R. G. Nicoll

Intestinal obstruction by trichobezoars in five cats

Between 1997 and 1999, five domestic crossbred cats (four long haired, one short haired) presented with a palpable abdominal mass and were shown to have small intestinal trichobezoars at laparotomy or necropsy. Hair balls were associated with partial or complete intestinal obstruction and were situated in the proximal jejunum to distal ileum. In four cats obstructions were simple, while the remaining cat had a strangulating obstruction. Three of the cats were 10 years or older, and two were less than 4 years. In the three older cats abdominal neoplasia was suspected and investigations were delayed or declined in two of these cats because of a perceived poor prognosis. Predisposing factors identified in this series of cats included a long-hair coat, flea allergy dermatitis, inflammatory bowel disease and ingestion of non-digestible plant material. This report shows that the ingestion of hair is not always innocuous and that intestinal trichobezoars should be considered in the differential diagnoses of intestinal obstruction and intra-abdominal mass lesions, particularly in long-haired cats.

What Is Your Diagnosis? (Bilateral forelimb deformity and abnormal gait in a young Devon Rex)

An 8-month-old, intact female Devon Rex cat was presented to the University Veterinary Centre, Sydney with bilateral forelimb deformity and an abnormal gait. The deformities had been present at birth and resulted in dystocia (a caesarean section was not necessary). She had been the only kitten in the litter and it was unknown if either parent had produced other abnormal offspring from prior matings. The cat appeared bright and responsive. She was well grown and had a good appetite. Both forelimbs had a varus deformity at the carpus and a medial angulation of the forearm. She stood with her elbows abducted and flexed and walked with a squatted, stiff gait due to the medial angulation of the antibrachii and carpi and the restricted range of elbow movement (this was not quantitated with goniometry). Neither limb could be straightened fully with manipulation, due to contracture of the medial tendons and muscles, as well as the bony deformity. The carpi could not be straightened, nor the elbows fully extended, however they did not appear unstable and neither was painful on palpation or manipulation. The first digits of both front paws were absent and the cat had a short, stiff tail. The hindlimbs and rest of the physical examination were unremarkable.

Ultrasonographic characteristics of soft tissue tumours in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To identify and describe the ultrasonographic features of soft tissue tumours in dogs. PROCEDURE Superficial soft tissue tumours of various histological types, including mast cell tumours (MCTs) and soft tissue sarcomas (STSs), were evaluated. Ultrasound was used to visualise internal characteristics of the tumour, including vascularity. Tumours were categorised according to size, shape, margin definition, tissue plane mobility, echogenicity, echotexture, acoustic shadowing or enhancement and vessel distribution. Objective measurements of intratumoural blood flow included velocities and maximal perfused cross-sectional area (fractional area). Logistic regression models incorporating a variety of data were used in an attempt to predict the histopathological type of tumours. RESULTS The logistic regression model defined by the parameters echotexture, margin definition and presence of subcapsular vessels was highly predictive of MCTs (> 73%; P = 0.024). Several other trends, including a larger size for STSs and less vascularity for both MCTs and STSs, were observed, but did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION This preliminary study has shown the potential diagnostic value of ultrasound in differentiating soft tissue tumours. However, at present, ultrasound cannot replace biopsy and histopathological evaluation for tumour diagnosis.

Dyspnoea and pulmonary consolidation in a cat with T-cell lymphoma.

A 13-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat presented with an acute onset of dyspnoea. Thoracic radiographs revealed marked, bilateral, caudal lung lobe consolidation. A diagnosis of anatomically mixed T-cell lymphoma with pulmonary, renal and alimentary involvement was confirmed on histopathology. Pulmonary involvement in cases of feline lymphoma is uncommon and the radiographic appearance of pulmonary lymphoma is highly variable. Lung lobe consolidation has been described with primary lung tumours in cats, but not previously in association with pulmonary lymphoma. This unusual presentation serves to alert practitioners to the possibility of lymphoma as a cause of severe bronchopulmonary disease in the cat.