Ultrasonographic signs of intestinal intussusception associated with acute enteritis or gastroenteritis in 19 young dogs

The ultrasonographic pattern of intestinal intussusception was studied in 19 young dogs with acute enteritis or gastroenteritis. The intussusception was observed to be a target-like mass consisting of a hyperechoic or anechoic center surrounded by multiple hyperechoic and hypoechoic concentric rings in transverse sections. In longitudinal sections, the intussusception appeared as multiple hyperechoic and hypoechoic parallel lines, as a tumor-like or pseudokidney mass, and as a trident-like configuration. Ultrasonography may provide a sensitive, specific, and accurate method of diagnosing intestinal intussusception in young dogs.     

Serum lipase activity in young dogs with acute enteritis or gastroenteritis

Blood serum lipase activity was determined in 48 young dogs with acute enteritis or gastroenteritis due to canine parvovirus (16 Cases) and presumably to other infectious agents (32 cases). Elevated serum lipase activity (> 500 U/L) was found in 13 dogs (27.1 %) with values ranging from 800 to 2,780 U/L. The hyperlipasemia of these cases may be attributed to acute pancreatitis secondary to acute gastroenteritis or to gastrointestinal upset.     

An investigation into some causes of canine diarrhoea in Ibadan

Between October 1975 and March 1976, fourteen dogs of the 308 examined in the small animal clinic of the University of Ibadan were diarrhoeic while eight dogs from two experimental groups housed within the university and kept at a distance of about 1.5 km from the small animal clinic also had diarrhoea. The most common condition associated with diarrhoea in dogs in Ibadan was intestinal parasitism caused mainly by Ancylostoma caninum (six cases) Isospora canis (five cases) and Dipylidium caninum (one case). The other causes of diarrhoea were canine distemper, bacterial enteritis, canine babesiosis, traumatic gastroenteritis and eosinophilic gastroenteritis.     

Intussusception in dogs and cats: A review of 36 cases

Intussusception is recognized as a common cause of bowel obstruction in small animals. This study documents the clinical and surgical findings in nine cats and 27 dogs diagnosed as having intussusception. The main purposes of the study were to define the predisposing causes and clinical signs of intussusception and to evaluate various surgical techniques commonly employed in its treatment. No common predisposing cause could be established. Diagnosis of intussusception was based most often on clinical signs of bowel obstruction in association with the palpable abdominal mass. The majority of the intussusceptions involved the enterocolic junction. Formation of adhesions was more frequent in cats. Surgical treatments included simple reduction, manual reduction with plication, intestinal resection/anastomosis, and intestinal resection/anastamosis with plication. There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in the recurrence rate of the intussusceptions when the various surgical techniques were compared. Recurrence of an intussusception was not related to either the bowel segment involved or whether a simple reduction, bowel resection, or intestinal plication was performed at the initial surgery.     

Small Bowel Volvulus in Dogs Clinical Observations

Small bowel volvulus was diagnosed in six dogs. Peracute onset, hematochezia, and lack of vomition were the most prominent clinical features. All affected dogs exceeded 23 kg in body weight. Five of the six dogs were males and two were German shepherd dogs.
There were no diagnostic findings that were specific for intestinal volvulus. Abdominal radiographs in two dogs were interpreted as showing "pathologic" dilatation of bowel. However, it could not be determined whether the dilatation was caused by adynamic ileus or by mechanical obstruction. Results of hematological tests help to differentiate other causes of bloody diarrhea such as hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and parvovirus enteritis.
Prognosis for dogs with intestinal volvulus was poor: all six of the dogs in our series died.     

Small intestinal intussusception in five dogs with acute renal failure and suspected leptospirosis (L. australis)

Objectives – This case series describes 5 dogs with small intestinal intussusception and acute kidney injury due to infection with Leptospira interrogans serovar Australis.
Case Series Summary – Small intestinal intussusception was observed in 4 dogs diagnosed with acute kidney injury due to leptospirosis presented between 1997 and 2005. Intussusception was diagnosed at initial presentation or later during hospitalization. An additional dog fulfilling our inclusion criteria was presented to a small animal specialty clinic nearby and was included. Upon admission, all dogs were severely azotemic and thrombocytopenic. All 5 dogs showed the strongest microscopic agglutination test serology reaction to L. interrogans serovar Australis. Two dogs survived with no apparent residual renal damage, 1 survived with subsequent mild chronic kidney disease, and 2 dogs were euthanized at the owners' request due to a guarded prognosis.
New or Unique Information Provided – Intussusception can occur or may be seen in dogs with leptospirosis due to L. interrogans serovar Australis and patients should be monitored closely for this potential complication. As all 5 dogs described in this case series showed the highest titer for L. interrogans serovar Australis, these precautions may be especially applied in geographic areas where this particular serovar is seen.     

Retrospective detection by negative contrast electron microscopy of faecal viral particles in free-living wild red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) with suspected enteropathy in Great Britain

Transmission electron microscopy identified adenovirus particles in 10 of 70 (14.3 per cent) samples of large intestinal content collected at postmortem examination from free-living wild red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) across Great Britain between 2000 and 2009. Examination was limited to cases in which an enteropathy was suspected on the basis of predetermined macroscopic criteria such as semi-solid or diarrhoeic faeces, suspected enteritis or the presence of intussusception. In most cases, meaningful histological examination of enteric tissue was not possible due to pronounced autolysis. Two (2.9 per cent) of the samples were negative for adenovirus but were found to contain rotavirus particles, a novel finding in this species.     

Complications of enteroplication for the prevention of intussusception recurrence in dogs: 35 cases (1989-1999).

OBJECTIVE: To compare complication and recurrence rates in dogs treated for intussusception that underwent enteroplication to rates in dogs treated for intussusception that did not undergo enteroplication. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 35 dogs with intestinal intussusception. PROCEDURE: Information on signalment, clinical signs, potential predisposing causes, surgical technique, opioid administration, use of enteroplication, postoperative complications, and whether the intussusception recurred was obtained from the medical records. RESULTS: Dogs ranged from 8 weeks to 10 years old. Opioids were administered in the perioperative period in 34 dogs. Enteroplication was performed in 16 dogs. Complications of enteroplication that required a second surgery were identified in 3 dogs. None of the 16 dogs that underwent enteroplication had a recurrence of intussusception, whereas 1 of the 19 dogs that did not undergo enteroplication had a recurrence. Rate of intussusception recurrence and likelihood that a second surgical procedure would be required were not significantly different between dogs that underwent enteroplication and dogs that did not. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that enteroplication may be associated with life-threatening complications in dogs, but the likelihood of a dog requiring a second surgical procedure following surgical correction of intussusception was not different between dogs that underwent enteroplication at the time of the initial surgery and dogs that did not.     

Lymphocytic-Plasmacytic Enteritis in 24 Dogs

Lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis (LPE) was diagnosed by intestinal biopsy in 24 dogs with chronic small intestinal diarrhea. Vomiting, weight loss, and reduced appetite were frequent. Breed predispositions were not documented, although four patients were German Shepherd dogs. Hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and hypoglobulinemia were common and most likely a result of protein-losing enteropathy. Other biochemical abnormalities were uncommon. Intestinal malabsorption was common. Neutrophilia (sometimes with increased band neutrophils), monocytosis, lymphopenia, and eosinopenia were the most consistent hematologic abnormalities. The severity of the lymphocytic-plasmacytic infiltration was not significantly different (P greater than 0.05) between regions of small intestine. However, the severity of cellular infiltration often varied among different regions of small intestine in the same dog. Changes in villous architecture and lacteal dilation were common. Intestinal nematode infestation was diagnosed in five dogs, and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency was diagnosed in one dog. In the remaining 18 dogs, besides LPE, no other associated or concurrent intestinal disease was diagnosed.     

Ultrasonographic features of intestinal intussusception in 10 dogs

Records of dogs that had abdominal ultrasonography and surgical or pathological diagnosis of intestinal intussusception between February 1992 and June 1997 were reviewed retrospectively. Ultrasound images were reviewed with respect to appearance of the intussusception, suspected location, evidence of predisposing cause and concurrent lesions. Ten intussusceptions were found, affecting a variety of breeds. The mean (range) age of affected dogs was 2·5 (0·3 to seven) years (four females and six males) and the reported duration of clinical signs, 48 (one to 150) days. Intussusceptions were jejunojejunal (five dogs), ileocolic (three), caecocolic (one) and colocolic (one). A concentric ring sign was identified ultrasonographically in each dog and anatomical location predicted correctly in five instances. Additional ultrasonographic findings associated with intussusceptions included intestinal neoplasm in two dogs, enlarged abdominal lymph nodes in two, multiple mesenteric cysts in one and intestinal foreign body in a further dog. Thus, ultrasonography enables accurate diagnosis of intestinal intussusception and is a useful method for searching for concurrent or predisposing lesions.     

Oxidative stress indices in gastroenteritis in dogs with canine parvoviral infection

Gastroenteritis of viral origin has emerged as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in dogs during the last two decades. Amongst the viral etiologies responsible for gastroenteritis in dogs, canine parvovirus (CPV) is considered as the most pathogenic. The disease is characterized by hemorrhagic enteritis, bloody diarrhoea and myocarditis in young pups. The present study was carried out to examine alterations in oxidative stress indices in the erythrocytes from dogs suffering from gastroenteritis with or without canine parvoviral infection as confirmed by CPV-DNA amplification from faeces using specific primers for CPV-2 as well as CPV-2a and CPV-2b variants by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The present investigation utilized clinical cases of dogs with signs of acute diarrhea (n = 56), and 14 more apparently healthy dogs of similar age group. Erythrocytic oxidative stress indices such as lipid peroxides level and antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, and blood micro-mineral (iron, copper, cobalt and zinc) status were analyzed in each dog (n = 70). The acute cases of gastroenteritis in dogs were associated with altered erythrocytic lipid peroxidation as evident by estimation of malonaldehyde (MDA) concentration. The activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase, the first line of antioxidant defense against damaging effects of free radicals, were also altered. The alterations in oxidative stress indices were more pronounced in cases with involvement of canine parvovirus as compared to parvo-negative cases. Our results also revealed decreased blood zinc level in diarrhoea in dogs irrespective of involvement of canine parvovirus.     

Spontaneous reduction of intestinal intussusception in five young dogs

Five, 3- to 8-month-old dogs had clinical and ultrasonographic findings consistent with intestinal intussusception, but findings were negative on exploratory celiotomy. Ultrasonography had revealed a target-like mass (median maximal diameter 25 mm) on transverse section and multiple hyperechoic or hypoechoic parallel lines (median length 36.8 mm) on longitudinal section. Blood flow in the intussuscepted bowel was detected in most of the cases. In dogs with similar findings, the authors recommend ultrasonographic reexamination of the abdomen after general anesthesia (but before surgery) to exclude spontaneous reduction of the intussusception.     

Retrospective study on the diagnostic value of full-thickness biopsies from the stomach and intestines of dogs with chronic gastrointestinal disease symptoms

An evaluation of histologic findings in full-thickness biopsies from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) from 64 dogs with chronic GIT disease symptoms was performed. In the majority of cases (38/64; 59%), intestinal lymphangiectasia and mucosal edema of unknown etiology were present. In 10 dogs (16%) an eosinophilic colitis, either alone or together with gastritis and/or enteritis, was found. In 5 dogs (8%) lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis or enterocolitis was diagnosed. Five dogs (8%) had an intestinal T-cell lymphoma. Samples from the remaining cases were histologically normal or did not allow for a final diagnosis. In contrast to reports about findings in endoscopic biopsies (which often are of varying quality or inadequate for diagnosis), in the majority of cases of this study, examination of full-thickness biopsies from the GIT allowed us to make a definitive histopathologic diagnosis. Furthermore, the study revealed that transmural biopsies are very helpful for diagnosing lymphoma.     

Concomitant occurrence ofCampylobacter and parvoviruses in dogs with gastroenteritis

In 1979 a canine parvovirus infection was widespread among dogs in Sweden. During the epizootic faecal samples were taken for bacteriological examination from 77 hospitalised dogs at an animal clinic. Forty-nine of the dogs had signs of gastroenteritis and they were all infected with canine parvovirus according to serological investigations. The remaining 28 dogs were referred to the clinic for other reasons.Campylobacter was isolated from 23 out of the 49 dogs with gastroenteritis and from 4 out of the 28 dogs lacking symptoms of enteritis. The significance of these findings is discussed.     

Ultrasonographic findings of intestinal intussusception in seven cats

The medical records of seven cats with intestinal intussusception that were diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography and exploratory laparotomy were reviewed. In transverse ultrasonographic sections the intussusception appeared as a target-like mass consisting of one, two or more hyperechoic and hypoechoic concentric rings surrounding a C-shaped, circular or non-specific shaped hyperechoic centre. Part of the intestine representing the inner intussusceptum, located close to the hyperechoic centre and surrounded by concentric rings, was also detected. In longitudinal sections the intussusception appeared as multiple hyperechoic and hypoechoic parallel lines in four cases and as an ovoid mass in three cases. In one case the ovoid mass had a ‘kidney’ configuration. Additional ultrasonographic findings associated with intestinal intussusception included an intestinal neoplasm in one cat. The results of the present study demonstrate that the ultrasonographic findings of intestinal intussusception in cats bear some similarities to those described in dogs and humans, are relatively consistent, and facilitate a specific diagnosis.     

Normal and abnormal ultrasonographic findings that mimic small intestinal intussusception in the dog

On ultrasonographic examination of the abdomen, the appearance of healthy intestine, enteritis secondary to an intestinal foreign body, and postpartum involution of the uterus may be visualized in some imaging planes as a target-like structure that is subsequently misinterpreted as intestinal intussusception. To avoid misdiagnosis, the ultrasonographer should ensure multi-plane scanning of the lesion, paying particular attention to the completeness of the lesion's peripheral ring structure and the overall width of the concentric rings of the target-like lesion. The presence of a semilunar or G-shaped hyperechoic center and the visualization of the inner intussusceptum (extending into the intussusception lumen) can be useful ultrasonographic findings that distinguish an intussusception from other lesions or from healthy tissues. These principles are illustrated through the following case presentations.     

A descriptive study of the frequency and characteristics of proliferative enteropathy in swine in Ontario by analyzing routine animal health surveillance data

Routine surveillance data, collected on pathology submissions at the Animal Health Laboratory in Guelph between 1992 and 1997, were analyzed to determine demographic, clinical, and pathologic characteristics of cases of proliferative enteropathy and the frequency of this condition relative to other infectious enteric diseases in swine in Ontario. The most commonly reported disease was Escherichia coli enteritis (average cases/year = 70.0). Among infectious enteropathies that occur typically in neonatal pigs, coccidiosis (28.4 cases/year) and rotaviral enteritis (5.6 cases/year) were reported. Among infectious enteropathies generally associated with diarrhea in weaner and grower/finisher pigs, the most frequently reported was proliferative enteropathy (27.6 cases/year), followed by swine dysentery (23.3 cases/year), transmissible gastroenteritis (19.6 cases/year), and salmonellosis (8.4 cases/year). Diarrhea and bloody diarrhea were reported in 29% and 31%, respectively, of herds diagnosed with proliferative enteropathy. Important gross intestinal lesions included mucosal hypertrophy (62% of cases), hemorrhage (47%), and mucosal necrosis (34%). Histologic intestinal lesions included epithelial hyperplasia (90% of cases), mucosal necrosis (59%), and inflammation (49%). Our results suggest that proliferative enteropathy is a major infectious enteric disease in grower/finisher pigs in Ontario.     

Abdominal surgery in foals: a review of 119 cases (1977-1994)

The case records of 119 young horses (all less than age one year) that underwent an exploratory celiotomy during a 17 year period were examined to determine the surgical findings, short- and long-term outcome, and prevalence of small intestinal disease compared to previous reports in the mature horse. Physical and laboratory values were compared for long-term survivors vs. nonsurvivors and the frequency of post operative intra-abdominal adhesions was determined. The most common cause for exploratory celiotomy was small intestinal strangulation, followed by enteritis and uroperitoneum. Six horses died during surgery, 23 were subjected to euthanasia at the time of surgery due to a grave prognosis, and 17 horses died or were destroyed after surgery, prior to discharge from the hospital; the short-term survival was 61%. Nine horses were lost to follow-up. Forty-one horses survived long-term (at least 6 months after surgery), 15 died or were subjected to euthanasia after discharge for reasons related to the prior abdominal surgery, and 8 died or were destroyed after discharge due to unrelated reasons, making the long-term survival 45%. Fifty-three (45%) of the horses presented as neonates, and 66 (55%) presented age 3-12 months. Uroperitoneum and meconium impaction were the most common disease in the neonate. Intussusception and enteritis were the most common diseases in older foals. The overall prevalence of small intestinal disease was 44%. Significant elevations in packed cell volume, heart rate, nucleated cell counts and total protein in abdominal fluid and rectal temperature were observed in nonsurvivors compared to survivors. Nonsurvivors had significantly decreased serum bicarbonate, chloride, sodium, and venous pH values. There was no evidence that location of the lesion affected long-term survival. Horses with a simple obstruction had a higher survival percentage than those with a strangulating obstruction, and horses that underwent an intestinal resection had a lower long-term survival than those horses undergoing only intestinal manipulation. Nineteen (33%) of the foals examined after the original surgery had evidence of intra-abdominal adhesions. Nine of these (16%) had adhesions that caused a clinical problem.