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The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of 21 cats that underwent coxofemoral toggle stabilization using the Mini TightRope® Fixation System (mTR®). Data were compiled from client-owned cats with traumatic hip luxation. Each cat underwent the same protocol including orthopedic assessment, preoperative radiographic evaluation, surgical procedure, postoperative management and clinical re-examination at 14 days, 8 weeks and 12 months following surgery. Age, body weight, implants and osteoarthritis progression were recorded. A lameness score 0-4 was assigned to each cat. Pain upon hip extension was not quantified but as pain reaction or no pain reaction. Major complications and osteoarthritic (OA) changes were recorded. Osteoarthritic changes were classified on a 0-4 scale. Twenty-one cats were included in the study. Coxofemoral luxations were stabilized using a mTR®. At 8 weeks, weight bearing was considered normal (grade 0) in all cats and no pain reaction was elicited during hip extension. One year after surgery, orthopedic examination was within the normal limits and according to the owners, all animals exhibited a normal physical activity. No complications were recorded. Evidence of slight OA changes were observed in 5 out of 21 cats. The final outcome was considered excellent in 16/21 patients and good in 5/21 cats. The application of the mTR® system can be considered a suitable surgical treatment in cats affected by traumatic hip luxation.

Simple Summary: The patellar tendon is described as an intermediate to soft structure with strain elastography, with an increase in stiffness in cases of cranial cruciate ligament rupture. This work aimed to compare the stiffness of healthy ligaments and ones of dogs who underwent TPLO or TTA and to compare the feasibility of a strain ratio with two different reference tissues (cutis/subcutis and infrapatellar fat pad) to semi-quantitatively assess ligament elasticity. The results show that after TPLO or TTA, the ligaments are characterized by increased stiffness, and the distal portion is significantly softer. The cutis/subcutis experience fewer B-mode abnormalities after TPLO or TTA. These data suggest that after surgery, the tendon may become non-uniformly stiffer. The cutis/subcutis appears to be a more reliable reference tissue than the infrapatellar fat pad. Strain elastography (SE) evaluates tissue stiffness, providing qualitative and semiquantitative evaluation, with a strain ratio (SR) > 1 indicating that the target lesion is stiffer than the reference tissue. The patellar tendon has been described as soft in healthy dogs and hard in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture, but SR usefulness has not been assessed. Dogs were divided into healthy (G1) and at least 1 month after surgery (G2) groups. Thickness was recorded, and a B-mode score of 0–3 was determined based on the abnormality's severity. SE was qualitatively performed with a score of 1–4, and EI was recorded on the whole ligament and in proximal, intermediate and distal areas; SR was collected with the fat pad and cutis/subcutis. G1 was significantly thinner, with a lower score than G2 and a more elastic pattern. EI for G1 was significantly lower than G2 for the whole tendon and the single portions, and EI for the distal portion was significantly lower than the proximal and intermediate one in G2. SR was <1 in G1 and >1 in G2 for both the fat pad and cutis/subcutis. These data suggest that after surgery, the tendon may become non-uniformly stiffer. The cutis/subcutis appears to be a more reliable reference tissue than the infrapatellar fat pad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Subcutaneous lesions are common in dogs. This prospective study aims to compare various ultrasound techniques for investigating subcutaneous lesions and to assess their effectiveness in distinguishing between benign and malignant neoplasia. Dogs were included and ultrasound cine-loops were achieved in B-mode, Colour Doppler, Power Doppler, B-flow and CEUS. Vascularisation highlighted through B-flow and CEUS were classified into five patterns. The vascular patterns obtained with B-flow and CEUS were compared to the histological diagnosis of the subcutaneous lesions. A total of 24 dogs and 30 subcutaneous lesions were included and divided into three groups: non-neoplastic, benign tumours and malignant tumours. CEUS and B-flow were able to help in the differentiation of benign tumours from malignant tumours and achieved an excellent agreement. B-flow and CEUS displayed similar ability to evaluate different patterns and could be helpful in the evaluation of subcutaneous lesions. Subcutaneous lesions in dogs are common in clinical practice. This prospective clinical study aims to compare B-flow and CEUS for the characterization of subcutaneous lesions evaluating their usefulness to distinguish benign subcutaneous lesions from malignant ones. Dogs were enrolled and ultrasound cine-loops were achieved in B-mode, Colour Doppler, Power Doppler, B-flow and CEUS. Lesions vascularisation highlighted through B-flow and CEUS were classified into five patterns: P1, absence of contrast uptake; P2, enhancement only in the peripheral area of the lesion; P3, thin (<2 mm) and few vessels (<5/field); P4, thicker (>2 mm) and more numerous vessels (>5/field); P5 enhancement with a reticular aspect and both thick and thin bands inside. Patterns highlighted with B-flow and CEUS were compared to a histological diagnosis of subcutaneous lesions. A total of 24 dogs and 30 subcutaneous nodules were included and divided into three groups: 3 non-neoplastic, 16 benign tumours and 11 malignant tumours. There was a statistically significant difference for B-flow and CEUS to differentiate benign tumours from malignant tumours. B-flow and CEUS had an excellent agreement. B-flow and CEUS displayed similar ability to evaluate different patterns and could be helpful in the evaluation of subcutaneous nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects approximately 10%-15% of the world's population (1) and represents a state of progressive and irreversible loss of kidney function (2). Interestingly, two-thirds of adults [...], Skeletal muscle wasting is commonly associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. However, the link between kidney and muscle function remains poorly understood. Here, we took a complementary interorgan approach to investigate skeletal muscle wasting in CKD. We identified increased production and elevated blood levels of soluble pro-cachectic factors, including activin A, directly linking experimental and human CKD to skeletal muscle wasting programs. Single-cell sequencing data identified the expression of activin A in specific kidney cell populations of fibroblasts and cells of the juxtaglomerular apparatus. We propose that persistent and increased kidney production of procachectic factors, combined with a lack of kidney clearance, facilitates a vicious kidney/muscle signaling cycle, leading to exacerbated blood accumulation and, thereby, skeletal muscle wasting. Systemic pharmacological blockade of activin A using soluble activin receptor type IIB ligand trap as well as muscle-specific adeno-associated virus-mediated downregulation of its receptor ACVR2A/B prevented muscle wasting in different mouse models of experimental CKD, suggesting that activin A is a key factor in CKD-induced cachexia. In summary, we uncovered a crosstalk between kidney and muscle and propose modulation of activin signaling as a potential therapeutic strategy for skeletal muscle wasting in CKD.

Simple Summary: In veterinary medicine, the use of sedative agents to perform clinical and diagnostic procedures is increasingly common. Several anesthetic drugs decrease tear flow production. In recent years, interest in the clinical efficacy of sedative and hypnotic agents for new and atraumatic routes of administration has increased. Tear film production has never been investigated in cats who received sedative agents by the intrarectal route (IR). The aim of this study is to compare the clinical effects of a mixture of dexmedetomidine, ketamine and midazolam on tear film flow administered by the IR versus the intramuscular route (IM). Cats are often easily stressed and uncooperative. The use of sedative agents in the feline species is widely used to perform even minor clinical and diagnostic procedures. The aim of this study is to assess the impact on tear film production of the intrarectal route (IR) administration of a mixture of dexmedetomidine, ketamine and midazolam in comparison with the intramuscular (IM) one. A group of twenty cats were involved in a randomized and blinded clinical trial. A clinical and ophthalmological examination was conducted on the cats. The IR group received dexmedetomidine 0.003 mg kg−1, ketamine 4 mg kg−1 and midazolam 0.4 mg kg−1; the IM group received dexmedetomidine 0.003 mg kg−1, ketamine 2 mg kg−1 and midazolam 0.2 mg kg−1. A Shirmer tear test I (STT- I) was conducted 1 h before sedation and 2′, 10′, 20′, 30′, 40′, and 80′ post drug administration. The reaction to STT-I administration was also evaluated. The IM group has a lower mean tear production than the IR group for all time points evaluated. Cats in the IM group showed less reaction to STT-I administration. This study may suggest that the effect of sedative agents administered by the IR route has a lower incidence on tear production than the IM one. The use of eye lubricant is recommended in any case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Palatine tonsils are lymphoid organs within the tonsillar fossa. Their location provides them a role against antigens entering the body during feeding and breathing. MRI is considered the technique of choice in depicting soft tissue, and it can show concurrent bone involvement. In human medicine, MRI is used in the investigation of tonsillar diseases. In veterinary medicine, a recent study on healthy dogs has described the MRI appearance of presumed normal canine palatine tonsils. Due to the similarities between animals and humans, the authors aimed to evaluate the feasibility of low-field MRI to detect tonsils in cats and to describe features of presumed normal palatine tonsils, assessing the interoperator reproducibility of the findings in a population of adult cats. MRI is a potentially useful imaging modality for the assessment of palatine tonsils in cats; also, with a low-field MRI, their normal appearance has been described for the first time in this study. The authors recommend the evaluation of tonsils in the transverse plane and consider the most accurate estimation of the short axis. This study could be a baseline for the evaluation of MRI in the assessment of feline tonsils with high-field MRI. Palatine tonsils are lymphoid organs, whose anatomic localization gives them a role against antigens entering the body during feeding and breathing. In human medicine, MRI is used to investigate tonsillar diseases. In veterinary medicine, a recent study on healthy dogs described the MRI appearance of canine palatine tonsils, with no available reports about feline ones. Due to the similarities between animals and humans, and based on the study on canine tonsils, the authors aimed to evaluate the feasibility of low-field MRI to detect and describe presumed normal features of feline palatine tonsils, assessing the finding's reproducibility. Low-field MRI of the heads of 14 cats was reviewed, and qualitative findings (visualization, shape, margins, signal intensity, and pattern) and size of each tonsil were recorded. Each observer recorded 71% of the expected tonsils. Most of them were classified as oval, ill-defined, and hyperintense structures with both homogeneous and heterogeneous signal patterns; the overall agreement was considered good. Low-field MRI is potentially a useful imaging modality to visualize palatine tonsils in cats, and their normal appearance has been described for the first time. The authors recommend the evaluation of tonsils in the transverse plane and consider the most accurate estimation of the short axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The aim of the study is to describe the application, complications, and outcome of thoracoscopic PleuralPortTM in dogs affected by chronic pleural effusion. Seven dogs received eight devices for the management of five effusions caused by malignant mesothelioma, one caused by pleural carcinomatosis, and pulmonary metastasis, and one chronic chylothorax. One dog developed pneumothorax that was resolved after 12 h, and, in another, a tube was obstructed 45 days post application. The median duration of the port placement in the four cancer patients was 5 months and all dogs were euthanized for disease progression; in the dog with chylothorax, the device was removed after 1 year at the resolution of effusion. Chronic non-septic pleural effusion is a condition that frequently may occur because of lung or pleural neoplasia, or chylothorax refractory to surgical treatment, in dogs. Effusion management can be performed with multiple pleurocenteses or the application of chest drains. New modified vascular devices have been used for patients with chronic diseases; they offer the advantage of allowing home management and do not require hospitalization. Eight PleuralPortTM devices were applied in seven dogs during thoracoscopic exploration and biopsy procedures; five were affected by mesothelioma; one by lung metastases from a mammary carcinoma; and one by chronic chylothorax. The median time of surgical procedure was 51 min; one developed pneumothorax post-operatively that resolved within 12 h after repeated drainage; one device was obstructed after 45 days and was successfully managed by flushing. All patients were discharged after 24 h. The median duration of port insertion in cancer patients was 5 months and those dogs were euthanized because of tumor progression; in the dog with chylothorax, the device was removed after 1 year when the effusion had resolved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In veterinary medicine, the use of loco-regional anesthesia techniques is increasing. The Quadratus Lumborum block (QL) is an interfascial loco-regional technique that involves the release of local anesthetic (LA) between the Quadratus Lumborum and the Small Psoas (Pm) muscle. The study aims to evaluate the effect of the QL block on reducing the total amount of opioids in dogs undergoing pre-scrotal orchiectomy. A group of 36 dogs was enrolled in a randomized blinded study. The animals were divided into two groups: 18 in the experimental group (QL) and 18 in the control group (C). The QL group received 0.4 mL kg -1 of ropivacaine 0.5% for each hemiabdomen (total amount of 3 mg kg -1 of ropivacaine, 1.5 mg kg -1 per side). The C group was brought into the operating room (OR) after receiving the same clipping as the QL group. In the intraoperative period, opioid consumption in the QL group was significantly lower than in the C group. No differences were found in the post-operative phase. No side effects were reported when performing the QL technique. The QL block performed at the level of L6 appears to be a valid approach to reducing opioid use in dogs undergoing orchidectomy with a pre-scrotal surgical approach.