Sternal Abnormalities on Thoracic Radiographs of Dogs and Cats.

Animals (Basel). April 2023;13(7):.

Dirk H N van den Broek¹, Siemone C Vester², Mauricio Tobón Restrepo³, Stefanie Veraa⁴

¹ Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.; ² Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.; ³ Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.; ⁴ Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Abstract

Evaluation of the sternum is part of the routine examination of small animal thoracic radiographs. However, descriptions on frequency and type of abnormalities are lacking. This retrospective observational study aimed to describe abnormal radiographic findings of the sternum in a cross-section of client-owned dogs and cats undergoing thoracic radiography between 1 January 2019 and 1 January 2021 for reasons unrelated to diseases of the sternum. The study population consisted of 777 dogs (mean age, 7.3 ± 3.9 years) and 183 cats (mean age, 7.3 ± 5.1 years). Sternal abnormalities were observed in 189/777 (24%) dogs and 53/183 (29%) cats, mostly around the intersternebral cartilages, accounting for 32/80 (40%) dogs and 20/35 (57%) cats. This was followed by an abnormal number of sternal segments (8% dogs, range 3-9 sternebrae; 15% cats, range 7-9 sternebra). Pectus excavatum was observed in 6/777 (0.8%) dogs and 6/183 (3%) cats, and pectus carinatum in 18/777 (2%) dogs and 2/183 (1%) cats. Post-traumatic changes, such as subluxation, were observed in nine dogs (1.1%) and three cats (1.6%). Presumed prostatic carcinoma metastasis and malignant lymphoma were observed in two dogs (0.2%). Incidental radiographic sternal abnormalities are common in cats and dogs but mostly of unknown clinical relevance.

Keywords

companion animals; dislocation; malformation; osteoarthrosis; pectus carinatum; pectus excavatum; vacuum phenomenon;

Article Tools:

Medline

Email to me

Archives Highlights:

Human Injuries Associated with the Transport of Horses by Road.
There were 112/1067 (10.5%) handlers injured while preparing (13/112), loading (39/112), traveling (6/112), or unloading (33/112). Of these, 40% had multiple injury types, and 33% had several body regions affected. Hand injuries were most common (46%), followed by the foot (25%), arm (17%), and head or face (15%). Median recovery time was 7 days.

Understanding the Role of Therapy Dogs in Human Health Promotion.
Therapy dog programmes are delivered across a variety of settings including hospitals, aged care facilities and mental health services, highlighting the important role they play in human health outcomes. Research has shown that that there are biomarkers for stress in humans and other animals engaged in human-animal interactions. This review aims to assess the impact of human-animal interactions on therapy dogs engaged in providing support to human health.

Quality assessment and characterization of unregulated antiviral drugs for feline infectious peritonitis: implications for treatment, safety, and efficacy.
Some of the GS-441524 vials were 10% to 25% more concentrated than advertised, but most of the GS-441524 samples tested were similar in purity and composition, both between batches and between brands. We also tested 5 vials of GC376 and found that 1 of the 5 vials contained GS-441524 rather than GC376 and the other 4 vials contained molnupiravir. GC376 is used in cats that are unresponsive to GS-441524, and use of the wrong antiviral can cause serious side effects. We provide suggested methods for distinguishing one drug from the other in new batches.

Fibroblastic osteosarcoma in a guinea pig (Cavia porcellus)
The patient presented a hard mass in the right hind limb extending from the proximal portion of the femur, projecting caudally to the proximal tuberosity of the calcaneus, with an increase in temperature, and a marked increase in sensitivity. Disarticulation was performed.

Neoplasms in Domestic Ruminants and Swine: A Systematic Literature Review.
In all species, the most frequent neoplasms were squamous cell carcinomas in ruminants, while melanoma was the most frequent in swine.