Resolution of renal adenocarcinoma-induced secondary inappropriate polycythaemia after nephrectomy in two cats

Two cases of secondary, inappropriate polycythaemia caused by renal adenocarcinoma in domestic shorthair cats, are described. The cats were 9 and 12 years old and both were presented because of generalised seizures presumably due to hyperviscosity. Both cats had a markedly increased haematocrit (0.770 and 0.632 l/l) and thrombocytosis (744 x 10(9)/l and 926 x 10(9)/l). An abdominal ultrasound revealed a mass in the cranial pole of one kidney in both cats. Serum erythropoietin (EPO) concentration was within the reference interval (RI) in both cats but was inappropriately high considering the markedly increased haematocrit. The cats were initially stabilised and managed by multiple phlebotomies and intravenous fluid therapy and underwent nephrectomy of the affected kidney later on. Both the polycythaemia and thrombocytosis resolved following surgery. Postoperative serum EPO concentration, measured in one cat, decreased markedly. Histopathology of the affected kidneys confirmed a diagnosis of renal adenocarcinoma. Both cats were stable for an 8-month follow-up period; however, one cat had developed a stable chronic kidney disease (CKD), while the other was represented 8 months postoperatively due to dyspnoea, and had radiographic evidence of lung metastasis, presumably because of the spread of the original renal tumour and was euthanased. Initial stabilisation of polycythaemic cats should include multiple phlebotomies. Nephrectomy should be considered in cats with secondary, inappropriate, renal adenocarcinoma-related polycythaemia when only one kidney is affected by the tumour, and provided that the other kidney's function is satisfactory. Nephrectomy should be expected to resolve the polycythaemia and lead to normalisation of serum EPO concentration.     

Unilateral nephrectomy for hydronephrosis in a pet rabbit.

A young rabbit was diagnosed with unilateral hydronephrosis. The affected kidney was surgically removed. Nearly 3 years after the nephrectomy, the rabbit is doing well. The diagnosis, surgery, and pathophysiology of unilateral renal obstruction are discussed in this article.     

Treatment of renal nephroblastoma in an adult dog

An 8-year-old Labrador retriever was diagnosed with a unilateral malignant nephroblastoma and hypertrophic osteopathy. The histopathologically malignant tumor was confined to the renal capsule, but the sarcomatous component was anaplastic, resulting in its classification as a Stage I tumor with unfavorable histopathology. The dog was treated with unilateral nephrectomy, vincristine, and doxorubicin. This dog has remained disease free for >25 months. Reported treatments of renal nephroblastoma in the dog have not described disease-free intervals of >8 months.     

Primary polycythaemia in a dog

A 7-year-old, crossbred, desexed bitch had a fluctuating illness of more than 6 months duration, with signs of inappetence, reduced exercise tolerance, restlessness, panting, black diarrhoea, and red eyes and ears. Haematological examination disclosed persistent polycythaemia, reticulocytosis, normoblastaemia , and normal total plasma protein concentration when not dehydrated. Splenomegaly was present, but there was no evidence of significant pulmonary, cardiac or renal disease on physical, radiographic or electrocardiographic examination. Further investigations revealed normal arterial Po2 and oxygen saturation, and increased total erythrocyte volume. Primary polycythaemia was diagnosed. The dog was rendered anaemic by bleeding, then treated with a single injection of radioactive phosphorus. The patient has had no recurrence of signs and remains well 50 months later.     

Spinal nephroblastoma in a crossbreed dog

A three-year-old, male crossbreed dog presented with progressive hindlimb paresis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intramedullary spinal cord lesion of 1.5 cm diameter at the levels of the first and second lumbar vertebrae. Following surgical excision of the mass, there was resolution of the neurological signs. Twelve months later, hindlimb paresis was again evident. A second surgical procedure restored ambulatory status for a further five months before signs recurred and the dog was euthanased. A diagnosis of spinal nephroblastoma was made on the basis of signalment, lesion location and histopathological analysis of biopsy specimens.     

Spinal nephroblastoma in a miniature Dachshund

A 2-year-old castrated miniature Dachshund dog was presented to the Rakuno Gakuen Veterinary Teaching Hospital for diagnosis of progressive hindlimb paresis and ataxia. There was no thoracolumbar intervertebral disk hernia and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intramedullary spinal cord lesion at the ninth and tenth thoracic vertebrae. Following surgical excision of the neoplasm, there was minor amelioration of neurological signs, but forelimb function was not recovered. The extracted tumor was histopathlogically diagnosed as spinal nephroblastoma.     

Some aspects of erythrocyte metabolism in a dog with polycythaemia vera

An 11-year-old female crossbred dog showed signs of polyuria, polydipsia, vomiting, posterior weakness and ataxia. Clinical and laboratory findings suggested the diagnosis of polycythaemia vera. The haematological values shown over a six-month period are presented. In four samples some aspects of erythrocyte function (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PD] and pyruvate kinase [PK] activities, 2,3 diphosphoglycerate [2,3 DPG] concentration, osmotic fragility and intracellular sodium and potassium concentrations) were studied. Variable activities of G6PD and PK, probably related to different reticulocyte number, were detected together with normal osmotic fragility and intracellular sodium and potassium concentrations. 2,3 DPG concentration was higher than normal in all four samples. This could be interpreted as a response to a low tissue perfusion rather than a higher content of 2,3 DPG in red blood cells from the polycythaemic dog.     

Leeching as initial treatment in a cat with polycythaemia vera.

Polycythaemia vera was diagnosed in a three-year-old domestic shorthaired cat referred because of seizures and a high packed cell volume (PCV). Laboratory examination revealed severe erythrocytosis (PCV 79 per cent). Diagnosis was reached by excluding causes for relative and secondary absolute polycythaemia. As phlebotomy proved impossible for initial treatment due to hyperviscosity, four leeches were used to suck blood and the PCV was consequently reduced to 64 per cent. A further 24 hours later, when bleeding at the sites of sucking had stopped, the PCV was 56 per cent. Long-term management of the condition was achieved with hydroxyurea (100 mg/cat once daily) and intermittent phlebotomy. Initial treatment using leeches in cases of polycythaemia vera is a simple, non-invasive, well tolerated and effective method where phlebotomy is not possible.     

Secondary polycythaemia associated with high plasma erythropoietin concentrations in a dog with a necrotising pyelonephritis

An 11-year-old mixed breed dog was presented with anorexia, apathy and intermittent macrohaematuria, absolute polycythaemia (packed cell volume, 80 per cent; red blood cell, 12.2 x 10(6)/microl) and elevated erythropoietin concentrations. A renal mass was detected by ultrasonography and, following total nephrectomy, diagnosed as necrotising pyelonephritis. After surgery, the haematological parameters and erythropoietin values returned to normal, suggesting that the pyelonephritis was the cause of the polycythaemia. While secondary polycythaemia because of a non-neoplastic condition of the kidneys occasionally occurs in human beings, it has only extremely rarely been reported in dogs. This is the first case report of a unilateral pyelonephritis causing secondary polycythaemia in a dog.     

Proliferative potential of a spinal nephroblastoma in a young dog

The proliferative potential of a spinal nephroblastoma was studied in a young dog. A 4-month-old, female golden retriever showed developing deterioration in her gait and subsequent paralysis of her hind legs. At necropsy, a well-demarcated grayish brown tumor mass was found in the lumbar spinal cord segments between L2 and L3. Histologically, a blastemal cell tumor with a tubule- or glomeruli-like structure was found to be infiltrating intradurally. Proliferating cells at the S-phase, assessed using the bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling method, were seen occasionally in the tubular cells and glomeruli-like structures and were frequently seen in the blastemal cells. Immunohistochemically, the tubular epithelial cells were positive for cytokeratin, and the blastemal cells were positive for vimentin. The present tumor showed a high potential for growth and invasion, which suggests that it the potential to expand into the adjacent spinal cord.     

Renal nephroblastoma in a 3-month-old golden retriever

Nephrectomy was performed in a 3-month-old intact female golden retriever dog for a renal nephroblastoma. The dog has remained disease-free for 19 months with nephrectomy alone. The adoption of human Wilms’ tumor grading criteria may be useful in determining clinical stage, adjuvant treatment options, and prognosis in this rare disease.     

Nasopharyngeal nephroblastoma in a 3-month-old Boer goat

A 3-mo-old, female Boer goat was presented because of respiratory difficulties. Tachypnea and inspiratory dyspnea were noted during physical examination. Thoracic radiographs were unremarkable; however, upper airway and nasal passage radiographs revealed a soft tissue mass within the nasal passages. The patient underwent cardiorespiratory arrest and did not respond to resuscitation efforts during endoscopy. A large, pedunculated, semi-firm mass originated from the soft palate and obstructed 90% of the nasopharynx on autopsy. Histologically, the mass was composed of primitive cells that multifocally formed tubules and glomeruloid structures intermingled with areas of fusiform and blastemal cells. The neoplastic cells were positive for cytokeratin (tubular and glomeruloid cells), vimentin (fusiform population and blastemal cells), and Wilms tumor 1 protein (glomeruloid structures) on immunohistochemistry, consistent with a triphasic nephroblastoma. To our knowledge, nasopharyngeal nephroblastoma has not been reported previously in any species.     

Treatment of a severely comminuted fracture in a rabbit using a Kirschner-Ehmer apparatus

A severely comminuted fracture of the distal tibia, in a rabbit, was successfully treated by the application of Kirschner-Ehmer external fixator. The principles used in applying the apparatus are outlined, indicating its suitability of use in a variety of situations.     

Treatment of rabbit cheyletiellosis with selamectin or ivermectin: a retrospective case study

Background

A retrospective study of rabbits treated against cheyletiellosis was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of selamectin or ivermectin in clinical practice.

Methods

Medical records from 53 rabbits with microscopically confirmed Cheyletiella infestation were collected from two small animal clinics. The rabbits were divided into three groups, based on treatment protocols. Group 1 included 11 rabbits treated with ivermectin injections at 200–476 μg kg^-1 subcutaneously 2–3 times, with a mean interval of 11 days. In Group 2, 27 rabbits were treated with a combination of subcutaneous ivermectin injections (range 618–2185 μgkg^-1) and oral ivermectin (range 616–2732 μgkg^-1) administered by the owners, 3–6 times at 10 days interval. The last group (Group 3) included 15 rabbits treated with selamectin spot-on applications of 6.2–20,0 mgkg^-1, 1–3 times with an interval of 2–4 weeks. Follow-up time was 4 months–4.5 years.

Results

Rabbits in remission were 9/11 (81,8%), 14/27 (51,9%) and 12/15 (80,8%) in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively.

Conclusion

All treatment protocols seemed to be sufficiently effective and safe for practice use. Though very high doses were used in Group 2 (ivermectin injections followed by oral administration), the protocol seemed less efficacious compared to ivermectin injections (Group 1) and selamectin spot on (Group 3), respectively, although not statistically significant. Controlled prospective studies including larger groups are needed to further evaluate efficacy of the treatment protocols.     

微生物制剂对幼兔腹泻治疗的研究

本实验从健康家兔肠道正常菌群中经分离、鉴定,筛选出3种有益菌种:需氧芽孢杆菌、酵母菌和厌氧乳酸杆菌,经安全试验和药物敏感试验合格后,分别发酵培养,制成复合型微生物制剂再应用到断奶幼兔中,观察对幼兔体重、消耗饲料量、腹泻发生率等的影响,同时应用微生物制剂治疗腹泻兔,观察其治疗效果。实验表明,应用复合微生物制剂增重效果明显,料肉比分别为4.20:1,50日龄和70日龄的成活率分别为96%和90.67%,第50日龄和第70日龄时腹泻率为1.33%和4.67%。使用兔源菌种制成的Ⅰ型微生物制剂能够减少家兔的耗料量,体重明显增加,显著降低料肉比;能够较好地预防幼兔腹泻的发生和降低死亡只数,并且制剂的菌种对大多数抗生素没有抗药性,具有促进生长、减少或杜绝药物污染的优点。     

Intrarenal pelvic nephroblastoma in a meerkat (Suricata suricatta).

Nephroblastoma is the most common primary renal tumor in children and has also been reported in domestic and nondomestic animal species. Intrapelvic renal nephroblastoma is a rare variant of this tumor type in human patients. Postmortem examination of a captive meerkat (Suricata suricatta), which was found dead, revealed enlargement of the pelvis of the left kidney by a tumor mass. Gross, histological, and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with a diagnosis of triphasic intrapelvic renal nephroblastoma. This is the first reported spontaneous case of intrapelvic renal nephroblastoma in a nonhuman species.     

Malignant nephroblastoma in a common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

Necropsy of a 17-month-old male common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) with a history of increased abdominal girth resulted in the finding of a unilateral polycystic renal neoplasm. Detailed histopathologic and immunohistochemical investigations revealed different tissue types within the tumor including stromal connective tissue and fusiform mesenchymal cell formations surrounding blastemal cells as well as different developmental stages of organ-specific epithelial cells accompanied by extensive cyst formation. Metastases were not observed. In consideration of the macroscopic, histologic, and immunohistochemical findings, the tumor was classified as a nephroblastoma closely resembling the so-called Wilms' tumor, a malignant embryonic renal tumor frequently observed in humans, especially in young children. In contrast, this tumor entity has rarely been observed in nonhuman primates. This report represents the first documented case of a cystic variant of nephroblastoma in a nonhuman primate.     

Possible intraspinal metastasis of a canine spinal cord nephroblastoma

A 2-year-old Basset Hound was admitted to the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital with progressive spastic paraparesis. At necropsy, intradural extramedullary tumors produced areas of spinal cord swelling and softening in spinal cord segments T11-T12 and L4-L6. Histologic examination of the masses revealed sheets of polygonal blastemal cells, epithelial cells forming tubules and rosettes, and embryonal glomeruloid-like structures in the thoracic mass. Cells in the lumbar mass were less differentiated, forming rare tubules and no glomeruloid-like structures. The occurrence of two tumors in the spinal cord along with the less differentiated appearance of the lumbar tumor raises the possibility that the lumbar mass arose as a result of intraspinal metastasis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of multifocal or metastatic canine spinal nephroblastoma. In addition, the vimentin and cytokeratin immunohistochemical staining characteristics of these spinal cord nephroblastomas are described.