Long term use of hydraulic artificial urethral sphincters in nine dogs from New Zealand with urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence.

AIMS: To report on the long-term outcomes of hydraulic artificial urethral sphincter (HAUS) placement for the correction of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI) in New Zealand dogs. METHODS: Retrospective data were obtained from cases of dogs which had a HAUS placed after failed medical and/or surgical management of USMI between August 2012 and November 2016. Owner assessment of urinary incontinence was evaluated by an online survey in May 2017 using a visual analogue scale (0 being normal, 100 being severely affected) for the frequency, volume and severity of any straining to urinate, immediately prior to the placement of the HAUS and at the time of the survey. The number of days between surgery and the completion of survey were recorded. RESULTS: Seven females and two male dogs, which were all desexed except for one female, were eligible for inclusion in the study. The period of follow-up following HAUS placement ranged from 206-1,685 days. Following HAUS placement, frequency and volume of urinary incontinence decreased for six dogs and were practically unchanged for three dogs. The median frequency score decreased from 70 to 13 and the volume score decreased from 73 to 12. There was no consistent change in the perceived degree of straining to urinate. Complications occurred in three dogs; one required repositioning of a dislodged injection port, one required management for haematuria and a hypoplastic bladder, and one required surgical removal of fibrous tissue around the HAUS cuff. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVENCE: HAUS placement was an effective method for the treatment of persistent USMI in most dogs and provided good clinical results based on owner assessment. The technique was associated with few complications and allowed successful long-term control of urinary incontinence without the need for medical management.

Use of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of spinal empyema caused by a migrating grass awn in a dog.

UNLABELLED: Abstract CASE HISTORY: A 13 kg 3.5-year-old male neutered Cocker Spaniel presented with a 6-day history of deteriorating hindlimb paresis. Approximately 10 weeks previously the owner reported removing a large number of barley grass seeds from the dog's coat and ears. Eight weeks later the dog was treated for pneumonia, based on clinical findings and thoracic radiographs. In the 4 days prior to referral the dog had a decreased appetite, was lethargic and appeared unable to urinate voluntarily. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The dog was bright and alert but unable to walk. Upper motor neuron signs were indicative of T3-L3 spinal lesion. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an abnormal low signal linear structure within the left T12-T13 neural foramen extending to the left lateral aspects of the thoracic spinal cord was detected, consistent with a foreign body. A left T12-T13 lateral hemilaminectomy was performed and a grass seed removed from a tract extending caudally from the T12-13 space, dorsal to the lumbar transverse processes and the rib head. The dog made a rapid recovery after surgery with full resolution of clinical signs. DIAGNOSIS: Spinal empyema caused by a migrating barley grass awn (Hordeum spp.). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Advanced imaging using MRI can bea valuable method for localising foreign bodies prior to exploratory surgery. Animals presenting with neurological signs should have foreign body reactions included as a differential diagnosis.

The role of surgery in the management of canine anal furunculosis. A review of the literature and a retrospective evaluation of treatment by surgical resection in 51 dogs.

AIMS: To retrospectively evaluate the outcome of surgical management of anal furunculosis (AF) in 51 dogs. To compare the outcome of surgery with those of current medical protocols by way of a review of the literature. METHODS: Dogs referred for treatment of AF (n=51) were treated by en bloc surgical resection of diseased tissue and primary wound closure. This technique was combined with bilateral anal sacculectomy in all cases in which the anal sacs had not been previously removed. Immunomodulatory therapies were not used, with the exception of post-operative metronidazole antibiosis for 7-10 days. Follow-up was performed by the author using a telephone questionnaire. RESULTS: Forty-eight dogs were eligible for post-operative follow-up 1.5 to 36 (mean 17.4, median 18) months after surgery. Lesion recurrence, faecal incontinence and stricture formation occurred in 2%, 4% and 13% of dogs, respectively. The percentage of dogs considered by their owners to have an acceptable level of faecal continence and an improved quality of life was 94%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The aetiopathogenesis of canine AF remains unclear. Whilst recent advances in medical management by the use of various immunomodulatory medications (such as cyclosporine) hold promise, this approach has yet to be refined with respect to affordability, long-term efficacy and morbidity. With meticulous surgical dissection and reconstruction techniques (anoplasty), excellent success rates can be achieved following a single surgical procedure with minimal complications. Surgery remains a viable treatment option, alone or in combination with immunomodulatory medications, until a more thorough understanding of this debilitating disease is achieved.

Longitudinal colonic torsion as a cause of tenesmus in an adult Irish Water Spaniel.

CASE HISTORY: Torsion of the descending colon was diagnosed by barium enema radiography in an adult Irish Water Spaniel which had presented with tenesmus of 24 h duration. Treatment involved exploratory laparotomy, repositioning of the colon, colopexy and repair of a mesenteric rent. No definitive cause of the torsion could be established. The dog made an uneventful recovery from surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Animals presenting with constipation of undetermined cause should have large intestinal obstruction ruled out prior to administering bowel cleansing solutions per os and/or colonic enemas. Colonic obstruction by torsion should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis in all cases of tenesmus.

Mitral valve replacement for the treatment of congenital mitral dysplasia in a bull terrier.

A 10-month-old entire male bull terrier was presented with a history of collapse on exercise. Clinical examination, electrocardiography, radiography and echocardiography all supported a diagnosis of mitral valve dysplasia. There was no evidence of congestive heart failure. Surgical intervention consisted of open resection of the dysplastic mitral valve and its replacement with a bioprosthetic valve. The procedure was performed through a median sternotomy and the dog was placed on to full cardiopulmonary bypass. Total cardiopulmonary bypass time was 70 minutes. A full recovery was made and at the time of writing (17 months postoperatively) the dog is clincally normal requiring no medication.

Intrathoracic tracheal avulsion in three cats.

The surgical repair of complete intrathoracic tracheal avulsion in three cats is described. The initial presenting signs included dyspnoea, exercise intolerance and exertional cyanosis. Diagnosis was based upon the clinical signs, survey radiography and tracheal endoscopy. The ruptures were repaired via a right lateral thoracotomy made at the third or fourth intercostal interspace. Abnormal trachea was resected and a standard tracheal anastomosis was performed. Surgical results were considered excellent in all cases.