Incidence of residual biologic debris and contamination of reused bipolar vessel sealing devices after ethylene oxide sterilization following splenectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to quantify the amount of biologic debris present within disposable bipolar vessel sealing devices after each use for canine splenectomies and determine the aerobic bacterial load of the debris following instrument resterilization with ethylene oxide. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational clinical study. STUDY POPULATION: Client-owned dogs (n = 40) presenting to a single specialty hospital for open, routine, or emergency splenectomies. METHODS: A total of 16 bipolar vessel sealing devices were randomly assigned to undergo one, two, three, or four splenectomies, manual hand cleanings, and ethylene oxide sterilizations before being dismantled. After final use and sterilization, each handset was agitated in phosphate-buffered saline before disassembly, which was submitted for aerobic culture. Following aseptic disassembly, all biological residue was photo-documented, collected, quantified using a subjective scoring system, and submitted for culture. RESULTS: Biologic debris was present within the inner mechanics of all devices, specifically under the blade used for vessel transection. A linear increase in debris was not appreciated amongst devices used once versus devices used multiple times. None of the devices nor any of the biologic debris cultured positive following sterilization with ethylene oxide. CONCLUSION: The presence of biologic debris was documented after the initial use of disposable bipolar vessel sealing devices, but no devices or debris yielded positive culture results following ethylene oxide sterilization after splenectomies. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Increased risk of iatrogenic surgical site contamination from reused vessel sealing devices is unlikely when they have been cleaned and sterilized with ethylene oxide after up to four splenectomy surgeries.

Effect of empirical versus definitive antimicrobial selection on postoperative complications in dogs and cats undergoing total ear canal ablation with lateral bulla osteotomy: 120 cases (2009-2019).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dogs and cats undergoing total ear canal ablation with lateral bulla osteotomy (TECA-LBO), document antimicrobial choices, and determine relationships associated with infection-related and neurologic postoperative complications. ANIMALS: 107 client-owned dogs and 13 client-owned cats that underwent TECA-LBO. PROCEDURES: A retrospective analysis of medicals records of dogs and cats with TECA-LBO from 2 veterinary hospitals with postoperative data for at least 6 months was performed. All information associated with the TECA-LBO surgery including follow-up was recorded. Logistic regression analyses were performed and corrected using a false discovery rate to identify significance between antimicrobial administration and other perioperative variables and the outcomes of short- and long-term neurologic and infection-related complications, need for revision surgery, and euthanasia due to recurrence of infection-related signs. RESULTS: Intraoperative cultures were performed in 111 animals, and 95 (85.5%) had bacterial growth, with Staphylococcus spp most commonly isolated. Revision surgeries due to infection-related signs occurred in 13 of 120 (10.8%) patients. If intraoperative bacterial cultures were positive and antimicrobials were administered within 1 month of surgery, patients were 85.8% less likely to exhibit infection-related complications, whereas patients not administered antimicrobials were 10.3 times as likely to require a revision surgery. Longer durations of postoperative antimicrobial administration were associated with revision surgery and euthanasia due to infection-related signs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Administration of systemic antimicrobials within the first postoperative month may be necessary to prevent complications when intraoperative cultures exhibit bacterial growth and plays a role in the successful outcome of TECA-LBO.

Clinical characteristics of, prognostic factors for, and long-term outcome of dogs with multiple acquired portosystemic shunts: 72 cases (2000-2018).

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical characteristics of, prognostic factors for, and long-term outcome of dogs with multiple acquired portosystemic shunts (MAPSSs) and determine whether survival time was associated with previous portosystemic shunt attenuation. ANIMALS: 72 client-owned dogs with MAPSSs. PROCEDURES: Medical records of dogs in which MAPSSs had been diagnosed between January 2000 and August 2018 were reviewed for signalment, historic and diagnostic findings, management methods, and outcome. RESULTS: Median survival time of dogs (n = 23) that died of causes related to MAPSSs was 580 days (range, 156 to 1,363 days). Factors significantly associated with dying of MAPSS-related versus unrelated causes included body weight, albumin concentration at the first and last recheck examinations, and cholesterol, total solids, and glucose concentrations at the last recheck examination. Dogs not receiving medical management or without signs of depressed mentation at the time of initial presentation were less likely to die of causes related to MAPSSs. Patient status (alive vs dead of causes related to MAPSSs vs dead of causes unrelated to MAPSSs vs dead of unknown causes) was not significantly associated with survival time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Survival time for dogs with MAPSSs was not shortened by previous portosystemic shunt attenuation surgery and was not different when death was versus was not related to MAPSSs. Dogs with MAPSSs that had progression of biochemical changes consistent with liver dysfunction were more likely to die of causes related to MAPSSs and were unlikely to live a normal lifespan.

Imaging and clinical features of a true gastrogastric intussusception in a dog.

An 18-month-old male mixed breed dog was evaluated for acute vomiting and hematemesis. Clinical signs and initial radiographic findings shared commonalities with reported cases of pylorogastric intussusception in dogs. However, unlike previously reported cases, additional imaging [including ultrasound and computed tomography (CT)] revealed invagination of the gastric fundus into the gastric body, consistent with true gastrogastric intussusception. These findings were confirmed with histopathology and on necropsy. Key clinical message: Although extremely rare, gastrogastric intussusception should be included as a differential diagnosis for any patient presenting with acute vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, or tachycardia in combination with the diagnostic imaging findings described in this report.

Caractéristiques cliniques et d'imagerie d'une intussusception gastro-gastrique vraie chez un chien. Un chien mâle de race croisée âgé de 18 mois fut évalué pour des vomissements aigus et de l'hématémèse. Les signes cliniques et les trouvailles radiographiques initiales partageaient des similarités avec des cas rapportés d'intussusception pyloro-gastrique chez des chiens. Toutefois, contrairement aux cas rapportés précédemment, des examens d'imagerie supplémentaires [incluant l'échographie et la tomodensitométrie (CT)] ont révélé une invagination du fundus gastrique dans le corps de l'estomac, compatible avec une intussusception gastro-gastrique vraie. Ces données furent confirmées lors de l'examen histopathologique et de la nécropsie.Message clinique clé :Bien qu'extrêmement rare, l'intussusception gastro-gastrique devrait être incluse dans le diagnostic différentiel pour tout patient présenté avec des vomissements aigus, de la douleur abdominale, de la déshydratation ou de la tachycardie en combinaison avec les trouvailles en imagerie diagnostique décrites dans le présent rapport.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Choledochotomy for Obstructive Choledocholithiasis in Two Dogs.

Two geriatric (> 9 years old) dogs presented for vomiting, lethargy, and anorexia. Obstructive choledocholithiasis was diagnosed based on analysis of a serum biochemical analysis and abdominal radiographs and ultrasonography. In both dogs, choledocholiths were removed from the common bile duct via a choledochotomy without a cholecystectomy, and survival without recurrence occurred in both dogs for more than 1 year.

Ovariohysterectomy and Partial Vaginectomy for Treatment of Cervicovaginitis in a Dog.

A 1-year-old sexually intact female Labrador Retriever was evaluated for malodorous vaginal discharge, lethargy, and vomiting. A diagnosis of pyometra was suspected based on signalment, clinical signs, and abdominal ultrasonography. The dog underwent an exploratory celiotomy revealing a palpably enlarged cervix and edematous, fluid-filled vagina with an otherwise normal uterus. The ovaries, uterus, cervix, and cranial vagina were surgically resected. Histopathology revealed mild to moderate regionally extensive subacute neutrophilic cervicovaginitis due to an unknown underlying etiology. The dog did not exhibit any postoperative complications or recurrence of clinical signs in 6 months. This case represents an unusual disease condition, which presented in a manner typical for pyometra, yet required more extensive surgical resection.