Objectives-To ascertain the effects of dietary omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids on biochemical and histopathologic components of the inflammatory stage of wound healing.Animals-30 purpose-bred Beagles.Procedure-Dogs were allotted to 5 groups of 6. Each group was fed a unique dietary fatty acid ratio of omega-6 to n-3-diet A, 5.3:1; diet B, 10.4:1; diet C, 24.1:1; diet D, 51.6:1; and diet E, 95.8:1. Dogs were fed once daily for 12 weeks, then biopsy specimens were taken from 4-day-old wounds of each dog and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for. prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) metabolites, and ratios of omega-6 to n-3 fatty acids, arachidonic acid (AA) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), adrenic acid to docosahexaenoic acid, and PGE(2) to prostaglandin E-3 (PGE(3)) metabolites.Results-Qualitative analysis was carried out on AA, EPA, adrenic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and the major metabolite from the PGE(2) and PGE(3) pathway. These molecules were further quantified with respect to diet to determine significant differences. By analysis of the AA-to-EPA ratio, diet A was different from diets D and E and diets B and C were different from diet E (P < 0.05). By analysis of the PGE(2)-to-PGE(3) metabolite ratio, diet A was different from diet E (P < 0.05). Though biochemical analysis indicated dietary dependence, histopathologic data indicated no significant difference with respect to diet groups.Conclusion-The biochemical component of the inflammatory stage of wound healing can be manipulated by diet.Clinical Relevance-Omega-3 fatty acid-enriched diets can be used to control inflammation associated with dermatologic conditions.

Short limb, coaptation, walking casts with one layer of stockinette as lining were applied to one pelvic limb of 10 mature greyhound dogs. One group of five dogs received a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor (TSI) per os at 10mg/kg, t.i.d. while the casts were in place. The second group of five dogs received a placebo t.i.d. After 14 days, the casts were removed. The skin over the calcaneal tuberosity and medial malleolus was observed for physical abnormalities. Skin biopsies were taken from these areas for thromboxane B2 analysis and histopathologic evaluation. Based on all three parameters evaluated, the TSI had a sparing effect on skin subjected to pressure.

This report describes an unusual occurrence of cavitary lung lesions which may have been secondary to aspiration of mineral oil and illustrates a possible danger of aspiration pneumonia associated with administration of lipids. Lipid pneumonia should be considered in the differential diagnosis for pulmonary disease with radiographic signs ranging from increased interstitial opacity to nodules or cavitary lung lesions. This report also emphasizes the benefits of serial radiography to detect changing pathology and the occurrence of complications such as pneumothorax.

In a retrospective multiinstitutional survey of 26 dogs with primary bone tumors of the thoracic wall, 14 had osteosarcomas (OSA), nine chondrosarcomas (CSA), and three hemangiosarcomas (HSA). An accurate diagnosis was obtained from excisional or incisional biopsy when a large volume of tissue was collected, but less often when a small volume of tissue was obtained. Curative treatment was attempted by excision in 16 and by excision, radiation, and chemotherapy in one. Based on Kaplan-Meyer estimates of survival distribution, median survival time after surgery with curative intent was eight weeks overall, five weeks for OSA, and 15 weeks for CSA. Postoperative survival time was significantly longer for CSA than for OSA (p<0.05). The three with HSA survived 2, 16, and 112 weeks after surgery. From this sample, OSA appears to be the most common tumor of the thoracic wall, accounting for about 60% of the tumors, and its biological behavior is similar to OSA of appendicular origin. Chondrosarcoma appears to be the second most common, accounting for approximately 34% of rib tumors compared to 10% of appendicular bone tumors. Large-volume biopsy specimens are necessary to distinguish OSA from CSA and HSA.

Because of their angular conformation, short hair, and thin skin, greyhounds are particularly subject to development of pressure ulcers. Greyhounds, therefore, can serve as a model to study pressure ulcers, either naturally occurring pressure ulcers or induced dermal pressure lesions. A method for inducing dermal pressure lesions was developed using a short-limb walking cast on one pelvic limb of the dog. Physical characteristics, dermal thromboxane B2 concentrations, and histopathologic changes were used to determine the severity of the lesions. Different lesion severities can be induced over the calcaneal tuberosity depending upon the amount of padding in the cast and the length of time the cast is in place. The technique for inducing a mild dermal pressure lesion is described.

Severe renal oxalosis was diagnosed in 4 male and 1 female purebred Beefmaster calves from herds in southeastern and northwestern United States. Clinical signs included weakness, anorexia, lethargy, alopecia, dehydration, and diarrhea. Results of serum biochemical analysis for 2 calves were consistent with end-stage renal disease. Calves died 2 days to 6 weeks after birth. At necropsy, renal calyces were dilated and contained pale yellow granular calculi. Histologically, there was renal interstitial fibrosis, and cortical and medullary tubules were distended with calcium oxalate crystals. Oxalate crystals were also in the tracheal glands of 1 calf. Severe renal oxalosis in young purebred calves, on widely varied diets, with no known exposure to exogenous oxalates is suggestive of an inherited metabolic defect resulting in primary hyperoxaluria.

An uncommon neoplasm of the larynx, rhabdomyosarcoma, was diagnosed in a 6-year-old 14-kg neutered female Spitz. In addition to the progressive onset of expected clinical signs of the tumor (exercise intolerance, respiratory stridor, inability to bark), the dog experienced hyperthermic crisis. Laryngectomy was successful in eradicating the local neoplastic tissue; however, unusual postoperative complications developed and included acute complications of pharyngotracheal fistula and hypoparathyroidism, and long-term complications of periodic collapse of the tracheal stoma and intolerance to heat. Probable causes and successful management of these complications are described. At 22 months after laryngectomy, the dog was admitted for a solitary hepatic metastasis. While hospitalized, the dog died of apparent asphyxiation attributable to stoma collapse.

A metastatic thyroid solid-follicular carcinoma in the cervical portion of the spine was responsible for severe tetraparesis in a dog. Myelography revealed an extradural compressive lesion dorsal and to the right of the midline of C3. Histologic examination was used to diagnose the mass as a solid-follicular thyroid carcinoma. The primary tumor was not evident on cervical palpation or radiography. A dorsal laminectomy centered over C3 was performed, and all visible tumor was removed from the spine. The owner declined any further treatment for the dog.

A 13-month-old Charolais steer was examined because of anorexia and weight loss of 1 week's duration. Initially, the steer passed tarry feces for 2 days, but no feces were passed for 4 days before examination. Palpation per rectum disclosed moderate distention of the small intestine and dark tenacious mucus in the rectum. Standing celiotomy was performed through the right paralumbar fossa, and a 60-cm segment of small intestine was found to be entrapped by a fibrous band between the caudal abdominal wall and the pelvic inlet. The band was transected and the intestine was freed. The intestine was judged to be viable and the abdomen was closed. Histologically, the fibrous band consisted of ductus deferens and adnexa; the intestine had become incarcerated through a rent in the mesoductus. Small intestine entrapment through a rent in the right mesoductus was diagnosed in 20 additional steers over a 10-year period. In all cases, the steers had been castrated when weighing more than 100 kg, by manual traction on the testicle and spermatic cord through a scrotal incision. Alternate means of castration that prevent disruption of the abdominal mesoductus may prevent development of this condition.

Eight canine melanoma cell lines were established from tissues from 6 dogs with spontaneous primary or metastatic melanomas. Cell lines were characterized for morphologic features and growth patterns on plastic, pigmentation, ultrastructure, cloning efficiency in soft agar, and tumorigenicity in nude mice. Biologic properties of cell lines were distinct and preserved during 40 to 120 passages in vitro. All cell lines were clonogenic and tumorigenic.

Thirteen mixed-breed beef bulls, 1 to 4 years old, were used to determine the effect of live and dead filarial nematodes, Setaria labiatopapillosa, placed in the vaginal cavity of the testes. When dead worms were used, granulomatous lesions developed on the tunica vaginalis parietalis in 7 of 8 testes. The lesions were similar to those seen in some clinical cases of periorchitis. Similar lesions developed in 5 of 6 testes after live worms were implanted in the vaginal cavity of the testes and tetramisole (8 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously 6 days after implantation. When live worms were implanted and tetramisole was not given, lesions developed in 3 of 6 testes. It was concluded that the granulomatous reaction was a local response to dead or killed S labiatopapillosa.

Effects of dexamethasone and surgical hypotension on the gastric mucosa of 15 dogs was evaluated by clinical, endoscopic, and pathologic studies. Dexamethasone produced acute reddening of the gastric mucosa with frank hemorrhage, digested blood, and possible gastric erosions, whereas dogs treated by surgical hypotension did not have marked changes in the gastric mucosa. Gastrointestinal disease observed in dogs with spontaneous spinal cord injury that were given dexamethasone and decompressive spinal surgery was not produced. The role of corticosteroids and surgical hypotension in the pathogenesis of gastric lesions and the potential for spinal cord injury to produce gastrointestinal disease is discussed.

Effects of corticosteroids and surgical stress on hepatic morphologic features and enzymes were studied in 18 mature dogs of mixed breeding: group 1, control (n = 3); group 2, dexamethasone (n = 5); group 3, dexamethasone and surgery (n = 5); and group 4, surgery (n = 5). Dexamethasone (2.2 mg/kg of body weight twice a day subcutaneously) was administered for 8 days in groups 2 and 3 dogs. All dogs were anesthetized with thiopental for 10 minutes on days 0, 2, and 4. On day 2, dogs in groups 3 and 4 were intubated and maintained on methoxyflurane and oxygen, and a liver biopsy, hemilaminectomy (T13-L1), and 15 minutes of hypotension (75/45 mm of Hg) induced by methoxyflurane were done. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, ALP isoenzymes, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity were determined on days 0, 2, 3, 5, and 8. All dogs were euthanatized and necropsied on day 8. Serum hepatic enzyme activity and hepatic morphologic characteristics were normal for group 1 control dogs. The mean ALP and ALT were significantly (P less than 0.05) increased in dogs in groups 2, 3, and 4. In group 2, the mean ALP (days 5 to 8) and ALT (day 8) were significantly (P less than 0.05) increased. In group 3, the mean ALP and ALT activities were significantly increased on days 2 to 8. In group 4, the mean ALP was significantly increased on days 2 to 8 and the mean ALT was significantly increased on days 3 and 5. All other values were normal. A single isoenzyme band (Rf = 0.399 +/- 0.023, mean +/- SD) was identified in all dogs. Hepatic morphologic changes attributed to dexamethasone were mild-to-moderate vacuolation in a diffuse distribution on day 2 (group 3) and aggregates of moderate-to-severe vacuolation in mainly a periportal distribution on day 8 (groups 2 and 3).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Rectal tears were detected in three horses treated for colic. Based on historical, clinical, and postmortem findings, the tears could not be attributed to the attending veterinarian and were therefore not iatrogenic (physician induced). One tear was attributable to an infarction that presumably resulted from thromboembolism; 1 tear occurred without any evidence of external cause and resulted in such severe peritonitis that the cause and resulted in such severe peritonitis that the cause could not be determined, and 1 tear occurred during rectal palpation by the owner, before he called the veterinarian. Postmortem examination of the last horse revealed lesions suggestive of thromboembolism. It was concluded that thromboembolism may have caused or predisposed to two of the rectal tears and could not be ruled out in the third.

Progressive dyspnea in a dog began 1 month after it had been hit by a car. Radiographs revealed diffuse interstitial and alveolar pneumonia. Large numbers of embryonated eggs were observed in bronchial washings; and many small nematodes, later identified as Filaroides hirthi, were found in the fine needle aspirates of pulmonary tissue. Numerous nematode larvae were demonstrated on fecal flotation. The severe hyperinfection strongly suggested autoinfection, probably associated with depressed immunologic competence due to chronic stress.

Diffuse malignant lymphoma and invasive melanoma occurred in an aged gray Arabian stallion. Massive involvement of the visceral organs, with neoplastic lymphoid tissue, led to emaciation, depression, and debilitation. Peripheral lymph node enlargement was not observed. Rectal examination revealed a large mass in the area of the base of the cecum. Hematologic examination did not reveal any atypical white blood cells, but there was marked lymphopenia. Bromsulfophthalein clearance indicated liver dysfunction, which was later confirmed by histologic examination. Necropsy revealed neoplastic involvement of the large intestine, heart, and spleen. Histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma.