Outcome and prognostic factors for dogs with a histological diagnosis of splenic hematoma following splenectomy: 35 cases (2001-2013).

Canine splenic hematoma can be indistinguishable from hemangiosarcoma on clinical presentation and grossly at the time of surgery. However, hemangiosarcoma represents an aggressive malignancy and a misdiagnosis of hematoma would forgo indications for chemotherapy. This study describes a long-term follow-up of cases with a histologic diagnosis of splenic hematoma following splenectomy to determine if the clinical course of the disease corroborated the diagnosis. Thirty-five dogs were evaluated to determine survival and prognostic associations with signalment and clinical data. Overall median survival time was 647 days (range: 0 to 3287 days). Statistically significant variables included a palpable abdominal mass during physical examination, sub-clinical coagulopathy, and metastasis. Four cases (11%) had reported evidence of metastasis at the time of euthanasia; 1 case was histologically confirmed. Overall prognosis for splenic hematoma appears excellent, as expected, but a small proportion of cases may have an undiagnosed malignant component.

Résultats et facteurs de pronostic pour les chiens ayant un diagnostic histologique d'hématomes spléniques après la splénectomie : 35 cas (2001­2013). L'hématome splénique canin peut être indifférenciable de l'hémangiosarcome à la présentation clinique et macroscopiquement au moment de la chirurgie. Cependant, l'hémangiosarcome représente une malignicité agressive et un mauvais diagnostic de l'hématome se traduirait par l'absence de chimiothérapie. Cette étude décrit un suivi à long terme des cas avec un diagnostic histologique de l'hématome splénique après la splénectomie afin de déterminer si l'évolution clinique de la maladie a corroboré le diagnostic. Trente-cinq chiens ont été évalués afin de déterminer les associations de survie et de pronostic avec le signalement et les données cliniques. La durée de survie médiane globale était de 647 jours (fourchette de 0­3287 jours). Les variables statistiquement significatives incluaient une masse abdominale palpable à l'examen physique, une coagulopathie subclinique et la présence de métastases. Quatre cas (11 %) avaient signalé la présence de métastases au moment de l'euthanasie; 1 cas a été confirmé par histologie. Le pronostic général pour un hématome splénique semble excellent, mais une faible proportion de cas peut présenter un élément de malignicité non diagnostiqué.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Epidemiological aspects and spatial distribution of visceral leishmaniasis in Governador Valadares, Brazil, between 2008 and 2012

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an important parasitic disease. We evaluated the epidemiological aspects and spatial distribution of visceral leishmaniasis in Governador Valadares, Brazil. METHODS: All cases of VL, registered by the municipal health department, were analyzed and georeferenced. RESULTS: The human mortality rate was 15% and canine seroprevalence rate was 29.0%. Higher numbers of canine VL cases correlated with higher incidence of human cases. CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of canine seroprevalence, resurgence of the human disease, and correlation between canine and human VL reinforces the role of the dog in disease transmission within the municipality.

Follow-up study of owner attitudes toward home care of paraplegic dogs.

A questionnaire was mailed to 30 owners of paraplegic dogs who had been caring for their dogs at home for 3 to 72 months. It was designed to collect information on demographic variables, duration of ownership and paralysis, age of the pet, pet/owner relationship, owner expectations and perceptions of the pet's quality of life, problems the pet experienced, effect that maintaining a paralyzed pet had on the owners' quality of life, and whether use of a cart was beneficial. Significant correlation was found between prior expectations that the pet would lead a high-quality life and perception that the pet, in fact, had a high quality of life during paralysis (r2 = 0.61, P = 0.01). Owners who had anticipated that extra work would be necessary to care for their paraplegic dog had a more positive attitude toward home care (r2 = 0.55, P = 0.03). Overall, owners involved in the study were satisfied with all aspects of maintaining paraplegic dogs at home. Our findings support the feasibility of dedicated owners successfully maintaining small (average body weight, 9 kg) paraplegic dogs at home for extended periods.

Nursing care of the small animal neurological patient.

Nursing care of long-term recumbent small animals, with emphasis on the neurological patient, is described. Principles of general nursing care, particularly nutritional support and the prevention and treatment of urinary complications, are of major concern in any weak or recumbent patient. The estimation of nutritional requirements and adjustments, information on South African commercial liquid diets and practical rehabilitation are described.