Caval foramen hernia in a cat.

CASE SUMMARY: A 3-year-old neutered female domestic shorthair cat presented for a 2-week history of hyporexia, lethargy and weight loss. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and cholesterol were mildly elevated. Thoracic radiographs identified a lobulated soft tissue opacity in the caudal thorax to the right of midline, with the border effacing the caudal vena cava and broad-based towards the diaphragm. The broad base was suggestive of diaphragmatic hernia, with the other radiographic features and location suggestive of caval foramen hernia. Ultrasound confirmed diaphragmatic hernia with liver herniation. CT showed the herniation of multiple liver lobes and the gallbladder through a defect at the caval foramen. Herniorrhaphy was performed via ventral midline coeliotomy. Following this procedure, the cat's clinical signs resolved and its weight has been regained. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful caval foramen herniorrhaphy in a cat. Caval foramen hernia is a type of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The authors suggest that its embryopathology involves defective septum transversum development. The case was detected during the standard diagnostic investigation of non-specific clinical signs. Its radiographic findings may easily be mistaken for a pulmonary mass. Although not seen in our case, caval foramen hernia is commonly associated with caudal vena cava obstruction, which can potentially result in Budd-Chiari-like syndrome.

Encephalitis in a rabbit caused by human herpesvirus-1.

CASE DESCRIPTION: An 8-month-old sexually intact male rabbit was examined because of a 2-day history of anorexia, epiphora of the left eye, bruxism, hypersalivation, and ataxia. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Physical examination of the rabbit revealed bilateral conjunctivitis, hypersalivation, and severe signs of CNS dysfunction such as incoordination, intermittent myoclonic seizures, and opisthotonus. Results of hematologic and serum biochemical analyses revealed only lymphopenia, a relative monocytosis, and an increase in serum activity of creatine phosphokinase and serum concentration of total protein. Serum antibodies against Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Toxoplasma gondii were not detected. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Despite IV administration of crystalloid fluids and treatment with antimicrobials, vitamin B complex, nutritional support, and prednisolone, the condition of the rabbit deteriorated; it was euthanized 7 days after admission. Histologic evaluation of brain tissue revealed lesions characteristic of severe, diffuse, nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis and a few large, eosinophilic, intranuclear inclusion bodies in neurons and glial cells. The DNA of human herpesvirus-1 was detected in the nuclei of glial cells, lymphocytes, and neurons by means of in situ hybridization. The rabbit's owner, who reported having had a severe labial and facial herpesvirus infection 5 days before the onset of clinical signs in the rabbit, was suspected to be the origin of infection for the rabbit. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Human herpesvirus-1 may be transmissible from humans to rabbits, and infection with this virus should be considered as a differential diagnosis in rabbits with CNS signs of disease.

Comparison of two vessel-sealing devices for laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy in dogs. / Vergleich zweier Instrumente zur Gefäßversiegelung bei der laparaskopisch-assistierten Ovariohysterektomie der Hündin.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to compare two different vessel-sealing devices (VSD) for laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy in dogs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this randomized, prospective clinical trial 12 consecutive, client-owned, healthy, intact female dogs of different breeds were included. The dogs had been admitted for elective laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy and were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. The LigaSure™ was used in one group (n = 6), and the other group was operated using the Caiman® (n = 6). Recorded variables were duration of all surgical steps, number of seals required for transection of each ovarian pedicle, number of previous uses of the VSD, and complications related to each VSD. RESULTS: Transection of the ovarian pedicles using the Caiman® required significantly fewer seals per ovary. However, overall surgical time was not significantly reduced. Intraoperative hemorrhage occurred in both groups but was more common in the LigaSure™ group. Emergency conversion to laparotomy was not required in any case. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The Caiman® can be safely used for laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy in dogs. In comparison with the Liga Sure™, the Caiman® requires fewer seals to transect ovarian pedicles, owing to the advantages of a longer working length and the first-tip closure mechanism.

Surgical management of myelopathy caused by a solitary spinal osteochondroma in a young cat.

CASE SUMMARY: A 10-month-old, male castrated, domestic shorthair cat was presented with fast-progressing ataxia of the pelvic limbs. MRI and CT were performed, revealing a bony proliferation at T11, with mass effect and laterodorsal compression of the spinal cord. After hemilaminectomy and the removal of the bony mass, the cat recovered uneventfully. At the 1 year follow-up, the cat did not show any neurological deficits or signs of recurrence. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: Solitary osteochondroma as a cause of neurological deficits in the pelvic limb has been described in dogs and humans, but, to the best of our knowledge, there are no reported feline cases described in the literature, in which CT and MRI were performed in combination with the successful removal of the lesion and an excellent outcome for the patient.