Search

This case documents a rare set of congenital anomalies that resulted in an atypical cystic lesion in the cranial vagina of a queen. A discrete cystic lesion was identified in an 8 year old intact female domestic shorthair cat presenting for routine ovariohysterectomy. Morphological, radiographic, and histopathological findings were consistent with segmental aplasia of the uterus, cervix, and vagina resulting in a blind dilation of the cranial vagina. Segmental vaginal aplasia in combination with the failed canalization of the cervix resulted in a blind portion of the cranial vagina, in which normal secretions collected and became inspissated. This formed a discrete cystic structure. This case represents a novel combination and clinical presentation of segmental aplasia in the cat, involving both the uterus and cranial vagina. Ovariohysterectomy was performed for sterilization and a partial vaginectomy was performed to remove the cystic lesion in its entirety.

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on spinal mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) and multifidus muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) in horses with thoracolumbar pain. We hypothesized that ESWT would increase MNT and multifidus CSA. Twelve horses with thoracolumbar pain were included. Prior to treatment, each thoracolumbar spine was radiographed to document existing pathology. Horses received 3 ESWT treatments, 2 weeks apart (days 0, 14, 28). Palpation scores were documented (days 0, 45, 65) and ultrasonographic CSA of left and right multifidus was recorded at T12, T14, T16, T18, L3 and L5 (days 0, 45, 65). MNT was measured at T12, T14, T16, T18, L3 and L5 every 7 days (day 0-56). Change in MNT in 10/12 horses was significant at each timepoint compared to day 0 (P

Meningioma is one of the most commonly diagnosed intracranial tumors in dogs and humans. Treatment failures resulting in local recurrence and death remain common in tumors of high grade, prompting a need for additional therapeutic options that are both effective and affordable. Genetic modification of the LaSota strain of Newcastle Disease Virus (rLAS) has allowed the virus' fusion protein cleavage site to be replaced with that belonging to urokinase plasminogen activator (rLAS-uPA). This site is cleavable exclusively by the uPA receptor (uPAR), which is overexpressed in canine meningioma. The rLAS-uPA represents a targeted therapy that has the potential to be efficacious against meningioma when administered systemically. A Phase I clinical trial was designed to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of rLAS-uPA administered to dogs with presumptive intracranial meningioma. The primary endpoint was to define the safety of rLAS-uPA, as determined by serial clinical and laboratory assessments during and after viral administration, using standard toxicity metrics defined by the Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group (VCOG). Secondary end-points included anti-tumor activity quantified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of tumor size, and characterization of immune responses to the rLAS-uPA. Four dogs completed the trial without significant toxicity. No objective tumor responses were noted on MRI from any dog. All dogs produced antiviral antibodies and increased circulating cytokines during the course of treatment. No virus was recovered from plasma, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid. These results indicate that further investigation into the rLAS-uPA dose intensity and interval are required to further develop this therapy. Master of Science

Objectives: To compare optical values in the osteotomy gap created after a Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA) treated with autogenous cancellous bone graft (ACBG), extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), a combination of ACBG and ESWT, and absence of both ACBG and ESWT using densitometry. Methods: Dogs presenting for surgical repair of a cranial cruciate ligament rupture were randomly assigned to one of four groups; TTA with ACBG (TTA-G), TTA with ACBG and ESWT (TTA-GS), TTA with ESWT (TTA-S), and TTA with no additional therapy (TTA-O). Mediolateral radiographs at 0, 4 and 8 weeks after surgery were evaluated to compare healing of the osteotomy gap via densitometry. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical analysis was used to compare the densitometric values between groups. Results: At 4 weeks after surgery, a significant difference in osteotomy gap density was noted between TTA-GS (8.4 millimeters of Aluminum equivalent [mmAleq]) and TTA-S (6.1mmAleq), and between TTA-GS (8.4 mmAleq) and TTA-O (6.4 mmAleq). There were no significant differences noted between groups at the 8 week recheck. Clinical Significance: There were no significant differences in the osteotomy gap density at 8 weeks after surgery regardless of the treatment modality used. The combination of ACBG and ESWT may lead to increased density of the osteotomy gap in the first 4 weeks after surgery. Densitometry using an aluminum step wedge is a feasible method for comparison of bone healing after TTA in dogs. Master of Science