Recurrence and survival in dogs with excised colorectal polyps: A retrospective study of 58 cases.

BACKGROUND: Compared to humans, colorectal polyps are relatively rare in dogs. Epidemiological and prognostic data remain accordingly sparse, although they could help veterinary clinicians in the management of these cases. OBJECTIVES: To report the epidemiological data of dogs with colorectal polyps and identify factors associated with recurrence and survival. ANIMALS: Fifty-eight client-owned dogs with colorectal polyps admitted to 7 veterinary hospitals (53 dogs from France, 5 dogs from Spain, and 4 dogs from Portugal) were included. METHODS: Retrospective multicentric cohort study. Medical records and long-term outcome of the dogs were reviewed. When available, histological samples were reassessed by 2 board-certified pathologists according to the revised Vienna classification (RVC). RESULTS: The West Highland White Terrier (WHWT) breed was significantly associated with the presence of colorectal polyps (OR: 20; 95% CI: 7.5-52; P < .001). The overall median time to recurrence was not reached after 2000 days. The overall estimated median survival time was 1640 days. WHWT breed and larger polyps were significantly associated with a shorter time of polyp recurrence after surgical removal (respectively, P = .05 and P = .01). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The probability of recurrence of colorectal polyps in dogs is low, but increased in WHWTs and larger polyps, which might benefit from routine screening after removal. No effective predictors of polyp recurrence and survival were identified using the RVC.

Long-term outcome of Miniature Schnauzers with genetically confirmed demyelinating polyneuropathy: 12 cases.

BACKGROUND: A demyelinating polyneuropathy with focally folded myelin sheaths was reported in 3 Miniature Schnauzers in France in 2008 and was predicted to represent a naturally occurring canine homologue of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. A genetic variant of MTRM13/SBF2 has been identified as causative in affected Miniature Schnauzers with this polyneuropathy. OBJECTIVE: To provide data on the long-term progression in affected Miniature Schnauzers from Spain confirmed with the MTRM13/SBF2 genetic variant. ANIMALS: Twelve Miniature Schnauzers presented between March 2013 and June 2019. METHODS: Only dogs presented with consistent clinical signs and homozygous for the MTRM13/SBF2 genetic variant were included. Clinical signs, age of onset and presentation, time from onset to presentation, treatment, outcome, and time from diagnosis to final follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The hallmark clinical signs at the time of presentation were regurgitation with radiologically confirmed megaesophagus (11/12) and aphonic bark (11/12) with or without obvious neuromuscular weakness despite electrodiagnostic evidence of appendicular demyelinating polyneuropathy. Age of onset and clinical presentation were 3-18 and 4-96 months, respectively. Treatment was mostly symptomatic and consisted of head elevation during meals, antacids, prokinetics, bethanechol, sildenafil, mirtazapine, or some combination of these. During the follow-up period (7-73 months), clinical signs were unchanged in (11/12) cases with aspiration pneumonia developing occasionally (6/12) and being the cause of death in 1 dog. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Demyelinating polyneuropathy of Miniature Schnauzers tends to remain stable over the long term leading to a good prognosis with preventive feeding measures and symptomatic treatment to control aspiration pneumonia.

Clinical assessment and C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin (Hp), and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) values of brachycephalic dogs with upper airway obstruction before and after surgery.

Brachycephalic dogs have unique upper respiratory anatomy with abnormal breathing patterns that are similar to those in humans with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The objectives of this multicenter prospective study were to assess the effects of surgical correction on clinical signs in dogs with brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome (BAOS) and to evaluate the levels of several biomarkers [C-reactive protein (CRP); haptoglobin (Hp), and cardiac troponin I (cTnI)] used to determine systemic inflammation and myocardial damage. This study was conducted on 33 dogs with BAOS that were evaluated before and 1 to 2 mo after surgical correction. Palatoplasty was carried out by means of 2 different surgical techniques: carbon dioxide (CO2) laser (n = 12) and electrical scalpel (n = 21). Biomarker levels (CRP, Hp, and cTnI) were determined before and after surgery. There was a significant reduction in respiratory and gastrointestinal signs in dogs with BAOS after surgical treatment (P < 0.001). A greater reduction in respiratory signs (P < 0.002) was obtained using the CO2 laser. No statistical differences were found between CRP and cTnI levels, either before or after surgical correction. Haptoglobin concentration did increase significantly in the postsurgical period (P < 0.008). Surgical treatment in dogs with BAOS reduces clinical signs, regardless of the anatomical components present. Surgical treatment for BAOS is not useful to reduce CRP and Hp levels, probably because BAOS does not induce as obvious an inflammatory process in dogs as in human patients with OSAS. No reduction in cTnI levels was observed 1 mo after surgery in dogs with BAOS, which suggests that some degree of myocardial damage remains.

Les chiens brachycéphales ont anatomie des voies respiratoires supérieures unique avec les modèles de respiration anormale similaires à ceux des humains avec obstructive apnée du sommeil (SAOS). Les objectifs de cette étude prospective multicentrique étaient d'évaluer les effets de la correction chirurgicale sur les signes cliniques et sur les niveaux de biomarqueurs [protéine C-réactive (CRP), haptoglobine (Hp) et la troponine I cardiaque (cTnI)] utilisée pour déterminer l'inflammation systémique et l'infarctus dommage. Cette étude a été menée sur 33 chiens atteints du syndrome d'obstruction des voies respiratoires brachycéphales (BAOS) évaluée avant et 1­2 mois après la correction chirurgicale. Palatoplasty a été réalisée au moyen de deux techniques chirurgicales différentes, le laser du dioxyde de carbone (CO2) (n = 12) et avec an scalpel électric (n = 21). Les niveaux de biomarqueurs (CRP, HP et cTnI) ont été déterminés avant et après la chirurgie. Il y avait une réduction significative des signes respiratoires et gastro-intestinaux chez les chiens atteints BAOS après le traitement chirurgical (P < 0,001). Une plus grande réduction des signes respiratoires (P < 0,002) ont été obtenues en utilisant le laser CO2. Aucune différence statistiquement significative a été observée entre CRP et les niveaux de cTnI, soit avant, soit après correction chirurgicale. La concentration du Hp a augmenté de manière significative dans la période postopératoire (P < 0,008). Le traitement chirurgical chez les chiens atteints BAOS réduit les signes cliniques, quels que soient les éléments anatomiques présents. Le traitement chirurgical du BAOS n'est pas utile pour réduire les niveaux de CRP et Hp, probablement parce que BAOS n'induit pas un évidente processus inflammatoire chez les chiens à différence des patients humains en souffrant du SAOS. Aucune réduction des niveaux cTnI ont été observés un mois après la chirurgie chez les chiens atteints BAOS, ce qui suggère qu'ils maintien d'un certain degré de lésion myocardique.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Evaluation of C-reactive protein, haptoglobin and cardiac troponin 1 levels in brachycephalic dogs with upper airway obstructive syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Brachycephalic dogs have unique upper respiratory anatomy with abnormal breathing patterns similar to those in humans with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between anatomical components, clinical signs and several biomarkers, used to determine systemic inflammation and myocardial damage (C-reactive protein, CRP; Haptoglobin, Hp; cardiac troponin I, cTnI), in dogs with brachycephalic upper airway obstructive syndrome (BAOS). RESULTS: Fifty brachycephalic dogs were included in the study and the following information was studied: signalment, clinical signs, thoracic radiographs, blood work, ECG, components of BAOS, and CRP, Hp and cTnI levels. A high proportion of dogs with BAOS (88%) had gastrointestinal signs. The prevalence of anatomic components of BAOS was: elongated soft palate (100%), stenotic nares (96%), everted laryngeal saccules (32%) and tracheal hypoplasia (29.1%). Increased serum levels of biomarkers were found in a variable proportion of dogs: 14% (7/50) had values of CRP > 20 mg/L, 22.9% (11/48) had values of Hp > 3 g/L and 47.8% (22/46) had levels of cTnI > 0.05 ng/dl. Dogs with everted laryngeal saccules had more severe respiratory signs (p<0.02) and higher values of CRP (p<0.044). No other statistical association between biomarkers levels and severity of clinical signs was found. CONCLUSIONS: According to the low percentage of patients with elevated levels of CRP and Hp, BAOS does not seem to cause an evident systemic inflammatory status. Some degree of myocardial damage may occur in dogs with BAOS that can be detected by cTnI concentration.

Bromide-associated lower airway disease: a retrospective study of seven cats.

Seven cats were presented for mild-to-moderate cough and/or dyspnoea after starting bromide (Br) therapy for neurological diseases. The thoracic auscultation was abnormal in three cats showing increased respiratory sounds and wheezes. Haematology revealed mild eosinophilia in one cat. The thoracic radiographs showed bronchial patterns with peribronchial cuffing in most of them. Bronchoalveolar lavage performed in two cats revealed neutrophilic and eosinophilic inflammation. Histopathology conducted in one cat showed endogenous lipid pneumonia (EnLP). All cats improved with steroid therapy after Br discontinuation. Five cats were completely weaned off steroids, with no recurrence of clinical signs. In one cat, the treatment was discontinued despite persistent clinical signs. The cat presenting with EnLP developed secondary pneumothorax and did not recover. Br-associated lower airway disease can appear in cats after months of treatment and clinical improvement occurs only after discontinuing Br therapy.