Antioxidant 1 copper chaperone gene expression and copper levels in dog osteosarcoma patients.

Twenty-four dogs with OS underwent limb amputation. Serum, OS tumour, and normal bone were harvested at time of surgery. RNA was extracted and gene expression was performed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Tissue and blood copper concentrations were also determined with spectrophotometry. Compared to bone, tumour samples had significantly higher expressions of antioxidant 1 copper chaperone (ATOX1, p = .0003). OS tumour copper levels were significantly higher than that of serum (p < .010) and bone (p = .038). Similar to our previous observations in mouse and human OS, dog OS demonstrates overexpression of genes that regulate copper metabolism (ATOX1), and subsequent copper levels. Dogs with OS may provide a robust comparative oncology platform for the further study of these factors, as well as potential pharmacologic interventions.

Outcomes of dogs with recurrent idiopathic pericardial effusion treated with a 3-port right-sided thoracoscopic subtotal pericardiectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a 3-port right-sided thoracoscopic subtotal pericardiectomy (TSP) to treat dogs with recurrent idiopathic pericardial effusion (RIPE) and report their long-term survival. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: Sixteen client-owned dogs. METHODS: Medical records were searched for dogs with idiopathic pericardial effusion that recurred after 1 or more pericardiocenteses and treated with a 3-port right-sided technique (1 subxiphoid camera port and 2 instrument ports on the right side of the dog). Follow-up consisted of direct examination or communication with referring veterinarians or owners. RESULTS: Thoracoscopic subtotal pericardiectomy was successfully completed in all dogs, with no surgical complications. The median duration of postoperative follow-up was 191.5 days (range, 5-1345). The median survival time (MST) after surgery was 365 days (range, 5-1345); MST of dogs with a histopathological diagnosis of neoplasia (n = 4) was 76 days, whereas dogs with no evidence of neoplasia had an MST of 367 days (n = 12, P = .14). Recurrent pleural effusion was the ultimate cause of death or reason for euthanasia in 8 of 16 dogs. CONCLUSION: The technique described here resulted in similar surgical times and outcomes for dogs undergoing TSP for RIPE compared with previous studies. Neoplasia was identified in 4 of 16 dogs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Thoracoscopic subtotal pericardiectomy can be readily performed with only 2 instrument ports, both on the same side of the dog, and without 1-lung ventilation. Recurrent pleural effusion led to the death of half of the dogs in this series.

Outcome of Tibial Closing Wedge Osteotomy in 55 Cranial Cruciate Ligament-Deficient Stifles of Small Dogs (<15 kg).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcome of cranial closing wedge osteotomy (CWO) of the tibia for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient stifles in dogs with a body weight of <15 kg. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: Forty-five client-owned dogs (n=55 stifles). METHODS: Medical records (2005-2014), radiographs, and owner questionnaire were used to identify the surgical procedure performed, associated complications and outcome in 45 dogs undergoing CWO in 55 stifles. RESULTS: Data for 55 stifles from 45 dogs were included. Bichon Frise was the most frequent dog breed (n=11). Mean pre- and postoperative tibial plateau angle (TPA) were 36.3° (95% CI 35.1-37.5) and 7.5° (95% CI 6.7-8.2), respectively. Pin and tension bands were placed in 38/55 stifles (69%). The most frequent complication at short-term follow-up (2 weeks) was incisional complications in 8 stifles; all resolved with systemic antibiotic administration alone. Data were available for all stifles at 8 week follow-up with an overall complication occurrence in 16/55 stifles (28%); 1 dog required revision surgery. Tibial osteotomy healing was evident on radiographs at 8 weeks postoperative in 53 stifles (96%), considered complete in 27 stifles, and good in 26 stifles. Follow-up owner questionnaire was available for 36 dogs at a mean of 24 months and 34/36 owners (94%) were satisfied with the procedure and considered their dog had a good quality of life with minimal long-term complications. CONCLUSION: Dogs with a body weight <15 kg undergoing CWO for treatment of a CrCL-deficient stifle had a good outcome based on clinical status, radiographic evaluation, and owner questionnaire.

Factors Optimizing the Use of Subcutaneous Vascular Access Ports in Weaned Pigs.

Young, recently weaned pigs were implanted with subcutaneous vascular access ports in experiments designed to determine the relative bioavailability of lead from contaminated soils. In nine experiments, a total of 72 subcutaneous vascular access ports were implanted. Complications were observed in 38.9% of the implanted pigs. Changes in the protocol were implemented in an effort to reduce the rate of complications. The majority of complications were septic processes, including localized infections around the site of the catheter and injection port, hematogenous pulmonary abscessation, endocarditis, and septic arthritis. Staphylococcus aureus, S. hyicus, b-hemolytic Streptococcus species, and Actinomyces pyogenes were cultured from septic processes in these pigs. Our findings suggest that the health of the skin at the time of surgery, the experience of the surgeon, and the immunologic status of the animal influence the risk of septic complications in pigs implanted with subcutaneous vascular access ports.