Glenoid dysplasia and osteochondritis dissecans in a cat

A 2-year-old Maine coon cat was presented for a right forelimb lameness. Computed tomography of the shoulder revealed a shallow glenoid, osteophyte deposition at the caudal humeral head and medial glenoid, and an intra-articular osseous body. This cat had glenoid dysplasia and osteochondritis dissecans of the glenoid.     

Laminin alpha2 deficiency-associated muscular dystrophy in a Maine coon cat

A European case of laminin alpha2 deficiency-associated muscular dystrophy in a 12-month-old, female Maine coon pedigree cat is reported. The history and eventual clinical presentation of this cat differed from those of two cats reported in the USA. In this case, the myopathy was characterised by progressively worsening weakness, muscle atrophy and joint contracture. Tendon reflexes were diminished, and motor nerve conduction velocities were slowed. Muscle biopsy demonstrated a dystrophic phenotype with endomysial fibrosis. Occasional thinly myelinated nerve fibres were present within a peripheral nerve specimen. Poorly myelinated fibres were also found at the root level on necropsy specimens. Immunohistochemical staining revealed the absence of laminin alpha2. The cat's family history did not indicate genetic transmission of the disease.     

Vaginal prolapse in a pregnant Maine coon cat: a case report

Vaginal prolapse is a condition characterised by excessive accumulation of mucosal oedema and protrusion of hyperplastic tissue through the vulva. It has been reported in ruminants and canines, but has not been characterised in felines. This report describes the history, clinical signs and treatment of a pregnant Maine coon cat with a Type III vaginal prolapse diagnosed approximately 54 days after the first day of mating. Prior to queening, the prolapse was reduced and retained using a vulvar cruciate suture. Due to the risk of dystocia and recurrence, a caesarean section with ovariohysterectomy was performed. Postoperatively, a stay suture was maintained in the vulva for 2 weeks, resulting in permanent reduction of the vaginal prolapse. To the authors’ knowledge, this case represents the first report of the successful management of vaginal prolapse in a pregnant cat.     

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy in a dog with chronic bicipital tenosynovitis

A 15-month-old, spayed female, Bernese mountain dog was presented to the Institute of Small Animal Surgery at the University of Zurich because of chronic left forelimb lameness. The referring veterinarian diagnosed pain in the left shoulder region and had treated the dog with systemic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and restricted exercise for a two-week period. The follow-up examination revealed only minimal improvement and therefore, the dog was referred for further diagnostic evaluation. Chronic bicipital tenosynovitis and tendinitis of the infraspinatus muscle was diagnosed based on survey radiographs, arthrography, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and synovial fluid cytology. The dog underwent three sessions of extracorporeal shockwave therapy and substantial clinical improvement was observed. On follow-up examinations, only mild left forelimb lameness was evident following exercise, and changes in the intertubercular groove and at the supraglenoid tuberosity appeared less active on radiographs and CT. However, six months following treatment, mild degenerative joint disease was apparent.     

Clinical and pathologic analyses of bicipital tenosynovitis in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and pathologic findings in dogs with primary bicipital tenosynovitis. ANIMALS: 19 dogs with 20 shoulder joints treated surgically for bicipital tenosynovitis and 8 shoulder joints from 4 clinically normal dogs. PROCEDURE: Histologic abnormalities of tendon sheaths of the biceps brachii in affected dogs were determined by use of comparison with findings in clinically normal dogs. Specimens were graded for inflammation, fibrosis, villous hypertrophy, vascular prominence, and synovial cell proliferation. Histopathologic results were statistically evaluated for relationship with clinical findings and treatment before surgery. RESULTS: Synovial villous hypertrophy and vascular prominence were the most consistent histologic findings in 16 and 14 of 20 affected joints, respectively. Evidence of inflammation was lacking in 6 joints. Ten joints had inflammatory cell infiltration of the tendon sheath. Plasma cells and lymphocytes were the most common infiltrates; however, the type and amount of inflammatory cell infiltrate were variable. Fibrosis of the tendon sheath was seen in 8 joints, and synovial cell proliferation was seen in 11 joints. Other changes included accumulation of hemosiderin, focal calcification, osseous metaplasia, lysis of collagen, and fibrocartilaginous metaplasia. No significant relationship was detected between histopathologic findings and clinical findings or treatment before surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Inflammation was more variable than hypothesized and may not be a consistent pathophysiologic feature of bicipital tenosynovitis. In some dogs, this disease may be the result of a degenerative process rather than an inflammatory process.     

Prevalence of myocardial hypertrophy in a population of asymptomatic Swedish Maine coon cats

Background

Maine coon cats have a familial disposition for developing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with evidence of an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance [1]. The current mode to diagnose HCM is by use of echocardiography. However, definite reference criteria have not been established. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of echocardigraphic changes consistent with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Swedish Maine coon cats, and to compare echocardiographic measurements with previously published reference values.

Methods

All cats over the age of 8 months owned by breeders living in Stockholm, listed on the website of the Maine Coon breeders in Sweden by February 2001, were invited to participate in the study. Physical examination and M-mode and 2D echocardiographic examinations were performed in all cats.

Results

Examinations of 42 asymptomatic Maine coon cats (10 males and 32 females) were performed. The age of the cats ranged from 0,7 to 9,3 years with a mean of 4,8 ± 2,3 years. Four cats (9,5%) had a diastolic interventricular septal (IVSd) or left ventricular free wall (LVPWd) thickness exceeding 6,0 mm. In 3 of these cats the hypertrophy was segmental. Two cats (4,8%) had systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve without concomitant hypertrophy. Five cats (11,9%) had IVSd or LVPWd exceeding 5,0 mm but less than 6,0 mm.

Conclusion

Depending on the reference values used, the prevalence of HCM in this study varied from 9,5% to 26,2%. Our study suggests that the left ventricular wall thickness of a normal cat is 5,0 mm or less, rather than 6,0 mm, previously used by most cardiologists. Appropriate echocardiographic reference values for Maine coon cats, and diagnostic criteria for HCM need to be further investigated.     

Diagnosis and treatment of tracheal basal cell carcinoma in a Maine coon and long-term outcome

A 6 yr old castrated male Maine coon presented with a 2 wk history of progressive dyspnea. Thoracic radiographs revealed a 2 cm diameter intratracheal mass at the level of the fourth rib. The tracheal mass was marginally excised via a combination of resection and anastomosis. Infiltrative basal cell carcinoma (BCC) with nodular osseous metaplasia was diagnosed. The thoracic trachea was then irradiated postoperatively for definitive treatment. The cat remained asymptomatic following surgical excision and radiation therapy for 32 mo when this report was written. The purpose of this report is to describe the treatment and long-term outcome of a Maine coon diagnosed with, and treated for, tracheal BCC.     

Arthroscopic biceps brachii tenotomy as a treatment for canine bicipital tenosynovitis

Five dogs of varying breeds, ranging from 4 to 8 years in age, were presented with clinical signs consistent with bicipital tenosynovitis. After failure of conservative treatment, each dog underwent shoulder arthroscopy. Following examination of the scapular humeral joint, the bicipital tendon was severed with a bipolar radiofrequency electrosurgical system. The arthroscopic procedure resulted in a good to excellent outcome for all five dogs.     

Ultrasonographic evaluation and surgical treatment of humeral osteitis and bicipital tenosynovitis in a horse.

Ultrasonography and radiography were used to diagnose bicipital tenosynovitis and humeral osteitis in a horse with a history of lameness of 7 weeks' duration. Surgical exploration confirmed the diagnosis.     

Genitourinary dysplasia in a cat

A six-month-old kitten had congenital urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence due to urethral hypoplasia and associated uterine hypoplasia and vaginal aplasia. Diagnosis was based on radiographic examination, surgical exploration and histological examination of the lower urinary tract. Surgical correction resulted in a marked clinical improvement. The cat became fully continent following treatment with phenylpropanolamine.     

Collagen dysplasia (cutaneous asthenia) in a cat

Hereditary collagen dysplasias comprise a complex group of connective-tissue disorders that result in the reduced tensile strength of affected tissues. These processes are called cutaneous asthenia in the skin of dogs and cats. We report here the case of a crossbred male cat, aged 6 months, that presented with two skin wounds in the region of the right thorax and right iliac tuberosity. The skin of these regions and of the animal's dorsum was hyperextensible, smooth to the touch, and easily torn with minor trauma. Microscopic examination of skin samples revealed reduced dermal connective tissue consisting of shortened and fragmented collagen fibers. Normal fibers were intermingled with altered fibers. Ultrastructural changes in collagen fibers included disorientation of fibrils within the same bundle, marked spacing differences, and variation in the diameter of transverse sections. The fibrils maintained the transverse striations characteristic of normal collagen.     

Acute erythroid leukemia with multilineage dysplasia in a cat

Dysplastic features of erythroid and megakaryocytic lineages were observed in a cat with acute erythroid leukemia. We demonstrated that flow cytometry analysis of the expression of glycophorin A and CD71 by neoplastic cells can be helpful in the diagnosis of this type of feline leukemia.     

Physeal dysplasia with slipped capital femoral epiphysis in a cat

A 14-month-old, intact male cat presented with acute onset, severe right hind limb lameness. Pelvic radiographs, excision of the femoral head, and histopathologic examination resulted in a diagnosis of physeal dysplasia with slipped capital femoral epiphysis. The cat rapidly regained use of the affected limb.     

Hip dysplasia in the cat: a report of three cases

Hip dysplasia was diagnosed in three cats. Two were presented with a history of hindlimb lameness and the other had a history of constipation. All were confined for two weeks and showed considerable clinical improvement. At follow-up examination the cats were free of clinical signs despite the deterioration in the radiological appearance of their hips. Luxation or subluxation of the hips, insufficient development of the craniolateral acetabular edges, loss of the arched shape of the cranial subchondral acetabular bones, shallow acetabula and secondary degenerative changes on the femoral heads and necks were the main radiological findings in the affected cats.     

Mitral valve dysplasia in a cat causing reversible left ventricular hypertrophy and dynamic outflow tract obstruction

A 6-month-old male European shorthair cat was examined because of a 2/6 systolic left apical cardiac murmur. Echocardiography revealed severe concentric left ventricular hypertrophy and severe dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (pressure gradient of 85 mmHg) caused by systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the septal mitral valve leaflet. After 2 months of oral treatment with atenolol, the cardiac murmur had disappeared. Echocardiography showed only slight thickening of the interventricular septum and resolution of the pressure gradient. The cat was discharged and its owner was advised to continue atenolol lifelong. Echocardiographic findings of a combination of left ventricular concentric hypertrophy and dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction can be caused by hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) or mitral valve dysplasia in the absence of hypertension and fixed aortic stenosis. In the case of HOCM, left ventricular hypertrophy is the primary process. In the case of mitral valve dysplasia, systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve is the primary problem, which leads to dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and ultimately to left ventricular concentric hypertrophy, due to pressure overload. If the left ventricular outflow tract obstruction is reduced with an oral beta-receptor blocker the secondary left ventricular hypertrophy may resolve. This would not happen in the case of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first documented case of severe dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and severe left ventricular hypertrophy in a cat successfully treated with oral atenolol.     

Asymptomatic double ureteral stricture in an 8-month-old Maine Coon cat: an imaging-based case report

Congenital ureteral strictures are rare both in human and veterinary medicine. While the diagnosis is generally made after a symptomatic or febrile urinary tract infection, we report here a case in which this condition represented an incidental finding during routine ultrasonography. To the best of the authors' knowledge imaging findings of a double monolateral ureteral stricture have not previously been reported.