Presumed acquired dynamic pectus excavatum in a cat

An 11-year-old, spayed female American domestic shorthair cat was presented with open-mouth breathing and dyspnea due to respiratory tract disease. Radiographically, there was thickening of the retropharyngeal soft tissue and soft palate, focal pulmonary change, and severe pectus excavatum (PE), best seen on the left lateral view. Repeat thoracic radiographs 4 months later showed persistent PE, but only on the right lateral view; PE was absent on the left lateral view. The dynamic component of the observed PE was presumably acquired secondary to chronic upper respiratory disease and/or concurrent increased pliability of the thoracic wall from prolonged prednisolone treatment.     

Pectus excavatum surgically repaired using sternum realignment and splint techniques in a young cat

Successful surgical repair of pectus excavatum deformities has so far only been reported in very young animals. This case report describes an alternative technique for repairing pectus excavatum in a young cat. The cat had shown moderate deformity with slight respiratory impairment when young and had experienced clinical problems with age. A sternum realignment technique involving a pin associated with an external splint was used. This alternative technique was a safe and efficient procedure in the five-month-old cat.     

Open surgical correction combined with an external splint for correction of a non-compliant pectus excavatum in a cat

A 4-month-old domestic shorthair female cat weighing 1.3 kg was presented for evaluation of respiratory distress. The animal showed evident dyspnoea with exercise intolerance and a marked concave deformation of the sternum. After measurements of the fronto-sagittal and vertebral indexes, the pectus was classified as moderate and surgery was elected. Surgical correction was performed using an open approach to the sternum with osteotomy of the last sternebra and costochondral junctions of the eighth and ninth ribs bilaterally. A silicone based, U-shape external splint was manufactured and used to stabilise the sternum. Immediate and 5-week postsurgical radiographs revealed a decreased concavity of the sternum and an increase thoracic height at the level of the last sternebra. Postoperative results suggest that this technique could be an effective and economical option for cats with pectus excavatum with a non-compliant sternum.     

Surgical correction of pectus excavatum, using external splintage in two dogs and a cat

Two 4-week-old pups and a 7-week-old kitten with respiratory distress and pectus excavatum were treated by external application of a coaptation splint to the ventral aspect of the thorax. Sutures were placed percutaneously around the sternum and through predrilled holes in a piece of moldable splint material that had been contoured to fit a normal-shaped thorax. Correction of the sternal deformity and alleviation of respiratory distress were achieved in all 3 animals. Frontosagittal index and vertebral index were assessed before and after surgery. In all 3 animals, both indices were abnormal before surgery, but were within the normal range after surgery.     

Imaging diagnosis--acquired pectus excavatum secondary to laryngeal paralysis in a dog

A 13-year-old neutered female Labrador retriever had inspiratory dyspnea secondary to bilateral laryngeal paralysis. Radiographically, there was pectus excavatum with a mediastinal shift to the right. Arytenoid lateralization was performed, relieving the upper respiratory obstruction, and the sternal deformity also resolved. Chronic upper respiratory obstruction should be considered in dogs with pectus excavatum. Furthermore, correction of upper respiratory obstruction has the potential to result in resolution of pectus excavatum.     

Surgical correction of pectus excavatum in two cats

Two sexually intact male Bengal cats, one a 4-month-old weighing 2.8 kg and the other, a 3-month-old weighing 2.0 kg, were presented to the University of Missouri-Columbia Veterinary Teaching Hospital for evaluation of respiratory distress. On initial presentation, both cats were dyspneic, exercise intolerant, and had marked concave deformation of the caudal sternum. Surgical correction of pectus excavatum was performed using a cylindrical external splint and U-shaped external splint. Post-operative thoracic radiography revealed that there was decreased concavity of the sternum and increased thoracic height at the level of the caudal sternebrae in both cats.     

Repair of pectus excavatum by percutaneous suturing and temporary external coaptation in a kitten

Severe pectus excavatum sternal deformity in a 3-month-old kitten was repaired by use of percutaneous circumcostal and circumsternal sutures to coapt the sternal deformity to an external splint made from thermoplastic material. One year after treatment, the kitten remained free of clinical signs of the disease or complications from the repair. The technique represents a conservative method of repair of pectus excavatum deformities in immature animals.     

Dynamic right ventricular outflow tract (infundibular) stenosis and pectus excavatum in a dog

This is the first published report of a dog with dynamic right ventricular outflow tract (infundibular) stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, and pectus excavatum. A juvenile dog presented with a grade V/VI left base systolic heart murmur, tachycardia, and pectus excavatum. Diagnosis of the aforementioned conditions was based on radiography, electrocardiography, and echocardiography. At 9 1/2 wk of age the heart murmur was no longer audible and the right ventricular stenosis and hypertrophy had dissipated and regressed, respectively. Resolution may be associated with growth of the dog. A good prognosis is foreseen.     

Use of lomustine to treat cutaneous nonepitheliotropic lymphoma in a cat

A 17-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was referred for evaluation of severe skin lesions, including ulceration, nodule formation, erythema, and alopecia. Cutaneous nonepitheliotropic lymphoma was diagnosed histologically. There was no evidence of visceral organ involvement, but renal function was decreased. The cat was treated with lomustine (45.5 mg/m2, PO, q 21 d), and skin lesions resolved after administration of the third dose. No severe toxicoses were identified. Results suggest that lomustine may be useful for treatment of cutaneous nonepitheliotropic lymphoma in cats; however, optimal dosage, efficacy, and potential adverse effects must be determined.     

Use of chemical ablation with trichloroacetic acid to treat eyelid apocrine hidrocystomas in a cat

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 7-year-old Persian cat was evaluated for recurrence of multiple cystic periocular masses. A number of cyst-like lesions had been resected from the left eyelids 18 months earlier, with lesions recurring within 6 months after surgery. The cat had blepharospasm and signs of discomfort following rupture of the largest cyst the day prior to examination. Previous histologic examination of the cysts had revealed apocrine hidrocystomas. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Multiple pigmented nodules were seen around the skin of the upper and lower left eyelids. The nodules were brownish to black, round, soft, and fluid-filled. Signs of pain were not evident during palpation of the nodules. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The largest cyst on the upper eyelid was removed by means of a V-shaped full-thickness excision. Histologic and immunohistochemical examination of the excised tissue confirmed the diagnosis of apocrine hidrocystoma. The remaining periocular cysts were surgically debrided and then treated topically with 20% trichloroacetic acid. All lesions healed rapidly without any signs of discomfort. During a recheck examination 12 months later, the upper and lower left eyelids appeared morphologically normal, and there was no evidence of recurrence. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings suggested that chemical ablation with trichloroacetic acid may be a useful treatment for apocrine hidrocystomas in cats.     

Use of cyproheptadine to control urine spraying and masturbation in a cat

A 5-year-old male domestic longhair cat was examined because of urine spraying and masturbation. The cat had sprayed urine from the time it was acquired as a stray 4 years earlier. The cat was cryptorchid, and at 1 year of age, the scrotal testicle was removed. The cryptorchid testicle was surgically removed several months later; however, urine spraying and masturbation persisted. A diagnosis of territorial marking and separation anxiety was made. Serum testosterone concentration was within the reference range for sexually intact male cats. Treatment included behavior modification and administration of cyproheptadine (2 mg, p.o., q 12 h), which has been shown to have antiandrogenic effects in other species. Frequency of urine marking and masturbation decreased, along with serum testosterone concentration. The cat continued to do well as long as medication was given consistently. Eventually, the cat underwent a laparotomy for removal of remnant testicular tissues but was then lost to follow-up.     

Use of an implantable loop recorder to investigate syncope in a cat

The Reveal is an implantable loop recorder. It is increasingly being used in humans for the diagnosis of unexplained syncope where it is believed that cardiac arrhythmias may play a role, and may have great potential for investigating syncope in veterinary patients. The purpose of this report is to describe the first use of the device in the diagnosis of unexplained syncope in a cat.     

Paraneoplastic alopecia associated with internal malignancies in the cat

Abstract A paraneoplastic alopecia associated with internal malignancy is reported in four cats. Acute, bilaterally symmetrical, ventral glistening alopecia, weight loss and lethargy were present in all cats. Skin biopsy specimens exhibited severe follicular and adnexal atrophy with follicular miniaturization, minimal inflammation and, in many cases, absence of stratum corneum. At the time of díagnosis, three cats had a metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma and one had a bile duct carcinoma. This report confirms, and expands upon the previous report of a syndrome associating ventral alopecia and metastatic visceral carcinomas in cats. Résumé— Une alopécie paranéoplasique associée à une tumeur interne maligne est observée sur 4 chats. Les symptômes sont caractérisés par une alopécie symétrique et bilatérale sur le ventre avec un aspect brillant et lisse, un amaigrissement, une lethargic Les lésions histopathologiques sont caractérisées par une atrophie folliculaire et annexielle avec des petits follicules pileux, une inflammation dermique discréte et dans beaucoup de cas, une absence du stratum corneum. Trois chats présentent un adénocarcinome pancréatique métastasé et un chat un cholangiocarcinome. Ces cas confirment l'existence d'un syndrome associant une alopécie ventrale et des carcinomes viscéraux métastatiques chez le chat. [Pascal-Tenorio, A., Olivry, T., Gross, T. L., Atlee, B. A., Ihrke, P. J. Paraneoplastic alopecia associated with internal malignancies in the cat. (Alopécie paranéoplasique associée à des tumeurs malignes internes chez le chat.) Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8 : 47–52.] Resumen Se describe en cuatro gatos una alopecia paraneoplasica asociada a procesos malignos internos. Todos los gatos presentaban una alopecia bilateral, simétrica, ventral, de aspecto brillante, pérdida de peso y letargia. Las biopsias cutáneas mostraron atrofia folicular y adnexal marcada, miniaturización de foliculos, inflamación minima y, en muchos casos, ausencia del estrato córneo. En el momento del díagnóstico, tres de los gatos tenian un adenocarcinoma metastático y uno tenia un carcinoma de conducto biliar. Este articulo confirma y amplia un informe previo sobre el sindrome de alopecia ventral y carcinomas viscerales metastáticos en gatos. [Pascal-Tenorio, A., Olivry, T., Gross, T. L., Atlee, B. A., Ihrke, P. J. Paraneoplastic alopecia associated with internal malignancies in the cat. (Alopecia paraneoplasica asociada a procesos malignos internos en el gato.) Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8 : 47–52.] Zusammenfassung— Es wird über eine paraneoplastische Alopezie in Verbindung mit inneren malignen Prozessen bei vier Katzen berichtet. Bei alien Katzen traten eine akute bilateral symmetrische ventrale Alopezie, Gewichtsverlust und Lethargie auf. Die Hautbiopsien zeigten eine schwere follikuläre und adnexale Atrophie mit follikulärer Miniaturisation, geringer Entzündung und in vielen Fallen ein Fehlen des Stratum corneum. Zum Zeitpunkt der Diagnose litten drei Katzen an einem metastasierenden Adenokarzinom des Pankreas und eine Katze an einem Gallengangskarzinom. Dieser Bericht erhärtet und erweitert den früheren Bericht über ein Syndrom, das ventrale Alopezie in Verbindung mit metastasierenden Eingeweidekarzinomen bei der Katze beschreibt. (Paraneoplastische Alopezie in Verbindung mit inneren malignen Prozessen bei der Katze.) Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8 : 47–52.]     

Use of a carbon dioxide laser to treat ceruminous gland hyperplasia in a cat

This case report describes the skin condition ceruminous gland hyperplasia of the ears of a cat. The diagnosis was made through histopathology. Treatment consisted of carbon dioxide laser ablation of the cystic structures and postoperative care associated with the surgery, as well as a hydrolyzed protein diet, weekly ear cleaning and intermittent topical corticosteroid drops in the ears to minimize the reoccurrence of the cysts.     

Use of bisphosphonates to treat severe idiopathic hypercalcaemia in a young Ragdoll cat

A 3-year-old Ragdoll cat was referred for investigation of polyuria, polydipsia, vomiting, weight loss and hypercalcaemia. Serum biochemical abnormalities included total and ionised hypercalcaemia and hypophosphataemia. Following clinical investigations a diagnosis of idiopathic hypercalcaemia was made. Because of the severity of the hypercalcaemia and the associated clinical signs, treatment for hypercalcaemia was commenced with pamidronate. Major electrolyte abnormalities were detected but, remarkably, were accompanied by minimal clinical signs. The cat was subsequently treated with oral alendronate and is clinically normal 15 months later. Reports of the use of bisphosphonates in cats are limited and close monitoring of patients is recommended.     

Pectus excavatum and left to right intracardiac shunt in a kitten

A six-week-old female kitten presented for severe pectus excavatum. Surgical correction was performed. One week later the kitten developed dyspnoea and a systolic murmur was detected on thoracic auscultation. Pulmonary oedema and cardiomegaly were identified radiographically, and a left to right intracardiac shunt was visualized using non-selective angiocardiography. Clinical signs resolved spontaneously one month later. The kitten has been asymptomatic for 24 months.