Treatment of prolapsed gland and cartilage deformity of the nictitating membrane with pocket technique and chondrectomy alone, or combined with a wedge conjunctivectomy: 132 dogs (1998-2018).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results obtained using Morgan pocket technique and chondrectomy (MPTC) alone, or combined with a wedge conjunctivectomy (MPTC + WC) for the treatment of prolapsed gland associated with cartilage deformity of the nictitating membrane (PGCD) in dogs. PROCEDURE: Medical records of dogs diagnosed with PGCD that received a MPTC or MPTC + WC were reviewed between 1998 and 2018. Success rate was defined by lack of recurrence of the prolapsed gland with a minimum of 6 months follow-up. Histological examination of the excised cartilage was performed in 13 eyes. RESULTS: A total of 132 dogs (181 eyes) met the inclusion criteria. Median follow-up time was 25 months (range, 6-166 months). MPTC was used in 131 eyes with 91.6% success rate. MPTC + WC was used in 50 eyes with 100% success rate. Postoperative complications occurred in 6.9% and 4%, respectively, for MPTC and MPTC + WC, including lacrimal cysts (8 eyes) or corneal erosion (3 eyes). Recurrence and complications rates were significantly lower using MPTC + WC compared with MPTC in the giant breed dogs (P = .019 and P = .002, respectively), but not in the overall study population (P = .328 and P = .290, respectively). Histological cartilage anomalies were noted in 2/13 specimens from chronic PGCD. CONCLUSIONS: MPTC + WC offers a good therapeutic option for giant breed dogs with PGCD. The combined technique provides a good apposition and mobility of the nictitating membrane onto the ocular surface and potentially reduces the risk of recurrence in these giant canine breeds.

Cytological description of testicular cell populations in sexually mature cats with normal spermatogenesis.

In cats, assessment of the testicular function is mainly based on sperm evaluation. Whatever the technique used, the volume of collected sperm is often small, which may lead to technical difficulties to achieve the semen evaluation in routine practice. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of the testicular parenchyma is one of the other methods used to assess testicular function. The aim of this study was to explore the relevance of FNA in the assessment of testicular cells in sexually mature cats. Eighteen cats over one year of age were recruited among animals presented for surgical neutering. Semen was collected by electroejaculation before it was evaluated. FNA biopsies of the testicles were taken using a 21-gauge needle. After castration, histological analysis of the testes was performed. Semen evaluation and histological analysis showed no anomalies, which confirmed normal spermatogenesis in all the cats and allowed a proper interpretation of the cytological findings. The cells identified through cytological examination were spermatogonia (1.99 ± 0.17%), primary spermatocytes (10.49 ± 0.74%), round spermatids (34.80 ± 1.57%), elongated spermatids (23.59 ± 2.02%), spermatozoa (21.56 ± 1.86%), Sertoli cells (7.53 ± 1.23%) and Leydig cells (0.04 ± 0.03%). However, spermatocytes II were not identified. This is due to the low proportions of these cells, related to their very short lifespan. Likewise, the very low number of Leydig cells observed is probably due to the damage caused during the aspiration stage. This study showed that fine-needle aspiration is an efficient method to describe cytologically normal testicular populations, a cornerstone for future research aimed to study abnormal spermatogenesis and to correlate it to cytological proportion of germ cells.

Non-ocular melanomas in cats: a retrospective study of 30 cases.

Objectives The aim of the study was to describe the clinical outcome of 30 cats with non-ocular melanomas and to evaluate the association between clinical or pathological parameters and overall survival time. Methods The database of the animal histopathological laboratory of the National Veterinary School of Nantes (Oniris, Nantes, France) was retrospectively searched to identify cases of feline non-ocular melanomas between December 2009 and April 2014. For each case, clinical data, including signalment, location of the primary tumour, staging, treatment and outcome, were collected from the medical records or via interviews with referring veterinarians. Histological and immunohistochemical evaluation included mitotic index, cytonuclear atypias, junctional activity, Melan A and S100 immunostaining, and surgical margins. Univariate analysis to test the prognostic value of the different variables was performed by the Kaplan-Meier product limit method using the log-rank test of significance. Results Thirty cats were included in the study. Eleven had a cutaneous non-auricular melanoma, six had a tumour located on the pinna and 13 had a tumour in the oral cavity. Cats with auricular melanomas were significantly younger than cats with tumours in other locations. Location and presence of clinical signs were not of prognostic significance, but the achromic phenotype was significantly associated with a poorer prognosis. Twenty cats were treated with surgery and survived significantly longer than cats that received only medical treatment or that did not receive any treatment. According to our data, mitotic index, cytonuclear atypias, junctional activity, Melan A or S100 expression, and surgical margins were not associated with survival. Conclusions and relevance We show for the first time, in a large series, that the auricular form of melanoma affected significantly younger cats than other extraocular forms. Most feline non-ocular melanomas are malignant and achromic tumours are associated with a poorer prognosis. According to this study, surgery should be considered as a priority.

Tuberculoid nodular thelitis in a dairy goat flock.

An unusual outbreak of teat/udder skin lesions occurred in a dairy goat flock in France. Lesions first appeared as circular, indurated, erythematous areas of skin and progressed to form dark raised haemorrhagic crusts and ulcerative plaques. Histopathological examination revealed marked granulomatous dermatitis with multifocal ulceration. The granulomatous inflammation, with frequent Langhans type multinucleated cells and central caseous necrosis, was indicative of mycobacterial infection. The presence of non-cultivable mycobacteria was confirmed by sequencing PCR products from DNA extracted directly from the lesions and sequences matched a novel mycobacterial pathogen closely related to M. leprae and M. lepromatosis and previously identified in cattle thelitis. The association of nodular gross lesions and tuberculoid granulomas on the teat and lower udder, and the presence of mycobacteria DNA support a diagnosis of tuberculoid nodular thelitis in goats due to mycobacterial infection.

Disseminated mycobacteriosis manifesting as paraplegia in two Parma wallabies (Macropus parma) naturally exposed to Mycobacterium avium.

Two captive female Parma wallabies (Macropus parma) died after a history of flaccid paraplegia. On postmortem examination, granulomatous and suppurative osteomyelitis involving the left ischium and the lumbosacral region, with meningeal extension at the cauda equina, and caseonecrotic mastitis were the most significant changes. Multiple small nodules in the liver and spleen, and an enlargement of some lymph nodes with central caseous necrosis were also observed. Microscopically, a disseminated granulomatous inflammation with numerous multinucleate giant cells was seen. Numerous acid-fast bacilli were detected in macrophages, in multinucleated giant cells, and free in the central necrosis and suppurative exudate. After culture, polymerase chain reaction assays were carried out to detect the 65-kDa heat shock protein (Hsp65) and insertion sequences (IS)1245 and IS900. The causative agent was identified as Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium.

Findings in uterine biopsies obtained by laparotomy from bitches with unexplained infertility or pregnancy loss: an observational study.

Surgical uterine biopsies (SUBs) were obtained by laparotomy from 14 bitches with unexplained infertility whose pregnancy was not confirmed (NCP group) and from 7 bitches that had experienced unexplained pregnancy loss (PL). SUBs were obtained during the luteal phase of the cycle in 16 of 21 bitches. Overall, the biopsied uterine tissues presented obvious alterations in 17 of 21 cases. In the NCP group, 11 of 14 bitches had varying degrees of uterine lesions. In this group, six of nine bitches with macroscopically normal uteri presented histopathologic changes in the endometrium. All bitches with macroscopic modifications (five of 14) presented endometrial changes. Cytologic examination of the uterine fluid revealed eosinophilic amorphous material, erythrocytes, and a low number of degenerated leukocytes. On histopathologic examination, the most common lesion was fibrosis with degeneration of the endometrial glands (FDEGs six of 11), followed by endometritis (four of 11), cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) (two of 11) and pseudoplacentational endometrial hyperplasia (PEH) (two of 11). Other lesions were adenomyosis, mucometra, and an endometrial polyp (one each of 11). Mixed lesions were present in four of the 11 bitches. In the PL group, macroscopic modifications consisted of intraluminal uterine dilatation (seven of seven) and presence of ovarian cysts (three of 7). Cytologic examination of the uterine content revealed high leukocyte counts. Histopathologic endometrial changes were found in six of seven bitches and included endometritis (three of seven), PEH (two of 6), pyometra (one of six), and CEH together with mucometra (one of six). Research of infectious agents was performed in 20 of 21 cases. Surprisingly, no bacteria or viruses were isolated from the uterine lumen in any of the cases. When the SUB was performed in diestrus, a medical treatment with aglepristone or with prostaglandins was established to avoid the risk of postoperative-induced pyometra. One case of complete uterine stenosis was the only side effect observed in the bitches that were not ovariohysterectomized after the collection of a biopsy (17 of 21). In conclusion, the most common findings in our biopsy specimens were FDEGs, endometritis, and hyperplastic remodeling of the endometrium (CEH and PEH). SUBs might provide useful information regarding the cause of infertility or PL. This technique allows visual inspection and palpation of the whole uterus and ovaries before the selection of a precise site for the biopsy. The size of the tissue sample collected can be large enough for an accurate diagnosis and samples for research of infectious agents can be obtained with no risk of contamination. Risk of side effects seems low when SUBs are performed according to this protocol, including postsurgery treatment with aglepristone or prostaglandins.

Pathological and epidemiological significance of goose haemorrhagic polyomavirus infection in ducks.

Goose haemorrhagic polyomavirus (GHPV) is the viral agent of haemorrhagic nephritis enteritis of geese, a lethal disease of goslings. It was recently shown that GHPV can also be detected in Muscovy and mule ducks. The goal of the present study was to investigate the pathobiology of GHPV in ducks. In the first experiment, field isolates of GHPV from Muscovy or mule ducks were fully sequenced and compared with goose GHPV. These duck isolates were then used to inoculate 1-day-old goslings. Typical clinical signs and lesions of haemorrhagic nephritis enteritis of geese were reproduced, indicating that "duck-GHPV" isolates are virulent in geese. In the second experiment, 1-day-old and 21-day-old Muscovy ducklings were infected by a reference GHPV strain. In both cases, neither clinical signs nor histopathological lesions were observed. However, the virus was detected in cloacal bursae and sera, and serological responses were detected at 12 days post infection. These findings suggest firstly that one common genotype of GHPV circulates among ducks and geese, and secondly that ducks may be infected by GHPV but show no pathologic evidence of infection, whereas geese express clinical signs. GHPV infection should therefore be considered as being carried in ducks and of epidemiological relevance in cases of contact with goose flocks.