Dissolution of cholelithiasis in a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel receiving conservative management with ursodeoxycholic acid

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e001206
Author(s):  
Frederik Allan ◽  
Katie Elizabeth McCallum ◽  
Marie-Aude Genain ◽  
Benjamin John Harris ◽  
Penny J Watson

A six-year-old female neutered Cavalier King Charles Spaniel presented with recurrent diarrhoea, intermittent vomiting and anorexia. She was diagnosed with partially obstructive cholelithiasis with concurrent suspected chronic pancreatitis based on abdominal ultrasonography and blood biochemistry. The dog responded to conservative management with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), paracetamol and a low-fat diet with resolution of clinical signs attributable to obstructive cholelithiasis and near-complete dissolution of the cholelith at follow-up eight months after presentation. In human medicine, UDCA has been reported to be effective in cholelith dissolution, prevention of cholelith formation and resolution of clinical signs due to cholelithiasis but the non-surgical literature in veterinary medicine is limited. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of dissolution of a cholelith in a dog receiving conservative management.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Chibuk ◽  
Andi Flory ◽  
Kristina M. Kruglyak ◽  
Nicole Leibman ◽  
Alexis Nahama ◽  
...  

Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs, in part because many cases are identified at an advanced stage when clinical signs have developed, and prognosis is poor. Increased understanding of cancer as a disease of the genome has led to the introduction of liquid biopsy testing, allowing for detection of genomic alterations in cell-free DNA fragments in blood to facilitate earlier detection, characterization, and management of cancer through non-invasive means. Recent discoveries in the areas of genomics and oncology have provided a deeper understanding of the molecular origins and evolution of cancer, and of the “one health” similarities between humans and dogs that underlie the field of comparative oncology. These discoveries, combined with technological advances in DNA profiling, are shifting the paradigm for cancer diagnosis toward earlier detection with the goal of improving outcomes. Liquid biopsy testing has already revolutionized the way cancer is managed in human medicine – and it is poised to make a similar impact in veterinary medicine. Multiple clinical use cases for liquid biopsy are emerging, including screening, aid in diagnosis, targeted treatment selection, treatment response monitoring, minimal residual disease detection, and recurrence monitoring. This review article highlights key scientific advances in genomics and their relevance for veterinary oncology, with the goal of providing a foundational introduction to this important topic for veterinarians. As these technologies migrate from human medicine into veterinary medicine, improved awareness and understanding will facilitate their rapid adoption, for the benefit of veterinary patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e001022
Author(s):  
Ingrid Isaac ◽  
Ines Carrera ◽  
Juan Martí ◽  
Andrea DiBella

An eight-month-old Labrador retriever presented with abdominal effusion. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed significant free fluid and a linear hyperechoic band surrounding the abdominal organs. CT showed the gastrointestinal organs to be located centrally, enclosed by a thin, hyperattenuating enhanced band with no peritoneal effusion in this region. Surgery was performed to obtain biopsies for diagnostic purposes. Histopathology revealed granulation tissue with reactive fibroblasts, lymphoplasmacytic inflammation and neovascularisation; these findings were consistent with the diagnosis of secondary sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis. The patient responded well to treatment with tamoxifen, prednisolone and spironolactone. Four months later, follow-up abdominal ultrasonography revealed a small volume of free fluid. However, there was a mild adverse reaction to tamoxifen, causing protrusion of the penis and attraction of other dogs. Two and a half years after diagnosis, the patient continued to have good quality-of-life with no clinical signs or relapse.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 138
Author(s):  
Stephanie Szpoganicz Gambardella ◽  
Josiane Morais Pazzini ◽  
Julielton Barata ◽  
Bruna Fernanda Firmo ◽  
Jorge Luis Alvarez Gómez ◽  
...  

Based on temperature charts, infrared skin thermography is widely used in human medicine, but little known in veterinary medicine. The application of the technique allows orthopedic clinical follow-up as well as aids in the diagnosis of breast tumors in humans, due to its ability to correlate vasculature alterations and tissue vitality with modification of the temperature pattern. For this reason it is applied in veterinary medicine for the detection of joint injuries in horses and animal production, little covering the medicine of small animals. Against of these phages the present study aims to elucidate and suggest its use for the diagnosis and postoperative follow-up of reconstructive surgeries in animals, as well as to evaluate therapeutic measures that seek to improve cutaneous healing, such as low power laser therapy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e001144
Author(s):  
Sergio Villanueva-Saz ◽  
Cristina Peréz Sala ◽  
Andrés Yzuel Estévez ◽  
Antonio Fernández ◽  
María Teresa Verde

A three-year-old entire male French bulldog was brought in with the following clinical signs: apathy, vomiting and abdominal distension. Physical examination showed dehydration, tachypnoea and presence of jaundice. Abdominal radiology revealed the presence of an important loss of details in the abdominal structures compatible with peritoneal effusion, confirmed by abdominal ultrasonography. Findings detected by ultrasonography consisted of splenomegaly with alteration of the echotexture, hepatomegaly with presence of nodules and irregular areas in the liver capsule. An ultrasound-guided sample of the peritoneal fluid was taken for laboratory analysis. Abnormal clinicopathological results included pancytopenia, hyperglobulinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, and elevation of the hepatic parameters and total bilirubin. High antibodies to Leishmania infantum were detected by ELISA in serum and peritoneal fluid samples. However, PCR for L infantum showed a negative result from the peritoneal fluid sample. This is the first reported case of canine leishmaniosis with the specific detection of L infantum antibodies in peritoneal effusion.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 205511691988569
Author(s):  
Sarah A Jones ◽  
Scott L Owens ◽  
Stephen J Birchard

Case summary An 11-year-old female, reportedly spayed, domestic shorthair cat was examined for a 4-month history of weight loss, aggression, urine spraying, malodorous urine and estrus-like behavior. Physical examination revealed thickened skin, a mildly prominent vulva and confirmed malodorous urine. On abdominal ultrasonography, a 6 mm hypoechoic nodule was found in the left cranial abdomen. An adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test with adrenal panel revealed elevated serum concentrations of androstenedione and testosterone pre- and post-cosyntropin stimulation, mildly decreased cortisol pre- and post-cosyntropin stimulation, and decreased resting aldosterone. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and a cystic, nodular mass was found in the region of the left ovary. The mass was surgically removed and submitted for histopathology; results were conclusive for an ovarian remnant with an intact corpus luteum and non-neoplastic parovarian cysts. Previously observed clinical signs resolved within two weeks of ovariectomy. A follow-up ACTH stimulation test with adrenal panel 6 weeks postoperatively revealed normalization of serum androstenedione, testosterone and cortisol concentrations. Four years postoperatively, at the time of writing, the cat remains free of clinical signs. Relevance and novel information We are unaware of any previously reported cases of non-neoplastic ovarian remnants associated with clinically relevant hyperandrogenism. A non-neoplastic ovarian-dependent hyperandrogenism should be included as a differential diagnosis of spayed female cats showing aggression and urine spraying behavior.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Martina Larroude ◽  
Gustavo Ariel Budmann

Ocular tuberculosis (TB) is an extrapulmonary tuberculous condition and has variable manifestations. The incidence of TB is still high in developing countries, and a steady increase in new cases has been observed in industrial countries as a result of the growing number of immunodeficient patients and migration from developing countries. Choroidal granuloma is a rare and atypical location of TB. We present a case of a presumptive choroidal granuloma. This case exposes that diagnosis can be remarkably challenging when there is no history of pulmonary TB. The recognition of clinical signs of ocular TB is extremely important since it provides a clinical pathway toward tailored investigations and decision making for initiating anti-TB therapy and to ensure a close follow-up to detect the development of any complication.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 549-557
Author(s):  
Malia McAvoy ◽  
Heather J. McCrea ◽  
Vamsidhar Chavakula ◽  
Hoon Choi ◽  
Wenya Linda Bi ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEFew studies describe long-term functional outcomes of pediatric patients who have undergone lumbar microdiscectomy (LMD) because of the rarity of pediatric disc herniation and the short follow-up periods. The authors analyzed risk factors, clinical presentation, complications, and functional outcomes of a single-institution series of LMD patients over a 19-year period.METHODSA retrospective case series was conducted of pediatric LMD patients at a large pediatric academic hospital from 1998 to 2017. The authors examined premorbid risk factors, clinical presentation, physical examination findings, type and duration of conservative management, indications for surgical intervention, complications, and postoperative outcomes.RESULTSOver the 19-year study period, 199 patients underwent LMD at the authors’ institution. The mean age at presentation was 16.0 years (range 12–18 years), and 55.8% were female. Of these patients, 70.9% participated in competitive sports, and among those who did not play sports, 65.0% had a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m2. Prior to surgery, conservative management had failed in 98.0% of the patients. Only 3 patients (1.5%) presented with cauda equina syndrome requiring emergent microdiscectomy. Complications included 4 cases of postoperative CSF leak (2.0%), 1 case of a noted intraoperative CSF leak, and 3 cases of wound infection (1.5%). At the first postoperative follow-up appointment, minimal or no pain was reported by 93.3% of patients. The mean time to return to sports was 9.8 weeks. During a mean follow-up duration of 8.2 years, 72.9% of patients did not present again after routine postoperative appointments. The total risk of reoperation was a rate of 7.5% (3.5% of patients underwent reoperation for the same level; 4.5% underwent adjacent-level decompression, and one patient [0.5%] ultimately underwent a fusion).CONCLUSIONSMicrodiscectomy is a safe and effective treatment for long-term relief of pain and return to daily activities among pediatric patients with symptomatic lumbar disc disease in whom conservative management has failed.


2020 ◽  
pp. 97-99
Author(s):  
U. V. Kukhtenko ◽  
O. A. Kosivtsov ◽  
L. A. Ryaskov ◽  
E. I. Abramian

A clinical case of successful surgical treatment of a patient with a giant cervical retrosternal nontoxic goiter with severe cardiac pathology is presented. Thyroidectomy from cervical access without sternotomy was performed. At the follow-up examination 5 months after the operation, instrumental and clinical signs of disease relapse were not detected.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 498
Author(s):  
Mark Reinwald ◽  
Peter Markus Deckert ◽  
Oliver Ritter ◽  
Henrike Andresen ◽  
Andreas G. Schreyer ◽  
...  

(1) Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are prone to intensified exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in the ongoing pandemic. We prospectively analyzed the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in HCWs at baseline and follow up with regard to clinical signs and symptoms in two university hospitals in Brandenburg, Germany. (2) Methods: Screening for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA and IgG antibodies was offered to HCWs at baseline and follow up two months thereafter in two hospitals of Brandenburg Medical School during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany in an ongoing observational cohort study. Medical history and signs and symptoms were recorded by questionnaires and analyzed. (3) Results: Baseline seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA was 11.7% and increased to 15% at follow up, whereas IgG seropositivity was 2.1% at baseline and 2.2% at follow up. The rate of asymptomatic seropositive cases was 39.5%. Symptoms were not associated with general seropositivity for anti-SARS-CoV-2; however, class switch from IgA to IgG was associated with increased symptom burden. (4) Conclusions: The seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was low in HCWs but higher compared to population data and increased over time. Screening for antibodies detected a significant proportion of seropositive participants cases without symptoms.


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