Use of wound infusion catheters for postoperative local anaesthetic administration in cats.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to document the use of the wound infusion catheter (WIC) following a variety of surgical procedures in cats, investigating complications and risk factors associated with catheter placement or local anaesthetic (LA) administration. METHODS: A retrospective, multicentric study was performed. Medical databases of eight veterinary referral hospitals from 2010 to 2021 were searched to identify records of cats where WICs were used. Information regarding signalment, type of surgery, size and type of WIC placed, and LA protocol used, as well as postoperative complications, were retrieved. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-six cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Feline injection site sarcoma resection was the most common surgery. Overall complications were identified in 22/166 cats (13.2%). Thirteen cats (7.8%) experienced wound-related complications, whereas nine cats (5.4%) experienced drug-delivery complications. The only factor associated with an increased risk of complications was the amount of a single dose of LA delivered through the catheter (P <0.001). An amount higher than 2.5 ml of LA delivered at each administration was associated with an increased risk of complications. All complications were minor and self-limiting. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: WICs were used for a large variety of surgical procedures with different protocols of LA administration as part of a multimodal analgesic plan in cats. The risk of complications was relatively low and self-limiting, suggesting its safe use in cats. Further prospective studies are required to evaluate efficacy of postoperative analgesia and to determine the suitable protocol for WIC handling and maintenance.

Bilateral pubic and ischial osteotomy in cats offers good exposure for resection of large vaginal masses with minimal postoperative complications.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging findings, surgical technique, histopathological diagnosis, and postoperative outcome in 3 cats with extensive vaginal masses. ANIMALS: Medical records of cats diagnosed with vaginal masses that had a bilateral pubic and ischial osteotomy and vaginectomy between 2004 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Three cats met the inclusion criteria. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Histopathological diagnosis included T-cell-rich B-cell lymphoma (n = 1), mycetoma (1), and vaginal polyp (1). Diagnostic imaging included CT (n = 2) and MRI (1), and tumor length/width/height percentages in relation to the pelvic dimensions were 53% X 62% X 63% (case 1), 50% X 100% X 60% (case 2), and 150% X 120% X 120% (case 3). A bilateral pubic and ischial osteotomy was performed in all 3 cases. RESULTS: All 3 cases developed mild pelvic-limb splaying postoperatively; all resolved within 8 weeks, and 2 cases fully resolved within 14 days. Two of the 3 cases presented with mild stranguria postoperatively, which resolved fully in both cases. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Vaginal neoplasia, either malignant or benign, is infrequently reported in cats in the veterinary literature. Bilateral pubic and ischial osteotomy for resection of vaginal masses in cats is a successful surgical approach, offering good exposure for resection of large vaginal masses, with minimal postoperative complications.

Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disk Extrusion in Dogs: Do Onset of Clinical Signs, Time of Surgery, and Neurological Grade Matter?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of time between the beginning of clinical signs, presentation and decompression, and combinations of several factors on the outcome and recovery of dogs undergoing surgery for thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion (IVDE). STUDY DESIGN: In all, 433 client-owned dogs treated for IVDE between 2016 and 2020 were reviewed for signalment, neurological grade, rate of onset, duration of clinical signs, and surgical variables. Time from presentation to surgery was divided into three categories: S1 (0-12 hours), S2 (12-24 hours), and S3 (>24 hours). These variables were investigated to determine their influence on the return of pain sensation, urinary continence, ambulation and overall outcome. RESULTS: A significant association was found between an acute onset of clinical signs, worse neurological grade at presentation and poorer outcomes. There was a significant difference between S1, S2, and S3 in neurological grade at presentation (p < 0.001) and at discharge (p < 0.001); however, the latter was no longer significant when adjusted for the grade at presentation (p = 1,000). Disk fenestration was associated with a faster return to ambulation (p = 0.033). Duration of clinical signs and time of surgery did not correlate with the time to recovery and return of pain sensation, urinary continence, or ambulation. CONCLUSION: Dogs presented with severe neurological status and/or rapid onset of clinical signs were operated on more promptly, but their outcomes were also poorer. There was no significant evidence for a better outcome when surgery was not delayed.

Common bile duct obstruction caused by a helminth in a cat in the UK: ultrasonographic findings, histopathology and outcome.

CASE SUMMARY: An 11-year-old neutered female domestic shorthair cat presented to our hospital with a 5-day history of vomiting, lethargy, anorexia and hyperbilirubinaemia, despite intravenous fluid therapy, gastroprotectants and antibiotic treatment. An abdominal ultrasound revealed a markedly distended common bile duct (diameter 6.2 mm). The cystic duct and intrahepatic bile ducts were also dilated. A linear structure formed by two parallel hyperechoic lines was identified in the common bile duct and could be traced to the duodenal papilla. The cat underwent laparotomy for surgical decompression of the biliary tree. A tubular, brown-coloured structure was retrieved from the common bile duct. Histological examination was consistent with a degenerate helminth. The cat recovered uneventfully from the surgery and its demeanour and appetite improved rapidly over the following days. Liver and gallbladder wall histopathology was consistent with bacterial cholangitis and cholecystitis. Escherichia coli was cultured from both bile and liver parenchyma. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of extrahepatic biliary duct obstruction caused by a helminth in a cat in the UK. We hypothesised that the obstruction had been caused by the aberrant migration of an intestinal nematode that became lodged in the duodenal papilla. Ultrasound allowed prompt diagnosis and guided the treatment decision.

Influence of radiographic examination findings on recommendations made during routine clinical re-evaluation of dogs with uncomplicated tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of follow-up radiographic examination on recommendations made during routine clinical re-evaluation of dogs that had undergone uncomplicated tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective multi-institutional case series. ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs (N = 1010) that underwent uncomplicated TPLO. METHODS: Records from 11 institutions were searched for dogs that had been treated with unilateral TPLO and had no history of postoperative complications before their routine follow-up examination. The frequency of change in further clinical recommendations resulting from client- or clinician-voiced concerns or radiographic abnormalities was investigated. RESULTS: Follow-up evaluation was performed at a median of 6 (range, 4-15) weeks after TPLO. Radiographic examination findings contributed to a change in recommendations in 4.15% (38/915) of dogs presented without client concerns and without abnormalities at orthopedic examination. Abnormal radiographic findings alone influenced the management of 3.76% (38/1010) of dogs. An association was detected between clinical features and radiological findings leading to a change in recommendations (P < .0001). Administration of analgesia at the time of follow-up was associated with radiographic abnormalities (P = .017) and change in postoperative plans (P = .0007). CONCLUSION: Radiographic examination findings at follow-up did not influence the management of most dogs with uncomplicated TPLO. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Radiographic examination findings are unlikely to influence the treatment of dogs that seem to be recovering uneventfully from an uncomplicated TPLO without concerns from clients, analgesia, or abnormal findings on thorough orthopedic examination by a surgical specialist, at the time of the planned clinical re-evaluation.