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Background: In the clinical staging of cutaneous mast cell tumors (cMCT), the diagnosis of metastasis is controversial based on cytological examination of lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow, and blood.Objectives: To define the prognostic role of ultrasound-guided cytology of spleen and liver in cMCT. The results of cytological evaluation were compared in relation with survival time.Animals: Fifty-two client-owned dogs with a diagnosis of cMCT. Methods: Selection of cases was based on cytological evaluation of liver and spleen to detect infiltration at distant sites. The Kaplan Meier method was used to compare survival in dogs with and without infiltration of spleen and liver (log-rank test P o .05).Results: Ten dogs with cMCT had mast cell infiltration of spleen, liver, or both and 4 of these dogs had involvement of the regional lymph nodes. The majority of dogs had 2 or more ultrasonographically abnormal findings simultaneously in spleen and liver. Nine dogs had grade II cMCT, and 1 had grade III cMCT. Dogs with positive evidence of mast cell infiltration to spleen, liver, or both had shorter survival times (34 versus 733 days) compared with dogs negative for mast cell infiltration at distant sites.Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Dogs with evidence of mast cell infiltration at distant sites have a shorter survival times than dogs without evidence of infiltration at distant sites. This study suggests that cytology of spleen and liver is indicated either for ultrasonographically normal or for ultrasonographically abnormal spleen and liver in dogs with cMCT.

Background: Forty dogs presented for brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome with laryngeal collapse not over 1st degree (saccule eversion) underwent glottis endoscopic and radiographic skull measurements before surgery. Fifteen Pugs, fifteen French and ten English Bulldogs were included. The goals were prospectively to compare three common brachycephalic breeds for anatomical differences regarding glottis and skull measurements, and to assess if any correlation between glottis and skull measurements was present. Linear measurements were used to obtain glottis and skull indices. Correlations between glottis and skull indices and glottic measurements were evaluated. Finally, glottis indices were compared among the three breeds. Results: No correlation was found for glottis and skull indices. The glottic index differed among the three breeds (smaller in Pugs and higher in English Bulldogs), ultimately representing a morphologic indicator of the different larynx shape in the three breeds (more rounded in English Bulldogs, more elliptical in Pugs and in-between in French Bulldogs). Conclusions: The lack of correlation between skull/glottic indices does not support skull morphology as predictor of glottic morphology. As Pugs had the lowest glottic index, it may be speculated that Pugs' original narrow glottic width may predispose to further progressive respiratory deterioration more easily than in the other two breeds.

Laryngeal saccule eversion has been widely reported as an important component of brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome (BAOS). The authors hypothesised that saccules affected by acute histological changes in patients showing marked improvement following palate and nares surgery might spontaneously return to normal; moreover, spontaneous resolution of the eversion in patients with fibrotic saccules and/or without clinical improvement following BAOS surgery might be impossible and, on the contrary, the persistence of turbulent airflow and associated ongoing inflammation might lead to aberrant tissue proliferation after resection. In order to demonstrate our hypotheses, the authors decided to perform a unilateral sacculectomy and to postpone and assess the need for the execution of the contralateral saccule resection according to the findings of a second-look laryngoscopy. Ten dogs were enrolled. None of the saccules left in situ underwent spontaneous resolution of the eversion. In one dog, after sacculectomy, proliferation of a soft tissue lesion endoscopically similar to a newly formed saccule occurred. The results of the present study suggest that spontaneous resolution of saccule eversion is uncommon, even after the correction of the primary abnormalities (palate, nares). Resection of the saccules can relieve ventral rima glottidis obstruction; however, secondary intention healing might occasionally result in the recurrence of the obstruction.

Background Esophageal feeding tubes are commonly used to provide enteral nutrition to cats, but their use is associated with adverse effects. Objectives To evaluate the complications associated with e‐tube placement in cats and to identify factors predisposing to these complications. Animals Cats that had an esophageal feeding tube placed (n = 248). Methods This was a retrospective case review in which clinical records were interrogated across 2 referral centers to identify records of cats that had esophageal tubes placed. Clinical data were collected for signalment, clinical indication, method of placement, time of removal, and any complications. Logistic regression was then employed to assess the odds of an increase in complications, including infection and death. Results For those cats that survived to discharge, tubes were in place for a median of 11 days, ranging from 1 to 93 days. Complications occurred in 35.8% of the cats, with the most common being tube dislodgement (14.5%), followed by stoma site infections (12.1%). Cats receiving glucocorticoids or oncolytic agents (OR = 3.91; 95% CI, 1.14‐13.44) and with discharge at the stoma site (OR = 159.8; CI, 18.9‐1351) were at an increased odds of developing a stoma site infection, whereas those with a lower weight (OR = 1.33; 95% CI, 1.02‐1.75) or (pancreatic [OR = 4.33; 95% CI, 1.02‐18.47], neoplastic [OR = 15.44; 95% CI, 3.67‐65.07], respiratory [OR = 19.66; 95% CI, 2.81‐137.48], urogenital [OR = 5.78; 95% CI, 1.15‐28.99], and infectious diseases [OR = 11.57; 95% CI, 2.27‐58.94]) had an increased odds of death. The duration of time in place and the cat being discharged with the tube in place were not associated with an increased risk of infection or death. Conclusions and clinical importance Owners should be made aware of the potential risks involved and their predisposing factors.