Computed tomography as an aid to management of chronic oropharyngeal stick injury in the dog

Objective : To describe the use of computed tomography scanning in the management of dogs with chronic signs after oropharyngeal stick injury. Methods : Dogs with a final diagnosis of chronic oropharyngeal stick injury that underwent a computed tomography scan during their investigation were selected retrospectively from case files at the Royal Veterinary College, London. Results : The six dogs were young (median age 3·1 years) and medium to large breed (19·0 to 42·0 kg). By the time of referral the most common clinical sign was cervical swelling (five dogs). Stick foreign bodies were apparent on the plain computed tomography images in all cases and appeared as well‐demarcated, linear abnormalities. A ventral mid‐line approach was used for foreign body retrieval, and the computed tomography findings corresponded well with the surgical findings, with stick foreign body length ranging from 1 to 7 cm. Closed suction drainage was used in five dogs, for two to four days. Clinical signs fully resolved postoperatively in all cases, although cervical swelling recurred three weeks after surgery in one case. This dog had the smallest foreign body, the greatest number of surgical interventions before referral (three) and the longest disease course before referral (eight months). Clinical Significance : Computed tomography scanning is accurate in identifying the presence and location of chronic stick foreign bodies. Recurrence of disease is possible despite successful retrieval of the wood fragments found by computed tomography scan.     

Simple radiography as an aid to the diagnosis of heart disease in the dog

Abstract— —The intention of this paper is to show how simple, plain radiography of the thorax can be a useful aid to the diagnosis of heart disease in the dog. The only radiographic changes that will be discussed are those that can be demonstrated on lateral and dorso-ventral radiographs of the thorax which are easily obtainable by any veterinary surgeon with a reasonable X-ray machine. The use of intravascular and intracardiac contrast media and other of the more complex techniques which have been evolved to demonstrate cardiac structure and function in detail will not be discussed. Résumé— —Le but de ce compte-rendu est de démontrer que la simple radiographie du thorax peut être une aide utile à la diagnose de maladie de coeur chez le chien. Les seuls changements radio-graphiques qui seront discutés sont ceux qui peuvent être démontrés sur des radiographies latérales et dorso ventrales du thorax qui sont facilement obtenables par un chirurgien vétérinaire avec une machine moyenne de Rayons-X. L'emploi du moyenne de contraste intavasculaire et intracardiaque et d'autres techniques plus complexes qui sont issues pour démontrer la structure et la fonction cardiaque en détails ne sera pas discuté. Zusammenfassung— —Der Zweck dieser Abhandlung ist vorzuführen, wie einfache, unkomplizierte Röntgenphotographie des Brustkorbes einen nützlichen Beitrag zue Diagnose von Herzfehlern bei Hunden leisten kann. Es werden nur solche röntgenologischen Veränderungen besprochen, die auf seitlichen und dorsoventralen Röntgenbildern des Brustkorbes nachgewiesen werden können und deren Aufnahme ganz leicht von jedem tierärztlichen Chirurgen mit einem passablen Röntgen-apparat gemacht werden können. Die Verwendung von intravaskulären und intrakardiologischen Kontrastmitteln und anderen komplizierteren Methoden, die für eine ausführliche Demonstration der Herzstruktur und Funktion entwickelt wurden, wird nicht besprochen.     

Computed tomography as an aid in the diagnosis of chronic nasal disease in dogs

OBJECTIVES: To assess the use of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of chronic nasal disease in dogs. METHODS: A retrospective study of 85 dogs with chronic nasal discharge due to primary nasal disease, which had undergone nasal CT and biopsy, was carried out. Medical records were reviewed for signalment, clinical signs, CT findings, endoscopic findings and histopathology. The results obtained via CT were correlated with nasal histopathology and gross anatomical observations were recorded at the time of rhinoscopy. RESULTS: Neoplasia was diagnosed in 37 dogs for which CT typically revealed a soft tissue density associated with extensive turbinate destruction. Inflammatory rhinitis was diagnosed in 40 dogs. CT disclosed either normal turbinate structures or mild to moderate turbinate destruction, with or without the presence of soft tissue densities (mucopus) within the nasal passages. Fungal rhinitis was diagnosed in seven dogs for which CT disclosed extensive turbinate destruction with hyperlucency of the nasal passages. One dog had normal CT and histopathology findings. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: CT greatly enhanced the ability to diagnose chronic nasal disease in dogs, providing detailed Information regarding the extent of the disease, accurate discrimination of neoplastic versus non-neoplastic diseases, and identification of areas of the nose to examine rhinoscopically and suspicious regions to target for biopsy.     

Fistulography as an aid in the diagnosis of a nonradiopaque foreign body in a dog

A case of chronic fistula associated with foreign body penetration of the soft tissues was diagnosed in the skull of a dog by fistulography. Radiographic technique and diagnostic features are described and illustrated.     

Use of an osteoconductive compound as an aid in the management of a maxillary fracture in a boa constrictor

A boa constrictor was presented with a short oblique compound fracture of the rostral third of the right maxilla. The fracture was reduced and biomaterial was placed around the fracture. A computed tomography scan at 1.5 mo post-surgery showed that the fracture had healed with slight displacement of the bone fragments.     

Use of a colouring agent in approved dips as an aid in identifying dipped sheep

A fat soluble dye was identified as a suitable colourant for mixing with approved dips during the statutory winter dipping period. The optimum concentration of the dye was 0.4 per cent. It uniformly dyed the sheep and depending on the breed persisted on the fleece for three to six months. Any dye that remained on the wool at shearing (six to eight months after dipping) was washed out by scouring solutions containing non-ionic and anionic detergents. The dye did not alter the efficacy of the commonly used insecticides.     

Budd-Chiari-like syndrome associated with an adrenal phaeochromocytoma in a dog

A nine-year-old dog was presented with sudden-onset ascites and a history of two previous syncopal episodes. Diagnostic tests pointed to a Budd-Chiari-like syndrome, with obstruction of the caudal vena cava between the liver and heart. The ascites was refractory to treatment and the dog was euthanased. On postmortem examination, a phaeochromocytoma of the left adrenal gland was present, with contiguous invasions into the caudal vena cava, extending cranially as far as the cavoatrial junction. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of a Budd-Chiari-like syndrome associated with a phaeochromocytoma in a dog.     

Hemoperitoneum secondary to traumatic rupture of an adrenal tumor in a dog

Hemoperitoneum secondary to traumatic rupture of an adrenocortical adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in a 10-year-old male dog. Immediate surgical attention was required to remove the tumor and to control hemorrhage. The dog appeared to develop transient hypoadrenocorticism after surgery, but recovered with short-term exogenous corticosteroid administration. At 6 months after surgery, the dog was clinically normal.     

Nasal and oral masses in a dog

A 5-year-old, intact male, stray dog was presented in poor body condition, with pallor, muzzle deformity, multiple oozing fistulas with grass awns, bilateral sanguinopurulent nasal discharge and a fleshy friable mass occupying part of the hard palate. A friable mass occupying both nasal cavities was found on rhinoscopy. The dog had moderate nonregenerative normochromic-microcytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, hyperglobulinemia, and hypoalbuminemia. Cytologic preparations of the nasal and oral masses contained a neoplastic population of round cells with intracytoplasmic and extracellular vacuoles. Leishmania amastigotes also were observed, in the cytoplasm of macrophages and, occasionally, within neoplastic cells. A diagnosis of transmissible venereal tumor and concurrent leishmaniosis was made. Treatment with vincristine and allopurinol resulted in complete resolution of clinical signs and disappearance of the masses. The presence of amastigotes in neoplastic TVT cells may suggest an alternative mode of transmission of canine leishmaniosis where these diseases co-exist.     

Comminuted basilar skull fracture in a colt: Use of computed tomography to aid the diagnosis

The case of a one‐year‐old colt with acute onset of neurological dysfunction and epistaxis after a traumatic event is presented. After initiating emergency treatment, the colt was anaesthetised for diagnostic imaging. Radiographic examination of the head was suggestive of soft tissue opacity in the area of the guttural pouches, but was inconclusive about osseous involvement. A computed tomography (CT) scan, used to obtain further details, showed a comminuted basilar skull fracture with 2 displaced fragments that were not detected by radiography. Because of the poor prognosis for survival and return to athletic function, the horse was subjected to euthanasia. CT imaging provided the most useful diagnostic information about type, localisation, extension and severity of the basilar skull fracture.     

Fluoroscopic and endoscopic localization of an esophagobronchial fistula in a dog

A 10-month-old, intact male Chihuahua presented for a 7-month history of regurgitation and coughing. Survey radiographs revealed a soft-tissue opacity within the distal esophagus. A contrast study confirmed the presence of an esophagobronchial fistula. Endoscopic removal of foreign material within the esophagus allowed for visualization of an esophageal diverticulum. Bronchoscopic examination revealed the presence of an abnormal opening in a right caudal tertiary bronchus. Passage of a cardiac guidewire was accomplished, confirming the presence of the fistula and aiding its subsequent surgical removal.     

1例犬中暑的急救与探讨

中暑是动物在高温潮湿的环境下或在高温季节头部受烈日直射下,使动物机体产热和散热平衡失调而引发的机体中枢神经系统机能严重紊乱障碍的病理现象。重度中暑一旦发生,如抢救不及时或抢救措施不当,可导致病犬很快死亡。笔者在临床工作中遇到该病例1例,现介绍如下,希望对大家以后的工作能有所帮助。     

Plastinated heart slices aid echocardiographic interpretation in the dog

Our aim was to compare plastinated sections of the canine heart with corresponding two-dimensional (2D) echocardiographic images. Thirteen dog hearts were fixed by dilation and then processed by the S10 silicon plastination method (Biodur). Two dogs without evidence of cardiac disease were imaged using 2D echocardiography so as to obtain a complete series of the standard right and left parasternal images, which were compared with corresponding plastinated slices obtained by knife sectioning of the hearts. The plastinated slices revealed the internal anatomy of the heart with great detail and were particularly useful to display the spatial relationship between complex anatomic structures. The plastinated slices corresponded accurately with the echocardiographic images. Because of the dilation of the right heart during the fixation process, it was not possible to obtain plastinated specimens in ventricular systole. This paper may be a reference atlas for assisting 2D echocardiography interpretation.     

Computer analysis as an aid in identification of mycobacteria

One hundred eighty-four isolates representing 23 species of mycobacteria were identified using computer-assisted analysis. All isolates were examined using a standard series of 12 biochemical tests. These tests were selected because of their reproducibility and ease of performance in the laboratory. Data from these tests were analyzed by a computer that had been previously programmed to process the information and make a species determination. Identifications from the probability model were compared to identifications from conventional methods. There was 96.7% agreement between the 2 methods. The computer-assisted data analysis for identification provides increased accuracy over conventional methods because a statistical probability is applied. It also requires less time. Differences in computer data between mycobacterial species are discussed.