Vesicopreputial anastomosis for the treatment of obstructive urolithiasis in goats.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel surgical technique for the correction of recurrent obstructive urolithiasis in male goats. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical case series. ANIMALS: Castrated male goats (n = 4). METHODS: Medical records of male goats having undergone vesicopreputial anastomosis (VPA) as a treatment for obstructive urolithiasis were reviewed for history, signalment, clinical signs, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Long-term follow-up (≥12 months) was obtained by telephone interview with owners or by clinical examination. RESULTS: All goats had undergone at least one surgical procedure (median, 2.5, range 2-4) to correct obstructive urolithiasis before undergoing VPA. Postoperative complications included premature removal of the tube from the bladder (1 goat), bacterial cystitis (2), and abscess formation (1). One goat suffered stricture of the anastomosis site 3 months following the original procedure and underwent a second VPA and 1 goat died 7 months after surgery due to severe, acute hydronephrosis and renal failure. Long-term survival ≥12 months was good with 3/4 goats (75%) or 3/5 VPA procedures (60%) having unobstructed urine flow at 12 months. CONCLUSION: Vesicopreputial anastomosis is a feasible surgical procedure for the correction of recurrent obstructive urolithiasis in male goats and one that can result in a favorable clinical outcome. Further investigation in a larger population of goats is warranted for the evaluation of the suitability of VPA in male goats with obstructive urolithiasis.

Clinical prevalence and associated intraoperative surgical complications of reproductive tract lesions in pot-bellied pigs undergoing ovariohysterectomy: 298 cases (2006-2016).

To address the current dearth of clinically relevant publications regarding ovariohysterectomy (OVH) in the domestic pot-bellied pig (PBP), the present study aims to report prevalence of uterine lesions, intraoperative complications, and short and long-term survival in this species (n=298). Prevalence of lesions included uterine neoplasia 11.4 per cent (34/298), pyometra 1.6 per cent (5/298) and cystic endometrial hyperplasia 5 per cent (15/298). Pigs at least six years of age were statistically more likely to have a uterine lesion (less than P=0.001). Smooth muscle tumours represented the most frequent neoplasm. Haemorrhage was the most common intraoperative complication in 23 per cent (8/34) of pigs with neoplasia. Pigs without reproductive tract lesions were statistically more likely to survive to hospital discharge than those with lesions (P=0.001). Short-term survival, defined as survival to hospital discharge, of pigs with reproductive tract lesions was 89 per cent (48/54). Pigs with pyometra were least likely to survive to discharge 60 per cent (3/5). Long-term survival (≥1 year) was 93 per cent (14/15) for pigs with neoplasia. Practitioners should be aware of significantly higher rate of neoplastic and inflammatory diseases in PBP at least six years of age. To minimise morbidity and mortality in PBP undergoing OVH, the present study suggests the procedure should be performed prior to six years of age.

Medical and surgical management of an intra-abdominal abscess of hepatic origin in a horse.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 4-year-old Arabian-cross mare was examined because of a 48-hour history of pyrexia, lethargy, and signs of abdominal discomfort. CLINICAL FINDINGS: On initial evaluation, the horse was in good body condition, but febrile, tachycardic, tachypneic, and icteric and had signs of colic. Findings on CBC and serum biochemical analysis indicated marked systemic inflammation and hepatocellular damage. Serial abdominal ultrasonographic examinations revealed progressive, localized hepatic parenchymal abnormalities in the left ventral aspect of the abdomen in proximity to the left liver lobes, and eventual identification of an irregularly marginated, hyperechoic walled region of heterogenous echogenicity consistent with an encapsulated hepatic abscess. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Medical treatment was initiated with administration of doxycycline and flunixin meglumine. After 7 days, the horse's clinical signs and hematologic values improved. After 14 days, the horse was discharged from the hospital and prescribed continuation of doxycycline treatment for 14 days. One week following hospital discharge, the horse was reevaluated for recurrent signs of colic and pyrexia. The horse was sedated, and the region overlying the caudal aspect of the seventh rib was desensitized with an inverted L nerve block by local infiltration with 2% lidocaine. While the horse was standing and sedated, drainage of an encapsulated intra-abdominal abscess was followed by rib resection and removal of a portion of necrotic left lateral liver lobe. The development of a pneumothorax following rib resection represented the only major surgical complication. Twelve months later, the horse was clinically normal and had returned to its previous level of performance. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Rib resection in standing sedated horses, together with appropriate medical management, should be considered an option for removal of well-encapsulated cranially located intra-abdominal abscesses that are adherent to the ventrolateral aspect of the body wall in horses.