Effect of empirical versus definitive antimicrobial selection on postoperative complications in dogs and cats undergoing total ear canal ablation with lateral bulla osteotomy: 120 cases (2009-2019).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dogs and cats undergoing total ear canal ablation with lateral bulla osteotomy (TECA-LBO), document antimicrobial choices, and determine relationships associated with infection-related and neurologic postoperative complications. ANIMALS: 107 client-owned dogs and 13 client-owned cats that underwent TECA-LBO. PROCEDURES: A retrospective analysis of medicals records of dogs and cats with TECA-LBO from 2 veterinary hospitals with postoperative data for at least 6 months was performed. All information associated with the TECA-LBO surgery including follow-up was recorded. Logistic regression analyses were performed and corrected using a false discovery rate to identify significance between antimicrobial administration and other perioperative variables and the outcomes of short- and long-term neurologic and infection-related complications, need for revision surgery, and euthanasia due to recurrence of infection-related signs. RESULTS: Intraoperative cultures were performed in 111 animals, and 95 (85.5%) had bacterial growth, with Staphylococcus spp most commonly isolated. Revision surgeries due to infection-related signs occurred in 13 of 120 (10.8%) patients. If intraoperative bacterial cultures were positive and antimicrobials were administered within 1 month of surgery, patients were 85.8% less likely to exhibit infection-related complications, whereas patients not administered antimicrobials were 10.3 times as likely to require a revision surgery. Longer durations of postoperative antimicrobial administration were associated with revision surgery and euthanasia due to infection-related signs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Administration of systemic antimicrobials within the first postoperative month may be necessary to prevent complications when intraoperative cultures exhibit bacterial growth and plays a role in the successful outcome of TECA-LBO.

Clinical characteristics of, prognostic factors for, and long-term outcome of dogs with multiple acquired portosystemic shunts: 72 cases (2000-2018).

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical characteristics of, prognostic factors for, and long-term outcome of dogs with multiple acquired portosystemic shunts (MAPSSs) and determine whether survival time was associated with previous portosystemic shunt attenuation. ANIMALS: 72 client-owned dogs with MAPSSs. PROCEDURES: Medical records of dogs in which MAPSSs had been diagnosed between January 2000 and August 2018 were reviewed for signalment, historic and diagnostic findings, management methods, and outcome. RESULTS: Median survival time of dogs (n = 23) that died of causes related to MAPSSs was 580 days (range, 156 to 1,363 days). Factors significantly associated with dying of MAPSS-related versus unrelated causes included body weight, albumin concentration at the first and last recheck examinations, and cholesterol, total solids, and glucose concentrations at the last recheck examination. Dogs not receiving medical management or without signs of depressed mentation at the time of initial presentation were less likely to die of causes related to MAPSSs. Patient status (alive vs dead of causes related to MAPSSs vs dead of causes unrelated to MAPSSs vs dead of unknown causes) was not significantly associated with survival time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Survival time for dogs with MAPSSs was not shortened by previous portosystemic shunt attenuation surgery and was not different when death was versus was not related to MAPSSs. Dogs with MAPSSs that had progression of biochemical changes consistent with liver dysfunction were more likely to die of causes related to MAPSSs and were unlikely to live a normal lifespan.

Ovariohysterectomy and Partial Vaginectomy for Treatment of Cervicovaginitis in a Dog.

A 1-year-old sexually intact female Labrador Retriever was evaluated for malodorous vaginal discharge, lethargy, and vomiting. A diagnosis of pyometra was suspected based on signalment, clinical signs, and abdominal ultrasonography. The dog underwent an exploratory celiotomy revealing a palpably enlarged cervix and edematous, fluid-filled vagina with an otherwise normal uterus. The ovaries, uterus, cervix, and cranial vagina were surgically resected. Histopathology revealed mild to moderate regionally extensive subacute neutrophilic cervicovaginitis due to an unknown underlying etiology. The dog did not exhibit any postoperative complications or recurrence of clinical signs in 6 months. This case represents an unusual disease condition, which presented in a manner typical for pyometra, yet required more extensive surgical resection.