Adam Swallow

Objectives: To identify if chemotherapeutic drugs in the CHOP‐based protocol led to an increase in renal parameters in dogs with lymphoma during therapy and investigate whether factors such as prednisolone use or age affected this result.Methods: Data were obtained retrospectively from private referral practice records of dogs diagnosed with lymphoma receiving a CHOP‐based chemotherapy protocol between 2015 and 2019. Dogs included received a CHOP‐based protocol as their first treatment, received four full cycles and were in remission at the end of the protocol. Blood samples obtained at baseline and at the time of final chemotherapy administration were analysed for serum biochemistry and haematology including creatinine, urea, phosphate, sodium, potassium, calcium, albumin, total protein, haematocrit, neutrophil and platelet count. Data were analysed using paired t‐tests. Changes in the same measures were investigated for possible age effects using Pearson correlations. Changes in these measures were compared between dogs receiving or not receiving prednisolone using 2‐sample t‐tests without the assumption of equal variances. Changes were jointly compared to both age and prednisolone use in general linear models. Significance was taken as P < 0.05.Results: Thirty dogs met the inclusion criteria. No significant changes in serum creatinine concentrations were observed. Increased serum albumin concentration at the end of treatment was observed in younger dogs not receiving prednisolone.Impact/Clinical significance: Short‐term changes in renal parameters following a CHOP‐based chemotherapy protocol in dogs were not observed. Further prospective studies are warranted.Declaration of interest: No funding was received and no conflict of interest to declare.

Clinical abstract presented at BSAVA Congress 2023. See full text for abstract and see clinical abstract sessions for a recording of the presentation. Abstracts are presented as supplied and have not been edited.

Insulinomas are functional insulin‐secreting tumours of the beta cells of the pancreatic islets which are rare in cats. Clinical signs are a result of hypoglycaemia and include seizures, collapse, weakness, ataxia, disorientation, mental dullness and visual disturbances. An 11‐year‐old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented with a history of having a single abnormal neurological episode. Persistent hypoglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia and the presence of a well‐defined pancreatic nodule on abdominal ultrasound resulted in a suspected diagnosis of insulinoma. Multiphasic CT angiography revealed a well‐defined, homogeneous pancreatic mass which was isoattenuating to pancreatic parenchyma on precontrast images, had marked contrast enhancement in the arterial phase and moderate enhancement in the venous phase. CT angiography was a useful imaging modality for evaluating this case of histologically confirmed malignant insulinoma and its associated metastases.

A seven‐month‐old, male neutered British blue cat presented for investigation of lifelong urinary incontinence. Clinical examination documented a flaccid tail which was deep pain‐negative, and the urinary bladder was easily expressed. Voluntary urination was possible. An abnormal hair whorl was noted over the tail base. Pelvic radiography noted absent dorsal lamina to the caudal sacral and proximal caudal vertebrae. The cranial S1/S2 vertebrae were incompletely fused. Haematology, biochemistry and urinalysis were unremarkable. Ultrasonographic examination of the urinary tract was unremarkable, as was an intravenous urogram. MRI documented a large, fluid‐filled cavity at the level of the conus medullaris compatible with dilatation of the ventricle terminalis or syrinx. Spina bifida cystica was also present at Cd5/Cd6. The incontinence was noted to improve with time and skeletal maturity before acutely exacerbating. The owners subsequently elected for tail amputation, resulting in a marked improvement in urinary incontinence.