Journal of Small Animal Practice最新文献

Objective: To report the occurrence of transient atrial fibrillation in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) American College of Veterinary Medicine (ACVIM) stage C/D, presenting with acute clinical signs.

Materials and methods: Retrospective multicentric case series of dogs with DMVD ACVIM stage C/D and transient atrial fibrillation (AF) hospitalised in referral centres (2020 to 2024). Signalment, clinical findings, treatments, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic data and outcomes were recorded.

Results: Eight dogs were included. All dogs presented for acute deterioration of clinical signs:tachypnoea with worsening cough (5/8) and syncopal episodes (3/8). Electrocardiographic findings were compatible with AF with a fast ventricular rate in all dogs. Active congestive heart failure (CHF) was identified in 5/8 patients. Antiarrhythmic treatment with digoxin (4/8), diltiazem (1/8) or digoxin/diltiazem (2/8) was instituted in seven dogs. Treatment for active CHF was also performed. Sinus rhythm was subsequently observed either during hospitalisation (4/8, average 30 hours) or at the first recheck after stabilisation (4/8, average 22 days). In 6/7 dogs, antiarrhythmic treatment was discontinued. Three dogs showed a recurrence of AF a few months after the first episode. Five dogs died of cardiac disease, two of which died suddenly.

Clinical significance: Paroxysmal AF has been previously described in dogs; the pathophysiological mechanism is presumed to be neurally mediated. Transient AF has not been extensively reported in dogs with clinically significant DMVD and is a possible event in dogs presenting with acute clinical signs and AF. The pathophysiological mechanism in this population may be slightly different from previously reported cases. After cardioversion, variation in clinical outcomes was observed.

Objectives: This article aims to analyse the safety of canine blood donation by describing the frequency and causes of any adverse reactions in donors.

Materials and methods: In this prospective study, any blood donor adverse reactions detected by the clinical staff during and immediately after donation were recorded. The owners of the dogs were also surveyed by a veterinary practitioner or veterinary nurse 3 days after donation, using a predefined questionnaire to assess for any clinical or behavioural changes. Data were collected between December 2020 and December 2021 from blood donors enrolled in an animal blood bank programme.

Results: From the 4439 blood donations, 37 (0.83%) adverse post-donation reactions were reported, with no other reactions identified in the remaining 4402 donations (99.17%). Of the total of donations in the studied period, 0.63% (n = 28) of canine donors developed a haematoma in the puncture area, 0.11% (n = 5) developed mild bleeding at the puncture site during the monitoring period, 0.045% (n = 2) developed a skin rash after clipping for donation, and 0.045% (n = 2) developed acute weakness, pallor, tachycardia and tachypnoea during the 30 minutes monitoring period, consistent with hypotension. In both cases showing acute signs of weakness, pallor, tachycardia and tachypnoea, all parameters stabilised and resolved within 10 to 15 minutes upon administration of a 10 mL/kg bolus over 10 minutes of intravenous NaCl. No other delayed reactions were reported by the owners other than the acute reactions already registered by the donation staff.

Clinical significance: The low incidence of post-donation reactions in this study is encouraging, suggesting that a high level of safety can be achieved in a structured canine blood donation programme.

A 12-year-old male neutered domestic shorthaired cat presented for further assessment of a cervical mass, having undergone radioiodine therapy for treatment of hyperthyroidism 2 years prior to presentation. Initial cytological diagnosis of the mass was supportive of a carcinoma and laboratory results were consistent with primary hyperparathyroidism. Thoracic radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging were performed of the neck prior to surgical removal of the mass. Histopathology and immunohistochemical characteristics were supportive of a parathyroid tumour. Primary hyperparathyroidism and the associated hypercalcaemia fully resolved following surgery. In human medicine, there is awareness of an association between radioactive iodine therapy and development of primary hyperparathyroidism. Based on our literature search, this sequence of pathologies has not been reported in cats. This report documents primary hyperparathyroidism in a cat following radioiodine therapy.

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.