Chronic expanding hematoma secondary to excision of recurrent myxomas in a bitch

Background: Expanding chronic hematoma is a relatively common postoperative complication in humans, not in dogs, nevertheless, is important understand this condition because it may affect the animal's health. A hematoma could be formed within hours and usually stabilizes spontaneously with the reabsorption of its content. However, occasionally the hematoma slowly expands, becomes encapsulated and forms a mass, causing a chronic expanding hematoma. Possibly skin and adipose tissue are displaced secondary to trauma, causing the formation of blood-filled cysts surrounded by a fibrous capsule. The aim of this document is to present the first report of a postsurgical chronic expanding hematoma in dog. Case: A case of chronic expanding hematoma secondary to excision of recurrent myxoma in a bitch was described. Physical examination showed a hard, firm, non-mobile mass enclosed within the deep muscular layers. This mass was between the sternum and the cranial abdomen, similar to previous lesions excised by another veterinarian. Fine needle aspiration indicated the presence of blood. Radiology demonstrated that the bone-cartilage tissue was not involved. Due to the size of the mass, a skin stretching pre-suturing technique using self-adhesive tape was applied around the mass 48 h before surgery. The mass was removed with wide excision margins and portions of the affected muscles, but a large wound with great tension was created; consequently, a parallel to the wound incision and the thoraco-lumbar vertebrae was made. Six months after surgery, the animal presented recurrence of the same lesion, which was also removed. The bleeding times were within the normal range, but the animal was diagnosed with hyperadrenocorticism. After both surgeries histopathological exam revealed a hematoma, that had thrombosis and granulation tissue with fibrosis and severe panniculitis, in addition of multifocal, chronic, moderate lymphohistiocytic myositis; all these changes were compatible with a chronic expanding hematoma. Discussion: Chronic expanding hematoma is a mass that grows slowly secondary to hemorrhage and does not exhibit elements of malignancy. However, it can occasionally be confused for a soft-tissue neoplasm. It has been reported frequently in humans but not in small animals. The first case was reported in 2002: 5 puppies with a cervical hematoma classified as a chronic expanding hematoma was described. In addition, 3 cases were reported: 1 cat with perirenal chronic expanding hematoma; 1 bitch with intra-abdominal presentation, and 1 cat with this pathology on the right pelvic limb after an intramuscular injection. The etiology of chronic expansive hematoma is unidentified in dogs, nevertheless, it is stipulated that is not an inflammatory process as previously assumed, but rather a neoplastic process. As in other cases, it was difficult to determine the origin of the chronic expanding hematoma. The coagulation times and platelets count were within ranges. Similarly, it is very complicated to relate hyperadrenocorticism with chronic expanding hematoma because dogs with Cushing's disease generally present hypercoagulopathies. Myxomas are associated with endocrinopathies in humans and dogs, therefore, hyperadrenocorticism is possibly related with this neoplasia. Myxomas have an expansive growth pattern, contrasting with myxosarcomas, which are infiltrating; Although in the present case the skin mass appeared to be invasive, both macroscopical and histopathological appearance of it corresponded to a well-shaped capsule compatible with chronic expanding hematoma. In summary, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a post-surgical chronic expanding hematoma in a dog.

Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia secondary to multiple beta cell adenomas in a boxer bitch

Background: The most frequent pancreatic tumours are derived from insulin-secreting β cells, commonly called insulinomas; these are characterised by high insulin secretion causing hypoglycemia and clinical signs such as seizures,tremors, weakness, and polyphagia, among others. In dogs, this tumour represents <0.5% of neoplasias; the majority aresolitary carcinoma masses and rarely adenomas. Insulin-secreting tumours are usually diagnosed in middle-aged or olderdogs. There is no apparent sex predilection for the disease and it has been mainly reported in medium to large breeds.Independently of whether they are adenomas or carcinomas, dogs have the same disease-free time and survival time andthe prognosis is poor.Case: An 8-year-old female Boxer was brought to the University Veterinary Hospital with a history of weakness, tremors,and generalised convulsions. Physical examination, CBC and urinalysis revealed no abnormalities. In the blood chemistryprofile, hypoglycemia was detected along with hyperinsulinemia. An abdominal ultrasound revealed the presence of twoabnormal masses located in the pancreas. The insulin:glucose ratio was 59.8. Exploratory celiotomy was performed andtwo masses were located in the mesentery, adjacent to the left pancreatic lobe, and a third was in the pancreatic tissue ofthe same lobule. All masses were resected during the same surgery. Cytology of the masses coincided with apparentlymalignant insulinoma, however, the histopathological and immunohistochemically report indicated an insulin-secretingadenoma. The patient improved clinically and remained stable for approximately 545 days, after which seizures relapsedand a new treatment was not approved. The patient died 575 days after surgery.Discussion: In dogs, pancreatic islet cell tumours correspond to endocrinologically active neoplasm that secrete hormonesand are associated with functional disorders (hyperinsulinemia) in relation to hypoglycemia...(AU)

Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia secondary to multiple beta cell adenomas in a boxer bitch

Background: The most frequent pancreatic tumours are derived from insulin-secreting β cells, commonly called insulinomas; these are characterised by high insulin secretion causing hypoglycemia and clinical signs such as seizures,tremors, weakness, and polyphagia, among others. In dogs, this tumour represents <0.5% of neoplasias; the majority aresolitary carcinoma masses and rarely adenomas. Insulin-secreting tumours are usually diagnosed in middle-aged or olderdogs. There is no apparent sex predilection for the disease and it has been mainly reported in medium to large breeds.Independently of whether they are adenomas or carcinomas, dogs have the same disease-free time and survival time andthe prognosis is poor.Case: An 8-year-old female Boxer was brought to the University Veterinary Hospital with a history of weakness, tremors,and generalised convulsions. Physical examination, CBC and urinalysis revealed no abnormalities. In the blood chemistryprofile, hypoglycemia was detected along with hyperinsulinemia. An abdominal ultrasound revealed the presence of twoabnormal masses located in the pancreas. The insulin:glucose ratio was 59.8. Exploratory celiotomy was performed andtwo masses were located in the mesentery, adjacent to the left pancreatic lobe, and a third was in the pancreatic tissue ofthe same lobule. All masses were resected during the same surgery. Cytology of the masses coincided with apparentlymalignant insulinoma, however, the histopathological and immunohistochemically report indicated an insulin-secretingadenoma. The patient improved clinically and remained stable for approximately 545 days, after which seizures relapsedand a new treatment was not approved. The patient died 575 days after surgery.Discussion: In dogs, pancreatic islet cell tumours correspond to endocrinologically active neoplasm that secrete hormonesand are associated with functional disorders (hyperinsulinemia) in relation to hypoglycemia...

Dysphagia secondary to Spirocerca lupi in a German shepherd dog

Background: Spirocerca lupi is a nematode that causes nodules in the esophagus and aortic aneurysms in dogs. Animals are infected by eating intermediate host (beetle) containing infective larvae or consuming viscera containing parasitic cysts from paratenic hosts. Dogs commonly have a subclinical presentation, but the most common signs are vomiting and regurgitation. Visualizing nodules or neoplastic masses via esophagoscopy and the presence of S. lupi eggs in feces are the best diagnostic methods. Milbemycin oxime is effective as a treatment for S. lupi. The objective of this study was to describe the diagnostic and medical management of a patient with dysphagia secondary to esophageal S. lupi nodules.Case: A 7-year-old male German shepherd dog was referred for endoscopic examination. The animal presented with chronic severe dysphagia and weight loss with a presumptive diagnosis of an esophageal foreign body. At palpation of the neck, the dog was painful just dorsal to the cricoid cartilage and had submandibular lymphadenomegaly. The animal also exhibited a dropped jaw which could be returned to its normal position by manipulation. Radiographic examination demonstrated a radiopaque image compatible with a mass in the cranial esophagus just caudal to the upper esophageal sphincter. A fluoroscopy study was performed and confirmed the presence of a mass apparently within the [...]

Dysphagia secondary to Spirocerca lupi in a German shepherd dog

Background: Spirocerca lupi is a nematode that causes nodules in the esophagus and aortic aneurysms in dogs. Animals are infected by eating intermediate host (beetle) containing infective larvae or consuming viscera containing parasitic cysts from paratenic hosts. Dogs commonly have a subclinical presentation, but the most common signs are vomiting and regurgitation. Visualizing nodules or neoplastic masses via esophagoscopy and the presence of S. lupi eggs in feces are the best diagnostic methods. Milbemycin oxime is effective as a treatment for S. lupi. The objective of this study was to describe the diagnostic and medical management of a patient with dysphagia secondary to esophageal S. lupi nodules.Case: A 7-year-old male German shepherd dog was referred for endoscopic examination. The animal presented with chronic severe dysphagia and weight loss with a presumptive diagnosis of an esophageal foreign body. At palpation of the neck, the dog was painful just dorsal to the cricoid cartilage and had submandibular lymphadenomegaly. The animal also exhibited a dropped jaw which could be returned to its normal position by manipulation. Radiographic examination demonstrated a radiopaque image compatible with a mass in the cranial esophagus just caudal to the upper esophageal sphincter. A fluoroscopy study was performed and confirmed the presence of a mass apparently within the [...](AU)

Transitional cell carcinoma in the distal urethra of a female Golden retriever

Background: Urinary tract tumours represent only 0.5-1% of neoplasms in dogs, and transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most common. It is most common to find TCCs in the trigone region. Diagnosis can be made with image analysis, cytology or histology. With non-infiltrative lesions in the early stages, it is possible to obtain a biopsy by endoscopy. Surgical resection is the treatment option of choice for this tumour. Dogs with poor response to chemotherapy or at an advanced stage of the disease are candidates for palliative treatment. This paper reports an special case of TCC located in the distal urethra of a female dog, obtaining the diagnosis through endoscopy, cytology and immunohistochemistry.Case: A nine-year old, female, neutered Golden Retriever was referred for examination after suffering vaginal bleeding. Vaginal palpation revealed an apparent mass on the vaginal floor. Cytology by imprinting the mass revealed a carcinoma. A vaginoscopy was performed on the patient. An endoscopic examination showed normal vaginal mucosa, but, through the urethra, a mass was observed in the urethral lumen, with thickening and dilatation of the urinary meatus. A tissue biopsy was obtained. Episiotomy was performed to remove the tumour. Histopathological studies diagnosed the mass as transitional cell carcinoma with incomplete surgical margins. An immunohistochemistry analysis of the...

Transitional cell carcinoma in the distal urethra of a female Golden retriever

Background: Urinary tract tumours represent only 0.5-1% of neoplasms in dogs, and transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most common. It is most common to find TCCs in the trigone region. Diagnosis can be made with image analysis, cytology or histology. With non-infiltrative lesions in the early stages, it is possible to obtain a biopsy by endoscopy. Surgical resection is the treatment option of choice for this tumour. Dogs with poor response to chemotherapy or at an advanced stage of the disease are candidates for palliative treatment. This paper reports an special case of TCC located in the distal urethra of a female dog, obtaining the diagnosis through endoscopy, cytology and immunohistochemistry.Case: A nine-year old, female, neutered Golden Retriever was referred for examination after suffering vaginal bleeding. Vaginal palpation revealed an apparent mass on the vaginal floor. Cytology by imprinting the mass revealed a carcinoma. A vaginoscopy was performed on the patient. An endoscopic examination showed normal vaginal mucosa, but, through the urethra, a mass was observed in the urethral lumen, with thickening and dilatation of the urinary meatus. A tissue biopsy was obtained. Episiotomy was performed to remove the tumour. Histopathological studies diagnosed the mass as transitional cell carcinoma with incomplete surgical margins. An immunohistochemistry analysis of the...(AU)