Evaluation of improved transvenous heartworm extraction brush in dogs with caval syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Heartworm infection in dogs is caused by Dirofilaria immitis and common in shelter animals and outdoors dogs. Caval syndrome can develop with severe infection and physical heartworm removal is essential with heartworm burdens. In this study, we used an improved transvenous heartworm extraction brush, which was expected to cause less cardiovascular damage and allow easier manipulation. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate efficacy of this improved transvenous heartworm extraction brush. METHODS: The brush was designed to improve upon the limitations of the previous brush-type devices. The brush was made of a polyvinyl chloride tube and threads of polyamides or polyglyconates. Metal material was inserted at the front tip for easy visualization under fluoroscopy. The eight dogs diagnosed with caval syndrome with large numbers of heartworms and pulmonary hypertension were used in this study. The removal procedure began with the dissection of the subcutaneous tissue around the right jugular vein. The device was inserted through the jugular vein. After insertion, the tube was rotated to catch the heartworms and extracted with the heartworms hanging on the threads. The procedure was repeated several times. Lastly, jugular vein and skin sutures were made. Adulticidal therapy was administered after heartworm removal. RESULTS: The mean number of removed heartworms was 10.5 ± 4.24 and mean number of remaining heartworms was 0.63 ± 1.06. Total procedure time was 72.63 ± 51.36. Except for three cases, heartworms were not detected on ultrasonography after the procedure. No procedure-related side effects were observed within the 1- to 2-mon. CONCLUSIONS: An improved transvenous heartworm extraction brush is efficient for heartworm removal in dogs with caval syndrome.

Ectopic insulinoma in a dog with insulin-induced hypoglycemia: a case report.

A 7-year-old spayed female Shih Tzu dog was presented for evaluation of recurrent hypoglycemia. Serum insulin levels during hypoglycemia were 35.3 µIU/mL. Ultrasonography and computed tomography showed a mesenteric nodule between the kidney and the portal vein, but no pancreatic mass was observed. During surgery, the nodule had neither anatomical adhesions nor vascular connections to the pancreas. Pancreatic inspection and palpation revealed no abnormalities. Hypoglycemia improved after resection of the nodule. Histopathological examination confirmed the nodule to be an islet cell carcinoma. Although extremely rare, ectopic insulinoma should be considered as a possible cause of insulin-induced hypoglycemia in dogs.

Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation with Ologen® Collagen Matrix for the surgical treatment of feline glaucoma.

An Ahmed valve implantation with an Ologen® Collagen Matrix (Ologen® CM, Aeon Astron, Leiden, the Netherlands) was performed for the treatment of uncontrolled glaucoma in a cat. This cat was a 5-year-old castrated Russian Blue male with a 12-week history of conjunctival hyperemia and mydriasis of the left eye. During the ophthalmic examination, the intraocular pressure (IOP) oculus sinister (OS) was 52 mmHg, and a narrow iridocorneal angle (ICA) was detected by gonioscopy. Medical treatment with Cosopt® (2% dorzolamide and 0.5% timolol) failed to decrease the IOP. The left eye still had vision, and an Ahmed valve implantation was performed. During the gonioimplantation, Ologen® CM was used to inhibit scar formation around the valve. Following the operation, the IOP was stable at an approximate average of 15 mmHg during the 7-month follow-up period, and vision in the left eye was retained without medication. An adequate subconjunctival filtering bleb was formed after 140 days. This is the first case report in which an Ahmed valve gonioimplant with an Ologen® CM has been used for the surgical treatment of glaucoma in a cat.

Acute blindness in a dog with Acinetobacter-associated postencephalitic hydrocephalus.

A 10-month-old male Welsh Corgi with a history of acute blindness underwent neuro-ophthalmological testing and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Vision testing revealed complete visual deficits but the electroretinograph and pupillary light reflex were normal in both eyes. The motor and sensory functions of the eyelids and eyes were also normal. The MRI revealed compression of the optic chiasm caused by severe ventriculomegaly in the lateral and third ventricles. Such lesions are associated with inflammatory stenotic lesions in the mesencephalic aqueduct. Moderate neutrophilic pleocytosis was observed during cerebrospinal fluid analysis and Acinetobacter lwoffii was isolated, leading to a diagnosis of Acinetobacter-positive obstructive hydrocephalus. This is the first reported case of culture-proven Acinetobacter-associated postencephalitic hydrocephalus with acute blindness in a dog.

Sterile Pyometra in Two Dogs.

Two young dogs were referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Konkuk University, one for examination of vaginal discharge and the other after being hit by a car. Dog 1 exhibited a high neutrophil count on Gram-stained vaginal smears, marked leukocytosis on a complete blood count, and uterine enlargement on ultrasonography. In dog 2, a markedly enlarged right uterine horn containing echogenic debris was found incidentally on ultrasonography. A tentative diagnosis of pyometra was made in both cases and ovariohysterectomy was performed. Purulent material was collected from each uterine horn and submitted separately for aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culture; all culture results were negative. The white blood cell count revealed normal limits 2 days post operation in dog 1 and 4 days post operation in dog 2. Positive bacterial cultures are usually obtained from dogs with pyometra, and antibiotic selection is based on the results of culture and sensitivity testing in the event of failure of empiric antibiotic therapy. However, in the cases reported here, no bacterial growth was identified from the uterine samples despite the presence of purulent material. A short course of empiric antibiotic therapy was administered. This is the first known report describing sterile pyometra in dogs.