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Osteoma is an uncommon tumor found in various animal species and is particularly rare or underreported in ferrets. A 2-year-old neutered male ferret ( Mustela putorius furo ) presented with an asymmetrical firm mass affecting the right dorsolateral skull. Radiographic images and computed tomography scans revealed a well-marginated mineralized mass involving the dorsal right calvarium that was growing concentrically into the cranium. A surgical biopsy sample was obtained and yielded a cytological diagnosis of sarcoma with reactive osteoblasts and osteoclasts and a histopathological diagnosis of osteoma. It was suspected that only the outer bony rim of the mass was submitted for histopathological evaluation, thereby adversely affecting the diagnostic quality of the sample. Based on interpretation of the combined imaging, cytological, and histopathological findings, a multilobular tumor of bone was suspected. Because of reduction in quality of life, the animal was euthanized 4 months after presentation, and postmortem examination yielded a definitive diagnosis of osteoma. This is the first report of an osteoma with cranial vault invasion in a ferret and is one of very few reports of this tumor diagnosed in this species. Lack of neurological signs in the patient, marked and extensive growth of the mass over several months, and the similar clinical appearance to other bony tumors leading to diagnostic ambiguity contributed to the distinctiveness of this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increased tracheal bifurcation angle on the dorsoventral projection is described as a sign of left atrium enlargement in dogs, with a normal range of 60-90° reported. However in people, this angle is a poor indicator of left atrial size. Our purpose was to evaluate the value of the tracheal bifurcation angle for differentiating normal from enlarged left atrium in dogs. Dorsoventral radiographs and echocardiograms of 33 healthy and 73 dogs with confirmed degenerative myxomatous mitral valve disease were evaluated. Left atrial size was classified according to the echocardiographic left atrium to aorta ratio, as normal, mildly, moderately, or severely enlarged. Independent samples t-tests were used to compare the bifurcation angle between groups. A significant difference was observed between the angle of dogs with normal left atrium (68.1 ± 8.5°, range: 51.3-92.4°) and dogs with enlarged left atrium (75.8 ± 8.2°, range: 57.3-91.7°). A significant difference was also noted between the angle of normal dogs and those with moderate (75.5 ± 6.8°, range: 62.8-88.7°) and severe (80.4 ± 7.7°, range: 64.7-91.7°) left atrial enlargement, as well as between dogs with mild (70.7 ± 7.2°, range: 57.3-89.9°) and severe enlargement. Using two discriminators, 85.1° and 76.6°, the bifurcation angle had a specificity of 92.6% and 88.9%, respectively, for identifying left atrial enlargement, and a sensitivity of 15.4% and 40.4%. Although significant differences were observed between dogs with normal and increased left atrial size, the large degree of overlap in the range of bifurcation angles and its poor sensitivity make the measurement of this angle of little value for diagnosing left atrial enlargement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 6-year-old castrated male mixed breed dog presented to the "Louisiana State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital &-anonymized for review" ophthalmology service with marked exophthalmos and lagophthalmos of the left eye and soft tissue swelling medial to the zygomatic arch. A computed tomography (CT) scan was performed, and it revealed a well-marginated, lobulated, homogenously fat density involving the retrobulbar space. Preliminary results of a fine-needle aspirate (FNA) and biopsy were not conclusive, and a modified transfrontal orbitotomy was performed to remove the mass. Histopathological evaluation was diagnostic for retrobulbar infiltrative lipoma. Nine months after the surgery, the eye appears within normal limits with no evidence of recurrence., (© 2025 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.)

Case Summary: A 1-year-old male intact domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for acute onset non-weightbearing left forelimb lameness and generalized peripheral lymphadenopathy. CT identified a monostotic aggressive bone lesion with an incomplete fracture of the left radial metaphysis. Bone aspirates yielded osteoblasts with minimal nuclear atypia. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a nodular spleen and lymphadenopathy; cytologically, both contained lymphoid hyperplasia. A urine histoplasma antigen test was negative. Bartonella henselae and Mycoplasma haemominutum DNA was amplified by PCR from peripheral blood. Indirect immunofluorescence documented strong B henselae immunoreactivity, with lower Bartonella vinsonii subspecies berkhoffii and Bartonella koehlerae antibody titers. After the administration of doxycycline and pradofloxacin for suspected Bartonella -induced osteomyelitis, lameness resolved rapidly. Six-week post-treatment radiographs identified healing of the affected bone, and Bartonella species enrichment blood culture was negative. B henselae antibody titers decreased four-fold over a year, supporting seroreversion., Relevance and Novel Information: B henselae is a flea-transmitted, host-adapted species, not previously implicated as a cause of osteomyelitis in cats. B henselae subclinical bacteremia is highly prevalent among cats; however, bacteremia has been associated with lymphadenopathy and febrile illness in cats. This report describes a unique clinical presentation in association with B henselae infection in a cat., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: In conjunction with Dr Sushama Sontakke and North Carolina State University, Edward B Breitschwerdt, DVM holds US Patent No 7,115,385; Media and Methods for cultivation of microorganisms, which was issued October 3, 2006. He is a cofounder, shareholder and Chief Scientific Officer for Galaxy Diagnostics, a company that provides advanced diagnostic testing for the detection of Bartonella species infections. All other authors declare no potential conflicts of interest., (© The Author(s) 2022.)