Table of Contents and Abstracts

The objective of this study was to evaluate the mid- to long-term outcomes of surgical treatment for middle ear cholesteatoma in French bulldogs. A retrospective case series was conducted, reviewing medical records of 18 French bulldogs (20 ears) diagnosed with cholesteatoma and treated surgically from 2018 to 2023. Clinical presentation, imaging findings, surgical approach, histopathological and microbiological results, postoperative complications, and long-term outcomes, assessed through telephone follow-ups, were analyzed. The most common clinical signs were head tilt (80%) and facial nerve deficits (70%). Otitis media was present in all cases and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was the primary imaging modality for initial diagnosis (90%). All dogs underwent either subtotal or standard ear canal ablation–lateral bulla osteotomy (TECA-LBO). Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was the most frequently isolated pathogen in positive cultures (85%). Long-term follow-ups showed clinical improvement in all cases, with complete recovery in 40% and a recurrence in 10% of treated ears. These findings suggest that dogs undergoing surgical treatment for aural cholesteatoma experience long-term clinical improvement, although recurrence and persistent clinical signs remain possible.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the sedative effects, propofol requirements, and cardiorespiratory effects following maropitant administration in healthy cats. Maropitant is a selective neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist licensed for use as an antiemetic in dogs and cats. Recent studies have highlighted the ability of maropitant to reduce inhalational anesthetic requirements during surgery from presumptive analgesic effects. Sedative properties of maropitant and its possible reduction of injectable anesthetic requirements have not yet been evaluated. Twenty adult purpose-bred domestic shorthair cats were randomized to receive maropitant (n = 10) or physiologic saline (n = 10) prior to anesthetic induction with propofol intravenously (IV). Cats were premedicated with butorphanol [0.4 mg/kg body weight (BW)] and alfaxalone [2 mg/kg BW intramuscularly (IM)]. Maropitant (1 mg/kg BW) or physiologic saline (0.1 mL/kg BW) was administered IV 10 min prior to anesthetic induction with propofol and subsequent orotracheal intubation. Sedation scores were recorded before premedication, after premedication, and 10 min after maropitant or saline administration. Propofol dose requirements to achieve orotracheal intubation were recorded. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and arterial blood pressures were measured before and after administration of maropitant or saline, after administration of propofol, and following intubation. Propofol dose requirements did not differ between groups, with mean ± standard deviation doses of 5.2 ± 2.1 mg/kg BW and 5.6 ± 1.3 mg/kg BW for maropitant and saline groups, respectively. Sedation scores and cardiorespiratory variables did not differ between groups at any timepoint. Maropitant administration prior to anesthetic induction with propofol did not affect sedation scores, propofol requirements, or cardiorespiratory variables.

Companion animals are more and more mobile and global translocation of parasites and other pathogens is increasingly recognized as a risk to animal and human health, as well as to international trade. Canadian regulations for importation of pets are lax, with only rabies vaccination and basic health documentation required. Pathogens, including the zoonotic parasites Echinococcus and Leishmania, as well as drug-resistant strains of parasites currently at low prevalence in Canada, such as canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) and hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum), are inadvertently imported along with pets. The objective of this article is to provide a timely review of the current regulatory situation in Canada, describe recent examples of foreign animal pathogens, including drug-resistant parasites, being brought into Canada, and provide expert opinions on both risks and mitigation measures associated with the introduction of non-endemic companion animal parasites. There is now a higher risk of establishment due to climate change, which endangers local domestic and wild animals and triggers costly, long-term public and animal health interventions. Canadian veterinarians are increasingly faced with new challenges due to imported animals, including diagnosis and management of non-endemic diseases. We call for tighter mandates for importation of companion animals to Canada, including pre-travel screening of pets for local diseases of concern, treatment with a broad-spectrum antiparasitic just prior to relocation, and follow-up testing to detect drug resistance, as well as improved traceability of imported animals, and educational campaigns for owners and rescue organizations. These measures will ultimately reduce the burden on veterinarians, responsible pet owners, and reputable rescue organizations.

The distal sesamoidean impar ligament (DSIL) is a key component of the equine podotrochlear apparatus, yet its role in conditions such as caudal heel pain and navicular syndrome remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to characterize the histological properties of the DSIL and evaluate how it is influenced by breed and age. Eighty-four cadaveric forelimb DSIL samples were collected from young, athletic Quarter horses (QHs), Thoroughbreds (TBs), and older, retired Quarter horses. Samples were stained and assessed for vessel size and count, number of nerve fascicles, and the relative density of collagen and adipose tissue. Data were analyzed using general linear models and Kruskal-Wallis tests for continuous variables and Poisson regression for count data, with significance set at P < 0.05. The number of vessels in the DSIL was significantly higher in both young TBs and QHs compared to older QHs (P < 0.0001). In addition, TB horses had a higher vessel count than QHs (P < 0.0001). These findings underscore the DSIL’s rich vascularity and its potential role in supporting the navicular bone. Histological characteristics of the DSIL appear to be influenced by both age and breed, offering insights relevant to the pathogenesis of navicular disease.