Clinical and surgical management of dog with diffuse cholangiocarcinoma

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma is an epithelial cell malignancy arising at various locations within the biliary tree. Primary liver tumors can be classified morphologically as solid, when a single large tumor involves only one liver lobe; nodular, when multiple tumors are located in different liver lobes; diffuse, when either multifocal nodular changes occur in different liver lobes or when diffuse changes occur throughout the liver. Surgery is the treatment of choice for these tumors because there is no established, effective chemotherapy protocol. This paper reports on the management of a dog with diffuse cholangiocarcinoma. Case: A 13-year-old female, castrated Pinscher, weighting 6 kg, was admitted at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) with clinical signs of abdominal distension and dyspnea that had started one month ago. The patient had been subjected to total unilateral mastectomy to remove an adenocarcinoma. At clinical examination, the animal presented anemia, an area of silence during pulmonary auscultation on the right hemithorax, and hepatomegaly. Because of the chronicity and nonspecific signs, additional tests were requested. Abdominal ultrasound exam showed hepatomegaly with irregular echotexture; cavity areas scattered throughout the organ, especially by the right medial lob; discrete presence of free abdominal fluid. Thoracic radiography showed increased radiopacity in the medial and caudal right hemithorax, suggesting metastasis. Laboratory tests included a complete blood count (normocytic mycrocytic anemia), an albumin count (27.49 g/L), an alanine amino-transferase test (77.40 U/L), an alkaline phosphatase test (284.94 U/L), a creatinine test (0.81 mg/dL), a conjugated bilirubin test (0.1 mg/dL), a not conjugated bilirubin test (0.1 mg/dL), and a total bilirubin test (0.2 mg/dL). After blood transfusion, a hepatic lobectomy was performed. An incision was made along the ventral midline. A tumoral mass, approximately 20 cm in diameter, was observed in the right medial lobe, as well as diffuse changes throughout all hepatic lobes. A total lobectomy was performed by applying the mass ligation technique by placement of a circumferential ligature around the liver hilus. The abdominal cavity was sutured routinely. Histopathological examination showed primary cholangiocarcinoma. The animal had excellent postoperative recovery after six days. Subsequently, the patient again succumbed to hepatomegaly, ascites, anemia, and lethargy, and the owner chose to euthanize the patient and did not authorize a necropsy. Discussion: The cholangiocarcinoma was classified as primary and diffuse because of the macroscopic characteristics of the liver, since there were diffuse changes throughout the organ. Surgical excision was the treatment of choice. Although the prognosis was better in the early stages, lobectomy was chosen in order to improve the patient’s respiratory condition and, consequently, improve the quality of life. There were no surgical complications and the patient presented good postoperative recovery. After 60 days of the surgical procedure, clinical signs recurred (anemia, hyporexia and abdominal distension) and euthanasia was performed. Hepatic lobectomy in an animal with advanced stage cholangiocarcinoma provided good quality of life for a period of 60 days

Diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of canine cutaneous and subcutaneous mast cell tumors

Mast cell tumors (MCTs) are hematopoietic neoplasms composed of mast cells. It is highly common in dogs and is extremely important in the veterinary oncology field. It represents the third most common tumor subtype, and is the most common malignant skin tumor in dogs, corresponding to 11% of skin cancer cases. The objective of this critical review was to present the report of the 2nd Consensus meeting on the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment of Canine Cutaneous and Subcutaneous Mast Cell Tumors, which was organized by the Brazilian Association of Veterinary Oncology (ABROVET) in August 2021. The most recent information on cutaneous and subcutaneous mast cell tumors in dogs is presented and discussed

Brazilian consensus for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of cutaneous mast cell tumors in dogs

Mast cell tumors represent the most common malignant skin tumor in the dog. This review outlines the incidence, etiology and clinical signs of mast cell tumors. Diagnostic tests, staging and treatments are also discussed. This study was performed by the Veterinary Oncology and Pathology of UNESP, Jaboticabal and the Service of Pathology Veterinary, of UNESP-Botucatu with the support of the Brazilian Association of Veterinary Oncology and the Brazilian Association of Veterinary Pathology

Adenocarcinoma acinar pulmonar primário em gato : relato de caso

Among the diseases that cause dyspnea in felines, primary pulmonary neoplasia is rare and tends to affect senile cats. This study reports the case of a seven teen year old FeLV infected cat who was diagnosed acinar adenocarcinoma of the lung and kidney metastasis. It presented prostration and anorexia and was hospitalized with dyspnea and pleural effusion. Chest radiography indicated increased radiopacity in the cranial portion of the right hemithorax, compatible with presence of intrathoracic mass and the cytologic analysis of pleural effusion suggested feline infectious peritonitis. The animal died two days after, and the definitive diagnosis was concluded after necropsy and histopathological examination. Pulmonary adenocarcinoma should be included with differential diagnosis of respiratory diseases in cats, especially the elderly.Entre as doenças que causam dispneia em felinos, a neoplasia pulmonar primária é rara e costuma acometer gatos senis. Este trabalho tem por objetivo relatar o caso de um felino, de 17 anos, portador do vírus da leucemia felina, diagnosticado com adenocarcinoma acinar pulmonar primário com metástase no rim e na pleura parietal. O paciente apresentava histórico inespecífico, sendo as principais queixas prostração e anorexia, e foi internado apresentando dispneia e efusão pleural. A radiografia torácica indicou aumento da radiopacidade na porção cranial do hemitórax direito, compatível com presença de neoformação intratorácica. A citologia da efusão foi sugestiva de peritonite infecciosa felina. O animal veio a óbito dois dias após o atendimento inicial e o diagnóstico definitivo foi determinado por meio da necropsia e da avaliação histológica. O adenocarcinoma pulmonar deve ser incluído como diagnóstico diferencial de doenças respiratórias em gatos, principalmente idosos

DERMATOVET 2018

A alta incidência de doenças tegumentares nos animais domésticos e selvagens motivou e o consequente aumento do interesse dos tutores destes paciente em buscar atendimento especializado motivou a criação do projeto de extensão denominado DERMATOVET _- UFRGS. O DERMATOVET-UFRGS é um projeto de extensão que ocorre no Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (HCV-UFRGS) que tem como objetivo prestar atendimento na área de dermatologia e também possibilita o ensino de alunos de graduação e pós-graduação. Durante o ano de 2018, o projeto realizou 491 atendimentos clínicos de pacientes dermatológicos, reuniões técnicas semanais para discussão de artigos e casos clínicos, ações em escola de ensino fundamental e eventos científicos. Um dos eventos científicos realizados foi a I Noite da Dermatite Atópica Canina, que contou com a presença de 115 ouvintes entre alunos e profissionais médicos veterinários. O projeto também realizou uma palestra informativa sobre leishmaniose visceral canina para pais, professores e alunos do segundo ano da Escola Municipal de Ensino Fundamental São Tomé (EMEF São Tomé) em Viamão, debatendo métodos de controle e prevenção bem como identificação do flebotomíneo responsável pela transmissão da doença. A palestra foi realizada por estudantes de graduação e pós-graduação participantes do DERMATOVETUFRGS com supervisão do professor orientador do setor. O projeto DERMATOVETUFRGS oferece um serviço com atendimento especializado e de qualidade à população além de oportunizar aos alunos de graduação o acompanhamento e o aprendizado na área da Dermatologia Veterinária, priorizando o estímulo ao ensino e pesquisa

Primeiro relato da mutação nt230(del4) no gene MDR1 em Pastores Alemães no sul do Brasil

The P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a transmembrane protein encoded by the MDR1 gene that functions as a biological barrier by extruding toxins and xenobiotics out of cells. The MDR1 gene can carry a mutation called nt230(del4), which is a deletion of four base pairs resulting in the formation of a non-functional protein that may predispose to severe toxicosis, as observed in dogs with sensitivity to ivermectin. Several breeds have been described as carriers of the mutation, including German Shepherds (GS). However, the presence of the mutant allele in this breed has not been described in Brazil. This study aimed to determine the genotypic and allelic frequency of the nt230(del4) mutation in the MDR1 gene in GS from Southern Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 79 GS in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and genotype for the MDR1 gene was performed. Seventy-eight (98.7%) dogs were dominant homozygous genotype (wild) and one (1.3%) was heterozygous. This study showed that there is a low frequency (0.6%) of the mutant allele while the frequency of the wild allele is high (99.4%) in this specific population. This is the first report of the presence of the nt230(del4) mutation in the MDR1 gene in GS in Brazil. This information is important for breeders to prevent dissemination of the mutant allele in the national breeding population and international exchange of animals for breeding; for owners and veterinarians to be aware when dispensing and administering medications for GS dogs in Brazil.A Glicoproteína-P é uma proteína transmembrana codificada pelo gene MDR1 que atua como uma barreira fisiológica através da extrusão de toxinas e xenobióticos para fora das células. O gene MDR1 pode carregar uma mutação chamada nt230(del4) que é uma deleção de quatro pares de bases, resultando na formação de uma proteína não-funcional que pode predispor à toxicoses graves, como as observadas em cães sensíveis à ivermectina. Diversas raças de cães foram descritas como portadoras da mutação nt230(del4), incluindo Pastores Alemães (PA). Entretanto, a presença do alelo mutante nessa raça não foi descrita em cães no Brasil. O objetivo desse estudo foi determinar a frequência genotípica e alélica da mutação nt230(del4) em PA no sul do Brasil. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas de 79 PA no estado do Rio Grande do Sul e o genótipo dos cães para o gene MDR1 realizado. Setenta e oito (98.7%) cães foram homozigotos dominantes (selvagem) e um (1.3%) tinha genótipo heterozigoto. A frequência do alelo mutante foi baixa (0.6%), enquanto a frequência do alelo selvagem foi alta (99.4%) nesta população. Este é o primeiro relato da presença desta mutação nt230(del4) no gene MDR1 em PA no Brasil. Esta informação é importante para criadores a fim de prevenir a disseminação do alelo mutante na população de criadores da raça no Brasil e programas internacionais de troca de animais para criação, para tutores e veterinários estarem conscientes quando prescreverem e administrarem medicações para cães PA no Brasil

TRATAMENTO DA ERLIQUIOSE CANINA DE OCORRÊNCIA NATURAL COM DOXICICLINA, PRECEDIDA OU NÃO PELO DIPROPIONATO DE IMIDOCARB

Canine ehrliquiosis has become one of most important infectious diseases, especially due to its increasingly prevalence amongst dogs. Many treatment protocols have been proposed, but the association of imidocarb and doxycycline is frequently used because it shows an adequate therapeutic response. However, imidocarb can not be prescribed to some patients, which represents a paradox for many clinicians. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical response of doxycycline, preceded or not by imidocarb, for treating canine ehrlichiosis. Two groups of nine dogs were composed: the first was treated with doxycycline, whereas the second was treated with doxycycline and imidocarb. Results showed that both treatments were satisfactory, demonstrating that the clinical response did not depend on the use of imidocarb in the experiment.A erliquiose tem despontado como uma das mais importantes enfermidades infecciosas, devido ao aumento da sua prevalência entre os cães. Diversos tratamentos já foram propostos para a doença, sendo que a associação de imidocarb e doxiciclina é rotineiramente empregada, apresentando adequada resposta terapêutica. Entretando, em alguns pacientes, o imidocarb não pode ser utilizado devido aos seus efeitos hepatotóxicos, representando um paradoxo para muitos clínicos. Com o objetivo de avaliar a resposta clínica da doxiciclina, precedida ou não do imidocarb, em casos de erliquiose canina, constituiu-se dois grupos de nove cães, sendo um deles tratado com doxiciclina e o outro com doxiciclina e imidocarb. Observou-se que ambos os tratamentos resultaram em melhora clínica. Assim, concluiu-se que neste estudo, a resposta terapêutica foi indiferente quanto ao uso ou não do imidocarb nos casos de erliquiose canina

Megaesophagus Secondary to Feline Dysautonomia (Key-Gaskell Syndrome) in a Cat

Background: Feline dysautonomia is a rare autonomic neuropathy of unknown cause, that has already been reported in Europe, the United States and Brazil. Cats usually show nonspecifc clinical signs that are associated with autonomic dysfunction of the nervous system. The diagnosis is based on the clinical signs and imaging tests, and confrmed by necropsy and histopathological fndings. The prognosis is poor and there is no defnitive treatment. The aim of this report is to describe a case of feline dysautonomia with emphasis in the clinical, diagnostic imaging and histopathological fndings. Feline dysautonomia must always be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of megaesophagus in cats.Case: A mixed-breed young male cat was evaluated for anorexia, regurgitation, bilateral nasal discharge and dyspnoea for 24 h. The animal was dehydrated and had pale mucous membranes, abdominal distension and keratoconjunctivitis sicca. The neurological examination was normal. Abdominal ultrasound showed a distended bladder and normal intestinal motility. Chest radiography and esophageal contrast study exhibited megaesophagus in the intrathoracic region. Blood work showed mild neutrophilic leukocytosis and the presence of toxic neutrophils. The cat remained hospitalized for supportive care, including fluidtherapy, broad spectrum antibiotics, antiemetic and mucosal protective drugs. Twelve days after the admission, the cat presented prostration, hypoglycemia, hypothermia, hypokalemia and severe leukopenia. Chest radiography revealed increased radiopacity in the right hemithorax, suggesting aspiration pneumonia. The cat died and during necropsy there was marked megaesophagus, with areas of erosion/ulceration of the mucosa, in addition to pulmonary consolidation areas. The histopathological analysis showed an extensive area of ulceration in the esophageal epithelium, in addition to infltration of lymphocytes, macrophages and occasional neutrophils and numerous bacteria, compatible with ulcerative esophagitis. The lung analysis showed severe multifocal thrombosis, multifocal areas of athelectasia, moderate congestion and edema, vegetable material in the bronchi, basophilic myriad bacterial and multifocal necrosis. Hypereosinophilic neurons with pyknotic nuclei, mild cytoplasmic vacuolization, loss of granular appearance of Nissl substance and nuclei shifted to the periphery were observed in the esophageal ganglia. The post mortem diagnosis was megaesophagus and chronic active esophagitis with neuronal degeneration, confrming the diagnosis of feline dysautonomia and aspiration pneumonia.Discussion: This cat was presented with nonspecifc clinical signs, megaesophagus, constipation, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and regurgitation that are commonly observed in cases of feline dysautonomia. However, there were also expiratory dyspnoea, which is less common. Unlike most cases, this cat did not show mydriasis, prolapsed nictitating membranes, reduced pupillary light response or bradycardia. Considering the evolution of its clinical condition, it was suspected that the cat died due to sepsis, possibly as a result of aspiration pneumonia. Since feline dysautonomia is uncommon and requires histopathological analysis for diagnosis confrmation, the prevalence of the disease might be underestimated in our region. In this case, the clinical evaluation, diagnostic imaging, macroscopic and histopathological fndings were consistent with dysautonomia, therefore it is important to consider the disease as a differential diagnosis in cases of megaesophagus in cats, even in the absence of other classical signs of autonomic dysfunction.Keywords: ganglioneuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, neurology, cat