Bilateral ureteral obstruction in a cat due to a ureteral transitional cell carcinoma.

A 15-year-old cat was presented with a history of lethargy and vomiting. Serum biochemistry revealed severe azotemia. Ultrasonography revealed a small left kidney and hydronephrosis of the right kidney. There was an abdominal mass between the kidneys. Necropsy revealed a mass circumflexing both ureters and histopathology confirmed a diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma.

Oesophageal sarcomas in dogs: histological and clinical evaluation.

A histological grading system of oesophageal sarcomas has not been established. Thirty-two cases of oesophageal sarcomas have been reviewed for tumour characteristics and clinical outcome. Nineteen dogs underwent surgical intervention to remove oesophageal tumours; ten of them survived (median 278 days). Primary tumour types included osteosarcoma (47%), osteosarcoma with tumour giant cells (7%), fibroblastic osteosarcoma (13%), chondroblastic osteosarcoma (7%) fibrosarcoma (23%) and undifferentiated sarcoma (3%). Histological grade evaluation revealed 33% grade 1 sarcoma, 50% grade 2 and 17% grade 3. No correlation could be found between survival and signalment, duration of clinical signs, tumour type, tumour grade and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy was found to reduce lung metastases' histological scores in three cases (P=0.0007). Surgery seems to be the treatment of choice but the effect of chemotherapy warrants further investigation. Additional research of cases should be performed in order to further define prognostic factors of oesophageal sarcomas.

Chemotherapeutic treatment of xenograft Spirocerca lupi-associated sarcoma in a murine model.

To date, data are not available concerning the effectiveness of chemotherapy in the treatment of Spirocerca lupi-associated esophageal sarcomas. In the present study, we compared the effectiveness of 4 chemotherapeutic agents against S. lupi-associated osteosarcoma, using a xenograft murine model created in our lab. Samples of xenografted osteosarcoma were inoculated subcutaneously into 5 groups (n = 10 each) of 6-wk-old male and female NOD/SCID mice. Tumor-bearing mice were divided into treatment and control groups. The treatment groups were injected with either pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (6 mg/kg, intravenously, n = 9), doxorubicin (6 mg/kg, intravenously, n = 8), carboplatin (60 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, repeated twice at 1-wk intervals for a total of 2 doses, n = 9), or cisplatin (6 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, n = 8). The control group was injected with buffered saline (n = 9). Tumor size was determined by caliper measurements. Compared with the control group, the pegylated liposomal doxorubicin- and doxorubicin-treated groups, but not the carboplatin or cisplatin groups, showed significant inhibition of tumor growth. Our results indicate that doxorubicin-based drugs are effective against S. lupi-associated sarcomas in a mouse xenograft model. Because it is less toxic than doxorubicin, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin is likely the drug of choice for treatment of S. lupi-associated sarcomas. We suggest that combination of doxorubicin or its pegylated form with surgical excision will improve the prognosis of dogs with this disease.

Evaluation of lidocaine treatment and risk factors for death associated with gastric dilatation and volvulus in dogs: 112 cases (1997-2005).

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical features, outcome, risk factors for death, and efficacy of IV administration of lidocaine as a prophylactic treatment for ischemic reperfusion injury in gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 112 dogs with GDV. PROCEDURES: Data pertaining to breed; time lag to admission; clinical, clinicopathologic, and surgical findings; lidocaine treatment; and postoperative complications were assessed for association with outcome. RESULTS: German Shepherd Dogs (28.6%) and Great Danes (17%) were significantly over-represented. Risk factors for death included time lag (> or = 5 hours vs < 5 hours) from onset of clinical signs to admission (46.0% vs 11.3%), rectal temperature (< or = 38 degrees C vs > 38 degrees C [< 100.4 degrees F vs > 100.4 degrees F]) at admission (40.0% vs 14.9%), presence or absence of ARF (67.0% vs 23.3%), presence or absence of suspected gastric wall necrosis (59.3% vs 16.0%), and untreated gastric wall necrosis, compared with treated gastric wall necrosis (100% vs 47.6%). Overall mortality rate was 26.8%; no significant differences were detected in mortality rate or postoperative complications between dogs that received lidocaine IV prior to surgical intervention (52.0%) and dogs that did not (48.0%). Mean +/- SD hospitalization time was longer in the lidocaine treatment group (3.5 +/- 1.9 days vs 2.5 +/- 1.4 days). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Presence of the identified risk factors should warrant aggressive treatment. Lidocaine treatment was not associated with mortality rate or postoperative complications, but was associated with prolonged hospitalization time.

Perineal urethrostomy in a brown capuchin monkey (Cebus apella).

A 14-yr-old male brown capuchin monkey (Cebus apella) was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, with stranguria. The history included distal urethral obstruction and a previous surgical attempt to create a urinary diversion through the perineum. A perineal urethrostomy was performed. In a 17-mo follow-up period, neither stranguria nor dysuria was observed, and the monkey's social behavior appeared normal. Perineal urethrostomy appears to be a simple and practical procedure in primates with a compromised distal urethra.

Murine xenograft model of Spirocerca lupi-associated sarcoma.

Nodular masses and granulomas of the esophagus are among the most frequent lesions caused by Spirocerca lupi, a nematode parasite of dogs, and neoplastic transformation of these granulomas to osteosarcoma or fibrosarcoma has been described. In this study, we developed a xenograft murine model of S. lupi-associated sarcoma. Samples of esophageal fibrosarcoma and osteosarcomas were excised from three dogs diagnosed with spirocercosis. These sarcomas were inoculated into three groups of 6-week-old NOD/SCID mice to create three tumor lines of S. lupi-associated sarcomas. Mice in all groups developed tumors after inoculation, and the cell lines could be further propagated as second-generation xenografts. We successfully established xenograft murine models of three different lines of S. lupi-associated sarcoma that offer readily available sources of these tumors for further experiments. This resource will facilitate studies on the malignant transformation of the granulomas, establishment of efficient chemotherapy and radiotherapy regimens, and identification of diagnostic molecular markers.

Spirocercosis-associated esophageal sarcomas in dogs. A retrospective study of 17 cases (1997-2003).

Seventeen client-owned dogs diagnosed with spirocercosis-associated esophageal sarcomas were retrospectively reviewed. The most common clinical signs noticed were vomiting and/or regurgitation (94%), lethargy and depression (59%), pyrexia and anorexia (41% each). Leukocytosis (82%) and microcytic hypochromic anemia (30%) were the most common hematological abnormalities. Caudal thoracic masses were demonstrated on survey radiographs of 13/15 of the dogs and thoracic spondylitis was detected in 12/15 dogs. Spirocerca lupi eggs were detected in 2/8 patients and worms were demonstrated on 1/11 at necropsy. Ten cases underwent surgical attempt to remove the tumors. In six of them partial esophagectomy (PE) was performed and all of them survived the immediate postoperative hospitalization. Five of the cases that underwent PE also received chemotherapy after surgery (doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Upjohn)) with an average survival time of 267 days. The histopathological results of the esophageal tumors were osteosarcoma (9), fibrosarcoma (5) and undifferentiated sarcoma (1). In areas endemic to spirocercosis, regurgitation or vomiting in dogs and microcytic hypochromic anemia and neutrophilia warrant ruling out esophageal sarcomas. Proper surgical treatment could prolong the dogs' lifespan for months, and improve their quality of life.

Chondroma of the vertical ramus of the feline mandible.

A 5-year-old, castrated male, domestic shorthair cat presented with firm swelling in the right temporal region of the skull. The cat's jaws were almost locked in the closed position. Radiographs showed a mass with an irregular mineralized matrix superimposed on the caudal right mandible and temporomandibular joint. Surgical exploration revealed that the mass arose from the proximal part of the vertical ramus, which was removed, with the exclusion of the temporomandibular joint. It was possible to open the cat's mouth to nearly normal extension immediately after surgery. Recovery was uneventful - the cat has had no problem eating and no mass recurrence has been detected 3 years after surgery. Histological examination of the mass was consistent with chondroma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical and pathological description of a chondroma in cats, and one of the rare cases describing clinical presentation and management of primary bone tumours involving the vertical ramus of the feline mandible.

Urethral obstruction in cats: predisposing factors, clinical, clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis.

Feline lower urinary tract diseases in general, and urethral obstruction (UO) in particular, are common clinical conditions in cats. The aims of this study were to identify risk factors for UO, to characterise clinical and clinicopathological signs, outcome and recurrence, as well as risk factors for mortality and recurrence. Eighty-two cats with UO were compared to 82 sex and time matched controls. The mean age of cats with UO was significantly lower compared to controls, while the mean body weight was higher. The proportion of indoors-outdoors cats was significantly lower in the study group compared to the control group, and the proportion of cats consuming only dry food was higher. Overall mortality was 8.5%. Ionised calcium was significantly higher in survivors compared to non-survivors, and the prevalence of hypocalcaemia was lower. Recurrence in 6 months and 2 years were 22% and 24%, respectively. Cats with recurrence had significantly lower urine pH at presentation.

Expression of relaxin receptor LRG7, canine relaxin, and relaxin-like factor in the pelvic diaphragm musculature of dogs with and without perineal hernia.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the expression of canine relaxin, relaxin-like factor (RLF), and relaxin receptors within the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm of dogs with perineal hernia (PH) and clinically normal dogs. STUDY DESIGN: In vivo comparative study. ANIMALS: Fifteen client-owned intact male dogs with PH were studied. Four mature intact male dogs with no evidence of perineal pathology served as controls. METHODS: Biopsy samples from the levator ani, coccygeus, and internal obturator muscles were obtained. RNA samples were reverse transcribed and analyzed by real-time PCR for the expression of canine relaxin receptor LRG7, relaxin, and RLF. RESULTS: Significantly higher expression levels of canine relaxin receptors occurred in the musculature of the pelvic diaphragm and internal obturator muscle in dogs with PH compared with normal dogs. Expression of canine RLF revealed no significant difference between dogs with PH and controls. The difference in the expression of canine relaxin between groups was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Relaxin receptor up-regulation occurs in the coccygeus, levator ani, and internal obturator muscles of dogs with PH. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The higher expression of relaxin receptors within the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm in dogs with PH suggests that relaxin might play a role in the pathogenesis of PH. Atrophy of these muscles, which predisposes to PH, may be attributable to increased relaxin activity.

Partial esophagectomy with single layer closure for treatment of esophageal sarcomas in 6 dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To report partial esophagectomy (PE) as a treatment for esophageal sarcoma in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study (2000-2002). ANIMALS: Six dogs with caudal thoracic esophageal tumors. METHODS: Medical records of 6 dogs that had surgical removal of esophageal tumors were reviewed. Signalment, medical history, physical examination results, complete blood count, surgical procedure, tumor classification, postoperative treatment, and complications were retrieved. RESULTS: Esophageal masses were approached by thoracotomy and esophagotomy on the side opposite the mass, removed with 1 cm margins by full thickness excision, and the defects closed with a single layer of interrupted sutures. All dogs recovered rapidly without major complications. Tumors were fibrosarcoma (3 dogs), undifferentiated sarcoma (1), and osteosarcoma (2). Five dogs were administered doxorubicin chemotherapy after surgery. Good quality of life was observed postoperatively in 5 dogs until deterioration necessitated euthanasia; survival ranged from 2-16 months. The remaining dog was alive, 20 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Partial esophagectomy and closure using 1 suture layer, was an effective, simple, and safe technique for removal of sarcomas of the distal thoracic esophagus. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Removal of esophageal masses by partial esophagectomy can be used reliably as a method of esophageal surgery.