Objectives To describe the signalment, clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, surgical management and outcomes of dogs undergoing surgical management for pleuroperitoneal diaphragmatic hernia.Materials and Methods Medical records from seven referral hospitals were retrospectively reviewed to identify dogs diagnosed with pleuroperitoneal diaphragmatic hernia during the study period. Data collected included signalment, clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging findings, surgical findings, post-operative complications and outcome. Complications were classified using the Clavien-Dindo grading system.Results Twenty dogs met the inclusion criteria. Median age at surgery was 8.9 months (3.0 months to 10.2 years) and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels represented 30% (6/20) of cases. Seventeen dogs presented with clinical signs attributable to pleuroperitoneal diaphragmatic hernia, most commonly vomiting (45%, 9/20), tachypnoea (40%, 8/20) and dyspnoea (35%. 7/20), while three hernias were diagnosed incidentally. The stomach was the most frequently herniated organ (65%, 13/20), followed by the spleen (50%, 10/20) and small intestine (45%, 9/20). Hernias were most commonly located in the dorsolateral left crus of the diaphragm (80%, 16/20). Surgical enlargement of the defect to facilitate reduction of herniated viscera was required in 35% (7/20) of cases. Nineteen dogs underwent successful herniorrhaphy; one dog was euthanased intraoperatively because of extensive jejunal necrosis associated with mesenteric volvulus. Post-operative complications occurred in 47% (9/19) dogs, and all dogs survived to discharge. One dog developed hernia recurrence.Clinical Significance Pleuroperitoneal diaphragmatic hernia may present with acute respiratory and gastrointestinal signs or be identified incidentally during diagnostic imaging or surgery. Surgical correction is associated with favourable outcomes and a low recurrence rate.
Objectives In decentralised breeding programmes, consistent health monitoring can be challenging, yet accurate phenotyping is essential for informed selection. This study evaluated whether a concise owner-based online survey could capture clinically relevant dermatologic signs in a Belgian assistance-dog breeding population, and whether the resulting phenotypes could support breeding decisions.Materials and Methods Survey data were collected between June 2024 and October 2025 from 223 Labrador retrievers (median age 2.1 years, range 11 months to 8 years). Owners reported the frequency of otitis externa, general itch, paw biting, skin redness and bald spots, recoded into ordinal symptom scores and summed into a total symptom score. Analyses were performed for the full population and by age group (younger vs. older than 3 years).Results Overall, 38% of dogs had a non-zero total symptom score. Confirmed canine atopic dermatitis was associated with markedly higher scores (rate ratio = 9.3, 95% CI = 7.2 to 11.9). Each one-point increase in combined parental score corresponded to approximately 9% higher expected offspring score (rate ratio = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.06 to 1.12). Overall heritability was 0.52 (95% highest posterior density 0.24 to 0.75), with substantial age-related variation: h2 = 0.05 in dogs under 3 years and h2 = 0.81 in dogs aged 3 years or older.Clinical Significance A brief owner-based survey can generate semi-quantitative dermatological phenotypes associated with confirmed disease and familial risk. Symptom expression in younger dogs showed low heritability, which may reflect incomplete phenotype expression at this age but could also result from environmental influences, whereas phenotypes in older dogs seem to more strongly reflect genetic predisposition, suggesting later-life records may better support selection decisions in decentralised breeding programmes.
Objectives To describe the post-operative long-term outcomes including recurrence rate of infiltrative lipoma in dogs following compartmental resection compared to debulking.Materials and Methods Twenty-nine client-owned dogs were surgically treated for infiltrative lipoma diagnosed on histopathology or diagnostic imaging with consistent appearance at surgery. Clinical records were evaluated for signalment, history, physical examination, results of diagnostic imaging and clinical pathology, time to recurrence and post-operative outcome.Results Infiltrative lipomas were most commonly located in the pelvic limb (41%), predominantly within the thigh (10/29). Recurrence was reported in 9/13 (69.2%) debulking, 1/9 (11%) compartmental and 0/1 radical excision; recurrence was significantly less likely with pre-planned compartmental excision compared to debulking (OR 18.0; 95% CI 1.65 to 196.31). Performing a debulking surgery prior to compartmental excision did not affect the likelihood of recurrence. Median time to representation for recurrence following debulk was 342 days (range 187 to 995). Subjectively, no effect on limb function was reported secondary to compartmental excision. One dog had sinking of the skin overlying middle gluteal compartmental excision. Overall complications were seen in 12 of 25 dogs, predominantly seroma (n = 9).Clinical Significance Compartmental excision of infiltrative lipomas resulted in a lower rate of recurrence compared to debulking and compared with previous reports. No dysfunction associated with myectomy was reported. Compartmental excision should be considered for the treatment of infiltrative lipomas.
Objectives To describe clinical outcomes, thromboembolic and haemorrhagic complications, and treatment characteristics in dogs with non-associative immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia treated with rivaroxaban at a UK referral hospital.Materials and Methods Retrospective descriptive study of dogs diagnosed with non-associative immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia and prescribed rivaroxaban as part of their management protocol between January 2018 and July 2024.Results Thirty-four dogs met inclusion criteria. Median admission haematocrit was 14.1% (range 7.0% to 25.5%). Primary management of immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia was with corticosteroids (34/34; 100%), which were the sole agent in 8/34 (24%). Adjunctive therapies included mycophenolate mofetil (26/34; 70.6%), azathioprine (1/34; 2.9%) and leflunomide (1/34; 2.9%). Rivaroxaban was administered at a median total daily dose of 1.2 mg/kg/day (range 1.03 to 1.97 mg/kg/day); 29/34 dogs (85.3%) received concurrent clopidogrel. Confirmed or suspected thromboembolic events occurred in 7/34 dogs (20.6%), all during initial hospitalisation. Gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 5/34 dogs (14.7%); all five were receiving concurrent corticosteroids, mycophenolate mofetil and rivaroxaban. Two bleeding events were classified as major adverse events, including one fatal case. Overall, 26 dogs (76.5%) survived to discharge. Remission was confirmed in 19/26 discharged dogs (73.1%) at a median of 33 days (range 15 to 156). Relapse occurred in 2/19 dogs (10.5%) post-remission. Of 21 dogs with follow-up available, 20 (95.2%) were alive at last known contact.Clinical Significance This represents one of the largest UK-based cohorts of dogs with non-associative immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia treated with rivaroxaban, demonstrating acceptable survival and remission rates with this thromboprophylaxis protocol. The occurrence of clinically significant gastrointestinal bleeding exclusively in dogs receiving concurrent corticosteroids, mycophenolate mofetil and rivaroxaban represents an important safety signal that warrants consideration and further study.
Objectives Macrodontia is a common dental pathology in guinea pigs and a frequent cause of malocclusion. While its clinical and radiographic features have been described, the tomographic appearance of macrodontic teeth using cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) has not been previously reported. To characterise the CBCT features of macrodontic teeth in guinea pigs and to assess associated structural and alveolar changes based on retrospective analysis of clinically indicated imaging data. Materials and Methods CBCT datasets from 62 guinea pigs were reviewed retrospectively. Forty‐two cases with at least one macrodontic tooth were included. A total of 666 cheek teeth were evaluated, including 104 teeth with structural changes characteristic of macrodontia. Premolar and molar alveoli were assessed using a four‐grade scoring system, and tooth circumference measurements were obtained. Structural alterations were classified as isodense or heterodense. Results Macrodontic teeth had significantly greater circumferences than non‐macrodontic teeth (mean 17.70 mm vs. 15.13 mm; P < .001). Advanced alveolar remodelling (grades 2–3) was associated with 84.6% of macrodontic teeth, compared with 23.8% of non‐macrodontic teeth. Loss of dental substance at occlusal margins occurred predominantly in macrodontic teeth and was associated with widening of periodontal and interdental spaces. Clinical Significance CBCT enables detailed three‐dimensional assessment of macrodontic tooth structure, size, and periapical changes in guinea pigs, providing clinically relevant information not achievable with conventional radiography.
