Transurethral catheterization of female domestic pigs with a Foley catheter

This report describes transurethral catheterization with a Foley catheter in 19 anaesthetized, laterally recumbent female pigs with a chest circumference of 72.1 ± 4.2 cm and weighing approximately 40 kg. Catheterization within five minutes was successful in 78.9% of the pigs. Catheterization depth, measured as the distance between the bladder neck and the mucocutaneous junction of the vulva, was 14.5 ± 1.3 cm and correlated with chest circumference but not body length. Measurement of catheterization depth aids in optimal positioning and may prevent inflation of the Foley catheter in the urethra.

Mucocutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Yucatan Minipig

Minipigs are commonly utilized in dermal toxicology studies, necessitating documentation of background findings, including neoplastic lesions. We describe a case of a Yucatan minipig with a squamous cell carcinoma at the mucocutaneous junction of the lip. The neoplasm appeared grossly as a slightly raised area of skin with ulceration. Histologically, there were nests and trabeculae of neoplastic squamous epithelial cells undergoing keratinization. Multifocally, rafts of these cells were within lymphatic vessels. Squamous cell carcinoma has not previously been reported in Yucatan or other laboratory minipigs, however, has been reported uncommonly in nonlaboratory pot-bellied pigs. Although squamous cell carcinoma has been associated with ultraviolet exposure or papillomavirus in various species, this was unable to be confirmed in this case.

Intravascular Lymphoma in Canine - Clinical, Pathological and Immunohistochemical Aspects

Background: Intravascular lymphoma (IL) is a rare disease characterized by presence of neoplastic lymphocytes in the lumen of blood vessels. Any tissue can be affected; however, the most frequently compromised areas of the body are the skin and the central nervous system (CNS). The clinical signs and macroscopic alterations caused by IL are nonspecific and are usually secondary to a continuous proliferative disorder, which leads to occlusion of the blood vessels with consequent thrombosis, hemorrhage and infarction. The objective of this work is to report a case of IL in a dog.Case: An 8-year-old male Rottweiler dog was referred to the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Paraná with a history of cerebellar ataxia that had not improved after treatment. At the neurological examination, cerebellar ataxia and deficit of nasal reflex were detected. A complete blood count showed presence of slight anemia (4.8 million red blood cells/mm3; normal ranges= 5.5-8.5 million/mm3) and thrombocytopenia (176.000/mm3; normal ranges= 250.000-500.000/mm3). Biochemical tests revealed a small increase in alanine aminotransferase (42 IU/L; normal ranges= 14-38 IU/L) and a slight decrease in alkaline phosphatase (49 IU/L; normal ranges= 90-170 IU/L). The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) exhibited an increased protein concentration (147.3 mg/dL; normal ranges= 18-44 mg/dL) and pleocytosis (8 cells/µL; normal ranges= up to 5 cells/µL). No alterations were observed at radiographic and ultrasonographic exams. A clinical treatment was prescribed; however, in view of the worsening of the clinical signs, euthanasia was performed, and the body was submitted to a Laboratory of Pathology. At necropsy, moderate multifocal ulcers were observed in the oral cavity and ventral side of the tongue; moderately infarcted areas were detected in the spleen. Additional alterations such as fatty liver degeneration, glomerulonephritis, and pulmonary edema were also observed. Consequently, fragments from various tissues were collected, fixed in 10% formaldehyde, and processed for paraffin embedding and microtomy. Sections with a thickness of 5 µm were cut, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Microscopically, the cerebral cortex exhibited a marked number of round neoplastic cells with well-defined edges and scant cytoplasm filling the vascular lumen. Similar cells were observed in the lumen of the blood vessels in the cerebellum, spinal cord, liver, lungs, kidneys, and mucocutaneous junction. The cerebellum, mucocutaneous junction, and kidneys were submitted to immunohistochemical evaluation. The results were consistent with T cell lymphoma in the telencephalon, in the mucocutaneous junction, and in the cerebellum; however, the neoplastic cells observed in the kidneys were not positively stained by the antibodies used.Discussion: Since, in this neoplasia, there is no formation of solid tumors as in other lymphomas, the diagnosis is more difficult both clinically and macroscopically, and hence a combination of immunohistochemistry and microscopy are indispensable. Immunohistochemistry for detection of the markers CD3, CD45RA, CD20, PAX5 and CD79a was essential to determine the cell type especially in the mucocutaneous junction, telencephalon, and cerebellum. Absence of staining for any of these markers on the neoplastic cells in the kidneys may be associated with a high degree of cellular undifferentiation, which worsens the prognosis. This case report highlights the importance of the combination of histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations with laboratory tests and the clinical picture of the animal for the diagnosis of this neoplasia, which can be difficult to identify.

Mucocutaneous Horn in Dog

Background: Cutaneous horn is a circumscribed exophytic lesion composed of dense, compact keratin with hyperplastic epidermis, which is primarily orthokeratotic and may include foci of parakeratosis. The hyperkeratotic protuberance resembles a horn but lack bone. In humans, it is well-documented with a wide range of primary epidermal lesions identified. In dogs, the reports are rare and brief. The diagnosis is based on its appearance and excisional biopsy reveals the triggering lesion. The objective of the present work is to describe the clinical presentation, predictive benignancy finds, treatment and follow-up of a case of cutaneous horns that arose from anal mucocutaneous boundary in a dog.Case: A 6-month-old male Pug presented two tumors in the anus noted in the early months of life. Complete blood count, serum chemistry profile, surgery, histopathological analysis and postoperative outcome were performed. Possible relapses were follow-up until 11 months after surgery. On physical examination, the dog was otherwise healthy. The two horn-like tumors were protruding from the mucocutaneous junction of the external anal sphincter in a sun-protected area. Both were higher than wide in base or, in other words, they had a high height-to-base ratio. During surgery, the masses were excised using an electronic scalpel and sent to histopathological analysis. The post-operative care consisted of cephalexin and meloxicam prescriptions. Also, it was recommended 0.9% NaCl solution wound flushing followed by topical chlorhexidine digluconate solution (1%) whenever dirt or defecation were noticed. The surgical wound healed after two weeks by second intention. Histopathology found well-delimited masses that covers the epidermis and dermis and displaces the cutaneous appendages towards the underlying musculature with an aggregate of lymphoplasmohistiocytic inflammatory infiltrate in the adjacent dermis. These finds and the presence of orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis and epidermis hyperplasia confirmed the clinical diagnosis of cutaneous horns. There were no signs of malignance. After surgery, no relapse occurred.Discussion: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first confirmed case of cutaneous horns in mucocutaneous junction. Furthermore, the tumors were found in a region with little exposure to sunlight which is unusual. The tumor’s narrow bases and the absence of continuous and dense inflammatory infiltrate shown to be predictive of benignancy as occurs in human beings. During surgical planning, it was decided not to establish wide margins around the masses. The decision considered the morphological signs of benignancy of the tumors described for human beings as no surveys about prevalence of benignity or malignancy associated with cutaneous horns were found in dogs. In addition, a more extensive excision could promote anal sphincter dysfunction. There was no tumors recurrence suggesting that the primary underlying lesions have been healed and confirming that predictive benignancy morphological characteristics applied in human patients can be useful for small animals. Veterinary clinicians and surgeons must be in constant vigil of cutaneous horns uncommon presentations and report them to create a solid database that can be useful for prognosis and surgical planning. The morphological predictive factors can be applied to avoid unnecessary extensive surgical excisions that could lead to functional or cosmetic impairment.

Ostomy Complications in Crohn's Disease

Ostomy creation is a routine surgical procedure that has earned its place high in the surgeon's armamentarium in dealing with challenging situations. However, it is not without its complications. In this article, we review the common complications including parastomal hernia, prolapse, mucocutaneous junction separation with ischemia and stenosis, peristomal skin conditions, and infections. Additionally, we review conditions that arise in association with underlying Crohn's disease, such as peristomal inflammation, fistula formation, and pyoderma gangrenosum.