A carcinoid is a rare neoplasm derived from neuroendocrine cells that may arise in the hepatobiliary system. This report described two cases of carcinoid of the gallbladder in dogs, with emphasis on the clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical aspects. Case 1 was a 10-year-old female Shih Tzu, with a history of prostration and occasional episodes of diarrhea and vomiting. Case 2 was a 10-year-old male Cocker Spaniel, with a history of diarrhea and abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasonography suggested a neoplasm of the gallbladder in both cases. The dogs underwent cholecystectomy, and 10% formalin-fixed samples were sent for pathological examination. Histologically, a neoplastic proliferation of neuroendocrine cells was observed in the gallbladder submucosa of both cases. Immunohistochemical labeling for neuroendocrine antibodies, such as synaptophysin, neuron-specific enolase and chromogranin A, confirmed the diagnoses. Carcinoid of the gallbladder is a rare neoplasm in dogs, without specific clinical signs, but should be included in the differential diagnosis of lesions that affect this organ.

Lung diseases are common in small animal clinical routine. Diagnosis is usually affected due to nonspecific symptoms. Imaging features such as radiography and chest ultrasound are acceptable screening tests, although lung biopsy can provides a precise diagnosis. Thus thoracoscopy provides a minimally invasive diagnostic assessment for chest diseases and offers the benefits such as improved illumination and magnification of the image when compared with thoracotomy. In this study we evaluated the transdiaphragmatic thoracoscopic-assisted techniques of lung biopsy with a the guillotine cutting needle and biopsy forceps, in dogs presenting radiographic suspicion on pulmonary tumors. Fourteen dogs regardless of breed, gender, age and body weight admitted at the Hospital of Veterinary Clinics (HCV) of the Veterinary College (FAVET) of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), were assessed. Inclusion criteria were presence of nodules on chest radiography and triage tests without changes that could hinder general anesthesia and surgical approach. The animals were positioned in dorsal recumbence and two thoracoscopic ports were established: the first port for working instruments; the second paraxyphoid port for the telescope. Three samples were collected using each sampling method from each lesion or from tumors macroscopically similar whenever their size was less than one centimeter. The samples were sent for histopathological examination in the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory of FAVET/UFRGS. Surgical time was recorded from first incision to wound closure and surgical complications were reported. The dogs were evaluated for the presence of subcutaneous emphysema, hematoma, seroma, local infection and dehiscence. No conversion to open surgery was necessary during the thoracoscopic procedure in any patient. Thoracoscopic assisted biopsy using guillotine needle and biopsy forceps was a safe and fast technique, without perioperative complications. Both devices provided good quality samples for histopathological analysis of lung abnormalities. However the cutting guillotine needle was more efficient especially in larger pulmonary nodules. The transdiaphragmatic access provided optimal approach for both hemithoraces.

This paper aimed to determine arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), end-expired CO2 pressure (ETCO2), and the difference between arterial and end-expired CO2 pressure (Pa - ETCO2) in prepubescent and adult bitches undergoing videolaparoscopic or conventional ovariohyterectomy (OH). Forty bitches were randomly assigned to four groups: Conventional Adult (CA), Conventional Pediatric (CP), Videolaparoscopic Adult (VA) and Videolaparoscopic Pediatric (VP). Pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR), systolic, mean, and diastolic arterial pressures (SAP, MAP, DAP), ETCO2, peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), pH, arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), PaCO2, base excess (BE) and HCO3 - were measured. Based on the PaCO2 and ETCO2 values, Pa-ETCO2 was determined. There was no significant difference in PaCO2 between the VA (42.5±5.2 to 53.7±5.2) and VP (48.4±5.4 to55.4±5.7) groups. During the postoperative period, all groups presented with hypertension. However, mild hypertension (SAP 150 to 159mmHg) was observed in the VP group as compared to severe hypertension (SAP>180mmHg) in the CA group, suggesting that both the age range and videolaparoscopic OH are associated with lower levels of hypertension during the postoperative period in dogs.