In dogs, digit squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is uncommon. Clinical signs are frequently underestimated, leading to a diagnostic delay. The purpose of this retrospective study was to report our experience regarding the clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, treatment and outcome of 79 client-owned dogs with SCC of the digit. The greatest majority (84.8%) of dogs was dark-coated. Schnauzers represented approximately one third of the study population, and had a poorer outcome compared with other breeds. The majority of SCCs occurred in the front limbs (61%), and bone lysis was frequently observed (92.4%). Approximately 9% of dogs had involvement of multiple digits, and this was associated with a shorter time to progression (TTP; P = 0.047). Similarly, a duration of clinical signs >90 days was associated with a shorter TTP (P = 0.02). Regional lymph node metastases were documented in 17.7% of dogs at admission and were significantly associated with tumor-related death (P < 0.001). At presentation, none of the dogs had evidence of distant metastasis. Digit amputation achieved adequate local tumor control in the majority of cases. Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy were carried out in 21.5% of cases, with uncertain benefit. Due to the relatively non-aggressive clinical behavior of digit SCC, chemotherapy should only be offered in the case of metastatic disease. Approximately one fourth of dogs developed de novo SCCs during the follow-up. Careful examination of the digits should be encouraged in breeds considered at high risk and in dogs with a previous history of digital SCC.

Similar to the disease affecting humans, osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful musculoskeletal condition affecting 20% of the adult canine population. Several solutions have been proposed, but the results achieved to date are far from being satisfactory. New approaches, such as intra‐articular delivery of cells (including mesenchymal stromal cells), have been proposed. Among the many sources, the adipose tissue is considered very promising. We evaluated the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of a single intra‐articular injection of autologous and micro‐fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) in 130 dogs with spontaneous OA. MFAT was obtained using a minimally invasive technique in a closed system and injected in the intra‐ and/or peri‐articular space. Clinical outcomes were determined using orthopedic examination and owners’ scores for up to 6 months. In 78% of the dogs, improvement in the orthopedic score was registered 1 month after treatment and continued gradually up to 6 months when 88% of the dogs improved, 11% did not change, and 1% worsened compared with baseline. Considering the owners’ scores at 6 months, 92% of the dogs significantly improved, 6% improved only slightly, and 2% worsened compared with baseline. No local or systemic major adverse effects were recorded. The results of this study suggest that MFAT injection in dogs with OA is safe, feasible, and beneficial. The procedure is time sparing and cost‐effective. Post injection cytological investigation, together with the clinical evidence, suggests a long‐term pain control role of this treatment. The spontaneous OA dog model has a key role in developing successful treatments for translational medicine. stem cells translational medicine 2018;7:819–828

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Four different aquaporins (AQP1, 2, 5 and 9), integral membrane water channels that facilitate rapid passive movement of water, were immuno-localized in the excurrent ducts collected from sexually mature cats during orchiectomy. Aquaporins 1, 2 and 9, were immuno-localized at distinct levels, whereas AQP5 was undetectable all along the feline genital tract. No immunoreactivity was present at the level of the rete testis with any of the antibodies tested. In the efferent ducts, AQP1-immunoreactivity was strongly evidenced at the apical surface of the non-ciliated cells, and AQP9-immunoreactivity was shown at the periphery of both ciliated and non-ciliated cells. Aquaporins 2 was absent in the caput epididymidis, either in the efferent ducts or in the epididymal duct. Otherwise, AQP2 was increasingly localized at the adluminal surface of principal cells from the corpus to the cauda epididymidis and more weakly in the vas deferens epithelium. The supranuclear zone of the epididymal principal cells was AQP9-immunoreactive throughout the duct, with the exclusion of the vacuolated sub-region of the caput and with higher reaction intensity in the cauda region. AQP1 was present in the blood vessels all along the genital tract. AQP1 was expressed also in the smooth muscle layer of the vas deferens. The tested AQP molecules showed a different expression pattern in comparison with laboratory mammals, primates and the dog, unique other carnivore species studied to date. The present information is possibly useful in regard to the regional morphology of the feline epididymis and correlated functions, which are still a matter of debate.

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BackgroundNon-infectious inflammatory diseases of the canine central nervous system (CNS) are common idiopathic disorders grouped under the term meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin (MUO). Ante mortem diagnosis is achieved via assessment of clinical signs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, but the definitive diagnosis needs histopathological examination. MUO are mostly considered as autoimmune CNS disorders, so that suppressing the immune reaction is the best management method for patients. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are under investigation to treat autoimmune and degenerative disorders due to their immunomodulatory and regenerative properties. This study aims to verify the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of MSCs treatment in canine idiopathic autoimmune inflammatory disorders of the CNS.MethodsEight dogs presented with acute onset and rapid progression of multifocal neurological signs were selected to the study. In all patients’ physical and neurological examinations, MRI and CSF analyses were performed. Clinical diagnosis in all cases was MUO. All selected dogs responded initially to immunosuppressive drugs (prednisone and a combination of prednisolone and cytosine arabinoside) but developed undesirable side effects. For all eight dogs, the owners considered euthanasia but accepted cell therapy as a last possibility. Autologous bone marrow MSCs (BMMSCs), isolated, cultured, and expanded, were administered by intrathecal (IT) injection in the cisterna magna intravenously (IV) and by intra-arterial (IA) injection in the right carotid artery. Adverse effects and clinical response were monitored for 6 months up to 2-year follow-up.ResultsThe use of autologous BMMSCs in dogs with MUO was safe for IT, IV, and IA injections. No major short- or long-term adverse effects were registered. All the dogs presented early improvement in their general and neurological conditions, with particular effect on cervical pain. The group of dogs treated by IT+IA administration showed a shorter time of reaction to therapy compared to the group treated by IT+IV administration.ConclusionsMSCs treatment in dogs affected by MOU is safe and feasible. A larger group of dogs is needed to confirm these results as well as CNS histology in order to better understand the underlying mechanisms.

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