Journal of Small Animal Practice最新文献

This case report details the successful laparoscopic resection of a large left lateral hepatic mass in a 28 kg dog, with specimen retrieval through a 1 cm cutaneous incision. Clinical signs and serum biochemical abnormalities resolved postoperatively, and the dog remained asymptomatic at 6-month follow-up. This report suggests that strict laparoscopic liver lobectomy is a feasible approach for the elective resection of left-sided hepatic masses in medium to large-breed dogs.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to report the use, complications and outcome of the omocervical axial pattern flap in a series of clinical cases.

Materials and methods: Multicentre retrospective cohort study. Medical records of dogs and cats treated with an omocervical flap for closure of a skin defect were reviewed. Information regarding signalment, indications, flap size, flap healing and postoperative complications including need for surgical revision and overall outcome were collected.

Results: Six patients were included: four dogs and two cats. Indications for the omocervical axial pattern flap included closure of a defect following mass removal (3/6, 50%), scar revision surgery (1/6, 16.7%), chronic inflammation (1/6, 16.7%) and trauma (1/6, 16.7%). Postoperative complications occurred in all cases (100%). Minor complications (83%) included minor skin irritation (1/6), haematoma formation (1/6), dehiscence (1/6), infection (1/6) and necrosis (1/6). Major complications (16%) included flap necrosis needing revision surgery.

Clinical significance: The use of omocervical axial pattern flaps is linked to a high rate of postoperative complications, though most are manageable with conservative treatment. The omocervical axial pattern flap is effective for reconstructing skin defects in the orofacial, cervical, shoulder and axillary regions.

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the sedative effects of injectable acepromazine 2 mg/mL when administered to dogs via the oral transmucosal route. The secondary objective was to assess the cardiovascular and haemodynamic effects of oral transmucosal acepromazine.

Materials and methods: A single centre, prospective, randomised, blinded, controlled clinical trial, including a total of 28 client-owned adult healthy dogs (ASA I and II), undergoing elective surgical procedures. Patients were randomised into either a treatment group (A) receiving oral transmucosal acepromazine 0.05 mg/kg or a control group (C) receiving an equivalent oral transmucosal volume of water. Baseline values of sedation score, heart rate and non-invasive blood pressure were obtained prior to dose administration and repeated 1 hour later.

Results: Sedation scores in group A were significantly higher after treatment compared to baseline and were significantly higher than group C at the same time point. Heart rate and non-invasive blood pressure values significantly decreased following oral transmucosal acepromazine administration in group A and were significantly lower than group C at the same time point.

Clinical significance: Oral transmucosal acepromazine significantly increases sedation scores and decreases heart rate and non-invasive blood pressure 1 hour following administration. These findings support the administration of oral transmucosal acepromazine for pre-hospital sedation in healthy dogs.

Objectives: To scientifically quantify the levels of surface contamination in veterinary practice, by using staff training, good sanitisation and regular unannounced testing, to see if contamination levels can be reduced.

Materials and methods: Thirteen sites were subject to pre-intervention testing, using adenosine triphosphate testing. Eleven sites (where retesting was permitted) were involved in the trial. Training (a 45 minutes staff training session) was provided in 10 sites. A standardised cleaning regime was applied; repeat samples were collected from standardised sites (average of 70 days later). The trial was extended to a third test (on average 128 days from the start) for the five sites geographically closest to the author. Five hundred and eighty-six pre-intervention samples, 462 initial post-intervention samples and 241 second post-intervention samples were tested.

Results: Veterinary practices were found not to be as clean as anticipated. The average level of pre-intervention contamination was 14.7 times the recommended threshold (ranging from 0.6 to 38.5). On retesting at on average of 70 days (n = 10), an average 61.2% reduction in contamination was recorded. The five sites closest to the author were sampled a third time on average of 128 (on average 47.8 swabs) days from the start, achieving a 71.4% reduction from pre-intervention contamination levels.

Clinical significance: As also demonstrated previously by various researchers regular, unannounced hygiene measurements (in this case combined with on-site staff training and changes to sanitisation protocols) can reduce nosocomial infection rates by between 45% and 75%.

Objectives: To assess chronic kidney disease in dogs after azotaemic acute kidney injury utilising serum creatinine, symmetric dimethylarginine and estimated glomerular filtration rate.

Materials and methods: Client-owned dogs hospitalised for azotaemic acute kidney injury (T0) were evaluated at discharge (T1), 3 months (T2) and 12 (T3) months with serum creatinine and symmetric dimethylarginine measured. In non-azotaemic dogs (serum creatinine <145 μmol/L) at T1 and T2, glomerular filtration rate was estimated by iohexol clearance. Acute kidney injury grade and chronic kidney disease stage were determined according to International Renal Interest Society guidelines. Non-azotaemic dogs were considered to have kidney dysfunction if glomerular filtration rate was reduced ≥20% below the mean of the body weight category.

Results: Fifteen dogs with azotaemic acute kidney injury were recruited. At T0 peak, acute kidney injury grade was III (n = 4), IV (n = 8) and V (n = 3). At T1, 10/15 dogs remained azotaemic. At T2, 3/15 dogs remained azotaemic; this persisted in 2/3 dogs at T3. One dog was euthanised prior to T3 due to progression of azotaemia (stage 4). Based on glomerular filtration rate assessment, 4/12 and 5/12 non-azotaemic dogs had evidence of kidney dysfunction at T2 and T3, respectively. Ten out of 15 dogs were classified as International Renal Interest Society chronic kidney disease stage 1 and 4/15 dogs were stage 2 and 1/15 dog that did not survive to T3 was stage 4.

Clinical significance: Persistent azotaemia occurs infrequently in dogs surviving beyond 3 months after acute kidney injury. Estimated glomerular filtration rate may identify continued kidney dysfunction in non-azotaemic dogs.

Atlantoaxial instability is a common condition in toy breed dogs, sometimes associated with occipital dysplasia. Surgical stabilisation is challenging due to the small bone size and proximity to the spinal cord. This case report describes three dogs treated with a custom 3D-printed dorsal plate for atlantoaxial instability, considering the presence of atlanto-occipital overlap. Each patient underwent pre- and postoperative computed tomography, and follow-up was obtained via telephone for the surviving dogs. The use of a dorsal 3D-printed plate appears to offer a feasible and clinically acceptable option for managing atlantoaxial instability associated with atlanto-occipital overlap, with generally favourable short-term outcomes.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum canine prostate-specific esterase concentrations and ultrasonographic prostatic dimensions in male dogs, considering the influence of reproductive status, age and body weight.

Materials and methods: Seventy-four male dogs were included and categorised according to reproductive condition (entire or neutered), age group and body weight. All animals underwent clinical examination, transabdominal ultrasonography to assess prostatic dimensions (length, height, width and perimeter) and blood sampling for quantification of serum canine prostate-specific esterase concentrations. Statistical analyses assessed associations between prostatic esterase levels, prostate size and individual variables.

Results: Serum canine prostate-specific esterase concentrations were significantly higher in entire and large-breed dogs. No significant correlation was observed with age. Moderate correlations were found between serum esterase levels and both prostatic height and perimeter. A concentration threshold of 47.95 ng/mL demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance (area under the curve = 1.00) for identifying dogs with prostatic enlargement.

Clinical significance: Serum canine prostate-specific esterase concentration is a promising non-invasive biomarker for evaluating prostatic status in male dogs. However, interpretation must consider body size and reproductive status. Its integration into routine screening could improve early detection and monitoring of prostatic changes, particularly in high-risk groups.

Objectives: To compare the complications and outcomes of screw/plate and screw/pin fixation of humeral condylar fractures in French bulldogs.

Materials and methods: Retrospective single-centre case series. Medical records (2018 to 2023) were reviewed for French bulldogs with humeral condylar fractures treated surgically. Bicondylar fractures were excluded. Data collected included signalment, fracture configuration, method and technique of fixation, outcome and postoperative complications. Long-term outcome was assessed via owner-assessed questionnaire.

Results: Forty-two dogs (43 fractures) met the inclusion criteria. Of the 43 fractures, 37 (86.0%) were lateral and six (14.0%) were medial. The screw/plate group comprised 15 fractures (34.9%) and the screw/pin group 28 fractures (65.1%). Perioperative follow-up was available for 40 fractures; there were four (10%) minor complications and four (10%) major I complications. In the screw/plate group, minor complications were reported in 3 of 14 (21.4%) and major in 1 of 14 (7.1%). In the screw/pin group, 1 of 26 (3.8%) dogs were associated with minor complications and 3 of 26 (11.5%) with major I complications. Function at perioperative follow-up was acceptable for 80% of dogs and the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs score at long-term follow-up was mild.

Clinical significance: This study found no evidence to suggest that either plate or pin epicondylar fixation is superior in French bulldogs. This indicates that both methods can be considered viable options for treating unilateral humeral condylar fractures in French bulldogs, with similar outcomes.