Desmopressin (DDAVP) is a vasopressin peptide analog with hemostatic properties that has been successfully used during surgery in patients with bleeding disorders. Recently published experimental and clinical data indicate that perioperative administration of DDAVP can minimize spread and survival of residual mammary cancer cells. The central aim of this study was to explore the effect of perioperative DDAVP and its relation to histologic grade in bitches with locally advanced mammary carcinoma. Of the 32 dogs initially recruited, 28 intact bitches with mammary carcinoma tumors stage III or IV were ultimately included. These dogs were randomized to receive DDAVP at intravenous doses of 1 μg/kg (n=18) or saline solution as placebo (n=10). En bloc mastectomy of the affected gland(s) was performed. Tumor malignancy was graded by the method of Elston and Ellis into well-differentiated (grade 1), moderately differentiated (grade 2), or poorly differentiated (grade 3). DDAVP therapy significantly prolonged the disease-free survival (P<0.001) and overall survival (P<0.01) in bitches with grade 2 or 3 carcinomas compared with bitches in the control group. No significant difference in disease-free period or overall survival was found between treatment groups in bitches with grade 1 tumors. The present data suggest that DDAVP may be an excellent candidate as a surgical adjuvant in the management of aggressive cancers in small animals. More research in this field is warranted.

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A non-pharmaceutical, dietary option may be useful to manage clinical pseudopregnancy (PSP). To describe the effect of short-term food restriction on canine PSP, 16 privately owned, overtly pseudopregnant bitches were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: Limit-fed (increasing amounts of a restricted maintenance: 50%, 40%, 30% restriction for 2, 3 and 2 days respectively) during 7 days (n = 8) or Maintenance-fed of the same food and period (n = 8). The bitches were physically examined and blood samples were taken for prolactin and progesterone determinations on days 2, 5 and 8. By day 8, none of the bitches had completely regressed the condition although all (8/8) the animals of the Limit-fed and two (25%) of the Maintenance-fed group improved in condition decreasing mammary size and secretion (p < 0.05). No day or group effects were observed for serum prolactin and progesterone concentrations (>0.05). It is concluded that although an 8-day food restriction did not cure PSP, it seemed to hasten PSP signs involution in these bitches. No endocrine change was related to these clinical findings.

A case of feline multicentric lymphoma is reported in an 8-year-old male cat weighing 4.7 kg. At the time of the clinical consultation the animal presented weight loss, anorexia and generalised lymphadenomegaly. After careful clinical observation and a detailed laboratory workup, the diagnosis of small cleaved cell lymphoma was established. It was classified as a stage III b multicentric lymphoma. Chemotherapy was initiated according to a classical COP protocol to which atorvastatin was added. After 34 months, the cat continues to enjoy an excellent quality of life with no clinical or haematological signs of lymphoma. This is the first report in clinical veterinary medicine about a new effective adjuvant therapy in feline multicentric lymphoma. Further studies are needed to confirm that the addition of atorvastatin can provide a regular, safe and improved treatment in feline lymphoma cases.

A 10-year-old female crossbred dog of 6 kg bodyweight was presented with signs of marked abdominal distention. The abdominal skin vasculature appeared prominent. After an exhaustive physical examination, laboratory analysis (table 1) and imaging studies, the case was diagnosticated as Budd-Chiari like syndrome due to lung adenocarcinoma. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a neoplasia of 4 cm in diameter with irregular borders located in right accessory lung in contact with the caudal vena cava and surface thorax of the diaphragm. Immediately after sonographic diagnosis, the canine was admitted to intensive care and hemodynamically stabilized and submitted to surgery after 24 hrs. Then we made a exploratory thoracotomy with intention of achieve a lung lobectomy. After surgery chemotherapy with doxorrubicin 30 mg/m2 was administered. The objective of our study was to describe the image and pathological data findings in a dog with Budd-Chiari like syndrome; including sonographic findings, treatment and its response, in a syndrome that rarely affect small animals. Although no data are available on incidence of this disease in veterinary medicine, there is no doubt that this is a very serious illness despite its rare appearance. To our knowledge, this is one of the few cases where BCLS is reported associated to lung adenocarcinoma in veterinary medicine.

HistoryAn 11-month-old healthy male Miniature Poodle was referred because of infertility. The dog was the only male at the kennel, and no other animals at the kennel were infertile.During the preceding 2 months, the dog had mated with 4 previously fertile bitches, none of which became pregnant. Libido and sexual behavior of the dog during those matings were considered normal. Each of the matings was followed by a corresponding copulatory tie. The medical history did not reveal husbandry problems, inbreeding, or administration of any drugs that would interfere with fertility of this particular dog or the other animals at the kennel.Physical examination of the genital tract, including the scrotum, testes, prostate gland, epididymides, penis, and prepuce, did not reveal any abnormalities. Assessment of the ejaculation process and semen collection by manual stimulation was performed by use of an estrous bitch. The dog manifested interest in the bitch and had good libido throughout the manipulation.Erection of the penis progressed as expected. Although urethral contractions were palpable, there was a complete lack of semen emission (ie, aspermia).Immediately after the attempted semen collection, urine was obtained by use of a urethral catheter. The urine sample was centrifuged, and microscopic examination of the sediment did not reveal spermatozoa.The same procedures for semen collection and evaluation were performed 1 week later, and the same results were obtained. Therefore, retrograde ejaculation was ruled out.The dog was reevaluated at 12 months of age, which allowed additional sexual development before more invasive (eg, surgery to determine existence and patency of the ductus deferens) or expensive (eg, karyotyping) diagnostic techniques were used. At that time, the dog again had good libido. Stimulation resulted in penile erection followed by ejaculation. The ejaculate consisted of 3 fractions. Volume of the second fraction was 0.5 mL.Examination of the ejaculate revealed that it contained 71 X 10 6 spermatozoa with 65% motile spermatozoa. There were 15% primary abnormalities and 26% secondary abnormalities. Alkaline phosphatase concentration of the ejaculate was > 5,000 U/L.