Endocrine tumors.

Because of the diverse nature of endocrine organs, and their vast range of physiologic functions, endocrine tumors encompass a wide range of origination sites and disease entities. The clinical picture of affected individuals is highly dependent on the tissue of origin, and the presence or absence of functional hormone secretions. Identification, localization, and therapeutic strategies, as well as prognosis can vary greatly. Many endocrine tumors have been described in human as well as veterinary patients. This article focuses on endocrine tumors of dogs and cats. Various tumors affecting the pancreas, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands are described, including insulinoma, gastrinoma, glucagonoma, and thyroid carcinoma, as well as parathyroid hormone- and growth hormone-secreting tumors. The syndrome of multiple endocrine neoplasia is also described.     

The Cow in Endocrine Focus Before and After Calving

During the period 1 month before and 1 month after parturition in the cow, several events take place. The dam has to be prepared for the impending parturition and the uterus and ovaries must return to a certain stage to be prepared for a new pregnancy. Most of these processes are due to or reflected in endocrine changes. A special interest is of course the status of the foetus --"foetal well being". The processes could either be considered as normal in a clinical perspective or as impaired (dystocia, small calves, stillbirth, retained foetal membranes, etc.). The main question for this presentation is if normal and impaired performance could be mirrored in endocrine parameters. Many studies have been performed to follow endocrine changes during the periparturient period in the cow. The following parameters have been shown to be the most important and seem to be the most suitable for an endocrine supervision: Endocrine parameter: progesterone; parameter of: corpus luteum, maternal adrenals, placenta. Endocrine parameter: prostaglandin (PG) metabolite; parameter of: placenta, uterus, inflammation. Endocrine parameter: cortisol; parameter of: regulator of prostaglandin synthesis, stress. Endocrine parameter: free oestrogens; parameter of: placenta, ovaries. Endocrine parameter: oestrone sulphate; parameter of: placenta, calf weight. Endocrine parameter: pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG); parameter of: placenta.     

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Management of Uncomplicated Gall Bladder Mucocele in Six Dogs

Objectives— To describe a technique for, and outcome after, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for management of uncomplicated gall bladder mucocele (GBM) in dogs. Study Design— Case series. Animals— Dogs (n=6) with uncomplicated GBM. Methods— Dogs with ultrasonographic evidence of GBM but without imaging or laboratory signs of gall bladder rupture, peritonitis, or extra‐hepatic biliary tract rupture that had LC were included. A 4 portal technique was used. A fan retractor was used to retract the gall bladder to allow dissection around the cystic duct with 5 or 10 mm right‐angle dissecting forceps. The cystic duct was ligated using extracorporeally tied ligatures supplemented sometimes with hemostatic clips. A harmonic scalpel was used to dissect the gall bladder from its fossa. The gall bladder was placed into a specimen retrieval bag and after bile aspiration the bag was withdrawn through the 11 mm portal incision. Results— Five dogs had mild intermittent clinical signs including vomiting, inappetence, and lethargy. All dogs had successful LC without conversion to an open approach. All dogs with clinical signs had improvement or resolution of signs postoperatively. No important perioperative complications occurred and all dogs were alive at a median of 8 months postoperatively (range, 3–14 months). Conclusions— LC can be accomplished safely and effectively in dogs with uncomplicated GBM. Clinical Relevance— A minimally invasive approach for cholecystectomy can be used for the treatment of GBM in dogs.     

Endocrine disorders and laminitis

Two common endocrine disorders, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction and equine metabolic syndrome, predispose horses and ponies to laminitis and may even induce the condition. The exact mechanisms involved in endocrinopathic laminitis have not been elucidated but hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance are currently being investigated. Obesity and regional adiposity may also contribute to laminitis susceptibility through the release of inflammatory cytokines and adipokines. In the case of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, glucocorticoid excess is likely to weaken hoof structures, alter vascular dynamics within the foot and induce or exacerbate insulin resistance. This review will summarise current theories regarding the pathophysiology of endocrinopathic laminitis and provide recommendations for the diagnosis and management of these common equine endocrine disorders.     

Gallbladder agenesis in a Maltese dog

This report describes the diagnostic evaluation of a 7-month-old, female Maltese dog with elevated liver enzymes. Marked elevations of alanine transferase were the significant clinical findings. A diagnosis of gallbladder agenesis was made, based on lack of a gallbladder on ultrasonography and on surgical exploration. Gallbladder agenesis is a rare condition described in humans but not previously reported in dogs.     

Endocrine systems and behavior

Estradiol, either directly from the ovary of females or as a metabolite of testosterone from the testes of males, seems to be the necessary and probably sufficient endocrine signal for sexual differentiation and adult sexual expression. Progesterone, in females, may play an important priming or facilitative role prior to estrus, especially following pregnancy, when blood estrogen levels are high for a prolonged period. At high doses, progesterone clearly inhibits the expression of sexual behavior.     

Gallbladder mucocele in dogs: 30 cases (2000-2002)

OBJECTIVE: To determine long-term outcome of dogs with gallbladder mucocele. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 30 dogs with gallbladder mucocele, including 23 that underwent cholecystectomy. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed for signalment, history, and clinical, ultrasonographic, and surgical findings. Follow-up information was obtained for all dogs that survived the perioperative hospitalization period. RESULTS: 23 dogs had signs of systemic illness; 7 had no clinical signs. Median values for serum activities of alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase, serum total bilirubin concentration, and total WBC count were significantly higher among dogs with gallbladder rupture than among dogs without rupture. Sensitivity of sonography for detection of rupture was 85.7%. Overall perioperative mortality rate for dogs that underwent cholecystectomy was 21.7%; mortality rate was not significantly greater for dogs with rupture. Aerobic bacteria were isolated from the bile or gallbladder wall in 8.7% of dogs. All 18 dogs discharged from the hospital had complete resolution of clinical signs. In dogs that underwent in-hospital reexamination, serum liver enzyme activities were significantly decreased, compared with preoperative activities. Persistent increases in serum activities of 1 or more liver enzymes were detected in 9 of 12 dogs; 6 of 12 dogs had persistent abnormalities in hepatic echogenicity. Mean follow-up period was 13.9 months. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that cholecystectomy is an effective treatment for gallbladder mucocele. Although perioperative mortality rate is high, prognosis after discharge from the hospital is excellent. Rupture of the gallbladder warrants emergency surgical intervention but does not preclude a positive outcome.     

Endocrine diseases of rodents.

The frequency of documented endocrine diseases in rodents and other small mammals varies considerably among the species maintained as pets, biomedical research animals, or display animals in zoos. The clinical diagnosis of endocrine diseases almost never occurs in free-ranging animals in their native habitat. Feral animals that have clinical endocrine disease, such as neoplasia, adrenal cortical hyperplasia, or diabetes, would exhibit clinical signs of altered behavior that would result in their removal by predators. The diagnosis of endocrine disease thus takes place in the relatively protective environment of captivity. This observation should forewarn pet owners and clinicians caring for these animals that the environment contributes to the development of endocrine diseases in these animals.     

Endocrine Causes of Calcium Disorders

Endocrine diseases that may cause hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia include hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, thyroid disorders, hyperadrenocorticism, hypoadrenocorticism, and less commonly pheochromocytoma and multiple endocrine neoplasias. The differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia may include malignancy (lymphoma, anal sac carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma), hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D intoxication, chronic renal disease, hypoadrenocorticism, granulomatous disorders, osteolysis, or spurious causes. Hypocalcemia may be caused by puerperal tetany, pancreatitis, intestinal malabsorption, ethlyene glycol intoxication, acute renal failure, hypopararthyroidism, hypovitaminosis D, hypomagnesemia, and low albumin. This article focuses on the endocrine causes of calcium imbalance and provides diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for identifying the cause of hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia in veterinary patients.