Results suggested that the prognosis for dogs undergoing splenectomy because of PST was favorable. Several risk factors for death prior to discharge were identified, including preexisting septic peritonitis, intraoperative hemorrhage, and postoperative development of respiratory distress.

BackgroundTo determine associations between perioperative mortality after surgery for traumatic diaphragmatic hernia, medical records of 17 cats and 79 dogs that underwent diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy were reviewed.ResultsThe combined perioperative survival rate was 81.3% (88.2% in cats and 79.8% in dogs). Data from acute and chronic cases was assessed separately. Of the acute cases (12 cats and 48 dogs), 10 cats (83.3%) and 38 dogs (79.2%) survived to discharge. Of the chronic cases (5 cats and 31 dogs), 5 cats (100%) and 25 dogs (80.6%) survived to discharge. The time between trauma and surgery, trauma and admission, and admission and surgery were not associated with survival. For cats and dogs, increased duration of anesthesia and surgical procedure were associated with increased mortality (P = 0.0013 and 0.004, respectively). Animals with concurrent soft tissue injuries had a 4.3 times greater odds of mortality than those without soft tissue injury (P = 0.01). Animals with concurrent soft tissue and orthopedic injuries had a 7.3 times greater odds of mortality than those without soft tissue and orthopedic injuries (P = 0.004). Animals that were oxygen dependent had a 5.0 times greater odds of mortality than those that were not (P = 0.02). No other variables were significantly associated with survival.ConclusionsFor cats and dogs that underwent surgery for traumatic diaphragmatic hernia, increased anesthetic duration, increased duration of surgical procedure, concurrent soft tissue injuries, concurrent soft tissue and orthopedic injuries, and perioperative oxygen dependence were associated with increased mortality.

A 6 yr old female spayed Chihuahua was presented for evaluation of intermittent vulvar discharge, stranguria, and vomiting. This dog had an ovariohysterectomy as a puppy and did not experience any evidence of estrous until 4.5 yr later. The owner had been using a topical hormone replacement therapy (estradiol spray) twice daily for the duration of the dog’s clinical signs of 1 yr. On presentation, the dog had truncal alopecia, comedones, enlarged vulva with a malodorous, and purulent discharge. Bloodwork showed a leukocytosis with a neutrophilia, döhle bodies, and moderate toxic changes. An abdominal ultrasound revealed an enlarged uterine stump with a thickened wall, ovoid projection cranially, and echogenic luminal contents. An exploratory laparotomy identified an enlarged cervical stump. Histopathology revealed chronic suppurative vaginitis with endometritis, necrosis, and intraluminal coccoid bacteria. The dog recovered well from surgery. A baseline estrogen level post operatively was measured at 56.4 pg/mL (<50.0 pg/mL for a spayed bitch), at this time, the dog had been separated from the owner for 7 days. After surgery, the clinical signs disappeared, and the dog’s dermatologic changes improved. This is the first reported case of stump pyometra following exposure to the owner’s topical estradiol replacement medication.

Treatment options for dogs with nasopharyngeal stenosis include fluoroscopic placement of metallic stents. Reported complications include entrapment of hair and food, obstruction and persistent nasal discharge. Two toy breed dogs were examined for persistent nasal discharge and halitosis at 4 and 20 months after placement of permanent metallic stents for acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis. Full thickness defects were found in the palate of both dogs, with extensive communication between the mouth and the nasal passages. Portions of the metal stent were observed within the lesion in both patients. Additional treatment was declined by the owner of one dog; the stent was removed through the fistula in the other dog. Palatal erosion with secondary oronasal fistulation is a potential complication of nasopharyngeal stent placement in dogs.