Comparison of laparoscopic-assisted technique and open laparotomy for gastrointestinal biopsy in cats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the complications, postoperative pain, surgical time, hospitalization time, and adequacy of biopsy specimens between laparoscopic assisted (LAP) versus open laparotomy (OPEN) gastrointestinal biopsies in cats. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized clinical study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Twenty-eight cats with clinical and ultrasonographic evidence of gastrointestinal disease. Fifteen cats in the LAP group and 13 in the OPEN group. METHODS: Signalment, presenting clinical signs, total duration of surgery, operative time, ease of procedure, incision length, postoperative pain scores, complications, and duration of hospitalization were recorded. Quality of gastrointestinal biopsies was compared between techniques. RESULTS: There was no difference in frequency of intraoperative complications (P = .778), surgical duration (P = .333), postoperative complications (P = .722), or duration of hospitalization (P = .728). Pain scores assigned before (P = .198) or 1 hour after surgery (P = .073) did not differ between groups; however, pain scores were lower at 6 hours (P = .003), 12 hours (P = .001), and 24 hours (P = .005) postoperatively in the LAP group. All cases survived surgery, with one case requiring conversion, and diagnostic biopsies were obtained in all cases. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic-assisted gastrointestinal biopsy technique provided diagnostic specimens and decreased postoperative pain compared to open surgical techniques. No difference was detected in surgical duration, complications, or duration of hospitalization.

Use of a percutaneously controlled urethral hydraulic occluder for treatment of refractory urinary incontinence in 18 female dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a percutaneously controlled urethral hydraulic occluder (HO) device for the treatment of refractory urinary incontinence (RUI) in female dogs with various urogenital anomalies. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: Female dogs with RUI (n = 18). METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of dogs after a silicone ring (HO) was surgically placed around the proximal urethra. The ring was connected to a subcutaneous injection port with actuating tubing. Residual incontinence was treated with percutaneous infusion of sterile saline into the device to provide extraluminal urethral compression. Dogs were assessed for continence (owner-assessed 10-point continence scale) and complications at standard time points. RESULTS: All 18 dogs had significantly improved continence scores (P < .001) after HO placement (median and mean score pre-HO = 2.8 and 3.3; post-HO = 10 and 8.9, respectively) with a median follow-up time of 32 months. "Functional" continence (score ≥ 9) was achieved in 67% of dogs after HO placement, though only 13/18 clients were compliant with inflations. Of dogs belonging to compliant owners, 12 (92%) had a functional continence score. Six dogs (33%) did not require inflation to achieve continence. Urethral obstruction occurred as a complication in 3 dogs. CONCLUSIONS: Use of an HO device was an effective long-term treatment for RUI when traditional options failed. The technique was associated with some complications, and these risks should be considered before use.

Mesenteric vascular thrombosis associated with disseminated abdominal visceral hemangiosarcoma in a cat.

An adult castrated male cat was evaluated because of a 4 day history of lethargy and partial anorexia. Physical examination revealed abdominal pain with a palpable fluid wave. Cytologic and biochemical analyses of peritoneal effusion were suggestive of septic peritonitis. On surgical exploration of the abdomen, the mesenteric vessels had no palpable pulses and they contained gross thromboses. The intestines were white with no visible peristalsis. Necropsy findings included disseminated, poorly differentiated hemangiosarcoma throughout the abdomen. Mesenteric arterioles contained fibrin thrombi. To the author's knowledge, no previous reports exist of complete mesenteric vascular thrombosis associated with disseminated abdominal visceral hemangiosarcoma in a cat.