Management of hemodynamic changes associated with removal of a large abdominal myofibroblastic tumor in a pony

A 22-year-old female Welsh-cross pony was evaluated because of intermittent colic, signs of depression, pyrexia, anorexia, muscle wasting with abdominal distention, and weight gain over the preceding 12 months. A large abdominal mass was detected and surgically removed; the hemodynamic alterations and complications caused by the dramatic fluid losses and shifts that can occur in association with removal of a large abdominal mass required extensive postoperative management. Monitoring of clinical and hematologic variables such as attitude, heart rate, mucous membrane color, mean arterial blood pressure, PCV, and plasma total protein concentration provided useful information for successful management of the patient after surgery. On removal, the tumor weighed 19% of the pony's body weight and was characterized as a myofibroblastic tumor. Myofibroblastic tumors should be considered as a differential for large internal abdominal masses in horses, and surgical removal may be feasible and life extending with appropriate postoperative care.     

Evaluation of owner education as a component of obesity treatment programs for dogs

OBJECTIVE: To compare results of a conventional obesity treatment program with those of an obesity treatment program that included education of owners of obese dogs. DESIGN: Nonblinded prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS: 60 obese dogs with a body condition score (BCS) of 8/9 or 9/9. PROCEDURE: Dogs were randomly assigned to control or owner education (EDU) treatment groups. A 6-month weight loss period was followed by an 18-month weight maintenance period. Daily caloric intake to induce loss of 1% of body weight/wk was calculated for each dog after assessment of prior diet history. The daily caloric intake for weight maintenance was estimated to be 20% greater than that calculated for weight loss with adjustments of +/- 5% as required. Weight and BCS were recorded monthly for each dog. Owners of dogs in the EDU group were required to attend monthly classes that addressed nutrition-related topics during the 6-month weight loss period. RESULTS: Dogs in both treatment groups had significantly lower weight at the end of the weight loss period, compared with initial weight. Mean weight loss at 6 months was 14.7% in the control group and 15% in the EDU group; this difference was not significant. During the weight maintenance period, percentage weight loss was maintained in both treatment groups. Mean changes in BCS at 6 months (relative to time 0) were -1.5 in the control group and -1.7 in the EDU group. At 24 months, mean changes in BCS (relative to time 0) were -2.1 in the control group and -2.2 in the EDU group. No significant differences in BCS were identified between treatment groups at either 6 or 24 months. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Mean decrease in BCS of 2 and mean weight loss of 15% were achieved and maintained in all dogs. An obesity treatment program that included dietary changes and monthly weight checks during the weight loss and weight maintenance periods was sufficient to achieve these results.     

Preliminary evaluation of a behaviour-based system for assessment of post-operative pain in horses following arthroscopic surgery

Objective To develop a method for objective assessment of equine post‐operative pain. Study design Prospective nonblinded clinical study. Animals Twelve adult horses: Group 1 (G1, n = 6), admitted for arthroscopy (under general anaesthesia, with multimodal analgesia); Group 2 (G2, n = 6), ‘pain free’ controls. Materials and methods Horses were filmed continuously (CVI, time‐lapse video recorder) over 72 hours, from 24 hours pre‐surgery (PS) to 48 hours post‐recovery (PR) (G1), and over 24 hours (G2). Activity budgets were determined from 24 to 0 hours PS, 0–24 and 24–48 hours PR (G1) and for 24 hours (G2). Using direct observation (DO), active behaviours and postures were recorded at set time points PS and PR (G1) and at two time points (morning/evening) (G2). Heart rate (HR) and respiration rate (RR) were recorded simultaneously. Statistical analysis investigated within‐group and between‐group time‐related changes in behaviour, HR and RR. Results There was no difference in HR or RR between G1 and G2 at any time point. Anaesthetic ‘hangover’ and hunger‐related activity modulated behaviour from 0 to 6 hours PR, when abnormal postures and locomotion occurred in all G1 horses, but no G2 horses. Compared with G1 (0–24 hours PR), G2 spent more time eating (t = ?3.34, p < 0.01), more time at the front of the stable (t = ?2.42, p < 0.05), and less time exhibiting ‘abnormal’ behaviour (U = 56, p < 0.01). Comparing PS and PR behaviour, G1 spent less time exploring from 24 to 48 hours PR (t = 3.49, p < 0.05), less time in sternal recumbency (t = ?3.8, p < 0.05) and less time moving (t = 3.19, p < 0.05). Horses tended (p < 0.07) to spend less time positioned in the front of the stable PR (less from 24 to 48 hours PR than from 0 to 24 hours PR). Comparing PR (evening) behaviour, G2 spent more time with head above withers (U = 21.5, p < 0.01), and ears forwards (U = 22, p < 0.01). G1 showed time‐related changes (all p < 0.05) in time with lower lip tense (S = 15.8), eating (S = 17.08) and with head positioned above withers (S = 18.04). No differences in event behaviours were observed between G1 and G2. Within G1, only olfactory behaviour varied significantly with time (S = 14.52, p < 0.05). Conclusions Changes in equine behaviour suggestive of post‐operative discomfort were identified using both DO and CVI. Analysis of activity budgets may be a more sensitive method of identifying behavioural changes indicative of equine discomfort than repeated DO of specific events and postures.     

Keratinizing ameloblastoma in a 9-month-old llama (Lama glama).

A 9-month-old male llama (Lama glama) was presented because of a rapidly growing mass on the right side of the face. Radiographs revealed a marked expansion of the right caudal face region with bone lysis involving the maxilla and the nasal, lacrimal, zygomatic, and palatine bones. Cytologically, the mass consisted of atypical round to polygonal cells with round nuclei and basophilic cytoplasms that formed acini and rows. Histologically, the mass consisted of anastomosing cords and sheets of neoplastic odontogenic epithelial cells embedded in a loose fibrovascular connective tissue. Single layers of peripheral, polarized, palisading, columnar epithelial cells were seen at the edges of some cords. Within the centers of the cords, epithelial cells showed rapid progression to keratin production. The histologic diagnosis was keratinizing ameloblastoma. Ameloblastomas are neoplasms of odontogenic epithelium that tend to be locally aggressive and can cause substantial destruction of bony structures. Because ameloblastomas do not tend to metastasize, they can be successfully treated by complete surgical excision, performed before extensive bony destruction occurs. Ameloblastoma, although expected to be rare, should be onthe list of differential diagnoses for facial swelling in llamas.     

Use of a parainguinal approach for cryptorchidectomy in alpacas

Cryptorchidism is an uncommon condition in llamas and alpacas, and there are no reports detailing surgical management of this condition in llamas or alpacas; however, flank or ventral midline approaches have been mentioned. Cryptorchid castration was performed by use of a parainguinal approach in 2 alpacas. The retained testicle of each alpaca was found on the ventral aspect of the abdomen, just caudal to the incision in 1 alpaca and at the cranial edge of the incision in the other. The testicle was approximately 1 X 0.5 cm in 1 alpaca and 2 X 1 cm in the other. In an alpaca or llama with a single abdominal testicle and no history of surgery, the parainguinal approach has several advantages, including the likely proximity of the testicle to the incision; the small incision, which can be extended if needed; ease of closure; and minimal aftercare. The retained testicles were small and could be difficult to find from a more distant midline, paramedian, or flank incision.     

Treatment with pergolide or cyproheptadine of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (equine Cushing's disease)

Medical records of 27 horses (including 13 ponies) treated with pergolide or cyproheptadine for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction were reviewed to determine the effect of treatment on plasma ACTH, insulin, and glucose concentrations and clinical signs. Prior to treatment, the most common clinical signs were laminitis, hirsutism, and abnormal body fat distribution. The median pergolide dose was 3.0 microg/kg p.o. q24h (range, 1.7-5.5 microg/kg). All horses treated with cyproheptadine were given 0.25 mg/kg p.o. q24h. After pergolide treatment, ACTH concentrations (n = 20; median = 30.4 pg/ml; range, 4.2-173) were significantly lower (P < .01) than those in horses treated with cyproheptadine (n = 7; median = 141.0 pg/ml: range, 10-1,230). Among horses treated with pergolide, there was a correlation between ACTH concentration after treatment and the duration of treatment (P < .001) and pergolide dose (P = .04). Significantly (P = .02) more owners of horses treated with pergolide (85%, 17/20) reported an improvement in clinical signs compared to owners of horses treated with cyproheptadine (28%, 2/7).     

Dendritic cell leukemia in a Golden Retriever

An 8-year-old castrated male Golden Retriever was evaluated for decreased appetite, lethargy, and labored breathing of 1-week duration. Bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly were present. Results of a CBC revealed marked leukocytosis (62,600/microL; reference interval 4000-15,500/microL) and large numbers of atypical cells (30,700/microL) with abundant cytoplasm. There was no concurrent anemia, neutropenia, or thrombocytopenia. Morphology of the atypical cells was most consistent with a histiocytic origin. Similar cells were identified in bone marrow aspirates, and were morphologically suggestive of the macrophage variant of disseminated histiocytic sarcoma. However, flow cytometry of the abnormal circulating cells revealed CD1c, CD11c, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class II expression without expression of CD11d or lymphoid markers, consistent with myeloid dendritic antigen-presenting cells. At necropsy, the splenic architecture was effaced by neoplastic histiocytes that were also infiltrating lung, liver, an abdominal lymph node, myocardium, an bone marrow. Immunohistochemistry of the splenic neoplastic cells confirmed dendritic cell origin (CD1c+, CD11c+, MHC II+, no expression of CD11d and lymphoid markers). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of canine dendritic cell leukemia-in this instance accompanied by marked tissue infiltration.