Platelet lysate (PL) is an attractive platelet-based therapeutic tool and has shown promise as xeno-free replacement for fetal bovine serum (FBS) in human and equine mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) culture. Here, we established a scalable buffy-coat-based protocol for canine PL (cPL) production (n = 12). The cPL was tested in canine adipose MSC (n = 5) culture compared to FBS. For further comparison, equine adipose MSC (n = 5) were cultured with analogous equine PL (ePL) or FBS. During canine blood processing, platelet and transforming growth factor-β1 concentrations increased (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001), while white blood cell concentrations decreased (p < 0.05). However, while equine MSC showed good results when cultured with 10% ePL, canine MSC cultured with 2.5% or 10% cPL changed their morphology and showed decreased metabolic activity (p < 0.05). Apoptosis and necrosis in canine MSC were increased with 2.5% cPL (p < 0.05). Surprisingly, passage 5 canine MSC showed less genetic aberrations after culture with 10% cPL than with FBS. Our data reveal that using analogous canine and equine biologicals does not entail the same results. The buffy-coat-based cPL was not adequate for canine MSC culture, but may still be useful for therapeutic applications.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine differences in normal feline pituitary dimensions in brachycephalic and mesocephalic cats as a basis for establishing cryohypophysectomy in cats. Methods: Measurements were performed on sagittal T2-weighted and transverse post-gadolinium T1-weighted or T1 3D fast field echo-weighted MRI images. A total of 32 brachycephalic and 27 mesocephalic cats were examined. Inter-observer reproducibility was assessed by t -test and Bland–Altman analysis. Results: The cats were 0.6–15.9 years of age with a body weight range of 1.84–6.60 kg. For brachycephalic cats, the mean pituitary gland sagittal height was 2.15 ± 0.15 mm, pituitary gland transverse height was 2.42 ± 0.21 mm, pituitary gland transverse width was 4.44 ± 0.27 mm and pituitary gland sagittal length was 3.14 ± 0.30 mm. In mesocephalic cats, the pituitary gland dimensions were 2.94 ± 0.16 mm, 3.09 ± 0.26 mm, 4.73 ± 0.31 mm and 4.88 ± 0.30 mm for pituitary gland sagittal height, transverse height, transverse width and sagittal length, respectively. There was a highly significant correlation between brachycephalic and mesocephalic cats and pituitary gland height and length ( P <0.0001), respectively. Sex also had an effect on pituitary gland measurements. Neutering status had no significant effect on hypophyseal measurements. Age had a significant influence on pituitary gland height, width and length in the brachycephalic population. Inter-observer reproducibility was good to excellent. Conclusions and relevance: The different pituitary measurements in brachycephalic and mesocephalic cats has to be considered if surgery comes into question. There are ranges in pituitary gland sizes, even among the mesocephalic cat population. Thus, exact measuring of the pituitary gland is crucial before any surgical intervention.

Zusammenfassung: Bei einer Hündin mit unspezifischer Symptomatik, sonographischen Veränderungen (hyperechogenes Gewebe) im mittleren Abdomen sowie einer mittelgradigen systemischen Entzündungsreaktion bei der Blutuntersuchung zeigte sich bei der Laparotomie eine peritoneale larvale Zestodose (PLZ). Die Diagnose einer Infektion mit Tetrathyridien einer Mesocestoides-Art wurde durch eine parasitologische und molekularbiologische Untersuchung bestätigt. Eine Reduktion der Parasiten durch Bauchhöhlenspülung sowie die hochdosierte Behandlung mit Fenbendazol über 3 Monate führte zu einem Therapieerfolg, der sich anhand zurückgehender sonographischer Veränderungen sowie abfallender Konzentrationen des C-reaktiven Proteins (CRP) nachweisen ließ. Sieben Monate nach Absetzen der Fenbendazol-Therapie kam es zu einem Rezidiv mit Wiederanstieg der CRP-Konzentration, sodass gemäß Empfehlung in der Literatur eine lebenslange Fenbendazol-Therapie gestartet wurde. Differenzialdiagnostisch muss bei Hunden mit Hinweisen auf chronisch granulomatöse Entzündungen im Abdomen eine PLZ in Betracht gezogen werden. Die CRP-Konzentration und sonographische Untersuchungen eignen sich zur Überprüfung des Therapieerfolgs und zur Kontrolle hinsichtlich eines Rezidivs.

Objectives: The aims of the second part of this retrospective multicentre study were to describe the surgical techniques used in the treatment of common calcaneal tendon (CCT) injuries, and evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes and complications. Methods: The medical records of five different small animal referral centres and veterinary teaching hospitals between 2010 and 2020 were reviewed. Surgical vs conservative treatment was evaluated. Treatment type, type of postoperative immobilisation, and short- and long-term outcomes and complications were recorded. Minor complications were defined as not requiring surgical intervention. Long-term outcome was evaluated by an owner questionnaire. Results: Sixty-six cats met the inclusion criteria. Mean time to surgery was 9.6 days (range 0–185). Most cats (83.3%) were treated surgically. Regardless of treatment modality, all limbs were immobilised for a mean time of 48.2 days (range 2–98). For 63 cats that had the temporary tarsal joint immobilisation technique recorded, a transarticular external skeletal fixator (ESF; 57.1%) or a calcaneotibial screw (33.3%) were used most commonly. The method of immobilisation had a notable, although non-significant, influence on the occurrence of short-term complications, with most complications being reported for the transarticular ESF group. The total short-term complication rate was 41.3%, the minor complication rate was 33.3% and the major complication rate was 7.9%, with pin tract infections being the most commonly occurring minor complication. Three cats (6%) had a total of four major complications over the long term. Most cats (86%) were free of lameness at the long-term evaluation, with an overall successful clinical long-term outcome of 84.9%, according to the owner questionnaire. Cats with traumatic injuries and injuries treated surgically had higher questionnaire scores than those with atraumatic injuries and those treated conservatively. Conclusions and relevance: Outcome was generally good in cats with CCT injury, irrespective of the type of treatment. Complications included a high proportion of minor complications associated with the technique of tarsal joint immobilisation. ESF frames were more commonly involved in complications than other techniques. Surgically treated cats had a slightly better long-term outcomes.

Two dogs were referred because of dysuria following inadvertent iatrogenic total prostatectomy and urethrectomy. In both cases an existing perineal hernia was not recognized by the referring veterinarians and the caudally herniated prostate gland was diagnosed as a perianal neoplasia and subsequently removed. Both dogs were treated with isolation of the urinary bladder from the urethra and a permanent prepubic cystostomy tube.

A 3-year-old, intact female mixed-breed dog, weighing 7 kg, was presented with generalised swelling of the tongue, leading to impaired deglutition and episodes of dyspnoea. From the age of 2 years the dog had been under immunosuppressive therapy due to atopic dermatitis. Multiple nodular lesions at the apex of the tongue were noted as well as mandibular and retropharyngeal lymph node enlargement. Serum biochemistry results showed inflammatory changes. The results of several biopsies taken over 7 months indicated persistent pyogranulomatous and necrotising glossitis despite ongoing antimicrobial treatment with first amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and then pradofloxacin. No foreign material, acid-fast bacteria or fungal hyphae were detected throughout. The final diagnosis of Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis (Mah) was reached after PCR and bacterial culture were carried out on the third biopsy sample. Therapy was initiated with rifampicin, clarithromycin and doxycycline, leading to complete remission of the lesions. Severe chronic pyogranulomatous and necrotising glossitis associated with infection by Mah. This report describes challenges in the diagnosis and therapy of a localised Mah infection in an iatrogenically immunocompromised dog. Successful treatment was only achieved with a specific combination of antibiotics administered long-term.