Renal surgery in the dog and cat

Nephrectomy is the complete removal of the kidney and ipsilateral ureter and usually it is performed through a midline laparotomy for the treatment of end-stage unilateral kidney disease. Indications for performing nephrectomy may include: renal and ureteral neoplasms, persistent renal haematuria, serious renal trauma associated with or without avulsion of renal pedicle, end-stage hydronephrosis, single renal cysts associated with renal disease, polycystic kidney disease associated with pyelonephritis, renal parasites, renal or perirenal abscessation, chronic end-stage pyelonephritis and renal disease associated with ectopic ureter. Normal function of the contralateral kidney is a prerequisite for performing nephrectomy. The presence of azotaemia or persistent isosthenuria is a contraindication for nephrectomy. Nephrectomy for pyelonephritis may not consistently resolve the infection in the remaining kidney. Preoperative evaluation of renal function in animals undergoing nephrectomy would ideally include determination of glomerular filtration rate using renal nuclear scintigraphy. However, in clinical practice, excretory urography is performed for the assessment of renal function. Nephrotomy is a limited surgical incision through the dorsal renal surface to remove nephroliths, to explore the pelvis for polyps and neoplasms and to identify causes of renal haematuria. Nephrotomy is reported not to significantly affect renal function in normal dogs and cats. Indications for nephrotomy associated with the presence of nephroliths may include hydronephrosis and hydroureter associated with renal pelvic obstruction, recurrent infection resistant to conservative treatment, progressive nephrolith enlargement and deterioration of renal function. Pyelolithotomy for calculus removal may only be used when the renal pelvis and the proximal ureter are markedly dilated

Use of a temporary incontinent end-on colostomy in a cat for the management of rectocutaneous fistulas associated with atresia ani

A 21/2-month-old cat was evaluated for the presence of multiple draining tracts ventral to the tail of 8 days duration. Clinical and radiographic examination revealed that the cat had rectocutaneous fistulas and type II atresia ani. The cat underwent a temporary end-on colostomy for faecal diversion. Sixty, days after surgery and after the fistulas resolved the animal underwent a second surgery for colostomy closure and anal reconstruction. Two years after surgery the cat was reported to be in good health with no faecal incontinence. (C) 2009 ESFM and AAFP. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Colonic impaction in dogs: a retrospective study of 58 cases (1996 to 2014)

Objectives: To describe the clinical findings, management and outcome of colonic impaction in dogs and report the effectiveness of medical treatment. Materials and Methods: Case records of 58 dogs with colonic impaction were reviewed. Telephone contact with the owners was used to obtain long-term outcome. Results: Twenty-nine dogs (50%) were mixed-breed, and 45 (78%) were entire males. Median age at presentation was 7 years, and median bodyweight was 22 kg. The degree of radiographic colonic distension did not appear to be related to long-term outcome. Fifty-five dogs (95%) received medical treatment including enemas alone, hyperosmotic and/or bulk-forming and/or lubricant laxatives, enemas combined with laxatives or enemas and/or laxatives combined with manual evacuation of faecal material under anaesthesia. Median survival time of the 58 dogs was 2 years. Overall, 36 of 41 dogs with available long-term follow-up had a favourable outcome. Clinical Significance: Medical treatment of colonic impaction in dogs with a single agent or a combination of agents has a high success rate. Marked colonic dilation is not necessarily indicative of megacolon in dogs. © 2019 British Small Animal Veterinary Associatio

Foreign body-associated intestinal pyogranuloma resulting in intestinal obstruction in four dogs

Intestinal obstruction resulting from an intramural foreign body-associated pyogranuloma was diagnosed in four dogs. Vomiting and weight loss were the main clinical signs. On physical examination, a mass in the abdomen was detected in three dogs. Abdominal radiography demonstrated the presence of soft tissue opacity in three of the dogs and gas-filled dilated intestinal loops in all four dogs. Abdominal ultrasonography showed hyperkinetic fluid-filled dilated intestinal loops and a hypoechoic small intestinal mass in all the dogs. Exploratory coeliotomy confirmed the presence of a jejunal mass, which was removed by resection and anastomosis in all the dogs. In one of the dogs a linear foreign body was also found cranial to the mass and was removed through a separate enterotomy incision. The lesions were diagnosed as foreign body-associated intestinal pyogranulomas on histological examination. Three dogs recovered without complications, but the fourth showed signs of septic peritonitis four days after surgery and was euthanased at the owner's request. The other three dogs remained disease-free 12 to 42 months after surgery