Aetiology, clinical parameters and outcome in 113 dogs surgically treated for septic peritonitis (2004-2020).

BACKGROUND: Septic peritonitis (SP) is a common life-threatening condition. The aims of this study were to describe the aetiology, clinicopathological abnormalities, complications, treatment, outcome and prognosis of dogs with SP. METHODS: Records of 113 dogs diagnosed and surgically treated for SP between 2004 and 2020 were reviewed. RESULTS: Overall survival rate was 74.3%. Parameters at presentation that were significantly associated with mortality were lateral recumbency (p = 0.001) and elevated respiratory rate (p = 0.045). Hypotension during or after surgery (p < 0.001), liver injury (p < 0.001) and acute kidney injury (p < 0.001) were also more common in non-survivors. The source of contamination, number of surgeries or the location of perforation in cases of gastrointestinal tract perforation were not associated with mortality. Delta glucose (serum vs. abdominal) was available in 36 out of 113 dogs and the difference was more than 20 mg/dl in only 22 of out 36 (61.1%) cases. CONCLUSION: Liver and kidney injuries play a role in mortality, and early diagnosis and intervention are recommended to prevent multiple organ dysfunction and death. The reported high sensitivity of delta glucose is questionable in diagnosis of SP.

Cranial translation of the elevated prepuce in dogs before and after two modifications: A cadaveric study.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify cranial translation of the prepuce after elevating it from the ventral body wall and to compare it to the cranial translation achieved after each of two modifications expected to increase cranial translation. STUDY DESIGN: Cadaveric study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Ten male dogs. METHODS: All procedures were performed with dogs in dorsal recumbency. A urinary catheter with an attached millimeter scale was secured in the urethra and the penis was sutured to the ventral body wall to eliminate relative movement between the penis and prepuce. Three preplaced sutures between the prepuce and linea alba, at increasing distances from the prepuce, were used to translate the prepuce cranially. The prepuce was tested after elevating it from the ventral body wall, and after sequentially releasing the skin caudal to the prepuce (modification 1) and the attachment of the lamina interna to the penis (modification 2). The preplaced sutures were tightened and loosened sequentially from caudal to cranial, and the location of the dorsal aspect of the preputial opening on the millimeter scale was noted prior to, and after tightening each of the sutures. RESULTS: Maximum mean (range) cranial translation of the prepuce after elevating the prepuce, and after modifications 1 and 2, was 15 mm (5-26 mm), 25 mm (15-30 mm), and 37 mm (24-50 mm), respectively. CONCLUSION: Modifications described increased cranial translation of the prepuce. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Modifications described in this study may provide alternate strategies for the treatment of dogs with severe paraphimosis.

Acute mesenteric ischemia-like syndrome associated with suspected Spirocerca lupi aberrant migration in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To describe acute mesenteric infarction due to suspected Spirocerca lupi aberrant migration in 5 dogs. CASE SERIES SUMMARY: All dogs were large breed, none of which exhibited typical clinical signs associated with spirocercosis. All dogs were eventually diagnosed with septic peritonitis. On exploratory laparotomy, thickening of the jejunal arteries, surrounding mesojejunum, and segmental necrosis were identified. Similar thickening and hematoma formation were found in other regions of the mesentery. In 4 of the cases, the necrotic segment was located in the distal jejunum. Histology revealed thrombotic mesenteric vessels with intralesional S. lupi nematode larvae. Resection and anastomosis of the necrosed section was performed and all but 1 dog survived and were discharged within 1-6 days. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: Spirocerca lupi is a potential cause of mesenteric infarction in endemic areas when no other obvious etiology is identified.

Changes in D-dimer concentration after soft tissue and orthopedic surgery in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: D-dimer is a specific marker of active coagulation and fibrinolysis. The objective of this study is to determine the influence of surgery on D-dimer concentration as well as to examine the relation between the magnitude of change and invasiveness of the surgical procedures. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Forty-five client-owned dogs undergoing elective neutering (n = 15), elective orthopedic (n = 15), or posttraumatic orthopedic (n = 15) surgical procedures. METHODS: Dogs undergoing elective neutering, elective orthopedic, and posttraumatic orthopedic surgical procedures were enrolled. D-dimer concentration, measured immediately prior to, immediately after, and 24 hours after surgery (T0, T1, and T24, respectively), was compared within and among study groups. RESULTS: D-dimer concentration was >250 ng/mL in 8 (18%) dogs at T0, in 9 (20%) at T1, and in 5 (11%) at T24. At T1 and T24, only 2 dogs had a D-dimer concentration >500 ng/mL, and it was <750 ng/mL in all dogs. There was no difference in the proportion of increased D-dimer concentration (>250 ng/mL) among the time points (P = 0.29). Median D-dimer concentration did not vary between time points within the groups, except in the neutering group (P = 0.029), in which T1 concentration tended to increase compared with T0 values (161 ng/dL, range 71-727 vs 122 ng/mL, range, 43-353, respectively; P = .065). CONCLUSION: The surgical procedures tested in this study are unlikely to cause a direct increase in D-dimer concentration. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Any increase in D-dimer concentration after elective neutering, elective orthopedic, and posttraumatic orthopedic surgical procedures should be regarded as clinically important and trigger investigations to detect a hemostatic derangement.

Retrospective evaluation of the use of autologous blood-patch treatment for persistent pneumothorax in 8 dogs (2009-2012).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical course, outcome and success rate of 8 dogs with persistent pneumothorax treated with autologous blood-patch pleurodesis (ABP). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: University teaching hospital ANIMALS: Eight client-owned dogs. INTERVENTION: Non-coagulated blood was aseptically collected from the jugular vein and injected immediately into the pleural cavity of dogs with persistent pneumothorax. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The procedure was successful in 7 of 8 dogs. The median duration of pneumothorax until the ABP was performed was 4 days (range 2-6 days). Pneumothorax resolved immediately after 1 treatment in 4 dogs. Pleurodesis was repeated once in 3 dogs, and twice in 1 case after which it resolved in 3 of the 4 dogs. Out of a total of 13 ABP procedures performed in 8 dogs, 5 (62.5%) were successful after 1 procedure and the success rate increased to 87.5% after additional procedures. One dog failed ABP and was euthanized 3 days later due to continued deterioration and a hospital acquired pneumonia. Mild to moderate complications occurred in 2 other dogs and resolved in both. CONCLUSIONS: ABP is a simple, inexpensive, and relatively safe procedure which can be considered in dogs with persistent pneumothorax that have failed conservative or surgical management. Infections following ABP were documented in 2 of the 8 dogs and resolved in 1 dog.