Comparison of first-opinion and second-opinion histopathology from dogs and cats with cancer: 430 cases (2001–2008)

Second-opinion histopathology is intended to detect clinically significant discrepancies that have a direct impact on patient care. We sought to determine if this practice at our institution affected patient management and prognosis. First- and second-opinion histopathology reports from cases were retrospectively reviewed. Reports were considered to be in diagnostic agreement, partial diagnostic disagreement or complete diagnostic disagreement. Four hundred and thirty cases were studied. In 70% of cases there was a diagnostic agreement. In 20% of cases, there was partial diagnostic disagreement, where diagnoses were the same but information such as grade or lymphatic and/or vascular invasion was changed. In 10% of cases, complete diagnostic disagreement resulted from a change in degree of malignancy (malignant to benign, or converse; 7%) or a change in cell type (3%). In 17% of the cases evaluated, the histopathology review prompted a change in treatment or prognosis. These findings support the use of second-opinion histopathology as an important part of patient care.     

SHORT COMMUNICATION: Normal aerobic bacterial conjunctival flora in the Crab‐eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) and Coati (Nasua nasua) housed in captivity in pernambuco and paraiba (Northeast,Brazil)

Objective To determine the normal aerobic bacterial conjunctival population of the Coatis and the Crab‐eating raccoons housed in captivity in the Pernambuco and Paraiba states of Brazil. Animals studied Ten healthy Coatis and 10 healthy Crab‐eating raccoons were selected for this study. Animals are from three zoos situated at the Pernambuco and Paraiba States in the north‐east of Brazil. Procedures After ophthalmologic examination, swabs from healthy animals were carefully collected in order to avoid contamination. Samples were identified and submitted to the laboratory. Swabs were plated for culture on ovine blood agar (8%) and agar Levine and incubated at 37 °C and observed 24 and 48 h. Results Staphylococcus spp. was the most common microorganism isolated from conjunctival sac. Shigella spp. comprised the Gram‐negative genera isolated. Escherichia coli were isolated from the right eye of one Coati that had no growth at contralateral eye. Nine eyes from coatis and 10 from Crab‐eating raccoons had no microorganisms isolated. Conclusion Our results were in accordance with previous studies indicating Staphylococcus sp., followed by Corynebacterium spp. as the most common inhabitant of the eyes of most mammalian species.     

Expression of the high mobility group A1 (HMGA1) and A2 (HMGA2) genes in canine lymphoma: analysis of 23 cases and comparison to control cases

Overexpression of high mobility group A (HMGA) genes was described as a prognostic marker in different human malignancies, but its role in canine haematopoietic malignancies was unknown so far. The objective of this study was to analyse HMGA1 and HMGA2 gene expression in lymph nodes of canine lymphoma patients. The expression of HMGA1 and HMGA2 was analysed in lymph node samples of 23 dogs with lymphoma and three control dogs using relative quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR. Relative quantity of HMGA1 was significantly higher in dogs with lymphoma compared with reference samples. HMGA2 expression did not differ between lymphoma and control dogs. With the exception of immunophenotype, comparison of disease parameters did not display any differences in HMGA1 and HMGA2 expression. The present findings indicate a role of HMGA genes in canine lymphoma. This study represents the basis for future veterinary and comparative studies dealing with their diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic values.     

A randomised,blinded, crossover study to assess the efficacy of a feed supplement in alleviating the clinical signs of headshaking in 32 horses

Reasons for performing study: Feed supplements are commonly used by owners to alleviate headshaking; however, randomised, controlled trials are required to assess their efficacy. Objective: To determine the efficacy of a feed supplement for alleviation of the clinical signs of headshaking using a randomised, blinded, placebo‐controlled trial. Methods: Using a crossover design, 44 horses previously diagnosed with chronic idiopathic headshaking received both the supplement and a matching placebo per os for 28 days with a washout period between of 14 days. Video recordings were taken at rest and exercise prior to the study and at the end of both periods of treatment. The degree of headshaking was assessed in a blinded, randomised manner by 2 veterinary surgeons. At the same time points, owners completed a questionnaire to assess the severity of headshaking signs. A Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare the scores while on supplement and placebo. Results: Using the video assessments, there was no significant difference between scores while on supplement compared with placebo (P = 0.7). Using the questionnaire responses, there was no significant difference between scores for any activity when the placebo and the supplement were compared with each other. However, owners reported significant improvement during all activities for both placebo and supplement compared with pretreatment scores. Conclusions and potential relevance: The supplement offered no benefit over a placebo in alleviating the clinical signs of headshaking. There appeared to be a significant proxy placebo effect when the outcome was based on subjective owner perception of clinical signs. This study demonstrated no beneficial effect of this supplement on the clinical signs of headshaking. The study did show a significant placebo effect, thereby highlighting the necessity of properly conducted, randomised controlled trials, with blinding, to assess true treatment effects in trials in animals.     

Congenital pyloric stenosis in two kittens corrected by pyloroplasty

Abstract

Extract

Rural veterinary practice faces difficulties in many parts of the world. Falling farm incomes and increasing costs have sometimes resulted in reduced use of veterinary services. There seems to be widespread agreement that an increased emphasis on preventive medicine would improve the situation for both the farmer and his veterinarian. There appear to be no commonly agreed formal criteria for the development and evaluation of health programmes, either in human or veterinary medicine, but increasing attention is being paid to the problem(1) Anon Statistical indicators for the planning and evaluation of public health programmes: 11th report of the World Health Organisations expert committee on health statistics W. H. O. Tech. Reports No. 365 1971  [Google Scholar] (12) Morris, R. S. 1969. Assessing the ecnomic value of veterinary services to primary industries. Aust. vet. J., 45: 295–300.  [Google Scholar] (14) Morris, R. S. 1975. Criteria for the design and evaluation of bovine mastitis control systems. International Dairy Federation Proceedings, 85: 395–409. In [Google Scholar] (15) Schulberg, H. C., Sheldon, A. and Baker, F., eds. 1970. Program evaluation in the health fields, N.Y.: Behavioural Publications.  [Google Scholar], In some ways the evaluation of animal health programmes should be the easier, for there are fewer ethical problems and economic criteria are of paramount importance in rural practice.     

Experimental observations on prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination against foot-rot in sheep

Extract

I have taken as my subject for this address the topic, “Change”, and will deal with two aspects of change, one the challenge of change due to new knowledge and techniques and second the change we must make in our attitude to other agricultural disciplines and ancillary veterinary personnel.