Juvenile Pancreatic Atrophy in Greyhounds: 12 Cases (1995–2000)

Background: This study describes compound failure of the endocrine and exocrine pancreas in Greyhounds, a condition that has not been reported in the veterinary literature.
Objective: To describe the clinical and pathologic findings in 12 Greyhounds with juvenile pancreatic atrophy.
Animals: Ten Greyhounds presented for necropsy examination and 2 sibling Greyhounds presented for clinical evaluation before necropsy, all with a history of small-bowel diarrhea.
Procedures: Retrospective study of laboratory and pathologic findings in 12 Greyhounds, including serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity assays, oral glucose tolerance testing, and serum anti-insulin antibody concentrations.
Results: Gross pancreatic atrophy was found in all 12 dogs. Histopathologic lesions were found in both the endocrine and exocrine pancreas and included acinar cell apoptosis, zymogen granule loss, cytoplasmic clearing or vacuolar change, lobular atrophy, islet loss, and lymphocytic or lymphoplasmacytic pancreatitis. Antemortem test results on the 2 Greyhound puppies indicated concurrent exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Compound failure of the exocrine and endocrine pancreas is rarely reported in dogs and neither disease is well recognized in the Greyhound. This condition is of potential economic importance to the Greyhound racing industry.     

Recurrence rate of presumed thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease in ambulatory dogs with spinal hyperpathia treated with anti-inflammatory drugs: 78 cases (1997–2000)

Objective: To determine the recurrence rate of clinical signs in dogs with spinal hyperpathia and mild neurological deficits due to presumed Hansen Type 1 thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) that were managed medically with anti‐inflammatory agents, and to compare the recurrence rates between dogs treated with corticosteroids and those treated with nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Private veterinary emergency clinic in a large metropolitan area. Animals, interventions, and measurements: Medical records were used to ascertain study eligibility, record patient signalment and condition severity, and document medical treatment regimen. Each dog was assigned a severity score: (1) spinal hyperpathia with no neurological deficits, (2) spinal hyperpathia with conscious proprioceptive deficits only, or (3) spinal hyperpathia with ataxia but still retaining ambulatory motor function. Owners of 78 dogs weighing less than 16 kg presented from 1997 through 2000 were sent a questionnaire to determine recurrence rate. Main results: All dogs recovered from the initial episode; 39 experienced recurrence and 39 did not. There was no statistically significant relationship between gender, age, or severity score and recurrence rate. Dogs treated with NSAIDs or methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) were less likely to experience recurrence than dogs treated with corticosteroids other than MPSS. Conclusion: A 50% recurrence of presumed IVDD occurred in this population of dogs after treatment with NSAIDs or corticosteroids. Those treated with NSAIDs or MPSS were less likely to experience a recurrence.     

Pheochromocytoma in Dogs: 61 Cases (1984–1995)

This report presents the clinical, laboratory, imaging, and pathologic findings in 61 dogs with pheochromocytoma by retrospective evaluation of medical records. Pheochromocytomas were diagnosed by histopathologic examination of tissue specimens in all dogs. Special stains (chromogranin A and synaptophysin) also were used to confirm the chromaffin cell origin of the tumors. Epidemiologic findings were in agreement with previous studies, indicating that pheochromocytomas affect middle-aged to older dogs with no apparent gender or breed predilection. The tumor was considered clinical in 21 dogs (34%), was responsible for abnormalities related to a space-occupying mass in 7 dogs (11%), and was an incidental finding in 35 dogs (57%). The hematologic and biochemical findings were nonspecific. Hypertension was detected in 10 of 23 (43%) dogs tested, but all hypertensive dogs had concurrent diseases that may have contributed to hypertension. Abdominal ultrasonography was the most commonly used imaging procedure, with a mass detected in the region of the adrenal glands in 20 of 40 (50%) dogs examined. In 4 of the 20 dogs (20%), invasion of the caudal vena cava was identified. Surgery was performed in 17 dogs (28%) with immediate death or euthanasia of 5 dogs. Survival after surgery ranged from 1 day to 3.25 years. Pheochromocytomas were locally invasive in 39% of affected dogs and produced metastases in 13% of the cases. Common sites for metastases included regional lymph nodes, liver, lung, kidney, spleen, and bone. A high frequency of concurrent neoplasia (54%), including endocrine neoplasia, was identified.     

Clinical Forms of Acquired Myasthenia Gravis in Dogs: 25 Cases (1988–1995)

The purpose of this project was to investigate the clinical forms of acquired myasthenia gravis in dogs. The medical records from 25 dogs with seropositive acquired myasthenia gravis were reviewed, and the following data were recorded for each patient: signalment, history, clinical findings; results of IV edrophonium chloride administration, repetitive nerve stimulation, and presence or absence of muscle membrane staining by immunocytochemical methods; serum acetyl-choline receptor antibody concentration; treatment; and outcome. Several clinical forms of acquired myasthenia gravis were identified. Nine of the 25 patients (36%) had no historical or clinical evidence of appendicular muscle weakness, and were designated as focal myasthenics. These dogs exhibited focal weakness in one or more of the following muscle groups: facial {3 of 9), pharyngeal (3 of 9), and laryn-geal (3 of 9). The remaining 16 dogs (64%) exhibited appendicular muscle weakness. Four of these 16 dogs had acute onset and rapid development of clinical signs, and were designated as acute fulminating myasthenics. The remaining 12 dogs were classified as generalized myasthenics. All 4 dogs with acute fulminating myasthenia gravis had megaesophagus, 2 had facial muscle weakness, and 1 had pharyngeal muscle weakness. Ten of the 12 dogs with generalized myasthenia gravis had megaesophagus, 4 had facial muscle weakness, 4 had pharyngeal muscle weakness, and 3 had laryngeal muscle weakness. Historical or clinical evidence of exercise-associated appendicular weakness was found in only 6 of the 12 (50%) dogs with generalized myasthenia gravis, and in none of the dogs with acute fulminating myasthenia gravis. Seven of the 12 dogs with generalized myasthenia gravis had weakness primarily (n = 1) or exclusively (n = 6) of the pelvic limbs. Two of the 4 dogs with acute fulminating myasthenia gravis had primarily pelvic limb weakness. Twelve of the 25 dogs (48%) died or were euthanized shortly after admission to the hospital due to aspiration pneumonia. The dogs with acute fulminating myasthenia gravis had a markedly higher 1-year mortality rate in comparison with the other 2 groups. The use of immunosuppressive therapy had a significant positive effect on patient survival, regardless of the type of myasthenia gravis. This investigation demonstrates that acquired myasthenia gravis in dogs is a disorder with a wide spectrum of clinical forms, similar to the analagous disorder in people.     

Feline Cutaneous Melanocytic Neoplasms: A Retrospective Analysis of 43 Cases (1979–1991)

Abstract— Forty-three cases of cutaneous melanocytic neoplasia in cats were reviewed. Twenty-eight of the 43 neoplasms were histologically benign and 15 were malignant. Behavior was independent of site except that tumors of the eyelid were malignant. Histologic findings of epidermal ulceration, cleanliness of tissue borders, degree of melanization, tumor cell type, and the presence or absence of theques did not differentiate benign from malignant tumors. Junctional activity indicated a high probability of benign behavior while malignant behavior was predicted by a high mitotic index and infiltration of the tumor by lymphoid cells. Résumé— Quarante trois cas de tumeurs mélaniques félines ont été revus. Vingt huit de ces 43 tumeurs étaient histologiquement bénignes et 15 malignes. Le comportement était indépendant de la localisation de la tumeur, à l'exception des tumeurs des paupières, toujours malignes. L'observation histologique d'ulcération épidermique, de propreté des bords des tissus, du degré de mélanisation, du type cellulaire et de la presence ou de l'absence de thèques ne différait pas qu'il s'agisse de tumeur bénigne ou maligne. L'activité jonctionnelle indiquait une forte probabilité de bénignité, alors qu'un comportement malin était prédit par un index mitotique élevé et une infiltration de la tumeur par des cellules lymphoïdes. Zusammenfassung— Es wird ein überlick über 43 Fälle von kutanen melanozytären Neoplasien bei Katzen gegeben. Achtundzwanzig der 43 Neoplasmen waren histologisch gutartig, 15 waren bösartig. Das Verhalten der Tumore war unabhängig von der Lokalisation, abgesehen von Tumoren der Augenlider, die stets maligne waren. Histologische Befunde wie epidermale Ulzeration, scharfe Begrenzung der Gewebsränder, Grad der Melanisierung, Tumorzelltyp und Vorhandensein oder Fehlen von Thequen unterschieden die benignen von den malignen Tumoren nicht. Verbindungsaktivität bedeutete eine hohe Wahrscheinlichkeit für gutartiges Verhalten, während bösartiges Verhalten durch einen hohen Mitoseindex und Infiltration des Tumors mit lymphoiden Zellen vorhersagbar war. Resumen En éste artículo se analizan cuarenta y tres casos de neoplasia melanocítica cutánea en gatos. Veintiocho de loa cuarenta y tres casos, resultaron cánceres benignos histológicamente y quince, malignos. El grado de malignidad no tenia relación con el sitio de procedencia con la excepción de que los tumores de párpados que resultaron malignos. Las características histológicas de las ulceraciones epidérmicas, limpieza de tejidos circundantes, grado de melanización, tipo de célula tumoral, y presencia o ausencia de the zeques, no sirvió para la diferenciación entre maligno y benigno. La actividad de la zona delimitante fué un indicador de alta probabilidad de benignidad, mientras que la el tipo maligno se predijo por un índice mitótico alto e infiltración del tumor por celulas de tipo linfoide.     

Hyperglycemic, hyperosmolar syndrome in feline diabetics: 17 cases (1995–2001)

Objective: The purposes of this study were to characterize the hyperglycemic, hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS), also known as nonketotic hyperosmolar diabetes, in cats; to determine the prevalence of HHS in the diabetic cat population in the emergency room; to document the outcome in cats with HHS; and to identify any predisposing factors or predictors of survival. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: An emergency service at a veterinary teaching hospital located in a major metropolitan area. Animals: The case records of 17 cats with hyperglycemic, hyperosmolar syndrome presenting from 1995 to 2001 were evaluated. An additional 37 cats with diabetic ketoacidosis and 80 cats with diabetes mellitus served as comparison groups. Interventions: None. Measurements and main results: Signalment, history, physical examination findings, clinico‐pathologic data, concurrent disease, and outcome were recorded. Hyperglycemic, hyperosmolar syndrome was seen in older cats that were often long‐standing diabetics receiving insulin for many months. Client concerns included polydipsia, polyuria, and lethargy. Neurologic and respiratory signs occurred frequently. Evaluation at presentation revealed profound dehydration, lactic acidosis, and azotemia. Serious concurrent diseases that likely contributed to the development of the HHS crisis were diagnosed in 88% (15/17) of the HHS cats. The most common concurrent diseases were renal failure, respiratory compromise, infection, congestive heart failure, neoplasia, and gastrointestinal tract disease. Pancreatitis and hepatic disease did not occur frequently in this diabetic cat population. Sixty‐five percent of HHS cats did not survive the initial hospitalization, with most dying or being euthanized within 10 hours of presentation. The long‐term survival rate was low (12%). Conclusions: HHS is a serious life‐threatening form of diabetic crisis and cats with HHS often have other severe systemic diseases. Cats with diabetes and concurrent disease, especially renal failure and congestive heart failure, are at increased risk of HHS and should be closely monitored for signs of crisis. The mortality rate for HHS cats is high.     

Portal Vein Thrombosis in Cats: 6 Cases (2001–2006)

Background: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in cats is sparsely reported.
Purpose of Study: To evaluate the clinical signs and diseases associated with PVT in cats.
Animals: 6 client-owned cats.
Methods: Medical records for cats with a portal vein thrombus diagnosed on abdominal ultrasound or at necropsy were reviewed. Signalment, historical data, underlying disorders, clinical findings, clinicopathologic and histopathologic data, diagnostic imaging findings, treatment, and outcome were recorded.
Results: All 6 cats identified with PVT also had hepatic disease. Evidence of a congenital portosystemic shunt was present in 3/6 cats. Two cats had primary or metastatic hepatic neoplasia. One cat had acute cholangitis, acute pancreatitis, and locally extensive acute centrilobular hepatic necrosis. Two cats were suspected to have acute thrombi and 4 cats had chronic thrombi.
Conclusion and Clinical Significance: PVT might be an important concurrent finding in cats with hepatic disease.     

Secondary Intracranial Neoplasia in the Dog: 177 Cases (1986–2003)

Background: This study investigates the frequency, location, and clinical findings associated with 177 secondary brain tumors in dogs.
Hypothesis: Secondary intracranial neoplasia is more common than primary intracranial neoplasia in dogs during the time period studied, and hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is the most common secondary intracranial tumor.
Animals: One hundred and seventy-seven client-owned dogs presented to the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital between 1986 and 2003.
Methods: Medical records were searched for a diagnosis of intracranial neoplasia in dogs who underwent complete postmortem examination. Of these dogs, those with a diagnosis of primary intracranial neoplasia were excluded.
Results: Of the 177 secondary brain tumors, 51 (29%) were HSAs, 44 (25%) were pituitary tumors, 21 (12%) were lymphosarcomas, and 21 (12%) were metastatic carcinomas. The average age at diagnosis was 9.6 ± 3.0 years. Most tumors were located in the cerebrum, and a mentation change was the most common presenting clinical sign. On postmortem examination, the same tumor that was in the brain was also present in the lung in 84 cases (47%), in the kidney in 62 cases (35%), and in the heart in 55 cases (31%).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Secondary intracranial neoplasia in dogs was more common than primary intracranial neoplasia during the time period studied. Many of these dogs had related disease in other body systems that was apparent on diagnostic tests such as thoracic radiography.     

Congenital Cardiac Defects in Neonatal Foals: 18 Cases (1992–2007)

Background: Literature available regarding congenital cardiac defects in foals is limited to reports of individual cases or small case series.
Objective: To describe the clinical, echocardiographic, and necropsy findings and breed predilection of congenital cardiac defects in neonatal foals.
Animals: Eighteen foals <15 days of age with 1 or more congenital cardiac defects.
Methods: Medical records of foals diagnosed with congenital cardiac defects at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital were reviewed. Data collected included history, signalment, clinical signs, laboratory data, diagnostic and necropsy results, and outcome.
Results: Arabian foals represented 39% of cases with congenital cardiac defects and were significantly ( P = .004) overrepresented (OR = 4.7 [CI: 1.8–12.4]) compared with the general hospital population. Ventricular septal defect (VSD) (14/18), tetralogy of Fallot (5/18), and tricuspid valve atresia (4/18) were the most common defects identified. A ≥3/6 heart murmur (14/14) accompanied by tachycardia (14/17), tachypnea (17/17), and cyanosis of mucous membranes (7/16) were the most common clinical signs. Concurrent congenital defects were common (9/18). Two foals, both with VSD, survived for ≥ 8 years after diagnosis and 1 was a successful performance horse.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Arabian horses appear to have a predisposition for cardiac defects. The presence of a loud murmur (≥ 3/6), cyanotic membranes, and tachycardia or tachypnea in a neonatal foal should warrant thorough evaluation of the heart for congenital defects. Foals with cardiac defects should be closely evaluated for concurrent congenital defects in other body systems.     

Use of thromboelastography in dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia: 39 cases (2000–2008)

Objective – To analyze thromboelastograms (TEGs) of naturally occurring cases of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) in order to identify whether a hypercoagulable state was present and whether its presence was associated with differences in survival.
Design – Retrospective study spanning January 2000 to June 2008. Medical records of dogs were evaluated. Endpoints were considered death or discharge from the hospital.
Setting – Academic teaching hospital.
Animals – Thirty-nine dogs with a diagnosis of IMHA and at least one TEG performed during hospitalization were included.
Interventions – None.
Measurements and Main Results – Four values were evaluated from the TEG: the R time (R), K time (K), alpha angle (α), and maximum amplitude. From these values, a coagulation index (CI) was calculated to classify patients as normocoagulable, hypercoagulable, or hypocoagulable. Thirty-three of 39 patients were hypercoagulable based on the CI. The 6 remaining dogs were normocoagulable. The patients with a normocoagulable CI had an increased mortality rate (100%) when compared with the hypercoagulable patients using Fisher's exact test ( P =0.02). Additionally, prolongation of partial thromboplastin time did not preclude hypercoagulable TEG values.
Conclusions – The majority of dogs with IMHA were hypercoagulable as measured by TEG. A normal CI was associated with a worse outcome in this patient population. TEG may provide additional and complementary information to prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time relating to coagulation status in dogs with IMHA and may help predict prognosis and potentially guide clinical decisions to utilize anticoagulant drugs.     

Ionized Hypercalcemia in Dogs: A Retrospective Study of 109 Cases (1998–2003)

Background: Serum hypercalcemia in dogs has been reported in association with a variety of diseases. Serum-ionized calcium (iCa) concentration is a more accurate measure of hypercalcemia than total serum calcium or corrected serum calcium concentrations. The severity of hypercalcemia has been utilized to suggest the most likely differential diagnosis for the hypercalcemia.
Hypothesis: Diseases causing ionized hypercalcemia may be different than those that cause increases in total or corrected serum calcium concentrations. The severity of ionized hypercalcemia in specific diseases cannot be used to determine the most likely differential diagnosis for ionized hypercalcemia.
Animals: One-hundred and nine client-owned dogs with a definitive cause for their ionized hypercalcemia evaluated between 1998 and 2003 were included in this study.
Methods: Retrospective, medical records review.
Results: Neoplasia, specifically lymphosarcoma, followed by renal failure, hyperparathyroidism, and hypoadrenocorticism were the most common causes of ionized hypercalcemia. Dogs with lymphoma and anal sac adenocarcinoma have higher serum iCa concentrations than those with renal failure, hypoadrenocorticism, and other types of neoplasia. The magnitude of serum-ionized hypercalcemia did not predict specific disease states.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Serum-ionized hypercalcemia was most commonly associated with neoplasia, specifically lymphosarcoma. Although dogs with lymphosarcoma and anal sac adenocarcinoma had higher serum iCa concentrations than dogs with other diseases, the magnitude of the serum iCa concentration could not be used to predict the cause of hypercalcemia. Total serum calcium and corrected calcium concentrations did not accurately reflect the calcium status of the dogs in this study.     

Pneumothorax in cats with a clinical diagnosis of feline asthma: 5 cases (1990–2000)

Objective: This paper characterizes the clinical findings in 5 cats with feline asthma complicated by concurrent pneumothorax. Design: Retrospective study. Medical records of cats with concurrent diagnoses of asthma and pneumothorax that were presented to the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania from 1990 to 2000 were reviewed. Results: Of 421 cases of feline asthma, 5 cats fulfilled the inclusion criteria (1.2%). All 5 had respiratory distress at presentation. One cat was panting, and the other 4 cats had respiratory rates of 28, 52, 58 and 120 breaths per minute (bpm), respectively (mean RR 65±39 bpm). Historical findings included untreated chronic cough (n=3), previously treated asthma (n=1), and no previous illness (n=1). Thoracocentesis was performed in 4/5 cats, and 3 of those cats required thoracostomy tubes. Four cats required immediate oxygen supplementation, and 1 of those cats required ventilation. All 5 cats had evidence of pneumothorax on initial radiographs. Follow‐up radiographs revealed partial or complete resolution of pneumothorax in 4 cats which were discharged alive with total hospitalization of 2–7 days, but were then lost to follow‐up. One cat was euthanized because it could not be weaned off mechanical ventilation, and necropsy confirmed end‐stage feline asthma and emphysema. Conclusion: Small airway obstruction can predispose asthma patients to increased alveolar pressure, emphysema, and spontaneous pneumothorax, which can lead to dyspnea in affected cats. The short‐term outcome in these cats was good despite the severity of dyspnea at presentation.     

Linear-Accelerator-Based Modified Radiosurgical Treatment of Pituitary Tumors in Cats: 11 Cases (1997–2008)

Objective: Determine the efficacy and safety of a linear-accelerator-based single fraction radiosurgical approach to the treatment of pituitary tumors in cats.
Design: Retrospective study.
Animals: Eleven client-owned cats referred for treatment of pituitary tumors causing neurological signs, or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus (DM) secondary either to acromegaly or pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocortism.
Procedures: Cats underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain to manually plan radiation therapy. After MRI, modified radiosurgery was performed by delivering a single large dose (15 or 20 Gy) of radiation while arcing a linear-accelerator-generated radiation beam around the cat's head with the pituitary mass at the center of the beam. Eight cats were treated once, 2 cats were treated twice, and 1 cat received 3 treatments. Treated cats were evaluated for improvement in endocrine function or resolution of neurological disease by review of medical records or contact with referring veterinarians and owners.
Results: Improvement in clinical signs occurred in 7/11 (63.6%) of treated cats. Five of 9 cats with poorly regulated DM had improved insulin responses, and 2/2 cats with neurological signs had clinical improvement. There were no confirmed acute or late adverse radiation effects. The overall median survival was 25 months (range, 1–60), and 3 cats were still alive.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Single fraction modified radiosurgery is a safe and effective approach to the treatment of pituitary tumors in cats.     

Passive Drainage Versus Primary Closure After Total Ear Canal Ablation-Lateral Bulla Osteotomy in Dogs: 59 Dogs (1985–1995)

Objective- Compare passive wound drainage to primary closure of total ear canal ablation-lateral bulla osteotomy (TECA-LBO) in dogs.
Study Design- Retrospective analysis of medical records.
Sample Population- Fifty-nine dogs with end-stage otitis externa or neoplasia of the external and middle ear.
Methods- Medical records of dogs with TECA-LBO were reviewed. Dogs were divided into postoperative drain and primary closure groups. Statistical analyses were performed to identify differences in data for signalment, preoperative treatment, duration of hospitalization, immediate complications, and long-term complications between groups.
Results- No significant differences were detected in signalment, diagnosis, and duration of medical management between groups ( P >.05). Duration of hospitalization was greater for dogs in the drain group ( P <.05). Immediate postoperative complications occurred in 26 of 59 dogs and included ipsilateral facial palsy, incision swelling, vestibular signs, premature drain removal, and one dog died of aspiration pneumonia. Long-term (>6 months) complications were identified in 12 of 50 dogs and included dermatitis of the medial aspect of the pinna, chronic fistula formation, and permanent facial paralysis. No association between immediate or long term complications and method of closure was identified.
Conclusions- Primary closure is an acceptable alternative in dogs undergoing TECA-LBO when surgical wound dead space can be managed with meticulous hemostasis, complete debridement of devitalized tissue, and accurate apposition of tissue planes.     

Acute blindness in dogs: Sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome versus neurological disease (140 cases, 2000–2006)

Objective  To evaluate dogs with amaurosis and compare signalment, history, ophthalmic examination and neurologic abnormalities between dogs diagnosed with sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) versus neurological disease (ND). Animals Studied-140 dogs with acute vision loss and ocular abnormalities insufficient to account for visual deficits. An electroretinogram (ERG) was performed on each dog.
Procedures  Medical records were reviewed and information was collected for all dogs meeting the inclusion criteria. Dogs diagnosed with SARDS were compared to those with ND based on signalment, duration of clinical signs, past medical problems, clinicopathologic findings, and ophthalmic and physical examination abnormalities.
Results  120 dogs were diagnosed with SARDS and 20 dogs with ND based on ERG results. Mixed-breed dogs were most commonly diagnosed with SARDS as well as ND. Pure breed dogs frequently diagnosed with SARDS included the Miniature Schnauzer and Dachshund. Dogs with SARDS did not differ significantly from those with ND based on age or sex distribution. Cushing's-like symptoms were reported more frequently in SARDS dogs as well as conjunctival hyperemia and retinal vascular attenuation. Papilledema and asymmetric visual deficits were observed more frequently in dogs with ND. Dogs with ND were no more likely than SARDS dogs to have additional neurological deficits.
Conclusions  Appreciable overlap of clinical signs exists between dogs with SARDS and dogs with ND resulting in acute vision loss. As a significant portion of dogs (14%) in the present study were diagnosed with ND, an ERG to rule out ND is indicated in dogs with amaurosis.     

The Role of Bronchoscopy in Foreign Body Removal in Dogs and Cats: 37 Cases (2000–2008)

Background: Foreign body aspiration is a differential diagnosis for acute or chronic cough that requires medical or surgical management in animals. Hypothesis: Success of bronchoscopy in airway foreign body removal is dependent on the size of the animal, duration of clinical signs, and location of the foreign body. Animals: Thirty‐two dogs and 5 cats with airway foreign bodies identified at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Methods: Retrospective case study evaluating the role of duration of clinical signs and body size in successful bronchoscopic removal of foreign bodies. In addition, radiographic localization of disease was compared with bronchoscopic identification. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) culture and cytologic findings are reported. Results: Bronchoscopy was successful for removal of airway foreign bodies in 76% of animals (24/28 dogs and 2/5 cats), and in dogs was independent of duration of clinical signs or body size. One‐third of thoracic radiographs lacked distinctive features of an airway foreign body, and therefore radiography was unable to predict the affected site. BAL fluid at the site of the foreign body contained more neutrophils and more often had intracellular bacteria than lavage fluid from a separate site. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Bronchoscopy was successful in removing airway foreign bodies regardless of animal size or long duration of clinical signs. Results of this study confirm the utility of bronchoscopy with lavage in management of suspected foreign bodies, even in the absence of localizing radiographic findings.     

Cross-Sectional Imaging Characteristics of Pituitary Adenomas, Invasive Adenomas and Adenocarcinomas in Dogs: 33 Cases (1988–2006)

Background: Pituitary tumors in dogs can be adenomas, invasive adenomas, or adenocarcinomas. In people, invasive adenomas and pituitary adenocarcinomas carry a worse prognosis than adenomas.
Hypothesis/Objective: To identify differentiating features on cross-sectional imaging in dogs with pituitary adenomas, invasive adenomas, and adenocarcinomas.
Animals: Thirty-three dogs that had computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed and a necropsy diagnosis of pituitary adenoma ( n = 20), invasive adenoma ( n = 11), or adenocarcinoma ( n = 2).
Methods: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for signalment, history, and diagnosis. CT and MR images were reviewed for characteristics of pituitary tumors.
Results: Mean (± standard deviation) age for dogs with pituitary adenomas (10.6 ± 2.9 years) was greater than that of those with invasive adenomas (8.3 ± 2.7 years, P = .04). Eighteen out of 20 (90%) dogs with adenomas had contrast-enhancing masses. Thirteen out of 20 (65%) had homogeneous enhancement. Mean adenoma height was 1.2 ± 0.7 cm. Eight out of 20 (40%) adenomas were round and 8/20 (40%) compressed surrounding brain. Eleven out of 11 dogs (100%) with invasive adenomas had contrast-enhancing masses. Seven out of 11 (64%) masses were homogeneous. Mean invasive adenoma height was 1.8 ± 0.7 cm, which was significantly greater than adenomas ( P = .03). Mass shape varied from round to oval to irregular. Six out of 11 (55%) masses compressed surrounding brain. Clinical and imaging features were variable for 2 dogs with adenocarcinomas.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Invasive adenoma should be suspected if a dog with a pituitary tumor is <7.7 years of age and has a mass >1.9 cm in vertical height. Adenocarcinomas are uncommon and metastatic lesions were not seen with imaging.     

Infectious Agents Detected in the Feces of Diarrheic Foals: A Retrospective Study of 233 Cases (2003–2008)

Background: Diarrhea is common in foals but there are no studies investigating the relative prevalence of common infectious agents in a population of hospitalized diarrheic foals.
Objectives: To determine the frequency of detection of infectious agents in a population of hospitalized foals with diarrhea and to determine if detection of specific pathogens is associated with age, outcome, or clinicopathologic data.
Animals: Two hundred and thirty-three foals ≤ 10 months of age with diarrhea examined at a referral institution.
Methods: Retrospective case series. Each foal was examined for Salmonella spp., viruses, Clostridium difficile toxins, Clostridium perfringens culture, C. perfringens enterotoxin, Cryptosporidium spp., and metazoan parasites in feces collected at admission or at the onset of diarrhea.
Results: At least 1 infectious agent was detected in 122 foals (55%). Rotavirus was most frequently detected (20%) followed by C. perfringens (18%), Salmonella spp. (12%), and C. difficile (5%). Foals < 1 month of age were significantly more likely to be positive for C. perfringens (odds ratio [OR] = 15, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.5–66) or to have negative fecal diagnostic results (OR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.7–5.2) than older foals. Foals > 1 month of age were significantly more likely to have Salmonella spp. (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.2–6.0), rotavirus (OR = 13.3, 95% CI = 5.3–33), and parasites (OR = 23, 95% CI = 3.1–185) detected compared with younger foals. Overall 191 of the 223 foals (87%) survived. The type of infectious agent identified in the feces or bacteremia was not significantly associated with survival.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: In the population studied, foals with diarrhea had a good prognosis regardless of which infectious agent was identified in the feces.     

Prognosis Factors for Survival in Cats After Removal of a Primary Lung Tumor: 21 Cases (1979–1994)

Objective —To identify possible prognostic factors for survival time in cats with a primary lung tumor after surgical excision.
Study Design —Retrospective clinical study.
Animal Population —21 cats with histologically confirmed primary lung tumors removed surgically.
Methods —Medical records for cats treated between 1979 and 1994 at 14 participating veterinary referral hospitals were reviewed.
Results —After surgical resection and recovery, 18 cats died from metastatic disease with a median survival time of 115 days (range, 13 to 1,526 days). Three cats were lost to follow-up at 119 days, 251 days, and 410 days after the surgical procedure. Contingency table analysis to determine if an association existed between clinical findings (breed, age, gender, body weight, clinical signs, duration of clinical signs, and radiographic findings) or histological features and survival time was performed. Only histological morphology of the primary lung tumor showed a significant association with survival time. Twelve cats with moderately differentiated tumors had a significantly longer survival time (median, 698 days; range, 19 to 1,526 days) than the nine cats with poorly differentiated tumors (median, 75 days; range, 13 to 634 days).
Conclusions —Surgical resection of a solitary primary lung tumor in cats is indicated.
Clinical Relevance —A poor prognosis for long-term survival is warranted for those cats having a poorly differentiated primary lung tumor.