A Carrel patch technique for renal transplantation in cats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of a Carrel patch method in feline renal transplantation. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive case series. ANIMALS: Nine healthy donor cats and 9 client recipient cats with chronic renal failure. METHODS: Renal transplantation was performed in 9 cats with chronic renal failure after collection of a donor's left kidney with a Carrel patch technique. A patch of donor aortic wall was removed with either 2 or 1 renal artery (ies) (n = 1 and 8 cats, respectively) central to the patch, with a cuff of tissue (≤1 mm) protruding from the base of the vessels. The Carrel patch was implanted in recipient cats with an end-to-side artery-to-aorta anastomosis, in a simple-continuous pattern of 9-0 nylon. The renal vein and ureter were implanted as previously described. RESULTS: All donors and recipients survived surgery without vascular complication. CONCLUSION: The Carrel patch is a novel approach allowing the harvest of kidneys with multiple renal arteries. The technique also simplified the implant procedure, potentially decreasing the risks of bleeding and thrombosis.

Catheter occlusion of the dorsal sagittal sinus-confluens sinuum to enable resection of lateral occipital multilobular osteochondrosarcoma in two dogs.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 6-year-old neutered male mixed-breed dog (dog 1) and 5-year-old neutered male Boston Terrier (dog 2) were evaluated because of lateralized multilobular osteochondrosarcoma (MLO) of the occiput. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Diagnostic imaging revealed proliferative bony occipital masses in both dogs and a nodule in the right caudal lung lobe of dog 1. For both dogs, MRI revealed intact flow through the dorsal sagittal sinus (DSS) into 1 transverse sinus. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: In dog 1, a 4F balloon catheter was introduced into the DSS to the confluens sinuum (CS) and inflated over 16 hours to occlude venous flow. The mass with the CS was removed 24 hours later, and the skull was reconstructed. The dog was discharged from the hospital 2 days after surgery and survived 17 months before euthanasia because of metastasis. In dog 2, balloon catheter insertion into the DSS failed, and a 3.5F rubber catheter was placed up to the CS to occlude flow. The occiput with MLO was removed 48 hours after catheterization, and the skull was reconstructed. Dog 2 was discharged from the hospital after 3 days and was doing well 15 months later. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings for these 2 dogs suggested that deliberate preoperative occlusion of the DSS and CS allows successful resection of occipital neoplasms across the midline. Without prior occlusion of the DSS, development of lethal cerebral edema would have been likely. Gradual balloon catheter occlusion of the CS may facilitate challenging occipital mass excisions.

Update on Surgical Principles and Equipment.

The diversity implicit in exotic animal surgery requires a tailored approach to optimize successful outcomes. Outlined is information on patient preparation, instrumentation, hemostatic techniques, and magnification as it pertains to the exotic animal. Application of topical antiseptic solutions and judicious removal of pelage and feathers will decrease bacterial load during patient preparation. The use of specific barrier protection ensures proper aseptic technique and enables optimal patient monitoring. Magnification combined with a focal light source enhances visual acuity, allowing for better use of delicate instrumentation and identification of anatomic structures.

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of a malignant trichoepithelioma of the ear canal in a pet rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 10-year-old spayed female Holland Lop-mix pet rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was evaluated because of purulent-hemorrhagic discharge from the right ear canal and a suspected mass within that ear canal. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Results of contrast-enhanced CT, video otoscopy, and histologic examination of endoscopic tissue biopsy samples indicated severe otitis media and externa and a benign trichoepithelioma of the right ear canal. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy were performed. Histologic examination of a surgical biopsy sample of the mass indicated malignant trichoepithelioma. Tumor recurrence was detected 22 weeks after surgery. The rabbit was euthanized 33 weeks after surgery because of the large size of the recurrent tumor and declining quality of life. Necropsy findings indicated a malignant trichoepithelioma with local and lymphatic invasion into the right mandibular lymph node. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This was the first report of the clinical diagnosis, surgical treatment, and outcome for a domestic rabbit with a diagnosis of a malignant trichoepithelioma of the ear canal and associated otitis media and externa. Neoplasia should be included as a differential diagnosis for pet rabbits with otitis externa and media. Although such tumors are typically benign, trichoepitheliomas in rabbits can be malignant. Computed tomography and histologic examination of tissue samples were useful diagnostic techniques, but histologic examination of an endoscopic biopsy sample did not allow identification of malignant characteristics of the trichoepithelioma.