Bronchoscopic findings in dogs with bronchial vegetal foreign bodies: 84 cases (2010-2020).

OBJECTIVES: To describe endoscopic findings, foreign body location, success rate of removal and complications in dogs with bronchial vegetal foreign bodies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current study retrospectively evaluated the case records of dogs diagnosed with bronchial vegetal foreign bodies at a veterinary hospital centre between January 2010 and April 2020. Information retrieved included breed, sex, age, bodyweight, the season of presentation, presentation and duration of clinical signs, previous removal attempts performed by the referring veterinarian, foreign body location and endoscopic and imaging findings. RESULTS: Eighty-four cases were included. Fifty-nine dogs (70%) presented during spring and summer. Cough (77 of 84; 92%) and fever (15 of 84; 18%) were the main clinical signs. One to 10 bronchial vegetal foreign bodies were removed from each dog. Purulent exudate was observed in the ventral larynx, trachea and bronchi in 49 (65%), 61 (81%) and 71 (95%) dogs, respectively. In most cases, only the barbules of the vegetal foreign bodies were initially observed during endoscopy. The presence of large bronchial nodules or an irregular mucosal surface was a frequent finding (62 of 75; 83%). Mild bleeding was the main complication (58 of 75; 77%) of endoscopic removal, which was successful in 67 of the 84 (80%) cases. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Mucosal nodules associated with purulent material within the airways are frequent endoscopic findings in dogs with bronchial vegetal foreign bodies. Bronchoscopy is a relatively safe and useful technique for diagnosis and treatment of bronchial vegetal foreign bodies in dogs.

Transmural migration of a subcutaneous ureteral bypass into the intestine in three cats.

Subcutaneous ureteral bypass™ is a device placed in cats with ureteral obstruction. The most common complications include system occlusion, urinary tract infection and sterile cystitis. In this case series, we describe three cats with subcutaneous ureteral bypass devices placed where transmural migration of subcutaneous ureteral bypass catheters into the small intestine resulted in gastrointestinal signs, urinary infection and subcutaneous ureteral bypass occlusion. The system was changed in one case and removed in the other two. In all cases, an intestinal resection and anastomosis was performed. All cats had a good medium-term outcome, and urinary infection persisted in the case for which the subcutaneous ureteral bypass system was changed. Transmural migration of the device should be ​considered in cats with subcutaneous ureteral bypass presenting with persistent urinary tract infection, gastrointestinal signs or device obstruction, even if imaging studies such as ultrasound or contrast studies do not demonstrate any abnormalities.