Nasal planum reconstruction after tumour resection using a lip-to-nose flap in a dog.

Here we describe the use of a novel lip-to-nose flap technique for nasal planum reconstruction after tumour removal in a dog. A mast cell tumour involving the nasal planum was first resected by removing the roof and the wing of the left nasal vestibule. An interpolation subdermal plexus flap was derived from the left caudal lip with vascular contribution from the lateral nasal artery. This lip-to-nose flap was rotated into the defect via a bridging incision. The mucocutaneous junction of the lip was used to emulate the keratinised nasal planum and the buccal mucosa was sutured to be congruent with the mucosa of the vestibule. This resulted in the lip-to-nose flap successfully closing the surgical defect and giving an aesthetic appearance similar to the original nasal planum.

LOPP chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for dogs with T-cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe the use of a lomustine (CCNU), vincristine, procarbazine and prednisolone (LOPP) protocol used for treatment of chemotherapy naive T-cell lymphoma patients and to describe the response rate, toxicity and disease-free interval compared historically to CHOP chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective case study of 31 dogs with naïve T-cell lymphoma treated with a lomustine (CCNU), vincristine, procarbazine and prednisolone (LOPP) protocol. RESULTS: Thirty-one dogs with T cell lymphoma were treated. The overall response rate was 97%. Of the 30 dogs that had a response to LOPP chemotherapy, the median disease free interval was 176 days (range 0-1745 days). The median overall survival time for this study group was 323 days (range 51-1758 days). All deaths in this study were attributable to lymphoma. CONCLUSION: LOPP chemotherapy for T cell lymphoma is well tolerated with a low toxicity profile and an excellent overall response rate. This protocol showed minimal toxicity and comparable disease free interval and survival times for canine high grade T cell lymphoma treated with CHOP.

Vaginal discharge in a spayed dog with multiple distinct malignancies.

BACKGROUND: An 11-year-old female spayed Labrador Retriever was presented with clinical signs of oestrus and vaginal bleeding. Historically, the dog had not cycled and had been spayed at less than 6 months of age. RESULTS: Extensive investigation culminated in the diagnosis of an ovarian granulosa cell tumour. The patient had a history of localised grade III mast cell tumour 5 years prior and hepatic haemangiosarcoma 8 months prior to diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Both conditions were successfully treated with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy and there was no evidence of metastasis or recurrence at the time of evaluation for signs of oestrus.

Fluoroscopic stent placement for the relief of malignant urethral obstruction in a cat.

The clinical features and interventional therapy in the case of a female cat with urinary tract obstruction secondary to neoplasia are presented. This form of neoplasia in cats is rare and therapeutic intervention to relieve urinary tract obstruction caused by malignancy has been described only once. This is the first report of a self-expandable metallic stent placed in a feline urethra to relieve obstruction caused by malignancy and the first report of the use of a unique composite metallic stent (Platinol™) in a cat. In conclusion, the palliative stenting of the feline urethra may be a valid therapeutic intervention for malignancies. Further studies are required to determine the optimal size and type of stent that will provide the greatest benefit.

Intra-operative cisplatin for the treatment of canine extremity soft tissue sarcomas.

Nineteen dogs with histologically confirmed soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities were treated with a combination of marginal surgery and intra-operative chemotherapy in the form of cisplatin in a biodegradable implant delivery system (Atrigel; Atrix Laboratories, Fort Collins, Co, USA). None of the dogs had evidence of metastasis at time of treatment. The median dose of cisplatin was 52.1 mg/m(2) (mean 55.4 mg/m(2), range 18.5-108.6 mg/m(2)). Wound complications were noted in 16 dogs (84.2%). Median follow-up time was 874 days (mean 777 days, range 125-1463 days). Nine dogs (47.3%) were alive at the time of analysis. Local recurrence occurred in three dogs (16.6%). The time to recurrence was 214, 264 and 874 days.

Treatment of eight dogs with nasal tumours with alternating doses of doxorubicin and carboplatin in conjunction with oral piroxicam.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapy in the treatment of canine nasal tumours. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study PROCEDURE: Eight dogs with histologically confirmed nasal tumours were staged by means of complete blood count, serum biochemical analysis, cytological analysis of fine needle aspirate of the regional lymph nodes, thoracic radiographs and computed tomography scan of the nasal cavity. All dogs were treated with alternating doses of doxorubicin, carboplatin and oral piroxicam. All dogs were monitored for side effects of chemotherapy and evaluated for response to treatment by computed tomography scan of the nasal cavity after the first four treatments. RESULTS: Complete remission was achieved in four dogs, partial remission occurred in two dogs and two had stable disease on the basis of computed tomography evaluation. There was resolution of clinical signs after one to two doses of chemotherapy in all dogs. CONCLUSIONS: This chemotherapy protocol was efficacious and well tolerated in this series of eight cases of canine nasal tumours.