Aspiration pneumonia in the Irish wolfhound: a possible breed predisposition.

BACKGROUND: Anecdotal reports suggest a recent high prevalence of aspiration pneumonia in Irish wolfhounds, prompting further investigation into the incidence of the disease in this breed. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the possibility that Irish wolfhounds have an increased incidence of aspiration pneumonia, and to consider possible predisposing causes in this breed. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records from the Small Animal Specialist Hospital, Sydney, from January 2008 to December 2012 inclusive to determine the total hospital incidence and individual breed incidences of aspiration pneumonia. RESULTS: The total hospital incidence of aspiration pneumonia was 0 · 5%. The Irish wolfhound had the highest breed incidence, with 9 of 25 dogs (36%) diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. Four of the Irish wolfhounds had a predisposing cause identified; one having a choking episode, one having gastric bloat, while two were diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis after it was specifically investigated because of clinical suspicion. Five had no underlying cause of their aspiration pneumonia determined. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: On the basis of the hospital population studied, the Irish wolfhound has a high incidence of aspiration pneumonia. Further investigation into the possible predisposing cause(s) in this breed is warranted.

Metaphyseal osteopathy in three Australian Kelpie siblings.

CASE REPORT: Metaphyseal osteopathy (MO) was diagnosed in three Australian Kelpie puppies that were presented for veterinary assessment of lameness. The three puppies were siblings. Each was from a different litter by the same breeding pair. The puppy in case one was seen by the authors, and the puppies in cases two and three were patients at other veterinary hospitals. However, the medical records and radiographs were examined and reviewed for this report. Radiographic investigation of the lameness revealed pathognomonic appearance of MO affecting the metaphyseal region of the long bones in all three puppies. The diagnosis was confirmed on histopathology in one patient. CONCLUSION: MO is considered a disease of large and giant-breed dogs, being rarely reported in non-large-breed dogs, and has not been reported in the Australian Kelpie, which is considered a medium-breed dog. This case series suggests a previously unreported breed predisposition to MO in the Australian Kelpie.

Influence of needle gauge used for venipuncture on automated platelet count and coagulation profile in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if differing gauge (G) needles used for venipuncture altered the automated platelet count and coagulation profile (prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)) in clinically healthy dogs. DESIGN: Prospective, observational, randomised, clinical study. METHODS: We enrolled 20 clinically healthy dogs. Blood was collected via direct venipuncture of the jugular veins with 21G, 23G and 25G needles in a random order. Automated haematology and automated coagulation times were performed on the blood samples. Values were analysed for differences among the needle gauges and also the order of sample collection. RESULTS: No difference was found in the automated platelet count or automated coagulation times for the three needle gauges used or the order in which the samples were collected. CONCLUSION: Venipuncture can be performed with a 21G, 23G or 25G needle to obtain blood from dogs for automated platelet count and PT/aPTT measurement without affecting the results.

Vaginal discharge in a spayed dog with multiple distinct malignancies.

BACKGROUND: An 11-year-old female spayed Labrador Retriever was presented with clinical signs of oestrus and vaginal bleeding. Historically, the dog had not cycled and had been spayed at less than 6 months of age. RESULTS: Extensive investigation culminated in the diagnosis of an ovarian granulosa cell tumour. The patient had a history of localised grade III mast cell tumour 5 years prior and hepatic haemangiosarcoma 8 months prior to diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Both conditions were successfully treated with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy and there was no evidence of metastasis or recurrence at the time of evaluation for signs of oestrus.

Resolution of life-threatening dysphagia caused by caudal occipital malformation syndrome following foramen magnum decompressive surgery.

A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was presented with acute onset, life-threatening dysphagia suspected to be secondary to medulla oblongata compression caused by caudal occipital malformation syndrome. The patient required urgent tracheostomy tube placement to remain stable and was subsequently cured of the presenting neurological deficits by foramen magnum decompressive surgery. Neurogenic dysphagia is a relatively common presenting sign in human Chiari malformation syndromes, but has not been described as a major clinical sign in veterinary patients. Caudal occipital malformation syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis list for susceptible breeds presenting with dysphagia. Early recognition favours expeditious surgical intervention and a positive outcome in human patients, and this may also be the case in veterinary patients.

Omentalisation of a caudal mediastinal abscess in a dog.

A caudal mediastinal abscess was diagnosed in a 2-year-old German Short-haired Pointer with acute onset of lethargy, pyrexia and tachypnoea. The abscess was managed surgically by median sternotomy, abscess content evacuation and omentalisation of the abscess cavity via the diaphragm. Although surgical management of mediastinal abscesses has been reported previously, this is the first report to describe successful management of the condition in a dog by omentalisation.

Medical management of missed abortion: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the efficacy of vaginal misoprostol for medical management of missed abortion. METHODS: Fifty women with missed abortion were randomized to treatment with up to two 800 microg [DOSAGE ERROR CORRECTED] doses of misoprostol vaginally or a placebo. Participants were reviewed daily for 2 days, then again at 1 week. A blood sample for hemoglobin and serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta hCG) was obtained on day 1 and the hemoglobin level checked again on day 7. Complete abortion was defined as expulsion of the products of conception without dilation and curettage (D&C) and a negative follow-up urine beta hCG test after 4 weeks, or as no products of conception obtained at D&C in cases of suspected incomplete abortion. RESULTS: The rate of complete abortion was 80% (20 of 25) in the misoprostol group and 16% (four of 25) in the placebo group, relative risk 0.20 (0.08, 0.50), P <.001. The rate of D&C was 28% (seven of 25) in the misoprostol group and 84% (21 of 25) in the placebo group, relative risk 0.33 (0.17, 0.64), P <.001. One participant in the misoprostol group had an emergency D&C for heavy bleeding. No participants required blood transfusion. The mean reduction in hemoglobin from day 1 to day 7 was 3.2 g/L in the misoprostol group versus 4.3 g/L in the placebo group, P = .72. Patient satisfaction with misoprostol treatment was high with 19 of 21 participants reporting they would try medical management again if they experienced another missed abortion. CONCLUSION: Medical management of missed abortion is effective, reduces the need for D&C, and is associated with high levels of patient satisfaction.

Incidence of uterine rupture among women with müllerian duct anomalies who attempt vaginal birth after cesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the incidences of uterine rupture among women with and without müllerian duct anomalies who were attempting vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. STUDY DESIGN: There were 1813 attempts at vaginal birth after cesarean delivery between 1992 and 1997 at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Of the patients 25 had known müllerian duct anomalies and 1788 did not. The records of these 1813 women were reviewed with respect to uterine rupture, other complications, mode of delivery, and characteristics of the trial of labor. Comparisons were made with the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: The rates of uterine rupture were 8% (2/25) in the group with müllerian duct anomalies and 0.61% (11/1788) in the group without müllerian duct anomalies (P =.013). The cesarean delivery rates were 20% (5/25) and 25.1% (448/1788), respectively. All cesarean deliveries among women with müllerian duct anomalies were performed urgently in response to severe fetal heart rate abnormalities. The rates of fetal heart rate abnormalities necessitating immediate delivery (60% vs 14.1%, P =.013), operative vaginal delivery (40% vs 19.6%, P =.02), and cord prolapse (8% vs 0.45%, P =.0076) were significantly greater in the group with müllerian duct anomalies. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal delivery is common among women with müllerian duct anomalies who attempt vaginal birth after cesarean delivery, but the rates of uterine rupture and other complications are high.