Canine oral fibrosarcomas: a retrospective analysis of 65 cases (1998-2010).

The objective of this retrospective study was to report the outcome of treatment of canine oral fibrosarcomas (FSA) in relation to median survival and progression-free survival (PFS), and to report whether grade was prognostic in relation to median survival. Sixty-five dogs with oral FSA presented to the WSU VTH between June 1998 and March 2010. Significant predictors of median survival were location (P = 0.0099), tumour size or oral stage (P = 0.0312), type of surgery (P = 0.0182), margins (P = 0.0329) and grade (P = 0.0251). Significant predictors of PFS were location (P = 0.0177), and radiation protocol (P = 0.0343). A combination of surgery and radiation was the strongest predictor of prolonged median survival (P = 0.0183) and PFS (P = 0.0263) at 505 and 301 days, respectively. Treatment of canine oral FSA with a combination of surgery and radiation therapy provided the longest median survivals.

Neurological causes of diaphragmatic paralysis in 11 alpacas (Vicugna pacos).

BACKGROUND: Diaphragmatic paralysis is a relatively uncommon medical condition in animals not reported in alpacas. OBJECTIVES: Describe the signalment, physical examination, diagnostic testing, clinical, and histopathologic findings related to diaphragmatic paralysis in alpacas. ANIMALS: Eleven alpacas with spontaneous diaphragmatic paralysis. METHODS: A retrospective study examined medical records from a 10-year period and identified 11 alpacas with confirmed diaphragmatic paralysis admitted to Washington State University and Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals between September 2003 and October 2009. RESULTS: The 11 alpacas ranged in age from 2 to 12 months. Fluoroscopic imaging confirmed the presence of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis in the 7 alpacas that were imaged. Arterial blood gas analyses showed hypercapnea, hypoxemia, and low oxygen saturation. Seven alpacas died or were euthanized between 2 and 60 days after onset of respiratory signs. Histopathologic examination of tissues found phrenic nerve degeneration in the 6 alpacas that were necropsied and additional long nerves examined demonstrated degeneration in 2 of these animals. Two animals had spinal cord lesions and 2 had diaphragm muscle abnormalities. No etiologic agent was identified in the alpacas. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The etiology for diaphragmatic paralysis in these alpacas is unknown. A variety of medical treatments did not appear to alter the outcome.

Gastric neoplasia in horses.

BACKGROUND: Gastric neoplasia of horses is incompletely described. OBJECTIVE: Provide history, clinical signs, and clinicopathological and pathological findings associated with gastric neoplasia in horses. ANIMALS: Twenty-four horses with gastric neoplasia. METHODS: Retrospective study. History, clinical signs, and clinicopathological and pathologic findings in horses diagnosed histologically with gastric neoplasia were reviewed. RESULTS: Horses ranged in age from 9 to 25 years (median 18 years at presentation). There was no apparent breed or sex predisposition. The most common presenting complaints were inappetance (17/24), weight loss (14/24), lethargy (7/24), hypersalivation (7/24), colic (5/24), and fever (5/24). The most consistent clinical signs were tachypnea (10/19), decreased borborygmi (8/19), and low body weight (7/17). Useful diagnostic tests included rectal examination, routine blood analysis, gastroscopy, abdominocentesis, and transabdominal ultrasound examination. Anemia was the most common hematologic abnormality encountered (7/19), and hypercalcemia of malignancy was seen in 4/16 horses. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common tumor identified (19/24), and was most often (14/19) found as a single ulcerated, necrotic mass in the nonglandular portion of the stomach. Other gastric neoplasms encountered were leiomyoma (n=2), mesothelioma (n=1), adenocarcinoma (n=1), and lymphoma (n=1). Metastatic neoplasia was found in 18/23 horses. The median time from onset of clinical signs to death was 4 weeks, and all horses died or were euthanized because of gastric neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common primary gastric neoplasia in horses. The survival time after diagnosis of gastric neoplasia in horses is short.

Immunization with native surface protein NcSRS2 induces a Th2 immune response and reduces congenital Neospora caninum transmission in mice.

NcSRS2, a tachyzoite surface protein of Neospora caninum, is an immunodominant protein with respect to induction of antibody production and has a role in attachment and invasion of host cells. Native NcSRS2 was isolated from whole tachyzoite lysate antigen by affinity chromatography using NcSRS2 specific monoclonal antibody and used to immunize BALB/c mice in a congenital transmission study. NcSRS2 was a highly conserved protein as indicated by comparison of deduced amino acid sequence obtained from NcSRS2 gene sequences of 10 geographically distinct N. caninum isolates. Mice immunized with purified native NcSRS2 produced antigen-specific antibody, primarily of IgG 1 subtype. Following challenge during gestation with 10(7) tachyzoites, immunized mice had a statistically significant decreased frequency of congenital transmission compared to non-immunized mice (P