Background: Musculoskeletal disorders are a common complaint in veterinary small animal casuistic. Along with fractures, degenerative and of carcinogenic etiology are the most frequent and radiographic lesion pattern at these diseases is relative well defined. However, traumatic lesions, considering its innumerous possibilities, may cause unusual clinical and radiographic signs which will delay diagnosis and consequently, adequate treatment. A case of bone osteolysis caused by a compressive trauma by a rubber band is described with its clinical, laboratorial and radiographic aspects.Case: A 2-year-old female dog was attended at the Veterinary Hospital of the Dom Bosco Catholic University (UCDB), with main complaint being an unresponsive to treatment lesion at the left thoracic limb. At physical examination it was observed lameness of the left thoracic limb with an ulcerative lesion at the palmar surface. At the center of the ulcer a 0.3 cm line shaped yellow object was identified, similar to a rubber band. Traction was made and the object distended 5 cm without breaking nor leaving the injury. Showing signs of discomfort, the patient was then sedated for further manipulation. A blood sample for complete blood count and serum biochemistry was collected and radiographic image of the left carpometacarpal-phalangeal region was acquired. Blood analysis revealed moderate thrombocytopenia with an unremarkable serum biochemistry profile (alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine and urea). It was observed metacarpals with increased radiopacity in bone tissue in the mid-diaphysis topography of the II, III, IV and V metacarpal bones, presence of bone remodeling with radiolucent area and slight bone loss (osteolysis) in the mid-diaphysis associated with discrete sclerosis of the medullary cavity of the II, III and V metacarpals. The patient was submitted to surgery and a 3 cm incision was made following the way of the foreign body, with a small traction the object was removed, confirming the presence of a rubber band. Post-surgery prescription included systemic antibiotic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, analgesic and topical ointment. Twenty-two days post-surgery, at revaluation, it was observed only discrete improvement of bone remodeling of V metacarpal but with complete wound healing and full recovery of the lameness.Discussion: It was unclear the reason that led to the presence of the rubber band. Unfortunately, the owner could only complaint about at wound that would not heal for weeks. The best hypothesis was the possible use of a beauty accessory after a bathing service. Considering the patient’s long hair, detachment of any accessory to a rubber band base could have gone unnoticed. Definition regarding the time period since the initial trauma would define for how long the compression was necessary to induce metacarpal remodeling, but the presence of the foreign body and consequently, continuous stimulus of inflammation, would not permit a precise definition regarding the time period of the lesion, even if histopathology was authorized. Surgical removal of the rubber band associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, analgesic, systemic and topical antibiotic (ointment) was considered satisfactory, leading to considerable improvement (normal gait) of the nociception and lameness at day three post-intervention and despite persistence of the bone radiographic aspect, full recovery of the skin lesion at day twenty-two.

Background: Inappropriate use of drugs for veterinary patients represents a common problem at clinical practice. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories are one of these misused drugs and may lead to clinical status of challenging diagnosis. Adverse effects for patients submitted to its incorrect use may include simple cases such as pharmacological gastroenteritis to severe acute renal failure or perforated gastroenteric ulcers with no pathognomonic clinical signs. The objective of this report was to describe a case of a perforated pyloric ulcer secondary to prolonged use of meloxicam in a cat with its clinical, laboratorial and image aspects from the moment of suspicion until the diagnosis.Case: An 8-year-old female feline was attended at the Veterinary Hospital of the Dom Bosco Catholic University, with main complaint being a mammary nodule with recent ulceration. Tumor staging and pre-surgical blood analysis were performed previous to total unilateral mastectomy. Eleven days post-surgery the patient was brought for suture removal, but it was observed stupor, moderate dehydration (estimated 10%), 36.7ºC rectal temperature, heart rate at 100 beats/min, respiratory rate at 60 breaths/min, 40 mg/dL blood glucose, icterus and abdominal distension with tympany at percussion (fluid wave test was negative). Anamnesis revealed the possible use of meloxicam for 10 days. The first suspicion was sepsis, with enteric gas secondary to infection. Due to no classical signs of peritoneum effusion and possible severe enteric distension, abdominocentesis was not immediate performed. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry revealed a marked band leukocytosis associated with renal injury, supporting the first sepsis suspicion. Abdominal radiography revealed radiodensity of diffuse aspect at ventral topography but no evidence of marked enteric distension that would justify tympany. Abdominal ultrasound identified effusion predominantly hyperechogenic with hyperechogenic mesentery, indicative of peritonitis. A diagnostic abdominocentesis was performed revealing a dense yellow-green effusion with high suspicion of being gastroenteric liquid. Exploratory laparotomy was not authorized by the owner and the patient was submitted to euthanasia due to the bad prognosis. Macroscopic necropsy was performed and a perforated pyloric ulcer was identified along with an impregnated mesentery with a green-brown color (peritonitis), closing the diagnosis.Discussion: The importance of reiteration regarding veterinary prescription orientation, especially for feline patients, is evidenced. Along the indiscriminate over-the-counter sale of veterinary drugs, self-medication prior to veterinary consultation is usual even for ongoing assisted patients. Considering the unspecific clinical signs that patients with perforated gastroenteric ulcers may present, the diagnosis may be challenging when no complementary image exams are immediate available. The stuporous mental state inhibiting possible manifestation of abdominal discomfort, absence of positive fluid wave test and tympany at percussion which prohibited a secure abdominocentesis could have led to a delay in diagnosis, if not for image support. Considering the emergency status of these patients, early diagnosis is crucial, therefore clinicians should have precaution when approaching patients with possible perforated gastroenteric ulcers and trust clinical history, even when classical signs of abdominal effusion are not present.