Journal of Small Animal Practice最新文献

Objectives: To evaluate evidence of Malassezia overgrowth following successful topical antibacterial monotherapy of refractory canine bacterial otitis using semi-quantitative cultures.

Materials and methods: Twenty-nine dogs with bacterial otitis were treated topically with either fluoro-quinolone [0.5% enrofloxacin (18 dogs, 19 treatment events, 25 ears) or 0.1% marbofloxacin (1 ear), with 0.1% dexamethasone] ("FQ") SID, or 143 mg/mL piperacillin/18 mg/mL tazobactam ("PT") BID (11 dogs, 14 treatment events, 19 ears) for 8 to 36 days (mean 20 days). At visits 1 (V1) and 2 (V2), ear swab tips were washed in PBS + Triton X-100 and serial dilutions spread-plated onto blood, MacConkey (37°C, 48 hours) and modified Dixon's agar (32°C, 14 days) to generate semiquantitative counts. Microbes were identified by phenotype and MALDI-TOF.

Results: Prior to treatment, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated alone or in combination with other bacteria in 14 FQ-treated ears and 18 PT-treated ears; the next most frequent bacteria were Streptococcus canis (8 FQ, 2 PT) and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (8 FQ, 1 PT). The proportions of dogs' ears (excluding cross-over treatments and contra-lateral affected ears) from which bacteria were isolated were significantly reduced by treatment with both FQ (V1, 13/15; V2, 5/15) and PT (V1, 14/14; V2, 2/14). The proportions of dogs' ears from which yeasts (Malassezia pachydermatis, Candida spp.) were isolated were significantly increased by treatment in dogs treated with PT (V1, 1/14; V2, 14/14) but not FQ (V1, 3/15; V2, 6/15).

Clinical significance: Otitis cases that receive potent antibacterial monotherapy must be monitored for yeast overgrowth.

Objectives: To evaluate haemodynamic parameters and ultrasonographic measurements of the caudal vena-cava-to-aorta ratio at the splenorenal view in canine cardiac tamponade before and 30 minutes after pericardiocentesis.

Materials and methods: Dogs presenting with cardiac tamponade at two veterinary hospitals were included. Triage examination, noninvasive systolic arterial blood pressure, shock index, venous lactatemia and POCUS results were recorded at admission and 30 minutes after pericardiocentesis.

Results: This prospective observational study included 22 dogs, and all had an increased caudal vena-cava-to-aorta ratio. After pericardiocentesis, there were significant changes in vital signs, including a decrease in the median heart rate by 42.1%, a decrease in the median respiratory rate by 40.1%, and an increase in the median rectal temperature from 37.8°C (range: 35.6 to 39.2) to 38.1°C ( 36.1 to 38.7). In regards of hemodynamic parameters, the median systolic arterial pressure increased significantly by 23.2%, the shock index decreased significantly by 52.8%, the median lactate level decreased significantly from 6.1 mmol/L (1.4 to 14.7) to 3.6 mmol/L (1.1 to 13.6), and the median caudal vena-cava-to-aorta ratio decreased significantly by 37.5%, from 1.76 (1.35 to 2.13) to 1.12 (0.91 to 1.51).

Clinical significance: This study demonstrated an increased caudal vena-cava-to-aorta ratio in dogs with cardiac tamponade and a rapid haemodynamic improvement in dogs with cardiac tamponade within 30 minutes  of the pericardiocentesis, resulting in excellent short-term prognosis.

Objectives: This study aims to report on the clinical magnetic resonance imaging, histological features, treatment options and outcomes of spinal ependymomas in dogs.

Materials and methods: Retrospective evaluation of medical records from dogs histologically confirmed spinal ependymomas with clinical presentations, magnetic resonance imaging findings, histological aspects, treatment options and outcomes.

Results: Eight dogs presented with acute to subacute onset of para- or tetraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging findings included intramedullary oval-shaped space-occupying lesions that appeared hyperintense on T2-weighted images isointense on T1-weighted images and exhibited marked homogeneous or ring contrast enhancement. A peculiar feature, previously described only in human ependymomas, was observed in three patients - a T2-weighted hypointense rim, termed hemosiderin cap sign. Haematomyelia with necrotic foci was observed in one dog. Surgery, when performed, enabling a definitive intra-vitam diagnosis. Histological examination revealed that rosettes and pseudo-rosettes as disposition of neoplastic cells were the most common features reported. Furthermore, cerebrospinal fluid metastases were identified in one case.

Clinical significance: Clinical and histopathological findings in our case series were consistent with those previously reported in the literature. Magnetic resonance imaging features were fairly typical and highly suggestive of spinal ependymomas. The hemosiderin cap sign may aid in the presumptive intra-vitam diagnosis of these rare spinal tumours. Additionally, we described cerebrospinal fluid spread of neoplastic cells and subsequent multifocal or metastasis presentations. Surgery offered a dual benefit by facilitating intra-vitam diagnosis and, in some cases, extending survival time.

This capsule review is a discussion of myofascial pain syndrome in small animals. The history of myofascial pain syndrome is discussed as well as facts and theories behind the aetiology and treatment of this syndrome. Diagnostic techniques are both discussed and illustrated. Accepted treatments including dry needling, photobiomodulation, manual therapy and thermal therapy are outlined.

Objectives: To determine the difference in complication rate, gastrointestinal grade and requirement for ongoing medical and/or surgical management following hiatal hernia repair in dogs with and without gastropexy.

Materials and methods: Clinical records were reviewed retrospectively for dogs that had undergone surgical hiatal hernia repair at two veterinary referral centres between April 2012 and March 2022. Pre-operative grading of gastrointestinal signs and brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome was performed. All dogs had an oesophagopexy and phrenoplasty. Referring primary veterinary practices and clients were contacted to obtain follow-up information. Fisher's exact tests and Mann Whitney tests were used to assess pre- and intra-operative similarities between groups. Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to determine the changes in gastrointestinal grade at short- (<6 months) and long-term (>6 months) follow-up.

Results: Forty-one dogs which underwent oesophagopexy and phrenoplasty were included. Fifteen dogs had no gastropexy performed and 26 dogs had left-sided gastropexy performed. Dogs that underwent gastropexy (n=8, 29%, 95% CI: 13 to 51%) were significantly more likely to require further surgery related to the initial surgery or persistence of gastrointestinal signs compared to dogs that had no gastropexy (n=0, 0%, 95% CI: 0 to 18%) . This difference was not significant when dogs which had further surgery to address brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome were excluded. Gastrointestinal grade significantly improved for both groups at both short- and long-term follow-up. There was no significant difference in overall complication rate, gastrointestinal grade or requirement for further medical treatment between groups.

Clinical significance: A left-sided gastropexy is not required for successful surgical repair of hiatal hernia in dogs provided oesophagopexy and phrenoplasty are performed.

Objectives: Recently, tissue motion annular displacement by speckle tracking has been shown to be a reliable method for evaluating deformation of the left atrium in healthy dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate whether tissue motion annular displacement is a feasible alternative method for studying left atrial function.

Materials and methods: One hundred healthy dogs were included. Left atrial function was assessed by tissue motion annular displacement, which was correlated to the left atrial strain and biplane area-length method-derived volumes. Left atrial reservoir function was evaluated by left atrial global tissue motion annular displacement, global left atrial strain and left atrial emptying fraction, while left atrial systolic tissue motion annular displacement and left atrial ejection fraction were used to assess left atrial systolic function.

Results: A statistically significant association between body weight and the dependent variables others than age was found. Indexed global and systolic tissue motion annular displacement decreased as body weight increased. Global iTMAD_AIIometric (mm/∛kg) showed a moderate, positive correlation with left atrial emptying fraction and with global left atrial strain. Systolic iTMAD_AIIometric (mm/∛kg) showed a moderate correlation with left atrial ejection fraction. Coefficients of variation for the intraobserver and interobserver analyses were 8.3% and 20.3% for global and 10.5% and 18.9% for systolic tissue motion annular displacement, respectively.

Clinical significance: Tissue motion annular displacement is a feasible and simple method for the evaluation of left atrial function. Our study documented the effects of body weight on left atrial tissue motion annular displacement, indicating that tissue motion annular displacement must be indexed to body weight. No influence of age or heart rate was observed on tissue motion annular displacement.

Type III von Willebrand disease is a rare coagulopathy, with published reports only existing for four canine breeds - Dutch Kooiker Hounds, Shetland Sheepdogs, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Scottish Terriers. A 2-year and 9-month-old male neutered standard dachshund was presented for hypovolaemic shock and a ventral neck mass. One previous bleeding episode following routine castration was reported. The patient's packed cell volume fell from 27% to 15% during hospitalisation, and computed tomography identified changes to the ventral neck consistent with fluid accumulation, assumed to represent haemorrhage. A further, similar lesion was identified within the cranial mediastinum. The patient was managed with a combination of isotonic crystalloids (Hartmann's solution), synthetic colloid (Geloplasma), alongside administration of blood products (packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma). A Von Willebrand factor antigen assay confirmed Type III von Willebrand disease. The patient made a full recovery. This report is the first to describe Type III von Willebrand disease in a standard dachshund.

Patient 1 was seen for severe pelvic limb lameness and evaluated radiographically and via computed tomography. A diagnosis of femoral head osteochondritis dissecans was obtained. The diagnosis was confirmed arthroscopically and treated with flap removal and abrasion arthroplasty. A micro-total hip arthroplasty was performed 4 weeks later. Patient 2 was also seen for severe pelvic limb lameness and evaluated radiographically. A suspected large osteochondritis dissecans lesion was present. This was confirmed grossly during a total hip arthroplasty procedure and the femoral head submitted for histopathology. In patient 1, the lameness improved from non-weight-bearing to mild lameness at re-evaluation 4 weeks post-operatively. Due to the extent of the lesion, which was confirmed as osteochondritis dissecans by a team of pathologists, revision to micro-total hip arthroplasty was performed. Surgery was uneventful and at 12 weeks post-operatively the patient was fully weight-bearing with no lameness and normal limb function. In patient 2, the lameness immediately resolved after successful management via uncomplicated total hip arthroplasty. Follow-up for both patients at the time of publication exceeds 3 years.