local recurrence and metastases, even following incomplete surgical excision.     

马铃薯贮藏期主要病害拮抗内生细菌的筛选、鉴定及功能评价

马铃薯坏疽病、炭疽病和枯萎病是甘肃省马铃薯贮藏期最主要的病害,为了获得马铃薯贮藏期病害防治的生防菌株,利用对峙培养法从东祁连山高寒草地线叶嵩草内生细菌中筛选获得高抗菌株263XY1,其对马铃薯枯萎病菌、马铃薯炭疽病菌和马铃薯坏疽病菌的抑菌率分别达到67.17%,86.17%和70.89%;该菌株在含有色氨酸和不含色氨酸的金氏培养基中分泌的IAA分别为3.31和1.52 mg/L,在PKO含无机磷培养基中的有效磷增量为38.94 mg/L,具有固氮能力。经16S rDNA序列分析,其与死谷芽孢杆菌(Bacillus vallismortis,登录号:JQ547633.1)同源性达99%,初步鉴定为死谷芽孢杆菌。