Pasteurized tumoral autograft and adjuvant chemotherapy for the treatment of canine distal radial osteosarcoma: 13 cases

OBJECTIVE: To report outcome in 13 dogs with distal radial osteosarcoma, without evidence of metastasis, treated by a combination of adjuvant chemotherapy and a pasteurized autograft limb-sparing procedure. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Thirteen dogs with distal radial osteosarcoma. METHODS: Limb-sparing procedure was performed using an autograft from the excised tumoral segment, pasteurized at 65 degrees C for 40 minutes. Adjuvant chemotherapy (cisplatin or cisplatin and doxorubicin) was administered in all dogs. RESULTS: Mean and median survival times were 531 and 324 days, respectively (range, 180 to 1,868 days). Overall survival was 100% at 6 months, 50% at 12 months, 44% at 18 months, and 22% at 24 months. Lung metastasis occurred in 5 (38%) dogs. Observed complications were local recurrence (2 dogs, 15%), allograft infection (4 dogs, 31%), and implant failure (3 dogs, 23%). Limb function was good in 12 dogs (92%) and fair in 1 dog. CONCLUSIONS: Pasteurized bone autograft derived from the tumoral bone segment was an effective alternative to cortical bone allograft for limb sparing in canine distal radial osteosarcoma, in terms of feasibility, pattern of healing, complications, and survival. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of a pasteurized bone autograft eliminates the need for a canine bone allograft bank and has the added advantage of good fit to the recipient site.     

Hyperadrenocorticism in a dog: A case report

A case of hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's Syndrome) in a 7-year-old female Miniature Poodle is presented. The methods of diagnosis and treatment are also described. The case was complicated by respiratory problems associated with probable dystrophic calcification of the lungs.     

Transtumoral plating as a novel method for palliative limb spare and thromboembolism in a dog with a distal radial primary bone tumor

A 7-year-old, spayed, female great Pyrenees with a primary tumor of the distal radius was treated with placement of a bone plate that spanned the tumor. The goals were palliation and prevention of pathologic fracture. This is an option for select patients with osteosarcoma.     

Osteosarcoma of the mandible in a dog: A case report

The radiographic and histological features of a boney tumour occurring in a 6-year-old Boxer dog are described. The relationship of the different tissues involved is discussed.     

Hiatal hernia in the dog: a clinical report of four Chinese shar peis

Four Chinese shar pei littermate puppies were presented for vomiting, regurgitation, hypersalivation, and poor growth. Diagnosis of hiatal hernia was made for each of the four dogs based on survey radiographs and barium esophagram studies. All dogs initially underwent medical therapy, to which only one dog responded. All dogs underwent surgical treatment, which included manual hernia reduction followed by phrenoplasty, esophagopexy, and left incisional gastropexy, 5 to 40 days following initiation of medical therapy. The three surgical techniques described eliminated the need to enter the pleural cavity and offered excellent long-term results with no recurrence of clinical signs following surgery.     

Gastric torsion in the dog III. Fundic gastropexy as a relapse-preventing procedure

In 36 dogs having recovered after nonsurgically treated gastric torsion, fundic gastropexy, including cauterization of the fundic wall before suturing, was performed 1 week to 3–5 months after the initial attack. One of the animals died of intercurrent disease and one could not be traced. Within an observation time of 1–5 months to 4–5 years (mean 18 months), no relapse occurred in the remaining 34 animals operated upon.     

Subtotal scapulectomy as the treatment for scapular tumour in the dog: a report of six cases

The medical records of six dogs treated by sub-total scapulectomy for tumours involving the scapula were reviewed. The mean age of dogs in this study was 8 years and 4 months. Clinical signs on presentation included lameness of the affected forelimb and a palpable mass over the scapular area on physical examination. Pre-operative chest and affected forelimb radiographs were taken in most cases in addition to a biopsy. Subtotal scapulectomy was performed, ensuring margins clear of neoplastic tissue of at least 2 cm, preservation of the glenoid cavity and thus retention of the scapulo-humeral joint. On histopathological examination the tumours where diagnosed as chondrosarcoma (one), haemangiosarcoma (two), anaplastic malignant neoplasia (one) and osteosarcoma (one). Limb function was found to be good in all cases postoperatively. Prognosis was related to histopathological diagnosis of the tumour, favourable with chondrosarcoma and poor with the other tumour types.     

Glomerulonephritis in the dog: a clinical review

The aetiology and pathology of canine glomerulonephritis are reviewed. Three different types of glomerulonephritis are recognised, namely pro-liferative, membranous and exudative. The clinical signs associated with each type are described. Differential diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and post-mortem findings are also discussed.     

Temporomandibular subluxation in the dog: A case report

Temporomandibular subluxation was diagnosed in a 2-year old Irish Setter dog. The presenting sign was frequent bouts of open jaw-locking. Tomographic evidence suggested that temporomandibular dysplasia was a factor in the aetiology of the condition. Surgical excision of rostral segments of the zygomatic arches effectively alleviated the clinical condition.     

Lymphangiomatosis of the pelvic limb in a Maltese dog

A case of lymphangiomatosis is described affecting the right pelvic limb of an 18-month-old, female Maltese dog. A progressive swelling around the stifle had developed subsequent to a routine tibial crest transposition. The swollen area eventually progressed to involve the entire limb circumferentially, to end abruptly in the mid-metatarsal region. The skin of the affected area was deep red in colour, devoid of hair, and had numerous large, thin-walled vesicles that were easily ruptured and from which a serosan-guineous fluid exuded. The swelling pitted on digital pressure and showed fluctuant mobility. The microscopic appearance of biopsied and post mortem material mimicked that of lymphangioma. However, the signalment, clinical presentation and histological features are consistent with a diagnosis of the recently reported variant of human lymphangiomatosis, lymphangiomatosis of the limb.     

A case of unilateral pelvic limb adactyly in a puppy dog

A case of unilateral hindlimb adactyly is described in a 3-month-old female Pointer dog. Clinical and radiographic findings are described. Adactyly or transverse hemimelia is a rare condition in most animal species. In dogs, this condition has been reported only three times as a deformity of the forelimb. To the authors' knowledge, the congenital pelvic limb deformity described here is the first case documented in a dog.     

Hemophilia A in a Belgian Shepherd Malinois dog: case report

This case report presents a Belgian Shepherd Malinois dog affected by hemophilia A recognized at the age of seven months. The clinical follow-up including all the diagnostic procedures leading to the final diagnosis and the course of this disorder are presented.