OBJECTIVE To assess feasibility of flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in awake dogs, determine whether specific variables associated with the oropharyngeal phase of swallowing can be recognized, and evaluate the safety and tolerability of FEES. ANIMALS 6 healthy client-owned large- and giant-breed adult dogs. PROCEDURES A topical anesthetic was applied to the nasal passage of each dog, and a fiberoptic endoscope was passed transnasally until the tip of the scope was positioned in the oropharynx. All dogs voluntarily drank colored water followed by consumption of a commercial canned diet and then a kibble diet mixed with food color. During each swallow, laryngeal and pharyngeal anatomic structures were evaluated and depth of bolus flow prior to the pharyngeal phase of swallowing was assessed. Evidence of bolus retention in the vallecula or pyriform sinuses and laryngeal penetration of the bolus were recorded. RESULTS FEES was completed without major adverse events and was tolerated well by all 6 dogs. Mild, self-limiting epistaxis was noted for 2 dogs. The nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx were observed in all dogs; movement of food boluses through the esophagus was observed in 2 dogs, and food boluses in the stomach were visible in 1 dog. Pharyngeal and laryngeal function was considered physiologically normal in all dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE FEES appeared to be a feasible diagnostic tool for use in large- and giant-breed dogs. Studies are warranted in dogs with oropharyngeal dysphagia to determine whether FEES can be tolerated and whether it can augment videofluoroscopy findings.

Objective-To evaluate the numbers and proportions of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) in cell cultures derived from the olfactory bulb (OB) and olfactory mucosa of dogs. Animals-7 dogs. Procedures-OB tissue and olfactory mucosa from the nasal cavity and frontal sinus were obtained from euthanatized dogs and prepared for cell culture. At 7, 14, and 21 days of culture in vitro, numbers and proportions of OECs, astrocytes, and fibroblasts were determined via immunocytochemistry. Antibody against the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor p75 was used to identify OECs, antibody against glial fibrillary acidic protein was used to identify astrocytes, and antibody against fibronectin was used to identify fibroblasts. Results-Cultured OECs derived from the olfactory mucosa of the nasal cavity and frontal sinus had similar characteristics. However, whereas OECs in the OB cell cultures constituted approximately 50% of the cells at 7 days and approximately 75% at 21 days the proportion of OECs in cultures derived from both mucosal types was much lower, with approximately 40% OECs at 7 days and approximately 25% at 21 days. Analysis of OEC numbers revealed that these changes were accompanied by corresponding decreases and increases in the population of cells with fibronectin receptors. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Although olfactory mucosal cell cultures yielded a sufficient number of OECs for spinal cord transplantation procedures in dogs, modification of culture conditions would be required to ensure that the derived cell population contained a sufficient proportion of OECs.

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of trephination of the frontal sinus and injection of antifungal cream using a medical bone marrow drill in dogs. Results were compared with frontal sinus trephination using a standard surgical technique. Bilateral trephination of the frontal sinuses was carried out in the heads of 11 cadavers using a medical bone marrow drill and a surgical bone chuck. The time taken to carry out the procedure using both techniques was compared. Before and after injection of antifungal cream into the frontal sinuses, computed-tomography (CT) scanning was done to assess for iatrogenic trauma and to determine the degree to which the sinuses were filled with each technique and evaluate the diffusion of the cream into the nasal cavity of each dog. The mean volume of the sinuses was 8.8 mL (3.1 to 14.3 mL). Trephination, flushing, and injecting of antifungal cream were significantly faster using the medical technique. There was no significant difference in the mean filling of the frontal sinuses between the medical (82.7%) and the surgical (82.4%) technique (P-value = 0.3). Filling of the nasal cavity was classified as very good in 6/11 cases, with evidence of trauma caused by the surgical trephination technique in 1 head. Findings suggest that use of the medical bone marrow drill is highly feasible for frontal sinus trephination. Injection of antifungal cream into the frontal sinuses using the bone marrow needle resulted in good diffusion into the ipsilateral nasal cavity and could be used to treat aspergillosis when debridement or sinusoscopy is not deemed necessary.

Oestrosis is a worldwide myiasis infection caused by the larvae of
the fly Oestrus ovis (Diptera, Oestridae), that develops from the first to the third stage larvae. This is an obligate parasite of the nasal and sinus cavities of sheep and goats. The Oestrus ovis larvae elicit clinical signs of cavitary myiasis seen as a seromucous or purulent nasal discharge, frequent sneezing, incoordination and
dyspnea. Myiasis in an incidental host may have biological significance towards medical and public health importance if
the incidental host is man. This infection can result in signs of generalized disease, causing serious economic losses in sheep and goat reared for meat and dairy production. Due to the large numbers of small ruminants imported into Malaysia from countries which are endemic with oestrosis, precautionary measures should be exercised to prevent this infection from establishing here. In 2009, there was a report of respiratory distress (pneumonic sign) accompanied by high mortality in Damara sheep that was imported from Australia. Investigations showed the presence of Oestrus ovis larvae in affected
sheep. The post mortem was conducted in the field and the larvae were discovered in the tracheal region. The larvae was confirmed as Oestrus ovis using the appropriate keys for identification by Zumpt. The carcass showed pulmonary edema with severe congestion of the lungs accompanied by frothy exudation in the bronchus. There were also signs of serious atrophy (heart muscle) and mild enteritis
(intestine histopathological examination showed, there was pulmonary congestion and edema, centrilobular hepatic necrosis, renal tubular necrosis and myocardial sarcocystosis. The sheep also showed chronic helminthiasis and Staphylococcus spp. was isolated from organ specimens.Oestus ovis infection is rare in Malaysia, as such this case posed as an unusual case for investigation.