COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY OF THE PHARYNX IN A CLOSED VS. OPEN MOUTH POSITION

The pharynx is anatomically complex and evaluation can be difficult even with cross‐sectional imaging. Eight animals had computed tomography (CT) studies of the head performed with the mouth open and closed. The studies were anonymized and evaluated by four radiologists for visibility of six anatomic regions (dorsal wall of nasopharynx, lumen of nasopharynx, dorsal margin of the soft palate, ventral margin of the soft palate, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx) and for certainty of a normal or abnormal diagnosis of four different anatomic regions (nasopharynx, soft palate, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx). Mean visual scores differed significantly between mouth positions and were improved when the mouth was open. The ability of radiologists to classify anatomic regions as normal or abnormal vs. unsure also varied between mouth positions, and there was greater uncertainty when the mouth was closed. In addition, estimated volume of the air‐filled nasopharynx differed significantly as a function of mouth position and was greater when the mouth was open (mean=1.187 cm³, SE=0.177) vs. closed (mean=0.584 cm³, SE=0.116). Computed tomographic evaluation of the pharynx can be improved with the mouth open.     

Black Hair Follicular Dysplasia in Black and White Saluki Dogs: Differentiation from Color Mutant Alopecia in the Doberman Pinscher by Microscopic Examination of Hairs

Abstract— Four black and white female Saluki puppies developed variably severe hypotrichosis in black haired areas. Histologically, follicles in black haired areas were dilated with keratin and clumps of melanin pigment, and were irregularly shaped. Melanin pigment was also clumped in hair shafts, basal layer of epidermis, epithelial cells of hair bulbs and macrophages around follicles, especially at the base. White haired areas were normal grossly and histologically. Light microscopic examination of dehydrated and cleared primary black hair shafts from one Saluki with black hair follicular dysplasia and primary blue hair shafts from two blue Doberman pinschers with color mutant alopecia revealed that the blue Dobermans had many more visible macromelanosomes than the Saluki. On scanning electron microscopy, cuticular abnormalities were identified in some white and all black hairs from the Saluki. Several black hairs had shallow, oval defects in the superficial cortex. Blue hairs from one Doberman had similar, but more extensive changes. Résumé— Quatre chiots femelles Saluki noirs et blancs ont développé une hypotrichose plus ou moins étendue des zones de poils noirs. Sur le plan histologique, les follicules pileux des zones de poils noirs étalent dilatés, de forme irrégulière et obstrué par des bouchons de keratine et de mélanine. Des pigments mélaniques en motte sont aussi retrouvés dans la lumière des poits, les cellules basales de l'epiderme, les cellules épithéliales de bulbes pileux et les macrophages entourant les follicules pileux. Les zones de poils blancs étaient normales, tant macroscopiquement que micrioscopiquement. L'examen en microscopie optique de poils noirs primaires deshydratés et éclaircis provenant d'un de ces Saluki et de deux Doberman atteints d'alopécle des mutants de couleur a révélé un beaucoup plus grand nombre de macromélanosomes chez les Dobermans que chez le Saluki. En microscopie électronique à balayage des anomalies de la cuticule ont été observées sur quelques poils blancs et tous les poils noirs des Salukis. Plusieurs poils noirs présentaiert des déformations ovales peu profondes de la cuticule. Les poils bleus des Dobermans présentaient le même type de déformation, mais de façon plus étendue. Zusammenfassung— Vier schwarz-weiße weibliche Salukiwelpen entwickelten abwechselnd eine schwere Hypotrichose in den schwarzgefärbten Fellbezirken. Im histologischen Bild waren die Follikel in den schwarzgefärbten Fellbezirken durch Keratin und Melaninpigmentklumpen dilatiert sowie unregelmäßig geformt. Das Melaninpigment war in den Haarschäften, in der Basalzellschicht der Epidermis, den Epitheizellen der Haarbulbi und den Makrophagen um die Follikel, besonders an der Basis, ebenfalls zusammengekiumpt. Die weißen Fellbezirke waren makroskopisch und histologisch unverändert. Die lichtmikroskopische Untersuchung von dehydrierten und aufgehellten Schäften schwarzer Primärhaare eines Salukis mit follikulärer Dysplasie schwarzer Haare und der Untersuchung der Haarschäfte blauer Primärhaare zweier blauer Dobermannhunde mit Farbmutantenalopezie zeigte, daß die blauen Dobermänner viel mehr sichtbare Makromelanosomen als der Saluki aufwiesen. Bei der Untersuchung mit dem Elektronenmikroskop konnten Abnormitäten der Kutikula bei einigen weißen und bei alien schwarzen Haaren des Salukis festgestellt werden. Einige der schwarzen Haare zeigten flache, ovale Defekte in der oberflächlichen Rinde. Blaue Haare eines Dobermanns zeigten ähnliche, aber viel ausgedehntere Veränderungen. Resumen Cuatro cachorros hembra de Saluki negro y bianco se desarrollaron con variable gravedad hipotricosis en areas de pelo negro. Histológicamente los folículos de las zonas de pelo negro fueron dilatados con keratina y grupos de pigmento de melanina, y fueron irregularmente formados. El pigmento de melanina también fue encontrado irregularmente en el cuerpo del pelo, capa basal de la epidermis, células epiteliales de los bulbos pilosos y macrófagos alredador de los folículos, especialmente en la base. Las areas de pelo bianco eran normales en cuanto tanto macroscopicamente como histológicamente. El examen microscópico del cuerpo de pelos negros deshidratados y aclarados de un saluki con displasia folicular de pelo negro y cuerpo de pelo azul primario de dos Doberman pinschers con alopecia de color mutante, reveló que los Dobermans azules tenían muchos mas macromelanosomas visibles que el Saluki. Al microscopio electrónico se identificaron abnormalidades cuticubres en algunas pelos blancos y todos los negros en el Saluki. Varios pelos negros tenían pequenos defectos ovales en la corteza superficial. Los pelos azules de uno de los Doberman presentaban cambios similares pero más extensos.     

PULMONARY HYPERTENSION IN DOGS WITH MITRAL REGURGITATION ATTRIBUTABLE TO MYXOMATOUS VALVE DISEASE

Pulmonary hypertension has been associated with mitral insufficiency caused by chronic degenerative valve disease in dogs. Our aim was to search for associations between left atrial to aortic root ratio, end‐systolic and end‐diastolic volume indices, and changes in the right ventricular to right atrial pressure gradient as estimated by the peak velocity of tricuspid regurgitation in dogs with chronic degenerative valve disease and different classes of heart failure. Dogs, for which follow‐up was available were evaluated for changes in the right ventricular to right atrial systolic pressure gradient over time. Three hundred and forty‐four dogs were studied; 51 in the International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council class 1a, 75 in class 1b, 113 in class 2, 97 in class 3a, and 8 in class 3b. The mean values for right ventricular to right atrial systolic pressure gradient, end‐systolic volume index, end‐diastolic volume index, and left atrial to aortic ratio were 49.2 ± 17.1 mmHg, 149.12 ± 60.8 and 37.7 ± 21.6 ml/m², and 1.9 ± 0.5, respectively. A weak positive correlation was found between the right ventricular to right atrial systolic pressure gradient and the left atrial to aorta ratio (r=0.242, P<0.0001), end‐diastolic volume index (r=0.242, P<0.0001), and end‐systolic volume index (r=0.129, P<0.001). Follow up was available for 49 dogs. Of these, 18 had an increased, 12 a decreased, and 19 a stable right ventricular to right atrial systolic pressure gradient despite therapy. The equivalence point between the sensitivity and specificity curves of about 80% in the coincident point corresponded to a right ventricular to right atrial systolic pressure gradient of 48 mmHg. Our results suggest an association between the progressive nature of chronic degenerative mitral valve disease and pulmonary hypertension. It is of clinical interest that, with a right ventricular to right atrial systolic pressure gradient pressure gradient at or above 48 mmHg, pulmonary hypertension does not appear to improve despite therapy targeted at lowering the left atrial load.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF INTESTINAL MAST CELL TUMORS IN THE CAT

The sonographic features of intestinal mast cell tumors (MCT) were reviewed in 14 cats. The mean age was 13.4 ± 2.5 years. There were 16 focal intestinal tumors and one diffuse submucosal infiltrate. The most common pattern was focal, hypoechoic wall thickening that was noncircumferential and eccentric (9/16 tumors) or circumferential, asymmetric, and eccentric (5/16 tumors). Nine of the cats had lesions in the jejunum or duodenum, four were at the ileocecocolic junction, and one cat had a colonic mass. Six MCTs had altered but not loss of wall layering, and the most commonly affected layer on ultrasound examination was the muscularis propria. Nine cats had enlarged abdominal lymph nodes, and seven were due to metastatic disease. Metastatic disease was not routinely detected by ultrasound in the liver (1/4 cats) or the spleen (0/3 cats). Concurrent small cell (T cell) lymphoma was present in four of 14 cats (29%).     

INFLUENCE OF A MYCORRHIZAL FUNGUS AND/OR RHIZOBIUM ON GROWTH AND BIOMASS PARTITIONING OF SUBTERRANEAN CLOVER EXPOSED TO OZONE

The influence of soilborne symbionts such as rhizobia or mycorrhizal fungi on plant response to ozone (O₃) has not been well defined. Leguminous plants in the field are infected by both types of organisms, which influence plant nutrition and growth. We studied the effects of infection with Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii and/or Gigaspora margarita on response of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L. cv Mt. Barker) to O₃. Exposures were conducted in greenhouse CSTR chambers using four O₃ concentrations [charcoal-filtered (CF), 50, 100, or 150 ppb; 6 h day^-1, 5 day wk^-1 for 12 weeks] as main plots (replicated). Four inoculum types were subplot treatments, i.e., inoculated with one, both, or neither microorganisms. At 2-wk intervals, plants were exposed to ¹⁴CO₂ and harvested 24 h later for determination of biomass and ¹⁴C content of shoots and roots. Ozone at 100 or 150 ppb suppressed clover growth during the experiment. Inoculation with G. margarita alone suppressed clover growth by the last two harvests, whereas R. leguminosarum alone enhanced growth during this time period. When both symbionts were present, the plants grew similarly to the noninoculated controls. Shoot/root ratios were increased by 100 or 150 ppb O₃ compared to that for CF-treated plants. Shoot/root ratios were greater for all inoculated plants compared to noninoculated controls. Under low O₃ stress (CF or 50 ppb), plants inoculated with both R. leguminosarum and G. margarita transported a greater proportion of recent photosynthate (¹⁴C) to roots than did noninoculated plants; we attribute this to metabolic requirements of the microorganisms. At the highest level of O₃ stress (150 ppb), this did not occur, probably because little photosynthate was available and the shoots retained most of it for repair of injury. Statistically significant interactions occurred between O₃ and inoculum types for shoot and total biomass. When averaged across harvests, 50 ppb O₃ suppressed biomass in the plants inoculated with G. margarita alone. Apparently, the mycorrhizal fungus is such a significant C drain that even a small amount of O₃ stress suppresses plant growth under these conditions.     

Miniplate Fixation for Repair of Mandibular and Maxillary Fractures in 15 Dogs and 3 Cats

Maxillofacial miniplates and screws were used for skeletal fixation in 15 dogs and 3 cats that sustained a variety of mandibular and maxillary fractures. These implants were used as neutralization or buttress fixation in 11 caudal (junction of the ramus with the mandibular body) and 2 rostral mandibular fractures, 4 maxillary fractures, and 2 zygomatic arch fractures. All but one of the fractures healed with appropriate occlusion and excellent function. In one case of a rostral mandibular fracture, soft tissue dehiscence occurred accompanied by a loss of the fixation and subsequent distraction of the bone fragments; reasonable function was obtained by performing a rostral mandibulectomy. Plate contouring and application of the miniplates along the appropriate biomechanical lines of stress was easily performed and permitted the biomechanical principles of tension band fixation to be applied in most cases. Miniplate fixation, either used alone or in combination with other fracture fixation techniques, achieved sufficiently rigid skeletal fixation to provide uncomplicated healing and good to excellent functional and cosmetic results in 14 dogs and 3 cats.     

Esophageal Dysfunction in Dogs with Idiopathic Laryngeal Paralysis: A Controlled Cohort Study

Objectives— To compare esophageal function in dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis (ILP) to age and breed matched controls; to determine if dysfunction is associated with aspiration pneumonia over 1 year; and to compare clinical neurologic examination of dogs with ILP at enrollment and at 1 year. Study Design— Prospective controlled cohort study. Animals— Dogs with ILP (n=32) and 34 age and breed matched healthy dogs. Methods— Mean esophageal score was determined for each phase of 3 phase esophagrams, analyzed blindly. After unilateral cricoarytenoid laryngoplasty, dogs with ILP were reexamined (including thoracic radiography) at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Neurologic status was recorded at enrollment, 6 and 12 months. Results— Esophagram scores in dogs with ILP were significantly higher in each phase compared with controls, most notably with liquid (P<.0001). Dysfunction was more pronounced in the cervical and cranial thoracic esophagus. Five dogs that had aspiration pneumonia during the study had significantly higher esophagram scores than dogs that did not develop aspiration pneumonia (P<.02). Ten (31%) ILP dogs had generalized neurologic signs on enrollment and all ILP dogs developed neurologic signs by 1 year (P<.0001). Conclusions— Dogs with ILP also have esophageal dysfunction. Postoperative aspiration pneumonia is more likely in dogs with higher esophagram scores. Dogs with ILP will most likely develop generalized neuropathy over the course of 1 year. Clinical Relevance— Esophagrams and neurologic examinations should be performed on all dogs with ILP.     

Subtotal Colectomy With Surgical Stapling Instruments Via a Trans-cecal Approach for Treatment of Acquired Megacolon in Cats

Surgical stapling equipment was used to perform an end-to-end colonic anastomosis in 15 cats for the treatment of acquired megacolon. An end-to-end stapling device was passed to the anastomotic site by a trans-cecal approach. Subsequent closure of the cecal incision was accomplished with a thoracoabdominal stapling device. Two cats had hemorrhagic episodes immediately after surgery that required blood transfusions. All 15 cats have had good to excellent health after subtotal colectomy and colocolostomy performed using this stapling technique. Results of this study have demonstrated that "single surgical field" placement of the end-to-end stapling device has the primary advantage of simplicity and a lower chance of contamination compared with (dual field) rectal passage of similar devices. Closure of the cecal access incision is easily performed without reducing the diameter of the large intestinal lumen. The stapling technique provided an efficient and consistent method for anastomosis of the large bowel in cats.