Toxoplasma gondii infection in feline renal transplant recipients: 24 cases (1998-2018).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Toxoplasma gondii infection in feline renal transplant recipients with a preoperative seronegative or unknown serostatus (SN-UNK) for T gondii and the efficacy of lifelong prophylactic treatment of T gondii infection in feline renal transplant recipients with a preoperative seropositive serostatus (SP) for T gondii. ANIMALS: 24 cats with various serostatuses for T gondii before undergoing renal transplantation. PROCEDURES: Medical records of cats that had undergone renal transplantation from 1998 through 2018 were reviewed. Two groups of cats were identified. Before renal transplantation, the SN-UNK group cats were seronegative for T gondii (n = 4) or serostatus for T gondii was unknown (4). The SN-UNK group cats received immunosuppressive therapy but were not maintained on prophylactic treatment of T gondii infection. The SP group cats were seropositive for T gondii (n = 16) prior to initiation of immunosuppressive therapy and renal transplantation and were managed after surgery with prophylactic treatment of T gondii infection. RESULTS: All 8 SN-UNK group cats developed T gondii infections after initiation of immunosuppressive therapy and renal transplantation; T gondii infections were fatal in 6 cats. Of 16 SP group cats, 1 developed a nonfatal T gondii infection resulting in an allograft rejection episode. No SP group cats, which were managed postoperatively with prophylactic treatment, developed a fatal T gondii infection. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: T gondii infection resulted in morbidity and death in immunosuppressed cats not receiving prophylactic treatment of T gondii infection after renal transplantation. Seropositive cats were acceptable candidates for renal transplantation when lifelong prophylactic treatment of T gondii infection was provided.

Articular cartilage lesions of the patellofemoral joint in dogs with naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate frequency, severity, and location of patellofemoral (PF) osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs with naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. ANIMALS: Dogs (n = 40; stifles, 44). METHODS: Stifle arthroscopic video recordings and radiographs were performed. Cartilage pathology was scored at 3 locations (proximal, middle, distal) in the trochlear groove and patella. A radiographic osteoarthrosis and synovial pathology score were assigned. A Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine if lesion severity varied by site, synovitis, and osteoarthrosis, and the Dunn's test was used for pairwise comparisons. The variability of body weight was evaluated using 1 way ANOVA; P < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Cartilage pathology and synovitis was identified in all PF joints. The proximal aspect of the trochlear groove had significantly higher cartilage scores than the middle and distal sites and the middle groove site was significantly higher than the distal site. The distal aspect of the patella had significantly greater scores than the middle and proximal patellar locations. Higher synovitis scores were associated with increased cartilage scores. Cartilage scores were significantly greater in stifles with higher radiographic osteophytosis, tibial sclerosis, and patellar enthesiophytosis scores. Higher body weights were significantly associated with greater synovial and radiographic scores. CONCLUSIONS: Dogs with CCL disease have a high incidence of PF cartilage pathology and the severity of cartilage lesions varies depending on location within the joint.

The effect of abaxial retraction on pelvic geometry after pelvic symphysiotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the effect abaxial retraction after pelvic symphysiotomy has on the geometry of the sacroiliac joints (SIs) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Canine cadavers (n = 9). METHODS: Canine cadavers free of sacroiliac disease had pelvic symphysiotomy and retraction to 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of transverse sacral width, followed by axial reduction of the symphysis. Before symphysiotomy, after each abaxial retraction value, and after reduction of the symphysis each SI joint had a computed tomographic scan to evaluate the effect on the SI joints. RESULTS: There was no luxation at 25% abaxial retraction, unilateral SI luxation in three cadavers after 50% abaxial retraction and in all cadavers after 75% abaxial retraction. Axial reduction of the symphysis resolved all luxations. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic symphysiotomy and abaxial retraction between 50% and 75% of transverse sacral width leads to unilateral SI luxation, which is resolved by axial reduction. While not likely requiring ancillary stabilization, SI joint luxation may be a cause for additional postoperative pain, reluctance to ambulate, and prolonged hospitalization/recovery.

Prevalence of clinical abnormalities in cats found to have nonneoplastic middle ear disease at necropsy: 59 cases (1991-2007).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of nonneoplastic middle ear disease among cats undergoing necropsy and the prevalence of clinical abnormalities in cats in which nonneoplastic middle ear disease was identified. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 59 cats that underwent necropsy between January 1991 and August 2007. PROCEDURES: Medical records were searched to identify cats in which nonneoplastic middle ear disease was identified at necropsy. For cats included in the study, data that were recorded included signalment, initial complaint, whether the cat had any clinical signs of middle or external ear disease, whether the cat had upper respiratory tract disease, necropsy diagnosis, gross appearance of the bullae, and reason for euthanasia. Signs of middle ear disease that were considered included unilateral peripheral vestibular disease without motor deficits, Horner syndrome, and facial nerve paralysis. RESULTS: Of the 3,442 cats that underwent necropsy during the study period, 59 (1.7%) had nonneoplastic middle ear disease. Six of the 59 (10%) cats, including 1 cat that was affected bilaterally, had clinical signs of middle ear disease. Of these, 5 had signs of unilateral peripheral vestibular disease, and 1 had Horner syndrome. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that most cats with nonneoplastic middle ear disease did not have associated clinical signs. Findings may be of clinical relevance for cats in which middle ear disease is identified as an incidental finding during computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging for unrelated diseases.

Use of endovascular stents in three dogs with Budd-Chiari syndrome.

CASE DESCRIPTION: 3 dogs were examined because of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), which is an obstruction of venous blood flow located between the liver and the junction of the caudal vena cava and right atrium. Two dogs had confirmed neoplastic obstructions, and the other dog had a suspected neoplastic obstruction of the hepatic veins and caudal vena cava. CLINICAL FINDINGS: All dogs had similar clinical signs of weight gain, lethargy, and ascites that did not respond to medical treatments, and 2 dogs had pitting edema of the hind limbs. Ultrasonography revealed a presumptive venous obstruction, which was confirmed by use of computed tomography. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Each dog was anesthetized. By use of fluoroscopic guidance, endovascular stents were placed within the left hepatic vein and caudal vena cava in 2 dogs, and a single stent was placed within the left hepatic vein extending into the caudal vena cava of the third dog. After stent placement, venous pressure in the left hepatic vein decreased. Resolution of clinical signs was dramatic in all 3 dogs (survival time ranged from 7 to 20 months), with only mild complications in 1 dog. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Endovascular stents may be an appropriate palliative treatment for dogs with clinical signs attributable to BCS.