Anemia in cats with hemotropic mycoplasma infection: Retrospective evaluation of 23 cases (1996–2005)

This study summarizes the diagnostic findings from all anemic cats diagnosed with hemotropic mycoplasma (HM) infections at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine — Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 1996 and 2005. The objectives were to determine the frequency of HM-induced anemia among all cats presented with anemia during this period, the clinical findings and risk factors associated with clinical HM infection, and factors affecting or predicting survival. Medical records were examined from 23 cats with HM-induced anemia from the total of 170 cats diagnosed with anemia during this period. The frequency of HM-induced anemia was 14% (23/170) among all anemic cats. Cats with HM-induced anemia were less likely to be purebred (P = 0.04) than other cats with anemia. Of the cats with HM-induced anemia, those with positive retroviral status (P = 0.01), concurrent illness (P < 0.01), or lack of erythroid regeneration (P = 0.01) were most likely to die. The 1-year survival of HM-infected cats was 65% (13/20).     

Sialolithiasis in horses: A retrospective study of 25 cases (2002–2013)

This study evaluated outcomes of surgical treatment of equine sialolithiasis, highlighting cases involving the proximal parotid salivary duct. Sialoliths in the proximal parotid duct were difficult to identify radiographically and more frequently associated with draining tracts and sialadenitis compared with sialoliths in the distal parotid duct. Ultrasonography confirmed the diagnosis of sialolithiasis in all cases in which there was no radiographic evidence of a sialolith. All cases of proximal parotid duct sialolithiasis required transcutaneous removal. A longer duration of illness was observed in cases of proximal parotid duct sialolithiasis compared with cases involving the distal parotid duct, and in cases requiring transcutaneous removal compared with cases requiring transoral removal. Recurrence of sialolithiasis was documented in 24% of cases, all of which were located in the distal parotid duct. The average time to recurrence was 2.8 years.     

Clinical characteristics of horses and foals diagnosed with cleft palate in a referral population: 28 cases (1988–2011)

The objective of this case series was to characterize the population, case presentations, and outcomes of 28 equids diagnosed with cleft palate over a 25-year period. The incidence of cleft palate was 0.04%. The median age at presentation was 2 mo (range: 1 d to 3 y). Fifty percent of the animals were < 2 mo old, 21% were ≥ 2 mo but < 1 y old, and 29% were 1 y of age or older. Males and females were nearly equally represented. Short-term outcomes included euthanasia in 50%, surgical repair in 11%, supportive care in 4%, and no treatment in 32% of cases; 46% of the animals survived to discharge. Defects involving both the hard and soft palate and/or aspiration pneumonia generally had less favorable outcomes. Though cleft palate is rare in horses, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis in horses of all ages with nasal discharge, a cough, a history of recurrent respiratory infections, poor growth, or chronic submandibular lymphadenopathy. Endoscopic evaluation of the pharynx may aid in earlier diagnosis and prognostication for owners.     

Acute small intestinal obstruction associated with Parascaris equorum infection in young horses: 25 cases (1985–2004)

AIMS: To retrospectively evaluate the medical and surgical records of horses with acute small intestinal obstructions associated with Parascaris equorum infection; to describe the gastrointestinal lesions; and to determine the outcome of cases with such lesions.

METHODS: Records of 25 horses with acute small intestinal obstruction associated with P. equorum between 1985 and 2004 were reviewed to determine signalment, history, physical examination, surgical or post-mortem findings, and outcome.

RESULTS: All horses except one were less than 12 months old. Standardbreds were over-represented in the population studied. Sixteen horses (72%) had been administered anthelmintics, including pyrantel (n=8), ivermectin (n=7), and trichlorphon (n=1), within 24 h prior to the onset of colic. Of the 25 cases reviewed, 16 had simple obstructive ascarid impactions (SOAIs), and nine had complicated obstructive ascarid impaction (COAI) including volvulus (n=6) or intussusception (n=3), both concurrent with ascarid impaction of the small intestine. Short-term survival (discharge from hospital) occurred in 79% of horses treated for SOAI, and was 64% for all horses. Long-term survival (>1 year) occurred in 33% of horses with SOAI, and the overall long-term survival was 27% for all horses. Formation of adhesions was the most frequent finding associated with death for horses that did not survive long-term.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The incidence of anthelmintic treatment within 24 h of the onset of colic in this study population (72%) was higher than that previously reported. Resistance of P. equorum to ivermectin recently reported in Ontario may be associated with increased ascarid burdens, predisposing horses to ascarid impaction. The long-term survival of these horses was better than that reported previously.     

Trends in the management of horses referred for evaluation of colic: 2004–2017

The financial crisis of 2008 had effects on veterinary practice, with falling turnovers associated with reluctance of owners to spend money on veterinary care. There were anecdotal reports that fewer horses were undergoing colic surgery. The aims of this study were to document the numbers of horses with colic being referred to, and undergoing surgery and/or euthanasia, at two equine hospitals (a university based equine hospital in the United States [NC State] and a private equine hospital in the UK [Bell Equine]) over a 14-year period (2004–2017). There was a trend of declining total yearly equine accessions at NC State starting in 2009, followed by an increase starting in 2012. At Bell Equine, total accessions showed an increasing trend from 2004 to 2015, followed by a slight decline in 2016 and 2017. The proportion of equine accessions that were colics varied from around 15% to 20% at both hospitals and did not show any notable variations over the time period studied. Both practices showed a trend of decreasing colic admissions undergoing and recovering from surgery starting from 2007 to 2008. The numbers and percentages of colic admissions that were subjected to euthanasia increased from 2004/2005 to 2014/2015 in both hospitals; there was a greater increase in numbers being subjected to euthanasia at surgery at NC State, compared to a greater increase in numbers being subjected to euthanasia without surgery at Bell Equine. At both hospitals, there was a trend of increasing mean invoice totals over the study period. The results show that there has been a trend of decreasing numbers of horses undergoing surgical treatment for colic since 2004/2005. This is likely to be, at least partly, due to the financial crisis of 2008, although other factors, including the high costs of surgery and the ageing equine population may also be important.     

Clinical features of hypoadrenocorticism in soft-coated wheaten terrier dogs: 82 cases (1979–2013)

The objective of this retrospective case series, which included 82 client-owned soft-coated wheaten terriers, was to characterize clinical features of hypoadrenocorticism in this breed. Median age at diagnosis was 3.5 years. There was no gender predilection. Clinicopathologic findings included sodium/potassium ratio < 27 (85%), hyperkalemia (76%), hyponatremia (63%), elevated blood urea nitrogen (83%) or creatinine (71%), and hypercalcemia (36%). Nine dogs with normal sodium and potassium (11%) were older and less often azotemic, hyperphosphatemic, or hypercalcemic. Twenty-one dogs (26%) developed protein-losing nephropathy (n = 18) and/or end-stage renal disease (n = 3). Overall median survival time was 5.4 years, but was shorter in dogs with normal sodium and potassium at diagnosis (4.2 years), or those with subsequent protein-losing nephropathy (4.2 years). This population showed no gender predilection, unlike that reported in the general canine population with hypoadrenocorticism, and more comorbid protein-losing nephropathy than in the general soft-coated wheaten terrier population.     

Outcome based on treatment protocol in patients with primary canine immune-mediated thrombocytopenia: 46 cases (2000–2013)

This study investigated the relationship between treatment protocol, survival to discharge, and relapse in 46 dogs diagnosed with primary immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP) at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine between 2000 and 2013. Treatment was at the discretion of the attending clinician and consisted of either a corticosteroid alone or a corticosteroid plus a secondary therapy. There was no association between survival to discharge and treatment protocol (P = 0.23). Of the surviving in-patients, 39% experienced a relapse. Our study failed to show a significant difference in survival and relapse based on treatment protocol.     

Equine retrobulbar disease: Diagnoses and outcomes of 15 horses with exophthalmos (1988–2017)

Retrobulbar disease, while rare in horses, can pose a clinical challenge due to the advanced diagnostic procedures necessary to determine the underlying aetiology and extent of disease. The goal of this study was to explore definitive causes of exophthalmos within a hospital population and investigate prognoses for the various aetiologies. Retrospective medical record review was used to identify 15 horses diagnosed with a definitive cause of exophthalmos. Patient signalment, disease duration, eye affected, diagnostic procedures, therapies, and histopathological diagnosis were evaluated. Geldings (12/15, or 80%) were over-represented (P = 0.014). Mean age at presentation (14 ± 6.7 years) was not significantly different for horses with (14 ± 8.5 years) and without (15 ± 4.4 years) a diagnosis of neoplasia. Diagnosis of a neoplastic process was made in 8/15 horses (53.3%) with neuroendocrine tumour being most common. Eight of the 15 cases were classified as primary orbital disease, and seven represented extension from paranasal sinus disease. Two novel diagnoses were identified: cystic hamartoma arising from the lacrimal gland and orbital aspergillosis secondary to sinonasal disease. In total, eight of 12 horses for which follow-up was available were euthanised due to orbital disease, two immediately following computed tomography of the skull and six due to disease progression. One horse was euthanised following a peri-anaesthetic complication. Three horses were lost to follow-up. Of the 12 horses for which follow-up was available, only four (33.3%) were alive 21 months post-diagnosis. Considering only patients for whom a definitive diagnosis was obtained, retrobulbar disease was associated with a poor prognosis for life.     

Swellings of the angle of the mandible in 32 horses (1997–2011)

Disorders of the horizontal ramus (body) of the equine mandible are well reported, but there is minimal documentation of disorders of the angle of mandible. A retrospective examination of the records of Edinburgh University Equine Hospital (1997–2011) showed that 32 horses were referred due to swellings of the angle of the mandible. The aetiology of these swellings was identified in just 13/32 cases (41%) including fractures (n = 2), traumatic, localised periosteal/cortical lesions (n = 4), traumatic soft tissue lesions (n = 2), neoplasia (n = 3), and inflammation of the adjacent salivary gland (n = 1) and masseter muscle (n = 1).The remaining 19 (59%) cases without a definitive diagnosis showed two patterns of lesions. Twelve cases had localised periosteal/cortical lesions of the ventral aspect of the angle of mandible that were most likely traumatic in origin. The remaining seven undiagnosed cases without mandibular bony changes all had sinus tracts/chronic soft tissue infections on the medial aspect of the angle of the mandible which were believed to be caused by a draining retro-pharyngeal lesion in five cases. Surgical excision of abnormal soft tissues (if present) and bone curettage was the most successful treatment.It was concluded that the aetiology of swellings of the angle of the equine mandible are often obscure; most appear to be traumatic in origin, yet horses seldom develop gross fractures at this site due to the support of the dense surrounding musculo-tendinous structures. A smaller proportion are caused by draining retropharyngeal lesions that respond poorly to medical therapy, but respond well to surgical treatment.