Partial foot amputation in 11 dogs

Eleven dogs with malignant tumors of the digits and feet were treated with partial foot amputation. Partial foot amputation involved amputation of one or both central weight-bearing digits. Lameness occurred in all dogs but resolved in eight dogs at a median of 37 days postoperatively. In the remaining three dogs, lameness improved but did not resolve. Tumor control was excellent, with no evidence of local recurrence in 10 dogs. One dog underwent limb amputation. Based on these results, partial foot amputation may be recommended in the management of malignant tumors of the canine foot in which more than one digit must be amputated to achieve adequate surgical margins.     

Subtotal colectomy by rectal pull-through for treatment of idiopathic megacolon in 2 cats

Surgical management of idiopathic megacolon is described in 2 cats by a rectal pull-through with subtotal colectomy performed outside of the abdomen. This newly described technique facilitates access to the rectum for suturing an anastamosis without the need for pubic osteotomy and with minimal risk of abdominal contamination.     

Long-term evaluation of the pull-through technique for vertical canal ablation for the treatment of otitis externa in dogs and cats

Between January 1985 and May 1987 53 ears of 35 dogs and five cats with chronic otitis externa were operated on using the pull-through technique for vertical canal ablation. Their postoperative follow-up is analysed, evaluated and described in detail.     

Penile amputation and scrotal urethrostomy in 18 dogs

The objective of this study was to report the signalment, indications for surgery, postoperative complications and outcome in dogs undergoing penile amputation and scrotal urethrostomy. Medical records of three surgical referral facilities were reviewed for dogs undergoing penile amputation and scrotal urethrostomy between January 2003 and July 2010. Data collected included signalment, presenting signs, indication for penile amputation, surgical technique, postoperative complications and long-term outcome. Eighteen dogs were included in the study. Indications for surgery were treatment of neoplasia (n=6), external or unknown penile trauma (n=4), penile trauma or necrosis associated with urethral obstruction with calculi (n=3), priapism (n=4) and balanoposthitis (n=1). All dogs suffered mild postoperative haemorrhage (posturination and/or spontaneous) from the urethrostomy stoma for up to 21 days (mean 5.5 days). Four dogs had minor complications recorded at suture removal (minor dehiscence (n=1), mild bruising and swelling around the urethrostomy site and mild haemorrhage at suture removal (n=2), and granulation at the edge of stoma (n=1)). One dog had a major complication (wound dehiscence and subsequent stricture of the stoma). Long-term outcome was excellent in all dogs with non-neoplastic disease. Local tumour recurrence and/or metastatic disease occurred within five to 12 months of surgery in two dogs undergoing penile amputation for the treatment of neoplasia. Both dogs were euthanased.     

Transanal endoscopic treatment of benign canine rectal tumours: preliminary results in six cases (1992 to 1996)

Transanal endoscopic resection and cautery of benign rectal tumours was performed in six dogs with extensive and/or inaccessible rectal neoplasia. The results were encouraging, with three dogs cured and the quality of life of a further two improved for a significant time. The remaining dog died as a result of rectal perforation. Transanal endoscopic treatment of extensive and/or inaccessible benign canine rectal tumours offers an alternative to more radical techniques such as pull-through surgery.     

Static hydraulic urethral sphincter for treatment of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence in 11 dogs

Objective : To review the postoperative results and complications associated with urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence managed with a static hydraulic urethral sphincter. Methods : Case records and a telephone owner questionnaire were retrospectively used to assess postoperative urinary continence scores (1 – dripping constantly to 10 – completely dry) and presence and frequency of complications. Results : Eleven spayed females were included. Median continence score/10 (range) awarded preoperatively was 3 (2 to 6), and scores at two weeks, three and six months were 8 (4 to 10), 9 (4 to 10) and 8 (4 to 10), respectively. At the last survey, the median continence score of 9 (5 to 10) was significantly better (P=0·004) than before surgery. Complete continence was achieved in 36·4% of dogs. The median (range) follow‐up time was 412 (118 to 749) days. Complications occurred in 9 of 11 dogs and included dysuria (n=7), bacterial cystitis (n=7), longer urination time (n=8), urinary retention (n=3), haematuria (n=1), pain (n=3) and incisional seroma (n=3). Clinical Significance : Static hydraulic urethral sphincter was frequently associated with minor complications but no major complications (i.e. those requiring further surgery). Continence scores were significantly improved compared with those before surgery, with the possibility of further improvement following inflation of the sphincter.     

Evaluation of piroxicam for the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of piroxicam for the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective case series. ANIMALS: 17 dogs with measurable oral squamous cell carcinoma. PROCEDURE: Dogs were treated with piroxicam at a dosage of 0.3 mg/kg (0.14 mg/lb) of body weight, PO, every 24 hours until progressive disease or unacceptable signs of toxicosis developed or the dog died. RESULTS: One dog had a complete remission (maxillary tumor), and 2 dogs had partial remissions (lingual tumor and tonsillar tumor). An additional 5 dogs had stable disease, including 1 with a maxillary tumor, 2 with mandibular tumors, and 2 with tonsillar tumors. Variables associated with tumor response were not identified. Median and mean times to failure for the 3 dogs that had a remission were 180 and 223 days, respectively. Median and mean times to failure for the 5 dogs with stable disease were 102 and 223 days, respectively. Time to failure was positively associated with tumor response and negatively associated with tumor size. One dog had mild adverse gastrointestinal tract effects that resolved with the addition of misoprostol to the treatment regimen. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that piroxicam may be useful in the treatment of dogs with oral squamous cell carcinoma; response rate was similar to that reported for other cytotoxic treatments. Larger-scale studies are warranted to determine what role piroxicam may have, alone or in combination with other treatments, for the treatment of dogs with oral squamous cell carcinoma.     

Treatment by digital amputation of subungual squamous cell carcinoma in dogs: 21 cases (1987-1988)

Malignant digital tumors were diagnosed in 62 dogs during a 1-year period. Twenty-one (33.9%) of the dogs had subungual squamous cell carcinoma. Each of these dogs had involvement of single digits. Sixteen (76.2%) of the dogs with squamous cell carcinoma were large-breed dogs, and 15 (71.4%) had predominantly black coats. Labrador Retrievers (n = 5, 23.8%) and Standard Poodles (n = 3, 14.3%) were the most commonly represented purebreeds. None of the dogs had evidence of metastases prior to treatment. All 21 tumors were treated by amputation of the involved digit. Histologic evidence of neoplastic bone invasion was found in 15 of the 21 amputated digits (71.4%). Local tumor recurrences were not observed. Only 1 dog developed documented metastatic disease; this dog was euthanatized because of pulmonary metastases 5 months after surgery. At the time of this report, 9 dogs (42.9%) were alive with no evidence of disease (median, 26 months after surgery), and 11 dogs (52.4%) had died or were euthanatized (median, 20 months after surgery). The cause of death in 7 dogs was known to be unrelated to squamous cell carcinoma, and the cause of death in 4 dogs was unknown. The 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 76.2% and 42.9%, respectively.     

Psoas compartment and sacral plexus block via electrostimulation for pelvic limb amputation in dogs

Objective

To assess the efficacy of psoas compartment and sacral plexus block for pelvic limb amputation in dogs.

Middle ear cholesteatoma in 11 dogs

Middle ear cholesteatoma is a rare condition in dogs with chronic otitis. Otorrhea, otodinia, and pain on temporomandibular joint palpation are the most common clinical signs. Neurological abnormalities are often detectable. Computed tomography reveals the presence of an expansive and invasive unvascularized lesion involving the tympanic cavity and the bulla, with little or no contrast enhancement after administration of contrast mediu. Video-otoscopy may detect pearly growth or white/yellowish scales in the middle ear cavity. Surgery is the only therapy but is associated with a high risk of recurrence.     

Alternating carboplatin and doxorubicin as adjunctive chemotherapy to amputation or limb-sparing surgery in the treatment of appendicular osteosarcoma in dogs

Thirty-two dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma treated by amputation or limb sparing had adjuvant chemotherapy of alternating doses of carboplatin (300 mg/m2 IV) and doxorubicin (30 mg/m2 IV) every 21 days for a total of 3 cycles. Efficacy, toxicity, and previously identified prognostic factors for osteosarcoma were evaluated. The median progression free survival was 227 days (range 180-274), and the median overall survival was 320 days (range 153-487). The 1-year survival rate was 48%, and the 2-year survival rate was 18%. Age, sex, surgical procedure, and alkaline phosphatase activity above the reference ranges were not prognostic for survival. There was minimal toxicity associated with the chemotherapy. This protocol could be useful for the adjuvant treatment of appendicular osteosarcoma of dogs.     

Limb-sparing treatment for osteosarcoma in dogs

Twenty dogs with spontaneously developing osteosarcoma of the extremities were treated with 1 of 3 multimodality limb-sparing procedures. Excision of the tumor was preceded by intra-arterial (IA) administration of cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum) alone directed to the affected extremity, irradiation plus IA administration of cisplatin, or irradiation plus IV administration of cisplatin. All dogs were free of apparent metastatic disease at the time of initial treatment. After diagnosis, dogs administered cisplatin IA had selective angiography performed on arteries supplying the tumor, and 70 mg of cisplatin/m2 of body surface was administered over 2 hours. This protocol was repeated 3 weeks later. Dogs that were irradiated received 25 or 40 Gy in 10 fractions over a 22-day period. The first and last radiation doses were immediately preceded by IA administration of cisplatin. Dogs given IV treatment received 10 mg of cisplatin/m2 2 hours before each radiation fraction was administered. Three weeks after the last treatment, tumors were excised and the limb underwent orthopedic reconstruction, generally using cortical allografting and bone plating. Limb function, allograft healing, local tumor control, and metastatic dissemination were monitored. Limb function was good to excellent in 69% (11/16) of dogs evaluated. Forelimb-sparing procedures were generally associated with better function than were limb-sparing procedures performed on hind limbs. Local tumor control was obtained in 79% (11/14) of dogs thoroughly evaluated, with local recurrences in 3 dogs at 3, 4, and 7 months after treatment. Fifteen dogs developed metastatic disease at a median time of 8 months from the time of diagnosis. Mean and median survival times for all dogs, regardless of cause of death, were 11.7 and 8 months, respectively. Tumor necrosis greater than 80% was statistically associated with lack of recurrence. Of 16 dogs, 5 (31%) developed infections at the surgical site. Multimodality limb-sparing treatment is believed to be a viable alternative for appropriately selected dogs with osteosarcoma. The optimal method of treatment prior to or after tumor excision has not yet been established.