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OBJECTIVE To evaluate ultrasound-guided placement of an anchor wire (AW) or injection of methylene blue (MB) to aid in the intraoperative localization of peripheral lymph nodes in dogs and cats. ANIMALS 125 dogs and 10 cats with a total of 171 lymphadenectomies. PROCEDURES Medical records of dogs and cats that underwent peripheral lymphadenectomies with or without (N) the AW or MB localization technique were reviewed. Data retrieved included clinical, surgical, and histologic findings. The proportions of successful lymphadenectomies, lymph node characteristics, and complications among the 3 groups were analyzed. RESULTS 143 (84%) lymph nodes were successfully excised. Lymphadenectomy success was significantly affected by the localization technique, with 94% for group AW, 87% for group MB, and 72% for group N. Lymph node size was smaller in groups AW and MB, compared with group N. Duration of lymphadenectomy was shorter in group AW, compared with groups MB and N, and in group MB, compared with group N. Intra- (7%) and postoperative (10%) complications and final diagnosis did not significantly differ among groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Both lymph node localization techniques were highly successful and reduced surgery time, compared with unassisted lymphadenectomy. Specifically, these techniques were effective for localization of normal-sized and nonpalpable lymph nodes and were efficient and practical options for peripheral lymphadenectomies, particularly for those that were small or nonpalpable.

The staging system commonly used in canine anal sac gland carcinoma (ASGC) is a revised Tumour-Node-Metastasis (TNM) system published in 2007. This staging system consists in four stages and, for dogs with nodal metastases, the size of the metastatic lymph node (mLN) defines the N stage. However, we hypothesise that (1) the mLN size has no prognostic significance when the mLN can be excised, (2) a high number of mLNs is associated with poorer prognosis and (3) the measurement of the mLN on imaging is not reproducible. To investigate these hypotheses, medical records and diagnostic images of dogs with ASGC and mLN, treated with sacculectomy and lymphadenectomy, with or without chemotherapy, were reviewed. Interobserver variability for mLN measurement was assessed. Prognostic factors including mLN size and number were investigated. Time to documented progression (TDP) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were evaluated. Progression-free interval (PFI) was analysed with interval-censored data analysis. Fifty-seven dogs were included. The median PFI, TDP and DSS were 110 (95%CI 61.5-185.5), 196 (95%CI 162-283) and 340 days (95%CI 321-471), respectively. For measurement of the largest mLN, interobserver agreement was excellent but limits of agreement reached 39.7%. Neither the size of the largest mLN nor the use of adjuvant chemotherapy were associated with outcome. The number of mLNs was associated with outcome and having more than four mLNs was associated with shorter PFI (p

Brachycephalic dogs clinically affected by brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome have been shown to have a high incidence of gastrointestinal disease, with French Bulldogs (FBD) identified as a particularly affected breed.Clinical records of 750 brachycephalic dogs attending over 500 practices participating in the small animal veterinary surveillance network (SAVSNET) project were analysed in this cohort study to determine the incidence of alimentary and respiratory disease within FBD, Bulldogs (BD) and Pugs attending primary care veterinary practice. Electronic clinical records were studied for treatment or acknowledgement of specific clinical signs that could be attributed to different anatomical locations. Disease of the different anatomical locations was marked as either being present or not present which allowed for statistical analysis.Significant differences in the incidence of oesophageal (p = 0.006), gastric (p = 0.001) and intestinal (p = 0.001) diseases were present among the breeds studied. FBD had significantly increased odds ratios of having oesophageal (2.0, 2.2), gastric (2.4, 1.5) and intestinal (1.7, 1.5) diseases relative to Pugs and BD, respectively. Pugs had significantly increased odds ratios of having upper respiratory tract disease relative to BD (1.9).The results show the incidence of gastrointestinal disease and upper respiratory tract disease is significantly different between the brachycephalic breeds studied. Furthermore, the general population of FBD has the highest incidence of gastrointestinal disease.

Objective: Describe the location of the pylorus using CT in dog breeds susceptible to gastric dilatation-volvulus in the UK. Methods: Descriptive anatomical study. Abdominal CT scans of 57 client-owned dogs were reviewed to assess pyloric position relative to the 9th, 10th, 11th and 13th ribs and 2 and 3 cm caudal to the 13th rib at the 8, 9 and 10 o9clock positions. The angle of the pylorus from the centre of the abdominal cavity relative to the sagittal plane was also determined. Results: In 88 per cent of cases, the pylorus was located in the right cranioventral abdomen with 63 per cent positioned at the 9–10 o9clock position. The overall distance between the pylorus and right abdominal wall (RAW) at the 13th rib 10 o9clock position was equivalent to 29 per cent of ventral abdominal length, significantly greater than the median overall distance of ∼14 per cent of ventral abdominal length between the pylorus and RAW at the 9th or 10th rib 10 o9clock position (P Clinical significance: Common gastropexy locations may result in considerable displacement of the pylorus relative to its natural anatomic location. Further case-control studies are required to assess the clinical significance of this finding.

Objective—To determine whether clinical and clinicopathologic data could assist differentiation of congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSSs) from acquired portosystemic shunts (APSSs) in young dogs. Design—Retrospective case series. Animals—Dogs < 30 months of age with CPSSs (n = 62) or APSSs (31). Procedures—Medical records from 3 referral centers identified 31 dogs with APSSs and 62 dogs with CPSSs diagnosed from July 2003 to July 2008. Signalment, clinical signs, physical examination, and clinicopathological data were recorded, and statistical analyses were performed to determine differences between groups. Results—Univariable analysis showed APSS patients were older, heavier, and in poorer body condition, compared with CPSS patients. In CPSS patients, diarrhea was less prevalent, and neurologic signs were more prevalent. Ascites was more prevalent in APSS (Fisher exact test; OR, 50.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.2 to 409.7), with no significant difference in albumin concentration between groups. The logistic regression model used to assess clinicopathological parameters showed lower Hct (OR, 1.42 × 10−12; 95% CI, 1.42 × 10−17 to 4.0 × 10−6), higher mean corpuscular volume (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.50), and higher alanine aminotransferase concentrations (OR, 1.005; 95% CI, 1.001 to 1.009) were more likely in APSS patients. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Several clinicopathologic differences between dogs with congenital and acquired shunts were identified; however, assessed alone, these would be unlikely to enable differentiation between the 2 conditions. Awareness of the rarity of ascites in CPSS cases should prompt recognition of a likely diagnosis of APSS, allowing the veterinarian to target further diagnostics and counsel the owner appropriately.

Objective—To identify the most frequent underlying diseases in dogs examined because of dyspnea and determine whether signalment, clinical signs, and duration of clinical signs might help guide assessment of the underlying condition and prognosis. Design—Retrospective case series. Animals—229 dogs with dyspnea. Procedures—Case records of dogs referred for dyspnea were reviewed and grouped according to location or etiology (upper airway, lower respiratory tract, pleural space, cardiac diseases, or obesity and stress). Signalment, clinical signs at initial examination, treatment, and survival time were analyzed. Results—Upper airway (n = 74 [32%]) and lower respiratory tract (76 [33%]) disease were the most common diagnoses, followed by pleural space (44 [19%]) and cardiac (27 [12%]) diseases. Dogs with upper airway and pleural space disease were significantly younger than dogs with lower respiratory tract and cardiac diseases. Dogs with lower respiratory tract and associated systemic diseases were significantly less likely to be discharged from the hospital. Dogs with diseases that were treated surgically had a significantly better outcome than did medically treated patients, which were significantly more likely to be examined on an emergency basis with short duration of clinical signs. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In dogs examined because of dyspnea, young dogs may be examined more frequently with breed-associated upper respiratory tract obstruction or pleural space disease after trauma, whereas older dogs may be seen more commonly with progressive lower respiratory tract or acquired cardiac diseases. Nontraumatic acute onset dyspnea is often associated with a poor prognosis, but stabilization, especially in patients with cardiac disease, is possible. Obesity can be an important contributing or exacerbating factor in dyspneic dogs.

Objective: To identify the optimal method of submission of canine and feline urine for bacterial culture. Methods: Cystocentesis samples from 250 animals (200 dogs, 50 cats) suspected of having urinary tract infections were collected. The reference aliquot, without preservative, was processed on site within 2 hours. Two further aliquots (one without preservative, one with boric acid) were stored at room temperature for up to 7 hours and then posted by guaranteed next day delivery to a commercial laboratory for analysis. Results: Forty-seven of the samples were positive on culture in the reference test. There was no significant difference between reference test results and those of samples posted without preservative (P=0·39), but samples posted in boric acid were significantly less likely to give a positive result (P=0·01). Samples posted without preservative had a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 98%; for boric acid, sensitivity was 73% and specificity 99%. Clinical Significance: Postal urine samples should be submitted to the laboratory in a plain sterile tube.

Objective: To assess whether wounds from incomplete mast cell tumour excisions are at greater risk of healing complications than wounds from complete excisions, or cutaneous histiocytomas. Methods: Mast cell tumours and cutaneous histiocytomas submitted to Nationwide Laboratories between November 1, 2007 and April 30, 2008 were selected. Questionnaires were sent to submitting veterinarians requesting details of tumour characteristics, clinical approach to the tumour and wound healing. Results: Three hundred and eighty-six mast cell tumours and 524 cutaneous histiocytomas were identified. One hundred and eighty-five mast cell tumours and 244 cutaneous histiocytomas questionnaires were returned (47% response). Wound complications arose in 20% of mast cell tumours and 21% of cutaneous histiocytomas. Multivariable analysis confirmed that larger tumours, tumours on the feet and a soft/“baggy” appearance, were significantly associated with a greater frequency of problems, leading to delayed wound healing and dehiscence. Clinical Significance: Incomplete mast cell tumour excision does not lead to greater risk of wound complications. Mast cell tumour surgical wounds have a similar rate of wound complications as cutaneous histiocytoma wounds.

Intrapericardial cysts are non-neoplastic structures that can become clinically significant by compressing cardiac chambers. Surgical excision is recommended to resolve clinical signs and this has been reported to be easily achieved by blunt manipulation. The present report describes a case of an intrapericardial cyst in a dog. The singularity of this case lays on the fact that the patient was presented unusually late, at the age of four years, and most importantly that its surgical correction was significantly complicated by the strong adherence of the cyst to both the pericardium and epicardium. This was possibly the result of chronic trauma and continued haemorrhage with subsequent healing and fibrosis. It is therefore important to consider intrapericardial cysts as a possible differential diagnosis in young to middle age patients presented with signs of right-sided heart failure. Surgical excision must be planned carefully as this may not be as straightforward as previously suggested.

The objective of this study was to assess whether the frontal sinuses in dogs with aspergillosis and of breeds typically affected by this condition were deeper at a more caudal location. CT scans of the head performed at the Small Animal Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool, between April 2007 and March 2009 for dogs diagnosed with aspergillosis (group 1) and unaffected dogs of similar breeds (group 2) were selected for study. Sinus depth was measured at four standardised locations from reconstructed images of these CT scans. Data were compared for differences in sinus depth between groups and between landmarks. No significant difference was found between measurements within individual dogs or for each of the various landmarks between groups. Difference in depth of the sinuses between landmarks was significant (P

To use computed tomography (CT) to assess the distribution of surgically administered clotrimazole cream and associated filling of the frontal sinuses and caudal aspect of the nasal cavities in canine cadavers.Observational study.Small (n = 1) and medium-large (n = 11) breed canine cadavers.CT scans of 12 cadaveric canine heads were used to confirm absence of sinonasal disease. Then after creating an opening into the left and right frontal sinuses with a 3.2 mm Steinmann pin at standardized landmarks, clotrimazole cream (20 g) was instilled into each side. Postoperative CT scans of the heads was used to assess the distribution and degree of filling of the sinonasal cavities with clotrimazole cream, and to identify any damage to local structures.Filling was excellent in 22 sinuses, very poor in 2, and excellent in all caudal nasal cavities. Two cadavers had damage: unilateral penetration of the cranium (2) and unilateral penetration of the lateral sinus wall (1).Excellent filling of most of the frontal sinuses and caudal nasal cavity of cadavers with clotrimazole cream is achieved when administered by this technique. Damage to local structures may occur intraoperatively using this technique.

Objective— To assess whether en bloc ligation of all caudal mediastinal tissue between the aorta and thoracic vertebrae will occlude all branches of the thoracic duct. Study Design— Descriptive study. Animals— Canine cadavers (n=15). Methods— The cisterna chyli was approached through a right paralumbar abdominal incision and cannulated. A right 10th intercostal thoracotomy was performed and the tissue of the caudal mediastinum dorsal to the aorta and ventral to the thoracic vertebrae was ligated. Radio-opaque contrast material was injected into the cisterna chyli during fluoroscopic imaging of the thorax and cranial abdomen. Still images were obtained before and after contrast injection and a subtraction image produced. Gray values were measured from these images, cranial and caudal to the ligature site. Results— Cannulation of the cisterna chyli in 1 cadaver was impossible and it was, therefore, excluded. In 13 (93%) cadavers contrast material did not pass cranial to the ligature site. In 1 cadaver, an intact thoracic duct was identified on lymphangiography outside the en bloc ligation. Conclusion— En bloc ligation of the caudal mediastinal tissue dorsal to the aorta was successful in preventing opacification with contrast material of all branches of the thoracic duct in 93% of cadavers. Clinical Relevance— En bloc ligation is successful in 93% of cadavers and reduces the operative time compared with techniques requiring some type of mesenteric lymphangiography to aid identification of the thoracic duct.

An 8-year-old, mixed-breed dog with preputial epitheliotropic lymphoma was initially treated with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone. A short-term partial response was followed by disease progression after 4 weeks. Recombinant human interferon alpha-2a was administered starting at week 7. The interferon therapy resulted in rapid resolution of clinical signs and a 10-week disease-free interval. The lymphoma recurred at 17 weeks and did not respond to rescue chemotherapy. Additional oral lesions were treated with localized radiotherapy followed by increased dosages of interferon. This additional interferon treatment resulted in another 12 weeks of stable disease.

An 11-week-old, female West Highland white terrier was presented with necrosis of the distal third of both pinnae. Haematology, biochemistry and urinalysis, Coombs test, antinuclear antibody and cold autoagglutinin antibody tests were normal. A drug reaction to fenbendazole was diagnosed. The necrotic ear tips were surgically removed. Histopathology revealed extensive coagulative necrosis of the epidermis and superficial to mid-dermis, a moderate interstitial neutrophilic infiltrate and complete thrombotic occlusion and necrosis of blood vessels. There was also endothelial cell activation and proliferation with endothelial cell cushions protruding into the vascular lumen. Immunohistochemistry for factor VIII-related antigen confirmed endothelial cell involvement. This case represents an unusual, drug-induced, thrombo-ischaemic necrosis of the pinnae. It is also, to the authors' knowledge, the first report of fenbendazole sensitivity in a dog. The histopathology is similar to previous cases of proliferative thrombovascular pinnal necrosis, suggesting that drug reactions should be considered in this condition.

A five-year-old, entire female English bull terrier was presented with a six-week history of intermittent facial swelling and nasal pain, following an incident of nasal trauma. A small opening was present at the mucocutaneous junction on the dorsal nasal planum. Examination under general anaesthesia allowed catheterisation of this opening and confirmed the presence of a tract passing caudally. Plain radiographic examination of the region was unremarkable. Positive contrast sinography demonstrated contrast material filling a midline tract that passed caudally and subcutaneously towards the nasal bone. This tract was surgically excised. Histopathological examination of the excised tissue, together with the clinical findings, led to the diagnosis of nasal dermoid sinus.

To report the signalment, history, clinical signs, diagnostic and surgical findings and outcome in dogs and cats with retained swabs, medical records of dogs and cats that were referred to four referral centres were reviewed. Cases in which a retained surgical swab was identified during surgery at the referral hospital were selected for further study. The signalment, history, clinical signs, diagnostic and surgical findings and outcome in these cases were reviewed. Thirteen dogs with retained surgical swabs were included in the study. Bodyweight ranged from 9 to 45 kg. The initial surgery was a 'non-routine' abdominal procedure in seven dogs, ovariohysterectomy in five dogs and perineal hernia repair in one dog. Time from initial surgery to presentation at the referral centre ranged from four days to seven years. Treatment involved major surgery in eight of the 13 dogs. Outcome was excellent in 12 of 13 cases, one dog was euthanased.