Retrobulbar tumors in dogs and cats: 25 cases

Twenty-five cases of retrobulbar tumors are presented and discussed. Affected animals were dogs and cats (average 10.7 years). No breed or sex predisposition was noted. The most common clinical signs were exophthalmos (84%), conjunctival hyperemia (40%), protrusion of the nictitating membrane (28%), exposure keratitis (20%) and fundus abnormalities (20%). Diagnostic tools included fine needle aspiration, radiography, ultrasonography, computed tomography and histology. Surgical treatment by orbitotomy or exenteration was combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in some cases. The prognosis was poor with low survival times: 1 month in cats, and 10 months in dogs, with a high rate of euthanasia (35%) at the time of diagnosis.     

北京地区犬猫弓形虫病流行病学调查

为初步调查北京地区犬猫弓形虫感染的流病学特征,用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)方法检测2010年5月至2011年4月采集的家养犬猫、流浪猫血清样本.其中,家养犬血清样本1876份,家养猫血清样本561份,检测发现,家养犬动物弓形虫IgG抗体阳性率24.9％;家养猫弓形虫IgG阳性率21.2％;同时检测流浪猫样本201份,阳性率30.3％.家养犬弓形虫血清抗体阳性率不同季节间差异显著(P＜0.05),夏季最高,为30.0％,家养猫弓形虫血清抗体阳性率不同季节间无显著差异(P＞0.05).不同性别犬猫弓形虫血清抗体阳性率无显著差异(P＞0.05).随着年龄增长,犬猫弓形虫抗体阳性率均有明显增长.对25例弓形虫抗体阳性家养犬病例和37例弓形虫抗体阳性家养猫病例进行了回访调查,结果发现,该62例动物主人的弓形虫检测结果均为阴性.     

Anatomical and ultrasonographic study of the femoral nerve within the iliopsoas muscle in beagle dogs and cats

ObjectivesAn ultrasound (US)-guided ventral suprainguinal approach to block the femoral nerve (FN) within the iliopsoas muscle (IPM) has recently been described in dogs. The goal of the present study was to provide the operator with additional information to locate the FN within the IPM in dogs and cats using US.Study designThe study was carried out in three phases: a dissection of the FN (phase 1); an in vivoUS-assisted nerve study (phase 2), and an anatomical cross-sectional study (phase 3).AnimalsNine healthy adult beagle dogs and nine healthy adult cats.MethodsDissections were performed to investigate the anatomical characteristics of the FN and its related structures in one dog and one cat. Ultrasound scans of the left and right FN were performed in eight dogs and eight cats. The FN diameter and the distance between the FN and the external iliac artery (EIA) in US images and in anatomical cryosections were measured.ResultsThe median FN diameter did not differ significantly between cats and dogs (1.1 mm versus 1.0 mm) or between the two techniques (US versus anatomical cross-sectional study) (1.1 mm versus 1.1 mm in dogs; 1.0 mm versus 1.1 mm in cats). The US and anatomical measurements of the median distances between the FN and EIA differed significantly between dogs and cats (8.2 mm versus 5.8 mm by US; 5.7 mm versus 4.8 mm in the anatomical study).Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe distance between the EIA and FN is reproducible in beagle dogs and cats and can be used in locating the FN within the IPM.     

A retrospective study of 30 cases of frozen lamellar corneal graft in dogs and cats

Frozen lamellar corneal grafts and nictitating membrane flaps were used in 18 dogs and 12 cats to repair deep corneal defects. In all dogs either melting corneal ulcers or descemetoceles were present. In the 12 cats, nine had either a melting corneal ulcer or descemetocele, two animals had acute bullous keratopathy, and one cat had corneal sequestrum. Initial vascularization with gradual clearing of the graft occurred during the first 45 days postoperatively. At 60 days postoperatively, all eyes were visual. Frequent postoperative complications included: focal dehiscence of the wound ( n  = 9); melting of part of the graft ( n  = 7); and pigmentation of the graft ( n  = 4). The frozen lamellar corneal graft was a very safe technique, and restored the tectonic and the optical function of the cornea. It provided the best results in corneas with nonperforating corneal defects. This technique provides poorer results when the cornea was perforated prior to surgery or during the surgical procedure.     

Preliminary analysis of post-adoption outcomes for kittens and adult cats rehomed through a New Zealand animal shelter

ABSTRACT

Aims: To determine the frequency of different types of health and behavioural problems observed in the first month after adoption in kittens and adult cats rehomed through an animal shelter in New Zealand, to assess satisfaction of adopters and to determine the preferences of adopters for provision of post-adoption support.

Methods: The adopters of kittens and cats from an animal shelter in Auckland, New Zealand between 15 October 2016–4 December 2016 were invited to complete a survey 1 week and 1 month after adoption. Respondents were asked about how well the animal was settling into the household, whether they had observed any health or behavioural problems, and what their preferences were for receiving post-adoption support.

Results: Data from at least one survey were available for 83/115 (72.2%) kittens and 70/155 (45.6%) adult cats, with 39/115 (34%) adopters of kittens and 35/155 (23%) adopters of adult cats completing surveys at both 1 week and 1 month after adoption. By 1 month after adoption 57/60 (95%) adopted kittens and 40/53 (75%) adopted adult cats had settled well into their new home. At 1 month after adoption 28/60 (47%) kittens and 26/53 (49%) cats had ≥1 reported behavioural problem, and 16/60 (27%) kittens and 18/53 (34%) cats had ≥1 reported health problem. The most common problem behaviours for kittens were episodes of hyperactivity and scratching household items, and for adult cats were spending most of the time hiding and scratching household items. The most common health problems for kittens were eye problems and sneezing or a runny nose, and for adult cats were sneezing or a runny nose. Amongst respondents, the most helpful support for recent adopters was considered to be an email or phone call 1 month after adoption from the animal shelter.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: Although many adopters reported health and/or behavioural issues in their adopted kittens and adult cats, most issues were generally mild and the adopters were generally satisfied with their animals. Providing new adopters with advice about managing common health and behavioural issues such as upper respiratory disease and scratching household items may increase satisfaction with adoptions.     

Zoonotic disease awareness in animal shelter workers and volunteers and the effect of training

Animal shelter workers are a vulnerable population whose exposure to zoonotic disease may be greater compared with the general population. The aim of this project was to identify baseline zoonotic disease knowledge of animal shelter workers and to develop and evaluate zoonotic disease awareness training. Ten animal shelters in six western states were randomly selected. One hundred and eleven trainees were evaluated by identical pre- and post-training tests. Training topics included identification of clinical signs, susceptible species, and transmission of disease to animals and to humans. Zoonotic diseases included rabies, plague, leptospirosis, internal parasites, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and salmonella. A statistically significant difference in overall total scores between pre-test (58.5%) and post-test (69.5%) was observed (P = 0.0001). No association was observed between test scores and length of time working in animal shelters, or with the participants' role at the animal shelter. Overall test scores were raised by 11%. The lowest baseline levels of knowledge were found with leptospirosis, MRSA, plague and rabies, emerging diseases with increasing prevalence and high consequence. Zoonotic disease awareness training is a valuable service to animal shelters. In the current study, training was modestly successful in transferring short-term knowledge to animal shelter workers. To understand and evaluate the effectiveness of training completely, observable or measureable behaviours should be compared before and after training. Long-term assessment with measureable outcomes is needed.     

Evaluation of intraperitoneal and intrahepatic administration of a euthanasia agent in animal shelter cats

One hundred eighty-one adult cats, with body weight greater than 1.8 kg, were obtained from animal shelters, then were administered a sodium pentobarbital-lidocaine euthanasia agent by either the intraperitoneal (IP; n = 77) or intrahepatic (IH; n = 85) route. A preliminary study (n = 19 cats) indicated that most cats gave no indication of perception of injection (responding) if restraint was minimal and injection was rapid. During IP injection, 3 of the 77 cats (4%) responded (turned the head backward or vocalized). Of the 85 cats given IH injection, 8 (9%) responded; however, no response approached the magnitude of that observed after IM injection of ketamine hydrochloride. After either injection route, cats were observed for excitement (any exaggerated activities of stage-I and -II anesthesia (eg, vocalizing, flopping, sneezing, licking, running, paddling), and after cardiac standstill, cats were necropsied to identify exact location (final site) of the injection. Of 53 initial IP injections, final site for 22 (42%) was in the peritoneal cavity (PC). Use of a sideport needle (n = 24) did not significantly increase accuracy of IP injection. The small and large intestines were penetrated by 27% (15/55) of the IP injections from the right side, and the spleen was penetrated by 32% (7/22) of the left-side injections. Intrahepatic injection was significantly (P less than 0.05) more accurate, with 70 of 85 (82%) of the final sites being the liver only, the liver/PC, or the PC only. Twenty-five percent (13/53) of IP injections resulted in excitement (all stage-I and -II anesthesia-exaggerated activities cumulative to 30 seconds).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

MRI features of CNS lymphoma in dogs and cats

The magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of central nervous system lymphoma in eight dogs and four cats are described. Intracranial lesions affected the rostrotentorial structures in six dogs and caudotentorial structures in two cats. Lesions affected the spinal cord in two dogs and in two cats. One dog and one cat with intracranial lymphoma had signs of local extracranial extension and lymphadenopathy. Lesions were considered extraparenchymal in four dogs and three cats, intraparenchymal in two dogs and one cat, and appeared to have both intra- and extraparenchymal components in two dogs. All lesions were hyperintense in T2-weighted images when compared to white matter, most were hypointense in T1-weighted images (7/12), and most were hyperintense in fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images (5/9). When compared to grey matter, these lesions appear either isointense (5/12) or hyperintense (7/12) on T2-weighted images, half of them were hypointense in T1-weighted images (6/12), and most were isointense in FLAIR images (7/9). Lesion margins were usually indistinct in T2-weighted images (10/12) and had perilesional hyperintensity in FLAIR images (7/9). The majority of lesions (10/12) had abnormal meninges around the lesion and half (6/12) had generalized contrast enhancement. Mass effect was evident in all lesions. Although not specific, when combined with the history and neurologic signs, MR features aid presumptive diagnosis that should be confirmed by cytology or histopathology.     

An evaluation of pulse oximeters in dogs, cats and horses

Objective Evaluation of five pulse oximeters in dogs, cats and horses with sensors placed at five sites and hemoglobin saturation at three plateaus. Study design Prospective randomized multispecies experimental trial. Animals Five healthy dogs, cats and horses. Methods Animals were anesthetized and instrumented with ECG leads and arterial catheters. Five pulse oximeters (Nellcor Puritan Bennett‐395, NPB‐190, NPB‐290, NPB‐40 and Surgi‐Vet V3304) with sensors at five sites were studied in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Ten readings (SpO₂) were taken at each of three hemoglobin saturation plateaus (98, 85 and 72%) in each animal. Arterial samples were drawn concurrently and hemoglobin saturation was measured with a co‐oximeter. Accuracy of saturation measurements was calculated as the root mean squared difference (RMSD), a composite of bias and precision, for each model tested in each species. Results Accuracy varied widely. In dogs, the RMSD for the NPB‐395, NPB‐190, NPB‐290, NPB‐40 and V3304 were 2.7, 2.2, 2.4, 1.7 and 2.7% respectively. Failure to produce readings for the NPB‐395, NPB‐190, NPB‐290, NPB‐40 and V3304 were 0, 0, 0.7, 0, and 20%, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficients for the tongue, toe, ear, lip and prepuce or vulva were 0.95, 0.97, 0.69, 0.87 and 0.95, respectively. In horses, the RMSD for the NPB‐395, NPB‐190, NPB‐290, NPB‐40 and V3304 were 3.1, 3.0, 4.7, 3.3 and 2.1%, respectively while rates of failure to produce readings were 10, 21, 0, 17 and 60%, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficients for the tongue, nostril, ear, lip and prepuce or vulva were 0.98, 0.94, 0.88, 0.93 and 0.94, respectively. In cats, the RMSD for all data for the NPB‐395, NPB‐190, NPB‐290, NPB‐40 and V3304 were 5.9, 5.6, 7.9, 7.9 and 10.7%, respectively while failure rates were 0, 0.7, 0, 20 and 32%, respectively. The correlation coefficients for the tongue, rear paw, ear, lip and front paw were 0.54, 0.79,.0.64, 0.49 and 0.57, respectively. For saturations above 90% in cats, the RMSD for the NPB‐395, NPB‐190, NPB‐290, NPB‐40 and V3304 were 2.6, 4.4, 4.0, 3.5 and 4.8%, respectively, while failure rates were 0, 1.7, 0, 25 and 43%, respectively. Conclusions and clinical relevance Accuracy and failure rates (failure to produce a reading) varied widely from model to model and from species to species. Generally, among the models tested in the clinically relevant range (90–100%) RMSD ranged from 2–5% while failure rates were highest in the V3304.     

Prevalence of Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae in cats and dogs in Korea

Blood, saliva, and nail samples were collected from 54 dogs and 151 cats and analyzed for the presence of Bartonella henselae with a novel nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Bartonella (B.) henselae was detected in feral cat blood (41.8%), saliva (44.1%), and nail (42.7%) samples. B. henselae was also detected in pet cat blood (33.3%), saliva (43.5%), and nail (29.5%) samples and in pet dog blood (16.6%), saliva (18.5%), and nail (29.6%) samples. Nine samples were infected with B. clarridgeiae and 2 were co-infected with B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae of blood samples of dogs. This report is the first to investigate the prevalence of B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae in dogs and cats in Korea, and suggests that dogs and cats may serve as potential Bartonella reservoirs.     

城市流浪犬猫的成因、危害与对策

根据城市流浪犬猫的成因与危害,提出慎养、绝育、收容收养、捕捉一绝育一放归等控制流浪犬猫数量的方法。解决流浪犬猫问题的关键在于从源头上减少流浪犬猫的数量,为此,科学地传播爱护动物与尊重生命的意义是极为重要的。