Total and Partial Orbitectomy for the Treatment of Periorbital Tumors in 24 Dogs and 6 Cats: A Retrospective Study

Total or partial orbitectomy were used to treat 24 dogs and six cats with invasive periorbital tumors. The surgical procedure and clinical results were evaluated in this retrospective study. The most common types of tumors treated in this series of patients were multilobular osteochondrosarcoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Two patients died of cardiopulmonary arrest within 24 hours after surgery. One patient developed neurological signs after total orbitectomy that resolved with conservative therapy. Minor complications, which included infection, strabismus, and conjunctivitis, occurred in seven patients. Regrowth of tumor in the periorbital region occurred in 11 patients (36.7%). Tumor resection by orbitectomy provided local disease-free interval of more than 1 year in more than 50% of patients. Survival rate for the first year was 70.4% in this series of patients as determined by life table analysis. Orbitectomy requires detailed knowledge of regional anatomy and experience with performing a combination of surgical procedures. Preoperative diagnostic tests should include imaging techniques to define the extent of the disease. When performed properly, orbitectomy is a valuable procedure that can be used to effectively treat invasive tumors of the orbit.     

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Clinical and Pathologic Correlates

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a primary myocardial disease with a wide range of clinical and morphologic characteristics. It is characterized by increased cardiac mass associated with a non-dilated, hypertrophied left ventricle. Phenotypic variability is substantial and includes both diffuse and segmental forms of left ventricular hypertrophy. Histopathologic features consist of myofiber disorganization, intramural arteriosclerosis, and pathologic fibrosis and matrix connective tissue. Associated functional derangements include dynamic obstruction to left and right ventricular outflow and diastolic dysfunction, including heart failure.     

Traumatic Flexor Tendon Injuries in 27 Cattle

Information for all cattle with a diagnosis of tendon injury entered into the Veterinary Medical Data Base (VMDB) was retrieved and selected medical records reviewed. The proportional morbidity rate for tendon disruption was 0.89 cattle/1,000 cattle admissions and 95 of 99 cattle survived. Female and dairy cattle had a greater risk of tendon disruption than male or beef cattle, respectively. Also, cattle 6 months to 7 years old had a greater risk than cattle younger than 6 months old. Complete medical records were examined for 27 cattle. Affected cattle were 2.5 ± 1.8 years old and weighed 593.6 ± 315.6 kg. Injuries were most commonly caused by accidents involving farm machinery (72%). Unilateral superficial digital flexor tendon injury occurred in 8 cattle (30%); multiple tendon injury occurred in the other 19 cattle (70%). A single limb was involved in 25 cattle, a rear limb was involved in 24 cattle, and an open wound was associated with the injury in 26 cattle. Wounds were identified most commonly at the mid (13 cattle) and proximal metatarsus (4 cattle). Treatment of tendon disruption included tenorrhaphy and casting (9 cattle), external coaptation, alone, (14 cattle), stall confinement, alone, (1 cow), and euthanasia or salvage (3 cattle). External coaptation was maintained for 74.4 ± 34.3 days, and total confinement period was 88.3 ± 59.5 days. Short-term complications included severe tendon laxity (one cow) and fatal septic peritonitis (one bull). Twenty-two of 24 cattle treated for tendon disruption survived. Follow-up information was available for 16 cattle; 14 cattle (87%) returned to productivity and 11 of 15 cattle with long-term follow-up (73%) were considered productive. Long-term complications included persistent lameness (56%) and persistent hyperextension of the digits (19%).     

Immunosuppressive Therapy in the Treatment of Immune-mediated Disease

Immune-mediated diseases represent some of the most frustrating types of disorders that are diagnosed and treated in veterinary medicine. Drug-induced immunosuppression is an attempt to control the aberrant immune response against self antigens but the immunosuppression can result in sepsis or other unacceptable adverse effects. If the pathophysiology of immune-mediated and autoimmune disease is considered, the immune response can be divided into several components and attempts can be made to selectively deal with each component separately. The components of the immune response that can be manipulated by therapy include antibodies, effector cells, the mononuclear phagocytic system, and the peripheral manifestations of disease. This article reviews the therapy of immune-mediated and autoimmune diseases based on a pathophysiologic approach and discusses conventional as well as current therapies in the treatment of these devastating diseases.     

Effects of fluid therapy on total protein and its influence on calculated unmeasured anions in the anesthetized dog

Objective – To determine the effects of IV lactated Ringer's solution at a rate of 10 mL/kg/h in anesthetized dogs on total protein (TP) measurement and calculation of unmeasured anions (UAs) using 2 quantitative methods of acid‐base status determination, strong ion gap, and modified base deficit. Design – Prospective clinical study. Animals – Forty‐three dogs, anesthetic health status I or II according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, undergoing surgery under general anesthesia. Interventions – Arterial blood analyses for gas tensions, acid‐base balance, electrolytes, lactate, hemoglobin (Hb), PCV, and TP were performed under general anesthesia immediately after induction and again after administration of approximately 10 mL/kg of lactated Ringer's solution (given over 1 h). UAs were determined using strong ion gap and modified base deficit. Measurements and Main Results – Fluid replacement for 1 hour decreased TP, Hb, and PCV by 8%, 7.8%, and 8.6%, respectively. The degree of decrease in TP did not impact the calculation of UAs by quantitative methods when the prefluid administration TP value was used instead of the postfluid TP value in the calculation. Comparison of the two methods showed a low correlation (r≤0.68) and marked differences in the precision (1.96 SD). Conclusions: The degree of decrease in TP after 1 hour of fluid replacement at approximately 10 mL/kg does not affect determination of UAs when prefluid TP is used within that time period.