Extensive small bowel resection in dogs and cats: 20 cases (1998-2004)

OBJECTIVE: To determine outcome in dogs and cats that underwent extensive (ie, > 50%) resection of the small intestine and identify factors associated with outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 13 dogs and 7 cats. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed, and follow-up information was obtained. RESULTS: In all 7 cats and in 8 of the 13 dogs, extensive intestinal resection was performed because of a foreign body. Mean+/-SD estimated percentage of intestine that was removed was 68+/-14% (range, 50% to 90%). Two dogs were euthanized 3 days after surgery because of dehiscence of the surgical site and development of septic peritonitis; 1 dog died of acute respiratory distress syndrome 5 days after surgery. The remaining 10 dogs and 7 cats were discharged from the hospital, and follow-up information was available for 15 of the 17. Median survival time was 828 days, and 12 of the 15 animals for which long-term follow-up information was available had good outcomes. However, none of the factors examined, including percentage of intestine resected, were significantly associated with outcome. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Most dogs and cats that underwent extensive resection of the small intestine had a good outcome. The amount of intestine resected was not associated with outcome. These data may be useful in providing prognostic information in cases of extensive small intestinal resection.     

Leiomyosarcoma in dogs: 44 cases (1983-1988).

During a 5-year period, leiomyosarcoma was diagnosed in 57 dogs. Forty-four dogs were included in the study on the basis of completeness of medical records. All dogs underwent exploratory laparotomy, and dogs were allotted to 4 groups according to primary site of tumor: spleen (16 dogs, median age 10.3 years), stomach/small intestine (13 dogs, median age 10.3 years), cecum (10 dogs, median age 11.8 years), and liver (5 dogs, median age 9 years). All dogs with leiomyosarcoma of the liver had visible metastasis and were euthanatized at surgery. In the other 3 groups, 79% of the dogs had no gross evidence of metastasis at surgery, and 64% survived greater than 2 weeks. Median survival in these 3 groups was 10 months (range, 1 month to 7 years); 48% died of metastasis, 32% died of unrelated causes, and 16% died of unknown causes. The prognosis in dogs with leiomyosarcoma of the spleen, stomach, small intestine, and especially the cecum is good to excellent if surgery is performed. In dogs with leiomyosarcoma of the liver, the prognosis is poor.     

Juvenile cellulitis in dogs: 15 cases (1979-1988)

The records of 15 dogs diagnosed as having juvenile cellulitis (juvenile pyoderma, puppy strangles) were evaluated for clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic results. Mandibular lymphadenopathy was observed in 14 dogs, and was not associated with skin lesions in 5 dogs. Edema, pustules, papules, or crusts were noticed periorally, periocularly, on the chin or muzzle, or in the ears of those dogs with skin lesions. Eight dogs were lethargic; fever and anorexia were inconsistent findings. Four dogs had signs of pain on manipulation of their joints. Complete blood counts revealed leukocytosis with neutrophilia in 4 dogs, and normocytic, normochromic anemia in 6 dogs. Three dogs had suppurative lymphadenitis with many neutrophils. Cytology of the aspirate of pustules or abscesses in 6 dogs revealed many neutrophils without bacteria. Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus spp were isolated from draining lesions in 2 dogs. Intact abscesses and lymph nodes were negative for bacterial growth in 4 dogs. Three of these dogs were being administered antibiotics at the time of bacterial culturing. Cytology of the aspirates of joints in 3 of the 4 dogs with joint pain revealed suppurative arthritis with no bacteria, and the aspirates were negative for bacterial growth on culturing, although all 3 dogs were being administered antibiotics at the time of culturing. Of 12 dogs initially treated with antibiotics, only 4 (33%) responded favorably; the other 8 dogs were then given antibiotics and corticosteroids. Three dogs were initially given antibiotics and corticosteroids. All dogs treated concurrently with antibiotics and corticosteroids responded favorably. One of these dogs had a relapse after treatment was discontinued. The concurrent arthritis in 4 of the dogs resolved with treatment of the juvenile cellulitis and did not redevelop once the medication was discontinued. Concurrent treatment with antibiotics (cephalosporins) and prednisone (2.2 mg/kg of body weight/day) was the most consistently effective treatment in the dogs in this study.     

Smoke exposure in dogs: 27 cases (1988-1997).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical findings, prognostic variables, and clinical course of dogs exposed to smoke. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 27 dogs exposed to smoke in residential fires. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed for 1988-1997. Time of year, signalment, interval from fire to arrival at veterinary hospital, duration of smoke exposure, clinical signs at the fire scene, physical examination findings, changes in respiratory tract signs, radiographic findings, hematologic and arterial blood gas analyses, initial treatment, clinical course, and outcome were recorded. RESULTS: 27 dogs (16 uncomplicated and 11 complicated cases) were identified. In the complicated group, 4 dogs died, 4 were euthanatized, and 3 had a complicated clinical course. Stupor or coma (8 of 17 dogs), coughing or gagging (6), and respiratory difficulty (6) were commonly observed at the fire scene. Substantial improvement was evident within 5 to 30 minutes after dogs were given supplemental oxygen at the fire scene. More severely affected dogs had a higher median PCV (58%) than less severely affected dogs (50%). Most common thoracic radiographic findings were an alveolar (10 dogs) or an interstitial (3) pattern. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dogs exposed to smoke can develop respiratory or neurologic complications. Monitoring progression of respiratory problems on the day after the fire may provide clinicians with clues about the severity of each dog's condition.     

Clinicopathologic features and outcome predictors of Leptospira interrogans Australis serogroup infection in dogs: a retrospective study of 20 cases (2001-2004)

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: We retrospectively evaluated the clinicopathologic findings and outcome predictors in dogs with Leptospira interrogans Australis serogroup infections. ANIMALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 159 dogs that had a leptospiral microscopic agglutination test (MAT) performed between 2001 and 2004 were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty dogs met serologic criteria for either symptomatic (16 dogs) or asymptomatic (4 dogs) infection caused by Leptospira interrogans Australis serogroup. Seven of 16 symptomatic dogs died or were euthanized and 9/16 recovered. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) was observed in 9/16 dogs. The presence of SIRS did not affect prognosis (P = .357). C-reactive protein (CRP) and haptoglobin (Hpt) concentrations were altered in all symptomatic dogs, but results did not differ significantly between survivors and nonsurvivors (P = .08 and P = .055, respectively). Conversely, the CRP to Hpt ratio (CRP/Hpt) was significantly increased in nonsurvivors. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was diagnosed in 7/16 dogs. DIC did not significantly affect outcome (P = .126). Multiple organ involvement was present with renal failure in 16/16, liver damage in 12/16, cardiac damage in 11/16, and muscular damage in 8/16 dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Among the evaluated clinicopathologic biomarkers, serum albumin, cardiac troponin I, CRP/Hpt, urinary albumin, and urinary total protein to creatinine ratio were found to predict outcome and warrant evaluation in larger prospective studies.     

Retrospective evaluation of lingual tumors in 42 dogs: 1999-2005

In this retrospective study of 42 cases of lingual tumors in dogs, 27 (64%) were malignant, and 15 (36%) were benign. Median survival time for dogs with benign tumors was >1607 days, compared to 286 days for malignant tumors. Prognostic factors significantly associated with increased survival included complete histological margins (P=0.036), smaller tumor size (P=0.003), and benign tumor type (P=0.011). Smaller tumors were more likely to be completely resected (P=0.008) and were less likely to recur (P=0.001). Partial or subtotal glossectomies were performed in 13 cases. Short-term morbidity associated with glossectomy included ptyalism and dehiscence. Long-term morbidity included minor changes in eating and drinking habits.     

Respiratory complications in dogs with tetanus: A retrospective study of 53 cases

Tetanus can lead to respiratory complications, and the outcome of dogs affected by this disease is still largely unknown. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the frequency and outcome of 53 dogs with tetanus and respiratory complications between February 2006 and January 2019.Medical records from dogs diagnosed with tetanus admitted to a referral teaching hospital were reviewed. Fifty-three dogs were diagnosed with tetanus and respiratory complications were observed in 26.4% (14/53) of dogs; 8 developed aspiration pneumonia (AP), 5 developed upper airway obstruction (UAO) and 1 dog developed both. A total of 5 AP dogs were mechanically ventilated. Three dogs with UAO had tracheostomy tubes placed. Dogs with respiratory complications had a poorer outcome, with only 14.3% (2/14) surviving to discharge, compared to 94.8% (37/39) for dogs with no respiratory complications. Respiratory complications such as AP and UAO were common in dogs with tetanus, and this was associated with a poorer outcome.     

Drug-associated aplastic anemia in dogs: eight cases (1984-1988)

Records of 8 dogs with drug-associated aplastic anemia were reviewed. Drugs suspected as being causative included estradiol cyclopentylpropionate (3 dogs), phenylbutazone (2 dogs), meclofenamic acid (1 dog), trimethoprim-sulfadiazine and fenbendazole (1 dog), and quinidine (1 dog). Five of the dogs died or were euthanatized. One dog with estrogen-associated aplasia recovered after prolonged treatment. The dogs with trimethoprim-sulfadiazine and quinidine-associated marrow aplasia recovered promptly after treatment was discontinued.     

Retrospective study of congenital heart defects in 151 dogs

The case records of 151 dogs diagnosed with congenital heart disease were revlewed retrospectlvely. The most common defect Was aortic stenosls, accounting for 35 per cent of all cases, followed by pulmonic stenosls (20 per cent), ventricular septal defect (12 per cent), patent ductus arterlosus (11 per cent), mltral valve dysplasla (8 per cent), tricuspld valve dysplasla (7 per cent), endocardlal fibroelastosls (1.9 per cent) and tetralogy of Fallot (04 per cent). Fifty-one breeds were represented, with golden retrievers, German shepherd dogs and boxers predominating. No overall sex predilection was obvious. Seventy-five per cent of the dogs were asymptomatic presentation. The defects most often associated with presenting symptoms, such as dyspnoea, syncope, ascltes, fallure to grow and depression, were mltral valve dysplasla, atrial septal defect, tricuspld valve dysplasla and endocardial flbroelastosls. The latter presented with the most severe signs of heart fallure. In some cases of aortic stenosls and pulmonlc stenosls, where the defect could not be accurately visuallsed with two-dimensional echocardlography, Doppler echocardlographic examination was needed for definltive dlagnosls.     

Retrospective study of bacterial infective arthritis in 31 dogs

OBJECTIVES: To characterise the presenting signs and pathological changes of canine bacterial infective arthritis in 31 dogs, and to document the response to different treatment regimens. Risk factors that may predispose joints to bacterial infective arthritis and influence the success of treatment were also investigated. METHODS: A retrospective review of cases of bacterial infective arthritis that were presented to three university veterinary referral hospitals over a five-year period (January 1997 to January 2002) was performed. RESULTS: The elbow joint (38 per cent) and stifle joint (44 per cent) were most commonly affected. Radiographic changes consistent with pre-existing osteoarthritis were identified in 14 joints, which had no history of previous surgery (articular or periarticular) or penetrating wound. No significant difference (P = 0.78) was identified between the outcome of combined surgical and medical management, and medical management alone. There were trends for poorer outcomes with increased bodyweight of the dog, longer duration of lameness and a higher nucleated cell count of the affected joint fluid at presentation. The overall infection rate for articular surgical procedures at one institution was 1-3 per cent. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Medical and/or surgical management were usually successful in resolving infection (94 per cent). However, they were frequently unsuccessful in restoring full joint function; this may in part have been due to the nature of the underlying joint     

Retrospective evaluation of occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus with hemoclips in 20 dogs

Twenty dogs with patent ductus arteriosus occluded with Hemoclips were evaluated with a mean follow-up time of 799.4 days (range, 83 to 3,580 days). Significant decreases were found between pre- and postsurgical means for vertebral heart size and for echocardiographic left atrial/aortic-root ratios and percent fractional shortening (%FS). Despite a good clinical outcome, six of 20 dogs had persistent cardiomyopathy of overload with diminished %FS (28% or less) at follow-up. One dog had residual ductal flow identified five days postoperatively. Subsequent evaluations in this case at 60, 144, 226, 344, and 560 days postoperatively demonstrated gradually diminishing ductal flow. The remaining 19 dogs did not recanalize.     

Thirteen cases of tetanus in dogs

The records of 13 dogs with tetanus were reviewed, 12 of the dogs survived and were discharged, but the other died as a result of the acute onset of hyperthermia. Long-term follow up was available for 10 of the survivors of which nine were reported to be normal. One case was euthanased after a cervical spine fracture four months after it was discharged. Complications encountered during management included aspiration pneumonia in three cases, urinary tract infection in two cases, and upper respiratory tract obstruction, hiatal hernia, coxofemoral luxation, seizures and respiratory arrest in one case each. None of the dogs required ventilatory support, and the complications were managed successfully. The dogs were nursed intensively and monitored carefully.     

Retrospective study of 156 atrial septal defects in dogs and cats (2001-2005)

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a common congenital heart disease (CHD) in humans, but considered relatively rare in veterinary medicine. However, modern echocardiographic and Doppler techniques currently offer a good view of the morphology of the interatrial septum, thus facilitating earlier detection of ASD in awake animals. In this context, we carried out a retrospective study of cases of recently diagnosed ASD in dogs and cats at the Cardiology Unit of Alfort (2001-2005) using echocardiography combined with colour Doppler mode. ASD was diagnosed in 156 animals and represented 37.7% of all canine and feline CHDs (n = 414). ASD was the most common CHD after mitral dysplasia in both species. Boxer and Domestic shorthair were the most common canine and feline breeds affected. Most defects (98.7%) were secundum-type ASD, without clinical signs in 73.7% of cases. The most common clinical signs included systolic murmur heard over the left heart base (20.2%), exercise intolerance (7.0%), syncope (5.3%), dyspnoea (2.6%) and cough (2.6%). Animals that presented a systolic heart murmur over the left base had a significantly larger ASD than others (P < 0.05). These data suggest that the incidence of ASD is higher than previously assumed. ASD should be suspected, for example, in instances of left basal systolic heart murmur, although its clinical and haemodynamic consequences are usually minor.     

Ultrasonographic features of testicular neoplasia in dogs: 16 cases (1980-1988)

For 16 dogs with testicular neoplasia (n = 19 tumors), ultrasonography was performed to determine whether a correlation exists between ultrasonographic features of testicular tumors and cell type. The echogenicity of the tumors varied depending on the size of the tumor and whether the tumor had focal or diffuse distribution within the testis. The ultrasonographic characteristics of Sertoli cell tumors were variable, with no predominant pattern. This variation may be related to tumor size, because 6 of 7 Sertoli cell tumors were greater than 5 cm in diameter. Focal seminomas and interstitial cell tumors less than 3 cm in diameter had hypoechoic texture. Focal seminomas and interstitial cell tumors greater than 3 cm in diameter had mixed echogenicity. Tumors of multiple cell types were greater than 5 cm in diameter and had mixed echogenicity. In valuable breeding dogs with a small (less than 3 cm) focal intrascrotal lesion, testicular ultrasonography would be of benefit for localization of the mass to the testis or epididymis for subsequent biopsy. In dogs with intraabdominal neoplastic testes, ultrasonography may be of benefit in determining intra-abdominal metastases and invasion of contiguous structures.     

Bone marrow necrosis in dogs: 34 cases (1996-2004)

OBJECTIVE: To identify the incidence, potential causes, and clinical and clinicopathologic features of bone marrow necrosis in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 34 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES: Reports of cytologic examinations of bone marrow specimens performed between 1996 and 2004 were reviewed. All reports that indicated the presence of necrosis, stromal disruption, phagocytic macrophages, individual cell necrosis, or myelofibrosis were evaluated further. RESULTS: Of 609 reports of bone marrow evaluations performed during the study period, 34 (5.6%) had evidence of bone marrow necrosis. Nine dogs had no evidence of associated diseases or drug or toxin exposure, and 25 dogs had associated disease conditions or drug exposures. All 9 dogs with idiopathic bone marrow necrosis were anemic (mean Hct, 14%), but only 3 had neutropenia, and 3 had thrombocytopenia. All 9 had myelofibrosis. Of the 25 dogs with associated disease conditions or drug exposures, only 14 (56%) had anemia (mean Hct, 33%). In addition, 14 (56%) had neutropenia and 18 (72%) had thrombocytopenia. Only 10 (40%) had myelofibrosis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that bone marrow necrosis may be common in dogs with hematologic disorders. In most dogs, bone marrow necrosis was associated with an underlying disease condition or drug exposure, but idiopathic bone marrow necrosis was also identified. Disease conditions that should increase suspicion of possible bone marrow necrosis include sepsis, lymphosarcoma, and systemic lupus erythematosus; drug exposures that should increase suspicion of possible bone marrow necrosis include chemotherapeutic agents, phenobarbital, carprofen, metronidazole, and mitotane.