Early tumor response to intraarterial or intravenous administration of carboplatin to treat naturally occurring lower urinary tract carcinoma in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Survival times and tumor responses associated with malignant neoplasia of the lower urinary tract are poor despite the vast array of current treatments. Therefore, the evaluation of alternative treatments, such as intraarterial administration of chemotherapy (IAC) should be considered. OBJECTIVE: To describe a technique for superselective catheterization for IAC and to evaluate initial tumor response by ultrasonography after both IAC and intravenous administration of chemotherapy (IVC). ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs with lower urinary tract neoplasia treated with either IVC (n = 15) or IAC (n = 11). METHODS: Retrospective study. An arterial approach via the carotid or femoral artery was utilized to obtain superselective access and administer chemotherapy in the IAC cases. Medical record review was performed, data were recorded, and recorded variables were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: Intraarterial chemotherapy was successfully administered in all cases. There was a significantly greater decrease in longest unidimensional measurement in the IAC group as compared to the IVC group (P = .013). The IAC group was also significantly more likely to have a tumor response as assessed by modified RECIST guidelines (P = .049). Dogs in the IAC group were significantly less likely to develop anemia (P = .001), lethargy (P = .010) and anorexia (P = .024). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study demonstrated the feasibility and efficacy of performing IAC for lower urinary tract neoplasia. Further investigation is necessary as the follow-up time was short and the impact on long-term outcome and survival was not determined.

Signalment, clinical presentation, concurrent diseases, and diagnostic findings in 28 dogs with dynamic pharyngeal collapse (2008-2013).

BACKGROUND: Most information about pharyngeal collapse in dogs is anecdotal and extrapolated from human medicine. A single case report describing dynamic pharyngeal collapse in a cat has been published, but there is no literature describing this disease process in dogs. OBJECTIVE: To describe the signalment, clinical presentation, concurrent disease processes, and imaging findings of a population of client-owned dogs with pharyngeal collapse. ANIMALS: Twenty-eight client-owned dogs with pharyngeal collapse. METHODS: Radiology reports of dogs for which fluoroscopy of the respiratory system was performed were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with a fluoroscopic diagnosis of pharyngeal collapse were included in the study population. Data regarding clinical signs, diagnostic, and pathologic findings were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-eight dogs met the inclusion criteria. The median age of affected patients was 6.6 years, whereas median body condition score was 7/9. The most common clinical signs were coughing (n = 20) and stertor (n = 5). In 27 of 28 cases, a concurrent or previously diagnosed cardiopulmonary disorder was detected. The most common concurrent disease processes were mainstem bronchi collapse (n = 18), tracheal collapse (n = 17), and brachycephalic airway syndrome (n = 8). Fluoroscopy identified complete pharyngeal collapse in 20 of 28 dogs. CONCLUSIONS: Pharyngeal collapse is a complex disease process that likely is secondary to long-term negative pressure gradients and anatomic and functional abnormalities. Based on the findings of this study, pharyngeal fluoroscopy may be useful diagnostic test in patients with suspected tracheal and mainstem bronchial collapse to identify concurrent pharyngeal collapse.

Reliability of T2-weighted sagittal magnetic resonance images for determining the location of compressive disk herniation in dogs.

Magnetic resonance imaging is used commonly to diagnose intervertebral disk herniation in dogs. It is common to locate areas of suspected compression on sagittal T2-weighted (T2-W) images and then obtain limited transverse images in these areas to reduce the acquisition time (a step-by-step approach). Our objective was to assess the frequency of correct localization of spinal cord compression due to disk herniation using only the sagittal images. The results from isolated readings of the sagittal T2-W images alone or combined with a single-shot fast spin echo (SSFSE) slab in 118 dogs were compared with a gold standard, based on a consensual reading of all images available, including complete transverse images across the entire spinal segments under study. The sites of compression were localized correctly from the sagittal images in 89.8% of dogs. If only the most significant lesions were accounted for, the percentage increased up to 95.2%. In 54.9% of the readings with incorrect localization, the actual compressive site was immediately adjacent to the one suspected from review of the sagittal images. The frequency of correct localization was higher in the cervical region, and was increased by examination of the SSFSE slab. The most common cause of disagreement was the presence of multiple degenerate bulging disks. Based on these results we recommend obtaining transverse images across the entire segment when multiple bulging disks are present. It is also recommended to obtain transverse images across the spaces immediately adjacent to the suspected site of herniation from review of the sagittal images.

Complication rate, outcome, and risk factors associated with surgical repair of fractures of the lateral aspect of the humeral condyle in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine outcome, report complications, and risk factors for complications associated with the surgical treatment of fractures of the lateral aspect of the humeral condyle (FLHC) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty dogs with FLHC that had been repaired surgically were included in this retrospective case series. METHODS: The medical records and radiographs from 50 dogs with FLHC from 1990--2006 were analyzed. RESULTS: The complication rate was 30%. For every 30-minute increase in surgical time the odds of a complication increased by 2.00 (95% CI: 1.06, 3.77). For every 10 degrees increase in the angle between the transcondylar screw and a line between the epicondyles viewed on a craniocaudal radiograph there was a 4.82 (95% CI: 1.23, 18.86) greater odds of an intracondylar fracture gap appearing on postoperative radiographs. When an intracondylar fracture gap was present after surgery there was a 25% long-term radiographic outcome failure rate, whereas there was a 0% radiographic failure rate in the dogs in which an intracondylar fracture gap was not present. In conclusion, transcondylar screw placement parallel to the epicondylar line should be attempted for the repair of FLHC. An increase in surgical time leads to an increase in postoperative complication rate. The presence of an intracondylar fracture gap may be associated with fracture failure. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Screw angulation predisposed to postoperative intracondylar fracture gap which in turn may be associated with higher fracture fixation failure rate. The dogs that had prolonged surgical times had an increased complication rate.