Unusual presentation of bilateral stifle osteochondritis dissecans in two labrador retrievers

There are few published reports of CT findings for the diagnosis of stifle osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in the dog. This report describes the radiographic and multidetector CT (MDCT) findings of two cases with bilateral stifle osteochondrosis and OCD lesions. In both cases, radiographs did not provide a complete picture of the pathology and CT was needed for a definitive diagnosis. In case 1, CT showed bilateral defects on the caudomedial part of the lateral femoral condyles with joint mice within the cranial right stifle joint. In case 2, CT showed large bilateral joint mice within the intercondylar fossa originating from the medial aspect of the lateral femoral condyles as well as a defect on the right medial femoral condyle. MDCT provided an accurate diagnosis in both these cases and facilitated surgical planning

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on liver disease

Introduction: Abnormal liver biochemistry is not a rare finding in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection, regardless of patients having pre-existing chronic disease or not Content: This review examines the current body of knowledge on the relationship between COVID-19 and liver injury, which is frequently found in this setting Summary: Although the pathogenesis of liver injury is not fully understood, it has been suggested to be the result of a combination of multiple factors. These include direct injury caused by the virus, immune system hyperactivation, ischemic and drug-induced injury. The prognostic valor of these alterations is also the subject of intense research. Due to their potential impact, these alterations require proper management and treatment, especially in patients with chronic liver disease or liver transplant recipients. Outlook: Some aspects associated with liver injury during COVID-19, especially in severe presentations, are not well understood. Studies assessing the clinical impact of COVID-19 on the healthy or diseased liver may help adjust treatment and immunization guidelines to the profile of the patient. © 2022 Sergio Salgüero Fernández et al., published by De Gruyter, Berlin/Boston

Control of occult hepatitis B virus infection

Background: The diagnosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection requires HBV DNA testing and serologic testing for detection of the surface antigen (HBsAg) and the hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc). There is a population of patients with occult HBV infection (OBI), which is not detected by HBsAg or HBV DNA quantification in blood, despite the presence of active replication in the liver.Scope: This document provides a definition of OBI and describes the diagnostic techniques currently used. It also addresses the detection of patients with risk factors and the need for screening for OBI in these patients.Summary:Correct diagnosis of OBI prevents HBV reactivation and transmission. Diagnosis of OBI is based on the detection of HBV DNA in patients with undetectable HBsAg in blood.Perspectives: A high number of patients with OBI may remain undiagnosed; therefore, screening for OBI in patients with factor risks is essential. For a correct diagnosis of OBI, it is necessary that new markers such as ultrasensitive HBsAg are incorporated, and a more comprehensive marker study is performed by including markers such as cccDNA

Skin and ear health in a group of English bulldogs in Finland - a descriptive study with special reference to owner perceptions

Background - Dermatological conditions are common in English bulldogs (EBs). Hypothesis/Objectives - This cross-sectional study describes the dermatological health status of a group of EBs and compares the results with owner perceptions and its possible impact on quality of life (QoL). Computed tomographic (CT) findings of the ear canals were compared between EBs and mesaticephalic dogs. Animals - Twenty-seven EBs participating in a health study in Finland. Methods and materials - A QoL questionnaire was completed for EBs with owner-reported clinical signs referable to the skin or ear. Clinical evaluation included recording the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, the Otitis Index Score, false paw pad grading and the presence of interdigital furunculosis. These were summed to form a total clinical score (TCS). The cross-sectional surface areas of the horizontal ear canals were measured from CT images and compared with respective images of 14 mesaticephalic dogs collected from a patient database. Results - All 27 EBs had abnormal findings on dermatological examination, but 37% of the owners had not recognized skin or ear signs. The median QoL score was 5.0 (range 0-12) and correlated with TCS (correlation coefficient = 0.507, P <0.05). English bulldogs had narrower horizontal ear canals than mesaticephalic dogs (P <0.001). Conclusions and clinical importance - All EBs had abnormal dermatological findings that were unnoticed or considered to be of minor significance to the QoL by most owners. Narrow ear canals were common, possibly related to the brachycephalic conformation of the breed.Peer reviewe

Persian cats under first opinion veterinary care in the UK:demography, mortality and disorders

Persian cats are a popular cat breed worldwide, and especially in the US, Europe and Asia. This study aimed to describe the demography, common disorders and mortality in Persians under general practice veterinary care in 2013 in the UK. The study population of 285,547 cats overall included 3235 (1.1%) Persians. Mean adult Persian bodyweight was 3.9 kg (SD 0.9) and median age was 7.0 years (IQR 3.3–11.6). At least one disorder was recorded in 2099 (64.9%) Persians. The most common specific disorders were haircoat disorders (411, 12.7%), periodontal disease (365, 11.3%), overgrown nails (234, 7.2%), and ocular discharge (188, 5.8%). The most common disorder groups were dermatological (578, 17.9%), ophthalmological (496, 15.3%) and dental (397, 12.3%). Median longevity was 13.5 years (IQR 9.9–16.0). The most common grouped causes of death were renal disease (102, 23.4%), neoplasia (37, 8.5%) and mass-associated disorder (35, 8.0%). This is the first study to use general practice data to examine the overall health of Persian cats. With haircoat, ocular and dental disorders being the predominant disorders identified, this study highlights the need for increased owner awareness to manage and prevent the typical health problems associated with this breed’s phenotype

Metastatic anal sac carcinoma with hypercalcaemia and associated hypertrophic osteopathy in a dog

A seven-year-old male neutered Irish setter was treated for a metastatic anal sac adenocarcinoma (ASAC) and hypercalcaemia by complete surgical excision of the primary tumour and partial excision of the sublumbar lymph nodes. Further enlargement of the sublumbar lymph nodes was linked to recurrent hypercalcaemia 3 months after surgical treatment. Medical treatment with Toceranib and Clodronate showed modest results in the treatment of the tumour and the hypercalcaemia. Radiotherapy of the sublumbar lymph nodes and later concurrent carboplatin chemotherapy resulted in partial tumour remission with marked reduction in size of the lymph nodes and normalization of the calcaemia. Unfortunately, concurrently with subsequent relapse of the hypercalaemia, the dog developed hypertrophic osteopathy (HO) and lumbar spinal metastasis and the dog was euthanized. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the second case of metastatic apocrine gland carcinoma of the anal sac associated with HO and the first case that describe the development of HO late in the stage of the disease.Keywords: Anal sac carcinoma, Hypercalcaemia, Hypertrophic osteopath

Diagnostic imaging appearance of canine gastric leiomyomas: Four cases

Abstract: Gastric leiomyoma (GL) is an uncommon benign neoplasm found in older dogs and generally identified as an incidental finding. The purpose of this paper is to describe the imaging appearance of GL in different diagnostic imaging modalities (radiography [XR], ultrasonography [US] and computed tomography [CT]). All three modalities revealed a mass arising within the gastric wall, radiopaque on XR, hypoechoic on US and isoattenuating on CT, with intralesional radiopaque/hyperechoic/hyperattenuating foci, respectively. US and CT are sensitive and proved very useful in the diagnosis of this type of neoplasia, identifying the location, extent and appearance of the mass before a surgical treatment. GL should be considered as a possible diagnosis in the presence of dystrophic mineralisation within a gastric mass

CT dimensions, volumes and densities of normal canine eyes.

Although ultrasound and MRI are the imaging modalities of choice for the investigation of ocular diseases, the eyes are included in routine CT examinations of the head and should be examined as part of the complete evaluation. This report describes the dimensions, volumes and densities of the normal canine globe in CT. Forty-four eyes were studied. The mean axial length of the globe was 2.09 cm and its mean volume was 4.65 cm3. The mean anteroposterior distance of the anterior chamber was 0.4 cm and of the vitreous chamber was 0.96 cm. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean aqueous humour density, 14.76 Hounsfield units (HU), and the mean vitreous humour density, 11.20 HU (P=0.0009). Statistically significant differences were also seen in both humours in precontrast and postcontrast studies. The mean anteroposterior dimension of the lens was 0.74 cm; its mean equatorial distance was 1.15 cm. The mean volume was 0.43 cm3 and its mean density was 131.9 HU. There was contrast enhancement of the ciliary body, iris and retina/sclera/choroid complex. This study provides reference values to help in the interpretation of ocular structures on CT scans of the head, where incidental findings can change the medical management of specific cases

Infección por SARS-CoV-2 y su impacto en la enfermedad hepática

En el contexto de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 no es infrecuente encontrar alteraciones hepáticas, tanto en pacientes con enfermedad hepática crónica previa como sin ella

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on liver disease

Abnormal liver biochemistry is not a rare finding in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection, regardless of patients having pre-existing chronic disease or no