The effect of preoperative antimicrobial administration on culture results in dogs undergoing cystotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of preoperative antimicrobial administration on culture results in dogs undergoing cystotomy as a treatment for urolithiasis. DESIGN: Prospective controlled study. Animals-41 dogs undergoing cystotomy for cystic calculi removal. PROCEDURES: Urine samples were collected at time of anesthetic induction and during surgery prior to cystotomy, and a mucosal biopsy and culturette swab was collected during surgery from a control group, which received antimicrobials only after surgical culture sample collection, and from an experimental group, which received antimicrobials at the time of anesthetic induction. RESULTS: 17 of 41 patients had positive culture results at anesthetic induction. Twenty of 41 patients had positive results of cultures for the surgical sample. No dogs that had positive results before antimicrobial administration had negative results after antimicrobial administration. There were no significant changes to urinalysis results regardless of group. Calcium monohydrate uroliths were the most common stone removed (24/41), followed by magnesium ammonium phosphate uroliths (11/41). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There was no difference in culture results (positivity and bacterial type) when antimicrobials were given at anesthetic induction versus after surgical culture sample collection for dogs undergoing cystotomy for cystic calculi removal.

Computed tomographic characteristics of intrapelvic masses in dogs.

In people, the computed tomography (CT) characteristics of intrapelvic masses can be used to distinguish a malignant from a benign mass. As prognosis varies greatly between malignant and benign intrapelvic masses, knowledge of their biological behavior can aid treatment planning before surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine if CT characteristics exist to help differentiate benign from malignant intrapelvic masses in dogs. The CT images of 14 dogs with a histopathologically confirmed intrapelvic mass were evaluated. Postcontrast internal heterogeneity of the mass was the only characteristic significantly associated with malignancy (P = 0.005). Preoperative CT examination of intrapelvic masses in dogs can provide prognostic information before invasive surgical treatment.

Conversion from diagnostic laparoscopy to laparotomy: risk factors and occurrence.

OBJECTIVE: To determine reasons for conversion from diagnostic laparoscopic procedures to celiotomy in dogs and cats. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: Dogs (n=54), cats (40). METHODS: Medical records (2004-2008) were reviewed for dogs and cats that had diagnostic laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted biopsy. Numbers of conversions to laparotomy were recorded, including cause and type (elective versus emergent), postoperative complications, and short-term outcome. Specific risk factors for conversion, including signalment, preoperative diagnostics, and surgical findings were assessed; categorical variables were tested by χ(2) and Fisher's exact tests; continuous variables by Student's t-test and Wilcoxon's rank-sum tests; multivariate logistic regression models were created. RESULTS: Twenty animals (21%) had laparoscopic conversion; 13 (65%) were considered elective and 7 (35%) emergent conversions. There was no significant difference between animals requiring and those not requiring conversion for age, weight, sex, body condition score, clinical signs, previous abdominal surgery, or surgeon experience. Significant risk factors for conversion included low total solids (P=.03), presence of a solitary liver tumor (P<.01), and diagnosis of neoplasia (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: A conversion rate of 21% was found in this population of dogs and cats undergoing laparoscopic diagnostic procedures. A preoperative finding of a solitary liver tumor, low total solids, and diagnosis of malignancy were all significant risk factors for conversion.