An evaluation of positive contrast vaginourethrography as a diagnostic aid in the bitch

The contribution of vagino-urethrography to the diagnosis of disorders of the lower urogenital tract in 123 bitches was evaluated. It was found to be particularly valuable in animals with urinary incontinence, vaginal discharge, dysuria and physical vaginal abnormalities. Determination of vaginal volume in 69 bitches has enabled a dosage of contrast medium to be suggested.     

Analysis of peritoneal fluid as a diagnostic aid in grass sickness (equine dysautonomia)

The analysis of peritoneal fluid is of value in the differential diagnosis of equine colic but its characteristics have not been evaluated in grass sickness. Peritoneal fluid was collected from 15 normal horses and from 11 cases of medical colic, 11 cases of surgical colic, 20 cases of acute grass sickness and 13 cases of subacute grass sickness. The fluid was analysed for its appearance, total and differential white cell count, specific gravity, total protein concentration and total and intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity. Fluid from cases of medical colic was normal in these respects. Surgical cases were unique in having bloodstained fluid with a high alkaline phosphatase activity. Grass sickness cases had a higher specific gravity and protein content than the cases of medical colic although the appearance of the fluid was similar. Grass sickness cases were distinguishable from cases of surgical colic on the basis of the appearance of the fluid and its lower alkaline phosphatase activity.     

Use of a flexible fiberoptic laparoscope as a diagnostic aid in cattle

This study was performed to examine the use of a flexible fiberoptic colonoscope as a diagnostic aid in cattle. Examinations were carried out on a group of normal animals and the effects of laparoscopy on hematological parameters measured. The use of laparoscopy in the diagnosis of left displacement of the abomasum and traumatic reticuloperitonitis was assessed in two separate groups of patients. The results were compared to clinical diagnosis and exploratory laparotomy. No effect was demonstrated on the results of haematological examination in the normal cows and the procedure was concluded to be safe and innocuous. Right flank laparoscopy was not useful in detecting left displacement of the abomasum in any case in this study was not helpful in making a diagnosis. The difficulties of current methods of diagnosing left displacement of the abomasum are discussed. Laparoscopy was useful in detecting and characterizing the lesions of traumatic reticuloperitonitis and was concluded to be superior to clinical examination as a diagnostic test.     

Ultrasound-guided biopsy as a diagnostic aid in three horses with a cranial mediastinal lymphosarcoma

An ultrasound examination of the thorax of three horses which were performing poorly or had mild signs of colic showed that they had a cranial mediastinal mass and a pleural effusion. A cytological examination of the pleural fluid showed that it did not contain neoplastic cells. A histological examination of an ultrasound-guided core biopsy of the cranial mediastinal mass showed that in each of the three horses it was a lymphosarcoma.     

Evaluation of a catheter biopsy technique as a diagnostic aid in lower urinary tract disease

The catheter biopsy technique described by Melhoff and Osborne (1977) has been evaluated as a diagnostic aid in lower urinary tract disease in 21 animals. Of 16 animals in which the final diagnosis was known, the diagnosis suggested by the biopsy was accurate in 15. The equipment required for obtaining a biopsy is inexpensive and readily available and the method can be recommended for use in veterinary practice.     

Rhinoscopy: a diagnostic aid?

Sixty dogs with confirmed chronic nasal disease were examined rhinoscopically. The relative merits of the otoscope, an arthroscope and a flexible bronchoscope as instruments are discussed. Rhinoscopy has a limited place in the investigation of chronic nasal discharge in the dog due to the volume of discharge present and induced haemorrhage. It is most useful in cases of destructive rhinitis (including aspergillosis) and foreign body obstruction.     

Clinical utility of a complete diagnostic protocol for the ocular evaluation of free-living raptors

Objective: To describe a protocol for the examination of free‐living raptors and report the ophthalmic examination findings of seven raptor species native to central Illinois, namely the barred owl, Cooper’s hawk, eastern screech owl, great horned owl, American kestrel, red‐tailed hawk, and turkey vulture and to determine if the findings relative to visual prognosis affected eligibility for future release. Animals studied: Seventy‐nine free‐living raptors. Procedures: Under manual restraint, complete ophthalmic examination including slit‐lamp biomicroscopy and indirect funduscopy, applanation tonometry, rebound tonometry, ocular morphometrics, B‐mode ultrasound, and electroretinography (ERG) were performed on each bird. Histopathology of enucleated globes was performed after euthanasia or death in selected cases. Results: The examination protocol was easily performed using manual restraint alone on all birds. Ocular lesions were detected in 48.1% of birds, with 47.3% affected unilaterally and 52.6% affected bilaterally. Ocular lesions were considered to be vision threatening in 29.0% of the unilaterally affected birds and 29.0% of the bilaterally affected birds. The most common case outcomes were discharge from hospital to rehabilitation facility (45.6%) followed by euthanasia (43.0%). The presence of an ocular lesion or a vision‐threatening ocular lesion was not significantly associated with outcome. Reference ranges are reported for B‐mode ultrasound, ocular morphometrics, and horizontal corneal diameter in all species. Conclusion: Complete ophthalmic examination can be supplemented by the use of ocular morphometrics, ultrasound, and ERG in the manually restrained raptor. These advanced diagnostic techniques may be useful in developing more objective criteria for evaluating eligibility for release following rehabilitation of free‐living birds of prey.     

Immunohistochemical differentiation of reactive from malignant mesothelium as a diagnostic aid in canine pericardial disease

Objectives

To develop a provisional immunohistochemistry panel for distinguishing reactive pericardium, atypical mesothelial proliferation and mesothelioma in dogs.

Materials and Methods

Archived pericardial biopsies were subject to haematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin, vimentin, insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3, glucose transporter 1 and desmin. Samples were scored for intensity and number of cells stained.

Results

Ten biopsies of reactive mesothelium, 17 of atypical mesothelial proliferation, 26 of mesothelioma and five of normal pericardium were identified on the basis of haematoxylin and eosin staining. Cytokeratin and vimentin were expressed in all biopsies, confirming mesothelial origin. Normal pericardial samples had the lowest scores for insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3, glucose transporter 1 and desmin. Mesothelioma and atypical proliferative samples were similar to each other, with higher scores for insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3 and glucose transporter 1 than the reactive samples. Desmin staining was variable. Insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3 was the best to distinguish between disease groups.

Clinical Significance

An immunohistochemistry panel of cytokeratin, vimentin, insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3 and glucose transporter 1 could provide superior information compared with haematoxylin and eosin staining alone in the diagnosis of cases of mesothelial proliferation in canine pericardium, but further validation is warranted.     

Repetitive stimulation of the common peroneal nerve as a diagnostic aid for botulism in foals

Background: Botulism is a potentially fatal paralytic disorder for which definitive diagnosis is difficult. Objectives: To determine if repetitive stimulation of the common peroneal nerve will aid in the diagnosis of botulism in foals. Animals: Four control and 3 affected foals. Methods: Validation of the test in healthy foals for its comparison in foals with suspected botulism. Controls were anesthetized and affected foals were sedated to avoid risks of anesthesia. The common peroneal nerve was chosen for its superficial location and easy access. Stimulating electrodes were placed along the common peroneal nerve. For recording, the active and reference electrodes were positioned over the midpoint and distal end of the extensor digitorum longus muscle, respectively. Repeated supramaximal stimulation of the nerve was performed utilizing a range of frequencies (1–50 Hz). Data analysis consisted of measuring the amplitude and area under the curve for each M wave and converting these values into percentages of decrement or increment based on the comparison of subsequent potentials to the initial one (baseline) within each set. Results: A decremental response was seen at all frequencies in control foals. Decremental responses also were observed in affected foals at low frequencies. An incremental response was seen in all affected foals at 50 Hz. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Decreased baseline M wave amplitudes with incremental responses at high rates are supportive of botulism. Repetitive nerve stimulation is a safe, simple, fast, and noninvasive technique that can aid in the diagnosis of suspected botulism in foals.     

Googling for a veterinary diagnosis: A replication study using Google as a diagnostic aid

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to replicate in the veterinary context a BMJ study using Google to assist in diagnosis of complex cases.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo assess percentage of diagnoses identified using Google as a diagnostic aid in veterinary medicine.AnimalsNone; 13 cases in cats and 17 in dogs published in JAVMA.MethodsCross‐sectional survey of Google results from searches using keywords generated independently by a generalist and a specialist veterinarian who reviewed the published case history and diagnostic components while blind to the diagnosis. They offered diagnoses and generated up to 5 search strategies for each case. The top 30 Google results for each search were reviewed by the generalist to inform a final Google‐aided diagnosis. Both veterinarians'' initial diagnoses and the Google‐aided diagnoses were compared with the published diagnoses.ResultsGoogle searching led to 52 diagnoses out of 60 possible. Twenty‐two (42%, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 29%‐55%) Google‐aided diagnoses matched the JAVMA diagnosis. This accuracy rate does not differ significantly from 58% (n = 15/26, 95% CI 38%‐77%) identified in the BMJ study. Google‐aided results were not statistically different from those achieved unaided by each veterinarian (33%, 95% CI 16%‐50%).Conclusions and Clinical ImportancePublished information found searching Google using keywords related to complicated or unusual cases could assist veterinarians to reinforce their initial diagnosis or consider other differential diagnoses. Search strategies using words representing either signs or the preliminary diagnoses can yield results useful to confirming a correct diagnosis.