Objectives The aim of the study was to utilise a large database available from a UK-based, commercial veterinary diagnostic laboratory to ascertain the prevalence of different forms of cutaneous neoplasia within the feline population, and to detect any breed, sex or age predilections for the more common tumours. Methods Records from the laboratory were searched for feline submissions received between 31 May 2006 and 31 October 2013. For masses arising within the skin for which histopathology had been performed, the diagnosis was recorded together with the breed, age, sex and neuter status of the cat. Odds ratios for breed predisposition to skin tumours overall, to histologically malignant tumours and to the more commonly occurring tumours were calculated, with the non-pedigree cat population as the control. Results Of the 219,083 feline samples submitted, masses arising within the skin comprised 4.4% and there were 89 different diagnoses recorded for these masses. Just 6.6% of these cases were non-neoplastic in nature, and, of neoplastic masses, 52.7% were considered histologically malignant. The 10 most common skin tumour types accounted for 80.7% of cases, with the four most common being basal cell tumours, fibrosarcomas, squamous cell carcinomas and mast cell tumours. Conclusions and relevance Despite the large number of different diagnoses in this study, a relatively small number of tumour types accounts for the majority of skin masses occurring in cats, most of which are neoplastic in nature. There are a number of breed predispositions for the more common tumour types, although no pedigree breed had increased odds of developing a malignant tumour compared with the non-pedigree cat population; several breeds had significantly decreased odds. Just over half of the neoplastic masses in this study were considered histologically malignant.

Metastatic rates and survival times of canine anal sac gland adenocarcinomas (ASGACs) vary among studies, making prognostication difficult. Little is known about the prognostic significance of histopathology of ASGACs. This retrospective study investigated associations between histological features, clinical presentation and outcome for 39 ASGACs. Most tumours were incompletely excised (62%) and had moderate to marked peripheral infiltration (74%). The predominant growth pattern was solid, tubules/rosettes/pseudorosettes and papillary in 49%, 46% and 5% of the cases, respectively. Nuclear pleomorphism was either moderate (77%) or mild (23%). Necrosis and lymphovascular invasion were present in 54% and 10% of the cases, respectively. All histological features except mitotic count and necrosis were associated with nodal metastasis at presentation. A statistically significant poorer outcome was identified for tumours with a solid growth pattern, moderate or marked peripheral infiltration, necrosis and lymphovascular invasion. These results need further validation in a larger cohort of dogs.

Mycobacterium bovis can cause tuberculosis (TB) in social mammals including lions, cattle and man, but canine infections are considered rare. In 2016/17 we investigated a M. bovis TB outbreak in a pack of approximately 180 Foxhounds within the bovine TB Edge Area of England. We employed a combination of immunological tests including an interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) and a serological assay (DPP VetTB, Chembio). Test‐positive hounds were euthanased and subjected to post‐mortem examination (PME). Overall 164 hounds were tested; 97 (59%) responded positively to at least one test. Eighty‐five (52%) dogs responded to M. bovis antigens by IGRA while only 21 (12.9%) had detectable serological responses. At PME three hounds (3.1%) had visible lesions (VL) due to M. bovis infection, later confirmed by culture. Samples from 24 non‐VL hounds were cultured and M. bovis infection was confirmed in a further three hounds (11%). This study is the first investigation and report of an outbreak of M. bovis TB in a canine species. We establish that, in principle, diagnostic tests used for identifying infected individuals of other species can effectively be used in the dog. Further work is urgently needed to establish the sensitivity and specificity of the testing approach used in this study for future clinical application.

The aims of this study were to evaluate six portable blood glucose meters for use in cats in a clinical setting and to identify potential sources of inaccuracy such as the effect of glucose concentration and haematocrit. Excess fluorinated whole-blood samples were obtained and were tested using the six meters and a reference laboratory method. Bland-Altman plots were constructed and an error grid analysis was performed, using a grid adapted in this study for diabetic cats. Error grids are a clinically oriented non-parametric approach to blood glucose data, and are designed to determine whether differences between glucometer and laboratory readings are clinically significant. All the meters studied had the potential to under- or overestimate blood glucose levels to varying degrees throughout the glycaemic range. This variation was not consistent enough to be predictable and correctable. The study failed to demonstrate any link between haematocrit and difference between laboratory and glucometer readings.

Nonocular melanocytic neoplasia is considered uncommon in cats yet is routinely encountered in diagnostic pathology and recognized to exhibit a wide variation in biological behavior. Accurate prediction of clinical outcomes is challenging with no widely recognized prognostic criteria. Signalment and tumor location were retrospectively evaluated in 324 cats diagnosed with nonocular melanocytic neoplasia. Histologic features were described in 141 neoplasms and outcome data were available in 79 cases. Immunohistochemistry using Melan-A, PNL-2, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), and E-cadherin was performed in a subset ( n = 24). Multivariate analysis identified tumor site, mitotic count, and the presence of intratumoral necrosis to be independent predictors of tumor-related death. On the basis of these findings, we propose a novel histologic grading scheme in which nonocular melanocytic neoplasms involving the lips, oral or nasal mucosa, or nasal planum are considered high grade if they fulfill 1 or both of the following criteria: at least 4 mitoses in 10 high-power fields (HPF) or presence of intratumoral necrosis; those arising elsewhere are considered high grade if they fulfill both of the above criteria. Of 79 tumors with outcome data, 43 (54%) were low grade and 36 (46%) were high grade. The grading system had an 80% sensitivity and 92% specificity for predicting tumor-related death in this population of cats. Median survival for cats with low-grade tumors was not reached, and the median survival was 90 days for those with a high-grade tumor. PNL-2 and Melan-A were sensitive markers for feline nonocular melanocytic neoplasia, and although not significantly associated with prognosis, a large proportion expressed COX-2, suggesting a potential therapeutic role for COX-2 inhibitors.

Compared with other imaging modalities, magnetic resonance imaging is very helpful for this type of injury, especially in chronic cases where radiographic evidence of a foreign body is unlikely. It is a valuable aid in the diagnosis of pharyngeal penetration injury and in surgical planning.

Objectives Mycobacterium bovis, a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, can infect cats and has proven zoonotic risks for owners. Infected cats typically present with a history of outdoor lifestyle and hunting behaviour, and cutaneous granulomas are most commonly observed. The aim of this study is to describe an outbreak of tuberculous disease commencing with six young cats, living exclusively indoors in five different households across England, being presented to separate veterinarians across the UK with a variety of clinical signs. Methods Investigations into the pyogranulomatous lesions, lymphadenopathy and/or pulmonary disease of these cases consistently identified infection with M bovis. Infection was confirmed by PCR, where possible, or was indicated with a positive interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA), where material for PCR was unavailable. Incontact, cohabiting cats were screened by IGRA and follow-up testing was undertaken/advised where results were positive. A lifestyle investigation was undertaken to identify the source of infection. Results Six clinically sick cats and seven in-contact cats were identified with evidence of M bovis infection. Five clinical cases were either too sick to treat or deteriorated despite therapy, giving a mortality rate of 83%. Lifestyle investigations revealed the common factors between clusters to be that affected cats had mycobacterial infections speciated to M bovis, were exclusively indoor cats and were fed a commercially available raw food product produced by a single manufacturer. The Food Standards Agency, Animal & Plant Health Agency, Public Health England and the food manufacturer concerned have been notified/informed. Other possible sources of exposure for these cats to M bovis were explored and were excluded, including wildlife contact, access to raw milk, the presence of rodent populations inside the buildings in which the cats lived and exposure to known infectious humans. Conclusions and relevance Upon investigations, our results provide compelling, if circumstantial, evidence of an association between the commercial raw diet of these cats and their M bovis infections.

Abstract.A 9-year-old Haflinger mare presented to the Liphook Equine Hospital with a history of weight loss, azotemia, and repeated episodes of ascites over a period of 10 days. The horse was euthanized after exploratory laparotomy revealed large numbers of variably sized masses distributed throughout the peritoneal cavity. Macroscopically, some masses were papillary, while others were nodular. Histologically, the masses were comprised of large to giant, variably shaped, and occasionally multinucleated neoplastic cells with marked anisokaryosis and anisocytosis and a high mitotic rate. Small to moderate numbers of neoplastic cells were swollen by 1 to several, moderately sized to large, clear, circular or ovoid vacuoles, which stained positive with oil red O. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells co-expressed vimentin and cytokeratin. Electron microscopy demonstrated tumor cells with tight junctions, microvilli, and numerous intracytoplasmic lipid droplets. These findings are consistent with a lipid-rich form of mesothelioma, which should be considered as a differential diagnosis if lipid vacuoles are present in potentially neoplastic cells in equine abdominocentesis samples.