Cystic endometrial hyperplasia and uterine adenocarcinoma in two miniature pigs.

Due to the increasing popularity of minipigs as pets, the frequency of presentation to the veterinarian is increasing as well. In addition to routine measures such as claw trimming, vaccination and antiparasitic treatment, diagnostics, and therapy of diseased minipigs are also common activities in the veterinary practice. In recent years, we have noticed more and more pathological changes of the female genital tract of uncastrated minipigs. There are also some case reports available in the international literature in this regard. The following case report describes the diagnostic procedures and ovariohysterectomies of 2 13-year-old female minipigs in detail. In these cases, uterine adenocarcinoma, and uterine carcinoma, respectively, combined with cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) of the endometrium were diagnosed.

Treatment and outcomes of two pigs treated for hemoabdomen secondary to splenic disease.

OBJECTIVE: To report the management and outcomes of two pigs undergoing emergency surgery for hemoabdomen secondary to splenic disease. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMAL: Two adult pigs with hemoabdomen and suspected splenic pathology. METHODS: Pigs were admitted for several clinical signs including lethargy, inappetence, vomiting, abdominal distention, hypothermia, and tachycardia. Abdominal ultrasound and abdominocentesis led to a diagnosis of hemoabdomen secondary to splenic disease. RESULTS: The spleen was confirmed as the source of hemorrhage during midline exploratory celiotomy in both pigs. Splenic rupture resulted from splenic vein thrombosis in one pig and splenic torsion in the other. Complications included intraoperative hemorrhage and intraabdominal adhesion formation. Four years following splenectomy, one pig was euthanized because of widespread small intestinal adhesions causing luminal obstruction, while the other pig was euthanized following a diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia. CONCLUSIONS: A ventral midline celiotomy provided adequate exposure for splenectomy. The procedure allowed resolution of signs in both pigs. Splenic pathology, such as vessel thrombosis or torsion, may result in splenic rupture and should be considered as a differential in pigs with hemoabdomen.

[Prepubic urethrostomy in a Wiesenauer minipig with urolithiasis]. / Präpubische Urethrostomie bei einem Wiesenauer Minischwein mit Urolithiasis.

A 10-year-old castrated, male miniature pig was presented with tenesmus vesicae and anuria accompanied by tachypnea. Radiographs confirmed numerous uroliths within the bladder and urethra. The urethra was not amenable to catheterization, therefore, an emergency tube cystostomy was performed. Despite bladder irrigation the uroliths in the urethra were not removable. Consequently, a prepubic urethrostoma procedure was undertaken. The minipig fully recovered and has since been voiding urine via the urethral fistula uneventfully. Measures to prevent urolithiasis, among others, include an adequate water intake, a balanced feed and diet composition as well as maintaining a physiological urine pH.

Surgical treatment of uterine neoplasia in 13 production size pigs with a comparison to pot-bellied pigs.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to describe the clinical management and surgical treatment of production size pigs (PrdP) with uterine neoplasia. A secondary objective was to compare tumor diagnoses as well as short- and long-term survival between PrdP and a published report of pot-bellied pigs (PBP) following surgical intervention. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Client-owned PrdP (n = 13) treated with exploratory celiotomy ±ovariohysterectomy for uterine neoplasia. METHODS: Medical records from a university hospital were reviewed for historical treatment, presenting complaint, clinical signs, diagnostics, surgical intervention, pathology, and outcome. An online owner survey was performed for follow-up. The novel PrdP cohort was compared to a previously published PBP cohort for differences in tumor diagnoses, surgical complications, and survival. Descriptive statistics, Fischer's exact tests and odds ratios were reported. RESULTS: PrdP were affected by uterine leiomyoma (4/11), leiomyosarcoma (2/11), adenoma (1/11), adenocarcinoma (3/11), and carcinosarcoma (1/11) with no difference in tumor types between PrdP and PBP. PrdP surviving to hospital discharge (6/13) survived at least 1 year postoperatively, with median follow-up of 16 months (14-60 months). PrdP were less likely than PBP to survive in the short-term despite similar frequencies of marked intraoperative hemorrhage. PrdP and PBP had comparable rates of long-term survival following hospital discharge. CONCLUSION: PrdP are afflicted by similar uterine neoplasia diagnoses as PBP, but they have lower rates of short-term survival to hospital discharge with surgical treatment. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE/IMPACT: PrdP have a guarded prognosis for survival to hospital discharge when operated for uterine neoplasia.

Cryptorchidectomy with a paramedian or inguinal approach in domestic pigs: 47 cases (2000-2018).

OBJECTIVE: To describe cryptorchidectomy performed with a paramedian or inguinal approach in domestic pigs and compare findings for commercial-breed pigs with those for pot-bellied pigs. ANIMALS: 47 client-owned (33 commercial-breed and 14 pot-bellied) pigs. PROCEDURES: Medical records were searched to identify pigs that underwent surgical treatment for cryptorchidism from 2000 to 2018. Signalment, location of retained testes, surgeon, surgical approach, surgery time, anesthesia time, and postoperative complications were recorded. Complications were assessed with long-term follow-up. Age and surgical variables were compared between commercial-breed pigs and pot-bellied pigs. RESULTS: Retained testes were most commonly located in the abdomen (27/47 [57%] left-sided, 15/47 [32%] right-sided, and 2/47 [4%] bilateral); 2 pigs each had 1 retained testis in the inguinal region, and 1 pig had 1 retained testis in the abdomen and 1 in the inguinal region. Forty-four pigs with abdominally retained testes were treated successfully with a paramedian surgical approach, including 3 for which an inguinal approach was attempted first. An inguinal approach was successful for 3 pigs with inguinally retained testes and 1 with an abdominally retained testis. Standard castration techniques were used for normally descended and inguinally retained testes. Long-term follow-up was available for 34 pigs; minor complications were reported for 3 (9%). Pot-bellied pigs were significantly older than commercial-breed pigs. No other intergroup differences were found. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The paramedian surgical approach was successfully used for removal of abdominally retained testes in all pigs that underwent the procedure. The overall complication rate for cryptorchidectomy in the study sample was low.

Complications and outcomes of swine that underwent cesarean section for resolution of dystocia: 110 cases (2013-2018).

OBJECTIVE: To report the surgical survival of dams and piglets and follow-up survival and future breeding potential of swine that underwent cesarean section for correction of dystocia. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: One hundred ten client-owned, female swine. All swine included in this study were breeding stock for market pigs to be used for exhibition purposes. METHODS: Medical records of swine that underwent cesarean section at The Ohio State University Hospital for Farm Animals for resolution of dystocia between January of 2013 and July of 2018 were reviewed. Signalment, history, number of piglets per litter, treatments, and surgical procedure were recorded. Follow-up information (survival, complications, and additional pregnancies) was obtained via telephone interview. RESULTS: A fetus was not palpable in 77 of 110 (70%) cases at presentation. The median litter size was eight piglets (range, 1-14), with medians of five (range, 0-13) live and one dead (range, 0-11) piglets per litter. Follow-up was available for 52 dams, of which 39 (75%) survived. Complications were recorded in 20 of 52 (38.46%) cases and included incisional seroma formation, lethargy, and anorexia. Twenty-three dams became pregnant and farrowed after the cesarean section, with no reported complication in 13 of these. CONCLUSION: Cesarean section in swine is associated with a good prognosis for recovery from the procedure and a fair to guarded prognosis for future breeding. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Cesarean section may be considered for resolution of dystocia in swine. However, owners should be advised that nearly half of sows require assistance in subsequent deliveries.

Surgical arthrodesis for treatment of chronic shoulder joint luxation in a Vietnamese potbellied pig.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 4-year-old 55.0-kg (121-lb) spayed female Vietnamese potbellied pig was examined for right forelimb lameness of 2 months' duration that had not resolved following rest and treatment with meloxicam. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The only abnormality identified during physical examination was non-weight-bearing lameness of the right forelimb. Radiographic and CT examinations revealed that the right humerus was displaced laterally and slightly cranial to the glenoid cavity of the scapula with moderate evidence of osteoarthritis. Chronic craniolateral luxation of the right humeral (shoulder) joint was diagnosed. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Arthrodesis of the right shoulder joint was performed surgically by a lateral approach. The humeral head was replaced in the glenoid cavity. The joint was immobilized at a 115° angle with two 3.5-mm string-of-pearls orthopedic plates and a 4.5-mm cortical bone screw placed across the joint in lag fashion. The pig recovered from surgery without any complications. At 6 weeks and 5 months after surgery, the pig had the expected mechanical lameness of the right forelimb owing to immobilization of the shoulder joint and radiographic evidence of progressive arthrodesis of that joint. The pig had resumed its usual activities and had only mechanical lameness present 1 year after surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This report described successful treatment of chronic shoulder joint luxation in an adult Vietnamese potbellied pig by surgical arthrodesis of the affected joint. The described procedure might also be useful for treatment of other debilitating conditions of the shoulder joint, such as severe osteoarthritis or intra-articular fractures, in pigs.

Surgical treatment of chronic penile prolapse in Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs: 5 cases (2016-2017).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the surgical treatment and short- and long-term outcome of young pot-bellied pigs with penile prolapse. STUDY DESIGN: Short case series. ANIMALS: Five young castrated Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs. METHODS: Five Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs presented with penile prolapse of several weeks duration. No other abnormalities were found at physical examination. Under general anesthesia, phallopexy with or without combined urethropexy was performed successfully in all cases. RESULTS: All pigs were discharged from the hospital. One pig required a second urethropexy the day after the initial surgery to improve positioning of the penis in the prepuce. Long-term outcome was available in 4 cases. Penile prolapse resolved in the 4 cases available for follow-up, and the owners were satisfied with the cosmetic outcome of the procedure. CONCLUSION: Penile prolapse was successfully corrected in 5 pot-bellied pigs by using 2 different phallopexy techniques. The procedure was combined with urethropexy in 3 pigs. Long-term outcome was excellent in the 4 cases available for follow-up. CLINICAL IMPACT: This is the first report describing the use of phallopexy with or without urethropexy for successful treatment of penile prolapse in young pot-bellied pigs. Two different phallopexy techniques were effectively used in this report. The etiology of penile prolapse in pot-bellied pigs remains unknown.

Comparison of two different barbed suture materials for end-to-end jejuno-jejunal anastomosis in pigs.

BACKGROUND: Hand-sewn intestinal anastomoses are a fundamental procedure in both open and laparoscopic intestinal surgery. Self-retaining barbed suture devices have been tested for a variety of surgical applications. With the exception of clinical reports and various experimental studies on enterotomy, little has been published so far on the use of barbed suture for end-to-end intestinal anastomoses. The aim of the study was to compare two different barbed suture materials for end-to-end jejuno-jejunal anastomosis in pigs. End-to-end jejuno-jejunal anastomosis were performed with unidirectional barbed (A group), bidirectional barbed (B group) or normal (C group) sutures in each animal. A comparison was then made between the groups based on adhesions scoring, suturing time, bursting pressure and histopathology. RESULTS: Mean construction times in the A group (518 ± 40 s) and in the B group (487 ± 45 s) were significantly lower than in the C group (587 ± 63 s) but were not different between A and B group (P = 0.10). Mean bursting pressures were significantly higher in the intact intestine (197 ± 13 mmHg) than in any other group (group A 150 ± 16 mmHg, group B 145 ± 22 mmHg, group C 145 ± 24 mmHg). Among anastomotic techniques, the bursting pressures were not significantly different. Histologically no difference could be detected in the grade of inflammation, collagen deposition and neovascularization at the anastomotic sites. CONCLUSIONS: Barbed sutures can be effectively used for handsewn end-to-end jejunojejunal anastomosis in pigs. They are comparable to normal suture but could provide a shorter surgical time.

[Adenocarcinoma of the mamma in a Göttingen minipig]. / Adenokarzinom der Milchdrüse bei einem Göttinger Minipig.

In this report, the case of a tumourous enlargement of the mammary gland of a 10-year-old, female, Göttingen minipig is described. Noticeable clinical signs were an inflammatory enlargement of one complex of the mammary gland with a teat lesion and a foul-odour, liquid secretion. Further symptoms included reduced general health, with expression of pain, loss of appetite and dehydration. Mastectomy with histopathological examination of the tissue led to the diagnosis of an adenocarcinoma. The pig recovered without complications and was free of symptoms 6 months later.

Use of percutaneous cystolithotomy for removal of urethral uroliths in a pot-bellied pig.

A 6-month-old neutered male pot-bellied pig was presented for an obstructive urethral stone which was successfully removed by percutaneous cystolithotomy (PCCL). The pig recovered well although suspected urethral spasms and pollakiuria persisted for 2 weeks after surgery. The owner reported a good urine stream 2 months after discharge. This novel minimally invasive approach provided excellent visualization and allowed complete evaluation of the lower urinary tract. Percutaneous cystolithotomy holds great promise for the future treatment of various lower urinary tract disorders in this species.

Utilisation de la technique de cystolithotomie transcutanée pour le retrait d'un calcul urétral chez un cochon vietnamien. Un cochon vietnamien mâle castré de 6 mois a été présenté suite à un calcul urétral obstructif qui a pu être retiré par cystolithotomie transcutanée. Le cochon s'est bien remis bien qu'une pollakiurie persistante possiblement secondaire à des spasmes urétraux fut observée pendant deux semaines après la procédure. Le propriétaire a rapporté la présence d'un bon jet urinaire deux mois après la procédure. Cette nouvelle technique minimalement invasive permet une excellente visualisation et évaluation de l'ensemble du système urinaire inférieur. C'est une option thérapeutique d'avenir dans la gestion des cas d'affection du système urinaire chez cette espèce.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Evaluation of the reasons for and outcomes of gastrointestinal tract surgery in pet pigs: 11 cases (2004-2015).

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the reasons for and outcomes of gastrointestinal tract surgery in pet pigs. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 11 pigs. PROCEDURES The medical record database of a teaching hospital was searched to identify pet pigs that underwent at least 1 celiotomy because of a possible gastrointestinal tract obstruction between 2004 and 2015. For each pig, information extracted from the medical record included history; signalment; clinical signs; physical examination, diagnostic imaging, and diagnostic test results; perioperative management; surgical diagnosis, duration, and procedures performed; postoperative complications; and outcome. Descriptive data were generated. RESULTS 11 pet pigs underwent 12 celiotomies during the study period. Five pigs with intestinal obstructions caused by foreign bodies survived to hospital discharge. Four pigs were euthanized during surgery: 2 because of extensive adhesions that prevented correction of an intestinal obstruction, 1 because of a perforated spiral colon, and 1 because of neoplasia. One pig with a fecal impaction in the spiral colon died during anesthetic recovery. A diagnosis was not achieved for 1 pig, which was euthanized after surgery because of a deteriorating clinical condition. For the pig that underwent 2 celiotomies, the first procedure was an enterotomy for removal of a foreign body, and the second was an intestinal bypass of a stricture caused by adhesions at the previous enterotomy site. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated prognosis was good for pet pigs following surgical removal of gastrointestinal foreign bodies; however, the presence or development of intra-abdominal adhesions appeared to adversely affect prognosis.

Comparison of acute phase reaction and postoperative stress in pigs undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic versus thoracotomy pneumonectomy.

BACKGROUND: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been used for many thoracic diseases as an alternate approach to thoracotomy. The aim of this study was to compare the surgical outcome of pneumonectomy using VATS with that using thoracotomy pneumonectomy in pigs. Fourteen pigs were equally divided into two groups; one group underwent VATS and the other group underwent transthoracic pneumonectomy. We monitored pre-, intra-, and post-operative physiologic parameters, along with blood cell count, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cortisol. The differences between the two approaches were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean surgical time in the VATS group (160.6 ± 16.2 min) was significantly longer than that in the thoracotomy group (123.7 ± 13.2 min). In both groups, CRP and IL-6 concentrations were significantly increased at postoperative 4 h, and then gradually decreased to preoperative levels. CRP and IL-6 at postoperative day 1 were significant lower in the VATS group compared with the thoracotomy group. SAA was significantly increased at postoperative days 1 and 3 in both groups compared with preoperative levels. Cortisol was significantly increased immediately after surgery in both groups compared with preoperative levels, and was significantly higher in the thoracotomy group than the VATS group at postoperative 4 h and 1 day. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference between the two groups in physiologic parameters and blood cell count. However, the results indicate that VATS resulted in a smaller incision, less acute-phase reaction, less stress and less pain compared with thoracotomy pneumonectomy.

Pig surgery: cryptorchidectomy using an inguinal approach.

The objective of the study was to determine whether a less-invasive surgical technique used in cryptorchid horses, dogs and cats can be used successfully to remove retained testicles in pigs on farm. In total, 284 monolateral cryptorchid pigs underwent surgery on-farm condition, during which an incision was made over the inguinal ring and the undescended testicle was located for removal via identification of the vaginal process and the embryonic gubernaculum. A traction of these structures allowed the testis to pass through the deep and the superficial rings up to its exteriorisation outside the abdominal wall through the inguinal canal. The undescended testicle was located in the abdomen in 258 cases (90.8 per cent) and in the inguinal region in the remaining 26 cases (9.1 per cent). In none of the pigs was the abdominal cavity breached or the inguinal rings enlarged. However, in 23 pigs (8.1 per cent) the gubernaculum testis was thin and it frayed and ruptured when traction was applied, requiring a recovering by inserting a finger and Kelly curved forceps into the abdomen through the inguinal ring. In two pigs (0.7 per cent), the undescended testicle was not found. All surgical procedures were completed within 6-12 minutes. Four pigs died within two days after surgery (1.4 per cent). Major intraoperative or long-term complications did not occur. Results suggested that this surgical method is highly effective and could be used as a primary surgical approach in cryptorchid pigs as it is in cryptorchid dogs, cats and horses.

Squamous cell carcinoma in an aged German Landrace sow (Sus scrofa domestica).

Skin tumors are rarely observed in pigs, and, in particular, only a few cases of squamous cell carcinoma have been reported. The present case report describes the occurrence of a squamous cell carcinoma located in the skin at the center of the udder of a 14-year-old German Landrace sow. The tumor was spherical and 17.0 cm in diameter. The tissue of the distal pole had a cauliflowerlike appearance, was black and ulcerated with a malodorous exudation. The sow did not show any signs of reduced general condition caused by the tumor. No evidence of metastasis was noted in regional lymph nodes and in the lung. The tumor, which weighed 2.4 kg, was surgically removed. The histopathology revealed infiltratively growing pleomorphic tumor cells and cell aggregations with prominent squamous differentiation. Cells were strongly positive for several cytokeratins by immunhistochemistry. The present findings confirmed the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. After surgery, the sow recovered without complications and remained without recurrence at the follow-up three months later. This is the first report ofa squamous cell carcinoma in the skin in the udder in an old sow.

Surgical stabilization of shoulder luxation in a pot-bellied pig.

Case Description-A 4.6-month-old pot-bellied pig was evaluated because of non-weight-bearing lameness (grade 5/5) in the right forelimb of 4 days' duration. Clinical Findings-Clinical and radiographic examination revealed a closed, lateral luxation of the right shoulder joint. Treatment and Outcome-Initial attempts at closed reduction failed to provide adequate stability of the shoulder joint. Open reduction and internal fixation by placement of 2 lateral tension sutures with a system designed for canine cranial cruciate ligament repair provided adequate joint stability and a successful outcome. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Stabilization of the shoulder joint with lateral tension sutures after open reduction should be considered for management of lateral shoulder luxation in pot-bellied pigs.

Lipid emboli in a Vietnamese potbellied pig (Sus scrofa).

A 2-year-old, spayed female Vietnamese potbellied pig (Sus scrofa) was evaluated due to polyuria, polydipsia, lethargy, and hyporexia. The pig was obese, and a large abdominal mass was palpated. Additional findings included hypercalcemia, hyperglycemia, glucosuria, and an inflammatory leukogram. At surgery, the abdominal mass was biopsied and found to be bilaterally symmetric adipose tissue with mineralization and granulomatous steatitis. An additional surgery was performed to collect additional diagnostic samples, but the pig died while recovering from anesthesia. A cosmetic necropsy was performed, and lipid emboli were identified microscopically in various tissues. The presence of lipid emboli in the lung and kidney was supported by antifibrinogen immunohistochemistry. Obesity is a common finding in potbellied pigs; however, mineralization and saponification of fat are uncommon, particularly the bilateral symmetrical distribution found in the abdomen of the present case. This may present as a single intra-abdominal mass complicating diagnostic interpretation. Whether mineralization and saponification of fat facilitate the development of fat embolism is undetermined. Lipid emboli should be considered in obese pigs undergoing medical or surgical procedures. Factors that may predispose to the development of fat embolism, such as excessive handling or bruising of fat stores, should be avoided.

Comparison of the pig and feline models for full thickness corneal transplantation.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to report on the advantages and limitations of the pig and feline models for experimental in vivo corneal transplantation. METHODS: Ten healthy domestic pigs and ten healthy cats were used. Full thickness penetrating keratoplasty was performed using autologous (eight cases), allogeneic (seven cases) or human xenogeneic (three cases) tissue. In two other cases, the inflammatory response to partial thickness trephination (without transplantation) was evaluated. Eyes were assessed daily before and after surgery by slit-lamp, pachymetry, and tonometry. A transparency score ranging from 0 (opaque graft) to 4 (clear graft) was used, based on the slit-lamp examination. Optical coherence tomography, histology, and electron microscopy were performed postmortem. RESULTS: In the pig, the mean (±SD) transparency score for the eight full thickness grafts was 0.88 ± 0.99, ranging from 0 to 3. In the feline model, the mean transparency score for the seven uncomplicated grafts was 3.93 ± 0.19, ranging from 3.5 to 4. Both negative controls without endothelium remained opaque at all time. Intraoperative tendency for iris incarceration into the wound, rapid corneal swelling, suture cheese wiring, and postoperative intraocular inflammation were the main factors jeopardizing the functional success of the corneal transplant in the pig model. CONCLUSION: Suboptimal functional results were obtained after full thickness corneal transplantation in the pig model, while in the feline model, the same protocol yielded uneventful surgeries and clear transplants, with functional results similar to those achieved in human subjects.