Catriona M. MacPhail

Thoracoscopic correction of persistent right aortic arch in a dog.

A 15-week-old, male intact, miniature schnauzer presented for signs consistent with persistent right aortic arch (PRAA). Esophagram and esophagoscopy confirmed this diagnosis. Following selective intubation, the constricting ligamentum arteriosum was visualized and completely resected via thoracoscopy. No complications were noted with this procedure. Advantages of thoracoscopy for management of persistent right aortic arch observed in this case were better visualization of the ligamentum arteriosum, minor postoperative discomfort, and minimal intraoperative hypothermia. Therefore, thoracoscopy is a potential alternative to intercostal thoracotomy for correction of PRAA.

Long-term outcome of domestic ferrets treated surgically for hyperadrenocorticism: 130 cases (1995–2004)

OBJECTIVE To determine the long-term survival rate and factors that affect survival time of domestic ferrets treated surgically for hyperadrenocorticism. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 130 ferrets with hyperadrenocorticism that were treated surgically. PROCEDURES Medical records of ferrets surgically treated for hyperadrenocorticism were reviewed. Data recorded included signalment, duration of clinical signs prior to hospital admission, CBC values, serum biochemical analysis results, anesthetic time, surgical time, concurrent diseases, adrenal gland affected (right, left, or both [bilateral]), histopathologic diagnosis, surgical procedure, caudal vena caval involvement (yes or no), postoperative melena (yes or no), days in hospital after surgery, and whether clinical signs of hyperadrenocorticism developed after surgery. RESULTS 130 ferrets were entered in the study (11 of 130 ferrets were admitted and underwent surgery twice). The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 98% and 88%, respectively. A 50% survival rate was never reached. Combined partial adrenal gland resection with cryosurgery had a significantly negative effect on survival time. No other risk factors were identified. Survival time was not significantly affected by either histopathologic diagnosis or specific affected adrenal gland (right, left, or bilateral). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Ferrets with adrenal gland masses that were treated surgically had a good prognosis. Survival time of ferrets with hyperadrenocorticism undergoing surgery was not affected by the histologic characteristic of the tumor, the adrenal glands affected (right, left, or bilateral), or complete versus partial adrenal gland resection. Debulking was a sufficient surgical technique to allow a favorable long-term outcome when complete excision was not possible.

Atypical manifestations of feline inflammatory polyps in three cats

Inflammatory polyps of the feline middle ear and nasopharynx are non-neoplastic masses that are presumed to originate from the epithelial lining of the tympanic bulla or Eustachian tube. The exact origin and cause are unknown, however, it is thought that inflammatory polyps arise as a result of a prolonged inflammatory process. It is unclear whether this inflammation initiates or potentiates the development and growth of inflammatory polyps. Cats with inflammatory polyps typically present with either signs of otitis externa and otitis media or with signs consistent with upper airway obstruction. Traditional diagnostics involve imaging of the tympanic bulla either with skull radiographs or computed topography (CT). Treatment consists of traction and avulsion of the polyp with or without ventral bulla osteotomy (VBO) to remove the epithelial lining of the tympanic bulla. The three cases described here are unusual manifestations or presentations of feline inflammatory polyps that address the following issues: (1) concurrent otic and nasopharyngeal polyps, (2) potential association with chronic viral infection, (3) polyp development in the contralateral middle ear, (4) CT appearance of the skull following VBO, and (5) development of secondary pulmonary hypertension.

Outcomes of cats undergoing surgical attenuation of congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts through cellophane banding: 9 cases (2000-2007).

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term prognosis of cats with a congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (CEPSS) attenuated through gradual occlusion with cellophane banding (CB). DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 9 cats with a CEPSS that was attenuated with CB. PROCEDURES Medical records of cats surgically treated for CEPSS by means of CB from January 2000 through March 2007 were reviewed. Extracted data included preoperative clinical signs, medications, diagnostic results including serum bile acids concentrations, surgical technique, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and long-term follow-up information. RESULTS 2 cats that developed refractory seizures were euthanized within 3 days after the CB procedure. Seven of the 9 cats survived to 15 days after surgery. Four cats did not have any clinical signs of CEPSS at long-term follow up. At that time, 5 cats had a postprandial SBA concentration within reference limits and 1 cat had persistent ptyalism. One cat had biurate ammonium stones removed > 2 years after surgery. One cat was euthanized 105 days after surgery because of uncontrolled seizures. The 3-year survival rate was 66%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Uncontrolled seizure activity was the most common cause of death after CB. Long-term outcome for cats with CEPSS was fair to good after the procedure. Cats with a CEPSS surviving the immediate postoperative period had a fair to good long-term outcome. Cellophane banding without intraoperative attenuation appears to be an acceptable technique for gradual occlusion of a CEPSS in cats. Cats should be monitored closely for development of neurologic disorders in the postoperative period.

Paraneoplastic leukocytosis with mature neutrophilia in a cat with pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma

A 13-year old cat had 3-day duration of vomiting, lethargy, and anorexia. A complete blood count revealed a severe neutrophilia (126.9×103 cellsμl). Thoracic radiographs demonstrated a large solitary lung mass. A bone marrow aspirate documented myeloid hyperplasia. A left intercostal thoracotomy was performed and left cranial and caudal lung lobectomies were performed in order to remove the mass in its entirety. Histological diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Following surgery, the severe neutrophilia began to decrease. It was in the normal range approximately 6 weeks postoperatively. The presence of a primary lung tumor combined with a mature neutrophilia with resolution following surgical resection suggests a paraneoplastic syndrome.

Laryngeal Disease in Dogs and Cats

The most common disease process involving the larynx is laryngeal paralysis, which occurs much more frequently in dogs than in cats. Diagnosis of laryngeal paralysis requires close attention to anesthetic plane and coordination of respiratory effort with laryngeal motion. Surgical arytenoid lateralization improves respiration and quality of life in dogs with laryngeal paralysis; however, aspiration pneumonia is a recognized complication, and generalized neuropathy can progress. Laryngeal collapse can result from any cause of chronic upper airway obstruction, but is most often associated with unaddressed brachycephalic airway syndrome. Laryngeal neoplasia, while generally uncommon, occurs more frequently in cats than in dogs.

Prevalence of select infectious agents in inflammatory aural and nasopharyngeal polyps from client-owned cats.

Benign, inflammatory polyps may affect the nasopharynx and auditory canal of cats. It has been proposed that inflammation induced by infectious disease agents could trigger polyp formation. The objective of this pilot study was to determine the prevalence of feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV), Mycoplasma species, Bartonella species and Chlamydophila felis nucleic acids in polyp tissues collected from 30 clinically affected cats. Samples collected from the tympanic bulla from 12 clinically normal cats were also assayed. DNA or RNA of some of the target agents were amplified from samples from 25% of normal cats and 33% of affected cats; however, statistical associations were not detected for individual agent results or grouped results. The study documents that common oropharyngeal or blood borne agents can be detected in the tympanic bullae of normal cats. Failure to consistently amplify RNA or DNA of the select agents from polyp tissues suggests the agents studied were not directly associated with the pathogenesis of this syndrome in the cats tested. Alternately, the inflammatory response may have cleared microbial nucleic acids to undetectable levels by the time of sample collection.

A comparative study evaluating the esophageal transit time of eight healthy cats when pilled with the FlavoRx pill glide versus pill delivery treats.

Retention of tablets or capsules in the feline esophagus can be associated with esophagitis and esophageal stricture formation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the esophageal passage of tablets and capsules when administered with either a one-step pill gun with flavored liquid (FlavoRx pill glide) or a pill delivery treat (Pill Pockets). Four different medication administrations were evaluated on different days in eight normal cats: tablets with FlavoRx pill glide (T-FG), tablets with pill delivery treats (T-PP), capsules with FlavoRx pill glide (C-FG) and capsules with pill delivery treats (C-PP). The estimated average transit time was 36 s for T-FG, 60 s for T-PP, 16 s for C-FG, and 24 s for C-PP. The results of this study suggest that either pill delivery method is acceptable for successful passage of tablets or capsules into the stomach of cats using a single replicate.

A Novel Technique for Orchiectomy and Scrotal Ablation in the Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps)

Abstract In this report, we describe a simple, safe, and efficacious technique for orchiectomy and scrotal ablation with the use of a carbon dioxide light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (laser) in sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps). The study population included nine sugar gliders, ages 2–24 mo, presented for orchiectomy. After induction of general anesthesia, orchiectomy and scrotal ablation were performed by severing the scrotal stalk with the laser. All sugar gliders were discharged the same day. Mean anesthesia time was 6.09 ± 0.94 min. Mean surgery time was 15.11 ± 8.39 sec, and mean recovery time was 4.11 ± 3.60 min. With an outlier removed, mean recovery time was 2.95 ± 1.03 min. No serious postoperative surgical complications were observed. The technique described is a simple procedure with rapid surgical and recovery times that has the potential to become the standard procedure for orchiectomy and scrotal ablation in sugar gliders.

Use of a nitinol stent to palliate a colorectal neoplastic obstruction in a dog

CASE DESCRIPTION A 12-year-old castrated male Labrador Retriever was evaluated for clinical signs associated with colorectal obstruction. CLINICAL FINDINGS The dog had a 2-week history of tenesmus and hematochezia. On rectal examination, an annular colorectal mass was palpable extending orad into the pelvic canal. The original diagnosis of the colorectal mass was a mucosal adenoma. The dog was maintained on a low-residue diet and fecal softeners for a period of 13 months after initial diagnosis. At that time, medical management was no longer effective. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Placement of a colonic stent was chosen to palliate the clinical signs associated with colorectal obstruction. By use of fluoroscopic and colonoscopic guidance, a nitinol stent was placed intraluminally to open the obstructed region. Placement of the stent resulted in improvement of clinical signs, although tenesmus and obstipation occurred periodically after stent placement. At 212 days after stent placement, the patient had extensive improvement in clinical signs with minimal complications; however, clinical signs became severe at 238 days after stent placement, and the dog was euthanized. Histologic evaluation of the rectal tumor from samples obtained during necropsy revealed that the tumor had undergone malignant transformation to a carcinoma in situ. CLINICAL RELEVANCE A stent was successfully placed in the colon and rectum to relieve obstruction associated with a tumor originally diagnosed as a benign neoplasm. Placement of colorectal stents may be an option for the palliation of colorectal obstruction secondary to neoplastic disease; however, clinical signs may persist, and continuation of medical management may be necessary.