Thoracic Tumor Associated with a Unilateral Empyema in a Beef Cow: A Case Report.

Tumors in cows are not frequently reported in the literature. They often represent unusual findings in live animals and are incidental at slaughter with rare positive therapeutic outcomes for farmers. A 9-year-old beef cow was referred to the hospital of ruminants of the National Veterinary School of Toulouse, France. The cow started to become sick 10 days prior, and major symptoms were anorexia, arched back, tachycardia, and tachypnea associated with significantly attenuated cardiac and pulmonary sounds upon right-sided auscultation. After specific investigations, a thoracic sarcoma associated with unilateral empyema was diagnosed. The empyema was treated, and supportive treatment was only performed for the tumor. Although the sarcoma remained, clinical improvement was significant, and the cow went back to her farm of origin. After the end of the withdrawal period, the cow recovered clinically but was culled by the owners for economic reasons. The present case report offers a continuum from the initial clinical signs motivating specific investigations to interesting laboratory findings, which were confirmed post-mortem.

49-month survival following caval venectomy without nephrectomy in a dog with a pheochromocytoma.

An 11 yr old spayed female Labrador retriever was diagnosed with a right adrenal tumor. At surgery, adhesions to the right kidney were dissected, allowing the right kidney to be preserved. The tumor showed extensive invasion into the suprarenal vena cava. It was felt that thrombus removal via venotomy could not be performed. Instead, the vena cava was ligated caudal to the liver and cranial to the right renal vein. The neoplastic gland was then excised en bloc together with the portion of the invaded caudal vena cava. Hind limb edema had developed preoperatively and increased transiently in the first days postoperatively. The animal was discharged 6 days postoperatively with no other clinical disorders, and hind limb edema resolved over time. Histopathology identified a pheochromocytoma. The dog died 49 mo later. A neoplastic thrombus of the vena cava may require venotomy to allow thrombus removal. Occasionally, removal of the thrombus by venotomy may prove impossible. In such a situation, en bloc removal of the concerned portion of the vena cava may be performed with a good long-term outcome provided that gradual occlusion of the vena cava by the thrombus has allowed time for collateral circulation to develop.

Bromide-associated lower airway disease: a retrospective study of seven cats.

Seven cats were presented for mild-to-moderate cough and/or dyspnoea after starting bromide (Br) therapy for neurological diseases. The thoracic auscultation was abnormal in three cats showing increased respiratory sounds and wheezes. Haematology revealed mild eosinophilia in one cat. The thoracic radiographs showed bronchial patterns with peribronchial cuffing in most of them. Bronchoalveolar lavage performed in two cats revealed neutrophilic and eosinophilic inflammation. Histopathology conducted in one cat showed endogenous lipid pneumonia (EnLP). All cats improved with steroid therapy after Br discontinuation. Five cats were completely weaned off steroids, with no recurrence of clinical signs. In one cat, the treatment was discontinued despite persistent clinical signs. The cat presenting with EnLP developed secondary pneumothorax and did not recover. Br-associated lower airway disease can appear in cats after months of treatment and clinical improvement occurs only after discontinuing Br therapy.