Clinical and laboratorial evaluation of dogs with cutaneous lymphoma treated with lomustine

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the clinical response of dogs with cutaneous lymphoma treated with lomustine (CCNU) and to identify possible adverse effects and toxicity during treatment. Fifteen dogs, seven females and eight males aged between five and 17 years old, diagnosed with cutaneous lymphoma by histopathological analysis were selected and treated with lomustine at 90 mg/m² every three weeks. Monitoring was carried out and consisted of the assessment of laboratory hematology and serum chemistry before and during treatment. Partial response was observed in 53.3% of the animals. None of the animals achieved a complete response and seven dogs (46.6%) had progressive disease. The median survival time was 22 days. The major hematological and biochemical changes found after therapy were leukopenia (73.3%), thrombocytopenia (60%) and anemia (46.1%). Renal and liver toxicity was observed in 40% and 73.3% of dogs, respectively. Hematocrit, total protein, leukocyte count, neutrophil count, serum creatinine, ALT, GGT, alkaline phosphatase and urine specific gravity were affected during therapy. The use of lomustine as a monotherapy in the treatment of canine cutaneous lymphoma was effective; however, adverse effects occurred and compromised the quality of life of the majority of dogs in this study. Therefore, lower doses of lomustine should be considered in future studies. O objetivo deste estudo prospectivo foi avaliar a resposta clínica de cães com linfoma cutâneo tratados com lomustina (CCNU) e identificar possíveis efeitos adversos e toxicidade durante o tratamento. Quinze cães, sendo 7 fêmeas e 8 machos, com idades entre 5 e 17 anos diagnosticados com linfoma cutâneo por avaliação histopatológica foram selecionados e tratados com lomustina na dose de 90 mg/m2 a cada três semanas. Os cães foram monitorados por avaliação hematológica e bioquímica sérica antes e durante o tratamento. A resposta parcial foi observada em 53,3% dos animais. Nenhum dos animais apresentou resposta completa e sete animais (46,6%) apresentaram progressão da doença. O tempo médio de sobrevida foi de 22 dias. As principais alterações hematológicas e bioquímicas observadas após o tratamento foram leucopenia (73,3%), trombocitopenia (60%) e anemia (46,1%). Sinais de toxicidade renal e hepática foram observados em 40% e 73,3% dos cães, respectivamente. Durante o tratamento foram afetados os parâmetros hematócrito, proteínas séricas totais, contagem de leucócitos, contagem de neutrófilos, creatinina sérica, ALT, GGT, fosfatase alcalina e densidade urinária. O uso de lomustina como monoterapia no tratamento do linfoma cutâneo canino foi efetivo; entretanto, efeitos adversos ocorreram e comprometeram a qualidade de vida da maioria dos animais neste estudo. Assim, sugere-se que doses mais baixas de lomustina sejam consideradas em estudos futuros.

Uterine Torsion with a 1080° Rotation in a Queen with Closed-cervix Pyometra

Background: Uterine torsion is a rotation of one or both uterine horns around its longitudinal axis, associated to vascular compromise that may lead to necrosis and both metabolic and hematological disorders, rarely reported in cats. The etiology has not been established and it has most frequently been associated to pregnancy, although its occurrence in non-pregnant animals in association with uterine diseases (e.g. pyometra, mucometra and hematometra) has been reported. The aim of this work is to report a case of 1080° uterine horn torsion in a cat with closed-cervix pyometra.Case: A five-year-old, weighing 4.2 kg, female queen was referred to the Ambulatório de Pequenos Animais do Departamento de Reprodução Animal e Radiologia Veterinária in the Veterinary Hospital of Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Botucatu, SP with a three-day history of an evident abdominal distension, anorexia, polydipsia and lethargy. The owner reported that the queen had delivered a litter of kittens three years ago and, since then, medroxyprogesterone acetate has been administrated in order to inhibit the oestrus cycles. Physical examination revealed pale mucous membranes, dehydration, cachexy, abdominal distension with no vaginal discharge and a large uterus with irregularities, detected by abdominal palpation. Hematological examination revealed anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, hyperglycemia and metabolic acidosis. Ultrasonographic examination revealed hypoechogenic fluid uterine content, suggesting closed-cervix pyometra associated to clinical signs of sepsis. An exploratory laparotomy was performed; the uterus was externalized and revealed a 1080° torsion of the congested and distended left uterine horn with vascular compromise and some foci of necrosis; the right uterine horn had a normal appearance but was also distended. Ovariohysterectomy was performed and the diagnosis of pyometra was confirmed by the evaluation of uterine content. Pre- and postoperative medical supportive therapy were performed and the queen recovered successfully.Discussion: The administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate predisposed the queen to cystic endometrial hyperplasia/ pyometra complex and the absence of vaginal discharge characterized a closed-cervix pyometra, the more severe form of the disease, thus leading to severe sepsis. In this case, abdominal palpation should be careful because of the uterine wall fragility, which could lead to uterine rupture and peritonitis; therefore ultrasonography is the technique of choice to confirm this pathology, although the uterine torsion cannot be diagnosed with this exam. This disease can only be confirmed by exploratory laparotomy. The etiology has not been established, but this case can be associated with stretching of both the ovarian pedicle and broad ligament by a previous pregnancy and by the uterine distension provided by pyometra. The degree of uterine torsion identified in this case is an uncommon finding. It may potentially cause severe complications in the queen, including peritonitis, septicemia, endotoxemia and disseminated intravascular coagulation and may lead to death if the cat does not have a prompt surgical intervention with an effective pre- and postoperative medical supportive therapy. Therefore the establishment of a prognosis of uterine torsion cases in the queen is correlated with these aspects.Keywords: feline, uterine torsion, contraceptive, endometrial cystic hyperplasia

Feline primary hyperaldosteronism: an emerging endocrine disease

ABSTRACT: The primary hyperaldosteronism, an endocrine disease increasingly identified in cats, is characterized by adrenal gland dysfunction that interferes with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, triggering the hypersecretion of aldosterone. Pathophysiological consequences of excessive aldosterone secretion are related to increased sodium and water retention, and increased excretion of potassium, which induce hypertension and severe hypokalemia, respectively. The most common clinical findings in cats include: polydipsia, nocturia, polyuria, generalized weakness, neck ventroflexion, syncope, anorexia, weight loss, pendulous abdomen and blindness. Diagnosis is based on the evidence of hormonal hypersecretion with suppression of renin release, imaging and histopathological evaluation of adrenal glands. Treatment may be curative with adrenalectomy, in cases of unilateral disease, or conservative, through administration of aldosterone antagonists, potassium supplementation and antihypertensives. Prognosis varies from fair to good with the appropriate therapy. This article reviews the main aspects of primary aldosteronism in cats, providing the clinician with important information for the diagnosis of this disease

Retorno à atividade reprodutiva de touro angus após fimose traumática com obliteração parcial da luz prepucial: relato de caso

The main disturbs affecting the genital segment of bulls are balanitis, phimosis and preputial injuries, abscesses or prolapses, resulting in decreased libido or mating ability. One case of traumatic phimosis with partial obliteration of preputial lumen is reported in Aberdeen Angus bull. During anamnesis, it was reported that the animal was unable to expose the penis and presented increased penile and preputial volume of unknown etiology after being submitted to a libido test. During clinical examination, a firm preputial mass of 15 cm in diameter was observed in the middle third of the prepuce and stenosis of preputial lumen was detected approximately 17 cm from the preputial orifice. Reconstructive surgery was the chosen therapy, with amputation of the affected foreskin portion. A skin segment of about 12 cm and affected mucosal portion were removed. Postoperative therapy consisted of dressing with chlorhexidine digluconate based ointment, povidone iodine and topical insect repellent (cypermethrin and carbamyl), systemic antibiotic therapy with benzathine penicillin (30,000 IU / kg, repeated after 48 hours) and anti-inflammatory therapy with flunixin meglumine (2 , 0 mg / kg SID) for three days. After twenty days, semen was collected by massage of the accessory glands. The ejaculate volume was 3 mL, with 200x106 spermatozoa / mL, white color, "suis generis" odor, 88% of motile sperm, 64% of progressively motile sperm and 82% of rapid sperm. Thus, the chosen surgical treatment was effective to correct the pathology and reintroduce the animal into reproductive activityAs principais patologias que afetam o segmento genital dos touros são as balanites, as acrobustites, abcessos prepuciais, prolapso e fimose, resultando em perda da libido ou da capacidade de copular. Relata-se um caso de fimose traumática com obliteração parcial da luz prepucial em touro da raça Aberdeen Angus. À anamnese, revelou-se que, após realizar um teste de libido, o animal demonstrou incapacidade de exposição do pênis e aumento de volume prepucial de etiologia desconhecida. Ao exame clínico, detectou-se aumento de volume de 15cm de diâmetro no terço médio do prepúcio, com consistência firme à palpação e estenose da luz prepucial a aproximadamente 17 cm do óstio prepucial. O tratamento eleito foi a realização de cirurgia reparadora, com amputação da porção prepucial acometida. Promoveu-se, então, a remoção do segmento com cerca de 12 cm de mucosa e da porção estenosada. O pós-operatório consistiu de curativo com pomada a base de digluconato de clorexidina, iodo povidine tópico e repelente de insetos (cipermetrina e carbamil), antibioticoterapia sistêmica com penicilina benzatina (30.000 UI/kg, repetida após 48 horas) e terapia anti-inflamatória com flunixin meglumine (2,0 mg/Kg SID) por três dias. Após vinte dias, realizou-se colheita de sêmen por massagem das glândulas anexas. O volume ejaculado foi de 3 mL, com 200x106 espermatozoides/mL, cor branca e odor “suis generis”, 88% de células móveis, 64% de motilidade progressiva e 82% de espermatozoides rápidos. Desta forma, o tratamento cirúrgico realizado mostrou-se eficiente para corrigir a patologia reintroduzindo o animal à atividade reprodutiv

Histerocele inguinal em cadela com piometra: relato de caso

A histerocele inguinal e uma hérnia pouco frequente, caracterizada pela protrusão do útero pelo canal inguinal, ocasionando sinais clínicos em decorrência de gestação ou alterações uterinas, dentre elas a piometra, tendo como causa primaria o desequilíbrio hormonal levando ao enfraquecimento de tecido conjuntivo, que distende os anéis inguinais. Pode ser causada por um conjunto de fatores tais como obesidade e aumento da pressão intra-abdominal, acompanhada pelo enfraquecimento das estruturas de contorno adjacentes. Foi relatada a ocorrência de histerocele inguinal com piometra em uma cadela da raça Poodle, com nove anos de idade, atendida no Ambulatório de Reprodução de Pequenos Animais do Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” Unesp – Botucatu – SP. As alterações clínicas observadas foram presença de secreção vulvar mucopurulenta, hipertermia (40,2°C), vasos episclerais ingurgitados, apatia e anorexia, além da presença de hérnia inguinal esquerda. Ao exame ultrassonográfico da cavidade abdominal e da hérnia, constataram-se áreas lobuladas com regiões anecoicas bem evidentes, características dos achados ultrassonográficos de piometra, tanto no interior da cavidade como no conteúdo herniário. Os achados hematológicos revelaram anemia normocítica e normocrômica, leucocitose grave, neutrofilia e desvio a esquerda; o exame bioquímico do soro revelou alteração das enzimas hepáticas, hiperglobulinemia e hiperproteinemia, condizentes com o quadro de piometra. Diante do quadro clinico, procedeu-se laparotomia de caráter emergencial e verificou-se que ambos os cornos estavam repletos de secreção e que o conteúdo herniario tratava-se do corno uterino esquerdo. O corno distendido foi removido do anel inguinal lentamente e, apos a ovariosalpingohisterectomia (OSH), foi realizado a redução do anel inguinal esquerdo. Apos a recuperação pós-operatória, restabeleceu-se a saúde do paciente

Uterine Torsion with a 1080° Rotation in a Queen with Closed-cervix Pyometra

Background: Uterine torsion is a rotation of one or both uterine horns around its longitudinal axis, associated to vascular compromise that may lead to necrosis and both metabolic and hematological disorders, rarely reported in cats. The etiology has not been established and it has most frequently been associated to pregnancy, although its occurrence in non-pregnant animals in association with uterine diseases (e.g. pyometra, mucometra and hematometra) has been reported. The aim of this work is to report a case of 1080° uterine horn torsion in a cat with closed-cervix pyometra.Case: A five-year-old, weighing 4.2 kg, female queen was referred to the Ambulatório de Pequenos Animais do Departamento de Reprodução Animal e Radiologia Veterinária in the Veterinary Hospital of Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Botucatu, SP with a three-day history of an evident abdominal distension, anorexia, polydipsia and lethargy. The owner reported that the queen had delivered a litter of kittens three years ago and, since then, medroxyprogesterone acetate has been administrated in order to inhibit the oestrus cycles. Physical examination revealed pale mucous membranes, dehydration, cachexy, abdominal distension with no vaginal discharge and a large uterus with irregularities, detected by abdominal palpation. Hematological examination revealed anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, hyperglycemia and metabolic acidosis. Ultrasonographic examination revealed hypoechogenic fluid uterine content, suggesting closed-cervix pyometra associated to clinical signs of sepsis. An exploratory laparotomy was performed; the uterus was externalized and revealed a 1080° torsion of the congested and distended left uterine horn with vascular compromise and some foci of necrosis; the right uterine horn had a normal appearance but was also distended. Ovariohysterectomy was performed and the diagnosis of pyometra was confirmed by the evaluation of uterine content. Pre- and postoperative medical supportive therapy were performed and the queen recovered successfully.Discussion: The administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate predisposed the queen to cystic endometrial hyperplasia/ pyometra complex and the absence of vaginal discharge characterized a closed-cervix pyometra, the more severe form of the disease, thus leading to severe sepsis. In this case, abdominal palpation should be careful because of the uterine wall fragility, which could lead to uterine rupture and peritonitis; therefore ultrasonography is the technique of choice to confirm this pathology, although the uterine torsion cannot be diagnosed with this exam. This disease can only be confirmed by exploratory laparotomy. The etiology has not been established, but this case can be associated with stretching of both the ovarian pedicle and broad ligament by a previous pregnancy and by the uterine distension provided by pyometra. The degree of uterine torsion identified in this case is an uncommon finding. It may potentially cause severe complications in the queen, including peritonitis, septicemia, endotoxemia and disseminated intravascular coagulation and may lead to death if the cat does not have a prompt surgical intervention with an effective pre- and postoperative medical supportive therapy. Therefore the establishment of a prognosis of uterine torsion cases in the queen is correlated with these aspects.Keywords: feline, uterine torsion, contraceptive, endometrial cystic hyperplasia

Orquiepididimite causada por Corynebacterium sp e Proteus mirabilis em cordeiro da raça Lacaune: relato de caso

Orchiepididymitis is the inflammation of both, testis and epididymis and may be caused by microbial agents such as Brucella ovis. Thus, the aim of the present report is to present a case of orchiepididymitis in a Lacaune ram with unilateral testicular enlargement. Ultrasonography of the testis revealed the presence of a circular hypoechogenic structure adjacent to the testicular parenchyma. Corynebacterium sp was isolated from the surgically removed testis. Two months after removal of the affected testis, the animal returned to the Veterinary Hospital due to an enlargement of the remaining testis. A new ultrasonographic exam revealed the presence of abscesses in the testicular parenchyma and periorchitis. After orchiectomy, Proteus mirabilis was isolated from the material.A orquiepididimite é uma inflamação do testículo e epidídimo e pode ser causada por agentes microbianos tal como Brucella ovis. Desta maneira, a presente descrição teve por objetivo relatar orquiepididimite em um carneiro da raça Lacaune apresentando aumento testicular unilateral. O exame ultrassonográfico dos testículos revelou uma estrutura hipoecóica circular adjacente ao parênquima testicular. Através do cultivo microbiano do testículo retirado cirurgicamente, a bactéria Corynebacterium sp foi identificada como agente causador do quadro. Ao retornar para um novo atendimento no hospital veterinário, cerca de dois meses após o primeiro atendimento e retirada do testículo afetado, o animal apresentava aumento do testículo remanescente. Novamente foi realizado exame ultrassonográfico no qual foram observados abscessos no parênquima testicular e periorquite. Procedeu-se a orquiectomia e após exame microbiológico, a bactéria Proteus mirabilis foi isolada

Comparative study of histopathology and immunohistochemistry of indefinite round cell cutaneous tumors and characterization of canine lymphoma

With the purpose of shedding light on some doubts in veterinary oncology, the present article intends to compare the results of histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations of unspecific round cell neoplasia, to realize immunophenotyping of canine lymphoma cases, to establish the T or B origin of neoplastic cells, and to determine the degree of proliferation and apoptosis of lymphomas by immunohistochemistry. Of 11 animals presenting immunohistochemical diagnosis of lymphoma, five had been diagnosed as Lymphoma by HE staining of histopathological slides and six had been classified as unspecific round cell neoplasia. All cases submitted to immunohistochemical examination were T-cell lymphomas. There was a positive correlation between cell proliferation and apoptosis. The comparison among histopathological and immunohistochemical results obtained in the cases examined in the present study suggested that immunohistochemistry is essential for the differentiation of round cell neoplasia.Com o objetivo de sanar algumas dúvidas na área da oncologia veterinária, o presente artigo pretende comparar os resultados dos exames histopatológicos e imuno-histoquímicos de neoplasias de células redondas inespecíficas, realizar imunofenotipagem dos casos de linfoma canino e determinar o grau de proliferação e apoptose de linfomas. Dos 11 animais que apresentaram diagnóstico imuno-histoquímico de linfoma, cinco foram diagnosticados como linfoma por coloração HE das lâminas histopatológicas e seis foram classificados como neoplasia de células redondas inespecíficas. Todos os casos submetidos ao exame imuno-histoquímico foram de linfomas de células-T. Houve uma correlação positiva entre a proliferação celular e apoptose. A comparação entre os resultados histopatológicos e imuno-histoquímicos obtidos nos casos analisados sugeriu que a imuno-histoquímica é essencial para a diferenciação das neoplasias de células redondas