BALLOON CATHETER DILATATION OF ALIMENTARY TRACT STRICTURES IN THE DOG AND CAT

Application of a technique using a Gruntzig balloon dilatation catheter for the treatment of alimentary tract strictures in two dogs and two cats is described. Three of the patients responded favorably, as evidenced by no regurgitation or dysphagia when maintained on a gruel-type diet, weight gain, and resolution of obstipation in the patient with structure of a jejunocolonic anastomosis. Three to five dilatations were done on each animal. No complications attributable to the technique were observed in three animals, with follow-up periods of 9, 16, and 17 months. The fourth animal initially responded to balloon dilatation of the esophagus but ultimately required surgical intervention.     

INPACTION OF THE PHARYNX, LARYNX, AND ESOPHAGUS BY AVIAN BONES IN THE DOG AND CAT

Avian osseous (mandible, thoracic and caudolateral processes and furculum) foreign body impaction in the larynx, pharynx, and esophagus is described in three cats and one dog. All animals were presented because of gagging. Radiographic assessment revealed the foreign body in each animal. Each foreign body was successfully removed. Three of the animals recovered uneventfully, and one had a persistent change of voice.     

CORCTATION OF THE AORTA IN A DOG

This paper describes coarctation of the aorta with a large fusiform post-stenotic aneurysm in a 6 year old Great Dane. No clinical signs were attributable to the lesion, which was an incidental finding. The radiological and pathological features of aortic coarctation are described.     

EXPERIMENTAL ACUTE GASTRIC DILATATION AND VOLVULUS IN THE DOG: CHANGES IN BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS*

Acute gastric dilatation and volvulus with dilatation were produced in 11 dogs anesthetized with halothane. Blood samples were taken during these procedures for biochemical analyses. Serum potassium did not change significantly during the experimental procedure, but there was a significant increase (p<0.05) after release of the dilatation with volvulus. Renal function was impaired with significant increases (p<0.05) in the serum concentration of urea nitrogen, phosphorus, and creatinine. Evidence of cellular damage was reflected by a significant elevation (P<0.05) in glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase activity. Serum glucose concentration increased significantly (P<0.05) during experimental gastric dilatation and dilatation with volvulus.     

A COMPLICATION OF CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION IN THE DOG:

This case history describes a fatal complication of cardiac catheterization in a dog. A 2-year-old intact female miniature Schnauzer presented with a one month history of coughing, tachypnea, and dyspnea that was unresponsive to medical therapy. On clinical examination, a 4/6 systolic murmur was auscultated over the left and right fourth intercostal spaces. Lung sounds were diffusely increased. Survey radiographs revealed cardiomegaly and pulmonary edema. Cardiac catheterization was undertaken to clarify the cause of congestive cardiac failure but was abandoned when contrast medium was seen in the pericardial sac following an attempted injection of the contrast medium into the left ventricle. During recovery from anesthesia progressive pallor, hemothorax, and respiratory distress developed. The dog died 10 hours later despite aggressive support therapy. Gross necropsy revealed hemorrhage into the pericardial sac and pleural space, thrombus formation around and perforation of the right coronary artery.     

MALIGNANT SCHWANNOMA OF THE BRACHIAL PLEXUS IN A DOG

A 4-year-old Labrador bitch was presented for veterinary examination with a history of lameness and muscle atrophy of the left forelimb. On clinical examination a painful mass was detected medial to the left shoulder joint. Radiographs of the shoulder showed mineralisation of this mass. Exploratory surgery revealed a tumour involving the radial nerve, axillary nerve and the trunk of the median and ulnar nerves. Histopathologic diagnosis was a malignant Schwannoma.     

HEMANGIOSARCOMA IN THE MAIN PULMONARY ARTERY OF A DOG

The clinical, radiological and necropsy findings in a five-year old dog with a hemangiosarcoma in the main pulmonary artery are described. Hemangiosarcoma in this location has not been previously described in the dog, the typical location in the heart being the right atrium and auricle. The tumor in this dog caused both a perfusion deficit to the right lung and obstruction of right ventricular outflow, which eventually caused right heart failure.     

PAROSTEAL OSTEOSARCOMA OF THE CERVICAL VERTEBRA IN A DOG

A 12-year-old Maltese terrier was evaluated for progressive tetraparesis and neck pain. On radiographs, there was a periosteal reaction involving the fourth cervical vertebra. Myelographically, there was extradural compression of the spinal cord associated with the lesion. The dog was euthanized and necropsied. Histopathologic diagnosis was parosteal osteosarcoma of the vertebra.     

PRIMARY CHONDROSARCOMA IN THE PULMONARY ARTERY OF A DOG

A 5-year-old cross-bred dog was examined with an 8-week history of coughing and a 3-week history of collapsing during exercise. Thoracic radiography revealed moderate right-sided cardiomegaly and a partially mineralized area over the dorsocranial heart base. Echocardiography demonstrated moderate eccentric and concentric right ventricular hypertrophy and a hypoechoic mass in the main pulmonary artery. The owners declined further investigations and the dog died at home 4 days later. Postmortem revealed a primary pulmonary artery chondrosarcoma. This is the first case report of a pulmonary artery chondrosarcoma in a dog and presents another differential diagnosis of syncope in the dog.     

OSTEOSARCOMA IN THE MIDDIAPHYSIS OF THE RADIUS IN THE DOG

This case report describes the radiographic/clinical progression of a lesion in the middiaphysis of the radius in a dog. The lesion initially looked benign but progressed and eventually was diagnosed as an anaplastic osteosarcoma.