Table of Contents and Abstracts

A 16-year-old castrated male shih tzu dog was brought to the emergency service because of an acute (24 h) history of gagging, coughing, and lethargy. Physical examination revealed dyspnea concurrent with diffuse, bilateral, pulmonary crackles and wheezes. Oxygen saturation, measured with a pulse oximeter, was < 95%. Thoracic radiographs revealed a multifocal alveolar pattern superimposed over a diffuse interstitial pattern with normal heart size. The dog continued to be dyspneic despite oxygen therapy. In accordance with the radiographic findings, further supportive care was recommended. Due to the unknown prognosis and financial constraints, the owner elected humane euthanasia. Necropsy confirmed a pheochromocytoma and lung changes without evidence of congestive heart failure. Findings were consistent with diffuse alveolar damage. These findings correlated with the dog’s clinical diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). No other disease processes associated with ARDS were identified. The purpose of this case report is to describe an unusual presentation of ARDS likely associated with a pheochromocytoma and confirmed by necropsy. Acute respiratory distress syndrome associated with a pheochromocytoma has been described in medical literature but has never been reported in veterinary medicine.

Key clinical message:
Pheochromocytomas should be added to the list of risk factors associated with ARDS in dogs. Dogs with a suspected diagnosis of pheochromocytoma whose owners elect against surgical removal should be closely monitored for an acute onset of respiratory distress, which could suggest the development of ARDS.

A 3-year-old castrated male golden retriever was presented for evaluation of 2 cutaneous masses along the abdominal midline and a 6-month history of progressive lethargy and inappetence. Two years earlier, the dog underwent a gastrotomy to retrieve a foreign object and recovered uneventfully. Fluid aspirated from the lesions was culture-negative for aerobic and anaerobic bacterial growth. Abdominal ultrasound demonstrated a large intra-abdominal mass with apparent communication with the cutaneous lesion, along with gossypiboma from the previous laparotomy. Neoplasia or a sterile abscess were suspected. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and revealed that the intra-abdominal mass was adhered to the abdominal midline and the greater curvature of the stomach. The masses and affected portions of the body wall and stomach were resected and histopathology was consistent with phaeohyphomycosis. Antifungal therapy with voriconazole (6.3 mg/kg, PO, q12h) was initiated. At 1 mo after surgery, all clinical signs had resolved. At 4 and 7 mo after surgery, the dog continued to thrive despite 2 small masses, seen on abdominal ultrasound imaging on the intra-abdominal midline, suggestive of reoccurrence. Continued voriconazole therapy was administered in lieu of further surgical excision. One year after surgery, the masses were no longer present on ultrasonographic evaluation. Phaeohyphomycosis is a rare, opportunistic fungal infection that typically affects the dermis and subcutis of immunocompromised dogs. This is the first report of phaeohyphomycosis in an immunocompetent dog and involving the dermis, subcutis, and abdominal viscera.

Key clinical message:
This case adds to the very limited literature on phaeohyphomycosis in dogs and illustrates that surgery could be a risk factor for infection, even in dogs with no known underlying disease or immunodeficiency.

A 5-month-old Pembroke Welsh corgi dog was presented with a 3-month history of lethargy, inappetence, polyuria/polydipsia, and neurological signs. A diagnosis of a complex multiple intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (IHPSS) configuration was obtained by computed tomography angiogram, abdominal ultrasonography, and perioperative fluoroscopic angiography. The IHPSS was successfully attenuated by shunt embolization with a vascular plug, using a direct percutaneous hepatic approach under ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic guidance. Long-term (4 y) follow-up revealed resolution of all clinical signs. The owner elected to continue dietary modification and lactulose treatment indefinitely and the outcome was considered good.

Key clinical message:
Direct percutaneous hepatic approach could be considered for IHPSS attenuation in select cases where traditional transvenous approach access is considered challenging.

A 10-year-old neutered male cross-bred cat was referred to our clinic for a solid mass tightly fixed to the right side of the thoracic wall from the 2nd to 4th ribs. Computed tomography revealed the mass had remarkable calcifications and arose from the 3rd costal cartilage. After removal, it was diagnosed histopathologically as a multilobular osteochondrosarcoma (MLO). For tumor resection, extremely wide surgical margins included 6 costal cartilages and 3 sternal segments were required; however, the tumor was successfully resected, followed by reconstruction of the thoracic wall using artificial materials. The cat recovered uneventfully and was good in health for ~4 y. This is apparently the first report of surgical resection of MLO from the costal cartilage of a cat.

Key clinical message:
To our knowledge, this is the first report of MLO from the costal cartilage in a cat, demonstrating aggressive surgical resection despite extremely wide surgical margins.

A 6-year-old intact female domestic dwarf rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was referred because of a chronic obstructive rhinitis not resolving despite antibiotic treatments. Computed tomography examination revealed 2 sub-obstructive structures of mineral density in the right nasal cavity and nasopharynx. Neoplasia and rhinolithiasis were the main differential diagnoses. A dorsal rhinostomy was performed and 1 mineralized lesion was removed. Infrared spectrophotometric and histological examinations of the lesion and nasal mucosa were consistent with a 100% calcium carbonate rhinolith with bacterial colonization and chronic lymphocytic rhinitis. Clinical signs improved during the first 4 wk following surgery. However, despite inhaled anti-inflammatory treatment, the rabbit’s condition deteriorated when the rhinostomy site closed, and she died 7 wk after surgery. Rhinolith and lymphocytic rhinitis should be considered as differential diagnoses for upper respiratory tract signs in rabbits resistant to antimicrobial treatment.

Key clinical message:
Rhinolithiasis and chronic lymphocytic rhinitis should be included in the differential diagnoses of rabbits presenting with chronic obstructive upper respiratory tract signs characterized by purulent nasal discharge and failure of treatment despite adequate antimicrobial therapy, especially with unilateral signs. Computed tomography and rhinoscopy with biopsies are suggested to explore those possibilities.

Objective
The aim of this study was to document perceived frequency of medial shoulder syndrome and instability (MSS/MSI) among dogs, and preferred diagnostic and treatment options related to the condition, among American or European Colleges of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS/ECVS) diplomates, American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR) diplomates, and dual diplomates of ACVS/ECVS and ACVSMR (double-Boarded diplomates).

Procedure
An invitation to complete an online survey was sent to diplomates via email listservs.

Results
The known response rate for the survey was 15.8% (160 of 1014 email addresses). There was a difference (P = 0.006) among groups in number of cases of MSS/MSI seen, with ACVS/ECVS diplomates and double-Boarded diplomates seeing 0 to 5 cases per year (80.7 and 72.7%, respectively) and ACVSMR diplomates (32% of total respondents) seeing 11 to 26+ cases annually. The majority of all respondents (56.4%) felt the likely cause of MSS/MSI to be chronic/repetitive strain. Diagnostically, most respondents (78%) relied on shoulder abduction angles; however, most felt it was a questionable or somewhat accurate diagnostic test. The ACVSMR diplomates (88%) relied on musculoskeletal ultrasound as their preferred diagnostic modality, compared to only 35% of ACVS/ECVS diplomates and 45% of double-Boarded diplomates. Preferred treatment was rehabilitation with surgery for unresponsive cases, as reported by 86.9% of all respondents. Preferred surgical treatment was prosthetic ligament reconstruction (62.7%).

Conclusion
Despite the low known response rate of this survey, there were significant differences among specialties regarding frequency of MSS/MSI cases seen per year and preferred diagnostic modalities. However, there were no differences among specialties regarding the suspected underlying causes of MSS/MSI and initial treatment strategies.

Objective
This study compared clinical and immunological responses to coinfection challenge of beef calves mucosally primed and differentially boosted with commercial combination vaccines containing antigens against bovine coronavirus (BCoV), bovine parainfluenza virus Type 3 (BPIV3), and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV).

Animals
Nineteen commercial beef heifers.

Procedure
At birth, calves were mucosally (IN) primed with modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines, differentially boosted by injection of either combination MLV (IN-MLV) or inactivated virus (IN-KV) vaccines at a mean age of 44 d, and then challenged by coinfection with BCoV, BPIV3, and BRSV at weaning.

Results
Both groups were similarly protected from clinical disease and had anamnestic neutralizing antibody responses to all 3 viruses. The IN-KV group shed more BCoV, and less BPIV3 and BRSV, than the IN-MLV group.

Conclusion
These data indicated similar clinical and immunological protection between IN-MLV and IN-KV; however, shed of virus varied.

Clinical relevance
Whereas boosting with KV or MLV appeared to have similar efficacy, viral shed differences may affect disease control.

Objective
The objective of this prospective observational research project was to have dairy producers use and assess the utility of a cull cow evaluation form.

Animals
Cull dairy cows.

Procedure
Veterinarians were recruited to enrol a purposively selected group of dairy producers into a project to evaluate a cull cow evaluation form. Producers were provided with evaluation forms and asked to complete a form for every cow they culled from their herd from January to June 2017, inclusive.

Results
A total of 44 producers used the form to record information on 323 cows prior to transport.

Conclusion and clinical relevance
Despite the completion of 323 forms, only ~1/3 were completed fully, with compliance highest for body condition score, lameness, and temperature recordings (> 90% of forms). A cull cow evaluation form may improve the thoroughness and consistency of dairy producer assessment of cull dairy cows for fitness for transport.

Objective
To determine with mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) testing whether distal limb skin sensation is affected by intra-articular anesthesia of the tarsometatarsal joint (TMTJ).

Animals and procedure
This was a prospective cohort study. Ten client-owned horses that had intra-articular TMTJ anesthesia were included in the study. The MNT was measured at 6 sites on the distal limb at 3 time points: before anesthesia (T0) and at 10 min (T10) and 30 min (T30) post-injection. Linear mixed-model analyses were done, with the significance level set at P < 0.05.

Results
There was an increase in MNT (P = 0.001) across combined testing points between T0 and T30, indicating loss of skin sensation in the distal limb 30 min after TMTJ anesthesia. Regarding individual MNT sites, there were increases at the lateral proximal sesamoid bone (P = 0.002) and dorsal coronary band (P = 0.037) at T30 compared to T0.

Conclusion
Intra-articular anesthesia of the TMTJ significantly increased the combined MNT of the skin of the distal limb at 30 min, indicating decreased skin sensation.

Clinical relevance
Diagnostic anesthesia of the distal hind limb should be performed before TMTJ block. However, if patient compliance prevents this, lameness evaluation 10 min after blocking may enhance the reliability of interpretation.

Objective
Our objective was to determine whether equine herpesviruses 1 (EHV-1) viral nucleic acids could be detected immediately after foaling from nasal and vaginal swabs, whole blood, and placental tissue of healthy mares.

Animals, procedure, and results
Nasal and vaginal swabs, EDTA blood, and placental tissue (296 samples) were collected from 74 clinically healthy postpartum broodmares within 24 h after giving birth to live, clinically healthy foals. All samples were tested (PCR) for nucleic acids of neuropathogenic and non-neuropathogenic strains of EHV-1, and all were negative.

Conclusion and clinical relevance
As EHV-1 was not detected in the immediate postpartum period in healthy mares with uncomplicated foaling, we inferred that EHV-1-positive samples from aborting mares and/or EHV-1 detection in fetal membranes indicate EHV-1-associated abortion.

The history of trade has numerous examples of movement of diseases and pests. Nations institute barriers to protect human, animal, and plant populations from incursions; sometimes successfully, sometimes not. The World Trade Organization and international standard-setting bodies (ISSB) are multilateral organizations that promote equitable treatment and safe trade. Equivalence of outcome is a concept that crosses animal, human, and environmental health standards. Loosely defined, it is taken to mean achieving a similar reduction in risk by different methods. Countries conduct assessments known as health infrastructure evaluations (HIE) to allow safe trade in commodities of food, plant, and animal origin. This review analyzes the use of HIE for trade purposes, with an added focus on their One Health context. The goal is to identify areas of HIE in which a One Health approach could assist in achieving the goal of “treating like partners alike,” thereby fostering transparent decision-making in trade negotiations, a key obligation under World Trade Organization rules.

A 9-week-old miniature Schnauzer dog was brought to a veterinary clinic because of an acute onset of vomiting. A 2 to 3-centimeter, round, firm structure in the mid-abdomen was palpated with a repeatable pain response. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a grossly cystic-appearing mass on the distal ileum. Resection and anastomosis were conducted. The histopathology report concluded the structure was an intestinal duplication, a rare congenital abnormality, with the structure sharing an outer muscular layer with the normal intestine. The resection was considered completely excised. The puppy recovered well and was clinically normal on follow-up examinations. The findings from this case suggest congenital abnormalities should always be included on a differential diagnosis list for all young animals, regardless of the presenting complaint.