Radiation therapy for oral melanoma in dogs: A retrospective study / A utilização da radioterapia no melanoma oral de cães: Estudo retrospectivo

ABSTRACT: Our retrospective study evaluated the survival of 24 dogs with unresectable malignant melanoma treated with radiation therapy. Fifteen dogs were treated with radiation therapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT), five with surgery followed by RT and CT, three with palliative RT, and one with electrochemotherapy associated with RT. All dogs were treated with an orthovoltage Stabilipan I. The protocol used was three or four weekly fractions of 8 Gy. Carboplatin was administered every 21 days, a total of four times. Five percent of dogs were classified as having stage I melanoma, 17% as stage II, 50% as stage III, and 17% as stage IV. Sixty-four percent had a partial response to treatment, 29% achieved complete remission, and 7% remained in a stable disease state. The mean survival time was 390 days for stage I, 286 days for stage II, 159 days for stage III, and 90 days for stage IV. We concluded that radiation therapy can be considered a viable alternative for the palliative treatment of canine oral melanoma.

RESUMO: O estudo retrospectivo analisou a sobrevida de 24 cães com melanomas irressecáveis tratados com radioterapia (RT). Quinze animais foram tratados com RT e quimioterapia (QT), 5 animais com cirurgia citoredutiva seguida por RT e QT, 3 animais com RT paliativa apenas e 1 animal com RT associada a 1 sessão de eletroquimioterapia. Os animais foram tratados com um equipamento de ortovoltagem Stabilipan I, e o protocolo foi de três a quatro frações semanais de 8 Gy. A quimioterapia consistiu de carboplatina administrada a cada 21 dias em um total de 4 aplicações. Apenas um animal (4%) foi classificado em estadio I, enquanto quatro (17%) estavam no estadio II, doze (50%) estavam no estadio III e quatro (29%) estavam no estadio IV. De maneira geral, 64% dos cães apresentaram resposta parcial, 29% remissão completa e 7% doença estável. O tempo médio de sobrevida foi de 390 dias no estádio I, 286 dias no estádio II, 159 dias no estádio III e 90 dias no estádio IV. A radioterapia deve ser considerada pelo clínico veterinário como alternativa para o tratamento de melanoma oral canino.

PTH and ionized calcium evaluation in unilateral thyroidectomized cats

O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar as concentrações de cálcio ionizado e paratormônio intacto (iPTH) após a tireoidectomia com implantação da paratireoide em gatos hipertireoideos. Gatos hipertireoideos podem apresentar hipocalcemia por apresentarem distúrbio na homeostase de cálcio. A tireoidectomia pode levar a hipocalcemia pós-operatória, sendo, portanto, fundamental a mensuração dos níveis de cálcio antes da cirurgia em pacientes hipertireoideos. Dezessete gatos com hipertireoidismo com lobos cervicais palpáveis foram examinados e avaliados laboratorialmente para a cirurgia. Tireoidectomia unilateral com implantação da glândula paratireoide foi realizada. Hemograma completo, ureia, creatinina, fosfatase alcalina, alanino aminotransferase, fósforo, potássio e tiroxina total foram realizados antes e sete dias após a cirurgia. Amostras de sangue para avaliar cálcio ionizado e paratormônio intacto foram coletadas antes e nos dias 1, 2, 7, 15 e 21 após a cirurgia. Os níveis séricos de cálcio diminuíram significativamente em 24 horas após a cirurgia. Hipocalcemia subclínica ocorreu em dois gatos. As concentrações de iPTH foram uniformemente baixas ao longo do estudo e não avaliaram a função da glândula paratireoide após a tireoidectomia nesses gatos. Não houve correlação entre os níveis de cálcio e de iPTH. Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que os níveis de iPTH não indicam função da glândula paratireoide e que os níveis de cálcio devem ser avaliados antes da tireoidectomia, mesmo nos casos de tireoidectomia unilateral.

The aim of this study was to measure ionized calcium and intact parathormone concentrations after unilateral thyroidectomy with parathyroid autotransplantation in hyperthyroid cats. Hiperthyroid cats may have calcium homeostasis disorder and have decreased calcium concentration. Calcium levels decrease after thyroidectomy and their levels must be measured before thyroidectomy. Seventeen hyperthyroid cats with palpable nodules were submitted to clinical and laboratorial examination and they were prepared to surgery. Unilateral thyroidectomy with parathyroid gland autotransplantation was performed. Concentrations of serum urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, phosphorus, potassium, total thyroxine and hematologic profile were determined before and seven days after surgery. Blood samples for serum ionized calcium concentration were collected before and after surgery on days 1, 2, 7, 15, 21. Serum calcium concentration fell significantly in all cats within 24 hours after surgery. Hypocalcemia occurred in two cats without clinical signs. The iPTH concentration measurements for samples throughout the study were uniformly low, with no patterns or trends identified. There wasn't correlation between serum calcium levels and iPTH levels in any moment before and after surgery. iPTH couldn't indicate parathyroid gland function after thyroidectomy in cats. The results of this study suggest that calcium concentration of all thyroidectomized cats must be measured before surgery even if they are submitted to unilateral thyroidectomy. iPTH concentration doens't evaluate patathyroid gland function

Recurrent pulmonary edema secondary to elongated soft palate in a cat.

A 9-month-old intact female Persian cat presented with recurrent pulmonary edema secondary to an elongated soft palate. Endoscopic evaluation of the pharynx and larynx showed that the elongated soft palate was overlying the epiglottis. Partial resection of the soft palate was performed and the cat showed no further respiratory signs. This report is the first description of elongated soft palate causing airway obstruction in a brachycephalic cat.

Silicone elastomer sling for rectal prolapse in cats.

This study reports 2 cases of recurrent rectal prolapse secondary to anal abnormality in cats. In both cases the anus was wide, leading to a rectal mucosal prolapse during defecation. A silicone elastomer sling was introduced around the anus, and the rectal prolapse was definitively resolved.