Diagnosis of congenital aneurysmal giant right auricle in a dog

A five-year-old intact male Golden Retriever was sent to our center for a second cardiac evaluation after the diagnosis of right atrial dilatation. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiographic evaluation and echo-contrast study were performed. A diagnosis of aneurysmal right auricle was issued without any sign of other cardiac pathologies. The tomographic evaluation was necessary to estimate the dimension of the aneurysmal area and exclude pericardial defects that may justify this anomaly. This report describes a rare case of aneurysmal giant right auricle in dogs. The diagnosis is accurate with the association of echocardiography and computed tomography.     

Nonweightbearing lameness secondary to synovial sarcoma in a young dog

Synovial sarcoma was diagnosed in the right carpus of a 2 1/2-year-old mixed-breed dog. The dog had developed a right forelimb lameness before one year of age. The lameness was progressive for nearly 2 years, resulting in severe disuse atrophy of the right forelimb musculature and pronounced osteopenia. A definitive diagnosis was not made until the dog was referred after 2 years of conservative treatment was ineffectual. Right forelimb amputation was done and the dog survived an additional 15 months. The protracted clinical course before definitive diagnosis underscores the need for aggressive pursuit of a diagnosis when conservative treatment of a lameness is not efficacious.     

Pericardial effusion in a dog with rhabdomyosarcoma in the right ventricular wall

A seven-year-old male labrador retriever presented in right heart failure with weak femoral pulses, and pleural, abdominal and mild pericardial effusion. No diagnosis could be established initially. Two days later, the dog developed severe pericardial effusion causing cardiac tamponade. A tumour in the right ventricular wall was visualised on ultrasonographic examination. An exploratory thoracotomy was performed and biopsies of the mass submitted for histopathological examination. A diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma arising from the myocardium was established. Cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma has been reported in only two dogs. Neither report was associated with pericardial effusion.     

Non-skeletal multicentric chondrosarcoma in the hindlimb of a dog

An eight-year-old, spayed, female golden retriever was presented with progressive right hindlimb lameness and polyuria/polydipsia. Multiple soft tissue masses were palpable within the hindlimb muscles. A tentative diagnosis of sarcoma was made on fine needle aspiration. A computed tomography scan of the hindlimb and thorax confirmed the presence and location of the masses, none of which were associated with the bones of the hindlimb. In addition, two pulmonary lesions were identified in the right cranial lung lobe. A diagnosis of chondrosarcoma was confirmed on histopathology with a final diagnosis of extraskeletal chondrosarcoma. A high, hindlimb amputation was performed, and chemotherapy was initiated. Polyuria and polydipsia resolved 2 weeks postoperatively. Numerous lung lesions, suspected to be metastases were found on routine followup radiographs, 73 days post surgery after which the dog was lost to follow-up.     

Laryngeal obstruction caused by lymphoma in an adult dairy cow

A Holstein cow was presented for inspiratory dyspnea. Endoscopic evaluation revealed swollen arytenoids and a presumptive diagnosis of bilateral arytenoidal chondritis was made. A partial arytenoidectomy was performed, the right arytenoid was submitted for histopathology, and a diagnosis of laryngeal lymphoma was made. Due to the poor prognosis, the cow was euthanized.     

Bilateral stifle osteochondritis dissecans in a cat

A 9-month-old, castrated male, domestic shorthaired cat was presented for progressive right hind-limb lameness. A diagnosis of osteochondritis dissecans of the lateral femoral condyle was made based on radiographs and physical examination, and was confirmed by right lateral stifle arthrotomy. The cartilage flap was removed, and the underlying bone was curetted. Seven months later, the cat was sound on the right leg but developed a left hind-limb lameness. A similar lesion was found in the left leg and was treated identically. Fourteen months after presentation, the cat was sound on both hind limbs.     

Renal agenesis in an alpaca cria

A 4-day-old alpaca cria presented for inappetence that responded to symptomatic treatment. The cria re-presented with acute signs of inappetence and azotaemia. The azotaemia persisted despite intravenous fluid therapy. There was no right kidney on ultrasound and there appeared to be perirenal oedema around the left kidney. A diagnosis of right renal agenesis and acute renal failure of the left kidney was made. The cria failed to improve and was euthanased. Necropsy examination confirmed right renal agenesis and agenesis of the right ureter and right renal artery. A section of left kidney submitted for histological examination revealed diffuse, acute, marked tubular degeneration and nephrosis. The cause of the renal failure in the left kidney was not determined.     

Use of three-dimensional computed tomography for diagnosis and treatment planning for open-mouth jaw locking in a cat

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 2.5-year-old spayed female Persian cat was evaluated for acute inability to close its mouth. CLINICAL FINDINGS: A wry-mouth malocclusion was evident, and the right side of the mandible was longer than the left side. The right mandibular tooth row appeared to be lowered. The lower jaw was persistently maintained in an open position. The presumptive diagnosis was open-mouth jaw locking. Diagnostic imaging with computed tomography and 3-dimensional reconstruction was performed for definitive diagnosis and to achieve a better understanding of the lesions. Imaging revealed locking of the right ramus of the mandible, which was displaced ventrolaterally, causing the coronoid process to impinge on the right zygomatic arch. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: A bilateral partial ostectomy of the rostroventral margins of the zygomatic arches with an autogenous fat graft implantation was performed. The cat recovered without complications and by the following morning was bright, alert, and responsive and eating canned cat food comfortably. One year after surgery, the owner reported that the cat had continued to function well, was eating normally, and had not had any observed locking episodes since surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Unlike radiographic imaging, computed tomography may be used to create 3-dimensional reconstructions of structures in cases of suspected open-mouth jaw locking; improve evaluation of the lesions; and improve decision-making and client education for diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis.     

Right-sided laryngeal dysfunction in a horse

A two year old Thoroughbred colt was presented after a clinical diagnosis of right sided laryngeal hemiplegia had been made. On endoscopic examination the right arytenoid cartilage was immobile during respiration while the left moved normally. Post-mortem examination revealed an abnormal shape of the cricoid and thyroid cartilages which resulted in absence of the right cricothyroid articulation. The defect was thought to be congenital in origin.     

Ectopic thyroid carcinoma infiltrating the right atrium of the heart in a dog

A 12-year-old intact female shih tzu dog was diagnosed with an ectopic thyroid carcinoma infiltrating the right atrium of the heart. Echocardiography and computed tomography were helpful in diagnosis; a definitive diagnosis was made based on postmortem histopathology and immunohistochemistry. The patient lived 428 days beyond diagnosis with only medical management.     

T-cell lymphoma in the nasal cavity of a Brown Swiss heifer

Background

Tumours of the upper respiratory tract are relatively common in cattle, but to our knowledge, there have been no reports of lymphoma of the nasal cavity. This case report describes the findings in a 22-month-old Brown Swiss heifer with T-cell lymphoma of the nasal cavity.

Case presentation

The main clinical findings were lacrimation and swelling of the head above and below the right eye, mild exophthalmos, third eyelid prolapse, purulent ocular discharge and congestion of scleral blood vessels. An endoscope could only be introduced a few centimetres into the right nasal cavity because of an obstructing mass in the nasal passage. Radiographs showed a mass in the right nasal cavity and maxillary sinus. A tentative diagnosis of neoplasia of the right nasal cavity was made and the heifer was euthanased and necropsied. A firm, tan mass measuring 10 by 13 by 15 cm in the right half of the head occupied the entire right nasal cavity. A final diagnosis of high-grade, malignant, small-sized T-cell lymphoma was made based on histological and immunohistochemical evaluation. A distinction between αβ T-cell or γδ T-cell lymphoma was not made.

Conclusions

This report on T-cell lymphoma in the nasal cavity of a cow suggests that nasal lymphoma should be included in the list of differential diagnosis of conditions associated with dyspnoea and stertorous breathing in cattle.     

Parotid salivary gland adenocarcinoma with bilateral ocular and osseous metastases in a dog

A case of primary parotid salivary gland adenocarcinoma is described in a three-year-old entire female great dane. The presenting complaint was sudden onset blindness concomitant with the development of bilateral hyphaema and anterior uveitis. A soft-tissue swelling of the left subaural region and right forelimb lameness were also present. A definitive diagnosis of primary parotid salivary gland adenocarcinoma with bilateral ocular metastases was made on post mortem examination. Metastases were also present in the right proximal humerus, left and right prescapular lymph nodes, left axillary lymph node, left retropharyngeal lymph node, bronchial lymph nodes and all lung lobes.     

Right cranial lung lobe torsion after a diaphragmatic rupture repair in a Jack Russell terrier

A seven-year-old male Jack Russell terrier was presented with a history of coughing, generalised weakness and lethargy 10 days after an abdominal coeliotomy to repair a large diaphragmatic rupture. Thoracic radiographs demonstrated a soft tissue mass in the midcaudal right thoracic cavity. Ultrasonographic studies, bronchoscopy and subsequent exploratory thoracotomy confirmed a diagnosis of a right cranial lung lobe torsion (LLT), with an anomalous caudodorsal displacement of the affected lobe. LLT should be considered as a differential diagnosis for respiratory tract disease following diaphragmatic rupture repair.     

Echocardiographic diagnosis of an anomaly of the tricuspid valve in a male pygmy goat.

A 3-year-old male pygmy goat was evaluated because of a grade III/V plateau pansystolic murmur that was auscultated over the tricuspid valve area and a grade II/V plateau pansystolic murmur that was auscultated over the left heart base. Echocardiography revealed a large right atrium and ventricle, an atrial septal defect, and a dysplastic tricuspid valve displaced apically into the right ventricle. Contrast echocardiography and color-flow Doppler echocardiography revealed flow from right to left through the atrial septal defect and severe tricuspid regurgitation. A diagnosis of tricuspid valve dysplasia and severe tricuspid regurgitation was made. This anomaly (Ebstein's anomaly) of the tricuspid valve should be considered in goats that have systolic, with or without diastolic, murmurs over the tricuspic valve. Two-dimensional echocardiography can confirm the diagnosis of the anomaly. The associated tricuspid regurgitation and interatrial right-to-left shunt flow can be detected and semiquantitated by use of contrast, continuous wave, and color-flow Doppler echocardiography.     

Intraosseous maxillary hemangioma in an immature Bassett Hound

A 6-month-old Bassett Hound dog presented for evaluation of recurrent oral bleeding and a right maxillary swelling. Oral examination revealed right maxillary enlargement extending from the level of the right maxillary canine tooth to the area of the second and third premolar teeth. A discolored persistent right maxillary deciduous canine tooth and gingival inflammation was noted. Biopsies taken at the time of extraction of the persistent deciduous canine tooth resulted in significant hemorrhage and a biopsy report of reactive bone. The right maxillary enlargement did not resolve following the extraction procedure and empirical antimicrobial therapy. The owner elected euthanasia and post-mortem evaluation. Histopathologic assessment provided a diagnosis of maxillary hemangioma.     

Sonographic diagnosis of a presumed ureteral tear in a horse

A 14-year-old thoroughbred gelding was presented for the evaluation of acute abdominal pain. Rectally, there was a soft fluctuant painful swelling dorsal to the bladder and to the right of the midline. The creatinine concentration of the peritoneal fluid was 15 mg/dl. Transrectal ultrasonographic examination of the urinary tract revealed a large collection of fluid dissecting from the pelvic portion of the right ureter ventrally through the right side of the bladder wall and into the retroperitoneal space, and a thickened right ureter and bladder wall at the level of the trigone. Cystoscopically there was moderate hemorrhage within the wall of the bladder. Ultrasonography revealed air within the retroperitoneal fluid collection after ureteral catheterization, confirming the preliminary diagnosis of a tear in the right ureter. The gelding was treated medically. After 48 h of hospitalization, nuclear scintigraphy revealed normal clearance from both kidneys and no apparent leakage from the right ureter. The ureteral tear and urinoma were monitored using transrectal ultrasound until resolution. The horse was successfully returned to racing. This case establishes the value of diagngstic ultrasound in the diagnosis and monitoring of a traumatic ureteral tear in a horse.     

Immunohistochemical characterization of a malignant intraocular teratoid medulloepithelioma in a cockatiel

A 3-year-old cockatiel was presented for evaluation of a buphthalmic right eye (OD). The history included a traumatic event 5 months prior to presentation, and the referring veterinarian diagnosed cataract and secondary glaucoma. Computed tomography of the bird's orbital region revealed a large right orbital soft tissue mass that extended lateral to the orbital rim with obliteration of the globe without bone involvement. There was also no evidence of metastatic disease within the lungs or any abnormalities within the celomic cavity, therefore enucleation was recommended to achieve a histopathologic diagnosis and prognosis, and to palliate the clinical signs. Final diagnosis was malignant intraocular teratoid medulloepithelioma.     

Ultrasonographic findings in horses with right dorsal colitis: five cases (2000-2001)

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether ultrasonography would be useful in the diagnosis of right dorsal colitis in horses. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 5 horses with right dorsal colitis and 15 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURE: Mural thickness and appearance of the right dorsal colon were determined from ultrasonographic images obtained at right intercostal spaces 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. RESULTS: The right dorsal colon could be imaged most consistently at the right 11th, 12th, and 13th intercostal spaces, below the margin of the lung and axial to the liver. Mural thickness measured from ultrasonographic images was significantly greater in horses with right dorsal colitis than in healthy horses. The right dorsal colon in affected horses had a prominent hypoechoic layer associated with submucosal edema and inflammatory infiltrates. Successful treatment of 1 horse with right dorsal colitis was associated with a decrease in mural thickness coincident with an increase in serum albumin and total protein concentrations and weight gain. A decrease in mural thickness was also observed in a second horse treated for right dorsal colitis that was not associated with healing of the right dorsal colon or an increase in serum albumin concentration but rather thinning of a segment of the right dorsal colon that eventually ruptured. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that ultrasonographic measurement of mural thickness and evaluation of the appearance of the right dorsal colon may be useful in the diagnosis of right dorsal colitis in horses.     

Persistent truncus arteriosus and patent foramen ovale in a Simmentaler x Braunvieh calf

A Simmentaler x Braunvieh calf had been anorexic during its first 36 hours of life, had a loud heart murmur and was suspected to have pneumonia. In the light of the results of radiographic and echocardiographic examinations, right heart catheterisation and angiography, a diagnosis of persistent truncus arteriosus and patent foramen ovale was made. The diagnosis was confirmed on postmortem examination.     

Intracranial botryomycosis in a mature horse

This case report describes an unusual diagnosis of central nervous system botryomycosis in a horse. A 16‐year‐old Welsh Section D gelding was evaluated for acute onset of hypermetric ataxia, leaning to the left and head tilt to the right. Based on the neurological signs, a cerebellar lesion with accompanying vestibular disease was suspected and supportive therapy consisting of antimicrobial and glucocorticosteroid drugs and hypertonic saline was instituted. This resulted in marked clinical improvement over a 48 h period. Computed tomography performed in the standing, sedated horse following initial stabilisation identified extensive sclerosis and lysis of the right temporal and occipital bones, consistent with an infectious or neoplastic process. Based on the grave prognosis for survival despite the clinical improvement, euthanasia was undertaken. Post mortem magnetic resonance imaging identified a mass lesion impinging on the right cerebellar hemisphere, sclerosis of the temporal and occipital bones lateral and ventral to the mass, as well as destruction of the temporal bone between the inner ear and the cerebellum. These changes corresponded to the presence of a mass within the right dorsal temporal bone, extending into the right lateral temporal bone. The mass extended to compress and adhere to the right lateral hemisphere of the cerebellum. A histopathological diagnosis of botryomycosis was made, affecting the temporal and occipital bones and compressing the cerebellum.