SONOGRAPHIC APPLICATION IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF INTRAABDOMINAL ABSCESS IN THE DOG

The sonographic appearance of intraabdominal abscess, excluding prostatic abscess, is presented. The most common sonographic pattern identified for intraabdominal abscess is an irregularly defined, hypoechoic mass with minimal to no through transmission. Definitive diagnosis of intraabdominal abscess using only sonography is not possible, as variations of this common sonographic pattern are imaged. Sonography is best utilized to scan an animal when there is a high suspicion of intraabdominal abscess with no overt physical or radiographic evidence, and to better characterize intraabdominal masses. Sonography can be used to assist in percutaneous aspiration, catheterization, and intraoperative localization of abscessation.     

Extraperitoneal incisional abscess formation after colic surgery in 3 horses

In this article we report 3 horses that developed an extraperitoneal abscess after colic surgery at the incision site. All 3 horses presented with nonspecific clinical signs and extraperitoneal abscess was diagnosed from ultrasound evaluations and cytological examination of abscess aspirates. One horse developed dehiscence of the incision after drainage of the abscess through the incision. In 2 cases a small standing paramedian incision was performed through which the abscess was drained and lavaged; complete resolution of the abscess and healing of the incision was achieved in both cases. Extraperitoneal abscess is a previously unreported incisional complication after colic surgery in horses. Early and careful ultrasonographic examination of the abdominal incision is required for diagnosis in cases with nonspecific clinical signs. A paramedian incision through the rectus abdominis muscle into the abscess cavity permitted adequate drainage and debridement of the abscess in 2 cases.     

Ultrasonographic findings of an ovarian abscess in a cow

Ultrasonographic examination was carried out in a cow with an ovarian abscess. Real time ultrasound scanning using a 7.5 MHz linear probe per rectum revealed an active left ovary with follicles of up to 11 mm in diameter and an enlarged right ovary measuring 6 x 6 cm, with a mass of 4 x 3 cm. The mass had varied echotexture, a thick hyperechoic boundary and a hypoechoic centre with echoic foci. It was tentatively diagnosed as an ovarian tumour or abscess. After ovariectomy, grossly the right ovary measured 6 x 6 x 5 cm and on cutting cheesy pus oozed out. The abscess was completely localised within the ovary, 4 cm in diameter and encapsulated thickly. On bacteriological examination Staphylococcus spp. was isolated. This is a rare case of ovarian abscess.     

Effects of a Tylosin Tartrate Pellet Added to Cattle Growth Implants on the Incidence of Implant Site Abscesses

The antibacterial effects of tylosin tartrate, added to a cattle growth implant, were evaluated in terms of prevention of implant site abscess formation. An implant site abscess induction model was developed to create implant site abscesses reliably in test animals. This model was then used to test the ability of tylosin tartrate, added as a separate compressed pellet to Component® brand implants (Ivy Animal Health, Overland Park, KS), to reduce implant site abscess incidence in animals expected to develop an ear abscess. Abscesses were induced in all cattle at implanting (d 0). Implant sites were observed on d 6, 10, 16, 21, 28, and 35 post-implantation to determine the presence and severity of an abscess. Three steer implant formulations and two heifer implant formulations, each with and without the tylosin tartrate pellet, were tested. The overall implant site abscess rate was 94.1% in animals that did not receive a tylosin tartrate pellet and 4.2% in animals that received a tylosin tartrate pellet. For each implant at each implant site observation, abscess rate was significantly less (P<0.002) in steers or heifers treated with the tylosin tartrate pellet. Results show that a significantly lesser percentage of ear implant site abscesses are induced if a tylosin tartrate pellet is added to the implant.     

Combination of medical and surgical therapy for pleuropneumonia in a horse.

Medical management was unable to prevent the development of an extrapulmonary abscess in a 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding with anaerobic pleuropneumonia. Intercostal thoracostomy achieved drainage of the abscess. Resolution of the abscess and subsequent bronchopleural fistulas was monitored by ultrasonography and video-endoscopy. The horse returned to training 4 mo after discharge.     

Successful treatment of a splenic abscess secondary to migrant metallic wires in a horse

This case report discusses a successful partial splenectomy for treatment of a splenic abscess in a horse. A 2-year-old Thoroughbred colt was hospitalised 5 weeks after an episode of severe colic that was followed by gradual weight loss and anorexia, pyrexia for 5 days and dehydration on the day of referral. A large splenic abscess was identified ultrasonographically. Following initial medical treatment, an exploratory laparotomy was performed. Multiple adhesions were released and a partial splenectomy conducted to remove the abscess. Migrant metallic wires penetrating from the small intestine into the splenic parenchyma were found to be the cause for the adhesions and the abscess. This paper summarises the potential advantages of utilising a partial vs. a total splenectomy and highlights the potential complications of these surgical procedure in equines.     

Use of Intraoperative Ultrasonography to Identify a Cervical Foreign Body A Case Report

Real-time ultrasound was used to identify a foreign-body abscess causing an extraluminal esophageal obstruction in the neck of a horse. Surgical exploration to remove the foreign body and drain the abscess was performed after 2 months of medical management that had failed to resolve the problem. The abscess could not be visualized because there was no draining tract or other localizing sign of inflammation. Ultrasound was used aseptically to guide surgical dissection to the walled off abscess with minimal damage to adjacent vital structures in the surgical field. The signs of esophageal obstruction abated and have not recurred in 15 months.     

Fusobacterium necrophorum hemolysin in bovine hepatic abscess

An immunofluorescence study was made on bovine hepatic abscess containing Fusobacterium necrophorum predominantly. The abscess section stained with anti F. necrophorum hemolysin serum demonstrated fluorescence which formed irregular and granular shapes. Actinomyces pyogenes isolates from the abscess were not stained with the serum. These findings suggest that the bacterial hemolysin contributes to the formation of the hepatic abscess during an infection with F. necrophorum.     

Ultrasound-guided retrieval of plant awns

In dogs, surgical removal of plant awns causing a foreign body granuloma or abscess may be challenging. The inability to localize the foreign body during surgical removal often leads to abscess recurrence. In this report, we describe ultrasound-guided retrieval as an alternative to standard surgical retrieval in animals where the plant awn can be identified sonographically. This procedure was used in six dogs with a superficial abscess due to a plant awn, and in all dogs the foreign body was successfully retrieved with Hartmann forceps. No complication was observed and no abscess recurred. Minimally invasive ultrasound-guided plant awn retrieval appears to be a safe effective method of retrieving superficially located plant awns in the dog.     

Ultrasonographic detection of abdominal abscess in two guinea pigs

Two guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) with clinical signs of anorexia, weight loss, depression and abdominal enlargement were examined. During ultrasound examination, a fluid-filled anechogenic structure 3-4 cm in diameter, with echogenic spots and a highly echogenic thick wall, was found in the pelvic region in one case and connected to the liver in the other case. An abscess or a cyst was suspected and surgical treatment including laparotomy was performed. By histopathological examination performed after surgery, a liver abscess was diagnosed in one guinea pig and an abscess in the pelvic region in the other animal.     

Caudal mediastinal abscess due to a grass awn (Hordeum spp) in a cat

A two-and-a-half year-old male, domestic shorthaired cat was presented with a history of chronic expiratory dyspnoea, dysphagia and progressive weight loss. Thoracic radiography revealed a caudal mediastinal mass. Surgical exploration confirmed the presence of an abscess in the caudal mediastinum. Despite the good prognosis, euthanasia was performed at the owner's request and post-mortem examination revealed an abscess that had been caused by a grass awn located within.     

Percutaneous drainage of an abscess in the lateral neck region of a horse

A large abscess in the lateral neck region of a horse was treated with percutaneous drainage. The abscess was localized with ultrasonography and aspirated by use of a 7.7-cm spinal needle. A stainless-steel guide wire was passed through the needle, and tissue dilators were used to enlarge the percutaneous hole. A multiperforated polyvinylchloride catheter that was placed within the abscess cavity permitted aspiration and lavage of the abscess. The abscess resolved over the next 10 days with no complications. Percutaneous abscess drainage is commonly performed in people and may have application in veterinary medicine.     

Subcutaneous abscess caused by Clostridium perfringens and osteomyelitis in a dog

A case of a subcutaneous abscess caused by Clostridium perfringens infection in a five-month-old dog is reported in this study. Clinical examination, radiological findings and cytological analysis of abscess fluid were consistent with Clostridium induced disease. Treatment including drainage of the abscess and antibiotic therapy led to rapid clinical improvement. However, despite aggressive medical therapy and proper wound care, the deep soft tissue infection led to osteomyelitis with premature closure of the growth plates of the tibia and secondary bone shortening. Prolonged treatment with metronidazole and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid resulted in an excellent outcome with normal weight bearing.     

Peritracheal abscess associated with tracheal collapse and bilateral laryngeal paralysis in a dog

Tracheal collapse and bilateral laryngeal paralysis were diagnosed in an 8-month-old Cocker Spaniel that had acute onset of dyspnea and cyanosis. Surgical exploration of the mediastinum revealed an abscess involving the ventral wall of the trachea immediately caudal to the thoracic inlet. Both recurrent laryngeal nerves were entrapped in fibrous tissue surrounding the abscess. The dog recovered after tracheal resection and anastomosis and freeing of the entrapped nerves. The peritracheal abscess was suspected to have been the result of esophageal perforation secondary to foreign body penetration.     

Diagnosis and successful treatment of a caudal lingual abscess in a geriatric dog

A 13-year-old, intact male, golden retriever was presented for glossomegaly. A diagnosis of a caudal lingual abscess was made by fine needle aspiration under general anesthesia. The dog showed marked clinical improvement following abscess drainage. Lingual abscesses should be included as a differential diagnosis in any dog with an unexplained acute glossomegaly.     

Scintigraphic imaging of technetium 99m-labeled neutrophils in the dog

Autologous canine neutrophils were labeled with technetium 99m and reinjected in 7 dogs with experimentally induced focal abscesses to determine the ability of scintigraphy to localize a focus of sepsis (abscess). Good localization of labeled cells in an abscess was achieved; however, a large portion of the technetium 99m eluted from the neutrophils.     

The diagnosis and treatment of a thoracic abscess in an alpaca

A 6-month-old alpaca presented for lethargy, failure to thrive and leucocytosis. Diagnostic procedures, including thoracic ultrasound, radiographs and a computed tomography scan, were used to document a thoracic mass. Based on appearance and ultrasound-guided aspiration of purulent material, the mass was determined to be a large abscess. The abscess was treated with surgical drainage and long-term antibiotic therapy. The origin of this thoracic abscess was felt to be the caudal mediastinum, secondary to bacterial seeding of the caudal mediastinal lymph nodes. Although an aetiological agent was not definitively determined, the most likely was Actinomyces spp or Arcanobacterium pyogenes. The alpaca made a complete recovery following treatment.     

Renal abscess in a dog with transient diabetes mellitus

A nine-year-old, intact female dalmatian with diabetes mellitus and a renal abscess is described. The renal abscess was treated surgically by nephrectomy, and the diabetes mellitus resolved with ovariohysterectomy. Abdominal ultrasound and ultrasound-guided aspiration of the abscess were helpful in establishing a diagnosis. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a renal abscess in a dog with diabetes mellitus.     

Omentalisation of a caudal mediastinal abscess in a dog

A caudal mediastinal abscess was diagnosed in a 2-year-old German Short-haired Pointer with acute onset of lethargy, pyrexia and tachypnoea. The abscess was managed surgically by median sternotomy, abscess content evacuation and omentalisation of the abscess cavity via the diaphragm. Although surgical management of mediastinal abscesses has been reported previously, this is the first report to describe successful management of the condition in a dog by omentalisation.     

Surgery of the bovine forestomach compartments

Surgery of the forestomach compartments is performed in bovine practices for the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases, including traumatic reticuloperitonitis, perireticular abscess, vagal indigestion, and grain overload. Through a left flank laparotomy, the cranial abdomen is first explored by palpation for adhesions or masses. A rumenotomy allows thorough examination of the lumen of the rumen and reticulum. Surgical correction of disease may require emptying of the rumen, removal of a foreign body, or drainage of an abscess into the reticulum. With some abscesses, single aspiration and lavage of the abscess capsule or drainage of the abscess through the body wall, following a ventral celiotomy, is required. If adhesions associated with disease do not affect the innervation of the forestomach, the prognosis for return to functional status within the herd is good. Adhesions involving the medial wall of the reticulum or pericardial and myocardial disease due to extensions of traumatic reticuloperitonitis have a very poor prognosis, and thus slaughter should be considered in affected cases.