Australian Veterinary Journal最新文献

Strongyloides stercoralis, a soil-transmitted parasitic helminth, poses significant health risks for various species, including humans and canines. Despite previously being considered rare in Australia, recent findings indicate a higher than anticipated prevalence, suggesting it might be an underdiagnosed issue nationwide. This case report details a deceased 23-week-old female Boston Terrier that presented with severe gastrointestinal signs and died, despite intensive veterinary care. Subsequent histopathological and parasitological examinations confirmed a significant infestation of S. stercoralis, with severe intestinal damage typical of strongyloidiasis. This case underscores the capacity of S. stercoralis to cause severe disease and highlights the importance of considering strongyloidiasis in the differential diagnoses of gastrointestinal illness.

This case report presents the incorporation of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) in the successful management of a deep, multiresistant surgery site infection after cementless total hip replacement (THR) in a dog. It outlines the rationale, technique used and clinical efficacy of the approach. The role of VAC in human orthopedic infections is discussed and potential refinements of the technique are proposed.

Introduction: Ingestion of skewer foreign bodies is a common veterinary presentation and can cause perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment strategies for retrieval include: induction of emesis, endoscopic or surgical retrieval. There is a lack of literature describing the treatment options and prognosis for skewer foreign bodies.

Objectives: To describe the clinical presentation of dogs with skewer foreign body ingestion, and to compare outcomes and complication rates between treatment with emesis, endoscopic retrieval or surgical intervention.

Methods: Retrospective study of dogs with confirmed ingestion of a skewer or popsicle stick. Data were collected on signalment, whether ingestion was witnessed, type of object, duration of clinical signs, location of the skewer and treatment performed. Outcomes and complication rates were compared between treatment modalities.

Results: A total of 114 dogs were included. Of these, 48 dogs had emesis induced, 14 dogs had endoscopy performed and 52 dogs underwent surgical removal. Skewers were successfully retrieved in 38/48 (79.2%) via emesis, and 100% by endoscopy or surgery. All dogs survived to discharge. Within the surgical group, the skewer penetrated the gastrointestinal tract in 40/52 dogs (75.5%). Minor complications occurred in 4/13 (30.8%) and 15/47 (31.2%) of dogs following endoscopy and surgery, respectively. Major complications occurred in 2/47 (4.3%) undergoing surgery. No complications occurred within the emesis group.

Clinical significance: Induction of emesis, endoscopic and surgical retrieval are feasible treatments for skewer foreign bodies in dogs. Emesis was effective in dogs who presented soon after ingestion. Complication rates were low, even with perforation of the gastrointestinal tract or other organs.

Chlamydia psittaci was detected by real-time PCR in the lung, liver and kidney of an equine foetus that had aborted in South Australia in August 2023. The corresponding microscopic lesions included lymphocytic and histiocytic chorionitis, necrosis of placental villi associated with bacteria in the cytoplasm of trophoblastic epithelial cells, and multiple microgranulomas in the liver. Equine chlamydial abortion had not been diagnosed previously in South Australia. Eight days after examining the foetus and placenta, the veterinary pathologist developed fever and subsequently was admitted to hospital. Specimens were obtained from the patient by bronchoscopy, and C. psittaci was detected by real-time PCR in the submitted bronchial washings. This is the first report of zoonotic C. psittaci infection acquired by handling infected equine tissues to be confirmed by real-time PCR.

A 6-year-old, female neutered, Siamese cat was presented to the referral centre due to a mass causing obstruction of the left nostril that was previously diagnosed histologically as a nasal hamartoma. The mass was causing significant respiratory compromise to the cat resulting in open-mouth breathing at rest. A computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a 48% mediolateral narrowing of the left nostril compared with the right nostril in a mediolateral direction. Surgical excision of the mass re-established the left lateral alar groove and increased the nostril luminal width by 45% when compared with preoperative measurements. Two years after surgery, there was no recurrence of the mass and the cat had sustained significant improvement to their respiratory function and quality of life.

Naturally occurring hypercortisolism in dogs is commonly investigated in primary care practice. However, there is a poor understanding of the preference and interpretation of diagnostic tests by Australian veterinarians. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic processes used by Australian primary care veterinarians via an anonymous online survey consisting of multiple-choice and short-answer questions. The survey was completed by 399 respondents. When hypercortisolism was suspected, 392 performed adrenal function testing, while seven used treatment trials. With consistent clinical signs but no clinicopathological abnormalities, 354 performed screening tests, and 312 in dogs with consistent clinicopathological abnormalities but no clinical signs. For veterinarians who performed function testing, 296 used the same screening tests regardless of the magnitude of pre-test suspicion; 266 used either an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test or low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST) alone. Even in the absence of financial constraints, 158 of 399 respondents almost never attempted differentiation between ACTH-dependent and ACTH-independent disease. For those attempting differentiation, 178 used abdominal ultrasound and 102 used LDDST. Approximately half of all respondents indicated that specialist referral was not offered to any of the preceding 10 cases suspected of hypercortisolism. Hypercortisolism is frequently diagnosed in dogs without consistent clinical signs or without performing routine clinical pathology tests, raising concerns for overdiagnosis. A large proportion of respondents rarely attempted to differentiate between causes of hypercortisolism, possibly affecting long-term management and prognosis. Referral to a specialist is rare, suggesting the condition is predominantly managed in primary care practice.

Introduction: Stromal sarcomas are rare canine primary splenic tumors. Previous studies assessing outcomes in dogs with these tumors are limited by small sample sizes, with few dogs receiving adjuvant therapy, leaving the role of chemotherapy in these tumors unproven.

Methods: The aim of this multi-institutional, retrospective study was to compare outcomes for a larger number of dogs diagnosed with splenic stromal sarcomas, with a particular focus on the effectiveness of adjuvant therapy. Dogs with a histopathological diagnosis of splenic stromal sarcomas were enrolled. Outcomes were compared between dogs that received chemotherapy following splenectomy and those that did not. Furthermore, dogs were categorized based on the type of chemotherapy: a doxorubicin-based protocol versus a low-dose metronomic protocol, and outcomes were compared. Secondary aims were to reassess two previously identified prognostic factors: mitotic count (MC) and the presence of metastasis.

Results: A total of 115 dogs were included in the study. The median survival time using all dogs was 8.4 months. Of 115 dogs, 60 received adjuvant therapy post-splenectomy, of which 37 received a doxorubicin-based protocol. The use of adjuvant chemotherapy did not improve survival times in dogs with splenic stromal sarcoma. However, MC and the presence of metastasis at diagnosis were prognostic factors for death due to splenic sarcoma. For cases where the MC was ≥9 per 10 hpf, the hazard ratio was 2.27 (95% CI 1.16-4.45). For cases where there was evidence of metastasis at diagnosis, the hazard ratio was 2.19 (95% CI 1.05-4.58). Of 112 dogs staged at diagnosis, 16 had confirmed metastases. An additional 28 dogs developed metastases on repeat staging tests during the study.

Conclusions: The use of adjuvant chemotherapy did not result in improved outcomes. MC and the presence of metastasis at diagnosis were prognostic factors for death due to splenic sarcoma.