Presurgical antiseptic efficacy of chlorhexidine diacetate and providone-iodine in the canine preputial cavity.

Antiseptic flushing of the canine prepuce and its exclusion from the surgical field are recommended before abdominal surgery to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination. The authors cultured the preputial cavity of 60 dogs prior to and following flushing with 0.05% chlorhexidine diacetate, 1% povidone-iodine, or 0.9% saline control. Bacterial growth was evaluated using a semiquantitative method, and bacterial organisms were subsequently identified. There were no significant differences between povidone-iodine and the saline control in any of the variables assessed. Chlorhexidine resulted in a significant decrease in the proportion of positive postflush cultures compared with povidone-iodine. Although not significant, the difference in adverse reactions between povidone-iodine (25%) and chlorhexidine diacetate (5%) suggests clinical relevance. Based on the results of this study, a 2 min flush with 0.05% chlorhexidine diacetate is recommended for presurgical preparation of the preputial cavity.

A novel method of core aspirate cytology compared to fine-needle aspiration for diagnosing canine osteosarcoma.

There is little information in veterinary literature regarding the diagnostic accuracy of aspirate cytology for the diagnosis of canine osteosarcoma (OSA). The authors compared the diagnostic accuracy of a novel method of cytologic collection, termed core aspirate cytology (CA), with fine needle aspiration (FNA) and histopathology in 27 dogs with lytic and/or proliferative bone lesions. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining was performed to confirm the diagnosis of OSA cytologically. OSA was accurately diagnosed in 85% and 95% of FNA and CA, respectively. ALP staining was 100% sensitive for the diagnosis of OSA. CA using a bone marrow biopsy needle allowed for penetration of cortical bone and aspirate cytology with a larger bore needle than FNA; however, there was no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy between techniques. Aspirate cytology with ALP staining was a safe, accurate, and minimally invasive diagnostic test for the evaluation of suspected OSA lesions in dogs.

Effect of cold compression therapy on postoperative pain, swelling, range of motion, and lameness after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of cold compression therapy (CCT) on postoperative pain, lameness, range of motion of the stifle joint, and swelling following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in dogs. DESIGN: Randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS: 34 client-owned dogs with unilateral deficiency of a cranial cruciate ligament undergoing TPLO. PROCEDURES: Dogs were assigned to 2 groups. Group 1 (n = 17 dogs) received CCT in the 24-hour period following TPLO. Group 2 (n = 17 dogs) received no CCT. Degree of lameness, range of motion, and circumference of the stifle joint were measured before surgery and 1,14, and 28 days after surgery. A modified composite Glasgow pain scale, visual analogue scale, and pain threshold score were used to evaluate signs of pain before surgery and 1,14, and 28 days after surgery. Logistic regression and linear regression analysis were used to compare the measured variables. RESULTS: No complications were observed, and all dogs tolerated CCT. Use of CCT resulted in lower values for the visual analogue scale and Glasgow pain scale and lower pain threshold scores; lower lameness scores; less swelling; and an increased range of motion 24 hours after surgery. At 14 days after surgery, there were no significant differences between groups. At 28 days after surgery, too few data sets were available for comparison. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: CCT decreased signs of pain, swelling, and lameness and increased stifle joint range of motion in dogs during the first 24 hours after TPLO.

Primary clitoral adenocarcinoma with secondary hypercalcemia of malignancy in a dog.

This report describes a primary clitoral adenocarcinoma in a dog with secondary hypercalcemia of malignancy. A 10-year-old, spayed female basset hound was evaluated for a mass protruding from the vulva. The mass was excised, and a histological diagnosis of clitoral adenocarcinoma was made. No evidence of metastasis on thoracic radiographs or abdominal ultrasound was seen. Preoperative hypercalcemia resolved following excision of the mass. Cellular features were similar to an apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma, and immunohistochemistry exhibited features noted with apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma. No further treatment was elected by the owner. Internal iliac lymph-node metastasis was identified 4 weeks postoperatively, and hypercalcemia recurred 8 weeks postoperatively. The dog was euthanized 22 weeks postoperatively for signs related to hypercalcemia, including polyuria/polydipsia, lethargy, and weakness. A necropsy was performed and confirmed the presence of internal iliac lymph-node metastasis. The colon, rectum, and anal sacs were grossly and histologically normal. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of clitoral neoplasia in the dog.

Effect of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy on patellar tendon angle: a radiographic cadaveric study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) on patellar tendon angle (PTA) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Cadaveric radiographic study. ANIMALS: Pelvic limb pairs (n=5) obtained from skeletally mature dogs, weighing 22-36 kg. METHODS: TPLO was performed using a radiolucent jig that allowed for plateau segment rotation to a tibial plateau angle (TPA) of 15 degrees, 6 degrees, and 0 degrees. Before, and at each of the prescribed rotations, PTA was measured by the tibial plateau (PTA(TP)) and common tangent (PTA(CT)) methods with the stifle positioned at 135 degrees of flexion. Linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between TPA and PTA. RESULTS: At a mean (+/-SD) TPA of 5.9+/-0.7 degrees, mean+/-SD PTA(TP) and PTA(CT) were 94.1+/-1.6 degrees and 86.8+/-2.5 degrees, respectively. A linear correlation was observed between TPA and PTA(TP) (r=0.85) and between TPA and PTA(CT) (r=0.61). Based on the regression equation of TPA and PTA(CT), a TPA of 12 degrees corresponded to a PTA(CT) of approximately 90 degrees. CONCLUSION: TPLO to a TPA of 6 degrees reduces PTA to values similar to those recommended when performing tibial tuberosity advancement in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: TPLO may neutralize tibial thrust by modifying PTA as well as decreasing TPA. TPLO to a TPA of 6 degrees may not be necessary to neutralize the cranial tibial thrust according to the plateau rotation based on PTA(CT) measurement.

Prevalence of lymphoplasmacytic synovitis in dogs with naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament rupture.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of lymphoplasmacytic synovitis (LPS) in dogs with naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture and compare clinical, radiographic, cytologic, and histologic findings in dogs with and without LPS. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 110 dogs with naturally occurring CCL rupture. PROCEDURES: Histologic examination of synovial biopsy specimens obtained at the time of surgical treatment was used to identify dogs with LPS. Clinical, radiographic, cytologic, and histologic findings were compared between dogs with and without LPS. RESULTS: 56 (51%) dogs had histologic evidence of LPS. There were no significant differences in age, body weight, duration of lameness, severity of lameness, severity of radiographic signs of degenerative joint disease, extent of CCL rupture (partial vs complete), or gross appearance of the medial meniscus between dogs with and without LPS. Mean tibial plateau angle was significantly lower in dogs with LPS than in dogs without LPS, and dogs with LPS were significantly more likely to have neutrophils in their synovial fluid. Lymphocytes were seen in synovial fluid from a single dog with LPS. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that LPS was common in dogs with naturally occurring CCL rupture. However, only minor clinical, radiographic, cytologic, and histologic differences were identified between dogs with and without LPS.

Cardiogenic hypertrophic osteopathy in a dog with a right-to-left shunting patent ductus arteriosus.

A 5-year-old castrated male Shetland Sheepdog was examined because of progressive bilateral hind limb thickening. Cyanosis of the preputial mucous membranes was evident, whereas the oral mucous membranes had a normal color. A well-structured, palisade-like periosteal reaction with no underlying bone destruction was evident on radiographs of the hind limbs. The radiographic changes were consistent with hypertrophic osteopathy (HO). Severe right-sided cardiomegaly was seen on thoracic radiographs, and a diagnosis of patent ductus arteriosus with right-to-left shunting was made by means of echocardiography and contrast echoaortography. The cyanotic heart disease was believed to be the cause of the HO. Hypertrophic osteopathy has been associated with a number of diseases in animals and humans. In humans, congenital heart defects that cause cyanosis are among the most common causes of HO.

Unusual IgM-secreting multiple myeloma in a dog.

A 4-year-old castrated male dog was evaluated because of multiple-limb lameness. Signs of pain were elicited during palpation of the regions of the proximal tibial metaphyses and distal left radial diaphysis. Radiography revealed osteolytic lesions of the long bones. Blood analyses revealed hypercalcemia and transient cytopenias. Serum protein electrophoresis did not reveal a monoclonal gammopathy; however, urine protein electrophoresis revealed Bence Jones proteinuria. Serial diagnostic sampling of bone lesions, immunohistochemical staining methods, and serum and urine protein immunoelectrophoresis were required to establish a diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Two IgM components were identified via serum protein immunoelectrofixation. The dog improved clinically after initiation of chemotherapy with melphalan and prednisone; however, the dog ultimately was euthanatized because of pathologic fracture. The case was unique because there was lack of vertebral involvement, an unusual gammopathy, and difficulty in identifying myeloma cells via serial sampling.