Surgical management of true patent urachus in a cat

A five-week-old kitten presented with clinical signs consistent with a patent urachus. The urachal anomaly was revealed by exploratory celiotomy and surgically excised without complications. Follow-up radiographic evaluation confirmed the complete removal of the urachal anomaly. Twenty-five months after surgery the cat remained healthy and without problems.     

Combined hiatal and pleuroperitoneal hernia in a shar-pei.

This article presents an unusual combination of a type IV hiatal hernia and a pleuroperitoneal hernia in a young shar-pei. Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of both conditions are discussed. At surgery, close examination and palpation of the whole diaphragm are recommended to allow perioperative diagnosis of unexpected defects.     

Surgical management of multi-system trauma in a cat

A cat was presented in coma following severe trauma. The cat was alert and walking within 24 hours, after treatment with intravenous dexamethasone and mannitol. However, he subsequently began to show evidence of severe abdominal pain. An exploratory laparotomy revealed traumatic avulsion of the left limb of the pancreas. A sub-total pancreatectomy was performed and the cat recovered well. Two weeks post-operatively, the cat was re-presented with ataxia, proprioceptive deficits, and upper motor neuron weakness in all four limbs. Radiographs revealed a fracture/luxation of C1–C2 which could not be adequately stabilized solely via a dorsal approach. A combined ventral and dorsal approach produced stabilization of the cervical spine which was clinically successful. Two months post-operatively there was stability but malalignment of C1–C2, and the cat appeared normal.     

Surgical management of a thyroglossal duct cyst in a cat

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 14-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat was evaluated because of a large fluid-filled mass on the ventral aspect of the neck that failed to resolve after repeated draining. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Radiography and computed tomography revealed a fluid-filled mass 13 cm in diameter extending from the level of the first cervical vertebra to the manubrium. No evidence of metastasis was seen. Cytologic examination of the fluid revealed it to be a transudate with a T4 concentration considered to be normal. Incisional biopsy of the cyst wall was performed and led to a diagnosis of thyroglossal duct cyst. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The cyst was excised, and no recurrence was observed 15 months after surgery. Aside from temporary seroma formation, no complications developed after the surgery. A distinct tract through the hyoid apparatus to the base of the tongue, as has been described in humans, was not identified. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Thyroglossal duct cyst should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cats with masses on the ventral aspect of the neck. Complete excision appeared to be curative in the cat of this report.     

Surgical management of a recurrent spinal meningioma in a cat

A 13-year-old male neutered Persian crossbred cat was evaluated for hindlimb paresis, ataxia and urinary incontinence that had been progressing over the previous 3 months. Neurologically, the cat had thoracolumbar spinal cord deficits and a myelogram detected the presence of a mass compressing the thoracic spinal cord. A hemilaminectomy was performed to excise the soft tissue mass, subsequently identified histologically as a psammomatous meningioma. The cat regained ambulatory function and continence following surgery until a recurrence of paresis and ataxia 36 months later. A second myelogram suggested local recurrence of the tumour, which was confirmed by histological examination of the tumour after its removal at a second laminectomy. The cat again regained normal neurological function, until a further recurrence 16 months after the second surgery. The meningioma was surgically debulked a third time and the cat regained ambulation and continence postoperatively. This case demonstrates the successful use of repeated surgical resection in the management of a recurrent spinal meningioma in a cat. The cat was ambulatory and continent at a follow-up examination 63 months after the initial presentation.     

Surgical management of acute ear canal separation in a cat

A 5-year-old cat presented with haemorrhagic left aural discharge, 2 days following a road traffic accident. Otoscopic examination identified disruption of the external ear canal at the auricular/annular cartilage junction. This was managed by total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy. Left sided facial nerve deficits were present following surgery. Eighteen months postoperatively there were no auricular problems, however facial nerve deficits persisted. There are no previous reports describing management of acute separation at the auricular/annular cartilage junction of the external ear in the cat or dog. This case report describes the presentation, diagnosis and surgical management of an acute ear canal separation at the auricular/annular junction of the external ear canal in a cat.     

Surgical management of a cat with hepatic arterioportal fistula

A 9‐month‐old domestic short‐haired cat presented with stunted growth and chronic gastrointestinal signs. Tachypnoea, a heart murmur and cranial abdominal bruit were detected on physical examination. Echocardiography revealed volume overload in all heart chambers. CT angiography identified an abnormal communication between the hepatic arterial circulation and the portal vein, along with multiple acquired shunts. The abnormal vascular communication was surgically ligated. Echocardiography documented improvement in cardiac parameters following surgery and the cat continues to have no clinical signs 39 months after surgery. This report describes successful surgical management of feline hepatic arterioportal fistula for the first time.     

Surgical management of ameloblastic fibroma in the cat

A 14-month-old spayed female domestic short-haired cat was presented for evaluation of a rostral mandibular mass diagnosed from biopsy as an ameloblastic fibroma. Radiographs of the mandible demonstrated marked osteolysis and cortical expansion. A rostral mandibulectomy was performed extending from the caudal edge of the second premolar on the right side to the caudal edge of the canine tooth on the left side. Histological evaluation of the excised mass confirmed the diagnosis of ameloblastic fibroma. Follow-up evaluation at eight months revealed normal oral function with the exception of occasional saliva soiling of the chin. The owner was satisfied with the cosmetic result.     

Surgical management of acquired megacolon in the cat

The surgical management of acquired megacolon is described in three cats. The aetiology could not be definitely established in two cats but in the third case megacolon occurred as a result of pelvic narrowing secondary to multiple pelvic fractures. Medical therapy was ineffective and long term resolution was achieved by partial colectomy.     

Surgical management of an enterocutaneous umbilical fistula caused by an incarcerated Richter's hernia in a one-year-old Quarter Horse filly

This article reports a case of a one-year-old Quarter Horse filly with an enterocutaneous fistula resulting from an umbilical hernia since birth, treated successfully by en bloc resection of the hernial sac with the fistula and closure of the ileum with a modified Heineke-Mikulicz technique. This consisted of closing the intestinal wound transversely to the long axis after excision of the fistula to help preserve a sufficient intestinal lumen and prevent potential stricture formation after longitudinal closure. Umbilical hernias are reported to have an incidence of 0.5–2.0% usually resolve spontaneously. Reducible hernias do not represent a surgical emergency whereas incarcerations should always undergo surgery as soon as possible. Enterocutaneous fistulae occur uncommonly as a result of congenital umbilical herniae that developed spontaneously into Richter's herniae or Littré herniae or they are induced traumatically or iatrogenically after therapeutic attempts. In most cases, enterocutaneous fistulae do not require immediate surgery. However, the excision of the fistula should be scheduled within a few days after diagnosis. In the current case, the owner reported a healthy development of the filly after 1 year without any functional problems. This case represents an example of successful use of the Heineke-Mikulicz technique to establish an alternative to standard end-to-end anastomosis.     

Surgical removal of a choroid plexus oncocytoma in an adult cat

An 11‐year‐old male castrated domestic shorthair cat presented with left central vestibular dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a large, extra‐parenchymal, strongly contrast‐enhancing mass at the level of the left cerebellopontine angle and compressing the cerebellum and brainstem. The mass was surgically excised via left rostral and sub‐tentorial craniectomies and histopathology revealed an epithelial neoplasm composed of anastomosing cords of neoplastic cells that contained large amounts of finely granular hypereosinophilic cytoplasm and round nuclei. The cytoplasmic granules were variably positive with periodic acid‐Schiff and modified Gomori trichrome. Immunohistochemical staining with anti‐cytokeratin AE1/AE3 was diffusely positive. Electron microscopy revealed neoplastic cells that were full of electron‐dense organelles consistent with mitochondria. This is the first case of a choroid plexus oncocytoma in the central nervous system of any domestic animal species and highlights the role of successful surgical intervention in extra‐parenchymal neoplasia in the central nervous system.     

Congenital pleuroperitoneal hernia presenting as gastrothorax in five cavalier King Charles spaniel dogs

Five cavalier King Charles spaniels were examined for acute onset of respiratory distress. Thoracic radiographs demonstrated diaphragmatic hernia and tension gastrothorax, visible as a distended stomach occupying the left caudal thoracic cavity. Exploratory midline coeliotomy confirmed congenital pleuroperitoneal diaphragmatic hernia with herniation and dilatation of the stomach. The hernia configuration was consistent in all cases, with a defect affecting the left diaphragmatic crus. Congenital pleuroperitoneal diaphragmatic hernia is a rare condition caused by a defect in the dorsolateral diaphragm. Defects of the left crus of the diaphragm could result in the herniation of the stomach into the thoracic cavity with possible subsequent tension gastrothorax. Cavalier King Charles spaniels may have a predisposition to this condition. Tension gastrothorax is an acute life‐threatening consequence of gastric herniation through a diaphragmatic defect that must be promptly recognised and surgically treated.     

Diaphragmatic hernia in a cat mimicking a pulmonary mass

A seven-year-old castrated British shorthair cross cat was presented for coughing of five-weeks duration. Thoracic radiographs and an unguided bronchoalveolar lavage showed changes consistent with inflammatory airway disease. In addition, a soft tissue density was evident in the thoracic films between the heart and the diaphragm. Exploratory thoracotomy demonstrated a diaphragmatic hernia, probably congenital in origin, with incarceration of a portion of the hepatic parenchyma. The herniated portion of liver was resected surgically and the defect in the diaphragm closed. The cat was given a 10-day course of doxycycline post-operatively and the cough did not recur subsequently. In retrospect, the hernia was potentially an incidental problem, the cat's coughing being attributable to inflammatory airway disease.     

Surgical treatment of a meningoencephalocele in a cat

Objective: To report the clinical signs, imaging findings and surgical treatment of a meningoencephalocele in a cat. Study Design: Case report. Animal: Domestic shorthaired cat, 4 months old. Methods: A parietal meningoencephalocele was identified and characterized by magnetic resonance and computed tomography (CT) imaging. The abnormal tissue was excised and submitted for histopathology, and the meningeal and skull defects were reconstructed. Results: The cat made a full recovery and the episodes of aggression, restlessness and apparent discomfort that occurred before surgery ceased after surgical treatment. The cat was clinically normal 1 year postoperatively. Conclusion: Surgical management of meningoencephalocele in cats may be a viable treatment option.