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A six-year-old, male, castrated European shorthair cat was presented due to a lifelong history of sneezing, nasal discharge, open-mouth breathing, stertor and vestibular problems. Clinical examination showed absence of airflow through the nostrils. Computed tomography of the head revealed an infiltrative soft tissue attenuating mass in the left nasal cavity, nasopharynx and the left frontal sinus. All of these locations could be successfully accessed through ventral rhinotomy and the mass was completely removed. Histological examination identified it as an inflammatory polyp. All respiratory and neurological symptoms disappeared, and two-and-a-half years after surgery, the cat was still without complaints.

• Experimental determination of specific muscle tension in dogs based on in vivo muscle forces

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is one of the most common diagnosed congenital disease in dogs that usually causes heart failure and death unless corrected at a young age. A 2.5-year-old female intact Coton de Tulear was referred and diagnosed with a left to right shunt PDA. Closure of the PDA was performed via a minimally invasive approach by means of an Amplatz canine duct occluder device. In this case report, we describe a successful anaesthetic protocol that included premedication using a combination of acepromazine and methadone, induction with propofol and midazolam and maintenance with isoflurane in oxygen, as well as a lidocaine constant rate constant rate infusion for intraoperative analgesic and cardiovascular support. This protocol provided excellent intraoperative cardiopulmonary stability and a smooth and rapid recovery.

Epiglottic retroversion (ER) is an uncommon and poorly understood disorder of the upper respiratory tract in small breed dogs. In this retrospective study, perioperative characteristics, surgical technique, outcome, and complications in nine dogs that underwent surgical treatment for ER and/or concurrent upper respiratory tract disorders, were evaluated. The most frequently reported clinical symptoms were chronic intermittent inspiratory stridor (89%), exercise intolerance (78%), and dyspnea (67%). Concurrent respiratory disorders were highly prevalent (78%). Five dogs initially underwent a temporary epiglottopexy and two a permanent epiglottopexy. In two dogs, both suffering from concurrent laryngeal paralysis, only a unilateral cricoarytenoid lateralization was performed. After initial clinical improvement, temporary and permanent epiglottopexy eventually failed in 4/6 dogs (67%) that were available for follow-up, necessitating partial epiglottectomy as revision surgery. This resulted in a successful long-term outcome in 5/6 of these dogs (83%). In the dogs with primary ER or in cases where the presence of secondary ER led to significant respiratory symptoms, partial epiglottectomy as a primary surgical technique appeared to be a more permanent treatment option than epiglottopexy. Both dogs with surgically corrected concurrent laryngeal paralysis without epiglottopexy or epiglottectomy showed clinical improvement. This might indicate that, in case of secondary ER, positive results can be achieved after management of the underlying respiratory disorder.

Objective To report the use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) foam to bolster full-thickness mesh skin grafts in dogs. Study Design Retrospective case series. Animals Client-owned dogs (n = 8). Material and Methods Full-thickness mesh skin graft was directly covered with PVA foam. NPWT was maintained for 5 days (in 1 or 2 cycles). Grafts were evaluated on days 2, 5, 10, 15, and 30 for graft appearance and graft take, granulation tissue formation, and complications. Results Firm attachment of the graft to the recipient bed was accomplished in 7 dogs with granulation tissue quickly filling the mesh holes, and graft take considered excellent. One dog had bandage complications after cessation of the NPWT, causing partial graft loss. The PVA foam did not adhere to the graft or damage the surrounding skin. Conclusion The application of NPWT with a PVA foam after full-thickness mesh skin grafting in dogs provides an effective method for securing skin grafts, with good graft acceptance. PVA foam can be used as a primary dressing for skin grafts, obviating the need for other interposing materials to protect the graft and the surrounding skin.

BackgroundCurrently, [18F] altanserin is the most frequently used PET-radioligand for serotonin2A(5-HT2A) receptor imaging in the human brain but has never been validated in dogs. In vivo imaging of this receptor in the canine brain could improve diagnosis and therapy of several behavioural disorders in dogs. Furthermore, since dogs are considered as a valuable animal model for human psychiatric disorders, the ability to image this receptor in dogs could help to increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of these diseases. Therefore, five healthy laboratory beagles underwent a 90-min dynamic PET scan with arterial blood sampling after [18F] altanserin bolus injection. Compartmental modelling using metabolite corrected arterial input functions was compared with reference tissue modelling with the cerebellum as reference region.ResultsThe distribution of [18F] altanserin in the canine brain corresponded well to the distribution of 5-HT2Areceptors in human and rodent studies. The kinetics could be best described by a 2-Tissue compartment (2-TC) model. All reference tissue models were highly correlated with the 2-TC model, indicating compartmental modelling can be replaced by reference tissue models to avoid arterial blood sampling.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that [18F] altanserin PET is a reliable tool to visualize and quantify the 5-HT2Areceptor in the canine brain.

Objective To (1) describe a modified technique for tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture and (2) report short term outcome and complications. Study Design Prospective clinical study. Animals Dogs with unilateral CCL rupture (n = 50). Methods TTA was performed with a novel implant to achieve advancement of the tibial crest. The technical protocol, specific implants and instrumentation, and the short term outcome are described. Results Various breeds (mean ± SD weight, 31.9 ± 13.3 kg) were included. Mean age at treatment was 64 ± 30.6 months. Minor complications occurred in 30% and major complications in 4% of the cases. Forty-eight (96%) dogs had a good to excellent outcome 3 months after surgery. Conclusion The modified technique is a viable alternative to other osteotomy techniques.

A 7-month-old male castrated European shorthair cat was presented because of a recurrent cleft of the soft palate. Surgical correction had already been performed twice by a local veterinary practitioner. For the third correction, a pharyngeal overlapping flap was used but again, dehiscence occurred. Finally, the angularis oris axial pattern buccal flap technique, as described in dogs, was applied. The flap covered the defect without any tension, and good vascularization was appreciated during the whole procedure. Because of severe swelling of the intraoral tissues at the end of the procedure, dexamethasone was administered intravenously. Almost instantly after the injection, the cat went into cardiorespiratory arrest, and died shortly after.

Een mannelijke, gecastreerde Europese korthaar van 10 jaar werd aangeboden met huidklachten. Schilfering, alopecie en jeukgedrag waren aanwezig. Het dermatopathologisch onderzoek toonde een interface dermatitis met een gering aantal apoptotische keratinocyten, een murale lymfocytaire folliculitis en de afwezigheid van sebumklieren. Deze huidveranderingen kunnen voorkomen als een paraneoplastisch syndroom veroorzaakt door een thymoma. Radiografie van de borstholte bevestigde de aanwezigheid van een massa in het craniale mediastinum. Via een sternale thoracotomie werden een grote tumor en twee kleine gezwellen verwijderd. Histopathologisch onderzoek van de massa’s toonde aan dat het wel degelijk ging om lymfocytrijk thymoma. De kat vertoonde een snelle en sterke verbetering van de huidletsels. Twee maanden postoperatief was er een heropflakkering van de exfoliatieve dermatitis die in regressie werd gebracht met een dexamethasonekuur. Tijdens de laatste follow-up, 6 maanden postoperatief, vertoonde de kat nog slechts geringe schilfering en was hij volledig jeukvrij zonder medicatie.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is one of the most common congenital vascular abnormalities in the dog. In veterinary medicine, surgical ligation (SL) and transarterial occlusion (TO) are two possible treatments that require general anesthesia. Two 4-month-old dogs were anesthetized for the correction of PDA, one by SL and the other by TO. Two different anesthetic and analgesic protocols were used, and were chosen to avoid potential complications. This case report describes two possible anesthetic approaches for PDA corrective surgery (SL and TO).

Objective—To determine intraobserver, interobserver, and intermethod agreement for results of myelography, computed tomography-myelography (CTM), and low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in dogs with disk-associated wobbler syndrome (DAWS). Design—Prospective cross-sectional study. Animals—22 dogs with DAWS. Procedures—All dogs underwent myelography, CTM, and low-field MRI. Each imaging study was interpreted twice by 4 observers who were blinded to signalment and clinical information of the patients. The following variables were assessed by all 3 techniques: number, site, and direction of spinal cord compressions; narrowed intervertebral disk spaces; vertebral body abnormalities; spondylosis deformans; and abnormal articular facets. Intervertebral foraminal stenosis was assessed on CTM and MRI images. Intraobserver, interobserver, and intermethod agreement were calculated by κ and weighted κ statistics. Results—There was very good to good intraobserver agreement for most variables assessed by myelography and only moderate intraobserver agreement for most variables assessed by CTM and low-field MRI. There was moderate to fair interobserver and intermethod agreement for most variables assessed by the 3 diagnostic techniques. There was very good or good intraobserver, interobserver, or intermethod agreement for the site and direction of the worst spinal cord compression as assessed by all the imaging modalities; abnormal articular facets and intervertebral foraminal stenosis were the least reliably assessed variables, with poor interobserver agreement regardless of imaging modality used. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—There was considerable variation in image interpretation among observers and between use of various imaging modalities; these imaging techniques should be considered complementary in assessment of dogs with DAWS.

Objective—To determine the accuracy of pressure plate kinetic asymmetry indices (ASIs) for diagnosis of unilateral hind limb lameness in dogs and their correlation with visual gait assessment (VGA) scores. Animals—9 healthy dogs and 16 dogs with previously diagnosed unilateral rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament and concurrent unilateral hind limb lameness. Procedures—Dogs were walked over a pressure plate to determine paw contact area (PCA), peak vertical pressure (PVP), peak vertical force (PVF), and vertical impulse (VI) of both hind limbs. An ASI was calculated for each gait variable. Simultaneously, gait was assessed visually and scored by use of a numeric rating scale (0 to 10). The ASI of each variable was tested for its usefulness in discrimination between lame and nonlame dogs and for correlation with VGA scores. Results—Sensitivity and specificity of ASIs to discriminate between lame and nonlame dogs were excellent for PVF, VI, and PCA; these values were substantially lower for ASI of PVP. Cutoff values to discriminate between lame and nonlame dogs were determined by use of ASIs for PVF, VI, and PCA; however, this could not be done for ASI of PVP. Correlations between ASIs of PVF, VI, and PCA and VGA scores were higher than correlation between the ASIs of PVP and VGA scores. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that ASIs of PVF and VI determined via analysis of pressure plate measurements were reliable indicators of clinical lameness in dogs, but the ASI of PVP was not. The ASI of PCA is an interesting new variable for assessment of limb loading symmetry.

Objective: To evaluate a distractable titanium cage for the treatment of disk-associated wobbler syndrome (DAWS). Study Design: Prospective study. Animals: Dogs (n=7) with DAWS. Methods: After total discectomy of C5–C6 and C6–C7, the median part of the vertebral body of C6 was removed with preservation of the lateral walls and dorsal cortex. The removed cancellous bone was collected. The implant was placed in the bony defect of C6. After placement, the titanium cage was distracted and affixed by 4 screws. Finally, the implant was filled and covered with cancellous bone. Dogs had follow-up examinations at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Six months after surgery, cervical radiographs and computed tomography (CT) were performed. Results: Although no intraoperative complications occurred, correct placement of the cage was technically challenging. Revision surgery was necessary in 2 dogs because of implant loosening and aggravation of vertebral tilting. All dogs improved after discharge from the hospital. In 1 dog, recurrence of clinical signs caused by articular facet proliferation at an adjacent intervertebral disk space occurred. Radiographs at 6 months demonstrated cage subsidence in 4 dogs. In all dogs, CT was suggestive for fusion of the bone graft with the vertebral body. Conclusions: Although results are promising, technical adaptations will be necessary to make this specific surgical technique, designed for humans, suitable for routine use in dogs.

A three-year-old neutered male whippet was presented with intermittent, exercise-induced paraparesis. Femoral pulses were bilaterally absent. Neurologic examination was suggestive of a thoracolumbar myelopathy. Blood pressure measurements revealed hypotension in both pelvic limbs, hypertension in the right thoracic limb and it was immeasurable in the left thoracic limb. Echocardiography was within reference limits. A clear vascular pulsation was palpable on the right ventral abdominal wall. Computed tomographic angiography revealed a dissection of the aortic wall between the left subclavian artery and the brachiocephalic trunk with subsequent thrombus formation. A shunt between the right internal thoracic, cranial and caudal epigastric arteries to preserve blood flow to the pelvic limbs was visualized. Necropsy was declined by the owner. This is the first case report describing the formation of a unilateral vascular shunt following a thoracic aortic occlusion, which presented as exercise-induced paraparesis.

Objective To investigate the cardiovascular effects of epidural romifidine in isoflurane-anaesthetized dogs. Study design Prospective, randomized, blinded experiment. Animals A total of six healthy adult female Beagles aged 1.25 ± 0.08 years and weighing 12.46 ± 1.48 (10.25–14.50) kg. Methods Anaesthesia was induced with propofol (6–9 mg kg −1 ) and maintained with 1.8–1.9% end-tidal isoflurane in oxygen. End-tidal CO 2 was kept between 35 and 45 mmHg (4.7–6.0 kPa) using intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Heart rate (HR), arterial blood pressure and cardiac output (CO) were monitored. Cardiac output was determined using a LiDCO monitor and the derived parameters were calculated. After baseline measurements, either 10 μg kg −1 romifidine or saline (total volume 1 mL 4.5 kg −1 ) was injected into the lumbosacral epidural space. Data were recorded for 1 hour after epidural injection. A minimum of 1 week elapsed between treatments. Results After epidural injection, the overall means (± standard deviation, SD) of HR (95 ± 20 bpm), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) (81 ± 19 mmHg), CO (1.63 ± 0.66 L minute −1 ), cardiac index (CI) (2.97 ± 1.1 L minute −1 m −2 ) and stroke volume index (SI) (1.38 ± 0.21 mL beat −1 kg −1 ) were significantly lower in the romifidine treatment compared with the overall means in the saline treatment [HR (129 ± 24 bpm), MAP (89 ± 17 mmHg), CO (3.35 ± 0.86 L minute −1 ), CI (6.17 ± 1.4 L minute −1 m −2 ) and SI (2.21 ± 0.21 mL beat −1 kg −1 )]. The overall mean of systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) (7202 ± 2656 dynes seconds cm −5 m −2 ) after epidural romifidine injection was significantly higher than the overall mean of SVRI (3315 ± 1167 dynes seconds cm −5 m −2 ) after epidural saline injection. Conclusion Epidural romifidine in isoflurane-anaesthetized dogs caused significant cardiovascular effects similar to those reportedly produced by systemic romifidine administration. Clinical relevance Similar cardiovascular monitoring is required after epidural and systemically administered romifidine. Further studies are required to evaluate the analgesic effects of epidural romifidine.

Two dogs were presented with hemifacial spasm. Computed tomography images of both the dogs revealed an intracranial mass. In the first dog, a lesion at the level of the medulla oblongata was thought to cause primary irritation of the facial nucleus, with consequently permanent contraction of the ipsilateral facial muscles. In the second dog, a mass seemingly arising from the middle cranial fossa presumably isolated the facial motor neurons from upper motor neuron control, which resulted in hemifacial spasm as a result of loss of inhibitory interneuronal activity.

The formation and progression of osteoarthrosis in the unaffected contralateral stifle joints of 14 dogs with a unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture were monitored radiographically in terms of a global score and the scores for 10 parameters specific for the stifle joint. The dogs were examined initially and six and 12 months later by three observers, and the variability between the observers' scores was also assessed. The score for osteophytes at the tibial attachment site of the ligament was the most reliable parameter, and that for the increase in femoropatellar joint space was the least reliable. In the contralateral stifle joints there were significant increases after six and 12 months in osteophyte formation caudal to the tibial plateau, and in subchondral sclerosis of the tibial plateau and of the long digital extensor muscle groove. These three parameters progressed more regularly during the disease process than the other parameters. The global osteoarthrosis score of the contralateral stifle joint was an important risk factor for sustaining a rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament in that joint during the next six months.

A two-month-old German shepherd dog was presented with anorexia, lethargy and left hind limb lameness associated with swelling of the thigh. Clinical findings combined with cytology led to the presumptive diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis (NF). Extensive debridement was performed and silver-foam-based negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) was applied. During the first 48 hours, a negative pressure of -75 mmHg was used. Evaluation of the wound demonstrated no progression of necrosis and a moderate amount of granulation tissue formation. A new dressing was placed and a second 48-hour cycle of NPWT was initiated at -125 mmHg. At removal, a healthy wound bed was observed and surgical closure was performed. The prompt implementation of NPWT following surgical debridement led to accelerated wound healing without progression of necrosis in this case of canine NF. Negative pressure wound therapy could become an integral part of the management strategy of canine NF, improving the prognosis of this life-threatening disease.

A one-year-old male Jack Russell terrier developed a prescrotal haematoma after elective orchiectomy. When surgical exploration failed to locate the responsible vessel and conservative therapy (applying a pressure bandage) was not successful in stabilising the dog, abdominal laparoscopy was performed. The haemorrhage originated from the spermatic cord in the inguinal canal bilaterally. After retracting the spermatic cord into the abdomen, haemostasis was performed using a vessel-sealing device. The prescrotal haematoma was removed and the dog made an uncomplicated recovery.

This study was performed to provide a detailed atlas of the normal arterial and venous canine vasculature in the cranial abdomen by dual-phase computed tomographic angiography. Five adult beagles were positioned in dorsal recumbency on a multislice helical CT scanner. An unenhanced survey CT scan from the diaphragm to the pelvic inlet was performed. Bolus-tracking software was used for the dual-phase angiogram, and contrast medium was administered in a cephalic vein. The arterial phase was scanned from the mid-abdomen to the cranial aspect of the diaphragm; the portal phase was scanned a few seconds after the arterial phase in the opposite direction. The DICOM studies from all dogs were analysed. Representative images were selected and anatomic structures labelled. Maximum intensity projections and three-dimensional images were generated using software techniques. A detailed atlas of the venous and arterial vasculature of the cranial canine abdomen was created with the help of bolus-tracking dual-phase computed tomographic angiography (CTA). Practitioners can use this anatomic atlas with its detailed venous and arterial phase CT angiograms of the canine cranial abdomen to compare normal versus abnormal vascular anatomy.

In humans, recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) enhances radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. No studies have been performed in veterinary medicine to optimize radioiodine treatment of thyroid cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of rhTSH on the uptake of radioiodine-123 (I-123) in dogs with thyroid tumors. Nine dogs with thyroid neoplasia were included in this prospective cross-over study. The dogs were divided in 2 groups. In one group, I-123 was administered for a baseline RAIU determination in week 1. In week 2 (after a washout period of 2 weeks), these dogs received rhTSH (100 mu g IV) 24 h before I-123 injection. In the other group the order of the protocol was reversed. For each scan, the dogs received 37 MBq (1 mCi) of I-123 intravenously (IV) and planar scintigraphy was performed after 8 and 24 h for tumor RAIU calculation. Overall, rhTSH administration caused no statistically significant change on thyroid tumor RAIU at 8 h (p = 0.89) or at 24 h (p = 0.98). A significant positive correlation was found between the effect of rhTSH on tumor 8h-RAIU and rhTSH serum concentrations at 6 h (tau = 0.68; p = 0.03), at 12 h (tau = 0.68; p = 0.03) and at 24 h (tau = 0.78; p = 0.02) after rhTSH injection. This study suggests that IV administration of 100 mg rhTSH 24 h before I-123 has an inconsistent effect on thyroid tumor RAIU. Further studies are necessary to determine the best protocol of rhTSH administration to optimize thyroid tumor RAIU.

Objective—To determine the spectrum and frequency of abnormalities for low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations of clinically normal Doberman Pinschers and Foxhounds. Animals—37 clinically normal dogs (20 Doberman Pinschers and 17 Foxhounds). Procedures—For each dog, MRI of the cervical vertebrae (sagittal, dorsal, and transverse T1- and T2-weighted images) was performed. Variables assessed were intervertebral disk degeneration, disk-associated compression, compression of the dorsal portion of the spinal cord, vertebral body abnormalities, and changes in intraparenchymal signal intensity. Associations between these variables and age, breed, sex, and location of the assessed intervertebral disk spaces were evaluated. Results—Severe MRI abnormalities were detected in 17 dogs, including complete disk degeneration (n = 4 dogs), spinal cord compression (3), or both (10). Vertebral body abnormalities were detected in 8 dogs, and hyperintense signal intensity was detected in 2 dogs. Severity of disk degeneration and disk-associated compression was significantly associated with increased age. There was a significant association between disk degeneration, disk-as-sociated compression, and compression of the dorsal aspect of the spinal cord and location of the assessed intervertebral disk space, with the intervertebral disk spaces in the caudal portion of the cervical region being more severely affected. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Abnormalities were commonly seen on MRI examinations of the caudal portion of the cervical vertebral column and spinal cord of clinically normal Doberman Pinchers and Foxhounds. Such lesions were probably part of the typical spinal cord degeneration associated with the aging process of dogs.

A 4-month-old kitten was presented with a large mass over the temporal area involving the base of the left ear. Cytological evaluation of a fine-needle aspirate was not diagnostic. Computed tomography was used to determine tumor extent. Surgical resection was performed, which included parts of the orbital rim, masticatory muscles, the complete ear canal, and the pinna. Reconstruction of the ocular muscles was performed, and the skin defect was reconstructed using a single pedicle advancement flap. Despite unilateral facial paralysis, postoperative clinical function was excellent and aesthetics were good. Histological examination revealed the tumor to be a teratoma. After a follow-up period of 3 years, no signs of recurrence were evident. Extragonadal teratomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis when young animals are presented with a growing mass located outside the abdominal cavity. Surgical excision of a mature teratoma can be considered curative.

BACKGROUND: [(11)C]-3-amino-4-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-phenylsulfanyl)-benzonitrile ([(11)C]DASB) is currently the mostly used radiotracer for positron emission tomography (PET) quantitative studies of the serotonin transporter (SERT) in the human brain but has never been validated in dogs. The first objective was therefore to evaluate normal [(11)C]DASB distribution in different brain regions of healthy dogs using PET. The second objective was to provide less invasive and more convenient alternative methods to the arterial sampling-based kinetic analysis. RESULTS: A dynamic acquisition of the brain was performed during 90 min. The PET images were coregistered with the magnetic resonance images taken prior to the study in order to manually drawn 20 regions of interest (ROIs). The highest radioactivity concentration of [(11)C]DASB was observed in the hypothalamus, raphe nuclei and thalamus and lowest levels in the parietal cortex, occipital cortex and cerebellum. The regional radioactivity in those 20 ROIs was quantified using the multilinear reference tissue model 2 (MRTM2) and a semi-quantitative method. The values showed least variability between 40 and 60 min and this time interval was set as the optimal time interval for [(11)C]DASB quantification in the canine brain. The correlation (R(2)) between the MRTM2 and the semi-quantitative method using the data between 40 and 60 min was 99.3 % (two-tailed p-value