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Case Study: Feline Herpes Virus-Induced Dermatitis: Clinical and Histological Insights

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A biopsy from an external nose lesion on a 13-year-old domestic longhair male neutered cat was submitted to our laboratory. Histopathology identified a severe ulcerative necrotising dermatitis with numerous intranuclear inclusion bodies. These histological changes, in combination with the anatomical location are consistent with a herpesvirus infection. Feline herpes virus ulcerative dermatitis is a rare…
Articles, Case Studies

Case Study: Feline Ventral Abdominal Wall Angiosarcoma

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Clinical history Simba, 9 year old male intact domestic shorthair cat, presented with firm rapidly growing large subcutaneous ulcerated mass on the inguinal area.  The ventral abdominal haired skin containing a portion of the inguinal mass and the inguinal lymph node are submitted for histopathology. Histology The dermis and the subcutis are markedly expanded by…
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Histology Tips and Tricks: Sampling of the Hepatobiliary Tree

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General Information Biopsy of the hepatobiliary tree is often required for investigation of hepatobiliary disease. Techniques for biopsy of the hepatobiliary tree include needle biopsy (Tru-cut biopsy), laparoscopic biopsy (cup forceps), surgical biopsy (i.e. wedge or guillotine biopsy), and liver lobectomy. Gall bladder sampling most often involves cholecystectomy, but incisional biopsies may also be taken….
Articles, Case Studies

Case Study: 3-Year-Old Crossbreed Dog with a Cutaneous Mass

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Signalment A 3-year-old male neutered crossbreed dog presented with a small, cutaneous mass located in the left axilla. The owner reported no noticeable changes in the dog’s behaviour, appetite, or activity level. Upon physical examination, the mass appeared raised, firm, mildly erythematous, and well-circumscribed, with no signs of ulceration. The dog did not seem bothered…
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Histopathology: Sampling and shipment tips and tricks

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Corresponding to other laboratory tests, the quality of histopathology reporting is directly related to the quality of the sample received. This document will explain common pitfalls in sampling and shipment of histopathology samples to help you avoid introducing pre-analytical artefacts. Sampling In particular when taking small biopsies, even with careful sampling, crush artefact cannot always…
Articles, Case Studies

Cutaneous Sarcomas In Pet Degus

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Introduction Neoplasia is considered uncommon in degus, with previous research indicating a low incidence in this species. A study by Jekl et al. (2011) found that only six out of 300 pet degus examined showed evidence of neoplastic disease. Among the reported cases, fibrosarcomas have been identified as the most prevalent cutaneous neoplasm, as highlighted…
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Understanding Blood Smears

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The Power of the Blood Smear: A Simple Tool That Tells Big Stories If there’s one thing I’ve learned during my residency in Veterinary Clinical Pathology, it’s this: never underestimate the humble blood smear. While automated analysers can crunch numbers and spit out results quickly, they can’t capture the whole story. That’s where a smear…
Articles, Insights

Revolutionising Dog Gut Health: BIOME9 Microbiome Testing with VPG

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Introduction  Imagine walking your dog through a forest. The soil nourishes the trees, and the diversity of species creates a rich and balanced ecosystem. This harmony mirrors the gut microbiome of a dog, where each tree represents a bacterial species. A diverse and balanced microbiome ensures resilience, allowing the system to recover from disruptions. However,…
Articles, Case Studies

Case Study: 15-Year-Old Domestic Shorthair Cat with Multiple Myeloma

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Signalment A 15-year-old domestic shorthair cat, neutered male, presented to the clinic for evaluation of lethargy, weight loss, and reduced appetite. The cat had a known history of heart failure, which was managed with medication. During physical examination, mild dehydration was noted along with pallor of the mucous membranes. There was no evidence of lymphadenopathy,…