An extragonadal teratoma in a female cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis).

Extragonadal teratomas have not been reported in nonhuman primates. A female cynomolgus monkey, a vehicle control in an exploratory toxicity study, was necropsied. Microscopic examination of an extragonadal mass in the animal's craniodorsal retroperitoneum revealed a teratoma. This is the first report of an extragonadal teratoma in a nonhuman primate.

Neurovisceral and skeletal GM1-gangliosidosis in dogs with beta-galactosidase deficiency.

Beta-galactosidase-deficient siblings in two litters of English springer spaniel puppies showed a progressive neurological impairment, dwarfism, orbital hypertelorism, and dysostosis multiplex. An excess of GM1-ganglioside was found in the brain. Three abnormal oligosaccharides were present in samples of urine, brain, liver, and cartilage. Light microscopy of selected tissue specimens revealed cytoplasmic vacuoles in neurons, circulating blood cells, macrophages, and chondrocytes. Ultrastructural studies demonstrated that these membrane-bound vacuoles were of two types--one containing lamellated membranes and the other, finely granular material. These clinical and pathological findings are similar to those observed in human patients affected by the infantile form of GM1-gangliosidosis.

Retarded bone formation in GM1-gangliosidosis: a study of the infantile form and comparison with two canine models.

The development of skeletal lesions in two canine models of GM1-gangliosidosis, English springer spaniels and Portuguese water dogs, has been studied and compared to osseous abnormalities in a child with the infantile form of the disease. In the canine models, skeletal dysplasia was progressive. Lesions were noted at 2 months of age and characterized by retarded endochondral ossification and osteoporosis. Older puppies had focal cartilage necrosis within lumbar vertebral epiphyses. At the cellular level, lesions were characterized by chondrocytic hypertrohy and lysosomal accumulation of storage compounds. Our studies illustrate that the skeletal lesions in both canine models are similar to those in a child with GM1-gangliosidosis. Furthermore, we proposed that the abnormal storage of partially degraded compounds in affected chondrocytes might explain, at least in part, the retarded bone formation noted in patients with GM1-gangliosidosis.

A new animal model for maxillary sinus floor augmentation: evaluation parameters.

This study describes a novel animal model of the maxillary sinus floor augmentation procedure used to assess bone formation during 12 weeks in response to a recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2)/absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) sinus implant. A buffer-ACS implant was used as a control. Animal response was monitored using computerized tomography and physical, hematologic, gross pathologic, and histologic evaluations. The rhBMP-2/ACS implants maintained a relatively constant size postsurgery and showed a time-dependent increase in mineralization. The buffer/ACS control implants failed to mineralize and were resorbed by 4 weeks. The model served effectively and without complication. Results indicate rhBMP-2/ACS implants deserve consideration as alternatives to traditional grafting procedures.

A light microscopical, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study of spindle-cell adrenocortical tumours of ferrets.

Twelve adrenocortical tumours with a variable spindle-cell component in ferrets (six spayed females, three intact females, two castrated males, and one intact male) were examined by light microscopy. One tumour with a moderate spindle-cell component was examined ultrastructurally, and three tumours were studied immunohistochemically. Light microscopy revealed a spindle-cell component in the tumours that varied from a few such cells occupying the stroma between packets of adrenocortical cells to cells in such large numbers that they formed almost the entire substance of the tumour. By light microscopy these spindle cells resembled smooth muscle cells, and the ultrastructural findings, particularly the presence of thin contractile filaments, suggested that the spindle cells were of smooth muscle origin. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the spindle cells were negative for cytokeratins and S-100 protein but positive for smooth muscle actin. Desmin was readily demonstrated in two tumours but not in the other examined. Vimentin was variable, generally producing a small to moderate amount of reaction product.

Scintigraphic identification of skeletal muscle damage in horses 24 hours after strenuous exercise.

The uptake of the bone-seeking radiopharmaceutical 99mTc-MDP by damaged skeletal muscle in horses is evaluated. Twenty-four hours following strenuous exercise, 109 racehorses with a history of inadequate athletic performance and subtle lameness were imaged using scintigraphic techniques. Ten horses (9.2 per cent) demonstrated abnormal uptake of the radioisotope within skeletal muscles. A muscle biopsy from one of these horses confirmed that the muscles with increased scintigraphic activity had histologic evidence of rhabdomyolysis. This technique allows localisation and relative quantification of muscle damage and is a valuable aid in the evaluation of the athletic horse.

Canine leptospirosis. A retrospective study of 17 cases.

Seventeen dogs were diagnosed with leptospirosis on the basis of clinical findings, laboratory abnormalities, and serology. This article summarizes and characterizes the historical and physical findings, laboratory data, serology, treatment, and outcome of these dogs. All of the dogs had serologic evidence of infection with interrogans serovars pomona and grippotyphosa. These findings are compared with previous reports of canine infection with Leptospira interrogans serovars icteroaemorrhagiae and canicola. The clinical presentation of these dogs did not correspond to the classic description of the disease in dogs in which concurrent renal and hepatic diseases are present. This may be due to infection with different serovars than those previously reported. In addition, this article suggests that canine leptospirosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of dogs with acute or subacute renal failure.

Granulosa-theca cell tumor associated with an ovulation fossa and normal ovarian stroma in a mare.

A granulosa-theca cell tumor was found in an ovary that had an ovulation fossa and normal ovarian tissue. The ovary was removed from a mare with a history of ovarian enlargement and behavioral changes. The affected ovary had a multicystic appearance on ultrasonographic examination performed before surgery, and an ovulation fossa was not palpable on examination per rectum. However, during surgery, the affected ovary was found to be within normal size limits, with an enlargement on 1 pole, and to contain an ovulation fossa. Atrophy of the infundibulum of the affected ovary helped to confirm the diagnosis of granulosa-theca cell tumor, and the ovary was removed. The mare's testosterone concentrations were normal. Granulosa-theca cell tumors are usually associated with a spherical ovary, attributable to ablation of the ovulation fossa, with no normal ovarian tissue present.

Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the ovary as a cause of ascites in a goat.

A 6-year-old Nubian doe was evaluated because of slowly progressive abdominal enlargement of 1 month's duration. Five days prior to examination at our hospital, the doe was examined by a local veterinarian. False pregnancy was suspected, and 10 mg of prostaglandin F2 alpha was injected IM. Abdominal distention did not decrease, and the doe did not develop a vaginal discharge. An additional 10 mg of prostaglandin and 24 mg of dexamethasone were injected IM, about 80 hours after the first injection, again without any apparent effect. On arrival at our hospital, the doe was in sternal recumbency and was too weak to stand unassisted. Its abdomen was distended. The body of the uterus and part of 1 uterine horn could be examined by means of transrectal ultrasonography, both appeared normal. The doe was admitted to the hospital, but its condition worsened, and it died during the night. Postmortem examination revealed approximately 30 L of clear, pale, straw-colored fluid in the peritoneal cavity. The caudal pole of the left ovary contained an indistinct, firm, slightly raised, gray-tan mass. The final diagnosis was mucinous adenocarcinoma of the ovary metastatic to the partietal peritoneum, pericardium, and lungs. In adult female goats with bilateral abdominal distention, hydrometra associated with false pregnancy should always be considered; however, if there is no response to prostaglandin administration, distention is more likely to be a result of ascites.

Treatment of nephroblastoma in a juvenile dog.

A 4-month-old female Bernese Mountain Dog that was examined because of abdominal distention was found to have a nephroblastoma during exploratory laparotomy. Nephrectomy was performed, but the tumor could not be completely resected. A chemotherapeutic plan for this dog was created by adapting current recommendations for treatment of people with nephroblastoma. Chemotherapy was tolerated extremely well; however, tumor progression became evident after 15 weeks of treatment, and the dog was euthanatized. Widespread metastasis was found at necropsy. Little is known about the natural behavior of this tumor in dogs.

Chondrosarcoma of the radius with distant metastasis in a dog.

A 9-year-old castrated male Doberman Pinscher was admitted for evaluation of lameness of the left forelimb. Radiography and examination of biopsy specimens revealed a moderately differentiated chondrosarcoma of the proximal portion of the radius. The dog was treated by local excision of the neoplasm, which involved resection of the radial head and proximal portion of the radius. Despite the large size of the dog and the weight-bearing forces exerted on the cubital joint, major problems with ambulation did not develop after surgery. Functional use of the limb returned slowly; however, substantial limb use was observed despite the development of mild degenerative changes of the joint and migration of the humeroulnar articulation. Six months after surgery, metastasis of a widely disseminated, poorly differentiated chondrosarcoma to the subcutaneous tissues and thoracic and abdominal cavities was diagnosed. Local redevelopment of the chondrosarcoma in the area of the cubital joint was not detected. Resection of the radial head and proximal portion of the radius may be considered a viable, alternative, limb-sparing technique. The biologically aggressive nature of this chondrosarcoma of the appendicular skeleton indicated that additional information was needed before a reliable prognosis could be established for this dog with this tumor type. Reports of low rates of metastasis have been based on insufficient numbers of dogs to adequately or accurately determine the long-term prognosis of dogs with chondrosarcoma of the appendicular skeleton.

Treatment of dogs with osteosarcoma by administration of cisplatin after amputation or limb-sparing surgery: 22 cases (1987-1990).

Twenty-two dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma were treated by amputation (n = 17) or limb-sparing surgery (n = 5). All dogs were given cisplatin (60 mg/m2 of body surface, IV) at 3-week intervals, beginning 1 week after surgery. Number of cisplatin treatments ranged from 1 to 6. Survival data for the 22 dogs were compared with survival data from a historical control group consisting of 162 dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma treated by amputation alone. Median survival time for the 22 dogs given cisplatin was estimated to be 46.4 weeks, and 1- and 2-year survival rates were estimated to be 45.5 and 20.9%, respectively. Survival time was significantly (P less than 0.0001) longer for treated dogs than for control dogs. Statistically significant relation was not found between survival time and number of cisplatin treatments. Three dogs were alive with no evidence of disease at the time of reporting. Of the remaining 19 dogs, 14 (73.4%) were euthanatized for problems documented to be related to metastases. Nine (47.4%) dogs were euthanatized because of bone metastases, and 5 (26.3%) were euthanatized because of pulmonary metastases. The proportion of dogs euthanatized because of bone metastases was significantly (P less than 0.0001) higher for treated than for control dogs. Median survival times for dogs developing bone and lung metastases were estimated to be 51.2 weeks and 21.2 weeks, respectively; however, this difference was not statistically significant. One local tumor recurrence was observed among dogs that had limb-sparing surgery. Significant difference in survival time was not observed between dogs that had limb-sparing surgery and dogs that underwent amputation.

Ultrasonography of the brain and vertebral canal in dogs and cats: 15 cases (1988-1993).

Medical records of 3 cats and 12 dogs with lesions of the brain (3 cats, 2 dogs) or vertebral canal (10 dogs) that underwent intraoperative ultrasonography were reviewed. Ultrasonography was performed after craniotomy, a ventral slot procedure, or laminectomy, using a real-time sector scanner with a 7.5- or 10-MHz transducer. In the 3 cats and 2 dogs with brain lesions, cerebral masses were hyperechoic, compared with normal brain, and were easily located. In the 2 dogs, ultrasonography was necessary to localize deep-seated cerebral lesions that could not be seen following craniotomy. In 7 dogs that underwent a ventral slot procedure because of prolapse of an intervertebral disk, ultrasonography was successfully used to assess completeness of disk removal. The remaining 3 dogs underwent dorsal laminectomy because intradural enlargement of the spinal cord (1 dog) or an intradural mass (2 dogs) could be seen myelographically. In the 2 dogs with intradural masses, intraoperative ultrasonography helped to delineate the extent of the tumor. In the third dog, spinal cord swelling was seen ultrasonographically; the histologic diagnosis was spinal cord edema.

Osteomyelitis and disseminated infection caused by Corynebacterium renale in a goat.

A 1.5-year-old female goat was examined for recurrence of lameness involving the right forelimb. Radiography of the thorax and right scapulohumeral joint revealed a pathologic fracture of the supraglenoid tubercle, and circumscribed radiolucent lesions in the right third and fourth ribs, and the base of the spinous process of T3. Bone scintigraphy demonstrated additional lesions in the lumbar spine and the wings of the ilium. At necropsy, disseminated infection and hematogenous osteomyelitis were diagnosed. Corynebacterium renale was cultured from the rib lesions. In food animals, osteomyelitis usually develops secondary to traumatic wounds, and members of the genus Actinomyces are frequently incriminated as the causative organism. This case is unusual because the osteomyelitis was unrelated to a traumatic wound, and the gross and microscopic lesions were reminiscent of caseous lymphadenitis, an infection caused by C pseudotuberculosis.

Surgical treatment of hepatobiliary cystadenomas in cats: five cases (1988-1993).

Medical records of 5 cats with hepatobiliary cystadenomas treated by means of surgical excision were reviewed. All cats were examined because of lethargy or abdominal enlargement. A cystic liver mass was seen in each cat ultrasonographically. Postoperative complications did not develop, and none of the cats developed evidence of tumor recurrence. Four cats died 12 to 44 months after surgery. Two cats were euthanatized for unrelated problems, and 2 cats died suddenly 25 and 44 months after surgery; the causes of death were not determined in either case. One cat was alive and considered clinically normal on physical examination 42 months after surgery.

Use of human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation test to detect a retained testis in a cat.

A 4-year-old male cat was referred because of aggressive behavior and spraying urine. When the cat was 6 months old, only 1 testis was found in the scrotum. When the cat was 1 year old, the scrotal right testis was surgically removed and the left testis was not found, either within the scrotum or within the abdomen. The cat developed male behavior and another laparotomy was performed 1 year later, at which time the left testis could not be located. The cat continued to show male behavior. On referral, the penis was well developed and had spines. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), 500 IU, was administered IV. At baseline, 30, and 120 minutes after HCG administration, serum testosterone activity (ng/ml) was 0.68, 5.0, and 10.5, respectively. Laparotomy was performed with the cat under general anesthesia. The left testis was found in the facial plane lateral to the symphysis pubis. Six weeks after the surgery, the HCG stimulation test was repeated and testosterone was not detected in any serum sample. The most practical solution to locate the undescended testis would have been to follow the intact ductus deferens to the testis adjacent to the pubic symphysis.

Comparison of fibrosarcomas that developed at vaccination sites and at nonvaccination sites in cats: 239 cases (1991-1992).

Questionnaires were sent to veterinarians who had submitted a fibrosarcoma from a cat to the surgical pathology services of the veterinary schools of the University of Pennsylvania and Tufts University between Jan 1, 1991 and June 30, 1992. Questionnaire items included signalment, FeLV and feline immunodeficiency virus status, site of sarcoma, vaccination site, vaccines used, treatment, biologic behavior of the tumor, and final outcome. Data were analyzed, using Student's t-test for continuous data, chi 2 test for categoric data, and log-rank test for survival estimates. Comparing results for cats with vaccination-site (VS) tumors and nonvaccination-site (NVS) tumors, we determined that VS tumors developed in younger cats and were larger than NVS tumors. Although VS sarcomas were biologically aggressive and redeveloped more often than NVS sarcomas, metastasis was not detected, and cats with VS tumors survived longer than cats with NVS tumors. Vaccination-site sarcomas developed in cats after injection of many types of vaccines, administered singularly or in combination. Of the cats in the VS group administered a single vaccine, 37% were given rabies, 33% were given feline viral rhinotracheitis/calicivirus/panleukopenia virus, and 30% were given FeLV vaccines. Cats with VS tumors were more likely to have received FeLV vaccine and less likely to have received rabies vaccine than those with NVS tumors. Although vaccines produced by certain manufacturers were used most often in cats with VS and NVS sarcomas, it was believed that this probably represented marketing practices and brand popularity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Tuberculosis in five basset hounds.

Five Basset Hounds (2 females and 3 males) under the age of 5 years, acquired systemic tuberculosis. We suspected tuberculosis in one dog, because it had histologic lesions similar to those in 4 dogs in which bacteria were identified as Mycobacterium avium complex. A review of canine tuberculosis revealed a similar diagnosis in a Basset Hound. The association of this infection in Basset Hounds suggests an inherited immunologic defect. Results of our survey suggest that the defect might exist in cell-mediated immunity.

Prognosis for dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma treated by amputation alone: 162 cases (1978-1988).

Long-term follow-up information pertaining to 162 dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma treated by amputation alone was collected from 17 veterinary institutions. The majority (72.5%) of dogs died or were euthanatized because of problems documented to be related to metastases. The first clinically apparent sites of metastasis were the lungs (60.8% of total), the skeleton (5.2%), or both (4.6%). A Kaplan-Meier survivorship distribution was plotted on the basis of available survival time data in all 162 dogs. The mean and median survival times were estimated to be 19.8 and 19.2 weeks, respectively, and the 1- and 2-year survival rates were estimated to be 11.5 and 2.0% respectively. Statistically significant relationships were not found between survival time and reporting institution, gender, site of primary tumor, whether the primary tumor was proximally or distally located, whether the primary tumor was located in the forelimb or hind limb, whether presurgical biopsy was performed, and whether death was tumor related. A significant (P less than 0.01) quadratic relationship was found between age and survival time. Survival time was longest in dogs 7 to 10 years old and was shorter in older and younger dogs.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma in a coyote (Canis latrans).

A 19-yr-old spayed female coyote (Canis latrans) was evaluated for an elliptical swelling of the skin beneath its right eye and an elevated mass that involved the soft and hard palate and gingivae around the upper right carnassial tooth and molars. Histopathologic analysis revealed a squamous cell carcinoma, and a postmortem examination revealed no evidence of vascular invasion or dissemination to the regional lymph nodes or viscera. This report describes the biology and progresion of an oral squamous cell carcinoma in an aged captive coyote.