The cytologic and histologic diagnosis of ureteral fibroepithelial polyp in a dog

A 6-year-old, intact male, brindled, 30-Lb English Bulldog presented to the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a recurrent history of hematuria, periuria, and lethargy that responded temporarily to antibiotic therapy. The work-up included a complete blood count, serum biochemical profile, complete urinalysis, diagnostic imaging (abdominal radiographs and ultrasound with contrast urography), and exploratory laparotomy. The diagnostic imaging findings and subsequent exploratory revealed a unilateral, intraluminal, right-sided, 3-cm ureteral mass extending from the proximal ureter into the renal pelvis. Subsequently, a unilateral right-sided ureteronephrectomy followed by biopsy with cytopathology/cytology (impression smears) and histopathology of the ureteral mass was performed. The cytopathologic interpretation was benign mesenchymal proliferation with mildly atypical urothelial cells. The association of this mass with vascular tissue and a benign nuclear appearance on cytology is similar to reports of fibroepithelial polyps (FEPs) and myxomatous tumors. Histopathology diagnosed the mass as an FEP. Cytopathology proved useful in the presumptive diagnosis of this benign urothelial polyp. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report using cytopathology to depict and characterize FEPs in veterinary and human medical literature.     

The risk of salmonellae shedding by dogs fed Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diets

Twenty-eight research dogs were enrolled to determine the prevalence of salmonellae shedding after consumption of 1 Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diet meal. Sixteen dogs were exposed to Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diets and 12 to Salmonella-free commercial raw food diets. Seven of the exposed dogs shed salmonellae 1-7 days after consumption of Salmonella-contaminated raw food diets. None of the dogs fed Salmonella-free diets shed salmonellae. No clinical signs were observed in either group. Five of the 7 dogs shed the same serotypes as those recovered from food samples used for feeding. Results showed the same serotypes and antimicrobial resistance pattern in 2 of the 7 shedders. Dogs fed Salmonella-contaminated raw food diets can shed salmonellae and may, therefore, be a source of environmental contamination potentially leading to human or animal illness.     

Effect of fenoldopam on renal function after nephrotomy in normal dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of fenoldopam on renal function in normal dogs subjected to bisection nephrotomy. In addition, effects of bisection nephrotomy on renal function in normal dogs were evaluated. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled, randomized, blinded experiment. SAMPLE POPULATION: Sixteen mixed-breed adult dogs. METHODS: Dogs were paired for sex, body weight, and approximate age and assigned to 1 of 2 groups: fenoldopam (F) or placebo (P). Baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) based on quantitative renal scintigraphy using (99m)Tc-DTPA, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), urinalysis, and urine culture were performed before surgery. Left nephrotomy was performed via median celiotomy. Group F dogs were administered intravenous (IV) fenoldopam (0.1 microg/kg/min) for 90 minutes, whereas group P dogs were administered an equivalent volume of saline (0.9 % NaCl) solution for 90 minutes. Temperature, heart rate, respiration, direct arterial blood pressure, and urine volume were recorded during anesthesia. Renal function was assessed by measuring SCr, BUN, and GFR at 1, 21, and 42 days after surgery. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between groups in measured physiologic variables. No significant difference in GFR, BUN, or SCr between groups or between operated or control kidneys was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Bisection nephrotomy in normal dogs with renal arterial occlusion of 15 minutes and using a simple continuous capsular closure does not adversely affect renal function. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bisection nephrotomy, as described in this study, does not decrease renal function; perioperative administration of renoprotective agents is not necessary in normal dogs.     

Evaluation of a commercially available immunoassay for assessing adequacy of passive transfer in calves

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate diagnostic utility of a commercially available immunoassay for assessing adequacy of passive transfer of immunity in neonatal calves. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 123 calves. PROCEDURE: Blood and serum samples were obtained from the calves prior to 2 weeks of age. The immunoassay was performed, along with refractometry and an 18% sodium sulfite turbidity test. Serum IgG concentration was determined with a radial immunodiffusion assay. Sensitivity and specificity of the immunoassay, refractometry, and the sodium sulfite test were calculated by comparing results with results of the radial immunodiffusion assay. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity of the blood IgG immunoassay were 0.93 and 0.88, respectively, compared with 1.00 and 0.53 for the sodium sulfite test. For refractometry, sensitivity and specificity were 0.71 and 0.83, respectively, when a serum total solids concentration of 5.2 g/dl was used as the cutoff between positive and negative test results. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that the immunoassay performs well in detecting calves with inadequate passive transfer of immunity.     

Anesthesia and analgesia for small mammals and birds.

This article should help the veterinarian to assess pain in small mammals and birds. The focus is on a multimodal approach to anesthesia and analgesia using opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alpha(2)-agonists, dissociatives, and local anesthetics as injectables, constant rate infusions, local blocks, and epidurals. Drugs used for induction, intubation techniques, and inhalant anesthesia are discussed. Protocols for critical patients and doses of common analgesics are covered.     

Survival in Dogs with Nasal Adenocarcinoma: 64 Cases (1981–1995)

Case records of 64 dogs with nasal adenocarcinoma were reviewed. The effects of age, gender, tumor stage, presence of metastatic lesions, and treatment method on survival time were examined. Surgery groups included rhinotomy (n = 9), transnasal curettage (n = 29), and no surgery (n = 26). Chemotherapy groups included fluorouracil-cyclophosphamide combination therapy (n = 15), mitoxantrone (n = 7), and no chemotherapy (n = 42). Fifty-three dogs received fractionated cobalt 60 radiation therapy. Surgical procedure, chemotherapy group, and stage of primary tumor were not significantly associated with survival time ( P > .05). Dogs that received radiation therapy had a significantly longer median survival time (424 days) than dogs that did not (126 days) ( P = .0001). The presence of either regional lymph node or pulmonary metastasis was associated with significantly shorter median survival time (109 days) when compared to dogs without metastases (393 days) ( P = .0125). When only dogs that had received radiation therapy were considered, neither surgical treatment nor chemotherapy group was associated with significant changes in median survival time. An alternate staging system emphasizing the presence or absence of metastases is proposed. Key words: Chemotherapy; Metastasis; Radiotherapy.     

FACIAL FIBROSARCOMA IN TWO COWS

Fibrosarcoma is a common tumor affecting bone, but is uncommon in cows, Reported here are two bovine cases of facial fibrosarcoma that were very invasive.     

A comparison of epidural buprenorphine with epidural morphine for postoperative analgesia following stifle surgery in dogs

Objective To compare the efficacy of epidural buprenorphine with epidural morphine for post‐operative pain relief in dogs undergoing cranial cruciate ligament rupture repair. Study design A randomized, double blind clinical trial. Animals Twenty client‐owned dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Methods Dogs were randomly assigned to receive either epidural buprenorphine (4 µg kg^?1) or epidural morphine (0.1 mg kg^?1) in a total volume of 0.2 mL kg^?1. Epidural injections were performed immediately after induction of anesthesia. End‐tidal halothane and CO₂ were recorded every 15 minutes from the time of epidural administration of drug to extubation. A numerical rating pain score system was used by a blinded observer to evaluate analgesia beginning at extubation and continuing at specific intervals for 24 hours after surgery. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure were recorded noninvasively at the same times. If pain score indicated moderate discomfort, rescue morphine at 1.0 mg kg^?1 was administered intramuscularly. Results There were no significant differences between groups with respect to pain score, heart rate, respiratory rate, indirect blood pressure, end‐tidal halothane or end‐tidal CO₂ at any time point. Fifty percent of dogs in the buprenorphine group and 50% of dogs in the morphine group required rescue analgesic medication. Time of systemic rescue morphine administration did not differ significantly between the two groups. There were no clinically observable side‐effects from epidural administration of either drug in any of the dogs of this study. Conclusions Epidural buprenorphine is as effective as epidural morphine for the relief of postoperative hindlimb orthopedic pain in dogs. Clinical relevance Buprenorphine appears to be an effective opioid for epidural use in healthy dogs. Buprenorphine may offer certain advantages over morphine for epidural use, such as lower abuse potential and, in some clinics, reduced cost and less wastage of drug.