Canadian Veterinary Journal-revue Veterinaire Canadienne最新文献

A 7-year-old spayed female beagle was presented to its primary veterinary practice with vomiting, lethargy, and signs of hemorrhage. Investigations revealed severe thrombocytopenia and regenerative anemia. Following referral and further investigations, an initial diagnosis of primary immune thrombocytopenia was reached. Treatment with vincristine and prednisolone was initiated; however, the platelet count failed to increase, prompting the addition of cyclosporine. The platelet count temporarily improved but never normalized and subsequently declined again. A bone marrow biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia. Adjustments in treatment, including initiation of azathioprine, led to an increase in the platelet count. However, following an acute onset of respiratory distress, the owner perceived the dog's quality of life to be poor, leading to a decision for euthanasia. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of distinguishing amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia from primary immune thrombocytopenia and the complexities of managing this rarely reported condition in animals. Key clinical message: This report describes the clinical presentation, diagnostic investigation, and treatment of a case of amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia. It highlights the diagnostic challenges presented to confirm this pathology in our patients. Early consideration of bone marrow examination is warranted in the diagnostic evaluation and management of refractory thrombocytopenia, given that the prognosis for and therapeutic implications of amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia differ significantly from those related to other etiologies.

Background: Pulmonary metastasis is a major cause of mortality in dogs with cancers, but traditional thoracic imaging methods, such as radiographs and computed tomography (CT), have limited sensitivity for detecting small nodules. ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) offers functional imaging capabilities and may improve metastasis detection and cancer staging. However, its role in evaluating pulmonary nodules in dogs is not well understood, and species-specific imaging parameters are lacking.

Objective: This study aimed to characterize metastatic pulmonary nodules in dogs using ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT, with a focus on associations among nodule size, location, and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax).

Animals and procedure: A total of 109 pulmonary nodules detected on ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in dogs with aggressive cancer were retrospectively reviewed by a Board-certified radiologist. Descriptive and analytical statistical analyses were done to assess relationships between imaging factors.

Results: Nodule size and SUVmax varied highly, with a median diameter of 6.4 mm (range: 5 to 20 mm) and median SUVmax of 3.72 (range: 0.7 to 27.45). A moderate but positive correlation was noted between nodule size and SUVmax (τ = 0.526; P < 0.001). Nodule location did not significantly affect SUVmax. Furthermore, using a proposed SUVmax cutoff of 2.5 obtained from a human guideline, 34.9% (38/109) of nodules were classified as nonmalignant.

Conclusion and clinical relevance: Our findings contribute to the growing body of research on ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging in canine oncology and highlight the need for a dog-specific SUVmax threshold to improve diagnostic accuracy. We emphasize the need for larger prospective studies to refine interpretation of SUVmax values for metastatic pulmonary nodules in dogs.

Repairing large abdominal wall defects in veterinary medicine is challenging. Polypropylene mesh is the synthetic mesh most used for reconstructions. However, adhesion formation has been reported with its use. We report the reconstruction of large abdominal wall defects using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)-based meshes in 2 dogs. A 5-year-old intact male Bernese mountain dog weighing 35.5 kg and a 10-year-old castrated male miniature dachshund weighing 7.16 kg were referred to our hospital. The former was treated for a large abdominal wall tumor; and the latter, for the recurrence of a left inguinal hernia. Dogs 1 and 2 underwent repair of the abdominal wall defects caused by the tumor resection and recurrent inguinal hernia repair using an ePTFE-polypropylene composite and ePTFE meshes, respectively. No complications of abdominal wall hernia recurrence or ePTFE infection occurred; however, Dog 1 had local progression of the tumor on Day 50 after surgery and died on Day 218 after surgery. Dog 2 had no recurrence or complications, according to a telephone interview with the owner on Day 665 after surgery. Therefore, the ePTFE-based mesh may be suitable for use in similar cases with favorable outcomes. Key clinical message: The ePTFE-based meshes may be applied to treat abdominal wall defects in dogs. However, it is essential to understand the advantages and disadvantages of these materials.

A 6-year-old spayed female poodle dog weighing 5 kg was presented with a fractured right upper canine tooth (#104). Dental examination using an intraoral camera and radiography confirmed a tooth fracture with an exposed pulp, resulting in the loss of ~2/3 of the crown. Tooth #104 was diagnosed with a complicated crown fracture. Consequently, root canal therapy was undertaken, involving root canal preparation with hand files and subsequent canal filling with appropriate filling materials. After the root canal therapy was completed, part of the filling material was removed to facilitate post placement. A post was then inserted and secured with resin cement. A composite resin core was built around the post, and a ferrule was created on the remaining crown using a diamond bur. After an impression was obtained, a custom metal crown was fabricated and cemented onto the prepared tooth. No complications were observed during the 22-month follow-up period. This case suggests that prosthetic reconstruction using post-and-core techniques may be an effective and viable treatment option for fractured canine teeth in small-breed dogs. Key clinical message: Prosthetic reconstruction using the post-and-core technique can be a successful treatment option for fractured canine teeth in small-breed dogs. In this case, the combination of root canal therapy, post placement, and crown restoration achieved function with long-term success, as evidenced by the 22-month follow-up results.

Neonatal beef calves can succumb to several common diseases, including diarrhea and pneumonia, but death associated with hepatic disease is uncommon in this age group. Since 2022, a syndrome characterized by massive hepatic necrosis has been observed in western Canadian neonatal beef calves. This case series describes the clinical presentation, pathology, and ancillary testing done in 22 cases, highlighting the young age (1 to 5 d), varied symptoms observed, and unique liver pathology. Based on the pathology, a toxic cause was suspected, and toxic copper concentrations in kidney tissues were detected in 9/22 cases. Further investigation is required to understand this potentially emerging disease and prevent further occurrences. Key clinical message: Practitioners and pathologists should be aware of a new syndrome of hepatic necrosis in neonatal beef calves when evaluating neonatal calf mortality on western Canadian beef cattle operations. Further study is needed to understand the epidemiology of this condition.

Background: Ingestion of pharmaceuticals is a common cause of poisoning and hospitalization in companion animals. Pets may be exposed through accidental over-administration of a prescribed veterinary drug, intentional administration of a human drug that owners do not realize is unsuitable for animals, or access to unattended medications.

Objective: Our objective was to document cases of exposure and toxicosis due to suspected and confirmed pharmaceutical ingestion in dogs admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital over a 6-year period (2018 to 2023).

Animals and procedure: Medical records were retrieved from the veterinary hospital database using keywords related to general poisoning. Results were then filtered using keywords related specifically to pharmaceutical ingestion while excluding non-pharmaceutical poisoning cases. Information pertaining to hospitalization, patient signalment, treatment, and case progression was collected and analyzed to characterize common factors in canine pharmaceutical poisoning cases.

Results: Pharmaceutical ingestion was reported in 223 canine poisoning cases (confirmed in 102 cases) over 6 y. There were 32 categories of pharmaceutical ingested over the study period. The most common were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (n = 86) and acetaminophen (n = 29). The most common patient signalment was spayed female, young (≤4 y), and large breed (particularly, Labrador retrievers). Normal clinical examinations on presentation were noted in 164 cases. Accidental drug exposures were more common than intentional pharmaceutical administrations (n = 211 and n = 12, respectively). The occurrence of cases related to exposure to human pharmaceuticals was 5× that of cases related to veterinary pharmaceuticals. Only 1 dog of 223 was euthanized, for a survival-to-discharge rate of 99.6%. The most common therapies administered were emesis induction, activated charcoal, fluid support, and gastroprotectant.

Conclusion and clinical relevance: Pharmaceutical exposure, especially from over-the-counter human medications, was a common reason for hospital admission among the dogs described in this study. Improved client education is needed to avoid preventable pharmaceutical exposures.