Journal of Small Animal Practice最新文献

A 10-year-old male mixed-breed dog presented with vomiting and anuria. The dog was living indoors, and no trauma was reported by the owner. Ultrasonography and a retrograde urethrogram revealed the presence of a urinary bladder leakage. A celiotomy was performed to repair a urinary bladder tear, along with a biopsy of the urinary bladder wall. Histopathological features consisted of lymphoplasmacytic cystitis with haemorrhages and multifocal fibrotic areas within the muscular layers. Spontaneous rupture of the urinary bladder without evidence of trauma is a well-known, though rare, condition in human medicine. The chronic inflammation detected in the present case, along with fibrosis, caused the weakening of the urinary bladder wall, leading to perforation. This is the first documented veterinary case of spontaneous rupture of the urinary bladder secondary to chronic inflammation and highlights the importance of including this condition in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with uroperitoneum without underlying trauma.

Objective: To describe the surgical technique, associated complications and 12-month outcomes in dogs that underwent laparoscopic treatment of prostatic cysts.

Materials and methods: The medical records of dogs with prostatic cysts that were managed laparoscopically between 2017 and 2022 at two referral institutions were retrospectively reviewed. Intra- and post-operative complications were evaluated, and patients were required to have a minimum follow-up of 12 months for inclusion in the study.

Results: Twelve client-owned dogs met the inclusion criteria. A three- or four-port technique was used depending on the surgeon's preference. Following deroofing of the prostatic cyst, urethral integrity was assessed intraoperatively. The cystic cavity was inspected for leakage while injecting saline into the distal urethra, confirming the absence of communication between the urethra and the prostatic cyst. The omentum was anchored to the prostatic body using either simple interrupted sutures or haemostatic clips, with the latter method considered subjectively more challenging by the authors. No major intra- or post-operative complications were reported. Minor intraoperative complications occurred in three of 12 patients, consisting of self-limiting haemorrhage. Minor post-operative complications included one case of transient urinary tenesmus, which resolved within 24 hours, and mild haematuria in one dog, which lasted for 3 days. No recurrence of the prostatic cysts was observed over the 12-month follow-up period.

Clinical significance: Laparoscopic excision with omentalisation is a feasible, effective and safe therapeutic approach for prostatic cysts in dogs confirmed to lack a communication between the prostatic cyst and the urethra.

Objective: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the intraoperative isoflurane-sparing and cardiovascular effects of a combined infusion of remifentanil-lidocaine-ketamine versus remifentanil-ketamine for balanced anaesthesia in cats to investigate the effect of lidocaine infusion in various clinical situations.

Materials and methods: Among patients with various health statuses undergoing surgical procedures, 18 cats administered remifentanil-lidocaine-ketamine were compared with 20 cats administered remifentanil-ketamine. In the remifentanil-lidocaine-ketamine group, lidocaine was initially infused at 50 μg/kg/minute with a loading dose of 0.6 mg/kg, and the infusion rate was controlled depending on cardiovascular alterations. Linear regression was used to relate end-tidal isoflurane and cardiovascular effects, including blood pressure [expressed as the ratio of mild hypotension duration (mean arterial pressure <60 mmHg) to total anaesthesia time] and heart rate (interquartile range) with patient, surgical and anaesthetic variables including lidocaine infusion.

Results: In the remifentanil-lidocaine-ketamine group, the average lidocaine infusion rate during the entire anaesthetic period was 46.00 ± 12.00 (range: 22.67 to 64.63) μg/kg/minute. The multivariable regression model of end-tidal isoflurane showed a correlation with the duration of the procedure and lidocaine infusion. The end-tidal isoflurane concentration exhibited a significant reduction in the remifentanil-lidocaine-ketamine group (1.16% ± 0.19%), compared with that of the remifentanil-ketamine group (1.27% ± 0.14%). The association between lidocaine administration and hypotension was not significant, nor was that with heart rate.

Clinical significance: Although the use of intravenous lidocaine in cats has been associated with concerns regarding cardiovascular toxicity, the findings of this study suggest that lidocaine infusion, as part of the remifentanil-lidocaine-ketamine combination, can be considered a component of balanced anaesthesia in cats.

Objectives: To report the relative prevalence of structural and idiopathic epilepsy in brachycephalic and non-brachycephalic breeds in the context of the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force guidelines. A secondary objective was to compare the age at diagnosis of structural epilepsy in brachycephalic and non-brachycephalic dogs.

Materials and methods: Medical records were reviewed retrospectively for dogs presenting to a single centre for investigation of generalised seizures. Patients were categorised based upon skull conformation, age, interictal neurological examination and the presence of structural lesions identified on magnetic resonance imaging that were deemed likely to cause seizures. Descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test and Bayesian analysis of the data were performed to investigate the associations between skull conformation, the presence of structural lesions and the age of onset of structural epilepsy.

Results: A structural lesion was identified as the probable cause of seizures in 34.2% (38/111) of dogs. 61.8% of brachycephalic dogs had a structural lesion compared to 22.1% of non-brachycephalic dogs. 33.3% of brachycephalic dogs aged 6 months to 6 years with a normal interictal neurological examination were diagnosed with a structural lesion compared to 0% of non-brachycephalic dogs in this age category. The median age at diagnosis of structural epilepsy in brachycephalic dogs (60 months) differed significantly from that of non-brachycephalic dogs (108 months).

Clinical significance: Brachycephaly was identified as a risk factor for structural epilepsy in this study population, suggesting that magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and cerebrospinal fluid analysis should be more strongly considered in brachycephalic dogs who otherwise satisfy a tier I confidence level diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy, independent of the interictal neurological examination.

Objectives: To describe clinical findings, cross-sectional imaging features, management and outcome of dogs with bilateral zygomatic sialadenitis.

Materials and methods: Clinical databases of three referral institutions were searched for dogs diagnosed with bilateral zygomatic sialadenitis who underwent magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography of the head. Signalment, history, clinical, laboratory and imaging findings were reviewed.

Results: Twenty dogs with a mean age (±SD) of 7.1 (±2.7) years were included; Labradors were overrepresented (10/20). Common clinical signs included pain on opening the mouth (18/20), conjunctival hyperaemia (16/20), exophthalmos (15/20), periorbital pain (15/20), third eyelid protrusion (11/20) and resistance to retropulsion of the globes (11/20). Fifteen of twenty dogs had at least one concurrent systemic disease: skin allergy (5/15), hypertension (3/15), gastrointestinal (3/15), kidney (3/15), neurological (3/15) and periodontal disease (2/15), pancreatitis (2/15) and neoplasia (2/15). Neutrophilia (9/18) and leukocytosis (7/18) were the most common haematological abnormalities. When performed (11/20), aspiration cytology revealed predominantly degenerate neutrophils (9/11) and only 2/9 culture samples yielded bacterial growth. The zygomatic glands were predominantly hyperintense on both T1 and T2-weighted images (22/24) and symmetrically enlarged (20/24) with marked and heterogeneous contrast enhancement (18/24). In the computed tomography studies, the zygomatic glands were all hyperattenuating and contrast enhancing. Treatment included systemic antimicrobial (18/20), anti-inflammatory (14/20) and supportive treatment (16/20). Clinical signs improved in 16/20 dogs; however, 4/20 dogs were euthanised due to severe systemic disease.

Clinical significance: Bilateral zygomatic sialadenitis is frequently associated with systemic disease in dogs. Clinical signs generally improve with systemic antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and supportive treatment.

Two dogs with haematuria and frequent urination were referred to our veterinary hospital. They were diagnosed with lower urinary tract carcinoma based on urine cytology and BRAF mutation testing. Transarterial embolisation was performed because of persistent haematuria. This procedure involved super-selective catheterisation and embolisation of the tumour-feeding arteries using gelatine sponge particles, achieving near stasis. After transarterial embolisation, both patients showed resolution of haematuria within 4 days and a marked reduction in tumour volume after 1 month. However, both patients experienced recurrence of haematuria 4 to 6 weeks after the procedure, leading to a second embolisation being performed for each. Following the second embolisation, the haematuria resolved again. Transarterial embolisation could provide benefits for managing persistent haematuria and provides local tumour control in dogs with lower urinary tract carcinoma.

Objectives: To evaluate veterinary surgeons' awareness of the potential for surgical gloves and instruments to act as vectors for tumour seeding in small animal oncological surgery and to assess the use of specific protocols to mitigate this risk.

Materials and methods: A 21-question survey was developed and distributed to small animal veterinary surgeons, focusing on practices related to glove and instrument handling during oncological surgeries. The survey targeted veterinary surgeons who regularly performed oncological procedures, and was analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's chi-square analysis.

Results: A total of 194 veterinary surgeons participated. Most respondents (89%) reported changing gloves and instruments during oncological surgeries to avoid tumour seeding. Surgeons with advanced qualifications and those working in referral hospitals were more likely to implement these practices. Additionally, surgeons with a higher oncological caseload were more likely to follow protocols for wound protection. The majority (74%) of respondents believed that there was a risk of neoplastic cells on gloves or instruments, and 98% expressed a strong interest in evidence-based guidelines.

Clinical significance: This study highlights a significant awareness among veterinary surgeons regarding the risk of tumour seeding through surgical gloves and instruments. There is a clear willingness among practitioners to adopt new guidelines and improve practices based on emerging evidence, indicating a potential shift towards more stringent protocols in small animal oncological surgeries.

Objectives: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common cause of acquired cardiac disorder in dogs, second only to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). This study aimed to describe the thoracic radiographic features of cardiogenic pulmonary oedema in dogs with DCM.

Materials and methods: Thoracic radiographs of dogs in left-sided congestive heart failure with an echocardiographically confirmed diagnosis of DCM were included in this retrospective study. Radiographs were retrospectively reviewed by two radiologists to assess the distribution, severity and characteristics of the pulmonary pattern, as well as to identify the presence of pleural effusion and degree of cardiomegaly.

Results: A total of 97 dogs with L-CHF due to DCM met the inclusion criteria. Results of the study suggest that the predominant pulmonary pattern differs from myxomatous mitral valve disease and is characterised by a mild to moderate (62/97 or 63.9% and 30/97 or 30.9%, respectively), unstructured interstitial (72 or 74.2%), diffuse (90 or 92.8%) and predominantly ventrally distributed (52 or 53.6%) pulmonary pattern. A subset of dogs (49 or 50.5%) had diffusely distributed linear soft tissue opacities throughout all lung lobes considered to represent pulmonary vascular congestion, bronchial cuffing and/or thickening of the bronchi.

Clinical significance: The pulmonary pattern of L-CHF with DCM differs from what has been previously reported for dogs with MMVD. The predominant pulmonary pattern with L-CHF in dogs with DCM was a diffuse, marked, more severely ventrally distributed, mild to moderate, unstructured interstitial pulmonary pattern.

Objectives: This study aimed to: (1) characterise the pharmacokinetics of GS-441524 following intravenous (iv) administration of 15 mg/kg remdesivir (RDV) in client-owned cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP); (2) document plasma protein binding of GS-441524 in cats; (3) determine whether trough GS-441524 plasma concentrations predict 'simple remission' or survival to 18 months; (4) measure GS-441524 concentration in effusions relative to plasma; and (5) qualitatively assess excretion of GS-441524 in urine.

Materials and methods: Six cats with FIP were administered 15 mg/kg iv RDV. Serial plasma GS-441524 concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Twenty-two cats with FIP had trough plasma concentrations monitored over a 12-week treatment period. Simultaneous effusion and plasma GS-441524 concentrations were compared, and urine was assessed for GS-441524 excretion.

Results: The mean peak plasma concentration of GS-441524 (C_max) after a single 15 mg/kg iv dose of RDV was 2632 ng/mL (SD 862); time to reach C_max (T_max) was 1 hour (SD 0); and elimination half-life (t_1/2) was 5.14 hours (SD 0.81). GS-441524 was present in effusions (n = 3 cats) and eliminated in urine following treatment (n = 6 cats). Assessment of the predictive relationship between median GS_TC and achieving 'simple remission' failed to demonstrate a significant correlation.

Clinical significance: This study supports the use of RDV and GS-441524 for FIP treatment and suggests that population pharmacokinetic modelling is required to better explore the utility of therapeutic drug monitoring of GS-441524.