Carbon Valley Animal Hospital

A 10-year-old, neutered male, indoor/outdoor domestic shorthair cat was presented for a mass on the right front paw. The mass was treated as an abscess, and despite initial resolution, the mass recurred and ruptured approximately 1month later. This mass successfully resolved with intense management as an open wound. Several days later, the cat developed vomiting and inappetence, and a new mass was noted on the lateral aspect of the right rear limb. Aspirates from the new mass were submitted for cytologic evaluation and bacterial cultures. Anaerobic and aerobic bacterial cultures were negative. Cytologic evaluation revealed septic neutrophilic inflammation with small rod, cocci, curved, and ring forms of bacteria seen, and Mycoplasma spp. infection was suspected based on the morphology of the bacteria. Polymerase chain reaction followed by gene sequencing revealed 86% similarity for Mycoplasma elephantis. The cat was treated with a fluoroquinolone antibiotic and clinically improved, with resolution of the abscess. This case highlights the importance of recognizing the morphologic appearance of Mycoplasma spp. on cytologic examination to help guide additional testing choices and therapeutic planning.

As a newly graduated veterinarian, the idea of a calf delivery via cesarean section is daunting. As a young veterinarian I would avoid c-sections so readily I would be exhausted by the time the procedure was the last remaining option. Mentorship and functional tricks can help avoid this misguided fear in new veterinarians.

Although discussions about allergic reactions to thyroid supplements abound on professional forums, there is almost no information in the literature on these specific idiosyncratic drug reactions. A dog with a history of hypothyroidism-associated weight gain and mild lethargy was prescribed levothyroxine tablets (0.018 mg/kg twice daily). After 19 days the dog developed a severe skin condition that was responsive to levothyroxine withdrawal, and antibiotic and glucocorticoid therapy. Three weeks later a different levothyroxine tablet was prescribed. Within 48 h the dog developed a more severe cutaneous reaction that resolved with drug discontinuation and appropriate topical care. To confirm a possible hypersensitivity reaction and identify its chemical target. The two prescribed levothyroxine formulations shared two inactive ingredients: magnesium stearate and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Nine months after discontinuation of thyroid supplement, a formulation without either of these two compounds was used for a second re-challenge. There was no recurrence of the drug reaction and after 1.5 years of treatment the dog remains normal. These elements strongly suggest that this dog had an idiosyncratic reaction (likely immune-mediated) against one or both inactive ingredients in the first two formulations of levothyroxine. We are not aware of any previous confirmed delayed hypersensitivity to a thyroid supplement in a dog with the likely chemical trigger being an inactive ingredient rather than the therapeutic agent itself. We hope that this case will raise awareness about allergic reactions to thyroid supplements and allergic reactions to inactive formulation components.

Case summaryA 1-year-old, female spayed domestic shorthair cat with a 6 week history of upper respiratory signs and a progressive reluctance to move, which culminated in a right-sided hemiparesis, was found to have a sewing needle foreign body lodged in the brainstem. Surgical extraction of the needle was successful and the cat’s neurological deficits resolved over the days to weeks following its removal.Relevance and novel informationThis case report describes, to our knowledge, the first reported incidence and management of an ingested sewing needle migrating into the central nervous system of a cat.

To evaluate the incidence of and factors associated with complications following rectal pull-through (RPT) surgery and the outcome for dogs with rectal tumors. Retrospective case series. 74 dogs with rectal masses. Information regarding signalment, history, diagnostic testing, type of rectal disease, surgical details, and postoperative complications, treatments, and outcomes was obtained from medical records and follow-up communications. Survival times were calculated. Descriptive statistics were generated. Regression analyses were used to evaluate the effect of various variables on the development of postsurgical complications and survival time. 58 (78.4%) dogs developed postsurgical complications, the most common of which was fecal incontinence with 42 (56.8%) dogs affected, of which 23 (54.8%) developed permanent incontinence. Other complications included diarrhea (n = 32), tenesmus (23), stricture formation (16), rectal bleeding (8), constipation (7), dehiscence (6), and infection (4). The rectal tumor recurred in 10 dogs. The median survival time was 1,150 days for all dogs and 726 days for dogs with malignant tumors. The 2 most common rectal masses were rectal carcinoma and rectal carcinoma in situ, and the dogs with these tumors had median survival times of 696 and 1,006 days, respectively. Dogs with rectal diseases that underwent RPT surgery had a high incidence of complications; however, those dogs had good local tumor control and survival times. The risk and impact of postsurgical complications on the quality of life and oncological outcomes should be discussed with owners before RPT surgery is performed in dogs with rectal masses.

To determine prognostic factors for and compare outcome among dogs with oral malignant melanoma following excision with or without various systemic adjuvant therapies. Retrospective case series. 151 dogs with naturally occurring oral malignant melanomas treated by excision with or without adjuvant therapies from 2001 to 2012. Case accrual was solicited from Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology members via an email list service. Information collected from case records included signalment, tumor staging, tumor characteristics, type of surgical excision, histologic diagnosis, adjuvant therapy, and survival time. The overall median survival time was 346 days. Results of multivariate analysis indicated that tumor size, patient age, and intralesional excision (vs marginal, wide, or radical excision) were considered poor prognostic indicators. All other demographic and clinical variables were not significantly associated with survival time after adjusting for the aforementioned 3 variables. A clear survival benefit was not evident with any systemic adjuvant therapy, including vaccination against melanoma or chemotherapy; however, the number of dogs in each treatment group was small. Ninety-eight dogs received no postoperative adjuvant therapy, and there was no difference in survival time between dogs that did (335 days) and did not (352 days) receive systemic adjuvant therapy. For dogs with oral malignant melanoma, increasing tumor size and age were negative prognostic factors. Complete excision of all macroscopic tumor burden improved survival time. Long-term survival was possible following surgery alone. Although systemic adjuvant therapy was not found to improve survival time, this could have been due to type II error.

To review and summarize current information regarding the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations associated with anaphylaxis in dogs and cats. The etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis is discussed. Anaphylaxis is a systemic, type I hypersensitivity reaction that often has fatal consequences. Many of the principal clinical manifestations involve organs where mast cell concentrations are highest: the skin, the lungs, and the gastrointestinal tract. Histamine and other deleterious inflammatory mediators promote vascular permeability and smooth muscle contraction; they are readily released from sensitized mast cells and basophils challenged with antigen. Anaphylaxis may be triggered by a variety of antigens including insect and reptile venom, a variety of drugs, vaccines, and food. Anaphylaxis is a clinical diagnosis made from a collection of signs and symptoms. It is most commonly based on pattern recognition. Differential diagnoses include severe asthma, pheocromocytoma, and mastocytosis. Epinephrine is considered the drug of choice for the treatment of anaphylaxis. It acts primarily as a vasopressor in improving hemodynamic recovery. Adjunctive treatments include fluid therapy, H1 and H2 antihistamines, corticosteroids, and bronchodilators; however, these do not substitute for epinephrine. Prognosis depends on the severity of the clinical signs. The clinical signs will vary among species and route of exposure. The most severe clinical reactions are associated when the antigen is administered parenterally.