Feminization and severe pancytopenia caused by testicular neoplasia in a cryptorchid dog

In this case report, a paraneoplastic syndrome caused by testicular neoplasia in a ten-year-old cryptorchid dog is described. Feminization and pancytopenia were observed, resulting from the testicular neoplastic production of estrogens. A diagnosis of testicular tumor and associated bone marrow suppression was made by ultrasonography and blood examination, with estrogen blood levels being severely elevated. Urinalysis revealed a urinary tract infection. Castration was performed together with a blood transfusion, and antibiotic treatment was started. After an initial improvement, the dog died suddenly after approximately three weeks. In this report, the importance is highlighted of identifying clinical signs associated with feminization in intact male dogs at an early stage, to avoid severe, potentially irreversible, hematological consequences due to bone marrow suppression. Elective orchidectomy of both testes is highly recommended in cryptorchid dogs as neoplastic transformation of the undescended testis may occur, with potentially fatal outcome

Clinical parameters as predictors of bacterial isolation in the uterine content of dogs suspected of pyometra

In this study, female canines referred with clinical signs consistent with pyometra were prospectively evaluated. Signalment, clinical signs, laboratory findings and surgical findings were compared between dogs with and without bacterial isolation based on aerobic techniques. Patients with positive bacterial isolation were placed in the pyometra group, whereas patients with negative bacterial isolation were grouped as mucometra. A total of 140 dogs (118 with pyometra and 22 with mucometra) met the inclusion criteria. Prereferral antibiotic administration was associated with a prolonged duration of clinical signs in the patients of the pyometra group (12 +/- 2 days versus 7 +/- 1 days; P=0.006). In the pyometra patients, clinical signs, like pyrexia, anorexia and discomfort on abdominal palpation, were observed more commonly than in the mucometra group. The total leukocyte count was the only parameter that differed significantly between the two groups (P=0.01). Although no difference in color and consistency of the uterine fluid was noted, the uteri of the pyometra group were heavier (851.80 +/- 800.30 g compared to 263.50 +/- 297.10 g). E. coil was the most commonly isolated bacterium (92/123)

Treatment of necrotizing fasciitis using negative pressure wound therapy in a puppy

A two-month-old German shepherd dog was presented with anorexia, lethargy and left hind limb lameness associated with swelling of the thigh. Clinical findings combined with cytology led to the presumptive diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis (NF). Extensive debridement was performed and silver-foam-based negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) was applied. During the first 48 hours, a negative pressure of -75 mmHg was used. Evaluation of the wound demonstrated no progression of necrosis and a moderate amount of granulation tissue formation. A new dress- ing was placed and a second 48-hour cycle of NPWT was initiated at -125 mmHg. At removal, a healthy wound bed was observed and surgical closure was performed. The prompt implementation of NPWT following surgical debridement led to accelerated wound healing without progression of necrosis in this case of canine NF. Negative pressure wound therapy could become an integral part of the management strategy of canine NF, improving the prognosis of this life-threatening disease

UP vets save lives of two dogs using ground-breaking technique in first for Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital

Two University of Pretoria (UP) veterinary surgeons have performed life-saving heart surgery on two dogs by using a ground-breaking technique. This is a first in the 100-year history of the Faculty of Veterinary Science in Onderstepoort, and an exciting way to start the next century of veterinary service to the country. Dr Adriaan Kitshoff and Dr Ross Elliott, who are specialist veterinary small animal surgeons working in Small Animal Surgery in the Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, saved the lives of 7-month-old French Bulldog Daisy and a 6-month-old Cocker Spaniel called Tallen.Originally published as HTML file, converted to PDF with Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro Version 9.0.0.News articles with colour photos about what's happening at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria.ab202

Chirurgische behandeling van een sublinguale sialocoele (ranula) bij een kat

In this case report, a seven-year-old, male, castrated European Shorthair diagnosed with a ranula is described. The patient was presented with a sublingual swelling on the right side, which was surgically treated with marsupialization and removal of the mandibular and sublingual salivary glands. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a ranula and revealed the accidental resection of the right submandibualr lymph nodes. Five months after the operation, no complications or recurrences were observed

Laryngeal paralysis in dogs : an update on recent knowledge

Laryngeal paralysis is the effect of an inability to abduct the arytenoid cartilages during inspiration, resulting in respiratory signs consistent with partial airway obstruction. The aetiology of the disease can be congenital (hereditary laryngeal paralysis or congenital polyneuropathy), or acquired (trauma, neoplasia, polyneuropathy, endocrinopathy). The most common form of acquired laryngeal paralysis (LP) is typically seen in old, large breed dogs and is a clinical manifestation of a generalised peripheral polyneuropathy recently referred to as geriatric onset laryngeal paralysis polyneuropathy. Diagnosing LP based on clinical signs, breed and history has a very high sensitivity (90%) and can be confirmed by laryngeal inspection. Prognosis after surgical correction depends on the aetiology: traumatic cases have a good prognosis, whereas tumour-induced or polyneuropathy-induced LP has a guarded prognosis. Acquired idiopathic LP is a slow progressive disease, with dogs reaching median survival times of 3-5 years after surgical correction

Intralaryngeal thyroarytaenoid lateralisation using the Fast-Fix 360 system : a canine cadaveric study

INTRODUCTION: Laryngeal paralysis is a condition in which failure of arytaenoid abduction results in a reduced rima glottidis cross-sectional area. The most commonly performed surgical techniques rely on unilateral abduction of the arytaenoid, requiring a lateral or ventral surgical approach to the larynx. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate a novel minimally invasive intralaryngeal thyroarytaenoid lateralisation technique, using the Fast-Fix 360 meniscal repair system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Larynges were harvested from large breed canine cadavers. With the aid of Kirschner wires placed between the centre of the vocal process and the centre of an imaginary line between the cranial thyroid fissure and the cricothyroid articulation, the mean insertion angle was calculated. RESULTS: The Fast-Fix 360 delivery needle inserted intralaryngeally (n=10), according to a simplified insertion angle (70°), resulted in thyroid penetration (>2.5 mm from margin) in all patients. The Fast-Fix was applied unilaterally at 70° with the first toggle fired on the lateral aspect of the thyroid cartilage and inside the laryngeal cavity on retraction. The suture was tightened. Preprocedural (61.06±9.21 mm2) and postprocedural (138.37±26.12 mm2) rima glottidis cross-sectional area was significantly different (P<0.0001). The mean percentage increase in rima glottidis cross-sectional area was 125.96 per cent (±16.54 per cent). CONCLUSION: Intralaryngeal thyroarytaenoid laterlisation using the Fast-Fix 360 meniscal repair system ex vivo increased the rima glottidis cross-sectional area significantly

Negative pressure wound therapy : the past and the future

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) involves the application of negative pressure on a wound bed for its positive effects on wound healing. Indications for NPWT concern various types of wounds, skin grafts and flaps, partial-thickness burns, open abdomen management and closed incisions. Negative pressure wound therapy has been used for centuries in human medicine. Its first use dates back to the Roman era (around 27 BCE) when human generated pressures were used. Later, European and Russian physicians developed various advanced methods and systems to apply negative pressure on wounds or other injuries. The on-going positive findings in human medicine triggered researchers in veterinary medicine to apply this technique on animal patients. However, much still has to be investigated regarding NPWT, especially in veterinary medicine, as there are many factors playing a role in the mechanisms of this treatment. New methods and techniques are continuously being developed and the existing studies show great potential for NPWT