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Background: Excessive umbilical cord length (UCL) is associated with equine pregnancy loss. However, a lack of UCL reference values makes it difficult to define excessive UCL. Further, factors associated with differences in UCL are poorly understood. Objectives: To (i) report the total, allantoic and amniotic UCL in healthy term pregnancies in Thoroughbreds, (ii) describe the relationship between gestational age and UCL, fetal weight and crown rump length (CRL) using clinically normal pregnancies (CNPs) from mares dying during gestation, and (iii) identify associations between UCL and maternal age and parity, paternal age, and fetal sex. Study design: Cross‐sectional. Methods: Data including UCLs, fetal weight, CRL and maternal age, parity, paternal age and fetal sex were taken from CNPs from Thoroughbred mares dying during gestation (n = 32), and placentas from HTPs (n = 34) in England. Correlations were assessed using Spearman's rank with significant correlations estimated by locally weighted scatter plot smoothing (LOWESS). Regression plots were fitted to highly correlated variables to further assess and quantify relationships. Differences in UCL between categorical variables were assessed using Kruskall Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests. Results: The median total, amniotic and allantoic HTP UCLs were 53.5 cm (interquartile range [IQR] 16), 29.5 cm (IQR 7) and 25.0 cm (IQR 8) respectively. Gestational age and amniotic UCL were moderately correlated (rho = 0.53, p = 0.04), with LOWESS estimating an exponential increase followed by plateauing at around Day 200. Nonlinear associations were observed between fetal weight and gestational age and CRL (adjusted r2 = 0.98 and 0.95 respectively). A linear association was observed between gestational age and CRL: predicted CRL = −17.60 + 0.38 × gestational age, p < 0.001. Main limitations: Limited availability of CNPs from mares dying during gestation. Estimated relationships can only approximate growth. Conclusions: This study provides important UCL and fetal size reference values, which may aid in assessing abnormalities. For the first time, associations between UCL and gestational age have been described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We retrospectively demonstrated that an outbreak of severe respiratory disease in a pack of English foxhounds in the United Kingdom in September 2002 was caused by an equine influenza A [...]

We report 4 cases of equine rhinosporidiosis in the United Kingdom. These cases provide evidence of spread of infectious agents from rhinosporidiosis-endemic areas to nonendemic areas by increased international movement [...]

Background: Pregnancy loss after Day 70 of gestation manifests as abortion, stillbirth or perinatal death. While previous studies have reported the diagnoses of laboratory submissions, none have quantified the incidence and causes of abortions, stillbirths and perinatal mortality at a population level. Objectives: To report the incidence and causes of pregnancy loss after Day 70 of gestation in a cohort of Thoroughbreds. Study design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Outcomes of Day 70 pregnancies were collected from eight Thoroughbred farms over the 2013‐2017 breeding seasons. Stud, veterinary and laboratory records were supplemented with publicly available data. Cause of loss was categorised using custom criteria. Results: Data were collected on 3,586 pregnancies from 1,802 mares. The incidence risk of a pregnancy failing to produce a live foal at 24 hours post parturition was 7.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 6.5‐8.2, equating to 7.3 cases per 100 Day‐70 pregnancies). The incidence of pregnancy loss between Day 70 and 300 of gestation, Day 301‐315 and stillbirth/perinatal death was 4.0% (95% CI 3.4‐4.7), 0.3% (95% CI 0.2‐0.6) and 1.4% (95% CI 1.1‐1.9) respectively. Of the pregnancy losses where tissue was available, 61.1% were submitted for post‐mortem examination. The incidence risk of loss due to umbilical cord‐related pathologies was 1.5% (95% CI 1.1‐1.9), 0.4% (95% CI 0.2‐0.6) for noninfectious placental disease and 0.3% (95% CI 0.2‐0.6) for both infectious placentitis and Equine Herpesvirus infection. No primary diagnosis was made in 11.2% of the cases which underwent full post‐mortem examination. Main limitations: It was not possible to differentiate between intra‐partum stillbirth and early post‐partum death. Conclusion: Pregnancy loss after Day 70 of gestation is a significant source of loss in the Thoroughbred with umbilical cord‐related pathologies being the most commonly diagnosed cause. Reporting the incidence of pregnancy loss at a population level with clear case definitions will allow for accurate global comparisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early pregnancy loss (EPL) occurs in approximately 8% of equine pregnancies, although the aetiology is mostly unknown and embryonic/fetal morphological abnormalities associated with EPL are not defined. Objectives: To compare the morphology of EPL to clinically normal embryos/fetuses and previously described embryonic/fetal developmental milestones. To identify morphological abnormalities associated with equine EPL. Study design: Observational case‐control study. Methods: Embryos/fetuses were obtained from clinically normal Thoroughbred and pony pregnancies (n = 11) and following EPL from Thoroughbred mares (n = 27). The crown‐rump length (CRL) of embryos/fetuses was measured and macroscopic morphology and developmental age were determined independently by three blinded examiners. Sagittal sections of EPL (n = 13) and control (n = 6) embryos/fetuses were assessed microscopically. Fisher's exact test was used to determine significance (P <.05) and correlations were expressed by Pearson coefficient. Results: Age and CRL were strongly positively correlated in clinically normal Thoroughbred and reference (n = 15, R =.9 (95% CI: 0.8‐1.0), R2 =.9, P <.0001) but not EPL embryos/fetuses (n = 19, R =.1 (95% CI: −0.4 to 0.5), R2 =.01, P =.75). Relative to controls, the CRL of EPL embryos/fetuses was smaller, with evidence of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in 3/8 fetuses assessed. In 9/13 EPL embryos/fetuses, nonspecific neural tissue alterations were identified including disruption of developing pros‐, mes‐ and rhombencephalon and the presence of haemosiderin, indicating premortem haemorrhage. Failed neural tube closure was identified in 1/13 EPL embryos/fetuses. Subcutaneous haemorrhage was present in 14/27 EPL embryos/fetuses. Main limitations: Autolysis significantly affected 15/27 EPL embryos/fetuses, excluding them from complete assessment. The IUGR reference cut‐off values were based on a small number of controls. Conclusions: Morphological features associated with equine EPL were a mismatch between embryonic/fetal size and age, and alterations of the developing neural tissue and localised subcutaneous haemorrhage. Failed neural tube closure was confirmed as a rare specific abnormality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objectives of this study included utilising a large database from a diagnostic laboratory to identify any breed, sex or age predilections for cutaneous and subcutaneous soft tissue sarcomas (STSs), and the most common anatomical locations. The second aim was to obtain clinical outcomes and to assess histological features of those tumours to identify any potentially useful prognostic indicators and propose a grading system. Methods: Records from the laboratory were searched for feline submissions received from January 2012 to December 2013 diagnosed with STSs; the breed, age, sex and neuter status of the cat and anatomical location of the tumour were recorded. Clinical outcomes were acquired using a questionnaire to submitting practices, and histological features of tumours from patients with known outcomes were assessed. Results: No sex, neuter status or breed predispositions were found. Most STSs arise in middle-aged and older cats, and the most common anatomical location was the trunk. Forty-seven cases had a known clinical outcome and archived tissues allowing for histological assessment of the tumour. Significant differences in median survival time (MST), mitotic index and histological score were detected between those cats that died of tumour-related disease and those that did not. A novel grading system applied to these tumours produced significant differences in MST between cats with low (MST = 900.5 days), intermediate (MST = 514 days) and high grade tumours (MST = 283 days). Conclusions and relevance: This is the first study applying a histological grading system to these common tumours. Local recurrence is often the cause of a poor outcome, with metastatic disease apparently rare. The proposed grading system incorporates features that can be assessed on routine haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections; in this small study, the histological grade of the tumour appears to be associated with survival time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to utilise a large database from a UK-based, commercial veterinary diagnostic laboratory to ascertain the prevalence of different forms of nasal disease within the feline population. Further objectives included using this database to detect any breed, sex or age predilections, or associations between the degree of brachycephalism, and the different conditions diagnosed. Methods: Records from the laboratory were searched for feline submissions received between 31 May 2006 and 31 October 2013. For all samples taken from the nasal cavity, the diagnosis was recorded together with the breed, age, sex and neuter status of the cat, whether the clinical presentation was uni- or bilateral and whether a nasal discharge was present. Pedigree breeds were further subclassified according to skull conformation into brachycephalic, mesocephalic and dolichocephalic. Logistic regression models were constructed to assess the adjusted magnitude of association of significant risk factors with each disease, and each disease was also used as a potential independent risk factor for each other disease. Results: The most prevalent nasal disease was rhinitis, followed by neoplasia and polyps. The most commonly diagnosed neoplasm was lymphoma, followed by adenocarcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma, with benign tumours being very uncommon. No significant association was found between skull conformation and nasal diseases. The only statistically significant association was polyps being more likely to arise in younger male cats, with a mesocephalic skull conformation and no nasal discharge. Conclusions and relevance: No significant association was found between skull conformation and nasal diseases, contrary to what might be expected. The only significant association found between any of the potential risk factors and various forms of nasal disease was polyps being more likely to arise in younger cats; other identified associations are only likely to be weak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The aim of the study was to utilise a large database available from a UK-based, commercial veterinary diagnostic laboratory to ascertain the prevalence of different forms of cutaneous neoplasia within the feline population, and to detect any breed, sex or age predilections for the more common tumours. Methods Records from the laboratory were searched for feline submissions received between 31 May 2006 and 31 October 2013. For masses arising within the skin for which histopathology had been performed, the diagnosis was recorded together with the breed, age, sex and neuter status of the cat. Odds ratios for breed predisposition to skin tumours overall, to histologically malignant tumours and to the more commonly occurring tumours were calculated, with the non-pedigree cat population as the control. Results Of the 219,083 feline samples submitted, masses arising within the skin comprised 4.4% and there were 89 different diagnoses recorded for these masses. Just 6.6% of these cases were non-neoplastic in nature, and, of neoplastic masses, 52.7% were considered histologically malignant. The 10 most common skin tumour types accounted for 80.7% of cases, with the four most common being basal cell tumours, fibrosarcomas, squamous cell carcinomas and mast cell tumours. Conclusions and relevance Despite the large number of different diagnoses in this study, a relatively small number of tumour types accounts for the majority of skin masses occurring in cats, most of which are neoplastic in nature. There are a number of breed predispositions for the more common tumour types, although no pedigree breed had increased odds of developing a malignant tumour compared with the non-pedigree cat population; several breeds had significantly decreased odds. Just over half of the neoplastic masses in this study were considered histologically malignant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives There is a distinct subset of lesions arising on the digits of cats, located at or close to the nail-bed epithelium, which are typically composed of proliferative fibroblast-like cells, multinucleate giant cells and areas of osseous metaplasia, but currently there is no published literature detailing the clinical or histological features of these lesions. Methods This study identified 41 such cases from two large commercial diagnostic laboratories and assessed various histological and clinical features; 22 cases had additional follow-up data available. Results All masses in this study were exophytic, variably inflamed, contained large numbers of spindle cells and had areas of capillary formation. The majority also had areas of ulceration, multinucleate giant cells and osseous metaplasia. The mitotic count was variable, but mitoses were confined to the fibroblast-like cells. Male cats appeared predisposed and the second digit was the most commonly affected. Conclusions and relevance These distinctive lesions arising on the digits of cats had potential for local recurrence but metastasis was not reported. Based on these clinical and histological features, the masses in this study appear most similar to giant cell reparative granulomas, and trauma, injury to the nail or nail-bed and nail-bed infections may potentially contribute to their development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feline cutaneous mast cell tumours (MCTs) are the second most common skin tumour in cats; but, unlike in dogs, there is currently no histological grading system for this type of tumour. This study recorded the signalment and anatomical location from a total of 287 records from MCTs submitted to a UK commercial diagnostic laboratory. Questionnaires to submitting practices were used to obtain follow-up data, and the histological features of 86 tumours were evaluated from 69 cats with a known outcome. Twelve of the 69 cats (17.4%) died of MCTs, with significantly lower survival times. The median age of cats presenting with MCTs was 11 years (range 5 months–19 years), with no sex or neutered status predilection. Some pedigree breeds were more susceptible to MCTs, particularly the Siamese, Burmese, Russian Blue and Ragdoll. The head was the most common site in younger cats, compared with the trunk in older cats. The number of tumours had no effect on survival. A new subcategory of well-differentiated MCTs with prominent multinucleated cells is described, and three of the five cats with this novel form died from MCT-related disease. There was an association between mitotic index and survival time. However, there was no significant association between histological type and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The clinical presentation and progression (over 9 months to 13 years) of congenital keratoconjunctivitis sicca and ichthyosiform dermatosis (CKCSID) in the Cavalier King Charles spaniel dog are described for six new cases and six previously described cases. Cases presented with a congenitally abnormal (rough/curly) coat and signs of KCS from eyelid opening. Persistent scale along the dorsal spine and flanks with a harsh frizzy and alopecic coat was evident in the first few months of life. Ventral abdominal skin was hyperpigmented and hyperkeratinized in adulthood. Footpads were hyperkeratinized from young adulthood with nail growth abnormalities and intermittent sloughing. Long-term follow-up of cases (13/25) is described. Immunomodulatory/lacrimostimulant treatment had no statistically significant effect on Schirmer tear test results, although subjectively, this treatment reduced progression of the keratitis. Histopathological analysis of samples (skin/footpads/lacrimal glands/salivary glands) for three new cases was consistent with an ichthyosiform dermatosis, with no pathology of the salivary or lacrimal glands identified histologically. Pedigree analysis suggests the syndrome is inherited by an autosomal recessive mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antigen-binding sites of antibodies (Abs) can express enzyme-like nucleophiles that react covalently with electrophilic compounds. We examined the irreversible and specific inactivation of antibodies (Abs) to Factor VIII (FVIII) responsible for failure of FVIII replacement therapy in hemophilia A (HA) patients. Electrophilic analogs of FVIII (E-FVIII) and its C2 domain (E-C2) were prepared by placing the strongly electrophilic phosphonate groups at surface-exposed Lys side chains of diverse antigenic epitopes. IgG Abs to FVIII from HA patients formed stable immune complexes with E-FVIII and E-C2 that were refractory to dissociation by SDS treatment and boiling, procedures that dissociate noncovalent Ab-antigen complexes. The rate-limiting step in the reaction was formation of the initial noncovalent complexes. Conversion of the initial complexes to the irreversible state occurred rapidly. The antigenic epitopes of E-FVIII were largely intact, and most of the Abs were consumed covalently. E-FVIII expressed poor FVIII cofactor activity in clotting factor assays. Nonspecific interference by E-FVIII in clotting factor function was not evident. Treatment with E-FVIII, and to a lesser extent E-C2, irreversibly relieved the FVIII inhibitory effect of HA IgG in clotting factor assays. Small FVIII peptides did not display useful reactivity, highlighting the diverse epitope specificities of the Abs and the conformational character of FVIII epitopes. E-FVIII is a prototype reagent able to attain irreversible and specific inactivation of pathogenic Abs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medullobastoma is an uncommon caudal fossa tumor. The imaging features of medullobastoma in the dog are poorly described. In this report, the magnetic resonance (MR) appearance of a cerebellar medullobastoma in a dog is described. The MR features were similar to medulloblastomas in adult humans, with the tumor arising laterally and extending to the surface of the cerebellar hemisphere. Correct localization of medulloblastoma may be difficult and it should be considered as a differential for both extra- and intra-axial caudal fossa masses.

An 8-month-old German Shepherd dog was presented for investigation of pelvic limb gait abnormality. Neurolocalization indicated a T3-L3 spinal cord lesion. The myelographic appearance was of an intramedullary lesion at T9/10, but upon subsequent magnetic resonance imaging it was determined that the mass was extramedullary. A diagnosis of nephroblastoma was made on histological examination. The imaging features of this rare tumor and the differentiation of intradural-extramedullary and intramedullary masses are discussed.