Restored vision in a young dog following corticosteroid treatment of presumptive hypophysitis

Background: Hypophysitis is an umbrella term for a group of disorders involving inflammation of the pituitary gland. A rare occurrence in humans, hypophysitis can produce a range of clinical signs including (but not limited to) visual deficits and diabetes insipidus. Only five cases of canine hypophysitis exist in the literature, all presenting in mature dogs with no visual deficits and a grave outcome. This case report describes the clinical and advanced imaging features of blindness-inducing presumptive hypophysitis in a dog, which rapidly resolved with medical management. Case presentation: A 1-year-and-seven-month-old neutered male Standard Poodle presented with subacute blindness, ataxia, and polyuria/polydipsia (PUPD). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detected a contrast-enhancing pituitary mass with perilesional oedema compromising the optic chiasm. Suspecting neoplasia, anti-inflammatory corticosteroid was commenced prior to radiation therapy planning. Complete resolution of neurological and visual deficits occurred within 12 days of starting steroid treatment. Repeated advanced imaging indicated macroscopic resolution of the lesion. An extended thyroid panel with insulin-like growth factor-1 analysis supported a diagnosis of hypophysitis. Resolution of PUPD was achieved with tapering courses of prednisolone and desmopressin; the dog has since been clinically normal for 14 months and treatment-free for 11 months. Conclusions: To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first instance in which a canine pituitary mass has demonstrated long-term resolution with palliative medical treatment alone, alongside reversal of associated blindness and presumptive diabetes insipidus. We suspect this lesion to be a form of hypophysitis, which should be included among differential diagnoses for pituitary masses, and for subacute blindness in dogs. Where possible, we advocate biopsy-confirmation of hypophysitis prior to timely intervention with anti-inflammatory treatment

A computed tomographic study of dental disease in cattle and their welfare impacts

Introduction: Horses require regular teeth rasping due to their hypsodont dentition. Cattle have similar dentition, and it is increasingly recognised that cattle suffer from dental disease leading to poor welfare. Little is known about the incidence of dental disease and of subocclusal dentine thickness in cattle cheek teeth. To determine if equine dental treatments are transferable to cattle a greater understanding of their tooth anatomy is required. We performed a cadaver head survey for dental disease and used computed tomography (CT) to measure subocclusal dentine thickness to determine if cattle can be safely rasped without exposing the pulp. Methods: Eleven cattle cadaver heads were examined for dental pathology. A further ten heads were scanned using CT, and subocclusal dentine thickness was measured in all cheek teeth using a dedicated imaging software.Results: All eleven cadaver heads had evidence of dental pathologies including sharp enamel edges, and seven had ulcerations of oral mucosa. Seven animals had one or more diastemas present; with or without impacted food, receded gums or periodontal pockets. The number of pulp horns in the premolars varied, while the molar teeth pulps showed minimal variation. The subocclusal dentine layer was on average between 3.9(+/-0.3) and 7.0(+/-1.2) mm in depth. The first and second molars had the thinnest subocclusal dentine thickness. Conclusion: CT scanning of cadaver heads have allowed us to quickly, efficiently and accurately measure the thickness of the subocclusal dentine in cattle. The data is essential to develop dental treatments for cattle which will improve their welfare. <br/

Medical management of a penile fracture with presumed pyelonephritis in a juvenile dog

A three-month-old male entire Bouvier des Flandres was presented for acute onset dysuria, haematuria, lethargy and severe pain on palpation of the penis. Further investigation revealed a parcellar fracture of the cranial separate ossification centre of the os penis and associated urinary tract infection with presumed pyelonephritis. Fluoroscopic retrograde urethrography was performed revealing intermittent urethral obstruction caused by displacement of the cranial bone fragment of the separate ossification centre of the os penis. The urethra was catheterised to realign the fragments and to permit urination and antibiotic treatment was started. The urinary catheter was kept in place for five days. After its removal, normal urination was observed with complete resolution of the clinical signs. Follow-up radiographs and ultrasound examination confirmed resolution of mechanical obstruction with fusion of part of the separate ossification centre and realignment of the displaced bony fragment

Safety of intravenous iodinated contrast medium injection in rabbits undergoing conscious computed tomography

BACKGROUND: Contrast media in CT is widely used in dogs and cats to provide superior tissue delineation and increase the diagnostic capabilities. These contrast‐enhanced imaging techniques are gaining popularity in rabbits; published studies reporting the safety of doing so are lacking. METHODS: This retrospective observational study aimed to determine the incidence of adverse events following the intravenous administration of iodinated non‐ionic contrast medium in 350 rabbits. The medical records of this subset of rabbits admitted between January 2009 and November 2018, that underwent CT examination and received intravenous contrast media, were evaluated. RESULTS: From the 350 rabbits, 342 rabbits were still alive 7 days after the scan. A total of eight rabbits died within 7 days of the scan, seven of which within the first 24 h. All deaths were presumed to be sequelae to the diseases they were being investigated for and not thought to be related to the administration of intravenous contrast medium. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that the use of intravenous non‐iodinated contrast medium was well tolerated and safe in rabbits undergoing conscious CT examination