Diagnoses and Clinical Outcomes Associated with Surgically Amputated Feline Digits Submitted to Multiple Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories

Amputation is commonly performed in an attempt to both treat and diagnose conditions affecting the digits of cats. The records of multiple veterinary diagnostic laboratories were searched to identify submissions of amputated digits from cats. Eighty-five separate submissions were reviewed for diagnosis, age, sex, limb of origin, and digits affected; and the original submitting clinics were surveyed to determine clinical outcome. The Kaplan-Meier product-limit method was used to determine the disease-free interval and survival time. Neoplastic disease was identified in 63 of 85 submissions, with exclusively inflammatory lesions composing the other 22 cases. In 60 (95.2%) of the neoplastic cases, a malignant tumor was identified. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most commonly identified malignant tumor ( n = 15; 23.8%) and was associated with a median survival time of 73 days. Other diagnoses included fibrosarcoma ( n = 14; 22.2%); adenocarcinoma, likely metastases of a primary pulmonary neoplasm ( n = 13; 20.6%); osteosarcoma ( n = 5; 7.9%); mast cell tumor ( n = 4; 6.3%); hemangiosarcoma ( n = 5; 7.9%); malignant fibrous histiocytoma ( n = 2; 3.2%); giant cell tumor of bone ( n = 2; 3.2%); and hemangioma ( n = 2; 3.2%). Giant cell tumor of bone has not been previously described in the digits of cats. Various neoplasms can occur in the digits of cats, and submission of the amputated digit for histopathologic diagnosis is essential to determine the histogenesis and predict the clinical outcome.

Diagnoses and clinical outcomes associated with surgically amputated canine digits submitted to multiple veterinary diagnostic laboratories

Amputation is commonly performed to both treat and diagnose conditions affecting the digits of dogs. Although histopathologic evaluation of these digits is routinely done, data on the prevalence and prognosis of neoplasms of the digit are scarce. The records of multiple veterinary diagnostic laboratories were searched to identify submissions of amputated digits from dogs. Four hundred twenty-eight separate submissions were reviewed for diagnosis, age, sex, limb of origin, and digits affected, and the original submitting clinics were surveyed to determine clinical outcome of the animal. No diagnosis could be agreed upon in 24 animals, and these were excluded from the study. Kaplan-Meier product-limit method was used to determine the disease-free interval and survival time. Neoplastic disease was identified in 296 of 404 submissions, with exclusively inflammatory lesions composing 108 cases. A total of 30 different neoplastic processes were identified. In 233 (77.7%) of the neoplastic cases, a malignant tumor was identified. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most commonly identified tumor (n = 109, 36.3%), and 11 of 42 dogs for which clinical follow-up information was available developed metastatic disease. Squamous cell carcinoma of the digit appears to have a greater metastatic potential than that occurring elsewhere in the body. Other common diagnoses included melanoma (n = 52, 17.3%), soft-tissue sarcoma (n = 29, 9.7%), and mast cell tumor (n = 20, 6.7%). Melanomas were associated with poor prognoses, with a median survival time of 365 days.

A morphometric study of the canine colon: comparison of control dogs and cases of colonic disease

The microstructure of the canine colon was described morphometrically. The artifacts induced by administration of enemas and biopsy technique were studied by comparing biopsy specimens to tissues obtained at necropsy from 15 normal dogs. Biopsies from control dogs and clinical cases of colonic disease were then evaluated quantitatively, and histological abnormalities which might clarify mechanisms underlying large bowel dysfunction in the dog were sought. In control dogs, gland length and diameter, epithelial, goblet cell and mucosal mast cell numbers, and intraepithelial lymphocyte and mitotic indices were remarkably uniform throughout the colon. Minor variations were found in the proximal and distal regions of the colon. An apparent shortening of glands, and a reduction in mucous goblets and intraepithelial lymphocytes in biopsies were attributed to suboptimal orientation and irritation caused by enemas. The only significant difference from controls identified by morphometric analysis of biopsies from clinical cases was fewer epithelial cells lining longitudinal sections of glands. It was concluded that failure to identify morphometric variations in the colonic mucosa of clinical cases might reflect either a biased, homogeneously mild clinical syndrome in this group, or the possibility that in many of the clinical cases, a functional rather than physical abnormality was involved. The proprial inflammatory cell population was not examined quantitatively; further investigation of this component is merited.

Actinobacillus suis septicemia in mature swine: two outbreaks resembling erysipelas

In the winter of 1987/88 a previously unrecognized septicemic disease syndrome - actinobacillosis in mature sows and gilts - was diagnosed in two minimal-disease swine herds in southwestern Ontario. In herd 1, 34 sows, 2 boars, 13 feeder pigs, and 30 suckling pigs were affected; 11 sows, 2 feeders, and 18 suckling pigs died. In herd 2, 13 sows and 1 feeder pig were affected; 1 sow and 1 feeder pig died. The disease was manifested by moderate fever (39-40.5 degrees C), round or rhomboid erythematous skin lesions, and inappetence. Sudden deaths without previous clinical signs were frequent. Histologically, coccobacillary thromboemboli in superficial and deep dermal vessels were associated with infarcted dermal and epidermal tissues. The causative organism, Actinobacillus suis, was isolated from the affected pigs. Treatment with commonly used antibacterial drugs was effective.In many respects, the disease resembled acute swine erysipelas and presented diagnostic problems for this reason.