Nephroblastoma in a Cat: The Effects of Nephrectomy and Occlusion of the Caudal Vena Cava

Abstract— A nephroblastoma of the right kidney was observed in a young male cat. The affected kidney and a portion of the vena cava was surgically removed. After failure to establish a patent caval-portal shunt, it was found that the vertebral vein system functioned as a bypass for caval blood flow. Metastatic tumor which became apparent in the lungs and peritoneum five and eight months after ablation of the primary tumor was removed by excision biopsy.
Résumé—Un néphoroblastome du rein droit a é t é observé chez un jeune chat mâle. Le rein malade et une partie de la vena cava ont é t é enlevé chirurgicalement. Après un échec pour établir une anastomose caval-portal pérméable, on a trouvé que le système veineux vertébral fonctionnait comme un court-circuit pour le sang de la veine cave. Une tumeur métastatique apparue dans les poumons et le péritoine 5 et 8 mois après l'ablation de la tumeur a é t é enlevée par une biopsie d'exérèse.
Zusammenfassung— Ein Nephroblastom der rechten Niere wurde bei einem jungen Kater fest-gestellt. Die befallene Niere und ein Teil der Vena cava wurden chirurgisch entfernt. AIs es nicht gelungen war, eine offene Cava-Porta-Verbindung herzustellen, wurde festgestellt, dass das vertebrale Venensystem als Umgehung des Cavawegs diente. Metastatische Tumoren, die in den Lungen und im Peritoneum fünf und acht Monate nach der Entfernung des primären Tumors auftraten, wurden durch Excisionbiopsie entfernt.     

Central Venous Pressure Measurements in the Caudal Vena Cava of Sedated Cats

The caudla vena cava (CVA) was evaluated as an laternative site for the measurement of central venous pressure (CPV) in six healthy, sedated (ketamine 10 mg/km, midazolam 0.1 mg/kg, and atropine 0.04 mg/kg IM) cats. The CVC was cathererized via medial saphenous puncture, and estimates of CPV from this site compared to those obtained via a jugular catheter. Simulataneous CPV values were recorded electronically (mmgh), via calibrated pressure transducer positioned at the level of the manubrium in cats in lateral recumbency. Five readings, performed at 1 minute intervals, were collected from the jugular and CVC catheters at rest (baseline) and following a rapid fluid bolus. Twenty-four hours later, cats were resedated, baseline measurements repeated, and CVPs recorded following a rapid, 25% whole-blood volume bleed. CVP measurements from the jugular and CVC were statistically compared using repeated measures ANOVA (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two sites in the baseline and bleed trials. Significant defferences between jugular and CVC CVPs were noted at 1 and 2 minutes following the fluid bolus. It was concluded that CVC is an alternative site for measurement of CPV in sedated cats.     

Nemaline Rods in Canine Myopathies: 4 Case Reports and Literature Review

The diagnosis of nemaline rod myopathy (NM) is based on the presence of numerous pathognomonic rods within a fresh frozen muscle biopsy specimen. Three forms of congenital NM have been described in humans, and rods have been found to occur in various other conditions. A similar myopathy was described in 1986 in a family of cats. In this report, we describe a case of congenital NM in a 10-month-old Border Collie, an adult-onset NM in an 11-year-old Schipperke, and 2 acquired myopathies with nemaline rods in adult dogs associated with hypothyroidism and Cushing's syndrome. Common clinical features included exercise intolerance, abnormal electromyography, and the presence of nemaline rods in fresh, frozen, and glutaraldehyde-fixed biopsies from proximal appendicular limb muscles. Staining of cryostat sections of muscle biopsy specimens by the modified Gomori trichrome technique disclosed numerous rod bodies that were localized to type 1 fibers by the histochemical adenosine triphosphatase reaction. Accumulation of rods also was demonstrated by electron microscopy in 2 of the cases with localized enlargement and streaming of Z lines. Documentation of NM in a young Border Collie and the adult-onset form in the Schipperke alerts clinicians to the existence of this disorder in these breeds.     

Changes in Plasma Progesterone Levels in the Caudal Vena Cava and the Jugular Vein and Luteinizing Hormone Secretion Pattern After Feeding in Lactating and Non-lactating Dairy Cows

The present study was designed to assess progesterone profiles at the secreted (caudal vena cava) and circulating levels (jugular vein) and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion pattern in lactating and non-lactating cows with reference to feeding. Four lactating and four non-lactating cycling Holstein cows were examined. Blood samples were collected simultaneously from the caudal vena cava (via a catheter inserted from the coccygeal vein) and the jugular vein every 15 min for 12 h (0500–1700 h) during the functional luteal phase. Cows were fed 50% of the daily diet 6 h after the start of blood sampling. During the 12-h sampling period, mean progesterone concentrations in the caudal vena cava did not differ between lactating and non-lactating cows (49.0 ± 2.9 and 53.3 ± 3.7 ng/ml; mean ± SE), whereas mean progesterone concentrations in the jugular vein in lactating cows were higher than those in non-lactating cows (6.4 ± 0.1 and 5.6 ± 0.1 ng/ml, P < 0.001). Lactating cows had a higher frequency of LH pulses than non-lactating cows (7.0 ± 0.7 and 4.3 ± 0.9 pulses/12 h, P<0.05). The influence of feeding was not observed on LH profiles but was observed on progesterone profiles in both veins. Progesterone concentrations in the caudal vena cava increased after feeding in both groups. Progesterone concentrations in the jugular vein decreased after feeding in lactating cows but not in non-lactating cows. These results indicate the difference in feeding-related changes in progesterone dynamics between lactating and non-lactating cows.     

Blood Flows in Tributaries of the Portal Vein: Anatomical and Angiographic Studies in Normal Beagle Dogs

Liver anatomy, particularly its vascularization, has been investigated in many studies in dogs. Knowledge of blood flow from the main tributaries of the portal vein (PV) is necessary to explain the preferential sites of secondary lesions within the liver based on the site of the initial malignant lesion. How these flows come together was established in an earlier ex vivo study. Here, we highlight in vivo the blood flows from the main PV tributaries and their distribution in the liver of normal dogs. Portographs of the main PV tributaries were obtained in seven dogs after injection of an angiographic contrast medium. After euthanasia, the livers and their portal vascularization (PV and tributaries) were extracted for a comparative corrosion cast study. Flows were demonstrated in the cranial mesenteric vein, caudal mesenteric vein and splenic vein. However, no proper flow could be distinguished for the gastroduodenal and ileocolic veins. All these tributaries primarily supply the lateral liver lobes (right or left). Most of our observations indicate that the cranial mesenteric, caudal mesenteric and splenic veins primarily supply the right lateral lobe and the caudate process of the caudate lobe and secondarily the left lateral lobe, left medial lobe and the quadrate lobe. The two other tributaries (gastroduodenal and ileocolic veins) primarily supply the right lateral lobe and the caudate process of the caudate lobe.     

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation in Dogs: Review of the Literature

Diagnosis of Disseminated Intravascular coagulation (DIC) is controversial in both human and veterinary medicine. This article reviews the available literature in human and veterinary medicine regarding the etiology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis of DIC with emphasis on the diagnosis of DIC in dogs. Controversy surrounding the diagnosis of DIC arises from the complex nature of the disease itself, in addition to the absence of a consensus strategy for laboratory testing. The available literature indicates that dogs diagnosed with DIC possessed various hemostatic function testing abnormalities, typically possessed an underlying disease that predisposed to DIC, but may or may not have had clinically identifiable hemorrhage or thrombosis. Additionally, the hemostatic function testing utilized in diagnosis is not uniform. Generalizations about the usefulness of individual assays or diagnostic strategies cannot be formulated because of the marked diversity of the types of cases studied, as well as the small number of cases reported in the literature. (Vet Emerg & Crit Care, 1998; 8: 29–45)     

Oral Cyclosporine Treatment in Dogs: A Review of the Literature

Cyclosporine is an immunomodulatory drug used to treat an increasing spectrum of diseases in dogs. Cyclosporine is a calcineurin inhibitor, ultimately exerting its inhibitory effects on T‐lymphocytes by decreasing production of cytokines, such as interleukin‐2. Although, in the United States, oral cyclosporine is approved in dogs only for treatment of atopic dermatitis, there are many other indications for its use. Cyclosporine is available in 2 oral formulations: the original oil‐based formulation and the more commonly used ultramicronized emulsion that facilitates oral absorption. Ultramicronized cyclosporine is available as an approved animal product, and human proprietary and generic preparations are also available. Bioavailability of the different formulations in dogs is likely to vary among the preparations. Cyclosporine is associated with a large number of drug interactions that can also influence blood cyclosporine concentrations. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) can be used to assist in attaining consistent plasma cyclosporine concentrations despite the effects of varying bioavailability and drug interactions. TDM can facilitate therapeutic success by guiding dose adjustments on an individualized basis, and is recommended in cases that do not respond to initial oral dosing, or during treatment of severe, life‐threatening diseases for which a trial‐and‐error approach to dose adjustment is too risky. Pharmacodynamic assays that evaluate individual patient immune responses to cyclosporine can be used to augment information provided by TDM.     

Progesterone Profiles in the Caudal Vena Cava and Jugular Vein in Response to Pulsatile Luteinizing Hormone Stimulation Induced by GnRH Treatment During the Mid-luteal Phase in Lactating Dairy Cows

The aim of this study was to examine whether increased frequency of luteinizing hormone (LH) pulses influences luteal progesterone (P₄) secretion by measuring progesterone concentrations at the secreted (caudal vena cava) and circulating levels (jugular vein) in lactating dairy cows. Cows received six intravenous administrations of 2.5 μg of GnRH (gonadorelin acetate, n=4) or 2 ml saline (n=3) at 1-h intervals on 12.4 ± 0.4 (mean ± SE) days after ovulation. Blood samples were collected from the caudal vena cava and jugular vein every 12 min for 12 h (6 h before and after treatment). During the 6 h after treatment, frequency of LH pulses (5.3 ± 0.3 and 3.0 ± 0.0 pulses/6 h) and mean LH concentration (0.50 ± 0.06 and 0.38 ± 0.05 ng/ml) were greater (P<0.05) in GnRH-treated cows than in saline-treated cows. Mean P₄ concentration and amplitude of P₄ pulses in the caudal vena cava during the 6 h after treatment were greater (P<0.05) in GnRH-treated cows than in saline-treated cows, but the frequency of P₄ pulses was not different between the groups. Mean P₄ concentration in the jugular vein during the 6 h after treatment was also higher (P<0.05) in GnRH-treated cows than in saline-treated cows (7.0 ± 1.3 and 5.4 ± 0.9 ng/ml). These results indicate that the increased frequency of LH pulses stimulates progesterone secretion from the functional corpus luteum and brings about higher P₄ concentrations in the circulating blood in lactating dairy cows.     

Endogenous Benzodiazepine Activity in the Peripheral and Portal Blood of Dogs With Congenital Portosystemic Shunts

Objective- The purpose of this study was to determine whether an endogenous benzodiazepine receptor ligand (EBZ) was present in the arterial and portal blood of dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS).
Study Design- The presence or absence of an EBZ was determined by the collection of systemic and portal blood from dogs with CPSS.
Animals- Fifteen client-owned dogs with a confirmed CPSS. All dogs had historical signs compatible with hepatic encephalopathy. Eight healthy dogs were used as controls.
Methods- In all dogs, systemic blood samples were collected after they were anesthetized. Portal blood samples were collected intraoperatively. EBZ was measured by radioreceptor assay.
Results- In 10 of 15 dogs, the portal blood concentration of EBZ was significantly elevated compared with normal dogs (mean, 13.2 ±18.55 ng/mL). Five dogs had elevated systemic blood EBZ levels (mean, 8.2 ±16.08 ng/mL). Eleven of 15 dogs had a higher portal than systemic blood concentration of EBZ. In contrast, control dogs had extremely low EBZ concentrations detected in their portal blood (mean, 0.16 ±0.3 ng/mL) and systemic blood (0 ng/mL). The mean portal and systemic blood concentrations in dogs with CPSS were significantly greater than in control dogs ( P <.05).
Conclusions- Elevated blood levels of EBZ were found in dogs with CPSS. The portosystemic gradient noted in 11 dogs suggests the gastrointestinal tract as a possible source for the endogenous ligand.
Clinical Relevance- Generalized motor seizures have been reported in dogs after surgical correction of CPSS. If the presence of a CPSS results in stimulation of brain receptors for benzodiazepines, post-CPSS ligation seizures may result from a withdrawal of EBZ after ligation of the portosystemic shunt.     

Part 1: Treatment of Snial Bait Toxicity in Dogs: Literature Review

Metaldehyde and methiocarb are two snail baits (molluscicides) which are commonly ingested by dogs and cause rapid onset of severe neurological symptoms. Rapid and appropriate treatment is essential for patient survival. This paper summarizes the literature on treatment of metaldehyde and methiocarb toxicity, based primarily on actual case reports from the past 35 years.
There are important differences between metaldehyde and methiocarb in their mechanisms and treatment. Metaldehyde's mechanism is unknown; methiocarb is a carbamate and parasympathomimetic. Pentobarbitone anesthesia and atropine have been the mainstays of treatment in metal-dehyde and methiocarb toxicity, respectively; their limitations and disadvantages are discussed. Other drugs and aspects of treatment, such as acetylpromazine, diazepam, gastric lavage, and hypetihermia, are also discussed.
Clinical signs are similar in both types of toxicity, but treatment may be complicated by the development of hyperthermia and atropine poisoning which also have similar clinical signs.     

Feline Hyperthyroidism: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

A sixteen year old cat was examined because of polyphagia and weight loss. On the basis of elevated thyroxine levels and the clinical presentation a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism was made. The cat was treated presurgically with propylthiouracil and propranolol. Surgical excision of the grossly affected thyroid lobe, and partial excision of the apparently normal contralateral lobe was carried out. The cat improved clinically after the surgery but elevated thyroxine levels persisted. This case and the literature review, which is presented also, stress the necessity to either demonstrate unilateral involvement via extensive presurgical work-up, or to do bilateral, or staged bilateral thyroidectomies in cases of feline hyperthyroidism.     

Contact Dermatitis in Dogs and Cats: Pathogenesis,Histopathology, Experimental Induction and Case Reports*

Résumé— Une revue de la physiopathologie et de Thistopathologie des dermites de contact par allergie et irritation est présentée. Le rôle des lymphocytes, des cellules de Langerhans, des basophiles et des éosinophiles est discuté. Des résultates précédents non-publiés de dermites de contact expérimentales chez le chien sont présentées. Les résumés des cas cliniques de dermites de contact spontannées chez le chien et le chat présentées lors du 9e congrès de l'AAVD sont inclus. Les cas cliniques sont comparés aux cas expérimentaux et aux aspects histopathologiques décrits chez 1'homme. Des lésions avec un infiltrat riche en éosinophiles ont été retrouvées dans trois cas; une discussion sur la possibilité d'existence d'IgE à la surface des cellules de Langerhans entrainant à la fois une réponse de type I et de type IV chez ces patients est développée. [Walder, E. J., Conroy, J. D. Contact dermatitis in dogs and cats: pathogenesis, histopathology, experimental induction and case reports (Dermite de contact chez le chien et le chat: pathogénie, histopathologie, induction expérimentale et cas cliniques). Resumen— Se revisa la fisiopatología e histopatología de la dermatitis por contacto alérgica y por irritación en la especie humana y en los animales. Se discute el papel de los linfocitos, las células de Langerhans, los basófilos y los eosinófilos. Se presentan datos sobre la dermatitis por contacto alérgica y por irritación en el perro no descritos hasta la fecha. Se incluyen los resumenes de los casos clinicos presentados en las das jornadas de la Academia Americana de Dermatología Veterinaria. Se comparan los casos clinicos con los hallazgos expérimentales en el perro y con las caracteristícas histopatológicas recientemente descritas en la especie humana. En tres casos se descubrieron vesiculo-pústulas con abundantes eosinófilos; se especula con la posibilidad de que células de Langerhens cargadas con IgE induzcan reacciones mixtas de hipersensibilidad de tipo I y IV (“atopia por contacto”). [Walder, E. J., Conroy, J. D. Contact dermatitis in dogs and cats: pathogenesis, histopathology, experimental induction and case reports (Dermatitis por contacto en el perro y en el gato: patogénesis, histopatología, reproducción experimental y casos clínicos). Zusammenfassung— Es erfolgt eine übersicht über Pathophysiologie und Histopothologie der irritativen und allergischen Kontakdermatitis das Mensch und Tier. Es werden die Rollen der Lymphozyton, Langerhans Zellen, basne und eosinophilen Granulozyten diskutiert. Es werden unveröffentlichte Daten über experimentelle irritative und allergische Kontaktdermatitis bei Hunden vorgestellt. Die Zusammenfassungen von Fallstudien spontaner Kontaktdermatitis bei Hund und Katze, veröffentlicht beim 9. Jahrestreffen der American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology werden miteingeschlossen. Die Fallstudien werden mit den experimentellen Ergebnissen beim Hund und mit den klassischen und kürzlich beschriebenen histopatholo-gischen Bildern beim Menschen verglichen. In drei Fällen wurden vesikulopustulöse Veränderungen, reich an ensinophilen Granulozyten, festgestellt; es werden Mutmaßungen über die Möglichkeit von IgE-tregenden Langerhans-Zellen angstellt, die überlappende Typ I- und Typ IV-Reaktionen (“Kontaktatopie”) bei diesen Patienten induzieren. [Contact dermatitis in dogs and cats: pathognesis, histopathology, experimental induction, and case reports (Kontaktdermatitis bei Hund und Katze: Pathogenese, Histopathologie, experimentelle Induktion und Fallstudien). Abstract— The pathophysiology and histopathology of irritant and allergic contact dermatitis in man and animals are reviewed. The roles of lymphocytes, Langerhans cells, basophils and eosinophils are discussed. Previously unreported data on experimental irritant and allergic contact dermatitis in dogs are presented. The abstracts of case reports of spontaneous contact dermatitis in dogs and cats presented at the Ninth Annual American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology Meeting are included. The case reports are compared to the experimental findings in dogs and to classical and recently-described histopathologic features in humans. Eosinophil-rich, vesiculopustular lesions were found in three cases; speculation is made regarding the possibility of lgE-bearing Langerhans cells inducing overlap Type I and Type IV hypersensitivity reactions (“contact atopy”) in these patients.