A retrospective Italian Society of Veterinary Oncology (SIONCOV) study of 56 cats with appendicular osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant primary bone cancer, but it is infrequently reported in cats. Feline appendicular osteosarcoma typically exhibits good prognosis when treated with surgery alone. A retrospective multi-institutional study was conducted to identify possible prognostic factors. Cats diagnosed with appendicular osteosarcoma were included if initial staging and follow-up information were available. Data including signalment, tumour characteristics, treatment modalities, and survival outcomes were collected and analysed. Fifty-six cats were included; the femur was the most frequently affected bone. Eight cats had distant metastasis at admission and an additional 9 developed metastatic disease during follow-up, resulting in an overall metastatic rate of 30%. Forty-nine (87.5%) cats underwent surgery, and 4 also received adjuvant chemotherapy. Among operated cats, median time to local progression (TTLP), time to distant progression and tumour-specific survival (TSS) were not reached. One- and 2-year survival rates were 66% and 55%, respectively. Seven (12.5%) cats received no treatment; 1- and 2-year survival rates were 25% and 0%, respectively. Operated cats had significantly longer TTLP (P < .001) and TSS (P = .001) compared with non-operated cats. Among operated cats, young age negatively impacted local tumour progression, while the presence of distant metastasis at diagnosis was associated with a higher risk of tumour-related death. This study reaffirms the good prognosis for cats with appendicular osteosarcoma undergoing surgery, but sheds light on some additional factors to consider. Accurate initial staging is recommended, as the metastatic rate may exceed many previous estimations. Surgery substantially extends survival time, whereas the role of chemotherapy remains uncertain.

Comparison of immediate and short-term outcomes of cricoarytenoid and thyroarytenoid lateralization in dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the immediate and short-term outcomes of thyroarytenoid lateralization (TAL) and cricoarytenoid lateralization (CAL) for the treatment of canine laryngeal paralysis in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, clinical trial. ANIMALS: Fourteen client-owned dogs referred to our hospital because of bilateral laryngeal paralysis. METHODS: Dogs with confirmed laryngeal paralysis were randomly assigned to the CAL or TAL group. Video images of the rima glottidis obtained preoperatively, immediately postoperatively (t0), and 15 days postoperatively (t1) were digitized. The rima glottidis area was measured using image-analysis software. An increase in the rima glottidis area was expressed as a percentage of the preoperative area. RESULTS: The rima glottidis area increased by a mean of 152% at t0 and 127% at t1 for the TAL group and 205% at t0 and 199% at t1 for the CAL group compared with preoperative values. The increase in the rima glottidis area differed (P < .05) between the 2 groups at all postoperative time points. A reduction of the area occurred at t1 in both groups. There was no difference between t0 and t1 (P > .05) in the CAL group but there was a large difference (P < .05) in the TAL group. CONCLUSION: Cricoarytenoid lateralization and TAL were both effective for surgical abduction of the arytenoid cartilage. Although a reduction (P < .05) in the rima glottidis area occurred in the TAL group at t1, we observed no associated clinical signs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Cricoarytenoid lateralization and TAL result in good short-term outcomes in dogs with laryngeal paralysis.

Postoperative Complications of Double Pelvic Osteotomy Using Specific Plates in 305 Dogs.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this clinical retrospective study was to describe the postoperative complications and associated factors of double pelvic osteotomy (DPO) using DPO plates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records were searched for dogs that underwent unilateral or bilateral DPO using DPO plates from February 2009 to October 2018 and were re-evaluated for a minimum of 1 to 2 months postoperatively. A variety of commercially available, specific DPO plates were used. Complications were determined during the immediate postoperative period and at the time of the clinical and radiographic re-evaluations done 1 and/or 2 months postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 458 DPO (226 right, 232 left) performed in 305 dogs satisfied the inclusion criteria. Double pelvic osteotomy plates from eight different manufacturers were used: Fixin (n = 160), Kyon (n = 154), New Generation Device (n = 63), Hofmann (n = 61), Veterinary Instrumentation (n = 12), DePuy Synthes (n = 4), Porte (n = 3) and Koenigsee (n = 1). Mean age of the dogs was 6.2 months (range: 5-8 months), and the body weight ranged from 10 to 47 kg. Overall, a total of 42 complications occurred in 38 DPO (8.2%). Complications included greenstick fracture of the ischium in 14 DPO (3%), isolated screw loosening in 13 DPO involving 16 of a total of 2,947 screws (0.5%), isolated screw breakage in 4 DPO involving 5 of 2,947 screws (0.1%), incomplete ilium fracture in 3 DPO (0.6%), partial caudal plate avulsion in 3 DPO (0.6%), iatrogenic sciatic neuropraxia in two DPO (0.4%), suspected surgical site infection (SSI) in 1 DPO (0.2%) and persistent pain and lameness caused by the implant in 2 DPO (0.4%). The case of suspected SSI and the two cases of persistent pain were classified as major complications (3 DPO, 0.6%), requiring medical and surgical intervention, respectively, whereas other 39 complications in 35 DPO were classified as minor, not requiring treatment (7.6%). CONCLUSION: Double pelvic osteotomy using DPO plates appears to be a safe surgical option for the treatment of hip dysplasia in growing dogs; no catastrophic complications were reported and the incidence of complications (0.6% major complications and 7.6% minor complications) was low. This study showed that DPO using DPO plates and proper technique was safe in 92% of cases. The only two factors found to be significantly associated with the development of complications after DPO were the laterality (left-sided or right-sided) and body weight.

Quality of life assessment in cancer patients receiving single-agent versus multidrug chemotherapy protocols.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QoL) is an essential factor in therapeutic decision-making for human patients and is commonly used as an endpoint in clinical trials of cancer treatments. AIM: To compare owners' perception of QoL in canine and feline patients affected by different tumor histotypes treated with single-agent or multidrug protocols. METHODS: Owners were asked to assess the impact on QoL of their pets undergoing chemotherapy treatment by answering a questionnaire and assigning a score to different health-related parameters reported to affect QoL. RESULTS: Questionnaires of 101 patients (85 dogs and 16 cats), collected at different time points, were analyzed. Fifty-seven patients were given single-agent chemotherapy (carboplatin, doxorubicin, lomustine, melphalan, mitoxantrone, vinblastine, and vinorelbine), whereas 44 were given multiple-agent treatment. When diverse factors including chemotherapy treatment type (single-agent vs. multidrug regimens) and the onset and kind of adverse effects were considered, no significant variations in owners' perceptions of their pets' QoL were discovered. CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy type (single-agent vs. multidrug protocol) and related adverse events are shown, which did not influence owners' perception of their pet's QoL.Future prospective studies should look into clinical characteristics that might affect QoL, such as the patient's age, tumor stage, and protocol purpose (curative vs. palliative).

Lip-to-nose flap for reconstruction of the nasal planum after curative intent excision of squamous cell carcinoma in cats: Description of technique and outcome in seven cases.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the surgical technique for nasal planum reconstruction with a lip-to-nose flap after curative intent surgical excision of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in cats and to report the surgical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Short case series. ANIMALS: Seven cats with SCC of the lateral (n = 6) or dorsal (n = 1) aspect of the nasal planum. METHODS: After tumor excision, a mucocutaneous lip-to-nose flap was harvested from the upper lip and transposed to reconstruct the nasal planum. Variables recorded included surgical time, surgical complications, healing complications, flap success rate, and cosmetic and long-term functional outcomes. RESULTS: Median surgical time was 67.5 minutes (range 49-80), and no intraoperative complications occurred. Postoperatively, six cats developed self-limiting edema of the muzzle, and one cat had nasal discharge for 2 days. No major complications occurred during the healing process, and all cats went on to achieve successful healing of their flap. A small area of partial-thickness necrosis developed at the cranial edge of the flap in three cats and healed spontaneously in all cases within a few days. According to owner satisfaction and periodic clinical assessment, cosmetic and long-term functional of outcomes were considered good in all cats. CONCLUSION: The lip-to-nose flap allowed for aesthetic and functional reconstruction of the nasal planum after curative intent surgical excision of feline SCC. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The lip-to-nose flap is an option for a single-stage reconstruction of the nasal planum following partial nasal planectomy in cats.

Shoulder Lameness in Dogs: Preliminary Investigation on Ultrasonography, Signalment and Hemato-Biochemical Findings Correlation.

Forelimb lameness in medium and large breed dogs is frequently caused by traumatic or degenerative injuries of the shoulder. Patient history, physical examination, x-rays, blood, and chemical work are routinely used to achieve diagnosis, and may be associated with ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging. Ultrasonography is increasingly popular in small animal practice due to its low cost, ease of repetition, and the fact that it is non-invasive and can be performed in conscious patients. It is also widely accepted that muscular stress or injuries can induce detectable variations in blood and chemical work. The aim of this preliminary study is to search for correlation between measurements of selected hematobiochemical parameters and ultrasound diagnosis in dogs affected by shoulder injuries. A retrospective study was conducted on orthopedic clinical records of dogs presented to our Veterinary Teaching Hospital for lameness caused by shoulder problems over a period of 5 years. Dogs with both hematobiochemical and ultrasound examinations were selected. Patients were classified into 5 groups according to ultrasound diagnosis: (1) mild/moderate tendinopathy, (2) severe tendinopathy, (3) articular damage, (4) chronic myopathy, and (5) neoplastic injury. Statistical analysis was performed to detect possible correlations between group and hematobiochemical parameters. Forty-four dogs met the inclusion criteria and forty-nine shoulders were diagnosed as injured. Significant differences were found between the age, sex, body weight, neutrophil count, and AST levels. In particular, statistically significant increases were found for neutrophil count and AST concentration in case of ultrasonographically diagnosed severe tendinopathy, articular damage, and neoplastic pathology. Further and wider studies are suggested to determine whether these biomarkers can become a useful diagnostic aid.

Aloe barbadensis miller versus silver sulfadiazine creams for wound healing by secondary intention in dogs and cats: A randomized controlled study.

The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the topical application of Aloe barbadensis Miller (juice and fresh gel) to skin wounds, in dogs and cats, with that of topically applied silver sulfadiazine cream. The sample included 16 patients with cutaneous wounds (13 dogs and three cats) that were divided into three groups. Aloe vera "juice" and "fresh gel" were applied for groups I and II, respectively, while silver sulfadiazine was applied for the control group III. In order to evaluate the healing of wounds, the following parameters were taken into consideration: the percentage of wound shrinkage, the healing time and the macroscopic appearance of the scarring process. The interpretation of the data relating to the percentage of wound shrinkage showed a faster rate for groups I and II compared to that of group III. However, the wound shrinkage rates between "juice" and "fresh gel" protocols were not significantly different. Aloe vera was more effective than silver sulfadiazine, in accelerating wound shrinkage, reducing healing time and decreasing the severity of the associated injuries.