In this report, we introduce a new type of acrylic tracheal prosthesis for treating tracheal collapse in dogs. As exterior tracheal prostheses, polypropylene products such as syringe cases are generally used although they are not always successful. In Japan, an acrylic spiral line prosthesis (FLLP), which is made of the same material as optical fibers, is popular because of its flexibility, but FLLP is problematic in surgical operations. We devised another kind of acrylic wiry prosthesis folded in a zigzag manner into the shape of a cylinder, the Parallel Loop Line Prosthesis (PLLP). To test its usefulness, surgical corrections using a PLLP were performed in five small dogs aged four to eight years with tracheal collapse. The outcome of the operations was favorable, and we confirmed the superior operability of the prosthesis, ane its ideal mechanical properties in suturing and fixation.

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The relation of canine mammary tumor to concentrations of estrogen and progesterone receptors has not been clarified yet, although such female sex hormones should be suspected of affecting the development of mammary tumors. Using two groups composed of 23 dogs with mammary tumors, we measured the concentrations of estrogen and progesterone receptors in the tumor tissues in each dog, and compared the values with those from five healthy dogs. The severity of the dog's diseases was classified lnto stages I to V according to the classification of MacEwen et al. Out of 23 dogs with mammary cancers, eight dogs at stage I had 7.76 fmol/mg protein and 11.30 fmol/mg protein as their mean values of estrogen and progesterone receptor concentrations; six dogs at stage II had 8.54 fmol/mg protein and 10.37 fmol/mg protein; seven dogs at stage III had 5.61 and 10.06; one dog at stage IV had 4.57 and 9.14; and the remaining one at stage V had 1.97 and 5.07. Out of 23 dogs with malignant mammary mixed tumors, 20 dogs at stage I had 9.06 fmol/mg protein and 16.27 fmol/mg protein; two dogs at stage II had 3.04 and 15.23; and the remaining one at stage III had 1.97 and 4.44, In the other words, estrogen and progesterone receptor concentrations tended to decrease as the disease progressed in both groups. This tendency was more marked in estrogen receptor concentrations, although this is inconclusive because the number of the dogs at advanced stages was too small in this study.

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A seven-month-old male Borzoi dog showing abnormal walking with rigidity and pain in the forelimbs and staggering of the hind limbs was brought to our clinic. Although no abnormalities were noted in blood tests or X-rays, incision biopsy of the musculus sartorius in the left hind limbs revealed extensive myopathic atrophy with myofibrils of varying sizes, and partial degeneration and necrosis of the myofibrils.
The dog gradually became unable to walk and was euthanized 48 days after the first visit at the owner's request. The owner consented to an autopsy because one of the dog's siblings had previously shown similar unfavorable symptoms and died suddenly. For laboratory testing, we could obtain only the sciatic nerves and muscle samples from the triceps brachii, biceps femoris, pectorial, diaphragm, and right and left ventricular wall. All muscle samples except for the one from the ventricular wall were found damaged by neurogenic atrophy with large to small lesions of atrophic fibers. In the sciatic nerves, Wallerian-like axonal degeneration typically accompanied by endoneurial fibrosis was observed multifocally. From these findings, the dog was considered to have been suffering from neuropathy. The cause of the disease could not be determined, but the possibility of hereditary neuropathy in this breed should be suspected.

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Swollen vulva was seen in two ovariohysterectomized ferrets. The finding was suspected estrus because they were in the age of sexual maturity, in the breeding season, and vulvar swelling regressed after administration of hCG. And ovarian remnants were found by the abdominal exploratory surgery.

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We report successful cases of surgical treatment for three ferrets with a tumor at the end of the tail. The tumor in each case was smooth and solid, and had a calcified shadow in the center radiographically. Case 1 was a three-year-old spayed ferret with a thumb-sized tumor at the tail tip. Three months after the first visit, the tumor was removed because it became twice as large, although it was painless and not itchy. This ferret has been in good condition for 18 months after the operation, without any signs of relapse or metastasis. Case 2 was a castrated four-year-old ferret. The tumor was thumbsized at the first visit, but the pet owner did not want the animal to have an operation. Ten months later, the tumor became as large as an egg, and it was removed successfully. Case 3, a castrated four-year-old ferret, received surgery ten days after the first visit, and a thumb-sized tumor was removed. This ferret also has been in good condition for 22 months after the operation, without relapse or metastasis. We have no information about the postoperative course of case 2, because the pet owner did not come back after surgery. Histopathologically, the tumor in each case was diagnosed as a chordoma.

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