BackgroundPrognostic markers for dogs with thyroid tumors are limited.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo identify clinical, pathologic, and immunohistochemical prognostic factors for dogs with thyroid tumors.AnimalsSeventy dogs with thyroid neoplasia.MethodsRetrospective study. Dogs with thyroid neoplasia were included when follow‐up information and formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tumor samples were available. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed for thyroglobulin, calcitonin, Ki‐67, and E‐cadherin. Correlation of tumor variables (diameter, volume, localization, scintigraphic uptake, thyroid function, IHC) with local invasiveness and metastatic disease was performed on all tumor samples. Forty‐four dogs treated by thyroidectomy were included in a survival analysis.ResultsFifty dogs (71%) had differentiated follicular cell thyroid carcinoma (dFTC) and 20 (29%) had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). At diagnosis, tumor diameter (P = .007; P = .038), tumor volume (P = .020), tumor fixation (P = .002), ectopic location (P = .002), follicular cell origin (P = .044), and Ki‐67 (P = .038) were positively associated with local invasiveness; tumor diameter (P = .002), tumor volume (P = .023), and bilateral location (P = .012) were positively associated with presence of distant metastases. Forty‐four dogs (28 dFTC, 16 MTC; stage I–III) underwent thyroidectomy. Outcome was comparable between dogs with dFTC and MTC. Macroscopic (P = .007) and histologic (P = .046) vascular invasion were independent negative predictors for disease‐free survival. Although time to presentation, histologic vascular invasion and Ki‐67 were negatively associated with time to metastases, and time to presentation was negatively associated with time to recurrence, no independent predictors were found. E‐cadherin expression was not associated with outcome.Conclusions and Clinical ImportancePrognostic factors have been identified that provide relevant information for owners and clinicians.

We found considerable differences in reproducibility of different GFR measurements. These findings should be taken into account not only in practice but also in future studies involving GFR measurement.

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This review describes the advantages and disadvantages of radiography, ultrasonography, and nuclear medicine in the 2 most frequent thyroid pathologies of the dog: acquired primary hypothyroidism and thyroid neoplasia. Ultrasonography and scintigraphy remain the 2 most indicated imaging modalities for these thyroid abnormalities. However, as in human medicine, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging also have potential indications. This is especially the case in the evaluation of the extent, local invasiveness, and local or distant metastases of thyroid neoplasia. Based on experience with different imaging modalities in people, we suggest future directions in the imaging of the canine thyroid gland.

Background: Retinol‐binding protein (RBP) is suggested as a clinically useful marker of renal function in cats. Hypothesis: Serum and urinary RBP concentrations in hyperthyroid (HT) cats differ from those in healthy (H) cats; radioiodine (131I) treatment influences serum and urinary RBP concentrations in HT cats. Animals: Ten HT and 8 H cats. Methods: RBP concentration was evaluated in feline serum and urine samples from a prospective study. Results: There was a significant (P= .003) difference in the urinary RBP/creatinine (uRBP/c) ratios of H (−) and untreated HT (1.4 ± 1.5 × 10−2 μg/mg) cats. Serum total thyroxine concentration (1.8 ± 1.9 μg/dL, 24 weeks) and uRBP/c (0.6 ± 1.0 × 10−2 μg/mg, 24 weeks) decreased significantly (P < .001) in HT cats at all time points after treatment with 131I, and these variables were significantly correlated with one another (r= 0.42, P= .007). Serum RBP concentrations from HT cats (199 ± 86 μg/L) did not differ significantly (P= .98) from those of H cats (174 ± 60) and did not change after treatment with 131I (182 ± 124 μg/L, P= .80). Conclusion and Clinical Importance: The presence of urinary RBP in HT cats is a potential marker of tubular dysfunction that is correlated to thyroid status, although it is independent of circulating RBP concentrations. The decreased uRBP/c combined with the absence of changes in serum RBP after treatment suggests that the suspected tubular dysfunction was partly reversible with treatment of 131I.

Introduction: Radioiodine therapy in hyperthyroid cats is commonly used and has a high success rate ranging from 85% to 95%. However given the drawbacks associated with a final hypothyroid or hyperthyroid outcome, a quest for causes of therapy failure is justified. As in human medicine, thyroid volume has been reported as a factor influencing radioiodine therapy outcome in hyperthyroid cats. Purpose: The goal of this study was to relate total thyroid volume, calculated by a newly constructed formula for feline patients, to the outcome of radioiodine therapy. We hypothesized that larger volumes would result in a higher percentage of persistent hyperthyroidism and smaller volumes would increase the risk for hypothyroidism. Materials & Methods: For the calculation of total thyroid volume a new formula was introduced (0.438*L*W²). One hundred and sixty-seven hyperthyroid cats were included in search of a correlation between total thyroid volume and therapy outcome. Additionally the relationship between pretreatment total T 4 and therapy outcome was investigated in 62 cats. Patients were categorized according the administered radioiodine dose and therapy outcome. The effect of volume and TT4 on the outcome was modeled by a logistic regression model with generalized logits, with the euthyroid cats as a reference category, and with dose as categorical, and volume and TT4 as continuous fixed effects. Results: All patients had a follow-up of at least 6 months after the radioiodine therapy, 66.5% of them were euthyroid, 24% were hypothyroid and 9.5% were hyperthyroid. 31.7% of our patients were unilaterally affected, 56.9% were bilaterally affected and 11.4% were either unilaterally or bilaterally affected with additional ectopic thyroid tissue. A borderline significant increase (P=0.0528) in the odds of hyperthyroidism relative to the odds of euthyroidism with increasing thyroid volume was found. Concerning the pretreatment total T 4 concentration no significant relationships were detected. Conclusion: The influence on therapy outcome is most likely multifactorial and although only a small effect was observed in this study, large thyroid volumes can increase the risk of a hyperthyroid outcome after radioiodine therapy. Surprisingly, in the two higher dose categories larger total thyroid volumes were also observed in final hypothyroid cats, compared to those with a euthyroid outcome, and the majority of them were bilaterally affected, possibly introducing another contributing factor on therapy outcome. No significant effect of pretreatment total T 4 on outcome was observed.

Background: Chronic kidney failure is frequently seen in middle-aged and elderly cats.

This case report describes the use of the 99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceutical ciprofloxacin (Infecton) in a case of hip prosthesis loosening in a dog. Serial planar radiographs were not conclusive, and culture of the synovial fluid was negative. Antibiotic treatment did not result in improvement of the lameness. Scintigraphy was performed with 99-Tc-Infecton, a tracer claimed to be specific for infection. Antibiotic treatment was interrupted 6 weeks prior to the examination. Planar and tomographic images at 3 h and at 24 h postinjection showed increased activity along the acetabulum and the proximal femoral bone surrounding the femoral prosthesis, indicating focal infection. Bacteriology performed after removal of the implant revealed Pseudomonas aeruginosa.