Evaluation of complications and long-term outcomes associated with 101 dogs and cats discharged with and without subcutaneous active closed-suction drains (2014-2022).

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate complications reported in dogs and cats with a closed suction subcutaneous drain that were either managed completely in hospital (Group ND) or discharged home for ongoing outpatient care (Group D). ANIMALS: 101 client-owned animals involving 94 dogs and 7 cats with a subcutaneous closed suction drain placed during a surgical procedure. PROCEDURES: Electronic medical records (January 2014 to December 2022) were reviewed. Signalment, reason for drain placement, surgical procedure, location and duration of drain placement, drain discharge status, antimicrobial usage, culture and sensitivity results, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Associations among variables were evaluated. RESULTS: There were 77 animals in Group D and 24 animals in Group ND. Majority (n = 21/26) of complications were classified as minor and were all from Group D. Length of hospitalization in Group D (1 day) was significantly shorter than Group ND (3.25 days). Duration of drain placement was significantly longer in Group D (5.6 days) than Group ND (3.1 days). There were no associations between drain location, drain duration, or surgical site contamination with risk of complications. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There is a higher risk of complications associated with discharging an animal from hospital (37%) with a subcutaneous closed suction drain than removing it prior to discharge (4%). These complications, however, were primarily minor and easily managed. Discharging an otherwise stable animal to home with a subcutaneous closed suction drain may be feasible to decrease duration of hospitalization, cost to the owner, and stress for the animal.

Quantification of circulating tumour cells over time in dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma.

Enumeration of circulating tumour cells (CTC) has shown promise for prognostication and guidance of therapeutic decisions in human cancers. The objective of this study was to enumerate CTC over time in dogs with naturally occurring osteosarcoma (OSA), and to determine correlation with patient outcome. Twenty-six dogs with OSA and no evidence of metastatic disease at the time of amputation were enrolled. Dogs were assessed for lung metastases and CTC prior to and following amputation, and at each chemotherapy visit. Twenty-one dogs completed the study. Nineteen dogs were euthanized and two were alive and free of metastases. Overall survival time ranged from 88 to 1058 days (median survival time (MST) 374 days). Increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity, advanced age, and higher body weight were significantly associated with lower MST. Dogs with OSA had a mean of 356 (0 to 4443) CTC/106 leukocytes. In 12 of 15 dogs that developed radiographic evidence of metastasis, a pre-metastatic CTC spike was retrospectively detectable on average 36.5 (1-100 days) days prior to metastasis and was associated with significantly shorter MST (301 ± 64 vs. 626 ± 55 days; p = .0107). In a multivariable analysis, dogs with a CTC spike were 10× more likely to die compared with those without. These results suggest that a spike in CTC frequency precedes detection of metastasis in dogs with OSA and is associated with shorter survival. More frequent enumeration of CTC in a larger cohort of dogs with OSA may be warranted.

Single incision laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy for an ovarian tumor in a dog.

This report describes a single-incision, laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy in a 6-year-old, intact female Keeshond dog for the staging and treatment of a left-sided ovarian tumor. Abdominal access was obtained using a modified-Hasson technique allowing for placement of a multi-channel, single incision laparoscopic surgery port. Following carbon dioxide insufflation, superficial laparoscopic exploration of the abdominal cavity was performed and then both ovarian pedicles were sealed and divided using a vessel-sealing device. Laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy was performed with the aid of a wound retractor for exteriorization of the mass. There were no perioperative complications and the patient was discharged 1 day after surgery. Histopathology of the mass revealed an ovarian teratoma. Telephone follow-up 608 days after surgery revealed a good clinical outcome. Single-incision, laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy is technically feasible for the treatment of selected ovarian tumors in the dog.

Ovariohystérectomie à incision unique assistée par laparascopie pour une tumeur ovarienne chez une chienne. Ce rapport décrit une ovariohystérectomie à incision unique assistée par laparascopie chez une chienne Keeshond intacte âgée de 6 ans pour l'évaluation et le traitement d'une tumeur ovarienne du côté gauche. L'accès abdominal a été obtenu en utilisant une technique modifiée de Hasson pour le placement d'un accès chirurgical laparascopique à incision unique. Après l'insufflation de gaz carbonique, l'exploration laparascopique superficielle de la cavité abdominale a été réalisée et ensuite les deux pédicules ovariens ont été scellés et divisés à l'aide d'un dispositif de scellement des vaisseaux. L'ovariohystérectomie assistée par laparascopie a été réalisée à l'aide d'un rétracteur de plaie pour l'extériorisation de la masse. Il n'y a eu aucune complication péri-opératoire et la patiente a reçu son congé 1 jour après la chirurgie. L'histopathologie de la masse a révélé un tératome ovarien. Un suivi par téléphone 608 jours après la chirurgie a révélé un bon résultat clinique. L'ovariohystérectomie laparascopique à incision unique est techniquement réalisable pour le traitement de certaines tumeurs ovariennes chez les chiennes.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).