Caudal vena cava kinking in dogs with ascites

A 9-year-old dog with spontaneous ascites was found to have hepatic vein distension and a tortuous vena cava on abdominal ultrasound. In right lateral recumbency, the caudal vena cava crossed the diaphragm and became kinked before entering into the right atrium. Following this observation, we performed an experimental study in a normal dog to determine whether kinking of the caudal vena cava could be the result and not the cause of ascites. Ascites was induced using warm saline injected through a needle inserted into the abdominal cavity. Venograms were collected from different body positions, under four conditions: before and after a total of one, two and 3 liters of saline had been injected. Caudal vena cava kinking was observed in the experimental dog after 2 liters of fluid had been injected. Vena cava obstruction may cause ascites, but we found that sometimes caudal vena cava kinking can be the result and not the cause of the peritoneal effusion.     

Correlation between jugular and central venous pressures in laterally recumbent horses

Objective To compare and correlate right atrial pressure, which represents central venous pressure (CVP) to jugular vein pressure (JVP) in laterally recumbent horses under anesthesia. Study design Retrospective clinical trial. Animals Seven adult healthy horses (411 ± 8.7 kg). Methods Horses were sedated with IV xylazine and anesthesia was obtained with IV ketamine and diazepam. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane in oxygen. All horses were positioned in left lateral recumbency. An 8F catheter introducer was inserted into the right jugular vein to measure JVP. An 8F catheter introducer was inserted into the left jugular vein to be used as the port for a 7F 110 cm catheter that reached the right atrium to measure CVP. Both, CVP and JVP were measured simultaneously with a water calibrated aneroid manometer using the sternum as the 0 cmH₂O reference point. Measurements were compared using Spearman correlation and the Bland‐Altman plot. Results Twenty paired samples were obtained over a period of 2 hours. The CVP ranged from 7 to 31 cmH₂O, while the JVP ranged from 5 to 30 cmH₂O. The Spearman correlation coefficient indicated that CVP and JVP had a strong correlation with r = 0.88. The Bland‐Altman plot showed a bias of 0.7 cmH₂O. Conclusion and clinical relevance Jugular vein pressure showed a strong correlation with CVP in healthy, euvolemic, laterally recumbent anesthetized adult horses. Thus, JVP cannot replace CVP but it may be used clinically to monitor CVP in laterally recumbent horses.     

Multimodality imaging of an azygous continuation of the caudal vena cava in a dog with pulmonary thromboembolic disease

A 5‐year‐old spayed female English Bulldog was evaluated for acute anorexia, lethargy, respiratory distress, and syncope. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography revealed the vascular malformation of azygous continuation of the caudal vena cava with extensive thrombus formation and pulmonary arterial thromboembolic disease. The patient was hospitalized for supportive treatment and was prescribed long‐term clopidogrel therapy. The patient survived to discharge and at last follow‐up remained clinically stable. While this vascular malformation has been reported in canines, to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of pulmonary thromboembolic disease in a canine concurrent with this condition.     

Hepatic ultrasonography in three breeds of healthy calves: Nellore,Curraleiro Pe-duro and Pantaneiro

An ultrasonography was performed in 21 healthy male calves of Nellore (n = 8), Curraleiro Pe-duro (n = 7) and Pantaneiro (n = 6) breeds, between 8 and 12 months, with the objective to display information about size, position and ultrasonographic parenchymal patterns of the liver, in addition to the topography of the gallbladder, right kidney and major vessels. The measurements used were dorsal margin distance (DMD) and ventral margin distance (VMD) of the liver, viewable extension (VE) of the liver, the caudal vena cava (CVC), width (CVCW) and depth (CVCD) and the portal vein (PV), width (PVW) and depth (PVD). The measures DMD, VMD and VE were similar, and the organ’s longest visible extension was in 11th ICS. CVC was more frequently observed in the 11th and 10th ICS, despite being visible from the 12th to the 9th ICS in Nellore and still 8th ICS in Curraleiro Pe-duro and Pantaneiro. CVCD was lower in the 10th and 9th ICS in Nellore. The PV presented higher observation frequency in the 10th ICS. The measures PVD and PVW were higher in Nellore in the 11th, 10th and 9th ICS. To our knowledge, this report is the first to document ultrasonographic findings in three healthy calves. Considering the three breeds, the results show no differences in the ultrasonographic features as regard to the measurements and visualization of the position, size and vasculature of the liver and there was no additional information about the topography of the gallbladder and the right kidney.     

Central venous access to the cranial vena cava via the omobrachial vein in the dog

Background– The omobrachial vein is a superficial vein that crosses the brachial region of the dog. It terminates in the cranial vena cava, offering a novel site for central venous catheterization into the cranial thorax. Case Summary– The omobrachial vein served as a point of access to the cranial vena cava for treatment and monitoring of a critical canine patient in this report. The omobrachial vein was catheterized using the modified‐Seldinger technique due to contamination of or lack of availability of commonly used central venous catheter insertion sites. Conclusion– Access to the cranial vena cava via the omobrachial vein was easily achieved, and the catheter was maintained without complication for 10 days. Although the site was successfully used in the patient in this report, omobrachial vein anatomy is not consistent in all dogs.     

Venous aneurysm of the jugular vein in horses

Venous anomalies of the jugular vein are uncommon in the horse. Jugular venous aneurysms (congenital or pseudoaneurysm) in horses usually present as a compressible asymptomatic cervical mass enlarging on manual congestion of the jugular vein. They can be classified into primary (congenital) and acquired lesions. Primary venous aneurysms are true venous aneurysms because in these lesions the venous wall is intact, whereas false or pseudoaneurysm has a disruption of the inner layers of the venous wall. Two types of jugular vein aneurysm can be identified, fusiform or saccular, the former being the most common in people. Doppler ultrasound imaging confirms the diagnosis. Surgical treatment, aneurysmectomy with venorraphy or venoplasty is indicated in case of progressive aneurysmal expansion. This clinical commentary describes a 4-month-old foal presented with a primary aneurysm of the right jugular vein in the midcervial region. Treatment consisted of partial aneurysmectomy and venorraphy. Four years later, the horse had a patent jugular vein with a normal diameter and was trained without clinical signs of venous distension.     

Nephroblastoma in a Cat: The Effects of Nephrectomy and Occlusion of the Caudal Vena Cava

Abstract— A nephroblastoma of the right kidney was observed in a young male cat. The affected kidney and a portion of the vena cava was surgically removed. After failure to establish a patent caval-portal shunt, it was found that the vertebral vein system functioned as a bypass for caval blood flow. Metastatic tumor which became apparent in the lungs and peritoneum five and eight months after ablation of the primary tumor was removed by excision biopsy.
Résumé—Un néphoroblastome du rein droit a é t é observé chez un jeune chat mâle. Le rein malade et une partie de la vena cava ont é t é enlevé chirurgicalement. Après un échec pour établir une anastomose caval-portal pérméable, on a trouvé que le système veineux vertébral fonctionnait comme un court-circuit pour le sang de la veine cave. Une tumeur métastatique apparue dans les poumons et le péritoine 5 et 8 mois après l'ablation de la tumeur a é t é enlevée par une biopsie d'exérèse.
Zusammenfassung— Ein Nephroblastom der rechten Niere wurde bei einem jungen Kater fest-gestellt. Die befallene Niere und ein Teil der Vena cava wurden chirurgisch entfernt. AIs es nicht gelungen war, eine offene Cava-Porta-Verbindung herzustellen, wurde festgestellt, dass das vertebrale Venensystem als Umgehung des Cavawegs diente. Metastatische Tumoren, die in den Lungen und im Peritoneum fünf und acht Monate nach der Entfernung des primären Tumors auftraten, wurden durch Excisionbiopsie entfernt.     

Ultrasonographic measurement of caudal vena cava to aorta ratios for determination of volume depletion in normal beagle dogs

A noninvasive method for quantifying hydration status would be helpful for clinical management and for research applications in dogs. This prospective, experimental, pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of ultrasonographic measurement of the caudal vena cava to aorta ratio as a method for quantifying volume depletion in dogs. In 12 normal beagle dogs, furosemide was administered intravenously at a dose of 1 mg/kg, every 2 h, for 8 h, to induce consecutive volume depletion. Every 30 min after administration, ultrasonographic images of the caudal vena cava and aorta, and physical and biological parameters related to dehydration were acquired. On transverse and longitudinal planes of caudal vena cava and aorta images, the height and area of the caudal vena cava and aorta were measured to calculate the caudal vena cava/aorta ratios. All images were acquired by approaching from the right intercostal space with the dogs in left lateral recumbency. A negative correlation was present between the percentage of weight loss in dogs and all four investigated caudal vena cava/aorta ratios (transverse plane width of the caudal vena cava [TW]/aorta; transverse plane height of caudal vena cava [TH]/aorta; longitudinal plane area of the caudal vena cava [TA]/aorta; and longitudinal plane maximal height of the caudal vena cava [L]/aorta). Significant differences (P < 0.001) were seen between dogs with and without clinical signs of dehydration for all caudal vena cava/aorta ratios. Findings indicated that ultrasonographic caudal vena cava/aorta ratios are feasible methods for quantifying volume depletion and for use as an adjunct to standard subjective methods for estimating hydration status in dogs.     

Evalution of an Epidural Intracranial Pressure Monitoring System in Cats

The accuracy of an inexpensive, easily implantable, epidural intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring system was assessed in six normal cats by comparing measurements from this system to those obtained with a fiberoptic intraparenchymal monitoring system. The epidural monitoring system consisted of a three-way stopcock and saline-filled extension tubing, connected to a standard blood pressure transducer. Each cat was placed under halothane anesthesia and mechanically ventilated. Both an epidural and a fiberoptic intraparenchymal monitoring device were placed in the left cranium of each cat; correct placement was verified by computed tomography. Mean ICP values were simultaneously recorded from both monitoring devices. After obtaining baseline ICP measurements, the ICP was manipulated via ventilation, jugular compression, and pharmacologic agents. Arterial blood pressure levels, arterial blood gas values, end-tidal carbon dioxide levels, and end-tidal halothane levels were recorded throughout the study. Cerebral perfusion pressure was calculated for each level of ICP. Repeated measures analysis of variance method was used to compare mean ICP values between the two monitoring systems. No significant differences in ICP values obtained from the two systems were found (p>0.05) at any level of ICP. The results of this study show that the epidural monitoring system is a reliable alternative to the fiberoptic intraparenchymal ICP monitoring system in normal cats. The accuracy of the epidural monitoring system in pathologic states needs to be investigated.     

Evaluation of caudal vena cava size using computed tomography in dogs under general anesthesia

This study investigated the association between caudal vena cava (CVC) size and circulatory dynamics in dogs using computed tomography (CT) under general anesthesia. The subjects were 104 dogs who had undergone CT under general anesthesia in the past. The ratio of short diameter of the CVC to aortic diameter (CVC_S/Ao) and the ratio of long to short diameter of the CVC (CVC_L/CVC_S) in the thorax and abdomen, respectively, were calculated using factors such as mean blood pressure (MBP), shock index (SI), anemia, hypoproteinemia, presence of intra-abdominal mass, and cardiac disease. There was a significant but negligible negative correlation between CVC_S/Ao and MBP. In contrast, no significant correlation was found between CVC size and SI. The low MBP group had significantly higher CVC_S/Ao of the thorax than the normal MBP group. The group with intra-abdominal mass had significantly lower CVC_S/Ao of the abdomen than the group without intra-abdominal mass. The group with cardiac disease had significantly lower CVC_L/CVC_S of the thorax than the group without cardiac disease. In multiple regression analysis, low MBP, cardiac disease, intra-abdominal mass, and anemia were significant factors for CVC_S/Ao of the thorax, CVC_L/CVC_S of the thorax, CVC_S/Ao of the abdomen, and CVC_L/CVC_S of the abdomen, respectively. In conclusion, CVC size assessment using CT in dogs under general anesthesia is influenced by various factors.     

Congenital Interruption of the Portal Vein and Caudal Vena Cava in Dogs: Six Case Reports and a Review of the Literature

Objective —To describe six dogs with congenital abnormalities involving the portal vein, caudal vena cava, or both.
Animals —Six client-owned dogs with congenital interruption of the portal vein or the caudal vena cava, or both.
Methods —Portal vein and caudal vena cava anatomy was evaluated by contrast radiography and visualization at surgery. Vascular casts or plastinated specimens were obtained in three animals.
Results —Portal blood shunted into the caudal vena cava in four dogs and the left hepatic vein in one. Two of these five dogs also had interruption of the caudal vena cava with continuation as azygous vein, as did an additional dog, in which the portal vein was normally formed. Portal vein interruption was present in 5 of 74 (6.8%) dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts evaluated at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital during the study period.
Conclusions —Serious malformations of the abdominal veins were present in more than 1 in 20 dogs with single congenital portosystemic shunts.
Clinical Relevance —Veterinarians involved in diagnosis and surgery for portosystemic shunts should be aware of these potential malformations, and portal vein continuity should be evaluated in all dogs before attempting shunt attenuation.     

抗菌药在犬、猫临床上的合理应用

菌药在犬、猫临床上使用最广泛和最重要的抗感染药物,对控制犬、猫疾病起着巨大的作用,但目前不合理使用尤其是滥用的现象较为严重,不仅造成药品的浪费,而且导致犬、猫的不良反应增多,产生细菌耐药性,对动物造成伤害,甚至导致医疗事故的发生等。作者针对犬、猫疾病特点,结合犬、猫临床疾病防治经验和体会,对用于犬、猫临床上的常见抗菌药物进行了概括与总结,为在犬、猫临床上正确使用抗菌药物提供一个参考。     

人类同犬猫关系的变化与宠物食品的发展

近年来宠物经济快速发展,新型宠物食品层出不穷,而对于宠物食品快速发展的原因鲜有从人类需求层面进行分析.本文从犬猫起源的角度出发,针对犬猫与人类的关系及宠物食品的发展进行讨论,发现犬猫在起源上就具有陪伴属性,是宠物食品创造了宠物本身,宠物食品的快速发展恰恰体现的是"人民对美好生活的需要",于是从人类本身需求的层面上对宠物...