The safety and efficacy of intra-incisional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the management of incompletely resected malignant spindle cell tumours of extremities was evaluated in six dogs. After marginal surgery, the dogs underwent weekly intra-incisional 5-FU for a minimum of six cycles. Treatment was well tolerated by all dogs, with no systemic adverse effects and only one episode of local cutaneous hyperpigmentation, which completely and spontaneously resolved. Median follow-up for all the dogs was 546 days (mean 619; range 297-1207). At the date of analysis, four dogs were still alive with no evidence of local recurrence, and two dogs had died as a result of their disease. The cause of death was development of distant metastases in one dog and tumour regrowth in the other. Despite the small sample size, this study documents that intra-incisional 5-FU chemotherapy is a safe and efficacious adjuvant treatment in the case of incompletely resected malignant spindle cell tumours in dogs and that long disease control can be achieved.

The aim of this prospective study was to characterise patient characteristics and the histories of cats with acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis (ANS), and to describe the use of a removable silicone stent for treatment. ANS was diagnosed in 15 cats with clinical signs present for a median of 4 months. Clinical signs included stertor and inspiratory difficulty, nasal discharge, sneezing, dysphagia, regurgitation, vomiting and anorexia. Radiographs revealed a dorsal deviation or deformation of the caudal part of the soft palate in 10 of the cats, a soft tissue density across the cranial nasopharynx in four and no abnormality in one. The stenosis was initially dilated with a Kelly forceps in 10 of the cats and by balloon dilatation in five. A segment of a 24 Fr silicone thoracic catheter was used for the stent in five cats; in the other 10 cats a segment of a 28 Fr catheter was used. The stent was removed after 3 weeks in 12 cats and after 4 weeks in the other three. Endoscopy revealed an adequate nasopharyngeal diameter in all of the cats. At both 3 and 10 months after surgery the response was considered to be satisfactory, with complete resolution of clinical signs in 14 cats and improvement in the remaining cat. The treatment of ANS by stenosis dilatation followed by temporary stenting with a silicone stent is a rapid, safe, economical and effective procedure.