Complications and owner satisfaction associated with limb amputation in cats: 59 cases (2007-2017).

BACKGROUND: Limb amputation may be recommended in domestic cats following a severe injury or disease. The purpose of the study was to report the signalment, the complications, recovery outcome, owner satisfaction and expectations of domestic cats following limb amputation. RESULTS: Medical records of 3 specialty hospitals were reviewed for cats that received a single limb amputation in a 10 year period (2007-2017). These cat owners were contacted, and 59 owners completed surveys, comprising the study population. The most common reasons for limb amputation were neoplasia (54.2%, 32/59), traumatic injury (40.7%, 24/59), bone or joint infection (3.4%, 2/59), and thromboembolism (1.7%, 1/59). Thirty-four cats (57.6%) had postoperative complications. Of the fifty-nine surveys, 52.5% reported minor complications and 5.1% reported major complications. There were no differences in postoperative complication rates for thoracic versus pelvic limb amputations. All owners reported either excellent (77.9%, 46/59), good (20.3% 12/59), or fair (1.7%, 1/59) satisfaction with the procedure. Based on their previous experiences, 84.7% (50/59) of owners would elect limb amputation if medically warranted for another pet. The remaining 15.3% of owners who would not elect limb amputation again had experienced death of their pet with a median survival time of 183 days. CONCLUSION: Owners reported a positive satisfaction when considering complications, recovery outcome, and expectations. This study can be used by veterinarians to guide cat owners in the decision making process of limb amputation.

Development of perioperative premature ventricular contractions as an indicator of splenic hemangiosarcoma and median survival times.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study are (1) to determine whether there is an association between dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma (HSA) and the development of premature ventricular contractions (VPCs), (2) to determine if there is a higher likelihood for dogs with ruptured splenic masses to be diagnosed with HSA and to develop VPCs, (3) to determine if the development of VPCs affects median survival times compared to dogs with benign or non-HSA malignant splenic masses. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: Forty-five dogs. METHODS: Medical records of dogs undergoing splenectomy were reviewed for signalment, perioperative electrocardiogram (ECG), hematological values, histologic diagnosis, metastasis, and survival times. ECGs were performed preoperatively, intraoperatively, and continuously postoperatively. The presence of VPCs was recorded. The data were evaluated for an association between the development of VPCs and the histologic diagnosis of HSA. RESULTS: Eighteen out of 45 (40%) dogs were diagnosed with HSA with 13/18 (72%) dogs having VPCs postoperatively (P = .02). Ruptured splenic HSA and VPCs were noted in 13 dogs (P = .73). An association between dogs with and without VPCs diagnosed with HSA and median survival times could not be established. CONCLUSION: Postoperative VPCs were more likely with splenic HSA. Splenic masses were more likely to be HSA if ruptured but less likely to develop VPCs. Development of VPCs does not affect median survival times. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Development of postoperative VPCs may be a potential indicator of HSA, however, this warrants further investigations. Development of VPCs does not have a deleterious effect on survival.

Effect of dorsal acetabular rim loss on stability of the zurich cementless total hip acetabular cup in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate magnitude and mode of acute load to failure of the Zurich Cementless acetabular cup prosthesis in cadaveric specimens with and without 50% dorsal acetabular rim loss. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro mechanical study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Cadaveric hemipelves of adult dogs (n = 8). METHODS: Each pair of hemipelves was prepared by dissection of surrounding musculature and implantation of a Zurich Cementless acetabular cup prosthesis. One hemipelvis had the dorsal rim left intact (group 1) and the contralateral hemipelvis had 50% of the dorsal rim excised (group 2). Each hemipelvis underwent acute load to failure with an axial load applied through a prosthetic femoral head. Load at failure was compared between hemipelves with and without dorsal rim loss with a paired t-test; P < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Mean failure load was not significantly different between group 1 (3,713 ± 362 N) and group 2 (3,640 ± 751 N; P = .8). Bone fracture (n = 6), ventroversion of the cup (1), and absolute failure unreached at 6,000 N (1) occurred in group 1 and bone fracture (6), ventroversion of cup (1), and cup loosening (1) occurred in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Zurich Cementless acetabular cup stability does not appear to be compromised by 50% acetabular rim loss at normal physiologic weight bearing loads. Thus, for this system, modifying procedures such as augmentation of the dorsal acetabular rim or deeper reaming for acetabular bed preparation may not be necessary with up to 50% dorsal rim loss with the Zurich Cementless acetabular cup.

Pericardial Hemangiosarcoma in a 10-Year-Old Papillon.

A 10 yr old papillon was evaluated for lethargy, inappetence, tachypnea, and labored breathing. Physical examination findings included dehydration, tachypnea, tachycardia, and muffled heart sounds. Thoracic radiographs revealed an enlarged cardiac silhouette. Echocardiography revealed a mild volume of pericardial effusion and no evidence of right atrial tamponade or a cardiac-associated mass. Cytological analysis of the pericardial effusion was consistent with blood. There was no evidence of neoplasia. Coagulation parameters were within normal limits. Initial treatment consisted of pericardiocentesis. A subtotal pericardiectomy was later performed. No surgical complications were noted, and the dog was discharged 2 days following surgery. Results of the histological examination of the pericardium revealed hemangiosarcoma. Treatment with doxorubicin was initiated 12 days after surgery, at which time, pulmonary metastasis was suspected. The dog survived for 18 days after subtotal pericardiectomy, when it was euthanized because of complications presumably related to pulmonary metastatic disease. This is the first published report of primary pericardial hemangiosarcoma. The dog had a short survival time; thus, the response to subtotal pericardiectomy combined with adjuvant doxorubicin treatment could not be determined. Pulmonary metastatic disease was suspected 12 days following surgery. Based on this case report, pericardial hemangiosarcoma carries a guarded prognosis.

Radiographic evaluation and comparison of the patellar ligament following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy and tibial tuberosity advancement in dogs: 106 cases (2009-2012).

OBJECTIVE To radiographically evaluate and compare changes in the patellar ligament of dogs following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) and tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA). DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 106 dogs that underwent TPLO (n = 59) or TTA (n = 47) for unilateral rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament at a private veterinary hospital from August 2009 through September 2012. PROCEDURES Medical records were reviewed to collect information on dog signalment, surgical procedure, whether arthrotomy had been performed, pre- and postoperative measurements of patellar ligament angle (PLA) and tibial plateau angle (TPA), and preoperative and follow-up measurements of patellar ligament thickness. RESULTS For dogs that underwent TTA, thickening of the distal portion of the patellar ligament was identified radiographically in 43 (92%) dogs at the first follow-up examination and 36 (77%) at the second follow-up examination. For dogs that underwent TPLO, these numbers were 57 (97%) and 54 (92%), respectively. A significant decrease in patellar ligament thickness was identified between the first and second follow-up examinations for TTA but not TPLO. Mean ± SD PLA following TTA was 89.46 ± 5.54°, representing a mean difference from the preoperative PLA of 11.86 ± 5.3°; following TPLO, mean TPA was 12.61 ± 4.03°, representing a mean difference from the preoperative TPA of 16.74 ± 7.13°. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Patellar ligament thickening occurred following TPLO and TTA in dogs. The clinical relevance of this thickening remains unknown.

Nasopharyngeal stenosis with concurrent hiatal hernia and megaesophagus in an 8-year-old cat.

A case of nasopharyngeal stenosis with secondary hiatal hernia is described. An 8-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat was referred for a chronic upper respiratory problem and presumptive vomiting. Despite conservative management by the primary care veterinarian, the cat's condition progressed. The cat was presented to an emergency facility prior to referral to a specialty hospital. On presentation, inspiratory stridor was evident. Thoracic radiography revealed a hiatal hernia. Computed tomography indicated pharyngeal edema and probable nasopharyngeal stenosis. Endoscopy confirmed the presence of nasopharyngeal stenosis consistent with either stricture or choanal atresia. Balloon dilation of the choana was performed. The hiatal hernia regressed spontaneously post-resolution of the nasopharyngeal stenosis. The cat remained asymptomatic at recheck 3 months later.