Background Accumulating evidence shows an important relationship between the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota and host health. Microbial metabolites are believed to play a critical role in host‐microbial interactions. Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are major end products of bacterial carbohydrate fermentation in the intestinal tract. Decreased concentrations of SCFAs have been observed in humans with GI disease. However, large‐scale clinical data in dogs are lacking. Hypothesis/Objective To evaluate fecal concentrations of SCFAs and the fecal microbiota in healthy control (HC) dogs and dogs with chronic enteropathy (CE). Animals Forty‐nine privately owned HC dogs and 73 dogs with CE. Methods Prospective cohort study. Fecal concentrations of SCFAs were measured using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Illumina sequencing and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction were utilized to evaluate the fecal microbiota. Results Fecal concentrations (median [range] μmol/g of dry matter) of acetate were lower ( P = .03) in dogs with CE (185.8 [20.1‐1042.1]) than in HC dogs (224.0 [87.7‐672.8]). Propionate were also lower ( P < .001) in dogs with CE (46.4 [0.4‐227.9]) than in HC dogs (105.9 [1.6‐266.9]). Moreover, total SCFAs were lower ( P = .005) in dogs with CE (268.1 [21.8‐1378.2]) than in HC dogs (377.2 [126.6‐927.0]). Dysbiosis in dogs with CE was characterized by decreased bacterial diversity and richness, distinct microbial community clustering compared with that in HC dogs, and a higher dysbiosis index. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Dogs with CE had an altered fecal SCFA concentration accompanied by significant changes of the fecal microbiota.

Objective To describe a laparoscopic approach for performing intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) and bile duct flushing (BDF) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in dogs. To investigate the clinical outcomes of dogs undergoing these procedures for the treatment of benign gallbladder disease, ie gallbladder mucocele (GM) or cholecystitis. Study design Retrospective study. Animals Forty‐seven client‐owned dogs. Methods Medical records of client‐owned dogs with benign gallbladder diseases that underwent IOC and BDF during LC between September 2016 and December 2019 were reviewed. Of these dogs, only dogs with GM or cholecystitis were included in the study. The fundus dissection first method was used for LC. Intraoperative cholangiography and BDF procedures were performed laparoscopically using a catheter inserted into the cystic duct following dissection within the subserosal layer of the gallbladder. Videos recorded during each procedure were reviewed, and data on procedure duration, completion, outcome, and technical approach were recorded. Results Forty‐seven dogs were included in the study. The median procedure time for BDF and IOC was 4 min (range, 2‐48 min), and no intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. Conclusion During LC, BDF and IOC were performed safely and successfully. Intraoperative cholangiography identified obstructions and strictures in the common bile duct that were not detected using BDF alone. Clinical significance Our findings suggest that BDF and IOC are both safe and time effective and should be considered for routine use by surgeons during LC.

Changes in proportions of lipoprotein classes have been described in disease states in humans. In veterinary medicine, hyperlipidemia can cause complications, such as cutaneous xanthomas, liver disease, cholelithiasis, pancreatitis, glomerular disease, lipemia retinalis, or peripheral neuropathy, but there are few reports regarding lipoproteins in diseased animals. For canine serum, we partially validated continuous lipoprotein density profiling (CLPDP), a novel density gradient ultracentrifugation technique. We examined canine lipoproteins separated by CLPDP by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We compared lipoprotein profiles between healthy control dogs ( n = 29) and dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI; n = 28) using CLPDP. Dogs with EPI included those untreated (EPI-NT; n = 6) and those treated with enzyme supplementation (EPI-T; n = 22). Our preliminary assay validation showed that CLPDP was repeatable (CV = 11.2%) and reproducible (CV = 10.6%) in canine serum. The diameters of lipoproteins analyzed by TEM were similar to those reported previously. Dogs in the EPI-NT group had more severe dyslipidemia than dogs in the EPI-T group. Dogs in the EPI-T group had lipoprotein profiles similar to healthy control dogs. CLPDP might be a useful tool for evaluating dyslipidemia in dogs.

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Objective To describe the surgical placement of a continuous extraluminal tracheal prosthesis (CETP) and report the subsequent postoperative clinical outcomes in dogs with tracheal collapse. Study design Retrospective case series. Animals Fifty‐four dogs. Methods Medical records of dogs in which cervical and/or thoracic inlet tracheal collapse was diagnosed and treated by placement of a CETP between 2010 and 2017 were reviewed to evaluate postoperative complications, changes in respiratory function, and survival. Histological examinations of tracheal tissues performed in 2 dogs at 51 and 57 months after surgery were also reviewed. Results Fifty‐three (98%) dogs survived to discharge. Postoperative complications included laryngeal paralysis (1 dog), disseminated intravascular coagulation (1 dog), and recurrent tracheal collapse (2 dogs). None of the dogs exhibited clinical evidence of tracheal necrosis. Preoperative dry, harsh cough resolved in 87% of the dogs after surgery. Goose honking cough was resolved in 25 of 26 (96%) dogs. Median follow‐up time was 30 months (range, 16 days to 76 months). The survival rate at 36 months was 86% (CI: 75%‐96%). On histological examination in 2 dogs, the tracheal tissue surrounding the prosthesis was well preserved and without evidence of chronic inflammation. Conclusion Continuous extraluminal tracheal prosthesis placement in dogs with tracheal collapse resulted in low postoperative complication rates and good long‐term outcomes. Clinical significance Continuous extraluminal tracheal prosthesis placement provides a viable alternative surgical option for managing dogs with tracheal collapse.