Treatment and outcome of spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to suspected migrating vegetal foreign body in 37 dogs.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to describe surgical findings, treatment and outcome of spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) secondary to suspected migrating vegetal foreign body (MVFB). METHODS: This retrospective study included dogs with computed tomography (CT) consistent with SP suspected to be secondary to MVFB that underwent thoracic surgery. They were divided into two groups according to whether CT identified (group 1) or only suspected (group 2) an MVFB. RESULTS: Thirty-seven dogs were included (twenty-one in group 1 and 16 in group 2). An MVFB was identified during surgery in 18 of 21 of cases of group 1 and in 10 of 16 of group 2. An agreement between lobes affected on CT and surgical findings was observed in 34 of 40 lobes. In nine of 37 of cases, a lung perforation was identified without evidence of MVFB. Thirty-nine lobectomies were performed: 15 complete and 24 partial. No recurrence of pneumothorax was observed. In four dogs, a second surgery was necessary to remove an MVFB 1.5 to 3 months after the initial surgery due to secondary draining tracts. CONCLUSION: Surgical approach planed with CT resolved SP in all cases before discharge with excellent short-term outcome and no major complication. CT was reliable to assess perforated lung lobes in 85% of cases. Clinical signs of delayed draining tract developed in 33% of cases where surgery failed to find an MVFB identified on CT.

Computed tomography may be helpful in discriminating grass awn foreign body rhinitis from non-foreign body rhinitis in dogs.

Grass awn foreign bodies are a common cause of rhinitis in dogs.  Early detection and complete removal of these foreign bodies are important for minimizing risks of long term complications. The objective of this retrospective, descriptive cross-sectional study was to determine whether discriminating CT findings exist between dogs with grass awn foreign body rhinitis and dogs with non-foreign body rhinitis. Computed tomography scans of 47 dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of non-foreign body rhinitis (25 cases) or of a nasal grass awn foreign body (22 cases) were reviewed. In the latter group, grass seeds were visualized directly on CT images for one of 22 (5%) cases. Focal lysis was more strongly associated with the presence of a grass awn foreign body (P = .012, LR = 3.0) and widespread lysis (involving more than one-third of the nasal cavity and/or bilateral) appeared associated with non-foreign body rhinitis (P = .046, LR = 2.0). Maxillary recess filling was associated with non-foreign body rhinitis (LR = 4.4) as was widespread lysis (LR = 2.0). Findings supported prioritizing grass awn foreign body rhinitis as a differential diagnosis for dogs with the former CT characteristics, even if a grass awn cannot be directly visualized.

Spontaneous gastrointestinal perforation in cats: a retrospective study of 13 cases.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and the frequency of malignant vs non-malignant causes for spontaneous gastrointestinal perforation in cats. METHODS: The medical records of cats diagnosed as having gastrointestinal perforation between August 2010 and July 2013 were reviewed. Diagnosis was confirmed by exploratory surgery. Patients with incomplete records, perforation due to external trauma, leakage at previous enterotomy or anastomotic sites, or foreign bodies were excluded. Each record was examined for different information pertaining to signalment, medical history, clinical and clinicopathological data, imaging findings, abdominal fluid examination, surgical findings, histopathological examination, treatment received after surgery and outcome. RESULTS: Thirteen cats were included. Five of these cats had concurrent illnesses, including viral upper respiratory tract disease, pancreatitis and chronic kidney disease. Two cats had previously received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and four had received corticosteroids. Clinical signs and clinicopathological abnormalities were not specific. Six of 13 patients were diagnosed during surgery with gastric perforations, four patients with duodenal perforations and three patients with jejunal perforations. Histopathological examination of the ulcerated wall was performed in 11/13 cats. Alimentary lymphoma was diagnosed in six cats. Non-neoplastic lesions (lymphocytic- plasmacytic inflammatory bowel disease, necrotic suppurative enteritis) were observed in the other five cats. The major limitation of the study was the small sample size. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Lymphoma may be a frequent cause of spontaneous perforation in cats. Therefore, histological examination of ulceration is essential in all cases. The direct and sole implication of anti-inflammatory administration in a gastrointestinal perforation is not clearly established in this study.

Risk factors for urinary tract infection with multiple drug-resistant Escherichia coli in cats.

The emergence of multiple drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is a growing public health problem. The objective of this retrospective study was to identify risk factors associated with MDR Escherichia coli infection of the urinary tract in cats. All cats presenting with an E coli urinary infection between March 2010 and December 2012 were included and divided into two groups: an MDR group and a non-MDR group. The effects of different variables on the occurrence of an MDR E coli infection were evaluated: age, sex, additional diseases, number of antibiotics and number of days of hospitalisation. Fifty-two cats were identified (10 MDR and 42 non-MDR). The number of antibiotic groups used within the last 3 months was associated with an increased risk of MDR E coli urinary infection (P = 0.007). The association of the number of days of hospitalisation within the last 3 months and the increased risk of MDR E coli urinary infection did not reach significance (P = 0.090). This study provides evidence that systematic urinary culture with antibiotic sensitivity testing should be recommended when treating urinary tract infections if antibiotics have been prescribed within the past 3 months. Moreover, the selection of MDR bacteria through antibiotic use should be considered as a potential risk associated with treatment.

Shunting between the CVC and both the azygos vein and thoracic duct in a dog with CTD.

A 5 mo old female rottweiler was referred for evaluation of a suspected congenital heart disease. Clinical signs included anorexia, exercise intolerance, and severe loss of body condition. Clinical examination revealed dyspnea, pale mucous membranes, and weak femoral pulses. Pleural and abdominal effusions and iron deficiency anemia were identified. A distended intrathoracic caudal vena cava (CVC) visible on thoracic radiographs suggested that the modified transudate abdominal effusion was the result of improper venous return to the right side of the heart. Cor triatriatum dexter (CTD) was diagnosed via echocardiography but did not explain all the anomalies detected during a contrast echocardiography. Abnormal communications between the CVC and azygos vein and the CVC and thoracic duct were subsequently identified by abdominal ultrasonography and angiography. Medical management with diuretics, iron supplements, and surgical treatment of CTD resulted in normalization of the respiratory rate, the exercise intolerance, and the anemia. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of CTD associated with shunts between the CTV and both the azygos vein and thoracic duct in dogs. This report emphasizes the importance of presurgical assessment of concurrent thoracic and abdominal congenital vascular abnormalities.