Histopathological confirmation of polyneuropathy in 11 dogs with laryngeal paralysis.

Acquired laryngeal paralysis (LP) is an important cause of upper airway obstruction in dogs. We hypothesize that LP may be part of a generalized polyneuropathy complex. Electro-diagnostic studies were performed in six dogs, and histopathological studies of muscle and nerve biopsies were obtained from 11 dogs diagnosed with acquired LP. Abnormalities in electrodiagnostic procedures were consistent with a generalized polyneuropathy. Loss of large-caliber nerve fibers and axonal degeneration were identified in nerve biopsies, and neurogenic atrophy was observed in muscle specimens. Abnormalities in electrodiagnostic studies and histopathology provide evidence that LP may be part of a generalized polyneuropathy. Establishing a diagnosis of a more involved disease process is relevant for long-term prognosis.

Topical and systemic medications for wounds.

There are a plethora of topical and systemic medications available to the veterinary practitioner today that aid the wound healing process. Some of these help to maintain a moist environment. Others increase growth factors, provide local energy sources, control infection, provide for debridement, increase wound blood flow and temperature, or reduce wound edema. Modern wound care requires that the proper products(s)be used, depending on the condition of the wound and the phase of wound healing. This article discusses various wound care products and provides guidelines on their use.

Cardiopulmonary effects of fentanyl-droperidol, nitrous oxide, and atropine sulfate in dogs.

The cardiopulmonary effects of droperidol-fentanyl, nitrous oxide, and atropine were evaluated in 12 adult male Beagle dogs. All dogs were surgically instrumented with a cardiac output thermistor and arterial and venous catheters and were prepared with a chronic tracheostomy. Each dog was used as its own control, and data obtained when dogs were nonanesthetized and nonmedicated were compared with data recorded after the test drugs were administered. The dogs were randomly allotted to 3 groups of 4 dogs each. Group I dogs were given droperidol-fentanyl alone intravenously (IV); group II dogs were given droperidol-fentanyl IV with 67% nitrous oxide; and group III dogs were given atropine sulfate intramuscularly followed by droperidol-fentanyl IV with 67% nitrous oxide. Minute volume was decreased in the 3 groups of dogs for 3 to 5 minutes after droperidol-fentanyl was injected. This resulted in respiratory and metabolic acidosis in all dogs, as indicated by increased arterial carbon dioxide tension, decreased pH, and increased base deficit. In addition, droperidol-fentanyl given alone caused a decrease in systolic pressure and a slight decrease in heart rate. Group 1 dogs were sensitive to auditory stimulation. Cardiovascular changes were not seen when nitrous oxide was added; however, analgesia and muscle relaxation were improved. Premedication with atropine sulfate resulted in increased cardiac output, heart rate, and diastolic pressure, and subsequent administration of droperidol-fentanyl with nitrous oxide caused a transient increase in mean arterial and systolic pressure. This last anesthetic regimen, along with assisted or controlled respiration, seems to provide an excellent anesthetic state with minimal cardiopulmonary depression.

Evaluation of anastomoses of small intestine in dogs: crushing versus noncrushing suturing techniques.

Fifteen dogs were used to compare simple interrupted crushing and noncrushing single-layer small intestinal anastomoses. Groups of 5 dogs each were used to evaluate both techniques at 3 postsurgical times--days 4, 21, and 42. There were no significant differences between the 2 techniques at the evaluations. Grossly, there were marked adhesion formations at the 3 evaluation times. Luminal diameters at the anastomotic site indicated there may have been only slightly more stenosis with the noncrushing technique. Bursting pressure studies determined that the anastomotic strengths of the 2 techniques were not measurably different statistically. However, their bursting strengths had greatly increased from day 4 to day 21. There were also significant increases in bursting strengths of jejunal segments caudal to the anastomotic sites from day 4 to day 42. Subjective histopathologic evaluations of anastomotic sites revealed that the types and amounts of inflammation, collagen content, continuity of layers, and severity of peritonitis were not different within each time. It was concluded that both techniques for small intestinal anastomoses in the dog have equal value.

Double aortic arch in a dog.

Vascular ring anomalies are developmental anomalies of the thoracic great vessels resulting in complete or partial encircling of the esophagus and the trachea by a vascular ring formation. Persistent right aortic arch with left ligamentum arteriosum accounts for 95% of vascular ring anomalies in dogs. The dog in this report had a double aortic arch, which is a type 4 vascular ring anomaly. Double aortic arch is a rare congenital heart defect resulting from the improper development of the embryonic arches. The prognosis for dogs that have undergone surgery for correction of double aortic arches is generally regarded as poor. The dog in this report underwent surgery for correction of double aortic arches and recovered without dilation or motility disorders of the esophagus. Results indicate that small animals that undergo early surgical correction of double aortic arches with relief of esophageal constriction can have a good prognosis. To the authors' knowledge, there have been no previous reports of dogs that have survived long enough to be discharged from the hospital after surgical correction of double aortic arches.

Familial allergic rhinitis in cattle.

A group of Angus X Holstein cattle were determined to have allergic rhinitis. Clinical signs included nasal discharge, tearing, sneezing, and nasal pruritus. The diagnosis was made on the basis of intradermal skin testing of affected and clinically normal cattle. The affected cattle had positive test results to various tree, grass, weed, and mold allergens. The clinical signs and seasonal occurrence were similar to those features for allergic rhinitis in man. Breeding data indicated an inherited mode of transmission, although only females were affected.

Pericardiectomy in dogs: 22 cases (1978-1994).

OBJECTIVE: To determine long-term outcome of dogs with neoplastic and nonneoplastic pericardial disease that undergo pericardiectomy. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 22 dogs. PROCEDURE: Dogs that underwent pericardiectomy and in which the diagnosis had been confirmed histologically were included. Data collected from each record included signalment, history, clinical signs, results of diagnostic evaluations, operative management, postoperative complications, histologic diagnosis, and outcome. Dogs were grouped on the basis of underlying cause of pericardial disease (neoplastic vs nonneoplastic), and survival times were determined by means of Kaplan-Meier analyses. RESULTS: 9 dogs had neoplastic pericardial disease (chemodectoma, 4; hemangiosarcoma, 2; malignant mesothelioma, 2; lymphoblastic lymphoma, 1). Thirteen dogs had nonneoplastic pericardial disease (benign idiopathic pericarditis, 10; lymphocytic plasmacytic pericarditis, 2; osseous metaplasia of unknown cause, 1). Thoracic radiography and echocardiography were the most specific methods for diagnosis of pericardial effusion. Pleural effusion was the most common postoperative complication (8/22 dogs). Prevalence of postoperative complications was not associated with underlying cause of pericardial disease, surgical approach, or surgical procedure (subtotal vs total pericardiectomy). Median survival time of dogs with neoplastic disease (52 days) was significantly shorter than median survival time of dogs with nonneoplastic disease (792 days). Dogs that developed pleural effusion > 30 days after pericardiectomy had a poor prognosis for survival. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Radiography and echocardiography are useful for diagnosis of pericardial effusion in dogs. Dogs with neoplastic pericardial disease have a significantly shorter survival time than do dogs with nonneoplastic pericardial disease.

Surgical management of atypical lateral tracheal collapse in a dog.

Tracheal collapse is often diagnosed in small-breed dogs through use of conventional radiography or fluoroscopy, by which the dorsoventral orientation of the collapse can be seen. In the dog of this report, an unusual lateral form of tracheal collapse was diagnosed by means of bronchoscopy after multiple radiographic procedures had failed to define a cause for cough and dyspnea. Surgical reinforcement of the abnormal region of the trachea resulted in resolution of clinical signs and in reduction in dynamic airway collapse, which was documented on follow-up bronchoscopy.

Cryosurgical treatment of cancerous and noncancerous diseases of dogs, horses, and cats.

Cryosurgery was used to treat a variety of cancerous and noncancerous diseases in dogs, horses, and cats. Follow-up evaluation on 52 animals revealed an overall "no recurrence" rate of 61%. Among the animals with no recurrence were 12 of 17 with cutaneous lesions and 5 of 8 (horses) with sarcoids. Seven of 10 dogs with anal fistulas healed after cryosurgery, but 2 had recurrence of the disease. Treatment of invasive neoplasms of the oral and nasal cavities was not successful. Side effects and complications were minimal.

Effect of total ablation of the external acoustic meatus and bulla osteotomy on auditory function in dogs.

Seven dogs with end-stage bilateral otitis externa were evaluated for auditory function before and after bilateral total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy. Evaluations were performed by owner questionnaire and by recording brainstem auditory-evoked responses. Prior to surgery, all dogs could hear a loud voice or noise, however, only 3 dogs responded to a voice spoken at a normal level. Of the 14 ears tested electrodiagnostically, only 1 did not have a response, using air-conducted or bone-conducted stimuli. After surgery, 2 dogs responded to a normal voice, but all 7 responded to loud voices or noise. Three ears that had recordable brainstem auditory-evoked responses to air-conducted stimulation prior to surgery, failed to respond after surgery. Ears that responded to bone-conducted stimulation prior to surgery also responded after surgery.

Ascites associated with intrahepatic arteriovenous fistula in a cat.

A 1 1/2-year-old male domestic short-haired cat with ascites was found to have an intrahepatic fistula between the hepatic artery and portal vein. The diagnosis was made by means of angiography. The ascites was attributed to portal hypertension caused by the fistula.

Tracheal osteochondroma in a dog.

A young female Labrador Retriever-type dog had a 4 1/2-month history of respiratory distress, which eventually became severe, leading to cyanosis. Physical examination suggested an upper airway obstructive lesion, which was confirmed by bronchoscopy and radiography to be a mass in the thoracic portion of the trachea. The mass was removed surgically and, on histologic examination, was found to be an osteochondroma. Six months after surgical extirpation, there was no indication of recurrence of tumor.

Congenital pericardial diaphragmitic hernia and multiple cardiac defects in a litter of collies.

Four Collie littermates had multiple cardiac and diaphragmatic anomalies. Ventricular septal defect was found in 3, pulmonic stenosis in 2, atrial septal defect in 1, mitral regurgitaion in 1, and pericardial diaphragmatic hernia in 3. Five additional littermates died within 72 hours of birth but were not necropsied. On the basis of available evidence, it was believed that the defects were congenital but not hereditary.