Veterinary Oncological Center

The lungs are a common site of metastasis, with recognized computed tomography (CT) features of different histotypes in humans. Little information is available for dogs. This retrospective, observational study compared the CT characteristics of pulmonary metastases from different primary cancers in dogs. CT studies of two groups of dogs with primary neoplasia and pulmonary metastases were reviewed. Group 1 (n=271) included dogs with a definitive diagnosis of either the primary neoplasia, the metastases, or both, and Group 2 (n=126) was a subgroup with both diagnoses confirmed. Six primary tumor histotypes were analyzed: epithelial cancer, bone sarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, melanoma, hemangiosarcoma (HSA), and histiocytic sarcoma. Recorded features included nodule number, distribution, shape, size, margins, attenuation, pattern of enhancement, and the presence of other abnormalities. For both groups, CT features statistically correlated with tumor histotype (p<0.0001) included ill-defined margins and cavitary lesions in carcinomas; bronchial thickening and pleural effusion in pulmonary carcinomas; a higher number of nodules, spotty postcontrast linear to amorphous strong hyperdensity (SPLASH) sign, halo sign, and extrapulmonary metastases in HSAs; and larger nodule size (>1cm), air bronchograms, and thoracic lymphadenomegaly in histiocytic sarcomas and incomplete nodule mineralization in bone sarcomas. CT features of lung metastases help prioritize neoplasia histotype in dogs, aiding diagnosis if the primary tumor is not obvious, if two cancers are potential origins of the metastases, or when the pulmonary nodules cannot be sampled.

Folate deficiency has been reported in humans and dogs with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) but not in cats. Cats with IMHA and without primary intestinal disease were included. Serum folate was measured at varying timepoints following IMHA diagnosis. Five cats (three with non-associative IMHA and two with possible concurrent acute pancreatitis) were followed for a median of 300 days (range: 40‒540 days). Serum folate concentration was evaluated 36 times (median: 6 per cat; range: 1‒19) and ranged from 5.1 to 20.1ng/mL (median: 7.4ng/mL), including nine samples in three cats receiving folic acid (400µg/day). Hypofolataemia in the 27 samples without supplementation was detected in all cats on at least one occasion (median: 3 times; range: 1‒4) for a total of 13 episodes. The median time to detection was 13 days after diagnosis (range: 1‒310 days). The median haemoglobin concentration at the time of hypofolataemia was 7.01g/dL (range: 3.9‒9.92 g/dL). Oral folate supplementation normalised folate concentration (median: 16.0ng/mL; range: 11.8‒20.1ng/mL) in all nine tested samples. Small sample size and lack of a control group prevented analysing the IMHA and folate link. Hypofolataemia occurred in all five cats with IMHA, possibly due to increased demand.

(1) To report surgical repair techniques for common calcaneal tendon injuries in cats; (2) to describe both short-term and long-term complications; (3) to investigate the long-term outcome following temporary postoperative immobilisation of the tarsocrural joint; and (4) to evaluate how all three objectives, as well as patient signalment and type of tendinous injury, compared to previously reported studies. A multicentric, retrospective study reviewing cases from 11 referral veterinary centres. Data collected included patient demographics, common calcaneal tendon injuries characteristics, repair techniques employed and postoperative immobilisation methods. Based on the temporary tarsocrural joint immobilisation methods, the cases were divided into internal fixation group: calcaneo-tibial screws or plate and tibiometatarsal plate, and external immobilisation group: trans-articular external skeletal fixation or external coaptation. Complications were classified as minor, major or catastrophic. Long-term outcomes were assessed through clinical follow-up examination and owner-reported questionnaires. A total of 39 cases of common calcaneal tendon repair were analysed. The internal fixation and external immobilisation groups showed a complication rate of 13% and 54.2%, respectively. Catastrophic complications (5.2%) occurred only in the external immobilisation group. Long-term follow-up indicated that 82% of cases regained full or acceptable clinical function, with a higher rate of unacceptable outcomes observed in the external immobilisation group. This study suggested that temporary internal fixation may be a more suitable method for postoperative immobilisation of the tarsocrural joint in cats compared with temporary external immobilisation, and it can be associated with lower complication rates.

ABSTRACT Case history The medical records of a veterinary hospital in Italy were reviewed retrospectively for cases of dogs and cats diagnosed with vertebral instability (VI) and treated surgically using a bone plate, screws with bushings, and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) that had ≥ 4 weeks’ follow-up data. Dogs were a median of 16.15 (min 2.7, max 32) kg and 90 (min 38, max 142) months old, and cats were a median of 4.05 (min 2.7, max 5) kg and 33 (min 5, max 61) months old. The aetiology of VI was primarily traumatic in eight cases (road traffic accidents, n = 6; fall from height, n = 1; bite injury, n = 1) and degenerative in two cases (C1–C2 luxation, n = 1; and lumbosacral instability, n = 1). Clinical findings Neurological examinations were performed pre- and post-operatively using the modified Frankel scale. Neurological grades prior to surgery were grade 0 (n = 1), grade 1 (n = 2), grade 3b (n = 6), and grade 5 (n = 1). Diagnostic imaging (CT and radiography) was conducted to classify fractures/luxations, plan surgical interventions and evaluate post-operative progress. VI was localised to the lumbar (n = 2), lumbosacral (n = 1), or thoracic (n = 1) spinal segments of cats and the cervical (n = 1), thoracolumbar junction (n = 1), lumbar (n = 2), or lumbosacral (n = 2) spinal segments of dogs. Treatment and outcome All animals were treated surgically with a bone plate, screws with bushings and PMMA for stabilisation, as unilateral constructs (three cats, two dogs) or bilateral constructs (one cat, four dogs). A minor complication (Kirschner wire breakage) occurred in one dog, and a major complication (cement rupture) occurred in one cat; both resolved without surgical intervention and did not compromise stability or cause neurological deterioration. Post-operative neurological assessment revealed improvement in 9/10 cases, with two cases improving by one neurological grade, and seven cases improving by two grades. At the 4-week follow-up assessment, seven cases maintained their discharge status, while three improved by one additional grade at the 16-week follow-up assessment. Conclusions and clinical relevance This case series suggests that VI stabilisation with a bone plate, screws with bushings, and PMMA is a viable method producing satisfactory outcomes. Increased exposure surface at the screw/bushing/PMMA interface may increase the strength of the fixation. Abbreviations: K-wire: Kirschner wire; PMMA: Polymethylmethacrylate; VI: Vertebral instability

To evaluate the feasibility, complications and outcomes of thoracoscopic resection of cranial mediastinal masses in cats. Multi-institutional retrospective study. A total of 17 client-owned cats. Data collected from medical records of cats that underwent thoracoscopic surgery for cranial mediastinal masses between January 2019 and December 2024 included signalment, history, clinicopathologic features, preoperative diagnostic imaging and tumor measurement, anesthesiologic and surgical procedures, complications, and short- or long-term follow-ups. The most common clinical sign was dyspnea. All cats started with thoracoscopic surgical exploration. Non-emergent conversion to an open procedure (sternotomy or video-assisted procedures [VATS]) was necessary in six of 17 (35.29%) cats, with conversions primarily occurring in cases with masses larger than 5 cm. The median maximal tumor diameter was 6 cm (range: 2.2-8.1 cm). The most common tumor type was thymoma, identified in 12 of 17 (70.59%) cats. All cats survived the perioperative period and were alive at the short-term follow-up. Mean survival time was 390.62 days. The presence of larger tumor sizes and adhesions were associated with higher conversion rates to open or VATS procedures, underscoring the importance of tumor dimensions in surgical planning. Thoracoscopic surgery for cranial mediastinal masses in cats is technically feasible, with favorable short-24 and long-term outcomes. Conversion rates were lower in cats with smaller masses without adhesions in this study.

This report presents the clinical features, clinicopathological changes, computed tomography images and response-to-treatment of a dog with calcium-laden subcutaneous fluid collections, resembling a rare form of calcinosis in humans termed 'milk of calcium'.

In humans with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) late-phase depolarization and repolarization abnormalities, such as epsilon (ɛ) waves and T wave inversion (TWI), are commonly observed in right precordial leads (V1-V3). This myocardial disorder has also been described in Boxer and English bulldogs (EBs), but data on electrocardiographic alterations in these breeds are lacking. The objective of this study was to describe electrocardiographic abnormalities in EBs with ACM, comparing QRS complexes and T waves with ≤ 5-year-old EBs without phenotypic expression of the disease. This is a retrospective study including 59 EBs (37 with ACM-ACM group and 22 healthy-healthy group). Standard echocardiographic, and 12-lead electrocardiogram data were retrospectively analyzed. In all leads QRS complex, R-peak time (RPT), and R peak-end time (RPE) were evaluated. Terminal activation duration (TAD), TWI, and presence of ɛ wave, defined as a positive small spike wave in right limb (aVR) and right precordial (V1) leads, were evaluated and compared with echocardiographic measurements. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy group showed wider QRS complexes in all leads due to longer RPE (P < 0.05). The TAD in lead V1 was longer in ACM group (P < 0.001). The TWI and ɛ wave in ACM group were respectively present in 19% and 32%. Prolonged QRS complex and RPE in duration V1, the ɛ wave in lead aVR and V1, TWI and prolonged TAD in V1 were correlated with echocardiographic parameters defining right ventricular systolic function (P < 0.05). The presence of fragmented QRS complexes in limb and precordial leads, the prolongation of the RPE, the prolongation of TAD in V1, the presence of ɛ wave, can all be considered electrocardiographic features associated with ACM in EBs.