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Objectives: To describe the outcome and complications associated with the use of caudal superficial epigastric axial pattern flaps in dogs and cats. Material and Methods: Multicentre retrospective review and descriptive study of clinical records of dogs and cats having undergone caudal superficial epigastric axial pattern flaps between 2007 and 2020. Data retrieved included signalment, aetiology of surgical defect, tumour type, presence/absence of clean surgical margins, presence/absence of post‐operative wound infection, use of peri‐ and post‐operative antibiotics, duration of anaesthesia, duration of surgery, presence and duration of hypothermia, presence and duration of hypotension, presence/absence of post‐operative surgical drain and length of caudal superficial epigastric axial pattern flap. The incidence of complications and outcomes were documented. Results: Seventy cases met the inclusion criteria; 51 dogs and 19 cats. In dogs, 67% of cases developed complications (59% minor, 8% major) and 33% had uneventful wound healing. In cats, 53% of cases developed complications, (47% minor, 5% major) and 47% had uneventful wound healing. In dogs, the percentage of cases experiencing dehiscence, necrosis, seroma, oedema and post‐operative infection was 31%, 29%, 26%, 26% and 16% respectively. In cats, this was 26%, 16%, 11%, 0% and 5% respectively. A good overall outcome was seen in 77% of dogs and 79% of cats. A poor overall outcome was seen in 4% of dogs and 0% of cats. Clinical Significance: Caudal superficial epigastric axial pattern flaps are traditionally thought more robust than other flaps, yet complication rates remain high, despite a high overall success rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To report the complications and factors affecting outcome for cats following placement of a subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB™). Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, complications, the presence of a urinary tract infection and survival time were recorded following subctutaneous ureteral bypass placement. Factors affecting survival time were assessed using a Kaplan Meier curve and log rank test. Results: Ninety‐five cats had 130 subcutaneous ureteral bypasses placed. Ten cats did not survive to discharge. Forty cats died or were euthanised after discharge (42%); the median survival time of these cats was 530 days (range 7 to 1915). Minor complications occurred in 18 cats (19%) and major complications occurred in 46 cats (48%), the majority of which were after hospital discharge. Twenty‐seven cats were diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI) post‐operatively. A significant association between long‐term survival and creatinine at presentation was identified. The median survival time for cats presenting with creatinine concentration ≥440 μmol/L (International Renal Interest Society stage acute kidney injury (AKI) 4 and 5) was 530 days (95% CI 273–787 days), compared to a median survival time of 949 days (95% CI 655–1243 days; Log Rank P=0.024) for those cats presenting with creatinine <440 μmol/L (International Renal Interest Society stage AKI 1–3). Clinical Significance: In this population of cats, subcutaneous ureteral bypass placement was associated with an approximately 10% in‐hospital mortality and a high complication rate. Most complications were manageable, resulting in an overall median survival time of over 2 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe pre‐ and post‐operative ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic findings, including any abnormalities, in cats treated for ureteral obstruction with a subcutaneous ureteral bypass system. Methods: Retrospective review of imaging findings in cats with ureteral obstruction that had surgery to place the first version of the bypass system and at least one follow‐up ultrasound or fluoroscopic study. Pre‐ and post‐operative renal pelvic diameter on ultrasound, fluoroscopic appearance of the bypass system and any related abnormality were recorded. Results: Eighty‐one cats were included (47 unilateral, 34 bilateral bypass systems). Median preoperative renal pelvic diameter was 9 mm (range 3 to 28 mm) and median renal pelvic diameter at the first postoperative ultrasound was 3 mm (range 2 to 23 mm). The median number of postoperative imaging studies was two (range 1 to 8) and the median follow‐up period after surgery was 205 days (range 1 to 1378 days). Bypass system abnormalities were identified postoperatively in 43 (53%) cats, including nephrostomy or cystostomy catheter blockage due to an undetermined cause or kinking of the catheter, nephrostomy or cystostomy catheter leakage, non‐obstructive kinking of the catheter and loose nephrostomy pig‐tail loop. Many abnormalities required repeat surgery, but others were managed conservatively. Fifty‐four percent of obstructed ureters became patent after bypass placement, although the majority remained slightly dilated or had irregular margins compatible with chronic inflammation. Clinical Significance: Bypass abnormalities, mainly tube blockage, occurred frequently in cats treated for ureteral obstruction. Ultrasonography and fluoroscopy were useful for postoperative examination, including documenting renewed ureteral patency and investigation of suspected abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 9‐month‐old domestic short‐haired cat presented with stunted growth and chronic gastrointestinal signs. Tachypnoea, a heart murmur and cranial abdominal bruit were detected on physical examination. Echocardiography revealed volume overload in all heart chambers. CT angiography identified an abnormal communication between the hepatic arterial circulation and the portal vein, along with multiple acquired shunts. The abnormal vascular communication was surgically ligated. Echocardiography documented improvement in cardiac parameters following surgery and the cat continues to have no clinical signs 39 months after surgery. This report describes successful surgical management of feline hepatic arterioportal fistula for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES To describe the presentation, diagnosis, cause, complications and outcome in 14 dogs that presented with a parotid sialocoele and that were treated by complete parotidectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Multi-institutional retrospective study. RESULTS Each dog presented with a non-painful, fluctuant, soft tissue mass over the lateral aspect of the face in the region of the parotid salivary gland. Diagnosis was made by sialoradiography (3/14), CT (3/14), ultrasound (11/14) and MRI (2/14). The cause of the sialocoele could be determined in 8 of 14 patients and included: foreign body (2/14), sialolithiasis (1/14), neoplasia (3/14), salivary gland lipomatosis (1/14) and trauma (1/14). Treatment incurred one anaesthetic complication (regurgitation) and seven postoperative surgical complications [self-limiting seroma formation (2/14), haemorrhage (1/14), wound dehiscence (1/14), abscessation 7 months postoperatively (1/14) and facial nerve paralysis (2/14)]. Sialocoele did not recur in any dog during a median follow-up time of 14 months. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Parotidectomy has been considered a technically challenging procedure but can have a good success rate with long-term resolution of the clinical symptoms. Intra- and postoperative complications are reasonably common. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]