Study of prostatic disease in dogs: 177 cases (1981-1986).

Historical and physical signs associated with prostatic disease diagnosed in dogs over a 5.5-year period were defined. One hundred seventy-seven male dogs were determined to have prostatic abnormality. Of the 177 dogs, 87 were determined to have specific prostatic disease. The most common prostatic disease identified in this study was bacterial prostatitis, followed by prostatic cyst, prostatic adenocarcinoma, and benign hyperplasia. The most common prostatic disease identified in neutered dogs was prostatic adenocarcinoma. Mean age at onset of prostatic disease was 8.9 years; statistically significant difference was not observed between age at onset of the various types of prostatic disease identified. Doberman Pinscher was the most common breed with prostate disease. Twenty-nine percent of dogs with a specifically identifiable prostatic disease had signs of systemic illness, 41% had signs of lower urinary tract disease, 28% had signs of gastrointestinal tract abnormalities, and 13% had signs of locomotor difficulty.     

Disseminated histoplasmosis in cats: 12 cases (1981-1986)

Anemia, weight loss, lethargy, fever, anorexia, and interstitial lung disease were the predominant clinical findings in 12 cats with disseminated histoplasmosis. Some cats were examined because of dysfunction or lesions of bone, eyes, or skin. In most cases, the clinical signs were observed by the owner for 4 weeks or less before seeking veterinary care. Young cats were most commonly affected, with 7 of the 12 cats less than or equal to 1 year old. Identification of Histoplasma organisms in bone marrow aspirates was used to confirm the diagnosis of histoplasmosis in 11 of the 12 cats. Histoplasma infection of multiple organs was found at necropsy. In this study, disseminated histoplasmosis had a higher prevalence in cats than in dogs at the same veterinary medical teaching hospital. Feline disseminated histoplasmosis was not associated with FeLV infection. Treatment was attempted in 7 of the 12 cats.     

Smoke exposure in cats: 22 cases (1986-1997).

OBJECTIVE: To review clinical findings and clinical course for cats exposed to smoke in residential fires and to determine clinical variables that may have prognostic importance. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 22 cats admitted to our veterinary teaching hospital between 1986 and 1997 with a history of smoke exposure during a residential fire. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed for history, clinical signs, physical examination findings, changes in respiratory tract signs, initial hematologic analysis, treatment, results of thoracic radiography, and outcome. RESULTS: Fifteen of 22 (68%) cats were categorized in the uncomplicated group, 5 (23%) in the complicated group, and 2 (9%) were discharged after a short period because of financial considerations. Twenty (91%) cats survived, but 2 (9%) were euthanatized because of severe respiratory compromise or neurologic changes. Predominant thoracic radiographic changes were diffuse interstitial pattern (6 cats) and focal alveolar pattern (5). The majority (8/13) of cats that were stable or had improved by the day after admission had an uncomplicated clinical course while hospitalized, whereas cats that were worse on the day after admission tended to have a complicated clinical course. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cats that survive a residential fire and are admitted to a hospital have a good chance to be discharged. Cats that do not have signs of respiratory tract dysfunction at admission probably will not develop severe respiratory complications. For cats with signs of respiratory dysfunction at admission, better prognostic information will be determined by monitoring progression of the respiratory condition on the day after admission.     

Thyroid carcinoma causing hyperthyroidism in cats: 14 cases (1981-1986)

The medical records of 14 hyperthyroid cats with thyroid carcinoma were analyzed retrospectively regarding historical, physical, laboratory, and thyroid scintiscan findings, treatment, and treatment outcome. Breed predilection was not detected, and older castrated male cats were most commonly affected. The most common clinical signs detected by owners were weight loss, polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, hyperactivity, and anorexia. Physical examination findings included tachycardia, palpable cervical mass, hyperactivity, cardiac murmur, and abnormal coat. Common abnormal laboratory findings were high serum thyroxine and triiodo-thyronine concentrations and high serum alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and aspartate transaminase activities. Azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, and hyperglycemia were noticed less frequently. The most common thyroid scintiscan findings were multiple nodular areas of high radionuclide uptake in the cervical region, thoracic inlet, and cranial mediastinum. The most common morphologic diagnosis was mixed compact and follicular carcinoma, with follicular and papillary carcinomas being less common. Most cats responded well to treatment of the thyroid tumor, with rapid resolution of the historical and physical examination findings. The most common necropsy findings were local tumor invasion, regional lymph node metastases, cardiomyopathy, and interstitial nephritis.     

Clinical features of salmonellosis in cats: six cases (1981-1986)

Of 6 cats with salmonellosis, only cats 1, 4, and 5 manifested clinical signs of gastroenteritis. In cats 2 to 5, salmonellosis was characterized by fever, a left-shifted leukogram, and vague nonspecific signs of illness. Salmonellae were isolated from blood and feces of cats 1 to 4, and from extraintestinal sites as part of a mixed gram-negative bacterial flora in cats 5 and 6. Of 4 cats with Salmonella bacteremia, cats 2, 3, and 4 were successfully treated with trimethoprim-sulfadiazine, amoxicillin, and/or chloramphenicol; treatment with cephapirin was ineffective in 3 cats. In some cats, salmonellosis was observed as a chronic febrile illness without specific gastrointestinal signs or as a localized tissue infection.     

Applications of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of parenchymal kidney disease in cats: 24 cases (1981-1986)

Renal sonograms from 24 cats with confirmed parenchymal kidney disease and from 1 cat with radiographic and palpable evidence of renal enlargement (but without identifiable histologic abnormalities) were evaluated to describe the ultrasonographic appearance of feline renal diseases and to determine the role of ultrasonographic examination in the clinical evaluation of these cases. In all cats with radiographic evidence of abnormal renal size or contour and when poor intraabdominal radiographic contrast precluded visualization of the kidneys, ultrasonography provided complementary information pertaining to location (cortical/medullary), extent, and distribution (focal/multifocal/diffuse) of disease. Ultrasonography also characterized these lesions as cystic (cavitating) or solid. The echo patterns were most specific for renal cysts. Infiltrative diseases did not have consistent patterns. Multifocal hypoechoic nodules, diffuse cortical hyper-echogenicity, and normal-appearing parenchyma were identified. In these instances, however, ultrasonography did define the extent of disease and narrowed the spectrum of differential considerations.     

Treatment of idiopathic hepatic lipidosis in cats: 11 cases (1986-1987)

Idiopathic hepatic lipidosis was diagnosed in 11 cats. Cats were treated by delivery of balanced nutrients supplemented with L-carnitine via a surgically placed gastrostomy tube. Feeding through the gastrostomy tube was initiated in the hospital and was continued at home in all cats. The mean duration of gastrostomy tube feeding was 48 days (range, 22 to 98 days). Vomiting associated with feeding (3 cats) and localized cellulitis at the gastrostomy site (2 cats) were the most frequent complications. Vomiting was controlled by reducing the volume of food administered at each feeding or by administration of metoclopramide. Cellulitis was treated successfully by parenteral administration of antibiotics and local wound cleansing. Seven of 11 cats (65%) survived and have remained clinically healthy for 15 to 29 months (mean, 20 months) since diagnosis. The other 4 cats died of peritonitis (n = 1), pneumonia (n = 1), hepatic encephalopathy (n = 1), or cardiopulmonary arrest (n = 1) between 0 and 10 days after surgery.     

Respiratory and cardiopulmonary arrest in dogs and cats: 265 cases (1986-1991).

Outcomes of cardiopulmonary arrest and resuscitation in clinically affected dogs and cats have not been adequately studied. We examined the records from 200 dogs and 65 cats that had received cardiopulmonary resuscitation for respiratory or cardiopulmonary arrest; none of the animals had been anesthetized or intubated at the time of arrest, and all had been hospitalized in a veterinary critical care facility. Cardiopulmonary arrest was found to be more common than respiratory arrest in dogs and cats. Hospital discharge rates for animals with cardiopulmonary arrest ranged from 4.1% for dogs to 9.6% for cats, and were consistent with those reported from studies of human beings with cardiopulmonary arrest. Hospital discharge rates for dogs and cats with respiratory arrest were 28% and 58.3%, respectively.     

Lymphoma involving large granular lymphocytes in cats: 11 cases (1982-1991).

Medical records of 11 cats with lymphoma involving large granular lymphocytes were reviewed. All 9 cats tested were FeLV-negative. Ten cats had a history of anorexia, lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea, and had lymphoma involving abdominal viscera. The most common site of tumor in these cats was the jejunum. One cat had cutaneous masses caused by dermal and epidermal infiltration with neoplastic large granular lymphocytes. The most common hematologic abnormality was leukocytosis, characterized by neutrophilia with a left shift (7 cats); 2 cats had a left shift without neutrophilia. None of the cats had lymphocytosis, but immature large granular lymphocytes were found in the blood of 4 cats. The most common serum biochemical abnormalities were hypoalbuminemia (10 cats), hypocalcemia (10 cats), hypoproteinemia (9 cats), high aspartate transaminase activity (9 cats), and hyperbilirubinemia (8 cats). Large granular lymphocytes were characterized by abundant cytoplasm containing distinct azurophilic granules that varied in size and number. The most common cytochemical staining pattern included detection of alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase, acid phosphatase, and beta-glucuronidase activities. On examination of histologic sections, granules stained weakly eosinophilic with Giemsa and moderately with periodic acid-Schiff reaction. Ultrastructurally, the granules appeared membrane bound and contained an electron-dense matrix in 4 cats.     

Blastomycosis in cats: five cases (1979-1986)

Medical records of 5 cats with blastomycosis examined at the University of Tennessee Veterinary Teaching Hospital from 1979 to 1986 were reviewed. Clinical signs of blastomycosis varies depending on the organ(s) affected, but respiratory tract disease was most common, followed by CNS signs and ocular problems. A definitive diagnosis was made by identification of characteristic fungal organisms in biopsy or necropsy specimens. Two cats treated with amphotericin B did not respond to treatment and died or were euthanatized. The lungs, brain, eyes, and lymph nodes commonly were affected, but one cat had only cutaneous and regional lymph node involvement. The respiratory tract appeared to be a common primary site of infection, with dissemination to other organ systems. The typical host response was a pyogranulomatous cellular infiltrate with numerous fungal organisms evident.     

Disseminated histoplasmosis in dogs: 12 cases (1981-1986)

Diarrhea, intestinal blood loss, anemia, and lethargy were predominant clinical findings in 12 dogs with disseminated histoplasmosis. Young dogs were affected most commonly, with 6 dogs being 1 to 3 years old. A diagnosis of disseminated histoplasmosis was established on the basis of histologic or cytologic detection of Histoplasma organisms in intestinal or rectal mucosa in 7 dogs, in circulating leukocytes in 5 dogs, in bone marrow in 3 dogs, and in multiple tissues at necropsy in 1 dog (4 dogs had Histoplasma organisms detected in greater than 1 site). Anemia was detected in 10 dogs (PCV less than 20% in 3 dogs), and the anemia was inadequately regenerative or nonregenerative in 7. Hypoalbuminemia was detected in 9 dogs, and serum albumin concentrations were low (less than 1.0 g/dl) in 4 of the 9 dogs. Of 5 dogs treated with ketoconazole, 2 were in remission for greater than or equal to 1 year. Corticosteroid therapy may have exacerbated the disease in 4 dogs. Histoplasma infection of multiple organs was detected in 5 necropsied dogs.     

Permanent tracheostomy in Equidae: 47 cases (1981-1986)

Between 1981 and 1986, permanent tracheostomy was performed in 46 ponies and 1 adult Quarter Horse. Tracheostomies of 19 ponies and the horse were examined in June 1986 and evaluated for vertical length of stomal orifice (mean = 25.0 +/- 4.7 mm in the ponies and 55 mm in the horse), degree of tracheal obstruction (0/20), regrowth and apposition of epidermis (3/20), and whether or not stomal airflow occurred with nasal occlusion (20/20). In addition, the animals were evaluated to determine whether dyspnea developed during exercise. Records of 27 ponies were evaluated. Six of the 27 were not dyspneic with exercise at their last routine physical examination. Twenty-one ponies had died or had been euthanatized, but only 5 of these deaths were attributed to complications associated with the respiratory tract; 3 ponies had collapsing tracheas and 2 had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The permanent tracheostomy technique provided a functional and cosmetic airway and was associated with a low rate of complications.     

Peritoneal effusion in cats: 65 cases (1981-1997)

OBJECTIVE: To determine signalment, diagnoses, presence of effusions in multiple sites, and outcome in cats with peritoneal effusion. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 65 cats. PROCEDURE: Medical records from 1981 to 1997 were reviewed to obtain information on cats with peritoneal effusion identified on physical examination, radiographs, abdominal ultrasonograms, or at necropsy. RESULTS: Conditions most commonly associated with peritoneal effusion in cats, in order of frequency, were cardiovascular disease, neoplasia, hepatic disease, renal disease, feline infectious peritonitis, peritonitis attributable to other causes, and urinary tract trauma. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) was the most common disease associated with peritoneal effusion; however, DCM was diagnosed in most of these cats before taurine deficiency was found to be a primary cause of this form of cardiomyopathy in cats. Neoplasia was the most common cause after 1987. Right-sided congestive heart failure was the most commonly associated disorder in cats < 1 year old, whereas neoplastic disease was more common with increasing age. Most effusions were detected during the initial physical examination and were modified transudates. Peritoneal effusion was commonly accompanied by fluid accumulation elsewhere, particularly pleural effusion. The prognosis for a cat with abdominal effusion in this study was poor (mean survival time, 21 days; range, 1 to 350 days; median, 2.5 days). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The primary differential diagnosis for peritoneal effusion in cats is neoplastic disease in older cats and right-sided heart failure in kittens. Diseases associated with peritoneal effusion generally have poor prognoses.     

Inflammatory bowel disease in horses: 11 cases (1988-1998).

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical and surgical abnormalities in, and long-term outcome of, horses that undergo surgery because of colic secondary to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 11 horses. PROCEDURE: Medical records of horses that had undergone abdominal surgery and in which IBD had been diagnosed on the basis of histologic examination of intestinal biopsy specimens were reviewed. RESULTS: 5 horses were examined because of acute colic and 6 were examined because of chronic colic. At surgery, all 11 horses had edematous or hemorrhagic bowel segments suggestive of IBD. In addition, 6 horses had circumferential mural bands (CMB) causing constriction of the small (4 horses) or large (2) intestine. Intestinal resections were performed in 7 horses. All 11 horses survived surgery and were discharged from the hospital; 10 horses were still alive at the time of follow-up (1.5 to 7 years after surgery). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Results suggest that IBD is an uncommon cause of colic in horses. Surgical resection of segments of intestine with constrictive CMB may relieve clinical signs of colic. Horses with IBD that had surgery had a good prognosis for long-term survival.     

Severe sepsis in cats: 29 cases (1986-1998)

OBJECTIVE: To document the clinical, clinicopathologic, and pathologic findings in cats with severe sepsis, identify abnormalities unique to this species, and identify criteria that could be used antemortem to diagnose the systemic inflammatory response syndrome in cats. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 29 cats confirmed to have severe sepsis at necropsy. PROCEDURE: Pertinent history, physical examination findings, and results of hematologic and biochemical testing were extracted from medical records. RESULTS: Clinical diagnoses included pyothorax, septic peritonitis, bacteremia secondary to gastrointestinal tract disease, pneumonia, endocarditis, pyelonephritis, osteomyelitis, pyometra, and bite wounds. Physical examination findings included lethargy, pale mucous membranes, poor pulse quality, tachypnea, hypo- or hyperthermia, signs of diffuse pain on abdominal palpation, bradycardia, and icterus. Clinicopathologic abnormalities included anemia, thrombocytopenia, band neutrophilia, hypoalbuminemia, low serum alkaline phosphatase activity, and hyperbilirubinemia. Necropsy findings included multi-organ necrosis or inflammation with intralesional bacteria. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that severe sepsis in cats is characterized by lethargy, pale mucous membranes, signs of diffuse abdominal pain, tachypnea, bradycardia, weak pulses, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypothermia, and icterus. Recognition of this combination of clinical findings should facilitate the diagnosis of severe sepsis in cats.     

Colopexy in broodmares: 44 cases (1986-1990).

Colopexies were performed in 44 broodmares requiring abdominal surgery for large colon volvulus or right dorsal displacement of the large colon. Colopexies were performed by suturing the lateral bands of the left and right ventral colon to the ventral abdominal wall. Forty-seven percent of the mares in which a colopexy was performed had previous surgery for a large colon volvulus or right dorsal displacement of the large colon. Postoperative complications considered directly associated with the colopexy procedure were intermittent abdominal pain in 7, reoperation in 5, subcutaneous fistulous tracts in 1, and catastrophic rupture of the left ventral colon in 2 horses. Thirty-six horses survived greater than 6 months after colopexy, 34 of which had complete follow-up examinations. Twenty-seven mares have foaled at least once subsequent to the colopexy procedure, totalling 40 foals. Colopexy was considered a viable technique to prevent recurrence of large colon displacement or volvulus in selected predisposed populations.     

Clinical evaluation of axial pattern skin flaps in dogs and cats: 19 cases (1981-1990).

Nineteen axial pattern skin flaps were used in 16 dogs and cats to provide skin for repair of extensive cutaneous defects. Retrospective evaluation of medical records was used to determine percentage flap survival, postoperative complications, and long-term outcome of axial pattern skin flaps. The most common indication for use of axial pattern flaps was to augment wound closure following tumor resection (n = 7). Other indications included trauma (n = 5), chronic nonhealing wounds (n = 4), urine-induced cellulitis (n = 1), idiopathic dermal necrosis (n = 1), and chronic lymphoplasmocytic dermatitis (n = 1). Mean flap survival (+/- SD) was 96% (+/- 8). Postoperative complications included wound drainage (n = 15), partial dehiscence of the sutured flap (n = 7), distal flap necrosis (n = 6), infection (n = 3), edema (n = 3), and seroma formation (n = 2). After a median follow-up time of 5 months, evaluation of animals indicated that surgery provided successful wound reconstruction with good cosmetic results. Reconstruction of large cutaneous defects is facilitated by axial pattern flap application regardless of cause of wound. Postoperative complications are common but amenable to standard wound management techniques such as drain placement and surgical debridement of devitalized distal flap skin.     

Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease in dogs and cats: 84 cases (1987-1990).

Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease was the diagnosis for 58 dogs and 26 cats, with signs of persistent gastroenteritis, failed responses to dietary trials, and histologic evidence of cellular infiltrates unrelated to other causes of gastrointestinal tract inflammation. Clinical signs of large intestinal dysfunction, watery diarrhea, vomiting, and anorexia with weight loss were common. Nonspecific hematologic, biochemical, and radiographic abnormalities frequently were observed. Mucosal biopsy specimens, obtained endoscopically, were histologically evaluated for severity of mucosal epithelial damage. Mucosal erythema, friability, enhanced granularity, and ulceration or erosion were the predominant endoscopic lesions. Inflammatory bowel disease lesions of moderate severity predominated in the stomach, duodenum, and colon. Lymphocytic/plasmacytic infiltrates were limited to the lamina propria in biopsy specimens from all regions of the gastrointestinal tract. Inflammatory bowel disease commonly is associated with chronic gastroenteritis in dogs and cats.     

Orbital neoplasms in cats: 21 cases (1974-1990).

Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common neoplasm found in a review of case records of 21 cats with histopathologically confirmed orbital neoplasms. Other neoplasms found were lymphosarcoma, undifferentiated carcinoma, malignant melanoma, adenocarcinoma, fibrosarcoma, chondroma, and hemangiosarcoma. Three (14%) neoplasms were primary, 15 (71%) were secondary, invading the orbit from adjacent tissues, and 3 (14%) were a manifestation of multicentric disease. The most common clinical sign was exophthalmia, followed by chronic epiphora, enophthalmia, and strabismus. Mean survival time after diagnosis was 1.9 months. Ten cats were euthanatized at the time of diagnosis because of extensive disease. Mean survival time of the other 11 cats was 4.3 months. Skull radiography was helpful in diagnosing orbital neoplasms in 8 of 11 cats that had invasion of the orbit by adjacent neoplasms.     

Primary hyperparathyroidism in cats: seven cases (1984-1989).

The medical records of 7 hypercalcemic cats with primary hyperparathyroidism were evaluated. Mean age was 12.9 years, with ages ranging from 8 to 15 years; 5 were female; 5 were Siamese, and 2 were of mixed breed. The most common clinical signs detected by owners were anorexia and lethargy. A cervical mass was palpable in 4 cats. Serum calcium concentrations were 11.1 to 22.8 mg/dl, with a mean of 15.8 mg/dl calculated from each cat's highest preoperative value. The serum phosphorus concentration was low in 2 cats, within reference limits in 4, and slightly high in 1 cat. The BUN concentration was greater than 60 mg/dl in 2 cats, 31 to 35 mg/dl in 2 cats, and less than 30 mg/dl in 3 cats. Abnormalities were detected in serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase activities from 2 or 3 cats. Parathormone (PTH) concentrations were measured in 2 cats before and after surgery. The preoperative PTH concentration was within reference limits in 1 cat and was high in 1 cat. The PTH concentrations were lower after surgery in both cats tested. A solitary parathyroid adenoma was surgically removed from 5 cats, bilateral parathyroid cystadenomas were surgically resected in 1 cat, and a parathyroid carcinoma was diagnosed at necropsy in 1 cat. None of the cats had clinical problems with hypocalcemia after surgery, although 2 cats developed hypocalcemia without tetany, one of which was controlled with oral administration of dihydrotachysterol and the other with oral administration of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D. All 5 of the cta that underwent removal of an adenoma were alive at least 240 days after surgery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)