Abstract Objective To describe the clinical features and successful surgical management of a giant, symptomatic urachal cyst (UC) in a dog using a laparoscopic‐assisted approach without partial cystectomy. Study design Case report. Animal A 10‐year‐old, 4.6 kg, spayed female Dachshund. Methods The dog presented with urinary incontinence, pollakiuria, and abdominal distension. Computed tomography (CT) and cystography identified a 13‐cm cystic lesion at the bladder apex without luminal communication. A laparoscopic exploration was initially attempted either for cyst resection, or for decortication combined with omentalization. Following percutaneous aspiration of the cyst, the lesion was dissected from the surrounding omental adhesion. Due to the inability to identify the course of both ureters and the indistinct anatomical margins between the cyst and the bladder, the procedure was converted to a mini‐laparotomy. The cystic wall was readily separated from the bladder apex by blunt dissection and completely excised after circumferential incision at the external junction between the cyst and the bladder using a vessel sealing device. Following omentalization of the cyst resection site, the bladder was returned to its anatomical position within the peritoneal cavity. Results Postoperative recovery was uneventful. Transient apical bulging and discomfort during bladder distension were observed on postoperative cystography, attributed to a localized compliance mismatch between the denuded bladder wall and the stiffer, thermally coagulated region. Bladder capacity normalized by day 21 with a normal bladder silhouette. Histopathology confirmed a subserosal UC with no evidence of malignancy. The patient remained clinically well, and no recurrence was noted during a 20‐month follow‐up. Conclusion Laparoscopic‐assisted resection was an effective, minimally invasive treatment for the giant UC in this dog. Consistent with current human medical guidelines, simple marginal excision without partial cystectomy proved feasible and sufficient for a UC lacking luminal communication, regardless of lesion size.
This narrative literature review critically evaluates current evidence on the management of pneumothorax in dogs and cats, reviewing surgical and nonsurgical treatment strategies according to underlying etiology to support evidence-based clinical decision-making. Published studies involving dogs and cats with pneumothorax were reviewed, with emphasis on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of the condition and outcomes associated with surgical and nonsurgical treatments across different etiologies. Current evidence indicates that both medical and surgical management can achieve favorable outcomes, with low reported recurrence rates when appropriately selected. Nonsurgical approaches may provide effective, minimally invasive treatment in selected cases, whereas surgical intervention enables direct thoracic exploration, identification and correction of underlying pulmonary lesions, and definitive treatment of refractory or severe pneumothorax. Treatment selection should be guided by disease etiology, severity, patient stability, available resources, and clinician expertise. Both surgical and nonsurgical treatments can be effective when tailored to the underlying cause and clinical presentation, highlighting the importance of individualized treatment planning to optimize outcomes. This review synthesizes current evidence to guide clinical decision-making in the management of pneumothorax in dogs and cats and highlights the need for high-quality studies evaluating long-term outcomes to strengthen the evidence base.
Objective To determine the difference in bursting pressure (BP), bursting wall tension (BWT), and closure speed between commonly utilized methods of ileal stump closure. Study design Randomized experimental study. Sample population A total of 71 ileal segments from 18 healthy horses. Methods Ileum was collected postmortem from 18 horses and divided into four segments. One end of each segment was closed using one of three techniques: Parker-Kerr (PK), gastrointestinal staples (ST), or gastrointestinal staples with a Lembert staple oversew (SO). Closure time was recorded. Control (C) segments were not altered. Segments were distended until failure. BP and infusion volume were documented, and BWT was calculated. Results BP and BWT were higher for controls compared to all closure methods (p < .001). No differences in BP (p > .999) or BWT (p > .77) were found between closure methods. ST technique was 27.1 times faster than PK (p < .001) and 23.4 times faster than SO (p < .001). SO was 1.2 times faster than PK (p < .001). Mechanisms of failure were predictable within each technique. Conclusion No difference in BP or BWT was observed between closure techniques in healthy ileum. ST and SO were significantly faster than PK. Clinical significance The similarity in bursting strength across techniques suggests that closure method should be chosen based on other factors. The ST closure was faster compared to other techniques, and the addition of an oversewing pattern did not improve security of closure.
Objective: To determine the effect of a clinically relevant dose of trazodone on platelet count and function in healthy horses. Study design: Prospective, controlled, cross-over study. Animals: Ten healthy horses. Methods: Horses were administered either 7 mg/kg trazodone orally in corn syrup or an equal amount of corn syrup (control), every 12 h for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, horses underwent at least a 2-week washout period before being administered the alternate treatment (trazodone or control). Blood was collected before the first treatment administration (day 0) and after 2 weeks of treatment for each phase of the study. Complete blood cell counts, platelet function assays, and plasma trazodone concentrations were assessed. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with significance set at p < .05. Results: No differences in platelet count or tests of platelet function were observed at any time point after trazodone or control treatment. There were no adverse effects of trazodone administration appreciated on repeat physical examinations or daily ataxia scoring. Conclusions: No inhibitory effects of trazodone on platelet function in horses were detected.
