Surgical removal of neck tumor in dog- A case study

Dr.Munish Julka   Rural Veterinary Officer  Civil veterinary hospital Saroopwali,

Introduction

    Canine tumors can present in a wide variety of different areas on a dog, just as with humans. Some tumor locations are more common than others, including cancer of the mouth and tumors on the face or neck. Cancer tumors can also develop inside the nose or throat. Some tumors in a dog's neck and face are completely harmless and benign, while others are malignant and in danger of spreading (Nelson).                                                                                                    

Case description

 A 2-year-old dog was presented with a history of mass at neck that became large within 2-3 months. On physical examination by palpation revealed tenderness of mass. With the consent of owner it was decided to surgically remove the mass from the neck.    
                   

                                                                            fig.1

                                                                             fig.2

                                                                            fig.3

                                                                          fig.4

Surgical procedure        

After a routine pre-operative fasting, general anaesthesia was given to the animal by injecting atropine sulphate @0.04 mg/kg b.wt S/C, 2ml dexamethasone I/M, xylazine @2 mg /kg b.wt and ketamine @10 mg/kg b.wt was given intramusculary. Surgical site was aseptically prepared (Fig 1), a large incision was made and a large mass connected with the neck was identified. The tumorous mass was excised from the neck. The mass (Fig 2) was kept for histopathological examination. The muscular layer was sutured and finally the skin was sutured with silk thread (Fig 3). Animal was recovered from anaesthesia after 45 mins.
                                          Post operative treatment with Inj. ceftriaxone-500mg b.i.d, Inj-meloxicam-2ml, Inj-b-complex-2 ml was given for 5 days. No complications were observed at operation and over ten days postoperatively. Sutures were removed after ten days of surgery. Animal starts normal feeding within 2 days from the surgery. The dog was reassessed at two months after surgery.  

Discussion and Conclusions

Some animals have a genetic susceptibility to certain diseases, particularly tumour (Baldwin, 1992). A successful recovery in the short term was observed following surgery. No metastasis of tumour tissue was observed over the next two months post surgery. Surgery has long been considered as the primary option for the vast majority of solid tumors.

Surgical Removal of Proud Flesh

Dr. Munish Julka

Rural Veterinary Officer

Civil Veterinary Hospital Saroopwali, Block-Batala, Distt. Gurdaspur

Introduction

Proud Flesh is the excessive growth of fibroblastic cells with vascular tissues leading to denser fibrotic tissues called Granulation Tissue. For wound healing, fibroblastic cells are necessary to fill in for lost tissue to the level just below the epidermis. If Granulation Tissue forms in excessive amount above the level of epidermis, the wound will not heal or defects in the skin or scar tissue (Proud Flesh) may persists.

Case History

A Holstein Friesian Cross female cow was presented in Civil Veterinary Hospital, Saroopwali with a history of fibroblastic growth on the left hock joint from last 4 months.

 Before Treatment

Closer View

Treatment and Discussions

Animal was restrained and casted. The site was prepared for surgery. Infiltration Anaesthesia Lignocaine 2% was administrated around the site. An Eliptical incision was given to remove the Fibrotic Tissue. Then the wound was left open for healing.

Inj. Intacef (Ceftriaxone) – 3g i/m, Inj. Melonex – 15ml i/m, Inj. Tribivet – 10ml i/m was administrated to the animal for 5 days. Ointment Himax was localy applied over the wound for 12 days. The wound was healed almost in 4 weeks.

Proud Flesh commonly occurs in wounds of horses at or below the knee or hock because this area of the leg consists of little muscle tissues and is mainly comprised of bone, ligaments and tendons. Consiquently, the skin is less likely to stretch over the wound. The cause of Proud Flesh is foreign material from the initial injury that may be still in the wound or  contaminants from the environment. Some disinfectants may also inhibit wound healing and promotes Proud Flesh.

After Treatment

Ascites in Dogs - Case Report

Ascites in Dog - Case Report 

Dr. Munish Julka

Rural Veterinary Officer

Civil Veterinary Hospital Saroopwali, Block-Batala, Distt. Gurdaspur

Ascites is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. The volume of the fluid can be quite subtle, or it may be significant causing distention of the abdomen. Ascites has many causes, most of which can be very serious. Ascites is caused by leakage of fluid into the abdomen from blood vessels, lymphatics, internal organs.

Case History and Clinical Examination

A three year old male Rottweiler Dog was brought to Civil Veterinary Hospital, Saroopwali, Distt. Gurdaspur, Punjab. Dog was off fed from last four days and according to the owner the water intake by the dog increased excessively and there is also frequent micturation. On physical examination there was enlargement of the abdomen and on taping the abdomen there was undulating movements (Thrills) of the fluid. The eyes were sunken, rectal temperature was 101*F. Laboured respiration and Tachycardia was observed. Blood Test revealed Hb – 7g/dL, DLC – N 78,  L 19, M 3, TLC – 5500/cumm, BUN 168.97mg/dL (Normal 9 – 27 mg/dL), Creatinine 4.06mg/dL (Normal 0.6 – 1.2 mg/dL), TP – 3.6 g/dL, ALT- 55.37 U/L (Normal 15 – 84 U/L), AST - 27.7 U/L (Normal 20 – 70 U/L).

 

       

Treatment

Inj. Roscillin (Ampicillin – Ranbaxy) at the dose rate of 7mg/kg b.wt was administered intramuscularly. Inj. Lasix (Aventis) – 2ml Bid was given along with B-Complex Inj. Tribivet (Intas) – 2ml. Inj. D5 – 200ml slow Iv. Orally: Syrup Health up – 1 t.s.f BID and Syrup Heam up – 1 t.s.f BID, Eazypet (Intas) 3 – Tabs, Protein-X 2 t.s.f. Paracentesis was done to remove extra fluid from the abdomen. From 3^rd day onwards the abdominal distension decreases in size and feed intake started improving.

Discussions

As kidney functions declines the dog retains Ammonia, Nitrogen, Acids and other Chemical Wastes in his blood. This is called Uremia. The degree of Uremia is determined by measuring serum blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Creatinine. Signs of Uremia are apathy, depression, loss of appetite and weight. A dry coat with ammonical odour from breath. With Nephrotic Syndrome the dog develops Ascites and Edema along with vomiting. Treating Kidney failure includes restriction of salt intake, this helps to prevent Edema, Ascites and Hypertension. It is extremely important to provide fresh water all the time as dog must take enough to compensate the urine output.

Intravenous Catheterization Techniques & Taping Procedure

Introduction

I.V. (Intravenous) Catheters:

1. Used extensively in sick pets or pets about to be anesthetized.

2. Allow administration of medication directly into the venous system

    Rapid distribution to the whole body. 
    Medication acts faster and is more controllable.

3. Placement of catheter requires technical skill and knowledge.

4. As in small or dehydrated pets

    The veins in these pets are small and damage easily.

Catheter Principles:

• Because the catheter is introduced directly into the venous system, it must be placed in an aseptic manner. 
• Catheter should be replaced after 3 days in order to minimize the chance of infection. 

I.V. catheters are usually placed in one of three veins: 

Cephalic Vein:
This is by far the most common vein to use. It runs along the top of the foreleg of dogs and cats. 

Jugular vein:
This vein is in the neck. A catheter placed in this vein allows longer term use and the ability to give larger volumes of medication with different viscosity's.

Saphenous: 
This vein is on the back legs. It is mostly used when the cephalic.

Placement of a Butterfly Catheter 

Butterfly catheters have a steel needle (a) attached to flexible plastic wings (b) and a short piece of extension tubing (c). A 3 way stopcock (d) is attached to the catheter in this slide but is not used when the butterfly catheter is placed IV.

Cephalic Vein (View 1)

Cephalic Vein (View 2)

Cephalic Vein (View 3)

The needle is inserted into the vein to the level of the plastic wings. Notice that the catheter has been placed at the junction of the cephalic vein with the accessory cephalic vein. 

Taping Procedure

Puncture the skin and vein in one swift movement.

As the needle is removed, blood will flow from the catheter at this time the holder should remove their thumb from the dorsum of the leg.

• After the stylette is removed, an injection cap is placed and the catheter is flushed well with saline or heparinized saline, to assure patency. 
• Dry the leg and the catheter with gauze before applying tape.

Using a piece of tape ~ 1.5 times the circumference of the leg, make a longitudinal tear about 5 cm long.

Fold one of the narrow pieces, sticky side to the sticky side, onto the untorn part of the tape.

Place the thin piece of tape, sticky side up, under the catheter.

Wrap the wide piece of the tape around the leg.

Saphenous Vein

View 1

Notice the venipuncturist has placed thumb adjacent to the vein to  stabilize it. 

Placement of a Jugular Catheter 

Materials required are shown in the picture.

• A jugular catheter can be placed with the patient in sternal recumbency, with the neck extended upwards or in lateral recumbency. 
• Digital pressure is applied at the thoracic inlet to cause the jugular vein to distend with blood. 

Jugular Catheter

The pictures below shows placement of a jugular catheter using an Intracath. 

The needle guard is folded over the needle like a clamshell. 

• The tip of the needle (a) is within the needle guard so the needle does not lacerate the catheter.
• The wire stylet (a) is removed, Make sure that the hub of the catheter (b) is firmly locked into the hub of the needle (c) when the stylet is removed.

Gauze square under the catheter.

Venipuncture of the Cat

Jugular Vein

• A canvas or nylon, zippered bag can be used to restrain a cat for jugular venipuncture or catheter placement. Some bags have multiple zippers to allow access to limbs.
• The cat is held in dorsal recumbancy.
• Place a finger in the thoracic inlet to impair venous return from the head and cause the vein to distend with blood.

Medial Sephanous Vein

• The same techniques for placing cephalic and jugular catheters as described for the dog, are applicable to the cat.
• The medial saphenous vein of the cat has a long straight course and is very superficial. The red arrows point to the vein.
• The cat is restrained in lateral recumbancy. The holder applies pressure in the inguinal region to occlude venous return and cause the vein to engorge with blood.

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