Outcomes of esophageal and gastric bone foreign bodies in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Bone foreign bodies are commonly encountered in small animal practice. Esophageal bone foreign bodies (E-bFBs) warrant removal, whereas gastric bone foreign bodies might not. OBJECTIVES: Describe management and outcomes for dogs with esophageal or gastric bone foreign bodies. ANIMALS: One hundred twenty-nine dogs with esophageal (n = 45) or gastric (n = 84) bone foreign bodies. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records. RESULTS: Dogs with E-bFBs were younger than dogs with gastric bone foreign bodies (median age esophageal, 4 years [IQR 2-8]; median age gastric, 6 years [IQR 3-10]; P = .03), and had a higher bone cross-sectional area relative to body weight (median esophageal, 98.21 mm2 /kg [IQR 48.25-142.6]; median gastric, 28.6 mm2 /kg [IQR 17.25-64.28]; P < .001). Forty-two of 45 esophageal foreign bodies were resolved non-surgically and 3 by esophagotomy. Esophageal erosions were more likely with distal entrapment (OR 12.88, [95% CI 31.95-129.29], P = .01) and longer duration (OR 18.82 [95% CI 2.22-273.97], P = .01). Sixty-two of 84 bone gastric foreign bodies were left in situ. Endoscopic removal was successful in 20 of 22 (91%; 95% CI 70-99) attempts. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: While all E-bFBs were dislodged either by advancement into the stomach, endoscopic removal, or esophagotomy, the majority of gastric bone foreign bodies were left in situ for dissolution, with no reported complications. Gastric advancement of E-bFBs should be considered when oral removal is not feasible, and dissolution can be considered even with large bones.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal lesions in dogs chronically treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common pharmaceutical associated with gastroduodenal ulceration and perforation. The prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) injury associated with chronic use of NSAIDs in dogs is unknown. OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the prevalence of GI mucosal erosions in dogs receiving chronic treatment with NSAIDs. We hypothesized that dogs receiving NSAIDs would have more GI mucosal erosions and longer GI transit time than a control population. ANIMALS: Fourteen client-owned medium- and large-breed dogs receiving an NSAID for at least 30 days and 11 client-owned control dogs undergoing video capsule endoscopy (VCE) for evaluation of chronic GI disease. METHODS: Dogs were prospectively recruited after determining no clinically relevant comorbidities were present and VCE was performed. The GI transit time and the presence of mucosal lesions were recorded. RESULTS: Twelve dogs receiving NSAIDs and 11 retrospectively evaluated control dogs were included. The NSAIDs administered included carprofen (9 dogs), meloxicam (2 dogs), and firocoxib (1 dog) for a median of 6 months. Ten (83.3%; 95% confidence interval; 51.6%-97.9%) NSAID-treated dogs had GI erosions. Erosions were seen with all 3 NSAIDs in at least 1 dog. Three of 11 control dogs had gastric erosions. Dogs receiving NSAIDs had more erosions detected (P = .004). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Subclinical GI erosions are more common in dogs receiving chronic treatment with NSAIDs than in control dogs with chronic GI disease, suggesting that NSAIDs be used with caution, particularly in dogs with comorbidities predisposing them to GI ulceration.

Feline thyroid storm: rapid recognition to improve patient survival.

In human medicine, thyroid storm is a well-recognized condition of acute thyrotoxicosis in which the patient's metabolic, thermoregulatory, and cardiovascular mechanisms are overwhelmed by excessive circulating levels of thyroid hormone. The etiology is unknown, but multiple precipitating factors have been proposed. Hyperthyroid cats presenting in thyrotoxic crisis have clinical signs similar to those of human thyroid storm patients; however, thyroid storm has not yet been fully characterized in veterinary medicine. Early recognition and prompt, appropriate treatment of this life-threatening condition are essential to obtaining a favorable outcome.

Tritrichomonas foetus: a new agent of feline diarrhea.

Tritrichomonas foetus is a single-celled, flagellated protozoal parasite that colonizes the feline colon and distal ileum. Infected cats may be asymptomatic or may have clinical signs that include malodorous large bowel diarrhea. T. foetus infection is common in, but not limited to, high-density populations of young, purebred cats. Testing for this parasite is still not routine at most veterinary clinics, and T. foetus is often misdiagnosed as Giardia spp. T. foetus-specific tests (fecal culture and polymerase chain reaction) should be considered in cats with large bowel diarrhea, especially those in which traditional diagnostics and treatments for other causes of feline large bowel diarrhea have failed to reach a clinical resolution. Recognition of this newly emerging disease and appropriate sample handling are critical for the detection and treatment of feline trichomoniasis.

Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis and gastrointestinal helminths in cats euthanized at animal control agencies in northwest Georgia.

Cats euthanized at six northwest Georgia animal control agencies were examined for adult Dirofilaria immitis in heart and lung tissue and presence of gastrointestinal helminth ova by fecal flotation. D. immitis were found in 4 of 184 cats (2.1%). The prevalence of feline dirofilariasis in northwest Georgia was lower than that found in other studies conducted in the southeastern United States, but closer to the prevalences occurring in areas of similar topography. Heartworm antigen and antibody tests performed on batched serum samples resulted in low sensitivity and high specificity. Gastrointestinal helminth ova were found in 39.6% of the fecal samples examined and 6.1% of the samples contained two or more species.