Intra-thoracic pyogranulomatous disease in four working dogs

Seasonality and risk factors for grass seed foreign bodies in dogs

Grass seed foreign bodies (GSFBs) are a familiar presentation, especially in dogs, associated with a variety of clinical signs depending on site of penetration and extent of migration. Seasonality and risk factors for GSFB occurrence were investigated using electronic health records from a sentinel voluntary network of 245 veterinary practices in the United Kingdom between 17th March 2014 and 18th September 2020. Clinical narrative text mining of 4,580,503 canine consultations produced a final case dataset of 1,037 consultations where GSFBs had been recorded in individual dogs. Cases of GSFBs were recorded in all months, with 940 (90.6 %) recorded between June and September. In particular, the odds of GSFBs in July was almost 176 times more than that of January (Odds ratio, OR, 175.6, 95 % Confidence interval, CI, 43.5-707.7, P < 0.001). Compared to the retriever breed type, spaniel breed types were 7.7 times more likely to present with a GSFB (CI 5.4-11.0, P < 0.001). Other significant risk factors associated with recorded GSFBs for this population included being male (OR = 1.4, CI 1.2-1.6, P < 0.001), and geographical location. When compared to the South East of England, risk was lowest in Wales (OR = 0.1, CI 0.0-0.3, P=<0.001), and highest in the East of England (OR = 1.9, 1.2-2.9, P = 0.003), and overall risk in urban areas was reduced (OR = 0.8, CI 0.7-1.0, P = 0.024). These observations provide a number of areas for temporally targeted health campaigns at specific types of dogs, to reduce the impact of GSFBs on canine welfare.

Epidemiological investigation of grass seed foreign body-related disease in dogs of the Riverina District of rural Australia

OBJECTIVE

To characterise disease presentations caused by grass seed foreign body-related disease (GSFBD) in dogs, identify predisposing risk factors and suggest effective prevention strategies.

METHODS

A retrospective, case-control, telephone survey was conducted to obtain information on GSFBD in dogs from the Riverina district of New South Wales (NSW). Additionally, retrospective case records were obtained from Wagga Wagga Veterinary Hospital and Charles Sturt University Veterinary Teaching Hospital over the period July 2006 to October 2011. Signalment, history, investigative strategies, location and severity of lesion(s), cost of therapy, length of hospitalisation, recurrence rate and microbiology data were recorded.

RESULTS

Cases (473 dogs) meeting stringent inclusion criteria were identified. GSFBD comprised 2.0% of hospital presentations. Breeds with high-density coats were overrepresented. Otitis externa was the most common manifestation of GSFBD in the general practice (47%). In the referral practice pyothorax was the most common entity (34%). In both practices the range of clinical manifestations was broad, including a small number of dogs with catastrophic intracranial disease. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses demonstrated dogs with GSFBD had 3-fold greater odds of having medium coats than short coats and 5-fold less odds of being groomed.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Grass seeds are a major cause of disease in the dogs of south-west rural NSW, with presentations ranging from mild lameness to severe neurological disease. Some protection from GSFBD was achieved with frequent grooming. Clipping or coat searching without grooming was ineffective as a prevention strategy.

Pleural Space Disease

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Abnormalities within the pleural space may include pleural effusion, pneumothorax, or space-occupying soft tissue structures (diaphragmatic hernia, neoplasia).

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A diagnostic thoracocentesis may also prove therapeutic in severely affected patients.

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Fluid analysis and cytologic evaluation should always be performed on aspirates from a patient with newly diagnosed pleural effusion of unconfirmed etiology.

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Aerobic and anaerobic culture and susceptibility testing of suppurative effusions are imperative.

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Comparison of pleural fluid and serum triglyceride levels and cholesterol concentrations are necessary to confirm the diagnosis of chylothorax.

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Clinical evidence of cardiovascular shock often precedes dyspnea in patients with hemothorax.

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Tension pneumothorax, regardless of its origin, rapidly may be fatal. Immediate drainage via thoracocentesis or thoracostomy tube placement is required before taking thoracic radiographs.

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Clinical signs of a traumatic diaphragmatic hernia may be delayed; however, early detection and correction are important because perioperative outcome is worse in chronically affected patients.

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Tools such as ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and thoracoscopy are becoming increasingly available to aid in the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of pleural space disease.