Pulmonary Abnormalities in Dogs with Leptospirosis

Background: Leptospirosis in dogs is a multiorgan disease affecting mostly kidneys and liver. Objectives: The objective was to characterize prevalence, clinical, and radiological features and outcome of dogs with leptospirosis and pulmonary abnormalities. Animals: Fifty dogs with leptospirosis. Methods: Medical records of dogs diagnosed with leptospirosis at the Small Animal Clinic, Berlin, were reviewed. Diagnosis was based on microscopic agglutination test, blood or urine polymerase chain reaction, and histopathology. Based on clinical and/or radiological signs, patients were grouped into dogs with lung abnormalities (group 1) or without (group 2). Severity of respiratory distress was scored as mild to moderate (grade 1) or severe (grade 2). Thoracic radiographs were scored based on pulmonary changes and location as grade 1 (caudal interstitial pattern), 2 (generalized mild to moderate reticulonodular interstitial pattern), or 3 (generalized severe reticulonodular interstitial pattern with patchy alveolar consolidations). Results of CBC and biochemistry were compared between groups. Results: Thirty‐five dogs had radiological pulmonary changes (grade 1: 5; grade 2: 14; grade 3: 16); 31 of them had pulmonary distress (grade 1: 13, grade 2: 18). Sixty‐seven percent of the dogs with dyspnea grade 2 were mainly euthanized because of respiratory distress. Fifteen percent of the dogs with dyspnea grade 1 and 21% without clinical respiratory signs were euthanized because of acute renal failure or sepsis. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: In 70% of dogs with leptospirosis pulmonary changes were detected. Lung involvement represented a severe complication causing increased case fatality depending on the severity of respiratory distress.     

Interreader agreement of radiographic left atrial enlargement in dogs and comparison to echocardiographic left atrial assessment

Introduction

Assessing left atrial (LA) size is an integral part of the cardiac evaluation in dogs. Left atrial size is routinely evaluated by thoracic radiographs or echocardiography.

Successful treatment of an intrathoracic bronchogenic cyst in a Holstein-Friesian calf

A 5-½-month-old female Holstein-Friesian calf was presented with a history of recurring ruminal tympany and poor development. The absence of lung sounds on the right hemithorax suggested a right-sided intrathoracic pathology. Radiography and computed tomography revealed a large thin-walled cavernous lesion with a gas-fluid interface which almost completely filled the right thoracic cavity. Fluid aspirated from the lesion was clear, yellowish and odorless. These findings led to the diagnosis of a bronchogenic cyst. Thoracotomy was performed under general anesthesia. The cyst strongly adhered to the adjacent lung tissue. After removal of the free wall, the adjacent lung tissue was sealed using surgical stapling instruments, and the non-removable part of the wall was curetted and rinsed. The intensive postoperative management included antibiotic therapy, oxygen supplementation and regional lidocaine infusion. Anti-inflammatory drugs were administered for further pain control. The calf recovered well and was released from the clinic on postoperative day 11. Intra- or extrathoracic bronchogenic cysts result from abnormal budding during the embryonic development of the tracheobronchial system. Successful treatment of this calf despite the size of the lesion and the invasive character of the surgical intervention indicates that resection of bronchogenic cysts in cattle may be an option for valuable animals.     

The Role of Bronchoscopy in Foreign Body Removal in Dogs and Cats: 37 Cases (2000–2008)

Background: Foreign body aspiration is a differential diagnosis for acute or chronic cough that requires medical or surgical management in animals. Hypothesis: Success of bronchoscopy in airway foreign body removal is dependent on the size of the animal, duration of clinical signs, and location of the foreign body. Animals: Thirty‐two dogs and 5 cats with airway foreign bodies identified at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Methods: Retrospective case study evaluating the role of duration of clinical signs and body size in successful bronchoscopic removal of foreign bodies. In addition, radiographic localization of disease was compared with bronchoscopic identification. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) culture and cytologic findings are reported. Results: Bronchoscopy was successful for removal of airway foreign bodies in 76% of animals (24/28 dogs and 2/5 cats), and in dogs was independent of duration of clinical signs or body size. One‐third of thoracic radiographs lacked distinctive features of an airway foreign body, and therefore radiography was unable to predict the affected site. BAL fluid at the site of the foreign body contained more neutrophils and more often had intracellular bacteria than lavage fluid from a separate site. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Bronchoscopy was successful in removing airway foreign bodies regardless of animal size or long duration of clinical signs. Results of this study confirm the utility of bronchoscopy with lavage in management of suspected foreign bodies, even in the absence of localizing radiographic findings.     

Congenital Malformations of the First Sternal Rib

During the dissection and skeletal examination of 151 horses, a congenital malformation (CM) of the first sternal rib that influenced the aperture of the Thoracic inlet was noted in six horses. The presentation of this CM was variable between horses in gross anatomic appearance; notably, an absent first sternal rib, bifid tuberculum costae, bifid sternochondral articulation onto the sternum, flared shaft, normal first sternal rib inserting onto the cranial branch of a bifid sternochondral articulating second sternal rib, straight costal shaft, and an articulating rudimentary tuberculum costae with a ligamentous extension replacing the bony shaft and attaching to a rudimentary sternochondral articulation onto the sternum. Of the 151 horses examined, the CM of the first sternal rib was restricted to 6/60 Thoroughbred horses, and only in those that were affected by either the unilateral or bilateral transposition of the caudal ventral tubercle from C6 onto the ventral surface of C7. The normal anatomic presentation of the thoracic inlet was altered, along with associative musculature including neurological pathways. These CMs are likely to produce clinical and functional ramifications of the thoracic inlet, thoracic limb, and thoracic viscera, with the probability of altering postural and locomotive function as noted in four horses demonstrating the CM.     

Tracheal Collapse and Bronchomalacia in Dogs: 58 Cases (7/2001–1/2008)

Background: Tracheobronchomalacia is diagnosed in people by documentation of a reduction in airway diameter during bronchoscopy. While tracheal collapse in the dog has been well described in the literature, little information is available on bronchomalacia in the dog. Hypotheses: Bronchomalacia is common in dogs with tracheal collapse, is associated with inflammatory airway disease, and is poorly documented radiographically. Animals: One hundred and fifteen dogs admitted for evaluation for respiratory disease and examined by bronchoscopy. Methods: Case‐controlled, observational study. Dogs examined and having a bronchoscopic procedure performed by a single operator were separated into groups with and without visually identified airway collapse. Clinical parameters and bronchoalveolar lavage findings were compared between groups. Radiographs were reviewed in masked fashion to assess the sensitivity and specificity for detection of bronchomalacia. Results: Tracheobronchomalacia was documented in 50% of dogs examined, with tracheal collapse in 21% and bronchomalacia in 47%. In dogs with bronchomalacia, collapse of the right middle (59%) and left cranial (52%) lung lobes was identified most commonly. Dogs with bronchomalacia were significantly more likely to display normal airway cytology and to have mitral regurgitation and cardiomegaly than dogs without airway collapse (P < .05). Radiographs were insensitive for detection of airway collapse. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Bronchomalacia was identified more commonly than tracheal collapse in this population of dogs, and documentation required bronchoscopy. This study could not confirm a role for airway inflammation in bronchomalacia, and further studies are required to determine the role of cardiomegaly in the disorder.     

Thoracic actinomycosis (arcanobacteriosis) or nocardiosis causing thoracic pyogranuloma formation in three dogs

OBJECTIVE: To describe three cases of canine thoracic actinomycosis (arcanobacteriosis) or nocardiosis in which the primary pathological lesion was a pyogranulomatous abscess in the mediastinum. Clinical signs, difficulties in diagnosis, treatment and prognosis are examined. Comparisons are made between human and veterinary literature to assist in formulating a rational treatment plan. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. PROCEDURE: Review of case records from 1984 to 1998. RESULTS: Three dogs presented with large intrathoracic pyogranulomas producing variable clinical signs, not necessarily associated with the respiratory tract. Ages ranged from 2 to 5 years old. Two dogs responded to surgical opening and passive drainage of the abscess, or surgical excision of the granuloma with associated structures, and medical therapy. One dog died intra-operatively. CONCLUSION: A combination of surgical and antimicrobial therapy may carry a fair-to-good prognosis for thoracic granuloma caused by actinomycosis (arcanobacteriosis) or nocardiosis. The extent of surgery should be based on assessment of individual cases and must include surgical biopsy for histology and culture to enable a specific diagnosis to be made. Complete surgical excision is not necessarily required. Prolonged antimicrobial therapy is indicated.     

朱鹮的前、后肢比较解剖学观察

用解剖学方法对朱和白的前、后肢进行了比较,发现他们的前肢各部分长度差异不大,白略长。后肢各部分长度差异较大,白后肢各部分：股骨部、小腿、附跖部、趾部骨骼均比朱粗壮,并分别比朱长９％,３５．２％,７１,４０％～４３％。利于在稻田、小河、湖水边较深地方采食。白的前、后肢的肌肉也比朱发达。在体重差别较大的情况下,体重轻的白肌肉仍比朱发达,这样更利于飞翔。因而,朱没有白的生存适应性强。     

Distal aortic aneurysm presumed to be secondary to an infected umbilical artery in a foal

ABSTRACT

Case History: Two calves delivered following elective caesarean section showed behaviour typical of neonatal maladjustment syndrome described in foals, i.e., indifference to environmental stimuli, lack of affinity for the dam, failure to find the udder, refusal to suck, aimless wandering or motionless standing. Calves were subjected to a clinical examination immediate after delivery and there were no signs of defects, illness, pain, dehydration, hypoxia, acidaemia or other causes for the unresponsive behaviour.

Clinical Findings and Treatment: Both calves were subjected to the thoracic squeeze technique, one at 6 hours and the other at 20 hours after delivery. A soft rope was looped around the thorax and gentle pressure was applied to the free end of the rope, squeezing the calf’s chest for 20 minutes. Both calves exhibited a sleep-like state manifested by closed eyes, no body movements, slow breathing and a decrease in heart rate, for the entire squeezing period. When the rope was removed the calves woke up immediately, rose and walked towards the dam. When led to the dam’s udder, the weaker calf began to suck. Both were reported, by the stockperson, to follow the dam and suck normally the following day.

Clinical Relevance: Provided all other disease processes are excluded, very young calves that exhibit indifference to environmental stimuli and lack of affinity for the dam may be good candidates for application of the thoracic squeeze technique that has been demonstrated to have clinical efficacy in foals with neonatal maladjustment syndrome.     

Reference values of two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiographic measurements as a function of body size in various equine breeds and in ponies

Introduction

The aim of this study was to establish echocardiographic reference values for the equine species using allometric regression equations based on body weight (BW) and thoracic circumference (TC).

FREQUENCY AND NUMBER OF ULTRASOUND LUNG ROCKETS (B‐LINES) USING A REGIONALLY BASED LUNG ULTRASOUND EXAMINATION NAMED VET BLUE (VETERINARY BEDSIDE LUNG ULTRASOUND EXAM) IN DOGS WITH RADIOGRAPHICALLY NORMAL LUNG FINDINGS

Lung ultrasound is superior to lung auscultation and supine chest radiography for many respiratory conditions in human patients. Ultrasound diagnoses are based on easily learned patterns of sonographic findings and artifacts in standardized images. By applying the wet lung (ultrasound lung rockets or B‐lines, representing interstitial edema) versus dry lung (A‐lines with a glide sign) concept many respiratory conditions can be diagnosed or excluded. The ultrasound probe can be used as a visual stethoscope for the evaluation of human lungs because dry artifacts (A‐lines with a glide sign) predominate over wet artifacts (ultrasound lung rockets or B‐lines). However, the frequency and number of wet lung ultrasound artifacts in dogs with radiographically normal lungs is unknown. Thus, the primary objective was to determine the baseline frequency and number of ultrasound lung rockets in dogs without clinical signs of respiratory disease and with radiographically normal lung findings using an 8‐view novel regionally based lung ultrasound examination called Vet BLUE. Frequency of ultrasound lung rockets were statistically compared based on signalment, body condition score, investigator, and reasons for radiography. Ten left‐sided heart failure dogs were similarly enrolled. Overall frequency of ultrasound lung rockets was 11% (95% confidence interval, 6–19%) in dogs without respiratory disease versus 100% (95% confidence interval, 74–100%) in those with left‐sided heart failure. The low frequency and number of ultrasound lung rockets observed in dogs without respiratory disease and with radiographically normal lungs suggests that Vet BLUE will be clinically useful for the identification of canine respiratory conditions.