Objective-To identify variables associated with prognosis in dogs undergoing surgical excision of anal sac apocrine gland adenocarcinomas (ASACs) with and without adjunctive chemotherapy. Design-Retrospective case series. Animals-42 dogs with ASACs. Procedures-Information on signalment, clinical signs, diagnostic procedures, surgical procedures, adjunctive therapies, survival time, and disease-free interval was obtained from the medical records. Results-Survival time was significantly associated with the presence of sublumbar lymphadenopathy and sublumbar lymph node extirpation, with median survival time significantly shorter for dogs with sublumbar lymphadenopathy (hazard ratio, 2.31) than for those without and for dogs that underwent lymph node extirpation (hazard ratio, 2.31) than for those that did not. Disease-free interval was significantly associated with the presence of sublumbar lymphadenopathy, lymph node extirpation, and administration of platinum-containing chemotherapeutic agents, with median disease-free interval significantly shorter for dogs with sublumbar lymphadenopathy (hazard ratio, 2.47) than for those without, for dogs that underwent lymph node extirpation (hazard ratio, 2.47) than for those that did not, and for dogs that received platinum-containing chemotherapeutic agents (hazard ratio, 2.69) than for those that did not. Survival time and disease-free interval did not differ among groups when dogs were grouped on the basis of histopathologic margins (complete vs marginal vs incomplete excision). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results suggested that in dogs with ASAC undergoing surgical excision, the presence of sublumbar lymphadenopathy and lymph node extirpation were both negative prognostic factors. However, completeness of surgical excision was not associated with survival time or disease-free interval.

A 5 yr old female intact English setter with a 17 day history of a penetrating oropharyngeal wound was referred for cervical swelling and pain. Physical examination revealed swelling at the left lateral aspect of the cranial cervical region. Pain was elicited upon flexion, extension, and leftward movement of the neck. Neurologic deficits were not identified. Cervical ultrasonography showed a 0.4 cm × 2.3 cm linear, hyperechoic structure in the soft tissues ventrolateral to the first (C1) and second (C2) cervical vertebrae. MRI demonstrated a linear structure 2 cm in length adjacent to the cranial aspect of C2. The foreign material was isointense to hyperintense on precontrast T1-weighted images, isointense on postcontrast T1-weighted images, and hypointense on T2-weighted images relative to adjacent muscle. Abnormalities within the spinal canal were not identified. Upon surgical exploration, a reed foreign body was identified deep to the serratus ventralis muscle. The patient was normal on follow-up evaluations 4 wk postsurgically.

A 3.5-year-old female spayed Beagle cross was presented to our emergency and referral facility for the complaint of acute onset paralysis of the tail. A full physical and neurological examination was performed which confirmed the absence of motor function in the tail. Signs of superficial and deep pain sensation to the tail remained intact. Orthogonal view survey radiographs identified mineralization superimposed over the intervertebral foramen of the first and second caudal vertebrae. A dorsal laminectomy was performed for surgical decompression of the caudal nerve roots. On the fourth postoperative day, the patient exhibited good motor function of the tail. Neurological improvement continued and 11 days postoperatively the patient demonstrated normal neurological function, free range-of-motion of the tail, and it did not exhibit any signs of pain. Follow-up examination was performed 76 days after surgery, at which time the patient exhibited normal neurological function and signs of a pain-free range-of-motion on manipulation of its tail.