Perioperative and Anesthetic Management of Complete Tracheal Rupture in One Dog and One Cat.

ABSTRACT The authors describe two animals (one dog and one cat) that were presented with severe respiratory distress after trauma. Computerized tomographic imaging under general anesthesia revealed, in both cases, complete tracheal transection. Hypoxic episodes during anesthesia were relieved by keeping the endotracheal tube (ETT) positioned in the cranial part of the transected trachea and by allowing spontaneous breathing. Surgical preparation was performed quickly, and patients were kept in a sternal position to improve ventilation and oxygenation, and were only turned into dorsal recumbency shortly before surgical incision. A sterile ETT was guided into the distal part of the transected trachea by the surgeon, at which point mechanical ventilation was started. Both animals were successfully discharged from hospital a few days after surgery. Rapid and well-coordinated teamwork seemed to contribute to the good outcome. Precise planning and communication between anesthetists, surgeons, and technicians, as well as a quick course of action prior to correct ETT positioning helped to overcome critical phases.

Cerebral High-grade Oligodendroglioma with Sarcomatous Transdifferentiation ("Oligosarcoma") in a Boxer Dog.

A 9-year-old Boxer dog was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Bern for a history of chronic neck pain and gait problems, which rapidly progressed to a non-ambulatory status. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of the head revealed a large intra-axial space-occupying lesion that was divided in two portions interconnected by a thin isthmus at the level of the cerebellar tentorium. Histopathology revealed a biphasic malignant neoplasm composed of neuroepithelial and mesenchymal elements. The former displayed characteristics of conventional anaplastic oligodendroglioma involving brisk mitotic activity and glomeruloid microvascular proliferation on a background of a fibrillary round cells with "honeycomb-like" perinuclear vacuolation. Conversely, the sarcomatous moiety exhibited haphazard fascicles of spindle cells amidst an intricate mesh of pericellular basal lamina and broad bands of collagen. Both tumor cell populations immunoreacted for Olig-2 and – to a lesser extent – GFAP. In addition, the sarcomatous areas focally expressed vimentin, muscular actin, and smooth muscle actin. "Oligosarcoma" - an exquisitely uncommon pattern of oligodendroglial malignancy in humans - has not previously been reported to affect dogs, although oligodendroglioma is a common CNS tumor in this species. Whether canine oligosarcoma shares with its human counterpart not only morphological aspects, but also molecular signatures, clinical behavior and responsiveness to therapy merits further investigation. In humans, oligodendroglial differentiation tends to confer significant clinical advantage with respect to prognosis and adjuvant treatment options. The awareness of such hallmarks and the investigation of their impact on prognosis are crucial for improved therapeutical strategies in dogs.

Blastomycosis granuloma involving the cranial vena cava associated with chylothorax and cranial vena caval syndrome in a dog

A four-year-old, sexually intact, male dachshund was diagnosed with pulmonary blastomycosis. Itraconazole was administered for 60 days, and the dog was considered to be disease-free at three- and 12-month reevaluations. Two years following discontinuation of itraconazole, the dog developed a granuloma of the cranial vena cava resulting in chylothorax and cranial vena caval obstruction. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of a blastomycotic granuloma involving the vena cava reported in the dog. Blastomycosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for both chylothorax and cranial vena caval syndrome in the dog.

Memoirs pour deux juifs de Metz contre l'hôtel de Ville et le corps des marchands de Thionville

par Pierre Louis Lacretelle

Hepatic alveolar hydatid disease (Echinococcus multilocularis) in a boxer dog from southern Ontario.

A 2-year-old boxer dog from southern Ontario was evaluated because of acute onset lethargy. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a hemorrhagic, destructive, liver mass. Histology, immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction confirmed Echinococcus multilocularis as the cause of the hepatic mass. This constitutes the first description of endemic E. multilocularis in Ontario.

Alveolar hydatid disease (Echinococcus multilocularis) in the liver of a Canadian dog in British Columbia, a newly endemic region.

An adult dog that lived in central British Columbia was examined because of a history of lethargy and vomiting. Histology, immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) examination of a hepatic mass confirmed the presence of an alveolar hydatid cyst, the first description of Echinococcus multilocularis in British Columbia. We provide recommendations for case management and remind practitioners in endemic areas of western Canada that dogs can serve as definitive and, rarely, intermediate hosts for E. multilocularis.

The dog as a genetic model for immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency: identification of several breeds with low serum IgA concentrations

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) serves as the basis of the secretory immune system by protecting the lining of mucosal sites from pathogens. In both humans and dogs, IgA deficiency (IgAD) is associated with recurrent infections of mucosal sites and immune-mediated diseases. Low concentrations of serum IgA have previously been reported to occur in a number of dog breeds but no generally accepted cut-off value has been established for canine IgAD. The current study represents the largest screening to date of IgA in dogs in terms of both number of dogs (n = 1267) and number of breeds studied (n = 22). Serum IgA concentrations were quantified by using capture ELISA and were found to vary widely between breeds. We also found IgA to be positively correlated with age (p < 0.0001). Apart from the two breeds previously reported as predisposed to low IgA (Shar-Pei and German shepherd), we identified six additional breeds in which ≥10% of all tested dogs had very low (<0.07 g/l) IgA concentrations (Hovawart, Norwegian elkhound, Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, Bullterrier, Golden retriever and Labrador retriever). In addition, we discovered low IgA concentrations to be significantly associated with canine atopic dermatitis (CAD, p < 0.0001) and pancreatic acinar atrophy (PAA, p = 0.04) in German shepherds.

Pulmonary Echinococcus multilocularis metastasis in a dog.

A young adult Labrador retriever dog was presented for surgical debulking of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. Computed tomography detected hepatomegaly with multiple large cavitary masses with extension of tissue from a lesion wall into the caudal vena cava and numerous nodules in all lung lobes. Following euthanasia, histology confirmed parasitic vesicles with granulomatous reaction in all lesions, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) established the causative agent to be Echinococcus multilocularis. This report is the first to present imaging features of pulmonary E. multilocularis granulomata in a dog.

Inhibition of in vitro metabolism of testosterone in human, dog and horse liver microsomes to investigate species differences.

Testosterone hydroxylation was investigated in human, canine and equine liver microsomes and in human and canine single CYPs. The contribution of the CYP families 1, 2 and 3 was studied using chemical inhibitors. Testosterone metabolites were analyzed by HPLC. The metabolites androstenedione, 6β- and 11β-hydroxytestosterone were found in microsomes of all species, but the pattern of metabolites varied within species. Androstenedione was more prominent in the animal species, and an increase over time was seen in equines. Testosterone hydroxylation was predominantly catalyzed by the CYP3A subfamily in all three species. While CYP2C9 did not metabolise testosterone, the canine ortholog CYP2C21 produced androstenedione. Quercetin significantly inhibited 6β- and 11β-hydroxytestosterone in all species investigated, suggesting that CYP2C8 is involved in testosterone metabolism, whereas sulfaphenazole significantly inhibited the formation of 6β- and 11β-hydroxytestosterone in human microsomes, at 60min in equine microsomes, but not in canine microsomes. A contribution of CYP2B6 in testosterone metabolism was only found in human and equine microsomes. Inhibition of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 indicated its involvement in androstenedione formation in humans, increased androstenedione formation was found in equines and no involvement in canines. These findings provide improved understanding of differences in testosterone biotransformation in animal species.