Thoracoscopic pericardiotomy as a palliative treatment in a cow with pericardial lymphoma

A 5-year-old Holstein cow, pregnant with a valuable calf, was presented with signs of heart failure (tachycardia, peripheral edema, and distended jugular veins) related to pericardial lymphoma and associated cardiac tamponade. In addition, pleural effusion was present in both hemithoraces. Medical treatment, which consisted of repeated pericardiocenteses, placement of indwelling pleural catheters, administration of intravenous fluid therapy, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, was ineffective in controlling recurrence of clinical signs despite a temporary improvement. A standing thoracoscopic pericardiotomy was performed in an attempt to reduce clinical signs of heart failure and to prolong life. Clinical signs of heart failure abated and no recurrence was seen. Standing thoracoscopic pericardiotomy along with possible corticosteroids can be recommended as palliative treatment in an effort to extend life for reproductive performance in genetically valuable animals.     

Dysgenesis of the tubal system in an infertile mare karyotype 63,X:64,XY:65,XXY

A Thoroughbred mare, barren during three years at stud, unresponsive to therapy, and not palpably abnormal anatomically was found to have hypoplasia of the uterine tubes after excision at laparotomy. The cause was an unbalanced genotype. The mosaic karyotype, determined on a blood sample, was indispensible in diagnosis and the case extends the potential for cytogenetic prognostic procedures.     

Scapular Sequestrum in a Horse A Case Report

A 15-year-old Morgan mare presented with a draining tract associated with osteomyelitis and sequestration of the medullary cancellous bone of the right scapula. Moderate lameness and muscle atrophy were present. Partial resection of the lateral cortex allowed exploration and debridement of the medullary cavity of the scapula. The mare returned to soundness, the muscle mass returned, but a small discharging sinus persisted.     

RADIOGRAPHY OF THE CANINE HEAD

Through the use of a purebred dog skull collection, specific positioning recommendations were established for radiography for the three skull types. It is suggested that the central ray of the beam be maintained at the following mean angles relative to the hard palate for the rostrodorsal-to-caudoventral oblique projection of the foramen magnum: dolicocephalic, 30° mesaticephalic, 20° and brachycephalic, 10°. It is recommended that the head be axially rotated as follows to radiographically separate the roots of the superior canine teeth: dolicocephalic, 48° mesaticephalic, 43° and brachycephalic, 35°. If only the cheek teeth require evaluation, the head should be rotated as follows: dolicocephalic, 37° mesaticephalic, 34° and brachycephalic, 25°. For evaluation of the inferior cheek teeth, it is recommended that the head be rotated as follows: dolicocephalic, 46° mesaticephalic, 44° and brachycephalic, 28°. It is recommended that radiographs of the temporo-mandibular joint be made with the skull axially rotated 10° and longitudinally obliqued as follows: dolicocephalic, 10° mesaticephalic, 14° and brachycephalic, 27°. Suggestions for open-mouth projections for evaluation of the tympanic bullae are that the central ray maintain the following angles relative to the hard palate: dolicocephalic, 4° mesaticephalic, 9° and brachycephalic, 21°. It is recommended that a caudoventral-rostrodorsal oblique projection of the nasal cavity made at 30° to the hard palate replace the open-mouth ventrodorsal in brachycephalic breeds.     

OSTEOCHONDROSIS IN THE LATERAL FEMORAL CONDYLES OF A HORSE

Osteochondrosis of the lateral femoral condyles was diagnosed radiographically in an 8-month-old, female Arabian horse, which had been presented with a hindlimb lameness. The diagnosis was confirmed by gross and microscopic pathology. The location of the lesions was considered unusual for osteochondrosis in the horse.