A. Hotston Moore

Investigation of nasal disease in the cat—A retrospective study of 77 cases

A retrospective study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of different diseases in cats referred for investigation of chronic nasal disease, to identify historical, clinical and diagnostic features which may assist in making a diagnosis, and to provide information pertaining to outcome in these cats. Diagnoses included neoplasia (30 cases), chronic rhinitis (27), foreign body (8), nasopharyngeal stenosis (5), Actinomyces infection (2), nasal polyps (2), stenotic nares (2), and rhinitis subsequent to trauma (1). The most common neoplasia was lymphosarcoma (21 cases), with a median survival of 98 days for cats treated with multiagent chemotherapy. Cats with neoplasia were older on average than the other cats, and were more likely to be dyspnoeic and have a haemorrhagic and/or unilateral nasal discharge than cats with chronic rhinitis. Cats with neoplasia were more likely to have radiographic evidence of nasal turbinate destruction, septal changes, or severe increases in soft tissue density than cats with chronic rhinitis. It was unusual for cats with diseases other than neoplasia to be euthanased as a result of their nasal disease.

Serum IgE and IgG responses to food antigens in normal and atopic dogs, and dogs with gastrointestinal disease.

In human food allergy, with or without concurrent atopy, there may be significant increases in serum allergen-specific IgE. Serological methods have been tried but are not currently recommended for diagnosis of suspected food allergy in dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate humoral immune responses to food antigens in dogs. Serum IgG and IgE antibodies specific for food antigens were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using polyclonal anti-dog IgG and IgE reagents. Antigens tested were beef, chicken, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, white fish, whole egg, wheat, soybean, barley, rice, maize corn, potato, yeast and cows milk. Three groups were examined: normal dogs, dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD); and dogs with one of four types of gastrointestinal (GI) disease: small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), food-responsive disease, and infectious diarrhoea. Statistically significant differences in food-specific antibodies were not detected between the GI subgroups. There were statistically significant differences in the IgE concentration between the normal dogs, and dogs with atopic or GI disease, for all of the antigens tested. There were statistically significant differences in the average IgG concentrations between the normal dogs, and dogs with atopic or GI disease, for all of the antigens tested, except egg and yeast. The relationship of antigen responses for pooled data was analysed using principle component analysis and cluster plots. Some clustering of variables was apparent for both IgE and IgG. For example, all dogs (normal and diseased) made a similar IgG antibody response to chicken and turkey. Compared with other groups, atopic dogs had more food allergen-specific IgE and this would be consistent with a Th(2) humoral response to food antigens. Dogs with GI disease had more food allergen-specific IgG compared with the other groups. This may reflect increased antigen exposure due to increased mucosal permeability which is a recognised feature of canine intestinal disease.

Surgical treatment of a parotid duct sialolith in a bulldog

PAROTID sialolithiasis is uncommon in dogs (Spangler and Culbertson 1991). Sialoliths typically cause obstruction of the parotid duct, leading to swelling or rupture of the affected gland (Mulkey and Knecht 1971, Jeffreys and others 1996, Hunt and others 1997, Dunning 2003). They are usually composed of calcium carbonate or calcium phosphate (Dunning 2003, Smith 2005); magnesium carbonate (Mulkey and Knecht 1971) and magnesium ammonium phosphate (Hunt and others 1997) sialoliths have also been reported. The diagnosis of sialolithiasis is made on plain or contrast radiography (Jeffreys and others 1996, Hunt and others 1997, Dunning 2003), and the problem is treated by removal of the sialolith or the affected gland (Mulkey and Knecht 1971, Jeffreys and others 1996, Hunt and others 1997, Dunning 2003). This short communication describes a case of parotid duct sialolithiasis in a dog with only partial obstruction of the duct, and continued parotid gland function and duct patency following surgical removal of the sialolith. A three-year-old, entire male bulldog was referred to the soft tissue surgery service at the University of Bristol veterinary school for the treatment of intermittent right-sided facial swelling of four months’ duration. Routine physical examination revealed a firm, non-painful, soft tissue swelling 3 cm in diameter, on the right of the muzzle overlying the maxilla. Routine serum biochemistry and haematology were unremarkable. Further investigations were performed under general anaesthesia. Lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs of the skull identified a small (3 mm) mineralised opacity in the soft tissue, lateral to the right maxilla (Fig 1). The right parotid duct papilla was catheterised using a 21 G lacrimal catheter. A parotid duct sialogram was performed using 2 ml 755 mg/ml iopamidol (Scanlux 370; Sanochemia). This showed a filling defect within the parotid duct at the site of the mineralised opacity, which was causing partial obstruction of the duct (Fig 2). Palpation of the cheek revealed a small, hard mass, consistent with the opacity seen radiographically. A diagnosis of a parotid duct sialolith was made and surgical removal recommended. A longitudinal incision was made through the skin and soft tissues over the swelling, and the parotid duct was identified using sharp and blunt dissection. The sialolith was retrieved via an incision in the duct. The incisions in the duct and the skin were left to heal by second intention. The dog was discharged with seven-day courses of clavulanated amoxicillin (Synulox palatable tablets; Pfizer) at a dose of 12·5 mg/kg twice daily, and carprofen (Rimadyl palatable tablets; Pfizer) at a dose of 2 mg/kg twice daily, both administered orally. Analysis of the stone revealed that it was composed of 80 per cent calcium carbonate with 20 per cent calcium phosphate apatite form and a 100 per cent calcium carbonate shell. At re-examination five weeks later, there had been no recurrence of the swelling and the wound had healed without incident. A repeat sialogram demonstrated that the duct was patent, although there was a narrowing at the previous location of the sialolith (Fig 3). There had been no recurrence of the swelling when the dog was re-examined by the referring veterinarian eight months after surgery. In this case there was only partial obstruction of the parotid duct, with no associated rupture or mucocele formation. In previously reported cases there has been complete obstruction and rupture of the duct or gland, forming a mucocele (Mulkey and Knecht 1971, Jeffreys and others 1996, Termote 2003) and one case leading to sialadenitis has been