Percutaneous Balloon Dilation in Two Dogs with Cor Triatriatum Dexter.

Percutaneous balloon dilation was performed in a Rhodesian Ridgeback and in an American Staffordshire Terrier affected by cor triatriatum dexter (CTD). Both cases had ascites without jugular venous distension or pleural effusion. In both dogs the CTD presented a perforated membrane but with different morphology: in one case the coronary sinus entered the caudal chamber of the CTD together with the caudal vena cava. In the other case, the coronary sinus communicated with the cranial chamber of the CTD together with the cranial vena cava. Percutaneous balloon dilation of the CTD was successfully performed, and both dogs had uneventful surgery recoveries. At two years of follow-up, the dogs were free from clinical signs and cardiac medication.

Transjugular Patent Ductus Arteriosus Occlusion in Seven Dogs Using the Amplatzer Vascular Plug II.

Although vascular plugs for the closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) have been validated in dogs, studies are lacking on its use as a first-choice device with a transjugular approach. The present case series describes the transvenous right jugular embolization of PDA using an Amplatzer Vascular Plug II in seven dogs of different ages, breeds, and body weights. Complete closure of the PDA was demonstrated in all cases. All dogs showed significant hemodynamic reduction of pulmonary overcirculation and left heart size after the procedure and at following echocardiographic check-ups. Transjugular PDA occlusion using an Amplatzer Vascular Plug II can thus be considered as a safe alternative to the arterial or venous femoral approach using an Amplatzer canine ductal occluder (ACDO), particularly in puppies with small femoral vessels.

Abnormalities of External Jugular Veins in Bulldogs with Pulmonary Valve Stenosis.

Two French bulldogs and one English bulldog affected by pulmonary valve stenosis and referred for pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty were diagnosed with different abnormalities of the external jugular veins. The diagnosis included unilateral absence of the right external jugular vein and bilateral hypoplasia of the external jugular veins, associated with persistent left cranial vena cava. Vascular ultrasound and computed tomography were used for the diagnosis. Jugular vein anomalies can affect decision-making regarding the central venous catheterization needed to perform procedures such as pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty or central catheter placement. Based on the results of the present case series, anomalies of external jugular veins should be considered in French and English bulldogs when the external jugular veins cannot be palpated or when echocardiography shows coronary sinus dilation. Vascular ultrasound or computed tomography may help identify jugular venous anomalies and should be considered in the preoperative evaluation of bulldogs that need to undergo interventional procedures requiring transjugular catheterization.

Felis catus Papillomavirus Types 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in Feline Bowenoid in Situ Carcinoma: An In Situ Hybridization Study.

Several studies based on histopathology or molecular investigations suggest a causal relation between Felis catus papillomavirus (FcaPV-2) infection and bowenoid in situ carcinoma (BISC) in cats. Nevertheless, data on distribution of viral DNA for different F. catus papillomavirus types (FcaPV-1, 2, 3, 4, 5) in precancerous skin lesions are lacking. In this study, incisional and excisional skin biopsies from 18 cats with BISC were investigated for the presence of FcaPV DNA by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) using specific probes to detect each of the FcaPVs that have been identified so far. By qPCR analysis, 15 of 18 samples were positive for FcaPV-2, 2 were positive for FcaPV-4, and 1 sample was negative for all FcaPVs studied. Two cases were positive for FcaPV-5 by qPCR only. FcaPV-1 and FcaPV-3 were not detected by either method. CISH positivity for FcaPV-2 and FcaPV-4 was 100% concordant with qPCR. FcaPV-2 CISH signal was observed as nuclear dots within grouped neoplastic keratinocytes in 12 BISCs and in the perilesional skin of 9 biopsies. In 3 of these 9 cases, the signal was not observed within the BISC. FcaPV-4 CISH positivity was detected only within BISCs in 2 cases. The overall rate of concordance for FcaPV detection between PCR and CISH was 97.8%. This study suggests that CISH is a reliable method to detect FcaPV-2 and FcaPV-4 infection in cats and provides useful information on the type, rate, and localization of infected cells.