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OBJECTIVE: To describe the H-pharyngoplasty procedure, report the outcomes of dogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) treated with ala-vestibuloplasty and H-pharyngoplasty with a C02 laser, and identify prognostic factors. ANIMALS: 423 dogs. PROCEDURES: Medical records of dogs admitted for BOAS from 201 I to 2017 were reviewed. Dogs were included if they were treated with ala-vestibuloplasty and H-pharyngoplasty with a C02 laser. Signalment, physical examination findings, grades at admission of clinical signs associated with respiratory and digestive systems, diagnostic test results, postoperative treatments, and short-term follow-up results were extracted from medical records. Long-term follow-up of > 12 months was evaluated via questionnaire. Generalized ordered logistic regression was used for bivariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Overall mortality rate was 2.6%. Median duration of follow-up was 36 months (12 to 91 months), and 341 (80.6%) dog owners completed the questionnaire. Major complications included respiratory distress (2.1%), heatstroke (0.5%), and bronchopneumonia (0.5%). No dogs required revision surgery. Improvement in signs associated with the respiratory and digestive systems was reported in 72% and 34% of the dogs, respectively, and owners' satisfaction was high (97.1 %). Risk of death increased by 29.8% (95% Cl, 11.8% to 50.7%) for every 1-year increase in age. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: H-pharyngoplasty was possible in all dogs with BOAS, including those previously treated with conventional surgery and was associated with low morbidity and improved respiratory and digestive signs. H-pharyngoplasty combined with ala-vestibuloplasty may be an alternative treatment for even the most severely affected dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The origin of cough in dogs with heart murmurs is controversial, because the cough could be primary cardiac (eg, pulmonary edema, bronchi compression by left‐sided cardiomegaly) or respiratory (eg, bronchomalacia, other bronchial or bronchiolar disease, interstitial lung disease) in origin. Hypothesis/Objectives: To study the association between left atrium (LA) dilatation and cardiomegaly and bronchial narrowing in coughing dogs with heart murmurs using computed tomography (CT). Animals Twenty‐one client‐owned coughing dogs with heart murmurs and 14 historical control dogs. Methods: Dogs with cough and murmur were prospectively recruited over 4 months. Cervical and thoracic radiography, echocardiography, and thoracic CT were performed in enrolled dogs. Control dogs, with no disease on thoracic CT and no records of heart murmur and coughing, were gathered from the institution's computerized database. Degree of bronchial narrowing was assessed using the bronchial‐to‐aorta (Ao) ratio, measured by 3 radiologists blinded to the clinical findings. After identifying bronchi that were significantly narrowed in dogs with murmur compared to controls, the relationship between degree of narrowing and LA/Ao ratio (measured echocardiographically) and vertebral heart scale (VHS) measured radiographically was studied in dogs with murmur using mixed‐effects regression. Result: Significant narrowing was identified for all left‐sided bronchi and the right principal, middle, and caudal bronchi in the coughing dogs, compared with controls. Increasing LA size and VHS were significantly inversely associated with diameter for all left‐sided and right‐sided bronchi indicated above. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Results indicate an association between LA enlargement and cardiomegaly and bronchial narrowing and support heart size‐associated exacerbation of cough in dogs with murmurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objectives Methods Results Conclusions and Clinical Importance Stenting has become popular to treat tracheal collapse in dogs, but complications might arise and negatively affect treatment outcome.Determine the overall prevalence of complications of tracheal stenting in dogs.A bibliographic search was performed of publications from 2000 to 2020. Studies were assessed for quality of evidence and measured prevalence of the 8 most commonly reported complications after tracheal stenting in dogs (stent fracture, stent migration, relapsing collapse, granuloma formation, tracheobronchial infections, and early, late, and clinically relevant late cough). Random effects meta‐analyses were used to estimate pooled complications prevalence.Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria. Cough (early: 99%; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 95%–100%, late: 75%; 95% CI: 63%–85%, and clinically relevant: 52%; 95% CI: 42%–61%), tracheobronchial infections (24%; 95% CI: 14%–35%), and granulomas (20%; 95% CI: 11%–30%) were common after tracheal stenting. Stent fractures (12%; 95% CI: 5%–20%), relapsing collapse (10%; 95% CI: 5%–15%), and stent migration (5%; 95% CI: 1%–9%) were less frequent. Significant heterogeneity among studies was identified for the estimated prevalence of stent fracture, granulomas, infections, and late cough.Tracheal stenting in dogs is associated with a high risk of coughing and a moderate risk of tracheobronchial infections and granuloma formation. Because most complications will impact a dog's quality of life, owners must be informed that tracheal stenting is a second‐line procedure that does not necessarily alleviate the need for medical treatment and frequent follow‐up visits. Additional studies are warranted to identify the risk factors of these complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To critically assess available data from controlled observational studies on the pathogenic role of Mycoplasma spp in the upper respiratory tract (URT) and lower respiratory tract (LRT) of cats. DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. SAMPLE 12 studies. PROCEDURES Seven electronic databases were searched for relevant publications. Risk of bias was assessed via the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analyses, stratified by URT versus LRT disease, were performed to estimate pooled ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between Mycoplasma isolation and URT or LRT disease. Subanalyses by diagnostic method, sampling site, and environment (shelter vs nonshelter) were planned for studies on URT disease. RESULTS A significant association was found between isolation of mycoplasmal organisms and URT disease (pooled OR, 1.65; 95% Cl, 1.14 to 2.40) but not LRT disease (pooled OR, 1.56; 95% Cl, 0.51 to 4.76). The association with URT disease was only significant when conjunctival or pharyngeal samples from nonshelter cats were analyzed with a Mycoplasma felis-specific PCR assay. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that M felis may be a primary pathogen in cats with URT disease, warranting treatment in infected cats. The environment was important to consider when interpreting a mycoplasma-positive sample because of aclinical carriage, especially in shelter cats. Further investigations are needed to determine the role, if any, of mycoplasmal organisms in LRT disease of cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Looking more closely at the results, the gradient was highest for left caudal bronchus (LB2) and left principal bronchus (LPB), which are the bronchi located just dorsal to the left atrium (Figure 1). It therefore seems logical that these bronchi would be the most narrowed bronchi associated with an enlarged left atrium. [Extracted from the article]

Objective-To determine the strength of the relationship between paradoxical breathing (PB) and spontaneous pleural diseases in dyspneic dogs and cats. Design-Cross-sectional study. Animals-Dogs (n = 195) and cats (194) with a recorded diagnosis of dyspnea examined at the National Veterinary Schools of Alfort and Toulouse (France) between January 2001 and October 2009. Procedures-Dogs and cats were divided into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of PB. Stratified analysis by species was performed. Signalment of affected animals and occurrence of PB were recorded. The relationship between PB and pleural diseases among dyspneic dogs and cats was analyzed. Results-A strong relationship between PB and pleural diseases was highlighted in multivariate analysis (dogs, OR = 12.6 and 95% confidence interval = 4.6 to 31.2; cats, OR = 14.1 and 95% confidence interval = 6.0 to 33.5). Paradoxical breathing prevalence among dyspneic dogs and cats was 27% and 64%, respectively. Occurrence of pleural diseases in dyspneic animals with and without PB was 49% and 9% in dogs and 66% and 13% in cats, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of PB as a predictor of pleural diseases were 0.67 and 0.83 in dyspneic dogs and 0.90 and 0.58 in dyspneic cats, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values of PB were 0.49 and 0.91 in dyspneic dogs and 0.66 and 0.87 in dyspneic cats, respectively. Age, sex, feline breeds, and canine morphotypes in patients with PB were not significantly different from those of other dyspneic animals. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-PB was strongly associated with pleural diseases in dyspneic dogs and cats. The presence of this clinical sign should prompt small animal practitioners to implement appropriate emergency procedures and guide their diagnostic strateav. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema (NCPE) in hunting dogs is an uncommon and poorly described condition for which no preventive treatment is available. Two dogs were presented for recurrent respiratory distress strictly associated with hunting activities. Diagnosis was based on bilateral, symmetrical, interstitial‐to‐alveolar pattern in the caudodorsal lung fields on thoracic radiographs, exclusion of other causes, and spontaneous clinical and radiographic improvement. Considering that the pathogenesis of exercise‐induced NCPE likely involves α‐ and β‐adrenergic overstimulation, treatment with sympathetic blockers was used in both dogs. The first dog no longer showed respiratory signs during hunting activities. However, treatment failed to prevent respiratory distress in the other dog. Based on the large number of red blood cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the second dog, exercise‐induced pulmonary hemorrhage was suspected, as described in racing horses. The loop diuretic furosemide successfully prevented further hunting‐associated respiratory distress episodes in this dog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pathogenic role of mycoplasmas in the lower respiratory tract (LRT) of dogs is debated, because mycoplasmas can be isolated from both healthy and sick dogs. Objectives: To critically assess available data from controlled observational studies on the role of 4 mycoplasma species in LRT disease of dogs. Design: Systematic review and meta‐analyses. Methods: Seven electronic databases were searched for relevant publications. Risk of bias was assessed by the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale. Meta‐analyses, stratified by mycoplasmal species, were performed using a random effects Bayesian model with noninformative priors to estimate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between Mycoplasma cynos, Mycoplasma canis, Mycoplasma spumans, and Mycoplasma edwardii and LRT disease in dogs. Results: Five studies were included from 1201 references identified. All studies dealt with M. cynos, whereas 3 dealt with the other mycoplasma species. A significant association was found between M. cynos and LRT disease (Bayesian OR, 3.60; CI, 1.31‐10.29). Conversely, M. canis, M. spumans, and M. edwardii were not significantly associated with LRT signs (Bayesian OR, 1.06; CI, 0.10‐14.63; Bayesian OR, 3.40; CI, 0.16‐54.27; and Bayesian OR, 1.04; CI, 0.05‐23.54, respectively). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Results support a pathogenic role of M. cynos and a commensal role of M. canis and M. edwardii in LRT in dogs. Although the association was not significant based on the CI, the point estimate of the Bayesian OR was relatively high for M. spumans, making its role less clear. Mycoplasma cynos‐specific polymerase chain reaction should be considered on samples from dogs with LRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of a transdermal lidocaine patch (TLP) on indicators of postoperative pain in healthy dogs following ovariohysterectomy. DESIGN Randomized, blinded controlled trial. ANIMALS 40 healthy shelter-owned female dogs admitted to a student surgery program for ovariohysterectomy. PROCEDURES Dogs were randomly assigned to receive after ovariohysterectomy a 5-cm-wide strip of TLP applied topically on both sides of the incision, for the full length of the incision and a wound dressing (n = 19) or a placebo patch (nonmedicated wound dressing; 21). All dogs underwent midline ovariohysterectomy. Immediately afterward, dogs received 2 IM morphine injections, carprofen (SC, q 12 h for 2 days), and the assigned patch (left in place for 18 hours). Postoperative comfort was evaluated by use of the short form of the Glasgow Composite Measures Pain Scale and serum cortisol concentrations measured prior to premedication and I, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 18 hours after surgery. RESULTS No significant difference in pain scores or serum cortisol concentrations was identified between dogs that received the TLP and dogs that received a placebo patch after ovariohysterectomy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The TLP provided no additional analgesic benefit to dogs treated concurrently with recommended doses of morphine and carprofen following ovariohysterectomy. Additional studies are needed to investigate whether similar results might be achieved in dogs treated concurrently with other analgesics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report describes a spinal cord epidural and synovial lipomatosis in a 3‐year‐old neutered male Eurasian dog. This dog presented for ambulatory paraparesis and was previously treated with immunosuppressive dosages of prednisolone for 2 years. Computed tomography (CT) myelography and magnetic resonnance imaging (MRI) images identified dorsal compression of the thoraco‐lumbar spinal cord by hypertrophic epidural fat. Histological examination identified extensive well‐differentiated mature adipose tissue in the subepithelial area of the tarsal synovium. Prednisolone is a reported predisposing factor in humans with lipomatosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Historically, positive bacterial cultures from the lower respiratory tract (LRT) have been considered clinically relevant when quantitative bacterial cultures of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were >1700 colony forming units (cfu)/mL. However, this threshold might not accurately predict a requirement for antibiotics. Objectives: To study whether quantitative BALF bacterial culture results were predictive of antibiotic requirement in dogs with LRT signs. Animals: Thirty‐three client‐owned dogs. Methods: Cross‐sectional study. Dogs with positive quantitative bacterial culture of BALF were included. Dogs were divided into 2 groups, depending on whether they had a LRT infection requiring antibiotics (LRTI‐RA) or LRT disease not requiring antibiotics (LRTD‐NRA), based on thoracic imaging features, presence of intracellular bacteria on BALF cytology, and response to treatment. Predictive effect of cfu/mL and BALF total nucleated cell count (TNCC) on antibiotic requirement, adjusting for ongoing or prior antibiotic therapy and age, were studied using logistic regression. Results: Twenty‐two and 11 dogs were included in the LRTI‐RA and LRTD‐NRA groups, respectively. The cfu/mL was not significantly predictive of antibiotic requirement, independent of ongoing or prior antibiotic treatment and age (LRTI‐RA: median, 10 000 cfu/mL; range, 10‐3 × 108; LRTD‐NRA: median, 10 000 cfu/mL; range, 250‐1.3 × 109; P =.27). The TNCC was not significantly predictive of antibiotic requirement when only dogs with bronchial disease were considered (LRTI‐RA: median, 470 cells/μL; range, 240‐2260; LRTD‐NRA: median, 455 cells/μL; range, 80‐4990; P =.57). Conclusion and Clinical Importance: The cfu/mL is an inappropriate measure for determining whether antibiotics are of benefit in dogs with LRT signs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relationships among gastric lymphoid follicular hyperplasia (GLFH), Helicobacter‐like organisms (HLOs), and clinical signs have not been established in dogs. Objectives: To evaluate the epidemiologic, clinical, endoscopic, and histopathologic findings associated with GLFH in dogs, and determine the association of GLFH with HLOs and the French Bulldog (FB) breed. Animals: Two hundred eighty‐eight dogs that underwent gastroscopy between 2013 and 2016. Methods: Retrospective, cross‐sectional study. Gastric biopsy samples were reviewed and scored for inflammation and HLOs. Dogs were divided into 3 groups: group 1 (63 FBs), group 2 (45 non‐FB brachycephalic dogs), and group 3 (180 nonbrachycephalic dogs). Variables were evaluated for their association with GLFH. Results: Univariate analysis determined that intact males, young age, vomiting, gastroscopic findings (discoloration, hemorrhage, and ulcers), and histopathologic findings (gastric lamina propria lymphocytic infiltration and HLO score) were associated with GLFH (P ≤.03). In the multivariate analysis, GLFH was associated with the HLO score (odds ratio [OR] > 5 for HLO scores 1‐2 and >15 for HLO score of 3; P <.001), with vomiting (OR > 4; P =.01) but not with FB breed (P =.76) and age (P =.1). The HLO score was associated with younger age (P <.001). Conclusion and Clinical Importance: The HLO score was associated with a high GLFH score. Vomiting was associated with GLFH. Helicobacter‐like organisms are highly prevalent in young dogs and GLFH is indirectly associated with this factor. Clinical relevance of the identification of GLFH and HLO remains to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To determine the reference interval for various venous analyte concentrations using a point-of-care (POC) analyzer in healthy, 4-84-day-old puppies and identify any age-specific variations in the values as compared with adults. Design A prospective cohort study. Setting University teaching hospital. Animals Clinically healthy dogs; 68 puppies and 30 adults. Measurements and Main Results Samples were collected by jugular venipuncture from 68 clinically healthy puppies at 4, 10, 12, 16, 28, 70, 77, and 84 days of age and once each from 30 clinically healthy adult dogs. Blood samples ( n = 287) were analyzed within 5 minutes of collection using an automated POC analyzer.[Nova Stat ] Reference intervals for puppies at various ages were estimated using a bootstrap sampling approach. The analytes that were closest to the adult values were pH and bicarbonate. On days 4 and 10 the pH for puppies was higher than the adults while the HCO3 was higher than the adults only on day 4. HCT on day 4 approximated adult values but fell to a nadir on day 28 before rising toward adult levels. At all time points, sodium, chloride, and ionized magnesium concentrations were lower than adult values, and potassium and ionized calcium were higher than adult values. Glucose was similar to adult values on day 4 but was above adult values at all other time points. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was higher in puppies until day 28 when it became lower than in adults. BUN levels remained lower than adults through day 84. Conclusions Variations exist between puppies and adults for venous POC analyzer results. Adult reference intervals should not be used for puppies as this might cause misinterpretation of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Measurement of serum ionized calcium is not always available in practice. Total calcium (tCa) might not be reliable for determination of calcium status in cats. Objectives: To predict serum ionized calcium concentration from signalment, biochemistry profile and T4, and compare predicted ionized calcium (piCa) to tCa. Animals: A total of 1701 cats from two hospitals. Methods: Cross‐sectional study. Cats with serum ionized calcium, biochemistry profile and T4 available were screened over 6 years and included in the training set (569 cats) to create a multivariate adaptive regression splines model to calculate piCa. Diagnostic performances of tCa and piCa and its prediction interval (PI) were compared in 652 cats from the same institution (test set) and 480 cats from a different hospital (external set). Results: The final model included tCa, chloride, albumin, cholesterol, creatinine, BUN, body condition score, GGT, age, and potassium. For hypercalcemia, piCa was highly specific (test set: 99.8%; confidence interval [CI]: 99.5‐100; external set: 97%; CI: 95.3‐98.7) but poorly sensitive (test set: 30.4%; CI: 18.3‐42.4; external set: 42.5%; CI: 31.7‐53.3). For hypocalcemia, piCa was also highly specific (test set: 81.6%; CI: 78‐85; external set: 99.6%; CI: 99‐100) but poorly sensitive (test set: 57.6%; CI: 50.6‐64.6; external set: 0%). These diagnostic performances were comparable to those of tCa. The upper and lower limits of piCa PI had high sensitivity for detecting ionized hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia, respectively. Conclusions and clinical importance: Predicted ionized calcium is useful to confirm suspected hypercalcemia in cats and screen for hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]