Veterinary Hospital Research Articles

Diagnosis and treatment of metastatic uterine lymphoma in a chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera)

AbstractA 4‐year‐old, entire, female chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) presented to an emergency veterinary hospital for laboured breathing, lethargy and hyporexia. Physical exam findings and diagnostic imaging were supportive of uterine disease. An ovariohysterectomy was performed, and histopathology diagnosed incompletely resected uterine lymphoma. A rotating outpatient chemotherapy protocol containing oral prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg), subcutaneous L‐asparaginase (400 iu/kg), oral cyclophosphamide (200 mg/m2) and subcutaneous cytosine arabinoside (50 mg/kg) was initiated. The patient tolerated chemotherapeutics well based on normal behaviour, appetite, exam findings and serial bloodwork values. One hundred two days after initial presentation, the patient was euthanased due to a decline in clinical condition. Postmortem examination and histopathology confirmed metastasis of lymphoma to the brain, mediastinum, mesentery, liver and spleen. No evidence of organ damage due to chemotherapeutics was noted histologically. Postmortem immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of lymphoma. Further studies are needed to guide chemotherapeutic dosing and treatment of lymphoma in chinchillas.

Seroepidemiological survey for visceral leishmaniasis in dogs from an unaffected municipality of RS in the period 2021-2024

Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is a vector-borne parasitic disease that is expanding geographically, with autochthonous cases recorded in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) since 2008. Indigenous areas such as the municipalities of Pelotas, Rio Grande and Bagé are not part of active epidemiological surveillance for CVL, but the region has predisposing factors for the spread of the disease. The aim of this study was therefore to carry out a seroepidemiological survey of serum samples from dogs treated at a veterinary hospital in a disease-free area. The survey took place over a three-year period, following the current Ministry of Health (MoH) protocol. A total of 2,365 samples from asymptomatic animals were tested, of which 0.8% were seroreactive in the Dual Path Platform (DPP®) screening test. Of the samples that reacted to the DPP®, 37% were seroreactive to the ELISA (Bio-Manguinhos®), one was inconclusive (5.2%), 42% were negative and in 21% no confirmatory test was carried out. It can be concluded that Pelotas, Rio Grande and Bagé, the places of residence of seroreagent animals and CVL-free municipalities, have seroreagent dogs circulating according to the current MH protocol and require attention from epidemiological surveillance.

Sporotrichosis Cluster in Domestic Cats and Veterinary Technician, Kansas, USA, 2022.

We describe a feline sporotrichosis cluster and zoonotic transmission between one of the affected cats and a technician at a veterinary clinic in Kansas, USA. Increased awareness of sporotrichosis and the potential for zoonotic transmission could help veterinary professionals manage feline cases and take precautions to prevent human acquisition.

A retrospective case-control study evaluating systemic blood pressure and heart rate in dogs with brain herniation under general anesthesia

ObjectiveTo examine whether increased systemic arterial blood pressure (ABP) and decreased heart rate (HR) under inhalant anesthesia were suggestive of the Cushing reflex (CR) in dogs with neurological diseases based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Study designRetrospective case-control studyAnimals or Animal population: A sample of 137 client owned dogs admitted to two veterinary teaching hospitals for diagnosis and patient care due to suspected intracranial disease from 2005–2020. All dogs underwent general anesthesia for MRI of the brain. MethodsBased on MRI study reports, dogs were divided into three study groups: dogs with suspected brain herniation, dogs with an abnormal MRI finding but without suspicion of herniation, or dogs with structurally unremarkable brains (control). Initial evaluation by an anesthesiologist resulted in 58 cases selected for further review based on suspicion of having intracranial hypertension, as indicated by ABP and HR changes under anesthesia. Anesthetic records were randomized and independently reviewed by three board certified anesthesiologists blinded to MRI diagnosis who allocated each dog into one of three groups: (1) likely to have CR, (2) unlikely to have CR, or (3) insufficient data for determination. ResultsOf the 58 cases evaluated, 9 cases were considered likely to have CR and 48 were considered unlikely to have CR. In one case, the anesthesiologists were unable to determine whether CR occurred. Of the 9 dogs with likely CR, 3 had an MRI diagnosis of intracranial herniation. The remaining 6 dogs suspected of CR belonged to the normal brain group. Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceABP and HR changes associated with CR are not reliably associated with brain herniation in dogs undergoing general anesthesia.

Bacterial DNA and serum IgG antibody titer assays for assessing infection of human-pathogenic and dog-pathogenic Porphyromonas species in dogs

Periodontal disease is highly prevalent in both humans and dogs. Although there have been reports of cross-infection of periodontopathic bacteria, methods for assessing it have yet to be established. The actual status of cross-infection remains to be seen. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of bacterial DNA and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titer assays to assess infection of human-pathogenic and dog-pathogenic Porphyromonas species in dogs. Four experimental beagles were used for establishing methods. Sixty-six companion dogs at veterinary clinics visiting for treatment and prophylaxis of periodontal disease were used and divided into healthy, gingivitis, and periodontitis groups. Periodontal pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Porphyromonas gulae were investigated as target bacteria. DNA levels of both bacteria were measured using species-specific primers designed for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serum IgG titers of both bacteria were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).PCR primers were confirmed to have high sensitivity and specificity. However, there was no relationship between the amount of bacterial DNA and the severity of the periodontal disease. In addition, dogs with periodontitis had higher IgG titers against both bacteria compared to dogs in the healthy and gingivitis groups; there was cross-reactivity between the two bacteria. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of IgG titers against both bacteria showed high sensitivity (>90%) and specificity (>75%). Since both bacteria were distinguished by DNA assays, the combination of these assays may be useful in the evaluation of cross-infection.

Comparison of intraoperative outcomes in excision arthroplasty with or without partial tenotomy of deep gluteal muscle in dogs

Background: Excision arthroplasty is a commonly performed surgical technique for treating coxofemoral luxation in dogs. Favourable outcomes have been reported in dogs up to 15 kg. Aim: This study aimed to compare the intraoperative findings of two surgical approaches i.e., with or without partial deep gluteal muscle tenotomy in the excision arthroplasty in dogs. Methods: A total of 15 dogs having average body weight 15.6 kg (3.5-26) and 29.5 months (6-72) of age were brought to the Veterinary Surgery Clinics at University Veterinary Hospital, Samsun, Turkey with traumatic coxofemoral luxation or femur head/neck fracture. Craniolateral incision was used to approach the craniodorsal aspect of the hip joint in all cases. Myotomy of the superficial gluteal muscle and partial tenotomy of the deep gluteal was performed in one group. While blunt dissection approach was performed for elevation of gluteal muscles in another group. Results: Fifteen dogs (myotomy and tenotomy in 8 dogs and without tenotomy in 7 dogs) were diagnosed having lesions along with coxofemoral luxation in 9 cases, femoral neck fracture in 5 cases and caput femur fracture in 1 case. Partial tenotomy improved the exposure of joint capsule and femur neck. Discussion and Conclusion: The remnants of femoral neck after excision arthroplasty may contact the acetabulum and cause pain in the postoperative period. By applying the partial deep gluteal muscle tenotomy technique, surgeons can readily expose joint capsule, femoral head, femoral neck, and great and lesser trochanter.

A retrospective case series of the surgical management of thirty-one penile fibropapilloma cases presented to University College Dublin Veterinary Hospital (UCDVH) between 2017 and 2023

BackgroundPenile fibropapilloma is a condition caused by bovine papilloma virus and is frequently encountered in young bulls. Penile fibropapillomatosis is thought to be spread through homosexual mounting behaviour. Fibropapillomas of the penis are painful, often bleed and can impede normal intromission. Treatment may range from allowing time for slow, spontaneous regression to surgical resection but recurrence following surgery is reported by some authors.Case PresentationThirty one bulls that were presented to University College Dublin Veterinary Hospital from March 2017 to March 2023 for surgical resection of penile fibropapillomas were included in this retrospective case series. Twenty-seven of the 31 bulls (87%) were under two years of age. The majority (42%) of bulls presented were Hereford, but Angus, Charolais, Holstein-Friesian and Limousin breeds were also seen. Following examination and diagnosis of penile fibropapilloma, regional anaesthesia (xylazine-procaine epidural and internal pudendal nerve block) and standing surgical intervention (resection and cautery) was performed in each case. Phone call follow-up was performed by one author (EET) in all 31 cases and 2 cases out of the 28 that were contactable showed post-surgical recurrence of penile fibropapillomatosis (i.e., 7.1% recurrence rate).ConclusionThis case series summarises the history and presenting findings of 31 bovine penile fibropapilloma cases and describes a regional anaesthetic and standing surgical approach for successful case management.

Cloud-Based Veterinary Clinic Integrated Management System: A Web-based Application Integration with AI Chatbots and Using Security Airtags Tracking Device

Cloud-Based Veterinary Clinic Integrated Management System: A Web-based Application Integration with AI Chatbots and Using Security Airtags Tracking Device

Isolation and Identification Klebsiella pneumoniae and use as Microbial Source for Extract Enzyme Arginine Deiminase from Respiratory Infections in Sheep at Babylon City, Iraq

Isolation and Identification Klebsiella pneumoniae and use as Microbial Source for Extract Enzyme Arginine Deiminase from Respiratory Infections in Sheep at Babylon City, Iraq

RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF RENAL OCCURRENCES IN THE HOSPITAL UNOESTE VETERINARY BETWEEN 2018 AND 2019 - PRESIDENTE PRUDENTE/SP

With the increase in the life expectancy of domestic animals, some diseases have become common in the veterinary routine, with chronic kidney disease (CKD) being one of these frequent pathologies. Chronic kidney disease is characterized by irreversible structural damage, which progresses progressively to uremia and renal failure. To establish clinical manifestations, IRIS (International Renal Interest Society) developed a guide for classifying the disease into 4 stages based on serum creatinine levels, proteinuria, clinical manifestations of disease progression. The present study aimed to make a retrospective study of the occurrence of chronic renal failure in the veterinary hospital of the Universidade do Oeste Paulista, campus of Presidente Prudente SP. Thus, a survey was carried out of the general registration data of patients seen in the years 2018 and 2019. Information on age, gender, anamnesis, blood count, serum biochemical tests and ultrasound examinations were obtained from the medical records. The patients were classified according to the stage of the disease, of the 217 files analyzed, 85 were in stage I, 18 in stage II, 46 in stage III and 47 in stage IV, a higher prevalence of cases was observed in animals over 9 years old deity. In addition, it was possible, through the evaluation of the records, to verify the importance of implementing a care and follow-up form for patients with suspected/diagnosed chronic kidney disease and thus be able to qualitatively evaluate routine cases.

Application of conjunctival graft surgery in the treatment of corneal ulcers in dogs

The study of conjunctival graft surgery for treating corneal ulcers in dogs was conducted at Alpha Pet Veterinary Clinic and Bang Pham Veterinary Hospital from August 2021 to August 2022. Dogs were clinically examined with corneal ulcers and corneal perforations, corneal reflexes, and then fluorescein 2% reagent was used to examine and measure the diameter of the corneal damaged area by using Castroviejo calipers. The surgical method of conjunctival stem grafting was applied and evaluated effects of treatment on corneal ulcers in dogs. A total of 3,024 dogs were examined and treated during the study period. There were 195 dogs with eye diseases, accounting for 6.45% of the cases. The rate of corneal ulcers was 15.90% (31/195 cases). Among the corneal ulcer cases, conjunctival graft surgery was performed in 14 cases. The successful rate of conjunctival stem grafting was 71.43%. The complication rate of conjunctival stem grafting was 42.86%, in which 2 cases of mild complications were successfully treated. The average wound healing duration was 39.45 days. The occurrence of complications depended on the types of complication. Mild complications including suture detachment and corneal edema appeared after 2.5 to 5.5 days while corneal epithelial cysts and ocular edema occurred at 22 to 42 days after surgery. Therefore, this method could be used in treatment of corneal ulcers, particularly in cases of deep ulcers or corneal perforations that required to directly connect to blood vessels.

Cattle Reproductive Disorders Documented from Gaushalas of Nepal.

Cow is the national animal of Nepal, yet it is one of the most abused animal species here. Under realized utilities of cow that is nonlactating or pregnant is the reason for demonic cruelty. Since the Vedic period, gaushalas have been caring for cows. At present, most gaushalas have responsibility to rescue, offer refuge, and treat poorly treated or confiscated cattle from smuggling rackets in Nepal. It is no surprise that these abused animals suffer from many health issues and compromised reproductive ability. This study was conducted to know about husbandry practice and to determine prevalence of reproductive disorders in cows of Gaushala from Nepal. Altogether, 27 gaushalas were visited throughout the study period and cows (≥2 years) (n = 2959) were included for the study. From the study, respondents from 14.81% Gaushala admitted indigenous cattle only, 11.11% admitted any breed (indigenous and crossbreed), 44.44% admitted stray animals only, and 29.63% admitted all types (indigenous, crossbreed, and stray animals). The study revealed that among (n = 2959) animals examined, 5.54% (n = 164) were affected by either one or more reproductive problems. The major reproductive disorders identified in study area were repeat breeding 0.47%, cervico-vaginal and uterine prolapse 0.34%, retention of placenta 2.13%, dystocia 0.61%, and abortion 1.66%. Herd size of Gaushala had a significant difference (P < 0.05) on the overall prevalence of reproductive problems in cows of Gaushala. The main issues with gaushalas included a lack of resources like adequate fund, feeds, fodder, and water, shortage of grazing acreage, veterinary services, and difficulties in managing male cattle. To mitigate the issues and welfare related to gaushalas strict adherence to disease surveillance and biosecurity rules, avoidance of unlimited reproduction in cows, and separation of males and females, fund raising and resource management, collaboration with local government and NGOs, veterinary hospital, clinics, research, and innovation with veterinary institution and universities.

Total thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and thyrotropin concentrations during acute nonthyroidal illness and recovery in dogs.

Acute illness can result in changes in serum total thyroxine (tT4), total triiodothyronine (tT3), and thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations in euthyroid dogs defined as nonthyroidal illness syndrome, but longitudinal evaluation of these hormones during the recovery phase is lacking. To longitudinally evaluate serum tT4, tT3, and TSH concentrations during the acute phase and recovery from acute illness in dogs. Nineteen euthyroid client-owned dogs hospitalized for acute illness at a veterinary teaching hospital. Prospective longitudinal study. Serum tT4, tT3, and TSH concentrations were measured at the admission (T0), at last day of hospitalization (T1), and during the recovery phase at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after the discharge (T2, T3, T4, and T5), respectively. tT4 and tT3 were below the reference interval (RI) at T0 in 3 (16%) and 18 (95%) dogs, respectively; tT4 normalized in all dogs early in the recovery phase, while low tT3 persisted at the end of the study in 16 (83%) dogs. Median TSH concentrations were increased at T5 compared with T1 (0.19 ng/mL [range 0.03-0.65] vs 0.11 ng/mL [range (0.05-0.26)], mean difference = 0.09 ng/mL; P = .03). Five (26%) dogs had TSH above the RI at least at 1 time point during the recovery phase. None of the dogs had concurrent low tT4 and high TSH during the study. In euthyroid dogs acute illness can interfere with evaluation of thyroid function up to 21 days during the recovery phase. Thyroid testing should be avoided or postponed in these dogs.

Mycobacterium genavense granulomatous typhlocolitis in a horse.

A 23-y-old gelding was presented to a veterinary teaching hospital with a history of chronic, refractory diarrhea. Clinically, the horse was in poor body condition, with a thickened and corrugated large intestine identified by transcutaneous abdominal ultrasonography. At postmortem examination following euthanasia, the large colon and cecum had segmental thickening of the intestinal wall with innumerable mucosal ulcers and prominent polypoid mucosal masses. Many mesenteric and hepatic lymph nodes were enlarged. Histology revealed granulomatous and ulcerative typhlocolitis and granulomatous lymphadenitis with myriad acid-fast, variably gram-positive, intrahistiocytic bacilli that stained by immunohistochemistry for mycobacteria. Molecular testing by PCR and sequencing identified the causative agent as Mycobacterium genavense, which is an unusual presentation of infection in a horse.

Molecular investigation and genetic characterization of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) in cats referred to a veterinary teaching hospital in Northern Italy.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is responsible for feline leukemia syndrome in domestic cats. The prevention and control of disease caused by FeLV are primarily based on vaccination and identification and isolation of infected subjects. Antigen diagnostic methods, which are the most widely used in clinical practices, can be associated to molecular tests to characterize the FeLV detected. In this study, a quantitative SYBR Green Real-Time PCR (qPCR) assay was used to detect FeLV proviral DNA in blood samples from antigen positive cats referred to a veterinary teaching hospital in Northern Italy in 2018-2021. To genetically characterize the identified viruses, a portion of the viral envelope (env) gene was amplified using six different end-point PCRs and sequenced. Twenty-two of 26 (84.6%) cats included in the study tested positive by qPCR assay. This suggests a high performance of the qPCR adopted but further studies are required to investigate the cause of discordant results between the antigen test and qPCR in four cats. From env gene analysis, 15/22 qPCR-positive cats were infected by FeLV subtype A and 5/15 shown coinfection with subtype B.

Management of waste in veterinary hospitals: challenges, risks and opportunities

Management of waste in veterinary hospitals: challenges, risks and opportunities

Nasolacrimal duct obstruction prevalence is 0.3% among alpacas evaluated with ophthalmic disease at a veterinary teaching hospital between 2000 and 2023.

To examine the prevalence of nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction in hospital populations and assess signalment, diagnostics, and clinical approaches for alpacas and llamas diagnosed with NLD atresia or obstruction. 29 alpacas and 2 llamas. Medical records were reviewed to identify camelids with NLD evaluated between 2000 and 2023. Signalment, history, physical examination data, diagnosis, and treatments were recorded. Follow-up information was gathered via phone and email questionnaire. Data were evaluated to determine prevalence and describe signalment and treatments for NLD disease. 31 camelids met the inclusion criteria. A total of 8,027 alpacas and 1,998 llamas were seen within the study period at 1 teaching institution. The prevalence of NLD obstruction for this population of alpacas was 0.3% (26/8,027). Nineteen of 31 (61%) camelids presented at 1 year of age or younger. The most common physical exam finding was ocular discharge (68%). The most common diagnosis was NLD atresia (16/31 [51%]). Patency was established by surgical opening or lavage of the NLD. Long-term follow-up was available for 13 alpacas and 2 llamas, of which 11 (73%) had successful outcomes. Results indicate that NLD obstruction is a condition that most commonly affects alpacas < 1 year of age and is associated with a good prognosis for treatment success.

Immunotherapy with genetically engineered T cells holds promise for the treatment of nonmalignant diseases in the dog.

The ability to genetically redirect the antigenic specificity of T cells using chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) has led to unprecedented durable clinical remissions in human patients with relapsed/refractory hematological malignancies. This remarkable advance in successful immune cell engineering has now led to investigations into the application of CAR-T-cell technology to treat nonmalignant diseases. The use of CAR-T cells to target and eliminate specific cell subsets involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity, fibrosis, senescence, and infectious disease represents a new direction for adoptive cell therapies. While the use of CAR-T cells for nonmalignant disease is still in its infancy, early reports of dramatic clinical responses to CAR-T cells targeting CD19+ B cells in patients with severe autoimmune disease raise the possibility that this approach could lead to durable remissions, eliminating the need for ongoing conventional immunosuppressive therapies. Excitingly, nonmalignant disease processes that may be addressed by CAR-T-cell therapy in humans also occur in our canine populations. Given that technologies for developing canine CAR constructs are now available, robust protocols have been described for generating canine CAR-T cells, and experience is being gathered with their clinical use in oncology, it is anticipated that CAR-T cells will soon enter the veterinary clinics for the treatment of debilitating nonmalignant diseases. Here, we provide a broad overview of CAR-T-cell therapies for nonmalignant diseases and extrapolate these advances into the veterinary space, highlighting areas in which canine CAR-T cells are poised to enter the clinics for the treatment of nonmalignant disease.

Prevalence and clinical findings of feline otitis externa in Midwest Brazil

This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of otitis externa (OE) in cats using cytology, direct otoscopic examination, and parasitological examination through swabs and curettage, and to compare the accuracy between collection methods for parasitological examination. Direct otoscopic evaluation of the external auditory canal (right and left), swabs for cytological examination of the external auditory canal, and collection of cerumen for parasitological examination through swabs and curettage of 137 cats from a veterinary hospital care were conducted between March 2021 and March 2022. The influences of age, sex, habitat, street access, and the presence of fleas on OE were evaluated. Cytological evidence of OE was observed in 25.5 % of cats and was statistically associated with flea and mite parasitism. Otodectes cynotis was found in 13.9 % of the cats. Cocci and Bacilli were the secondary factors in 34.3 % and 22.9 % of cats with OE, respectively. The Malassezia genus was a secundary factor in 57.1 % of the cats with OE. The frequency of OE was high in cats receiving hospital care. O. cynotis was a frequent primary cause of OE in cats. The curette sampling method is a great option for diagnosing O. cynotis infestation due to its ease of use.

Survey of Animal Neoplastic Cases Diagnosed in Nigerian Veterinary Teaching Hospitals, 2000-2017.

Incidence data from 17-year veterinary neoplasm surveillance and registration were reviewed. Most of the neoplastic cases diagnosed in Nigerian veterinary teaching hospitals (VTHs) were in the avian (49%) and canine species (44%). Fewer cases were recorded in the equine (3.2%), bovine (2.4%), ovine (1.5%), caprine (0.3%) and porcine (0.15%) species. Marek's disease was the most prevalently diagnosed neoplastic disease of domestic animals in Nigerian VTHs from 2000-2017. Also, the Nigerian local breed had a higher mean distribution than any other dog breed and this was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Nearly all of the neoplastic cases diagnosed, were found in females (60.4%) and so the mean distribution of sex was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The digestive system, with 296 (46.25%) cases, was the anatomic location where the majority of the neoplastic cases were found. However, the mean distribution of different neoplastic anatomic sites was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In conclusion, little emphasis is given to the appropriate diagnosis and recording of neoplastic cases that are diagnosed. The study provides information regarding the prevalence and distribution of tumours in different animal species consulted in Nigeria veterinary teaching hospitals. To illustrate all of this, ArcGIS software was used. Veterinary clinicians, pathologists and epidemiologists from Nigeria may benefit from the results of this study by freely accessing some specific data regarding the breed, the age group or the gender of some animal species diagnosed with different tumours.