Nonreproductive surgery in small mammals.

The sophistication of soft-tissue surgery techniques in small mammals is increasing rapidly. Exotic animal practitioners must be familiar with the diseases, conditions, and anatomic variations of each small-mammal species. The small size of these patients should not preclude the use of technologic advances available for other small animals. Despite these challenges, successful resolution of surgical problems in small exotic mammals is not only possible but also should be the expected result of veterinarians' efforts in such cases.

Miscellaneous surgeries in ferrets.

This article describes the most common extra-abdominal surgeries performed in ferrets, including anal sacculectomy for descenting, mammary and prepucial adenoma or adenocarcinoma removal, chordomas, and perineal urethrostomy. Thoracotomy and special considerations for performing surgery on ferrets also are discussed.

Diagnosis and treatment of insulin-secreting pancreatic islet cell tumors in ferrets: 57 cases (1986-1994).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical, laboratory, radiographic, ultrasonographic, surgical, and histologic findings in ferrets with insulinoma and to determine their long-term outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 57 ferrets with a histopathologic diagnosis of pancreatic islet cell tumor. PROCEDURE: Medical records of ferrets with pancreatic islet cell tumors were reviewed. RESULTS: Lethargy, weakness, and collapse were the most common clinical signs. All ferrets had hypoglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia was documented in 39 of 47 (83%) ferrets. Ultrasonographic examination of the abdomen revealed pancreatic nodules in 5 of 23 ferrets. Surgical treatment was performed in 50 ferrets, 3 were treated by medical management alone, and 4 did not have treatment. At the time of surgery, 1 pancreatic nodule was found in 13 (26%) ferrets and multiple nodules were found in 37 (74%) ferrets. Pancreatic carcinoma alone was found in 34 ferrets. Whereas a combination of carcinoma and either hyperplasia or adenoma was found in 23 ferrets; 4 ferrets had metastasis to regional lymph nodes or liver. In 26 (53%) ferrets, hypoglycemia persisted after surgery, necessitating medical treatment with prednisone, diazoxide, or both. Sixteen (33%) ferrets had redevelopment of hypoglycemia at 1 to 23.5 months (median, 10.6 months) after surgery. Only 7 of the 50 (14%) ferrets remained euglycemic after surgery. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: In ferrets, surgical removal of insulin-secreting pancreatic islet cell tumors is recommended as definitive treatment; however, multiple pancreatic nodules are common, making complete excision of all tumor tissue difficult. Persistent hypoglycemia after surgical treatment indicates that lifelong medical management with prednisone or diazoxide or both may be necessary in many ferrets. Finally, because the insulin-secreting tumors are malignant, long-term cure and survival are not likely.

En bloc ovariohysterectomy as a treatment for dystocia in dogs and cats.

En bloc ovariohysterectomy, a technique that involves ovariohysterectomy before hysterotomy and removal of the neonates, was performed on 63 animals (37 dogs and 26 cats). Intraoperative complications were limited to 1 cat that bled excessively during surgery and was later found to have a clotting disorder. Postoperative complications included anemia that required blood transfusion in 3 cats, uroperitoneum in 1 dog, and death in 1 cat. The rate of neonatal survival (75% for dogs and 42% for cats) was similar to that documented by previous studies of medical and surgical management of dystocia. We concluded that en bloc ovariohysterectomy is a safe and effective alternative to cesarean section for surgical treatment of dystocia in dogs and cats.

Adenomatous polyps of the duodenum in cats: 18 cases (1985-1990).

Medical records were reviewed for 18 cats with adenomatous polyps of the proximal portion of the duodenum. Cats of Asian ancestry were over represented (8/18), and male castrated cats were common (15/18). The median age was 11.8 years. Common clinical signs were acute and chronic vomiting and hematemesis. Nine cats were anemic. Contrast radiography was performed in 12 cats, and a mass of the proximal portion of the duodenum was identified in 10 cats. Endoscopy was used to confirm existence of the mass in 3 cats. Complete excision of the duodenal mass was performed in 17 cats. One cat died before abdominal exploratory surgery, and a duodenal adenomatous polyp was identified at necropsy. Fifteen cats survived the immediate postoperative period, with 13 of 15 having complete resolution of clinical signs. Five cats had concurrent disease, which caused 4 of them to die between 3 and 26 months after surgery. Redevelopment of adenomatous polyps was not detected in any cat during the follow-up period of 1 to 49 months. Results of the study indicated that benign, adenomatous polyps of the duodenum in cats can be safely excised and that the prognosis for return to normal function is excellent.

Leiomyosarcoma in dogs: 44 cases (1983-1988).

During a 5-year period, leiomyosarcoma was diagnosed in 57 dogs. Forty-four dogs were included in the study on the basis of completeness of medical records. All dogs underwent exploratory laparotomy, and dogs were allotted to 4 groups according to primary site of tumor: spleen (16 dogs, median age 10.3 years), stomach/small intestine (13 dogs, median age 10.3 years), cecum (10 dogs, median age 11.8 years), and liver (5 dogs, median age 9 years). All dogs with leiomyosarcoma of the liver had visible metastasis and were euthanatized at surgery. In the other 3 groups, 79% of the dogs had no gross evidence of metastasis at surgery, and 64% survived greater than 2 weeks. Median survival in these 3 groups was 10 months (range, 1 month to 7 years); 48% died of metastasis, 32% died of unrelated causes, and 16% died of unknown causes. The prognosis in dogs with leiomyosarcoma of the spleen, stomach, small intestine, and especially the cecum is good to excellent if surgery is performed. In dogs with leiomyosarcoma of the liver, the prognosis is poor.

Problems and complications associated with endocrine surgery in the dog and cat.

Complications associated with endocrine surgery involving the pancreas, adrenal, parathyroid, thyroid, or pituitary glands are relatively common and relate to technical difficulties associated with the surgical procedure and pathophysiologic alterations associated with the specific endocrine disease. Appropriate preoperative assessment, proper surgical technique, and recognition and management of postoperative complications are necessary for successful surgical results.

Complications of transposition of the fibular head for stabilization of the cranial cruciate-deficient stifle in dogs: 80 cases (1982-1986).

Over a 5-year period, fibular head transposition was performed in 85 stifles in 80 dogs with rupture of a cranial cruciate ligament. The most common complication during surgery was iatrogenic fracture of the fibular head or neck (10 dogs; 12.5%), and the most common postoperative complication was seroma formation at the lateral aspect of the proximal portion of the tibia overlying the pin (6 dogs; 7.5%). Sixty-nine of 80 owners were contacted for follow-up evaluation of lameness 6 months to 5 years after surgery; 51% reported excellent results, 39% good results, and 10% fair results. Fifty-six dogs were available for long-term follow-up examination; all dogs had some degree of medical thickening of the stifle, 27 (48%) had crepitus, 4 (7%) had signs of pain, and 2 (3.5%) had moderate cranial drawer instability on manipulation of the joint. Results were good or excellent in 90% of the dogs.