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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,…
Articles, Case Studies

Case of the Month: Hepatocutaneous Syndrome in a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

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Clinical history Chucky was presented to the primary veterinary care practice with a 1 month history of hyperkeratosis, crusting and erythema of the skin of all four paws. A previous canine biochemical profile conducted at VPG revealed significantly elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and bile acids. A small liver was…
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Histopathology: Sampling and shipment guidelines

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Corresponding to other laboratory tests, the quality and accuracy 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 such as crush artefact pictured below. Fixation Always use 10% neutral-buffered formalin (NBF)…
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Case of the Month: “Yellow fungus disease” in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps)

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A 1 year old bearded dragon developed chronic crusty lesions over the body, face and tail. Skin biopsies were taken and submitted to VPG Histology for examination. This revealed epidermal hyperplasia and prominent hyperkeratosis, areas of superficial epidermal necrosis and a mild inflammatory infiltrate within the epidermis and dermis. Faint outlines of structures suspected to…
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Case of the Month: Feline Cowpox

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Leo, 1 year old male Domestic Shorthair cat   Clinical history Leo presented with swelling of the left forepaw characterised by the presence of multiple cutaneous lesions with scabs and poor skin integrity. Histology Three punch biopsies of haired skin were submitted for histopathological examination. These samples showed extensive epidermal ulceration, and severe epidermal and…
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Case of the Month: Cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV)

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Luna, a 6-year-old cross breed female entire dog Clinical history A typical clinical history for a CRGV case includes development of one or multiple areas of skin ulceration, often on the abdomen and limbs, followed by lethargy, anorexia, renal injury and loss of function. Samples from the skin and kidney are often submitted post-mortem. Histology…
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Case of the month: lymphangiomatosis marmoset

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Ben, a 2 year old Marmoset monkey. Clinical history Ben had a history of a fluid-filled swelling in the mammary area. Previously, fluid was sampled and was found to be of low cellularity. Lesions progressed with erythematous skin and secondary pyoderma over the entire ventrum and thickened, sore scrotal skin. Histology The biopsies submitted were…
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Histologic tumour margin assessment – general information, terminology, techniques, limitations and artefacts

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For surgery of a neoplasm with curative intent, the goal is to achieve a macroscopic margin around the tumour at surgery and a microscopically tumour-free margin. The assumption is that with an ‘adequate’ margin, local recurrence can be prevented. In reality, the matter is more complex. Neoplasms with neoplastic tissue histologically extending to the tissue…