The aim of our study was to investigate histopathologically the incidence of gastrointestinal tract tumours in dogs in the Czech Republic in relation to their age, sex and breed. In total, 29 gastric and 45 intestinal tumours from 3827 gastrointestinal tract biopsies were investigated. The average age of dogs with gastric lymphoma, adenocarcinoma, and other mesenchymal tumours was 7.3 years, 9.5 years, and > 10 years, respectively. Breed predisposition to adenocarcinoma was evidenced in the Belgian Shepherd and Leonberger, to lymphoma in the Doberman (P < 0.01). The most frequent site of adenocarcinoma was antrum pyloricum (66.7%); lymphomas involved gastric wall diffusely. The average age of dogs with intestinal adenoma, adenocarcinoma, lymphoma, leiomyoma or leiomyosarcoma and carcinoid was 7.5, 8.5, 8.5, 12, and 14 years, respectively. The age predisposition to intestinal adenoma and lymphoma was 7-8 years (P < 0.01) and to adenocarcinoma 7-8 years (P < 0.05); mesenchymal tumours occurred at the age of 11-12 years (P < 0.01). Breed predisposition to intestinal adenoma was evidenced in the Pug, Leonberger and English Setter (P < 0.01), to adenocarcinoma in the English Setter (P < 0.01) and Hovawart (P < 0.05), to lymphoma in the Doberman and Hovawart (P < 0.05). The most frequent site of occurrence of intestinal tumours was the colorectal region. The study revealing breed, sex and age predisposition to gastrointestinal tumours in dogs has not been described yet in the literature.

Case summaryA 3-year-old male, neutered, domestic shorthair cat with a history of chronic regurgitation since being obtained as a kitten was presented for weight loss and regurgitation of all ingested food. The cat was in poor body condition and had a firm swelling in the ventral neck at the time of presentation. Thoracic radiographs showed severe dilation of the entire cervical and cranial intrathoracic esophagus to the level of the heart base. Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) showed a persistent right aortic arch with an aberrant left subclavian artery and severe dilation of the cervical and intrathoracic esophagus cranial to the heart base. CTA also showed a bicarotid trunk and Kommerell’s diverticulum to be present, which are rare vascular structures in the cat. Esophagoscopy showed esophageal dilation and multiple compact trichobezoars obstructing the esophagus. Removal of the obstructing trichobezoars resulted in resolution of clinical signs, and the cat was able to drink water and eat a canned food slurry without regurgitation. Surgical correction was not pursued.Relevance and novel informationVascular ring anomaly (VRA) should be considered in all cats with a history of regurgitation, regardless of their age at the time of presentation. CTA is a valuable diagnostic imaging procedure that allows differentiation of a VRA from other causes of esophageal obstruction and provides information about the VRA that can be used to determine amenability to surgical correction.

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Background Available data on the effect of gastrointestinal motility‐modifying drugs in cats are limited. Most recommendations for drug usage and dosage are based on collective clinical experience. Objectives To assess the effects of metoclopramide, erythromycin, and exenatide on gastric emptying (GE) and gastric motility in comparison to placebo. We hypothesized that metoclopramide and erythromycin would have prokinetic gastric effects, whereas exenatide would prolong GE times and decrease the motility index (MI) of antral contractions. Animals Eight healthy domestic shorthair cats. Methods Each cat had 4 separate ultrasonographic assessments. In a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, 4‐way crossover design, cats received placebo, metoclopramide, erythromycin, or exenatide for 2 days followed by a minimum 5‐day washout period. Ultrasonographic GE times and MI were compared to placebo. Results When compared to placebo, the rate of GE was significantly faster after administration of metoclopramide and erythromycin. Significant differences were found at all fractions of GE after administration of erythromycin and all but 1 fraction after metoclopramide when compared to placebo. The rate of GE in the first half of the GE curve was significantly slower after exenatide administration. The total area under the Ml curve was significantly larger after administration of metoclopramide and erythromycin than after placebo. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Metoclopramide and erythromycin shorten GE times and increase the MI of antral contractions, thus having a prokinetic effect in the stomach of healthy cats, whereas exenatide causes an initial delay in GE.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was isolated from three dogs with lower urinary tract disorders. The bacterium was cultured from bladder wall biopsy specimens obtained during cystoscopy, whereas urine culture was negative in all cases. The culture of biopsy specimens is useful and may help with the therapy even if diagnosis of the primary disease has been made.

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BackgroundThe prevalence of gastric emptying (GE) disorders in cats is unknown due to lack of clinically applicable diagnostic tests.ObjectivesThe principal aim of this study was to assess correlation between scintigraphic and ultrasonographic measurements of GE time (GET) in healthy cats. Additionally, variability of ultrasonographic GET, and correlation between scintigraphy and ultrasonographic parameters of gastric motility were evaluated.AnimalsEight healthy domestic shorthair cats.MethodsProspective study. Scintigraphic GET was determined using a solid test meal containing 4 mCi 99mTc‐mebrofenin. Each cat had 3 separate ultrasonographic assessments of GE, performed independent of scintigraphic assessment, after solid test meal consumption. The motility index (MI) of antral contractions was plotted against time and time for each fraction of the area under the MI curve determined. Ultrasonographic GET and MI were correlated to scintigraphic GET.ResultsScintigraphic GET (mean ± SD) for 25, 50, and 75% GE was 103 ± 32 minutes, 196 ± 45 minutes, and 288 ± 62 minutes, whereas sonographic GET for 25, 50, and 75% GE was 106 ± 13 minutes, 203 ± 19 minutes, and 305 ± 27 minutes. There was good correlation between scintigraphic and sonographic GET (r = 0.72–0.82) at 45–90% fractional GE and between scintigraphic GET and time of corresponding MI curve fraction (r = 0.78–0.86) at 40–90% fraction of the MI curve. There was moderate intraindividual variability for sonographic GET and MI curve fraction times as well as significant variation among individuals.Conclusions and clinical importanceUltrasonography is a valid alternative to scintigraphy for assessment of solid‐phase GE and allows assessment of postprandial gastric motility in healthy cats.