Importance of behavioral changes in identification of chronic pain and its causes in dogs – case report

Chronic pain accompanying many diseases significantly impairs the quality of life and induces various changes in the behavior of animals. The present case report describes a dog with persistent chronic pain. The clinical signs demonstrated by the dog e.g. sneezing, rubbing the viscerocranium with thoracic legs, shaking the head, and avoidance of touch, clearly suggested discomfort localized in the muzzle. The final diagnosis of nasal adenocarcinoma was reached after over a year from the appearance of the first symptoms of discomfort. In retrospect, it is clear that the changes in the dog's behavior were caused by chronic pain. Presentation of new behaviors should be a signal to the owner indicating certain disturbances in the animal's well-being. There is a need for cooperation between the pet owner, veterinary doctor, and animal behaviorist in order to regard behavioral changes as a clue for the diagnosis of pain experienced by the animal and for treatment of its causes.

Neoplasia-Associated Wasting Diseases with Economic Relevance in the Sheep Industry

We review three neoplastic wasting diseases affecting sheep generally recorded under common production cycles and with epidemiological and economic relevance in sheep-rearing countries: small intestinal adenocarcinoma (SIA), ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) and enzootic nasal adenocarcinoma (ENA). SIA is prevalent in Australia and New Zealand but present elsewhere in the world. This neoplasia is a tubular or signet-ring adenocarcinoma mainly located in the middle or distal term of the small intestine. Predisposing factors and aetiology are not known, but genetic factors or environmental carcinogens may be involved. OPA is a contagious lung cancer caused by jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) and has been reported in most sheep-rearing countries, resulting in significant economic losses. The disease is clinically characterized by a chronic respiratory process as a consequence of the development of lung adenocarcinoma. Diagnosis is based on the detection of JSRV in the tumour lesion by immunohistochemistry and PCR. In vivo diagnosis may be difficult, mainly in preclinical cases. ENA is a neoplasia of glands of the nasal mucosa and is associated with enzootic nasal tumour virus 1 (ENTV-1), which is similar to JSRV. ENA enzootically occurs in many countries of the world with the exception of Australia and New Zealand. The pathology associated with this neoplasia corresponds with a space occupying lesion histologically characterized as a low-grade adenocarcinoma. The combination of PCR and immunohistochemistry for diagnosis is advised.

Exogenous Small Ruminant Betaretrovirus Envelope Protein Is Detected in Draining Lymph Nodes in Contagious Respiratory Tumors of Sheep and Goats

Contagious respiratory tumors of sheep and goats are epithelial neoplasms of the lung and nasal cavities. They are associated with oncogenic betaretroviruses known as jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus and enzootic nasal tumor retrovirus of sheep and goats. We investigated the presence of the envelope protein (ENV) of these retroviruses in retropharyngeal and mediastinal lymph nodes using a specific monoclonal antibody by immunohistochemistry methods, single-labeled or combined with ovine B or T lymphocytes or macrophage cell markers. Samples of lymph nodes, fixed in formalin and zinc fixative, were obtained from paraffin-embedded material. Four groups of samples were used: 24 natural cases of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA), 13 of enzootic nasal adenocarcinoma of sheep (ENAS), 19 of enzootic nasal adenocarcinoma of goats (ENAG), and 14 control samples. ENV was detected by single labeling in cortical lymphoid follicles. Six of 24 OPA samples were positive and only in those from sheep with extensive neoplasia. Immunolabeling was detected in 5/13 ENAS and 10/19 ENAG samples. Positive labeling was found either in the intercellular spaces, membranes, or cytoplasm of cells in follicles. Control samples were not correspondingly labeled. Double immunohistochemistry demonstrated co-labeling of ENV and CD21 (B cells and follicular dendritic cells) in all samples, CD14 (macrophage) in OPA samples, and Pax-5 (B cells) in ENAG samples, but not with CD8 or CD4 (T lymphocytes). These results demonstrate the presence of betaretrovirus ENV proteins in nontumor cells in regional lymph nodes in sheep and goats with contagious respiratory tumors.

Nasal Adenocarcinoma in a 4-year-old Oriental Shorthair Cat

The aim of this case report is to present a case of nasal adenocarcinoma in a young adult cat with underlying feline asthma. A 4-year-old, 2.3 kg, female Oriental Shorthair was referred to Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a rapidly expanding mass on its left nasal bridge and nasal discharge. Physical examination revealed stertorous respiratory sounds and a mass on the left nasal bridge measuring 3.2cm x 2.5 cm. Computed tomography of the nasal cavity showed mass effect in the left frontal sinus with extensive orbital bone lysis and loss of calvarial bone. Radiographs of the thorax showed possible evidence of metastasis. Fine needle aspirate was performed on the mass and also regional lymph nodes. Subsequently, nasal adenocarcinoma was diagnosed through cytology. Prognosis of the patient was poor as the patient’s condition was significantly complicated by asthma and possible lung metastasis. Palliative treatment was pursued using meloxicam as radiotherapy was not a viable option in this case.

MRI findings, including diffusion-weighted imaging, in seven cats with nasal lymphoma and two cats with nasal adenocarcinoma

Objectives Case series summary Primary nasal tumours in cats are rare, with lymphoma being the most common feline nasal tumour, followed by adenocarcinoma. Although CT can reliably detect feline nasal tumours, there are no specific CT features that identify each tumour type. To our knowledge, there have been no reports describing MRI findings, including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), for nasal lymphomas and adenocarcinomas in cats. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to evaluate the MRI findings of nasal lymphoma and adenocarcinoma, including qualitative and quantitative analysis of DWI. Methods MRI examination was performed on seven cats with histologically confirmed lymphoma and on two with adenocarcinoma. The MRI protocol included T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) and DWI. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured using DWI. Contrast agent was not used in one cat with lymphoma. Results In those with lymphoma, three (43%) were iso- and hyperintense on T2WI, seven (100%) were iso-intense on T1WI, five (83%) exhibited mild heterogeneous enhancement, including a prominent region of non-enhancement on post-contrast T1WI, and seven (100%) cats exhibited hyperintensity on DWI. The median ADC values were 0.45 × 10−3 mm2/s (range 0.37–0.53 × 10−3 mm2/s). For adenocarcinoma, two (100%) were iso- and hyperintense on T2WI, two (100%) were iso-intense on T1WI, two (100%) exhibited marked heterogeneous enhancement on post-contrast T1WI and two (100%) were iso-intense on DWI. The median ADC values were 1.08 × 10−3 mm2/s (range 0.88–1.27 × 10−3 mm2/s). The median ADC values of lymphoma tended to be lower than adenocarcinoma ( P = 0.056). Conclusions and relevance Determining ADC value and tumours with a large area of non-enhancement may be helpful in differentiating nasal lymphoma from nasal adenocarcinoma.

Enzootic nasal adenocarcinoma in small ruminants in Jordan

Enzootic nasal adenocarcinoma (ENA) is a viral-associated tumor of the secretory epithelium of the nasal passages of small ruminants. The tumor is locally invasive but not metastatic. Although disease prevalence (up to 15%) and geographic distribution have been reported in the literature throughout most of the world (except Australia and New Zealand), the disease has until now remained unreported in Jordan. In this report, we describe the occurrence, clinical signs, radiographic signs and pathological features of the disease in a series of cases in Awassi sheep (3 cases) and Damascus breed goats (2 cases) for the first time in Jordan. Overall, the affected animals were adults (3-5 years of age), all females, with variable degrees of facial and nasal deformities resulting in difficulty in respiration. Radiographic examination of the skull revealed soft tissue density mass originating in the nasal turbinate and invading the surrounding nasal structures. Cytological examination of fine needle aspirate indicated low-grade carcinoma. All animals were humanely euthanized and the nasal passages were explored. Variable size masses were removed and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of enzootic nasal adenocarcinoma.

Nasal adenocarcinoma as a suspected secondary malignant neoplasm in a cat previously treated for nasal lymphoma

Case summary A case of nasal adenocarcinoma as a suspected secondary malignant neoplasm following definitive radiation therapy and multiagent chemotherapy for nasal lymphoma is described. An 11-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was presented for a 3-week history of progressive facial swelling located over the nasal planum and extending to the medial canthus of the right eye. The cat was previously diagnosed with nasal lymphoma and treated with chemotherapy and definitive radiation 2.5 years prior. Although a definitive diagnosis could not be obtained via cytology, recurrent lymphoma was suspected based on the cat’s history and recurrent clinical signs. A lymphoma-directed chemotherapy protocol was attempted, but no clinical response was achieved. The cat was euthanased owing to progressive clinical signs and a diagnosis of nasal adenocarcinoma was made on necropsy examination. Both the original diagnosis of nasal lymphoma and the secondary diagnosis of nasal adenocarcinoma were confirmed with immunohistochemistry. Relevance and novel information Secondary malignant neoplasm following radiation therapy is infrequently reported in the veterinary literature. In the few reports that exist, most have described sarcoma development in the dog following radiation therapy. In the present report, we describe a cat with a suspected radiation-induced nasal adenocarcinoma that developed 2.5 years after definitive radiation treatment for nasal lymphoma.

Nasal adenocarcinoma associated with jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus infection in a sheep

Betaretrovirus-induced transmissible respiratory tumors in sheep arise at 2 distinct anatomic locations, either deep in the lung tissue caused by jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) or in the nasal cavity induced by ovine enzootic nasal tumor virus (ENTV-1). JSRV and ENTV-1 are found in many countries worldwide and have a significant economic and animal health impact. Although JSRV is endemic in sheep in the British Isles, ENTV-1 has not been reported. We report herein a nasal adenocarcinoma in a cull 8-y-old Belclare ewe from Ireland. The gross and microscopic features and immunohistochemistry results were consistent with an ENTV-1–associated tumor. However, differential PCR, using primers specific to regions of divergent sequence between the viruses, was performed on different parts of the adenocarcinoma and produced consistent results: positive for JSRV and negative for ENTV-1. An association of JSRV with nasal adenocarcinoma in sheep has not been reported previously, to our knowledge. Our case shows the necessity of using PCR in combination with immunohistochemistry to reach an accurate etiologic diagnosis, which is of importance in countries currently free of ENTV-1.