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Abstract Background Gallbladder mucocele (GBM) is a common biliary disorder in dogs that can be categorized into 6 types, but the value of this classification scheme remains unknown. Cholecystectomy is associated with high death rates and warrants additional interrogation. Objectives Investigate the clinical value of ultrasonographic diagnosis of type of GBM and identify prognostic factors in dogs with GBM undergoing cholecystectomy. Animals Two hundred sixteen dogs. Methods Retrospective cohort study. Dogs with GBM diagnosed from 2014 to 2019 at 6 veterinary referral hospitals in Asia. Ultrasonogram images were reviewed and a GBM type (ie, types I‐VI) assigned. Results Dogs with GBM type V as compared to I (OR, 8.6; 95% CI, 2.6‐27.8; P

Background Paraquat (1,1-dimethyl-4,4-bipyridinium dichloride) is a toxic herbicide. Accidental ingestion of paraquat in animals and humans causes respiratory failure and death. Aim To describe the radiographic features of confirmed paraquat intoxication in a group of dogs and determines whether any identified features can facilitate this diagnosis. Methods Eleven dogs diagnosed with paraquat intoxication were selected from two institutions between November 2014 and August 2019 comprising five males (all intact) and six females (one intact and five spayed). The mean age was 3.9 ± 2.9 (SD) years and their mean weight was 11.6 ± 5.0 kg. The tentative diagnosis was confirmed through analysis of their urine samples using a colorimetric assay (paraquat concentation 0.39 μg/ml ranging from 0.19-0.65 μg/ml), and their clinical signs were reviewed. Thoracic radiographs were evaluated for the presence of pneumomediastinum, lung patterns (interstitial or alveolar) and their locations (caudodorsal, cranioventral, diffuse, or symmetrical), subcutaneous emphysema, pneumoretroperitoneum, and pneumothorax. Results The most common clinical signs were dyspnea (11/11, 100%) and anorexia (9/11, 82%). Pneumomediastinum (10/11, 91%) and symmetrically increased lung opacity (7/11, 65%) were the most common radiographic features. Pneumothorax (3/11, 27%), pleural effusion (3/11, 27%), subcutaneous emphysema (2/11, 18%), and pneumoretroperitoneum (1/5, 20%) were the less common findings. None of the dogs survived. Conclusion Pneumomediastinum and diffuse or symmetrical interstitial or alveolar lung patterns are the most common radiographic features in dogs with paraquat intoxication. Clinical relevance In countries where this herbicide is not banned, paraquat intoxication should be considered if dogs with no history of trauma present with pneumomediastinum.

Colonic intramural hematoma is a rare condition in humans and companion animals. Its clinical presentation in cats has not previously been reported. An 8-year-old male American shorthair cat presented with acute onset of constipation and anorexia for 3 days. Laboratory examination indicated mild elevation of alanine aminotransferase, globulin, and total protein levels. Complete blood count was normal. Radiographs revealed a soft tissue opacity mass located caudodorsally to the urinary bladder, causing narrowing of the descending colonic lumen. Sonography showed a heteroechogenic intraluminal mass containing liquefied content between the submucosal and muscular layers of the descending colon. On computed tomographic images, the mass contained two different attenuated contents with an interface. Colonoscopy was then performed for intestinal biopsy, and the contents observed in the intraluminal mass were drained via surgical evacuation and considered as blood clots. Supportive medical treatment, including antibiotics and fecal softener, was administered, and the clinical signs resolved uneventfully. Mild chronic proctitis without apparent malignancy was confirmed histopathologically, and no recurrence was observed after more than 14 months, and thus a colonic intramural hematoma was presumptively diagnosed. The information provided by multimodal imaging of the mass was essential for the diagnosis and determination of the treatment in this case.

Canine stifle joint osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by damage and degeneration of the articular cartilage and subchondral bone, bony hypertrophy at the margins, and synovial joint membrane changes. Non-invasive imaging modalities, such as digital radiography (DR), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can be used to describe these changes. However, the value of MRI in diagnosing spontaneous canine OA and the comparison of different imaging modalities have seldom been addressed. This study compared multiple noninvasive imaging modalities in canine spontaneous stifle OA cases. Four client-owned dogs with five spontaneously affected OA stifle joints were recruited and underwent DR, CT, and MRI. Information on osteophytes/enthesophytes, ligament/tendon lesions, synovial effusion and membrane thickening, subchondral bone lesions, and meniscal and cartilage lesions were scored and compared. The results showed that MRI provides the most comprehensive and superior lesion detection sensitivity for ligament, meniscus, cartilage, and synovial effusions. DR provides adequate bony structure information, while CT provides the most delicate images of bony structure lesions. These imaging findings may provide further understanding of the disease and help clinicians draft a more precise treatment plan.

A 5-year-old, intact male Bengal cat weighing 5.2 kg was referred for the fixation failure of a right femoral fracture. Multiple surgical revisions failed, and atrophic non-union was diagnosed. The cat was then admitted for a final revision surgery using locking plate fixation in conjunction with rib and iliac crest autografts and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2). The fracture site was debrided and stabilized before filling the defect with 1.8 cm of rib bone autograft. The residual space in the defect was then filled with an iliac crest autograft. Finally, a 3 ×5 cm absorbable collagen sponge soaked with 0.5 mL of 0.2 mg/mL rhBMP-2 solution was placed around the defect. No significant complications were noted postoperatively. Bone healing was noted 2 months postoperatively, and it continued for 12 months. Although mild lameness remained, the cat's ambulatory function and quality of life were good. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of a clinical transplantation of a rib segment as an autograft in combination with rhBMP-2 in a cat with a large bone defect.

Dermatophytes are the group of keratinophilic fungi that cause superficial cutaneous infection, which traditionally belong to the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. Dermatophyte infection is not only a threat to the health of small animals, but also an important zoonotic and public health issue because of the potential transmission from animals to humans. Rabbit dermatophytosis is often clinically identified; however, limited information was found in Asia. The aims of this study are to investigate the prevalence and to evaluate the risk factors of dermatophytosis in pet rabbits in Northern Taiwan. Between March 2016 and October 2018, dander samples of pet rabbits were collected for fungal infection examination by Wood’s lamp, microscopic examination (KOH preparation), fungal culture, and PCR assay (molecular identification). Z test and Fisher’s exact test were performed to evaluate the potential risk factors, and logistic regression analysis was then performed to build the model of risk factors related to dermatophyte infection. Of the collected 250 dander samples of pet rabbits, 29 (11.6%) samples were positive for dermatophytes by molecular identification. In those samples, 28 samples were identified as the T. mentagrophytes complex and 1 sample was identified as M. canis. Based on the results of the Firth’s bias reduction logistic analyses, animal source (rabbits purchased from pet shops) and number of rearing rabbits (three rabbits or more) were shown as the main risks for dermatophyte infection in the pet rabbits in Taiwan. The results of the present study elucidate the prevalence of rabbit dermatophyte infection, pathogens, and risk factors in Taiwan, and provide an important reference for the prevention and control of rabbit dermatophytosis.

Background Gadoxetate sodium (Gd-EOB-DTPA) is taken into hepatocytes and excreted into the bile. Hepatocytes with reduced function or dysfunction due to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), hepatitis or hepatic fibrosis show impaired Gd-EOB-DTPA uptake. The purpose of the present retrospective case series was to assess the relationship between liver function and contrast enhancement using Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI.Methods Sixteen dogs with a histopathological diagnosis of liver disease, including six with HCC, three with nodular hyperplasia, two with hepatocellular adenoma, two with liver fibrosis and three with hepatitis were included in the study along with three dogs with suspected liver disease but no histopathological diagnosis of liver disease. Relative signal intensities (RSI) of the common bile duct and gall bladder were calculated, and their relationship with the following serum biochemical parameters was assessed: total bilirubin, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and albumin (Alb). To assess anatomical liver function, relative contrast enhancement indices (RCEI) of the liver were calculated, and differences were assessed between normal and diseased liver.Results RSI showed no significant differences between dogs without and with a histopathological diagnosis of liver disease (P=0.88) although they were significantly correlated with Alb (ρ=0.57, P=0.02) in dogs with a histopathological diagnosis of liver disease. RCEI was significantly higher in normal liver tissue than that in livers with hepatitis/fibrosis (P=0.048) and HCC (P=0.03) but not nodular hyperplasia/hepatocellular adenoma (P=0.51).Conclusions Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI may be potentially useful in the assessment of anatomical liver function in dogs with liver disease.

In veterinary medicine, abdominal ultrasonography is used to rank the differential diagnosis of renal lesions. However, a conventional sonographic examination may show nonspecific findings. The purpose of this study was to assess the computed tomography (CT) findings of canine renal tumors, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC), lymphoma, and hemangiosarcoma (HSA). In this retrospective study, the following CT parameters were recorded for each dog: 1) extent of renal involvement of tumors, 2) enhancement pattern, 3) number of renal tumors, 4) renal tumor vessel enhancement in the corticomedullary phase, 5) presence of lymphadenopathy and lung metastasis, and 6) attenuation values of the renal tumors on the pre- and post-contrast corticomedullary, nephrographic, and excretory phase images. Fifteen dogs met the inclusion criteria, of which nine had RCCs, four had lymphomas, and two had HSAs. RCCs tended to show heterogeneous enhancement and unilateral renal involvement, and vessel enhancement was detected in the corticomedullary phase in dogs with RCC. Conversely, renal lymphomas showed homogeneous enhancement, bilateral renal involvement, and multiple masses; in these dogs, no vessel enhancement was detected in the corticomedullary phase, and the incidence of lymphadenopathy was low. However, in dogs with lymphadenopathy, the renal lymphoma was associated with regionally severe lymphadenopathy. Finally, renal HSAs tended to show heterogeneous enhancement with a non-enhanced area and unilateral renal involvement; in these dogs, vessel enhancement was detected in the nephrographic phase, with the enhancement expanding around the vessel. These findings had no significant differences. Further studies with a larger sample size are required to examine the association between CT and histopathological findings.

Betel quid (BQ) has been classified as a Group I human carcinogen in light of evidence demonstrating an association with an elevated risk of oral and pharyngeal cancers. To date, the incidence rate of oral and pharynx cancers among Taiwanese men ranks the highest worldwide. However, no study has yet confirmed variants of CYP26A1 was associated with the risks of oral and pharyngeal cancers. A case-control study was conducted (n = 339). CYP26A1 polymorphism was performed using SNP assay. Real-time qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to determine the levels of CYP26A1 expression. The cancer cell model involved treatment with arecoline. Our findings showed that the downregulation of CYP26A1 mRNA and protein expression are more frequently observed in cancerous tissues than adjacent normal tissues in patients with oral and pharynx cancers (p < 0.01). We found that CYP26A1 was downregulated as the arecoline dose increased. We hypothesized that lower levels of CYP26A1 mRNA expression can be utilized a clinically biomarker causes oral and pharynx cancers. Arecoline appears to modulate CYP26A1 expression through specific pathways. Carriers of CYP26A1 SNP, rs2068888 (G/G)/rs4418728 (G/G) and who have lower levels of CYP26A1 expression are associated with an increased risk of oral and pharyngeal cancers.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of intranasal administration of dexmedetomidine as a premedication for preventing hypotension and hypothermia in canine patients undergoing MRI examinations. ANIMALS Dogs undergoing MRI examinations for neurological disorders were enrolled in this study. The dogs were randomly assigned: 15 to the N-Dex group (without premedication) and 13 to the Dex group (125 μg/m² of dexmedetomidine, intranasally, as a premedication). METHODS During the examination, pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial blood pressure were recorded every 5 minutes for the first 30 minutes. Body temperature was measured before and after the examination. Any adverse events during the procedure were documented. RESULTS Significant changes in pulse rate during the examination were not distinguishable. Although blood pressure and body temperature decreased in both groups under anesthesia, dogs in the Dex group had a significantly smaller drop in blood pressure and body temperature and fewer hypotension events than those in the N-Dex group MRI examinations of 1 hour’s duration. Two dogs in the Dex group exhibited bradycardia at 45 and 60 minutes of MRI examination, which resolved after receiving atipamezole. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Our results indicate that intranasal administration of 125 μg/m² of dexmedetomidine as premedication is safe and can potentially mitigate hypothermia and hypotension in dogs with neurological disorders during MRI examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the expression of acute phase proteins and plasma cytokines in cats with various tumor types and varying metastatic statuses. ANIMALS: 5 clinically healthy cats and 22 cats with neoplastic disease that underwent CT imaging before treatment were enrolled. Patients were grouped based on their tumor types and metastatic status. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from all cats for general blood analyses before they underwent CT imaging. The remaining plasma sample was frozen for subsequent alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), serum amyloid A (SAA), and feline cytokine panel measurements. These results were compared with those of healthy cats as well as between metastatic status and tumor types. RESULTS: Only 4 cats (18%) exhibited elevated SAA levels, whereas 16 (73%) showed elevated AGP levels. AGP was significantly increased in cats with tumors (P = .016), while SAA was not. Only IL-8 showed a significant difference (P = .002) between cats with primary tumors and those with radiologically suspected tumor metastasis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: While AGP is a more prominent biomarker than SAA in cats with tumors, a significant elevation of AGP and SAA levels in association with metastasis and specific tumor types could not be identified. Alternatively, further investigation is warranted to evaluate the potential significance of IL-8 in tumor progression and metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diarrhea is one of the most common clinical symptoms reported in companion animal clinics. Dog circovirus (DogCV) is a new mammalian circovirus that is considered to be a cause of alimentary syndromes such as diarrhea, vomiting and hemorrhagic enteritis. DogCV has previously only been identified in the United States, Italy, Germany (GeneBank accession number: KF887949) and China (GeneBank accession number: KT946839). Therefore, the aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of DogCV in Taiwan and to explore the correlation between diarrhea and DogCV infection. Clinical specimens were collected between 2012 and 2014 from 207 dogs suffering from diarrhea and 160 healthy dogs. Results: In this study, we developed a sensitive and specific SYBR Green-based real-time PCR assays to detected DogCV in naturally infected animals. Of the analyzed fecal samples from diarrheal dogs and health dogs, 58 (28.0 %) and 19 (11.9 %), respectively, were DogCV positive. The difference in DogCV prevalence was highly significant (P = 0. 0002755) in diarrheal dogs. Conclusions: This is the first study to reveal that DogCV is currently circulating in domestic dogs in Taiwan and to demonstrate its high detection rate in dogs with diarrhea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical and computed tomographic (CT) information from 24 histopathological diagnosed canine oral malignant melanomas (MMs) was retrospectively investigated. The CT appearance on canine oral MM from each patient was evaluated, including both bone and soft tissue windows and pre- and post-contrast enhancement. Among the 24 dogs, canine oral MM was highly presented in small breeds, especially in miniature dachshunds older than 10 years. The gingiva was the most commonly affected site, followed by palatine, mucosal, and lingual areas. The location of the primary tumor in the oral arcade was statistically significant associated with bone invasion such as osteolysis. Canine oral MMs in the caudal arcades showed significantly greater association with osteolysis than MMs of the rostral arcades (p = 0.0325). Among tumor locations, the upper oral arcades had a significantly higher contrast enhancement value than the lower arcades (p = 0.0228). When metastatic and non-metastatic regional lymph nodes were compared, there was no significant difference in node size or contrast enhancement values, although metastatic mandibular lymph nodes were slightly larger than the non-metastatic nodes. Therefore, CT-based information could facilitate clinical diagnosis and treatment planning for canine oral MM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study based on a hypothesis that the cutaneous irritation caused by topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could be suppressed by the protective effects of trehalose on biological membranes. Through the Living Skin Equivalent-high human skin model, the effect of the non-reducing disaccharide trehalose was reinforced by co-lyophilization of NSAIDs. It shows how co-lyophilization of NSAIDs with trehalose may be a novel procedure to prevent skin irritation.

The article presents a study on the efficiency of lyophilized aspirin With trehalose in decreasing the incidence of gastric injuries in dogs. It discusses the anti-inflammatory and cell-protective functions of trehalose and the change in plasma aspiring concentration after oral administration of aspirin.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility of CT lymphangiography via intrametatarsal pad injection in cats with chylothorax. ANIMALS 7 client-owned cats. PROCEDURES This was a multicenter, retrospective, descriptive study. Medical records and imaging data from 4 veterinary hospitals were reviewed to identify cats with chylothorax that had undergone intrametatarsal pad injection via CT Iymphangiography. In total, 7 client-owned cats were included in the study. Signalment, history, image findings, and follow-up data were recorded. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the success rate of thoracic duet (TD) enhancement and describe relevant clinical findings. RESULTS Enhancement of TDs was successful in 6 of the 7 cats within 5 to 15 minutes after initiating intrametatarsal pad injection under general anesthesia. Successful migration of contrast medium into the Iymphatic vessels cranial to the popliteal Iymph nodes was observed in all cats within 5 minutes after injection. The recommended dose of contrast medium to achieve TD enhancement was 1 mL/kg (0.5 mL/kg/pad; concentration, 350 mg of iodine/kg). Only 1 cat had mild swelling of the paws after the procedure, and it recovered quickly without pain medication; no cats experienced lameness. Similar to dogs and unlike in previously published reports, 72% of TD branches were located in the right hemithorax. CLINICALRELEVANCE CT lymphangiography via intrametatarsal pad injection is a feasible and safe procedure for cats with chylothorax. This technique provides detailed information regarding the unique TD anatomy and cisterna chyli location. It also contributes to surgical planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]