Table of Contents and Abstracts

This article reports a case of a 10-year-old French bulldog initially seen for reluctance to move and episodes of pain. A magnetic resonance imaging study was undertaken in order to rule out a herniated disc. A large, retroperitoneal mass was visualized and cytological analysis suggested a neoplastic proliferation. The mass appeared to compress the caudal vena cava when viewed by abdominal CT scan. The mass was surgically removed. A nephrectomy was also carried out and aortic bleeding identified after dissection of adhesions. Despite these complications, the dog did well after the procedures. Postoperative checkups were normal. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses of the mass were compatible with a retroperitoneal paraganglioma.

Key clinical message:
This type of tumor is poorly described in the veterinary literature. As the behavior of this tumor type is not yet fully understood, each new description adds to our knowledge and should help in diagnosing and treating it more effectively in the future.

This report describes the clinical, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings for a Jacob sheep lamb diagnosed with meningoencephalocele and supernumerary ectopic limb.

Key clinical message:
This case demonstrates the utility of tomographic imaging in diagnosing congenital malformations in sheep and can be used to assess the extent of the lesion. This may help to determine any viable treatment, or, as in the case presented here, determine that the extent of the lesion precludes surgical intervention.

A 10-year-old spayed female German shepherd dog was transferred for acute respiratory distress and a bulla-like pulmonary lesion identified on referral radiographs. Computed tomography (CT) imaging identified a bronchiole from a dilated left cranial lobar bronchus terminating into a partially fluid-filled, cyst-like pulmonary lesion and surrounding multilobar pulmonary hyperattenuation. After failure of medical management, a left cranial lung lobectomy was done. Histopathology was consistent with a bronchogenic cyst and chronic, suppurative bronchopneumonia of the remaining parenchyma. Bronchogenic cysts with concurrent bronchopneumonia should be considered in older German shepherd dogs with acute respiratory distress that fail medical management.

Key clinical message:
Canine bronchogenic cyst is an uncommon condition that previously has only been reported in younger German shepherd dogs. This case highlights the importance of considering this condition in a senior German shepherd dog with no prior respiratory history, as well as the difficulty of medical management with concurrent bronchopneumonia.

A 2-year-old neutered male Jack Russell terrier dog was presented for persistent, involuntary, bilateral contractions of the hypochondriac regions of the abdominal wall that had been present for 1.5 y. Electrocardiography and fluoroscopic evaluation revealed that the contractions were synchronous with the heartbeat, consistent with a synchronous diaphragmatic flutter. Thoracic radiographs, echocardiography, and serum electrolytes did not identify an underlying cause. This case report describes a rare presentation of idiopathic, long-lasting, synchronous diaphragmatic flutter in a dog.

Key clinical message:
Synchronous diaphragmatic flutter is a rare condition characterized by contractions of the diaphragm that are synchronous with the heartbeat; this condition can mimic a serious cardiac or respiratory condition.

Objective
This study aims to identify the most common causes of equine perinatal loss up to 7 d of age in Canada.

Animal
Equine.

Procedure
Necropsy reports from 360 equine perinatal loss cases were acquired from provincial veterinary diagnostic labs across Canada. Each case was classified into a basic cause (noninfectious, infectious, or unidentified) of perinatal loss, then further classified into primary and secondary categories for analysis.

Results
Of the basic causes of perinatal loss, noninfectious causes were the most common. Bacterial causes, such as septicemia, were the most common primary diagnosis overall. Actinobacillus was the most commonly identified bacterial species.

Conclusion
This study showed similar results to those of studies conducted in other countries, including having similar etiologic agents identified. The high prevalence of thyroid hyperplasia identified in this study is notable and was not reported in other, similar retrospective studies, despite being reported in locations other than Canada.

Clinical relevance
Perinatal loss can have important economic consequences for horse breeders; thus, identification of the most common causes is of interest to both veterinarians and breeders.

This scoping review aims to establish a comprehensive definition of the term “underserved” as it applies to communities, individuals, and populations with inadequate access to animal health services, particularly for dogs. The review adhered to PRISMA guidelines and analyzed 30 articles, applying concepts of One Health and social determinants of health, by using 3 pre-determined categories of contributors to and indicators of underservice. The review categorized article-specific exemplars into veterinary-dependent barriers; community- and individual-related barriers; and health and welfare indicators; with subcategories illustrating features of underserved communities, individuals, or populations in each category. Ultimately, 3 definitions were developed. Animal Health Underserved Areas (AHUA) identify negative human and animal health and welfare outcomes secondary to inadequate access to animal health services in the community. Individuals may identify as underserved based on the same criteria (Animal Health Underserved Individuals, AHUI), and certain groups within otherwise adequately served areas may be identified as Animal Health Underserved Populations (AHUP). The AHUA, AHUI, and AHUP are frequently characterized as rural, remote, and/or Indigenous, and often face systemic marginalization. This inequitable access to animal health services creates human, animal, and community health challenges, underscoring the need for veterinary professionals and other stakeholders to prioritize equitable access to care. Findings from this review should inform development of a scoring system to enable comparative assessment of communities, individuals, and populations and allow strategic service and resource allocation in the future.

Objective
To compare left atrial measurements carried out by an emergency and critical care (ECC) clinician on cats in lateral and sternal recumbency.

Animals and procedures
A prospective observational study was conducted between December 2019 and January 2021 at the university teaching hospital at University of Liège. One hundred and two hospitalized cats were enrolled. Focused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS) was performed in right lateral and sternal recumbency by a single FOCUS-trained ECC resident. Standard right parasternal long- and short-axis views were recorded. After randomization of the cineloops, the same blinded resident measured maximal left atrial dimension (LAD) and the ratio of left atrial to aortic diameter (LA:Ao). Reproducibility was assessed using the Bland-Altman method.

Results
The LA:Ao and LAD measurements in lateral (LA:Ao median: 1.37, range: 1.02 to 3.22; LAD median: 13.25, range: 7.90 to 32.90) and sternal (LA:Ao median: 1.38, range: 1.06 to 3.22; LAD median: 13.00, range: 8.00 to 32.90) recumbency were not significantly different (bias: −0.003, CI −0.014, 0.007; and bias: −0.101, CI −0.231, 0.029, respectively).

Conclusions and clinical relevance
The FOCUS technique was successfully applied in sternal recumbency in almost all cats. The LAD and LA:Ao measured in sternal and lateral recumbency were not significantly different. Cardiac left atrial measurements obtained using FOCUS can be reliably assessed in sternal recumbency in hospitalized, stable cats.

Background
Tumors of various sizes and locations can create a treatment dilemma in achieving adequate surgical margins when sufficient free tissue is not available for closure. Extravascular local adjunctive chemotherapy has been investigated clinically to aid in achieving local tumor control in animals with naturally occurring neoplastic disease. Local chemotherapy can be an alternative primary or a local adjunctive treatment.

Objectives and procedures
This is a summary of relevant findings of in vitro and in vivo studies on local chemotherapeutic delivery through carrier media, together with a summary of outcomes of clinical use of local delivery of chemotherapeutic agents in small animals and Equidae. Literature from 1990 to 2022 was evaluated via searches of PubMed, Google Scholar, and CAB Abstracts databases for studies of local extravascular delivery of chemotherapeutic agents and chemotherapeutic-impregnated delivery systems in research and clinical settings in veterinary medicine.

Results
Chemotherapeutic-impregnated calcium sulfate hemihydrate beads with carboplatin are currently favored for extravascular delivery and are associated with minimal wound complications. The ideal delivery system may vary depending on the chemotherapeutic agent used, commercial availability, targeted tumor type, and location.

Conclusion and clinical relevance
Future investigations might focus on the required dose, the rate of sustained release, and enhancing nodal uptake.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform many aspects of veterinary medicine. The accuracy and

safety of diagnostic decisions, treatment decisions, and other phases of veterinary care could be improved by appropriately developed AI technology. However, Canada, like many other countries, does not yet have the legal or regulatory means to deal with the many challenges that AI presents. In both the academic and popular press, concerns about the potential difficulties with AI systems or the need for AI regulation have been frequently expressed. Uncertainty exists with several issues surrounding the adoption of AI technologies in veterinary medicine; these include jurisdiction, transparency, regulation, fairness and bias, privacy, ownership, liability, and oversight.

Objective
Ultraviolet light (UV) is a risk factor for the development of cutaneous neoplasia in many mammalian species. This study evaluated UV exposure as a risk factor of concern for the development of cutaneous neoplasia in equine species due to the significant UV exposure that may accrue over their lifetimes.

Animals and samples
Neoplastic biopsy specimens from 3272 horses that were submitted over a 10-year period to the Colorado State University Diagnostic Medicine Center and to the University of Saskatchewan Western College of Veterinary Medicine and Prairie Diagnostic Services were evaluated.

Procedure
This retrospective study assessed the spatial relationships between altitude, latitude, longitude, and UV maximum value and the probability of UV-induced cutaneous neoplasia.

Results
Cases from areas at high altitude proved to have a higher prevalence of UV-induced cutaneous neoplasia than those from areas at lower elevations. A multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that altitude was the only factor significantly and positively associated with the diagnosis of UV-induced neoplasia.

Conclusion and clinical relevance
Evidence of cutaneous neoplasia in horses and environmental factors that influence the degree of UV exposure in a geographic location may aid in diagnosis and suggest preventive measures from UV overexposure.