A 5-year-old intact male mixed-breed cat weighing 4.5 kg was referred to our hospital with a left testicular mass. CT revealed mild heterogeneous contrast enhancement and calcification in the testicular mass. A well-defined, contrast-enhancing, multiloculated mass with fluid-filled areas was extended from the testicular mass in the scrotum to the caudal aspect of the left kidney. The abdominal mass extended to the right crus of the diaphragm, and the gastrointestinal tract was compressed dorsally. Histopathology was consistent with teratoma. Characteristic CT findings in a feline testicular teratoma may include calcification and cystic areas.

A dog with a large prostatic abscess in the pelvic cavity was treated with total prostatectomy. The prostate was continuous with a large abscess. The abscess, which had adhered to the surrounding tissue in the pelvic cavity, was carefully detached. The caudal part of the urethra was preserved. Postoperative urinary incontinence was mild and gradually improved. Two years after surgery, normal urination was possible, and the abscess had not recurred. Total prostatectomy, which is considered to be associated with many complications, may be useful for the treatment of large prostatic abscesses.

This study investigated oxidative stress biomarkers at 3 different oxygen concentrations in dogs under general anesthesia to determine whether high-concentration oxygen increases oxidative stress. Six healthy beagles were randomly assigned to receive 3 anesthesia protocols (inhalation of 40%, 60%, and 100% oxygen) during 3 hours of general anesthesia with sevoflurane, with at least one week in between each protocol. For each experiment, blood samples were collected at 0, 3, 6, and 24 hours after inhalation of oxygen. Derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites, biochemical antioxidant potential, superoxide dismutase, and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in the blood did not significantly differ among the 3 groups at any time point. This study is the first comparing high concentrations of oxygen with low concentrations of oxygen for anesthesia in dogs. According to our findings, 100% oxygen may not alter the oxidative stress level in dogs during general anesthesia with sevoflurane for 3 hours.

A 10 yr old intact female German shepherd dog presented with a large peripheral odontogenic fibroma and malignant melanoma on her lower jaw. The tumor was resected with a unilateral subtotal rostral hemimandibulectomy. After the mandible was removed, it was devitalized intraoperatively by freezing it in liquid nitrogen. It was subsequently reimplanted. New bone tissue formed in the gap between the frozen bone and the host bone. The regenerated bone contained osteocytes, osteoblasts, and blood vessels. The cosmetic appearance of the dog was preserved. The dog had normal mastication. The malignant melanoma recurred rostral of the left canine tooth at 159 days after the reconstruction surgery. A subtotal hemimandibulectomy was consequently performed. This is the first reported case of mandibular reconstruction using a liquid nitrogen-treated autograft in a dog with oral tumors.

The present study was carried out to determine the accuracy of different tools for detection of the seat of intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation in dogs. Forty-six dogs of different breeds were included in this study. The neurological examination and plain radiography were performed for all dogs. Computed tomography (CT), myelography and CT myelography were performed for 38, 33 and 31 dogs respectively. The results showed that the Miniature Dachshund is the most common breed suffering IVDH (39.13%). C2-3 was the most affected site in the cervical region (13.37%), while L2-3 is considered the highly affected thoracolumbar site (11.4%) followed by T13-L1 and L1-2 (10.23% for each). The accuracy of neurological examination, plain radiography, CT, myelography and CT myelography for determining the site of the lesion was calculated as 54.3, 30.4, 65.8, 84.85 and 100%, respectively. Moreover, the accuracy of CT, myelography and CT myelography for detection of the side of the lesion was 44.74, 54.54 and 93.9% respectively.

OBJECTIVE:To document the trochlear depth (TD) and clinical outcome after kite shield-shaped wedge (K-wedge) recession trochleoplasty in toy-breed dogs with medial patellar luxation (MPL).STUDY DESIGN:Case series.ANIMALS:Seven toy-breed dogs (<5 kg) with uni- or bilateral grades II-IV MPL (10 stifles).METHODS:A K-wedge recession trochleoplasty was performed in all dogs in combination with other surgical procedures as treatment for MPL. The TD, the ratio of the proximal TD to patella thickness, and the presence of osteophytes were determined from computed tomography images taken pre-, and 1 and 12 months postoperative. Lameness scores and MPL grade were also recorded.RESULTS:The TD and the ratio of proximal TD to patella thickness increased significantly immediately postoperative and remained increased at 1 and 12 months postoperative. The osteophyte score was significantly higher at 12 months postoperative than preoperative. All dogs had a reduction in MPL grade and improvement in lameness postoperative.CONCLUSION:K-wedge recession trochleoplasty was successful in treating MPL in a series of toy-breed dogs and offers an alternate to other trochlear recession techniques.

In the present study, we compare a new carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbent, Yabashi lime(®) with a conventional CO2 absorbent, Sodasorb(®) as a control CO2 absorbent for Compound A (CA) and Carbon monoxide (CO) productions. Four dogs were anesthetized with sevoflurane. Each dog was anesthetized with four preparations, Yabashi lime(®) with high or low-flow rate of oxygen and control CO2 absorbent with high or low-flow rate. CA and CO concentrations in the anesthetic circuit, canister temperature and carbooxyhemoglobin (COHb) concentration in the blood were measured. Yabashi lime(®) did not produce CA. Control CO2 absorbent generated CA, and its concentration was significantly higher in low-flow rate than a high-flow rate. CO was generated only in low-flow rate groups, but there was no significance between Yabashi lime(®) groups and control CO2 absorbent groups. However, the CO concentration in the circuit could not be detected (≤5ppm), and no change was found in COHb level. Canister temperature was significantly higher in low-flow rate groups than high-flow rate groups. Furthermore, in low-flow rate groups, the lower layer of canister temperature in control CO2 absorbent group was significantly higher than Yabashi lime(®) group. CA and CO productions are thought to be related to the composition of CO2 absorbent, flow rate and canister temperature. Though CO concentration is equal, it might be safer to use Yabashi lime(®) with sevoflurane anesthesia in dogs than conventional CO2 absorbent at the point of CA production.

The patellar reflex was used in this study to determine the site of thoracolumbar spinal cord dysfunction (T3-L3 or L4-L6) as a result of disc herniation. The results of neurological examinations were compared with the findings of CT myelography. This study was conducted on 21 dogs, selected from a total of 26 dogs confirmed to have a single thoracolumbar lesion. Results revealed that the accuracy of the patellar reflex for lesion localization was 71.4%. The accuracy of the patellar reflex (normal or hyperreflexic) for lesion localization in the T3-L3 segment in 15 dogs was 100%, while the accuracy of the depressed patellar reflex for lesion localization in the L4-L6 segment in 6 dogs was 0%. The accuracy of the patellar reflex for detection of laterality of a thoracolumbar lesion was low (33.33%). The results suggest that the patellar reflex was not reliable for neurolocalization of thoracolumbar spinal cord lesions in dogs. This could be related to the fact that the depressed reflex did not always refer to a lesion in the L4-L6 spinal cord segment. Moreover, the patellar reflex was not reliable in detecting the laterality of thoracolumbar lesions.

The pathogenesis of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is not fully understood. The biomolecular signaling pathways involved in the IVD degeneration require further investigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of NG2 proteoglycan in the degenerated IVD. IVD samples were obtained from 16 Dachshunds that were confirmed to have IVD herniation and subsequently underwent hemilaminectomy. The samples were subjected to histological and immunohistochemical (IHC) examinations. IHC revealed positive results for the expression of NG2 proteoglycan in all examined samples. The results showed the expression of NG2 proteoglycan by the degenerated IVDs.

OBJECTIVE:To establish a simplified single-blood-sample method (SBSM) involving iodixanol to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in dogs and compare data provided by that procedure with data provided by a conventional multiple-blood-sample method (MBSM) involving inulin.ANIMALS:26 healthy dogs and 36 dogs with naturally occurring renal disease.PROCEDURES:Dogs were used in various preliminary experiments to establish protocols for the SBSM and the MBSM of GFR estimation. To evaluate the relationship between GFRs obtained by the SBSM and the MBSM each involving iodixanol, iodixanol (40 mg of I/kg) was administered IV to 26 healthy dogs and 36 dogs with renal disease; blood sample collection was performed before and at 60, 90, and 120 minutes after the injection. To evaluate the relationship between GFRs obtained by the SBSM involving iodixanol and the MBSM involving inulin, iodixanol (40 mg of I/kg) and inulin (50 mg/kg) were coadministered IV to 22 healthy dogs and 3 dogs with renal disease, followed by blood sample collection 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes later. Serum iodixanol and inulin concentrations were separately determined by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.RESULTS:Findings revealed a correlation (r = 0.99) between GFR estimated by the SBSM and MBSM each involving iodixanol. Likewise, GFR estimated by the SBSM involving iodixanol was correlated (r = 0.89) with that estimated by the MBSM involving inulin.CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:Results indicated that the SBSM involving iodixanol can be applied to estimate GFR in dogs, instead of use of an MBSM.

11歳齢のミニチュア・ダックスフンドが2週間前からの原因不明の発熱を主訴に来院した.この症例は2週間前に元気消失と腹圧の上昇を主訴に他院を受診しており,発熱と白血球数の増加,ALPの上昇が認められていた.当院にてエコー検査を実施したところ,左側肝臓のシスト様腫瘤を確認したためFNAを行った.細胞診にて多数の好中球が認められたため,肝膿瘍と仮診断した.CT画像所見は人で報告されている肝膿瘍のものとほぼ同一であった.3日後に試験開腹を行ったところ,膿瘍は外側左葉基部に存在していたため,完全肝葉摘出術による切除及び胆囊摘出を行った.手術後には白血球数の異常な増加,眼振,低血糖,低アルブミン血症が認められたが,翌日夕刻より症例の状態は快方に向かい,手術から8日後に退院した.現在,術後208日を経過しているが,動物は再発もなく状態は良好である.

Tacrolimus (Tac) is a core immunosuppressive drug in human organ transplantation. In feline kidney transplantation, however, the cost of Tac therapy is a significant obstacle. Clarithromycin (CLM) increases the blood trough level of Tac, effectively reducing the Tac dosage in human transplant patients. The interaction between CLM and Tac in cats has not been reported. In this study, the effect of multiple CLM dosing on the pharmacokinetics of Tac in three healthy cats was investigated. The treatments included Tac at 0.3 mg/kg and Tac at 0.3 mg/kg + multiple-dose CLM at 10 mg/kg. Co-administration of CLM and Tac resulted in significant increases in the oral bioavailability of Tac. These preliminary findings suggest that administration of multiple doses of CLM may decrease the required Tac dosage in Tac-based immunosuppressive therapy used as an alternative to the classic cyclosporine-based protocol for feline renal transplantation.

Two dogs were presented with history of regurgitation. Both dogs were diagnosed with focal myasthenia gravis (FMG). Thoracic radiography was consisted with megaesophagus. Acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) antibody titer was positive. Both dogs were treated with pyridostigmine bromide as sole treatment. One case rapidly resolved with the recovery of the esophagus, while the other case even the AChRs antibody titer was normalized after 60 days but the clinical remission was occurred after long time. This report suggested that clinical signs of FMG were resolved, but we can’t predict the time required, additionally, pyridostigmine bromide might be effective for palliation of symptoms.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of concurrent measurement of serum phosphorylated neurofilament heavy subunit (pNF-H) concentration and intramedullary T2W hyperintensity in paraplegic to paraplegic dogs. Our hypothesis was that concurrent measurement of these would provide a more accurate prediction of functional outcome in dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH). A prospective case-control clinical study was designed using 94 dogs with acute onset of thoracolumbar IVDH. The association of serum pNF-H concentration, T2W hyperintensity on sagittal MRI (T2H/L2), deep pain perception and surgical outcome were evaluated with logistic regression analysis after three months for all 94 surgically treated dogs. Sensitivity to predict non-ambulatory outcome was compared among pNF-H and T2H/L2 and combination of both. Logistic regression analysis indicated that serum pNF-H concentration and T2H/L2 were significantly correlated with surgical outcome (P<0.05); however, deep pain perception was not (P=0.41). The results of logistic regression analysis indicated that the odds ratios of unsuccessful long-term outcome were 2.6 for serum pNF-H concentration, 1.9 for T2H/L2 and 2.3 for deep pain sensation. The sensitivity and specificity to predict non-ambulatory outcome for using serum parameter pNF-H>2.6 ng/ml, using T2H/L2 value of>0.84 and using both serum pNF-H and T2H/L2, were 95% and 75.7%, 65% and 86.5%, and 90.0% and 97.5%, respectively. Therefore, combined measurements of serum pNF-H and T2H/L2 might be useful for predicting long-term outcome in dogs with thoracolumbar IVDH.

Graft perfusion with cold heparinized saline has known to induce ischemia and reperfusion injury in feline kidney transplantation. In this study, the effects of phosphate-buffered sucrose solution and heparinized saline solution on early kidney graft function were compared in feline kidney autotransplantation. Perfusion of grafts with or without hypothermic storage with chilled phosphate-buffered sucrose solution prevented ischemia and reperfusion injury despite a very short ischemic time. The results of our study suggest that phosphate-buffered sucrose perfusion and storage solution should be effective to reduce ischemia and reperfusion injury despite a very short ischemic time in feline kidney transplantation.

Phosphate-buffered sucrose (PBSc) solution is effective for short-term hypothermic preservation of tissue during feline kidney transplantation. A high-molecular-weight polyethylene glycol (35,000 Da, PEG35) reportedly enhanced the protective effects against cold-induced tubular injuries in animal kidney transplantation models. We investigated the ability of PBSc solution containing PEG35 to preserve cultured feline kidney cells using in vitro WST-8 cell proliferation assays. PEG35 significantly improved cell viability during 24 hr of cold preservation. PBSc containing 20 g/l PEG35 achieved an effect almost equal to that of University of Wisconsin (UW) solution, the gold standard preservation solution used in human clinical kidney transplantation, for up to 24 hr of preservation. Our results suggest that PBSc containing PEG35 provides an excellent medium for graft cold storage during feline kidney transplantation.

To compare glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated by a single blood sample method, the non-ionic contrast medium iodixanol (40 mg I/kg) and the standard GFR tracer inulin (50 mg/kg) were co-administered as a bolus intravenous injection to 12 cats, followed by blood collection 60 and 90 mins later. Serum iodixanol and inulin concentrations were measured separately by high-performance liquid chromatography and colourimetric assay. A correlation (r = 0.90, P <0.01) was noted between GFR values estimated by the single-blood-sample method using iodixanol and inulin, indicating that this procedure can apply to feline GFR estimates, even if different GFR tracers are used. In a feline kidney transplantation study, the GFR was monitored subsequently by this simplified iodixanol method throughout a 750-day observation period with no adverse reactions. The results demonstrate that the simplified method, including the volume of distribution, can be used as an alternative or expedient tool in a clinically relevant situation.

A 12-year-old, 3.5-kg spayed female domestic shorthair cat had a tracheal mass identified as malignant B-cell lymphoma. The cat had tracheal resection and subsequently developed laryngeal paralysis. Due to multiple episodes of respiratory distress the cat subsequently had tracheal surgeries. Finally, the cat had a sudden onset of severe respiratory distress and collapsed. Computed tomography imaging and arterial blood gas analysis supported a diagnosis of acute lung injury. Blessure pulmonaire aiguë présumée après plusieurs chirurgies chez un chat. Une chatte commune domestique stérilisée âgée de 12 ans qui pesait 3,5 kg avait une masse trachéale identifiée comme un lymphome B malin. La chatte a eu une résection trachéale et a ensuite développé une paralysie laryngienne. En raison de plusieurs épisodes de détresse respiratoire, la chatte a ensuite subi des chirurgies trachéales. Enfin, la chatte a souffert soudainement d’une détresse respiratoire et s’est effondrée. Une tomographie par ordinateur et une analyse des gaz du sang artériel a appuyé un diagnostic de blessure pulmonaire aiguë.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

A 12-year-old, 3.5-kg spayed female domestic shorthair cat had a tracheal mass identified as malignant B-cell lymphoma. The cat had tracheal resection and subsequently developed laryngeal paralysis. Due to multiple episodes of respiratory distress the cat subsequently had tracheal surgeries. Finally, the cat had a sudden onset of severe respiratory distress and collapsed. Computed tomography imaging and arterial blood gas analysis supported a diagnosis of acute lung injury.

1歳6カ月齢，避妊済み雌のウエスト・ハイランド・ホワイト・テリアが，避妊手術約8カ月後からの睡眠時の尿失禁を主訴に来院した．検査で異常は認められず，稟告からホルモン反応性尿失禁と仮診断され，エストラジオール製剤による治療を開始した．初診時の結果では，血清エストラジオール濃度の低値が認められた．投薬による副作用として一時的に軽度皮膚炎がみられたが，エストラジオール製剤の合計3回の経口投与の後，2年以上も尿失禁のない期間が持続し，第753病日現在も再発の徴候もなく，良好に経過している．ホルモン反応性尿失禁に対する経口エストラジオール製剤による治療は，治療効果，投薬の負担の軽減及び副作用の観点から，従来の内科的治療に代わる新たな治療法となりえる可能性がある．