Veterinary Literature Research Articles

Canine thyroid carcinoma prognosis following the utilisation of computed tomography assisted staging

Metastatic disease is frequently present at the time of diagnosis of canine thyroid carcinoma; however, utilisation of computed tomography (CT) alone for staging pre-treatment has been rarely reported in the veterinary literature. The aims of this retrospective study were to stage affected dogs using CT findings of the cervical and thoracic regions, combined with histopathology/cytology results, in order to assess whether metastatic disease/WHO staging was of prognostic significance. Fifty-eight dogs were included in the study. Classification of cases into WHO stages I, II, III and IV were 10%, 50%, 9% and 31%, respectively. No statistically significant effect of WHO stage classification on overall survival/follow-up time was found (P = .576). Surgery resulted in a statistically significant increase in overall survival/follow-up time (P < .01). There was no statistically significant effect on overall survival/follow-up time in dogs that received medical therapy, either as sole therapy or as an adjunctive post-surgery (P = .198). In summary, this study documents the metastatic rate of canine thyroid carcinoma using CT for staging pre-treatment. Staging utilising CT revealed a higher distant metastatic rate in dogs with thyroid carcinoma when compared to historical studies using different imaging techniques. As long-term outcomes are possible for cases with advanced disease, surgical intervention could still be considered.

In bitches, is ovariectomy/ovariohysterectomy by laparoscopy less painful postoperatively than by midline open laparotomy?

PICO question&#x0D; In bitches, is an ovariectomy/ovariohysterectomy by laparoscopy superior to an ovariectomy/ovariohysterectomy by a midline surgical laparotomy in causing less postoperative pain?&#x0D; Clinical bottom line&#x0D; Category of research question&#x0D; Treatment&#x0D; The number and type of study designs reviewed&#x0D; Seven papers were critically appraised. They comprised of three blinded randomised controlled trials, two non-blinded randomised controlled trials and two non-blinded non-randomised controlled trials&#x0D; Strength of evidence&#x0D; Weak&#x0D; Outcomes reported&#x0D; In bitches, ovariectomy/ovariohysterectomy by laparoscopy is superior to ovariectomy/ovariohysterectomy by a midline laparotomy in causing less postoperative pain&#x0D; Conclusion&#x0D; Despite the widely held belief that laparoscopic surgery is associated with less postoperative pain, the available veterinary literature only provides weak evidence to support this in bitches undergoing ovariectomy/ovariohysterectomy. There are many uncontrolled variables to consider across these underpowered studies including surgeon number (and experience), the choice of perioperative analgesia, method of pain scoring and the laparoscopic technique. It is therefore clear that laparoscopic procedures cannot be viewed equally and the strength of the answer to the clinical question may change based upon these variables. It is also important to note that the incidence of complications or the effect of the above variables on postoperative pain have not been critically reviewed and warrant careful consideration when deciding on a laparoscopic approach&#x0D; &#x0D; How to apply this evidence in practice&#x0D; The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources.&#x0D; Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Transanal access port (TrAAP) technique: the use of a single incision laparoscopic surgical port during canine colonoscopy (a cadaveric study)

BackgroundTransanal colonoscopy using the single-incision laparoscopic surgical port is routinely used in human patients but has not been described in veterinary literature. The purpose of this study was to describe a novel access technique elucidating its endoscopic clinical potential and benefits. Additionally, its challenges, limitations, and clinical usability will be discussed and critiqued. The aim of this study was to describe the feasibility of the single-incision laparoscopic surgical port (SILS) as a transanal access technique in canine cadavers and compare its technical capabilities and economic value when compared to the traditional approaches of digital pressure and purse string.ResultsThe overall time to reach an intraluminal pressure of 10 mmHg was faster for digital pressure versus purse string (p = 0.05) and faster for single-incision laparoscopic surgical port versus purse string (p < 0.02). Maximum luminal pressure was significantly higher between single-incision laparoscopic surgical port and purse string (p = 0.001). Mean pressure for both the complete 60 s trial and during the last 45 s of insufflation were highest with the SILS port and were significantly different between the single-incision laparoscopic surgical port versus purse string (p = 0.0001, p < 0.0001) and digital pressure versus purse string (p < 0.005, p < 0.01) respectively. Complete luminal distention and visualization was observed in all trials.ConclusionsThe SILS port in a cadaveric canine model allowed good visualization of the rectal and colonic mucosa, provided constant insufflation of the colon and was feasible and subjectively easy to perform. Technical differences between techniques were observed with the use of the SILS port allowing for potentially lower personnel requirements, less procedural associated cost, less variability versus the digital pressure technique between assistants, and the ability of additional instruments to be used for procedures.

The effect of cannabidiol on canine neoplastic cell proliferation and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation during autophagy and apoptosis.

Low tetrahydrocannabinol Cannabis sativa products, also known as hemp products, have become widely available and their use in veterinary patients has become increasingly popular. Despite prevalence of use, the veterinary literature is lacking and evidence-based resource for cannabinoid efficacy. The most prevailing cannabinoid found in hemp is cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and becomes cannabidiol (CBD) during heat extraction; CBD has been studied for its direct anti-neoplastic properties alone and in combination with standard cancer therapies, yielding encouraging results. The objectives of our study were to explore the anti-proliferative and cell death response associated with in vitro treatment of canine cancer cell lines with CBD alone and combination with common chemotherapeutics, as well as investigation into major proliferative pathways (eg, p38, JNK, AKT and mTOR) potentially involved in the response to treatment with CBD. CBD significantly reduced canine cancer cell proliferation far better than CBDA across five canine neoplastic cell lines when treated with concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 10μg/mL. Combinatory treatment with CBD and vincristine reduced cell proliferation in a synergistic or additive manner at anti-proliferative concentrations with less clear results using doxorubicin in combination with CBD. The cellular signalling effects of CBD treatment, showed that autophagy supervened induction of apoptosis and may be related to prompt induction of ERK and JNK phosphorylation prior to autophagy. In conclusion, CBD is effective at hindering cell proliferation and induction of autophagy and apoptosis rapidly across neoplastic cell lines and further clinical trials are needed to understand its efficacy and interactions with traditional chemotherapy.

Use of immunonutriente to treat a diarrheic episode in a dog

Diarrhea is considered a very common sign in the pet clinic, and the use of immunomodulatory nutrients in the treatment of this condition is considered a new therapeutic modality increasingly used by veterinarians. Dietary supplementation of probiotics, prebiotics, and L-glutamine has shown beneficial effects in the control and treatment of diarrhea in humans. Due to the few descriptions of the use of immunonutrients in the veterinary literature, this study aimed to report the case of a female Poodle dog, aged 13 years, with diarrhea, submitted to oral glutamine treatment for 5 days, which resulted in the complete remission of the diarrheal episode.

Thank You to Our 2020 Reviewers

2020 will be a year to remember! One of the standout features for me has been the speed with which ‘science’ has responded to the crisis in terms of developing and disseminating new information to the community highlighting the importance of digital communication – a space that Veterinary Evidence comfortably occupies. The availability of pre peer-reviewed papers has become the norm but it has also emphasised the essential need and benefit of the peer-review process as a significant number of pre-review papers have not made it through to ‘publication’ as issues were identified during the peer-review process.&#x0D; As Editor-in-chief it makes me proud and thankful that Veterinary Evidence has a strong but agile peer-review process and I would like to thank all of our editors and reviewers for their continued support and their diligence in meeting demanding timelines during of these challenging times allowing Veterinary Evidence to publish more content than ever before. Without your highly valued knowledge, expertise and insights Veterinary Evidence would not be growing into the key knowledge source that it is today.&#x0D; The Veterinary Evidence Editorial Board Meeting was held for the first time digitally on 7 December with the largest number of editorial board members able to attend. Members from across the globe were able to take part in wide and varied discussions around the development of the journal, resulting in important strategic initiatives and some key action points to pursue. The availability of the board to attend digitally will facilitate more frequent meetings allowing the journal to be more inclusive, and responsive to the changing landscape, as well as providing a digital recording of the event available for those board members unable to attend.&#x0D; Key areas discussed included development of the format of PICOs and further refining the process for approving them, strategies to encourage engagement and submissions from veterinary nurses, and the development of policies to encourage diversity and inclusion within the board and contributors to the journal, as well as ways to increase the reach of the journal. Having only been Editor-in-chief since September, I have been very impressed by how active and dedicated our reviewers and board members are and how dynamic and forward-looking Veterinary Evidence is as it matures into a key contributor to veterinary literature. None of this would be possible without your support for which I am very grateful.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Removal of Aerosolized Contaminants from Working Canines via a Field Wipe-Down Procedure.

Evidence-based canine decontamination protocols are underrepresented in the veterinary literature. Aerosolized microbiological and chemical contaminants can pose a risk in deployment environments highlighting the need for improved canine field decontamination strategies. Prior work has established the efficacy of traditional, water-intensive methods on contaminant removal from the coat of the working canine; however, it is not known if similar reductions can be achieved with simple field expedient methods when resources are limited. The objective of this study was to measure the reduction of aerosolized contamination via a practical "wipe-down" procedure performed on working canine coats contaminated with a fluorescent, non-toxic, water-based aerosol. Disposable, lint-free towels were saturated with one of three treatments: water, 2% chlorhexidine gluconate scrub (CHX), or 7.5% povidone-iodine scrub (PVD). Both CHX and PVD were diluted at a 1:4 ratio. Treatments were randomly assigned to one of three quadrants established across the shoulders and back of commonly utilized working dog breeds (Labrador retrievers, n = 16; German shepherds, n = 16). The fourth quadrant remained unwiped, thus serving as a control. Reduction in fluorescent marker contamination was measured and compared across all quadrants. PVD demonstrated greater marker reduction compared to CHX or water in both breeds (p < 0.0001). Reduction was similar between CHX or water in Labradors (p = 0.86) and shepherds (p = 0.06). Effective wipe-down strategies using common veterinary cleansers should be further investigated and incorporated into decontamination practices to safeguard working canine health and prevent cross-contamination of human personnel working with these animals.

Metastatic basal cell carcinoma in a cat with brief review of the human and veterinary literature

AbstractFeline basal cell carcinomas generally have a benign biological behaviour with a low metastatic rate, and little contemporary information exists regarding potential metastatic behaviour. The purpose of this report is to describe the protracted clinical course of metastatic basal cell carcinoma in a 10‐year‐old female spayed Persian cat affecting the right pelvic limb with nodal metastasis at the time of diagnosis and eventual metastasis to the lungs, lumbar spine, and skin 14 months after initial diagnosis. This report serves as a reminder that these tumours can metastasize and reviews information from human literature that may be helpful in understanding the metastatic pattern, treatment, and prognosis of basal cell carcinoma in veterinary medicine.

Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor in the Upper Eyelid in a Dog

Background: Schwannomas are benign neurogenic tumours of peripheral nerves. They originate from Schwann cells, which form the neural sheath.Peripheral nerve sheath tumors are most commonly found on the head and neck regions of both dogs and people. Schwannomas are rarely observed in ophthalmic areas. When they occur, ocular Schwannomas are usually located in the orbit, uveal tract and conjunctiva. The occurrence of uveal schwannoma, a subset of PNST has been well documented in the veterinary literature. This is the first report of a palpebral PNST in the dog. The lip-to-lid flap is a feasible technique to reconstruct the upper eyelid following wide surgical removal of a tumor in the dog.Case: A 9-year-old, spayed female mixed-breed dog was referred for evaluation of a large mass involving the right upper eyelid for a duration of approximately one month. The inspection revealed sero-sanguinolent discharge and an oval-shaped mass occupying more than 70% of the right upper eyelid. The dog was alert and the ophthalmic and general physical examination did not revealed abnormalities. Ocular ultrasonography did not show significant findings. A fine-needle aspirate of the palpebral tumor was not elucidative, even so, a presumptive diagnosis of eyelid neoplasia was considered most likely. Excision of the entire mass with a 2 cm margin was performed. The third eyelid and dorso-medial bulbar conjunctiva were also removed. Upper eyelid reconstruction was performed based on a similar technique previously described in cats (lip-to-lid flap). As a result, neoplastic spindle cells exhibited immunoreactivity for S100 and intense cytoplasmic staining for vimentin, supporting the diagnosis of schwannoma. Fifteen days later, the margins of the subdermal pattern flap were healed and skin sutures were removed. On the last follow-up, 9 months post-surgery, the dog was visual, and the flap was well incorporated and covered the ocular surface. Ten months later, another large mass arising from the right inferior palpebral conjunctiva was observed. Once ultrasound revealed orbital invasion exenteration combined with orbitectomy were performed, and the defect was covered with an auricular axial pattern flap. Although the second tumor had the same histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of the first mass additional staining for Ki67 was used to investigate the biological behavior of both masses.Discussion: Reported eyelid neoplasms in dogs include adenomas and adenocarcinomas of the meibomian glands, melanomas, fibroma, fibrosarcoma, histiocytoma, mastocytoma, lipomas, papillomas, and squamous cell carcinomas. To the author´s knowledge, however, this is the first case description of a PNST affecting the eyelid in a dog. The histologic distinction between PNSTs and other spindle cell tumors, including myxosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, hemangiopericytoma, and melanoma can be challenging and requires immunohistochemical stainin. S100 is an acidic protein that identifies various nervous tissue cells, including Schwann cells, and the majority of canine PNSTs diffusely express this molecule. As in the case presented here, neoplastic cells of different ocular and adnexal structures were also positive for S100 and vimentin in all PNSTs previously reported in the veterinary literature. This is the first report of PNST affecting the eyelid in a dog. The lip-to-lid flap is a feasible technique to reconstruct the upper eyelid following wide surgical removal of a tumor in dogs. However, the authors suggest radical surgery combining orbitectomy, exenteration and a miocutaneous flap if PNST is diagnosed in the eyelids of dogs. They also caution once recurrence is possible and can be more aggressive.Keywords: lip-to-lid transposition, S100, vimentin, desmin, Ki67, dog.

Angiolipoma in a Dog

Background: Angiolipoma is a benign tumor composed of endothelial cells and mature adipocytes. Tumors reported in domestic species include two variants; infiltrative or non-infiltrative. Bitches and intact males seem predisposed. This mesenchyme tumor is commonly mistaken with lipoma due to its soft texture and subcutaneous site and often requires histopathology to confirm its diagnosis. Microscopic examination also enables the evaluation of surgical margins and rule out possible infiltrative sites. Complete surgical excision is usually curative. This study reports a case of non-infiltrating angiolipoma in a dog.Case: A 14-year-old mixed-breed dog was presented to a veterinary clinic in the city of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. On palpation, a painless mass was noted, with high mobility and covered by intact hirsute skin in the right subcutaneous ventrolateral region. Computed tomography of the chest showed an expansive mass of uptake only from the edges of the soft tissues of the right subcutaneous ventrolateral region. The mass was homogeneous and well delimited, suggesting a neoplastic process. Subsequently, the mass was surgically removed, fixed in 10% buffered formalin, and sent for histopathological analysis. On macroscopic examination, the mass was well delimited, without skin coverage, and measured 2.3 × 1.9 × 0.6 cm. The consistency was smooth and unctuous in appearance with a compact cream-colored surface with blackish multifocal spots. Under microscopy, the histological sections showed neoplasm of mature adipocytes and of endothelial cells of blood vessels benign were filled with a marked amount of red blood cells. Multifocal fibrin thrombi and a mild inflammatory infiltrate composed of lymphocytes and rare mast cells were evident. There was no infiltration in the regional skeletal musculature. Thus, a diagnosis of non-infiltrative angiolipoma was established.Discussion: The diagnosis of non-infiltrating angiolipoma in this case was established through the results of histopathological examination. The occurrence of this neoplasm in dogs is uncommon, and the data reported in the veterinary medicine literature are scarce. However, in this study, it was found that the neoplasm on screening presented a behavior like that of lipomas, with noninvasive growth and the absence of local recurrence. The canine species does not commonly convey pain on palpation during a clinical examination, as observed in the present case. In humans, multiple angiolipoma nodules are common; this clinical presentation differs from that in animals, in which solitary nodules are generally observed. In dogs, as in the present case, they seem to have a predilection for the trunk. In animals, the pathogenesis of angiolipomas is not established, but in humans, it is based on theories that include the reaction to harmful stimuli and congenital malformation of adipose tissue. In humans, the presence of fibrin thrombi on the periphery of the region of cell proliferation are microscopic findings that can assist in the diagnosis of angiolipomas, an approach that was implemented in the present case. The occurrence of this neoplasm in dogs is uncommon, and the data reported in the veterinary medicine literature are scarce. The importance of an adequate description of angiolipomas is based on the need to provide information about its epidemiology, biological behavior, and prognosis.

Особливості рентгенографічного дослідження крижово-клубового суглоба собак

Sacroiliac joint instability is a fairly common pathology of the musculoskeletal system, which is observed in dogs of various breeds, sex, and age. This problem has received little attention in the research field, veterinary literature and clinical practice due to similar symptoms with more studied and treated pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, that are more common in everyday practice. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a differential diagnosis of pathologies that are similar in clinical manifestation. Radiography remains the main method for examining bones and their joints even today. But examining the sacroiliac joint requires the development of an optimal protocol for radiography of the studied area. The research was conducted on the basis of the Clinical and Diagnostic Center of Veterinary Medicine Faculty of the Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University for one year on 20 dogs of different age, sex, and breeds. Radiography was performed to diagnose the instability of the sacroiliac joint. A combination of a Triones tw-120 X-ray machine and an Alfa-4600 digital receiver was used for the examination. According to the results of the study, it was found that there was no significant difference between the central positioning method of the animal and the angular one for assessing the state of soft tissues, but the angular method was more suitable for assessing the state of the sacroiliac joint structures since it allowed a more detailed analysis of the state of the articular surfaces and the location of the iliac bones relative to the sacrum. This kind of x-ray examination should be performed only with sedatives. Since the position of the animal’s body on radiography is not physiological and in the case of sacroiliac joint instability there is pain, these factors will negatively affect the accuracy of the study. It was also found that the use of M-shaped pillows significantly improved the quality of the obtained X-ray image. When working with the radiograph, it is necessary to pay attention to the condition of the joint surfaces, as osteoarthritis and osteosclerosis in the future may cause instability of the sacroiliac joint. If there is an X-ray of the joint space, the congruence index should be calculated. It is important to take into account the anamnestic data of the animal, as pregnant females may have abnormalities. Compliance with the proposed protocol of diagnostic actions in case of suspicion of sacroiliac joint instability will make it possible to accurately diagnose, prescribe appropriate treatment, plan the course of the surgery and prevent the development of this pathology in the future.

Extramedullary Plasmacytoma of the Third Eyelid in a Cat

Background: Extramedullary plasmacytoma is a neoplasm originating from plasmacytes with benign behavior, although it can present malignant characteristics such as local invasion and metastases in some cases. Primary extramedullary plasmacytoma in the third eyelid is rare in humans and animals and has not yet been described in cats. Thus, the goal of the present study is to describe the cytological and histopathological findings of an extramedullary plasmacytoma in a cat's third eyelid.Case: A 5-year-old female feline patient with a history of ocular alteration for approximately 30 days was referred to the ophthalmology service. Upon ophthalmic examination of the left eye, an increase in volume with tissue proliferation was identified in the third eyelid's conjunctiva. A collection of material for cytopathological examination was performed. Numerous plasmocytes and atypical lymphocytes with anisocytosis and anisokaryosis were observed, with a possible neoplastic injury being suggested and referred to the patient for surgical removal of the third eyelid. In the histopathological analysis, it was possible to observe several plasma cells and vascular neoformation along the entire conjunctive margin below the epithelium. The glands, serous and mucous, present in the fragment, revealed areas of intervening plasmacytic infiltrate and a large area close to the hyaline cartilage containing intense plasmacytic inflammatory infiltrate with rare neutrophils and macrophages. There was also a structural breakdown of glandular components and lymphocyte cells with mitosis figures and discrete cellular pleomorphism.Discussion: Plasmacytoma is a rare neoplasm in both dogs and cats. The anatomical regions most frequently affected are the digits, lips, and pinna. Concerning the 3rd eyelid tumor involvement, numerous types of neoplasms have been reported in dogs in the veterinary literature, including transmissible venereal tumor, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanocytoma melanoma, lymphoma, plasmacytoma, hemangioma, hemangiosarcoma, mastocytoma, and myoepithelioma. In cats, the third eyelid is the third site most affected by primary tumors. Adult and elderly animals are the most affected; however, an extramedullary plasmacytoma (PEM) has been reported in an eight-month-old male cat's skeletal muscle. Plasmacytoma aspirates, like other round cells, tend to be highly cellular, the cell morphology has a plasmacytoid aspect, resembling mature cells, the cytoplasm is intensely basophilic, and the round nucleus with an eccentric disposition has thin chromatin and indistinct nucleolus. Binucleate and multinucleate cells are common, and the absence of lymphoglandular corpuscles helps differentiate extramedullary plasmacytoma from lymphomas. Histologically, PEM is similar in dogs, humans, and felines, and variations in mature and immature plasma cells can be seen. The diagnosis of extramedullary plasmacytoma is fundamentally histological, and immunohistochemical analysis can also be performed. Surgical excision with safety margins is the primary type of treatment for neoplasms in the 3rd eyelid, being considered an effective method, as seen in this report, during the patient's follow-up for 13 months, no recurrence or metastasis of the neoplasm was seen. When signs of malignant neoplasms are found, it is recommended to evaluate the indication for chemotherapy before surgery and monitor the case after treatment due to recurrence risk.

Avaliação da densidade mineral óssea por meio da densitometria óptica radiográfica em 42 fêmures caninos

This study evaluates the bone mineral density of 42 canine femurs using radiographic optical densitometry and validates radiographic optical densitometry as a parameter to standardize bone tissue samples used in biomechanical tests, contributing to the diagnosis of osteoporosis in dogs. The ImageJ 1.46r® program was used for the radiographic optical densitometry. After selecting the aluminum steps and the area of interest in the femur, the data obtained were stored in a table and converted into mm/Al using the MS Excel® trend function. Statistical analysis demonstrated the absence of atypical values (outiliers) in the samples analyzed. The samples evaluated were homogeneous and the densitometric data obtained may contribute to reducing the scarcity of densitometric references in the veterinary literature. Ex vivo biomechanical studies may benefit from the method used in this study to standardize their sample when evaluating bone mineral density, validating their respective projects

Focal Peripheral Neuropathy Associated with Lymphoma in Dogs

Background: Peripheral neuropathies result in sensory, motor or autonomic dysfunctions due to impairment of peripheral spinal or cranial nerves. Neoplasms such as lymphoma are cited as one of the many aetiological causes and it may affect the nerve directly, by compression, or indirectly, or paraneoplastic, by remote action of the neoplasm located in an extra-neural site. This study aimed to report two cases of cranial nerve neuropathy (trigeminal and facial) associated with canine lymphoma, contributing to a better understanding of its paraneoplastic effects on the nervous system, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.Cases: Two cases of canine lymphoma associated with possible signs of paraneoplastic peripheral neuropathy were attended at the Veterinary Hospital from the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (HV UFMG). Case 1. A spayed mixed breed bitch, with lethargy and unilateral exophthalmos. Brain computed tomography revealed a retrobulbar mass and cytology was diagnostic for extranodal lymphoma. Subsequent to computed tomography, the dog was presented with hypotrophy of the facial musculature and difficulty in grasping food, consistent with trigeminal nerve palsy, which resolved after institution of the 19-week chemotherapy protocol from the University of Wisconsin. Nevertheless, disease reccurred and a rescue protocol was initiated. Case 2. A female Dalmatian, spayed, was diagnosed with multicentric lymphoma, after cytology of the left mandibular lymph node. Chemotherapy was initiated with the same protocol of the previous case. However, the disease progressed and it was observed facial asymmetry with ptosis of the left eyelid, pina and lips, in addition to difficulty in grasping food, suggesting facial and trigeminal cranial nerve palsy. Clinical signs resolved after institution of a rescue chemotherapy protocol. However, in both cases, disease progression and poor clinical condition resulted in decision of euthanasia and necropsy was not authorized.Discussion: Canine lymphoma is often associated with paraneoplastic syndromes, with neuropathy being one of its possible clinical manifestations. In spite of that its pathogenesis remains unclear, with little information in the veterinary literature. Diagnosis is challenging and must be initially based on recognition of neurological clinical signs and lesion localization, as in the reported cases with lesions located on the fifth and seventh cranial nerves. In the patient from the first case, the absence of clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities suggestive of endocrinopathies, associated with neurological signs restricted to the trigeminal nerve, bilaterally, before starting chemotherapy and without the identification of brain lesions in computed tomography, suggested paraneoplastic involvement as the cause of neuropathy. In the second case described, the absence of clinical signs and laboratory abnormalitiess suggestive of endocrinopathies or nutritional deficiencies, associated with neurological signs restricted to the facial and trigeminal cranial nerves, suggested direct or indirect tumour involvement. Both cases showed improvement of neurological clinical signs after chemotherapy which favored the therapeutic diagnosis. Nevertheless, failure to authorize necropsy of patients made it impossible to confirm that peripheral neuropathy is secondary to the remote effect of lymphoma.

Presence of BRCA1 Gene Mutation in Bitches with Malignant Mammary Tumors

Background: Mammary tumors (MTs) in bitches are similar to breast cancers in women. Thus, they can be used as a model for human breast cancer and findings can be extrapolated for use in human medicine. BRCA1 is a tumor suppressor gene. When the gene has a mutation, it cannot repair damaged DNA, which causes genetic instability and tumorigenesis. Therefore, we aimed to study the frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the BRCA1 gene that are associated with distinct histological types of malignant MT in bitches.Materials, Methods &amp; Results: The study population consisted of 91 bitches, including a control group of 6 animals with healthy mammary glands and 85 animals with MTs. All animals underwent a presurgery evaluation consisting of a questionnaire administered to the person responsible for the animal, a physical examination, collection of peripheral blood for hematological and serum biochemistry evaluations, an electrocardiogram, and a preanesthesia evaluation. In addition, distant metastasis was studied via chest radiography and abdominal ultrasound. After evaluations were complete, the animals that could undergo surgery were administered general anesthesia and underwent a mastectomy or mammary gland sample collection. Histopathological examination and molecular analysis were performed to identify mutations in the BRCA1 gene. Histopathological examinations found 10 different types of malignant tumors in 36 sick animals. Tumor samples plus samples from the 6 control animals were subjected to DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, and genetic sequencing. The tumor with the highest incidence (33.33%) was a complex carcinoma, followed by carcinoma in mixed tumor (13.88), tubular carcinoma (13.88) and carcinosarcoma (13.88). Molecular analysis revealed 3 different SNP points in 5 samples (4006G&gt;A, 3619A&gt;G, and 3761C&gt;T). The allelic variant 4006G&gt;A (1/36) resulted in the alteration of the amino acid valine by isoleucine (V1336 I). The mutation 3619A&gt;G (2/36) inserted the amino acid alanine instead of threonine (T1207 A). The mutation 3761C&gt;T (2/36) led to the alteration of the amino acid serine by phenylalanine (S1254 F), a mutation for which there are no published reports. The histological types that showed BRCA1mutations were complex carcinoma (1/5), carcinoma in mixed tumor (1/5), papillary carcinoma (1/5) and tubular carcinoma (2/5). Software analysis identified the new SNP (nucleotide 3761) in BRCA1 and 2 points mutations in nucleotides 4006 and 3619 and responsible for genetic instability.Discussion: The development of breast cancer is caused by many endogenous and exogenous factors. The results of our study show that these factors have a greater presence in female, mixed breed, uncastrated, and older dogs, confirming the data in the veterinary literature. In the present study, we found different histological types of malignant breast tumors with mutations in the BRCA1 gene, as other authors have reported. However, we also found the mutation 3761C&gt;T, which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been reported in the literature. This shows the need for studies in veterinary medicine that assess mutations in the BRCA1 gene and the most common histological types. In conclusion, SNPs in the BRCA1 gene cause genetic instability, resulting in additional mutations that lead to the development of breast tumors. They are point mutations that affect transcription, resulting in truncated proteins. These proteins may have a loss of function, leading to carcinogenesis.Keywords: polymorphism, BRCA1 gene, cancer, dogs.Descritores:polimorfismo, gene BRCA1, câncer, cães. Título: Presença da mutação do gene BRCA1 em cadelas com tumores mamários malignos.

TREATMENT OF SPOROTRICOSE IN THE WORLD, WITH EMPHASIS IN BRAZIL: WHAT’S NEW?

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo results of works already published on the use of traditional and alternative medicines in the treatment of sporotrichosis, both in humans and in animals. Methods: The bibliographic research was developed from the analysis of publications found in the scientific literature, with emphasis mainly on Brazil in the period from 2015 to 2020. Updated bibliographies of the medical and veterinary literature were available on MEDLINE, through PubMed, Science direct, Scielo and academic Google, with a total of 28 studies that met the specific work requirements. Results: From the analysis of the reviewed papers, conventional treatments, mainly the use of itraconazole, Amphotericin B and Terbinafine, showed good results in the studies. In addition, the use of alternative treatments, either as the main treatment or support, against sporotrichosis, have shown promise in vitro results, requiring more tests for a possible alternative treatment in the future. Conclusion: The use of alternative treatments is important, since they can be effective against sporotrichosis, becoming a viable means when the animal is resistant to conventional methods.

Primary soft tissue angiomyolipoma in a dog with unusual clinical features

Angiomyolipoma is an extremely rare neoplasm in animals. It belongs to a group of perivascular epithelioid cell tumours (so-called PEComas). This study reports a case of primary soft tissue angiomyolipoma in a dog with some unusual clinical features. A 4-year old female Labrador dog with a rapidly growing pelvic tumour measuring 30 × 20 cm with a short history of 12 weeks was presented. The tumour was well-circumscribed and pushed into the right vaginal wall and into the perineum. The tumour was completely surgically excised. An extensive histological examination was performed, including immunohistochemical analysis. Histology revealed a mesenchymal neoplasm consisting of three tissue components – mature adipose tissue (which dominated), vessels, and smooth muscle (spindle) cells. The lesion showed positive immunohistochemical staining with smooth muscle actin and desmin in mature-appearing smooth muscle cells and S-100 protein positivity in adipocytes. The diagnosis of angiomyolipoma must be considered in different types of benign and malignant tumours of various lineages. The diagnostic approach to soft tissue tumours, including angiomyolipoma, requires optimal processing and sectioning of resected specimens. This paper is believed to be the first case of primary soft tissue angiomyolipoma reported in the veterinary literature.

Giant Fibrolipoma in the Distal Limb of a Cow

Background: Lipomas are adipocytic tumors of slow and expansive growth. They can be classified into several subtypes depending on the tissue present next to the neoplastic adipocytes. One of such subtypes is the fibrolipoma, which is formed by well-differentiated adipocytes and fibrous connective tissue. This neoplasm has been little described in cattle, and rare reports present the treatment and resolution of the case. Thus, the dissemination of cases of fibrolipomas in cattle is essential to help veterinarians diagnose this neoplasm. The present report describes a case of fibrolipoma in the distal pelvic limb of a cow successfully treated by surgical excision. Case: A 4-year-old 3/4 Girolando cow from the municipality of Vazante-MG, Brazil, was treated on the farm. According to the owner, the animal had been showing tumoral growth in the left pelvic limb over the period of 1 year and 3 months. The tumor involved the entire left metatarsus and was 40 x 37 cm, without ulcerations and painless on palpation. A neoplasm was suspected and surgical excision was the chosen approach. The cow was sedated, positioned and restrained in right lateral recumbency for surgery. The operative field was prepared and a subcutaneous locoregional ring block was performed dorsally to the tumor. The tumor mass was excised with a safety margin of 1 cm. After removal, the mass was found to weigh 10.4 kg and to be yellowish-white upon sectioning. Due to the distance between the edges of the surgical wound, skin suture could not be performed. Thus, second-intention healing and wound protection with bandages were the choice of management. In the postoperative period, the adopted treatment consisted of antibiotic therapy with benzathine penicillin, analgesia with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, daily dressings and wound protection with bandages. The animal did not show postoperative complications and, over 8 months of monitoring after surgery, there was no recurrence of the neoplasm and the cow was in productive activity. Tumor fragments were fixed in 10%buffered formalinand sent for histopathological examination, which revealed a neoplasm of mesenchymal cells in the subcutaneous adipose tissue supported by dense fibrovascular stroma with solid arrangement. A large amount of dense connective tissue was found among the neoplastic cells. In view of these findings, the diagnosis of fibrolipoma was established.Discussion: Fibrolipoma is a benign neoplasm little described in the veterinary literature, especially in cattle, with only 3 cases reported. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first report of this neoplasm in the distal limb of cattle. Fibrolipomas are a rare type of lipoma formed by well-differentiated lipocytes and fibrous tissue. The fibrolipoma described in this report was 40 cm in diameter and weighed 10.4 kg, so it can be classified as a type of giant lipoma, as it was more than 10 cm in diameter and more than 1 kg in weight. In the present report and in others in the medical literature, surgical removal of the fibrolipoma resulted in complete recovery of the patient without postoperative complications. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice in these cases and usually promotes healing. However, surgery must be performed early and the neoplasm must be completely removed. The histological characteristics of the fibrolipoma in this case are similar to those found in other cases in cattle and corroborate the choice for surgical treatment and maintenance of the animal in the herd. Although rare, fibrolipomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of tumors of slow and expansive growth in cattle.Keywords: bovine, adipose tissue, lipoma, neoplasia, surgery.Descritores: bovino, cirurgia, tecido adiposo, lipoma, neoplasia.Título: Fibrolipoma gigante no membro distal de uma vaca

Down the rabbit hole: a quick guide for histopathology description

ABSTRACT: Histopathology is an old science that is still currently utilized for disease diagnosis and research. The routinely processed histologic slides stained with hematoxylin and eosin are still used worldwide in most if not every histopathology laboratory. The technique is inexpensive, quick to perform, and allows the diagnosis of a fantastic variety of tissue changes and diseases. Skills in description and interpretation in histopathology are a craft that can be learned by repeatedly and systematically observing simple rules. In this article, we offer a few advices to help trainees in veterinary pathology at the start of their careers. Those advices are drawn from our experience in the diagnostic pathology routine and from the veterinary pathology literature. To enhance the understanding of these important steps in the histopathologic description of tissues, we decided to illustrate most concepts expressed here. We hope that our effort can add a bit to the development of future pathologists. Just like Alice, let us follow the White Rabbit into his burrow for this challenging experience!

Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome after Primary Hypoadrenocorticism Crisis Management

Background: Primary hypoadrenocorticism is a rare condition resulting from immune-mediated destruction of the adrenal cortices. It can also occur due to necrosis, neoplasms, infarctions and granulomas. The clinical and laboratory changes are due to deficient secretion of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, which leads to electrolyte disorders associated with hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. These disorders can cause hypotension, hypovolemia and shock, putting a patient's life at risk if inadequate hydroelectrolytic supplementation and hormone replacement is provided. Nevertheless, rapid sodium chloride supplementation is contraindicated due to the risk of central pontine myelinolysis induction. The present study aims to describe a thalamic osmotic demyelination syndrome after management of a primary hypoadrenocorticism crisis in a 2-year-old, female West White Highland Terrier. Case: The patient had a presumptive diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism already receiving oral prednisolone and gastrointestinal protectants in the last 2 days. After prednisolone dose reduction the dog presented a severe primary hypoadrenocorticism crisis treated with intravenous sodium chloride 0.9% solution along with supportive therapy. Four days after being discharged from the hospital, the patient showed severe neurological impairment and went back to the clinic where a neurological examination revealed mental depression, drowsiness, ambulatory tetraparesis and proprioceptive deficit of the 4 limbs, postural deficits, and cranial nerves with decreased response. Due to these clinical signs, a magnetic resonance imaging was performed. It showed 2 intra-axial circular lesions, symmetrically distributed in both thalamus sides, with approximately 0.8 cm in diameter each without any other anatomical changes on magnetic resonance imaging. The images were compatible with metabolic lesions, suggesting demyelination. Furthermore, liquor analysis did not show relevant abnormalities, except for a slight increase in density and pH at the upper limit of the reference range. After treatment, the patient had a good neurological evolution secondary to standard primary hypoadrenocorticism treatment, without sequelae. Discussion: In the present case report, primary hypoadrenocorticism gastrointestinal signs seemed to be triggered by a food indiscretion episode, not responsive to the symptomatic therapies employed. The patient´s breed and age (young West White Highland Terrier bitch) is in accordance with the demographic profile of patients affected by the disease, where young females are frequently more affected. Regarding the probable thalamic osmotic demyelination syndrome documented in this case, is important to notice that myelinolysis or demyelination is an exceedingly rare noninflammatory neurological disorder, initially called central pontine myelinolysis, which can occur after rapid correction of hyponatremia. It has already been observed in dogs after correction of hyponatremia of different origins, including hypoadrenocorticism and parasitic gastrointestinal disorders. Currently, the terms "osmotic myelinolysis" or “osmotic demyelination syndrome" are considered more suitable when compared to the term "central pontine myelinolysis" since it has been demonstrated in dogs and humans the occurrence of demyelination secondary to the rapid correction of hyponatremia in distinct regions of the central nervous system including pons, basal nuclei, striatum, thalamus, cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. The present case report emphasizes the difficulties for hormonal confirmation of primary hypoadrenocorticism in a patient already on corticosteroid treatment, as well as proposes that the current term osmotic demyelination syndrome replace the term “central pontine myelinolysis” in veterinary literature related to the management of hypoadrenocorticism crisis.Keywords: Addison Syndrome, hyponatremia, osmotic myelinolysis, magnetic resonance imaging.