Spontaneous emphysematous splenitis: Radiographic and ultrasonographic findings in three Golden Retriever dogs.

Spontaneous emphysematous splenitis is a life-threatening condition reported rarely in humans; however, published reports in dogs are currently lacking. The aim of this multicentric, retrospective, case series design study was to describe radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging findings in Golden Retriever dogs diagnosed with spontaneous emphysematous splenitis. A total of three dogs were sampled. All dogs had a history of lethargy, diarrhea, and weight loss. Radiographic findings in all dogs included a mass effect with focal or multifocal coalescing "vesicular-like" gas pattern in the splenic region and focal loss of serosal detail. Ultrasonographic findings in all dogs included focal or multifocal irregularly shaped, hypoechoic areas containing a mixture of hyperechoic fluid and gas within the splenic parenchyma, hyperechoic abdominal free fluid, and generalized hyperechoic mesenteric fat without evidence of splenic torsion. Pneumoperitoneum was detected ultrasonographically and radiographically in two dogs. All three dogs underwent splenectomy and splenic torsion was definitively ruled out at surgery. One dog died three days after surgery, whereas the other two dogs recovered uneventfully. Culture of the splenic tissue and free abdominal fluid was positive for Clostridium spp. in all three cases. Findings supported inclusion of spontaneous emphysematous splenitis and septic peritonitis as differential diagnoses for dogs with this combination of clinical and imaging characteristics.

Pregnancy-associated immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in a dog.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic investigations, and outcome of a dog with pregnancy-associated immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. CASE SUMMARY: A 6-year-old, pregnant Bichon Frise was presented due to lethargy, inappetence, and progressive regenerative anemia with spherocytosis. The dog had been recently receiving ranitidine and amoxicillin/clavulanate. An in-house saline agglutination test identified marked agglutination and a urinalysis identified hemoglobinuria. Thoracic and abdominal imaging, as well as infectious diseases testing, was unremarkable. The bitch started whelping shortly following hospitalization, and the anemia progressively resolved without any other intervention. Ranitidine and amoxicillin/clavulanate were re-introduced within the following 2 months but the anemia did not reoccur. In light of these findings, a diagnosis of pregnancy-associated immune-mediated hemolytic anemia was made. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: Pregnancy-associated immune-mediated hemolytic anemia should be considered in female dogs that develop severe hemolytic anemia during pregnancy and may resolve spontaneously following parturition.

Disseminated Langerhans cell histiocytosis presenting as oesophageal disease in a cat.

CASE SUMMARY: An 11-year-old female spayed domestic shorthair cat was referred with a 2-month history of ptyalism, hyporexia and weight loss. Physical examination revealed reduced body condition score (2/9) and decreased skin turgor. Laboratory abnormalities included mild erythrocytosis, elevated creatine kinase, hypercobalaminaemia and hypofolataemia. CT of the head and abdominal ultrasonography were within normal limits. Gastroesophagoscopy revealed mucosal ulceration and possible stenosis of the distal oesophagus. Thoracic radiographs and iodine oesophagram showed a soft tissue opacity in the caudodorsal thorax compatible with a parietal oesophageal mass causing luminal stenosis or an extra-parietal mass causing ventral displacement and compression of the oesophagus. Pulmonary nodules were observed in the cranial lung lobes. CT of the thorax confirmed the oesophageal origin of the mass and the presence of pulmonary nodules scattered throughout the lung parenchyma. The patient was euthanased given the imaging findings and perceived guarded prognosis. Post-mortem examination revealed multifocal nodular lesions affecting the oesophagus, lungs, kidneys and pancreas. Histopathological examination identified atypical round cells characterised by eosinophilic cytoplasm and pale nuclei with prominent nuclear grooves, compatible with neoplastic histiocytic cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed strong expression for CD18, Iba-1 and vimentin. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated intracytoplasmic organelles consistent with Birkbeck granules of Langerhans cell origin in lesional histiocytes. These findings were compatible with a diagnosis of disseminated Langerhans cell histiocytosis. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of disseminated Langerhans cell histiocytosis with oesophageal involvement in a cat.

Prevalence of iatrogenic hypothyroidism in hyperthyroid cats treated with radioiodine using an individualised scoring system.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of iatrogenic hypothyroidism, with or without azotaemia, based on the measurement of serum total thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and creatinine concentrations, in hyperthyroid cats undergoing radioiodine (131I) treatment where the 131I dose was calculated using a previously described scoring system. A secondary aim of the study was to determine the positive and negative predictive values of serum T4 and TSH concentrations obtained 19 days after treatment in order to predict the development of iatrogenic hypothyroidism 6-9 months after 131I treatment. METHODS: Serum T4, TSH and creatinine concentrations were measured 19 days and 6-9 months after 131I treatment. The prevalence of iatrogenic hypothyroidism was assessed with the results obtained 6-9 months after 131I treatment. RESULTS: The prevalence of overt and subclinical hypothyroidism 6-9 months after 131I treatment was 40.0% (22/55 cats) and 12.7% (7/55 cats). Overt hypothyroidism with azotaemia was diagnosed in 8/55 (14.5%) cats. The positive and negative predictive values for the prediction of the development of iatrogenic hypothyroidism 6-9 months after 131I treatment were 72.2% and 80.0%, respectively, for a low serum T4 concentration, and 75.0% and 44.6%, respectively, for an increased serum TSH concentration. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The use of an individualised scoring system is effective in determining the 131I dose for the treatment of hyperthyroid cats. However, the prevalence of overt hypothyroidism was higher in comparison with other studies using different dosing protocols. Further studies comparing the efficacy of individualised scoring systems and different fixed doses to determine which method is superior are warranted.

Ileocolic junction resection in dogs and cats: 18 cases.

There is limited veterinary literature about dogs or cats with ileocolic junction resection and its long-term follow-up. To evaluate the long-term outcome in a cohort of dogs and cats that underwent resection of the ileocolic junction without extensive (≥50%) small or large bowel resection. Medical records of dogs and cats that had the ileocolic junction resected were reviewed. Follow-up information was obtained either by telephone interview or e-mail correspondence with the referring veterinary surgeons. Nine dogs and nine cats were included. The most common cause of ileocolic junction resection was intussusception in dogs (5/9) and neoplasia in cats (6/9). Two dogs with ileocolic junction lymphoma died postoperatively. Only 2 of 15 animals, for which long-term follow-up information was available, had soft stools. However, three dogs with suspected chronic enteropathy required long-term treatment with hypoallergenic diets alone or in combination with medical treatment to avoid the development of diarrhoea. Four of 6 cats with ileocolic junction neoplasia were euthanised as a consequence of progressive disease. Dogs and cats undergoing ileocolic junction resection and surviving the perioperative period may have a good long-term outcome with mild or absent clinical signs but long-term medical management may be required.