OBJECTIVE:To compare survival rate, duration of hospitalization, and complications in dogs with pancreatic abscesses treated with omentalization with abdominal closure versus open peritoneal drainage and evaluate a pancreatitis severity score for potential prognostic value.DESIGN:Retrospective case series.ANIMALS:15 dogs with pancreatic abscesses.PROCEDURE:Data regarding species, breed, age, initial clinical signs, CBC, serum biochemical abnormalities, pancreatitis severity score, anatomic location of the abscess, intraoperative bacteriologic culture results, treatment modality, postoperative complications, outcome (dismissed alive from the hospital, died in the postoperative period, or euthanized at surgery), and duration of hospitalization were evaluated.RESULTS:6 dogs survived, 6 dogs died or were euthanized after surgery, and 3 were euthanized during surgery. Five of 8 dogs treated with omentalization and abdominal closure survived, and 1 of 4 dogs treated with open peritoneal drainage survived. In several dogs, treatment required additional surgical procedures, which did not appear to affect outcome. Postoperative complications were similar among survivors and nonsurvivors. Mean duration of hospitalization for dogs treated with omentalization and abdominal closure was less than that of dogs treated with open peritoneal drainage. Neither pancreatitis severity score nor any individual components of the score were associated with outcome.CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:Omentalization is a viable treatment option for pancreatic abscess in dogs. Furthermore, shorter hospitalization and better survival outcomes may make omentalization preferred over open peritoneal drainage.

With the advent of accurate, affordable, point-of-care lactate monitors, use of plasma or blood lactate measurements can provide valuable diagnostic information in treating critically ill patients. Tissue hypoxia causes anaerobic metabolism, which increases lactate production. Decreased perfusion is the most common cause of hyperlactatemia in critically ill patients; however, there are other causes of hyperlactatemia besides tissue hypoxia (i.e., mitochondrial dysfunction, hypermetabolic states), and collection techniques and sample handling can also affect results. Serial blood lactate measurements can guide treatment by allowing clinicians to assess improvements in tissue oxygenation and provide prognostic information to clients.

A carbon dioxide laser was used to incise around, dissect, and remove a 2-cm intradermal mass from the left carpus of an 8-year-old, spayed female wheaten terrier. The wound was partially closed, resulting in a 3-cm diameter circular defect with extensor tendons exposed. A swine intestinal submucosa graft was utilized to cover the remaining defect. The graft was removed 5 days later, revealing a healthy granulation tissue bed covering previously exposed tendons with minimal wound margin retraction. The remaining wound was allowed to heal by contraction and epithelialization that was complete by 5 weeks postoperatively. The mass, a pilomatricoma, had not recurred at the last follow-up contact 18 months after surgery. Pilomatricoma, laser application, swine intestinal submucosa grafting, and postoperative wound management are discussed.

Comparisons of the marginal ear vein nick and medial saphenous venipuncture techniques from 23 cats were made by measuring packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma total protein (TP) and by assessing the level of discomfort using videotapes. The F test and paired t test for PCV data showed that there was no statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in variability and mean values of the two methods of blood collection (R=0.86). The F test for TP showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the variability, the paired t test for TP data detected a statistically (but not clinically apparent) significant difference in the mean value (R=0.76). Individuals who evaluated the videotapes observed that the marginal ear vein nick technique required the least amount of restraint and caused less patient discomfort than the medial saphenous venipuncture.

Percutaneous nephrostomy catheters modified by cutting off the tubing connectors were implanted in three dogs with prostatic neoplasia to relieve or prevent stranguria. One catheter was implanted with a guide wire through a perineal urethrotomy, and two catheters were implanted via celiotomy and cystotomy. Morbidity and complications were minimal. Inflammation of the abdominal incision was present from day 4 to day 8 in the dogs with celiotomy. Urinary incontinence was continuous in one dog and intermittent in two dogs. Hematuria occurred in two dogs. The retained urethral catheter was a suitable palliative treatment for urethral obstruction in three dogs with prostatic neoplasia.

11 However, foreign material can be a problem in veterinary and human medicine, particularly if ingested. The ability of anchored linear threads. to cause mesenteric intestinal perforation is legendary, 4 and intra-abdominal gauze sponges, although fre- quently retained asymptomatically for long intervals follow- ing surgery, may cause intestinal perforation from the serosal surface or mediate the formation of abdominal pseudotu- mors, termed textilomas. 5,14 The long-term retention of sponges or sutures has been associated with development of neoplasia later in life. 10

A true congenital pleuroperitoneal right diaphragmatic hernia was diagnosed in an eight-month-old cat. The hernia was concluded to be congenital based on the young age of the patient, improbability of trauma, absence of gross and histological evidence of trauma, and presence of a hernial sac. Discovery of this type of hernia was unexpected. Surgical repair was successful.

Bone is a tissue composed of organic (cells and matrix) and inorganic (mineral) components. When the mechanical strength of bone is exceeded, fracture occurs. Healing progresses through inflammatory, reparative, and remodeling phases similar to other tissues, but, unlike other tissues, bone possesses the unique capability to completely regenerate and return to pre-injury strength. The bone healing process is influenced by many factors, including mechanical stress, biochemical mediators, bioelectric and piezoelectric properties, and neural and endocrine influences. In short, any factor capable of altering the metabolism of osteogenic cells can influence bone healing.