Use of poliglecaprone 25 for perineal urethrostomy in cats: 61 cases (2007-2013).

OBJECTIVE To determine frequency of postoperative complications in cats undergoing perineal urethrostomy (PU) in which poliglecaprone 25 was used for closure and identify possible predisposing factors for development of complications. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 61 cats that underwent PU. PROCEDURES Medical records for cats that underwent PU at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists between 2007 and 2012 were reviewed. Information regarding signalment, perioperative conditions, surgical procedures, treatments, and postoperative complications were obtained from medical records and by telephone follow-up. RESULTS 11 of 61 (18%) cats developed minor short-term (ie, ≤ 2 months after surgery) complications, 1 of 61 (1.6%) cats developed a major short-term complication requiring surgical revision, and 16 of 38 (42%) cats developed minor long-term complications. No major long-term complications were identified. Preoperative urinary tract infection was significantly associated with development of minor short-term complications, but use of an indwelling urinary catheter after surgery was not significantly associated with development of postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that poliglecaprone 25 may be an acceptable suture for apposition of mucosa to skin in cats undergoing PU. Short- and long-term complication rates and percentage of cats requiring revision surgery were comparable to values reported in previous studies in which slowly absorbable or nonabsorbable sutures were used.

Necroulcerative hemorrhagic gastritis in a cat secondary to the administration of 3% hydrogen peroxide as an emetic agent.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of necroulcerative gastritis in a cat secondary to administration of 3% hydrogen peroxide as an emetic agent. CASE SUMMARY: A 10-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair was evaluated for hematemesis less than 24 hours following ingestion of a piece of foam. The pet owner had administered 2 doses of 0.5-1.0 tablespoons (7.5-15 mL) of 3% hydrogen peroxide in an attempt to induce emesis at home; emesis was achieved and produced the foam foreign body. Due to the presence of protracted vomiting and hematemesis, the patient was then presented to an emergency facility for further diagnostics and treatment. Initial blood work was normal on presentation, and advanced imaging of the abdomen was performed. An exploratory laparotomy revealed no foreign material in the gastrointestinal tract; however, severe ulceration of approximately 60% of the gastric mucosa was observed around the cardia and extended from the fundus down through the body of the stomach to the lesser curvature. Due to the severity of ulceration and presumed poor prognosis, the patient was euthanized intraoperatively. Histopathology of the stomach wall was consistent with severe confluent necroulcerative and hemorrhagic pleocellular gastritis, presumed to be secondary to administration of 3% hydrogen peroxide, which was used as the primary emetic agent in this case. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: The oral administration of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution in cats can result in necroulcerative gastritis as a possible sequel. While hydrogen peroxide is considered a safe emetic agent in dogs, its use in cats is not recommended. As a result, the use of emetic agents in cats should be limited to veterinary administration, using alternative, safer emetic agents such as alpha-adrenergic agonists.

Pollakiuria and stranguria in a Labrador retriever with penile HSA.

An approximately 8 yr old castrated male Labrador retriever presented for evaluation of weight loss, stranguria, and pollakiuria. Lysis of the proximal one-third of the os penis was diagnosed on abdominal radiographs, and a positive contrast urethrography revealed a smoothly marginated filling defect along the dorsal aspect of the urethra at the level of the radiographically observed osteolysis. Regional ultrasound revealed an echogenic mass at the proximal aspect of the os penis with a severely irregular and discontinuous periosteal surface. A penile hemangiosarcoma (HSA) was confirmed on histopathologic evaluation after a penile amputation and scrotal urethrostomy were performed. Although HSA is a common malignant neoplasm in dogs, lysis of the os penis has not previously been documented. Adjunctive chemotherapy, although recommended, was declined, and the patient survived 236 days postoperatively. That survival time is considerably longer than the average survival time for patients with HSA, other than cutaneous forms of HSA. Although an uncommon presentation, HSA of the penis should be considered a differential diagnosis in older canines with signs of lower urinary tract disease, especially in breeds that have been documented to be predisposed to HSA.

Magnet ingestion in dogs: two cases.

Two dogs that had ingested foreign bodies were presented with vomiting. The foreign bodies appeared as metal and dense on abdominal radiographs. Abdominal exploratory identified intestinal perforation in one case and gastrointestinal tissue trapped between the two foreign bodies adhered to each other in the second case. The foreign bodies were identified as magnets in one case and magnets and other metallic foreign bodies in the second case. Both dogs had excellent outcomes following surgical intervention. These cases demonstrate the danger of tissue entrapment between the foreign bodies as a result of the magnetic attraction between two objects. Dogs that are presented with a history of or are suspect for ingesting multiple magnets or a magnet and metal foreign bodies should be treated with surgical intervention because of the risk of gastrointestinal perforation as a result of magnetic attraction between the foreign bodies.

Postoperative results of unilateral arytenoid lateralization for treatment of idiopathic laryngeal paralysis in dogs: 39 cases (1996-2002).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate postoperative results for dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis that underwent unilateral arytenoid lateralization (UAL). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 39 dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed, and information on surgical technique, hospitalization time, postoperative treatment, and complications was obtained. Owners were contacted by telephone for additional information if necessary. RESULTS: In all dogs, UAL had been performed by a single surgeon who used a standard surgical technique. Long-term follow-up information was available for all 39 dogs; mean follow-up time was 29.6 months (range, 3 to 61 months). Seven (18%) dogs developed postoperative pneumonia, and 6 of the 7 recovered with treatment. Twenty-two of the 39 (56%) dogs had minor complications, including unresolved coughing or gagging, continued exercise intolerance, vomiting, and seroma formation. Owners of 35 of the 39 (90%) dogs reported an improvement in postoperative quality-of-life score. Median survival time was 12 months; only 1 dog was euthanized because of respiratory tract disease following surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that UAL will improve quality of life in most dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis. However, the complication rate is high, with postoperative pneumonia being the most important major complication. Minor complications were common but did not adversely affect owner-assigned quality-of-life scores in most dogs.

Surgical management of gallbladder mucoceles in dogs: 22 cases (1999-2003).

OBJECTIVES: To describe preoperative, surgical, and postoperative findings and determine prognostic indicators and treatment recommendations in dogs treated surgically for gallbladder mucocele. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 22 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES: Medical records of dogs with gallbladder mucoceles that were treated surgically were reviewed. History, clinical signs, results of selected clinicopathologic analyses and abdominal ultrasonography, surgical procedure performed, results of histologic examination of a liver biopsy specimen, and survival time were recorded. Follow-up information was obtained via telephone interview with owners and referring veterinarians. RESULTS: Dogs were 7 to 15 years of age and had non-specific clinical signs (vomiting, anorexia, and lethargy). Physical examination findings included icterus, signs of depression, and signs of discomfort on palpation of the abdomen. Sixteen dogs had a definitive diagnosis and 6 dogs were strongly suspected of having a gallbladder mucocele on the basis of results of abdominal ultrasonography. Fifteen dogs survived after surgery; 3 of these dogs had bile-induced peritonitis, and 4 had pancreatitis. One dog was euthanatized as a result of severe pancreatitis, and 1 was euthanatized because of acute renal failure; 5 dogs died as a result of pancreatitis, cholecystitis, or bile-induced peritonitis. Hepatic abnormalities were detected histologically in all dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: No predictors of survival were identified. No associations between outcome of surgical treatment (survival vs nonsurvival) and preoperative findings, biliary rupture, surgical procedure performed, results of histologic examination of the liver, or development of pancreatitis were found. Cholecystoduodenostomy and cholecystectomy appear to be acceptable treatments for gallbladder mucocele.

Evaluation of surgical margins required for complete excision of cutaneous mast cell tumors in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether neoplastic mast cells extended into tissue 1, 2, or 3 cm laterally or deeper than 1 fascial plane from the visible edge of cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCTs) in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 21 client-owned dogs with > or = 1 cutaneous MCT PROCEDURES: After preparation for surgery, each dog's skin was marked 1, 2, and 3 cm from the tumor edge at 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees. At each 3-cm mark, deep fascia was exposed and sutured to the skin; the tumor was excised in routine fashion and fixed in formalin. Tumors were graded; margins were examined histologically for neoplastic mast cells. RESULTS: 23 cutaneous MCTs in 21 dogs were included in this study. Fifteen (65%) tumors were located on the trunk, 5 (22%) on the hind limbs, and 3 (13%) on the head and neck. There were 3 (13%) grade-I and 20 (87%) grade-II tumors. All grade-I tumors were completely excised at all margins. Seventy-five percent of the grade-II tumors were completely excised at the 1-cm margin, and 100% were completely excised at the 2-cm margin. Two grade-II MCTs located on the hind limbs of dogs were excised with a complete but close (within 1 mm) deep margin. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that a 2-cm lateral margin and a deep margin of 1 fascial plane appear to be adequate for complete excision of grade-I and -II MCTs in dogs.