L-thyroxine responsive cricopharyngeal achalasia associated with hypothyroidism in a dog

An eight-year-old, male boxer dog was presented with a one-month history of hindlimb weakness followed by compulsive ineffective drinking, dysphagia, regurgitation and nasal reflux during drinking. A neurological examination revealed weakness and conscious proprioception deficits in both hindlimbs with normal spinal reflexes. The dog's swallowing function was examined by fluoroscopy. This showed normal prehension of the barium paste, bolus formation and contraction of the pharyngeal muscle, but no opening of the upper oesophageal sphincter was detected. A serum thyroid stimulating hormone level of 0.402 ng/dl and serum total T4 of 0-01 microg/dl were determined. The dog fully recovered one month after L-thyroxine therapy. The association found between cricopharyngeal achalasia and hypothyroidism suggests that hypothyroidism should be included in the list of differential diagnoses for dogs with cricopharyngeal achalasia.     

Cricopharyngeal achalasia in a dog

A 4-month-old, female terrier-poodle cross was presented with a chronic history of dysphagia. Fluoroscopic swallowing studies localized the problem to the upper esophageal sphincter. A diagnosis of cricopharyngeal achalasia was made. After cricopharyngeal and thyropharyngeal myectomy, the dog was able to eat soft food without difficulty.     

Glomerulonephritis in the dog: a clinical review

The aetiology and pathology of canine glomerulonephritis are reviewed. Three different types of glomerulonephritis are recognised, namely pro-liferative, membranous and exudative. The clinical signs associated with each type are described. Differential diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and post-mortem findings are also discussed.     

Esophageal achalasia and secondary megaesophagus in a dog

A 5-year-old, castrated male, golden retriever was presented with a history of regurgitation. An esophagram revealed normal peristalsis with failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to open, supporting the diagnosis of esophageal achalasia. Prior to surgery, the dog developed megaesophagus. Heller's esophagomyotomy resolved the clinical signs and the esophageal dilation.     

Contact dermatitis in the dog. A review and a clinical study

Allergic, irritative and photosensitive contact dermatitides make up a group of dermatoses which have traditionally been associated with some difficulties in diagnostication. The reason for this is the problems encountered in setting up, keeping in place, and reading the patch test which is the diagnostic tool relevant to veterinary practice. In the present study, a review of the disease complex is given, and a clinical study, dealing with allergic contact dermatitis, performed with materials and methods available to the small animal practitioner, is discussed with regards to symptomatology, diagnostic work, and therapy. With appropriate management, consisting in an attempt to eliminate the offending item(s), and glucocorticoid therapy adjusted to the clinical response, the disease carries a good prognosis.     

Gonioscopy and anatomical correlations of the drainage angle of the dog

The technique of gonioscopy in the dog has been described. The gonioscopic appearance was correlated with specially prepared gross dissections and histology in an attempt to better understand the anatomy and physiology of aqueous circulation.     

An anatomical and histological study of the sciatic nerve, relating to peripheral nerve injuries in the dog and cat

The gross anatomical and histological features of the sciatic, peroneal and tibial nerves in the dog and cat are described with a view to explaining the vulnerability of these nerves to trauma.     

An unusual clinical presentation of a dog with gastrinoma

Gastrinoma is a rare malignant neuroendocrine neoplasia that results in autonomous gastrin secretion that stimulates hypersecretion of gastric acid, resulting in severe gastric and proximal small intestinal ulcerations. The principal clinical manifestation of gastrinoma is persistent vomiting. This report describes an uncommon manifestation of pancreatic gastrinoma in a dog.     

Ultrasound-guided posterior extraconal block in the dog: anatomical study in cadavers

Objective

To describe a novel ultrasound-guided posterior extraconal block in the dog.

In-plane ultrasound-guided peribulbar block in the dog: an anatomical cadaver study

ObjectiveTo describe a novel in-plane ultrasound (U/S)-guided temporal approach to peribulbar block in dogs.Study DesignProspective experimental cadaver study.AnimalsA group of 10 Beagle cadavers.MethodsAfter describing the U/S anatomy, peribulbar injection was performed bilaterally in 10 thawed Beagle cadavers by two randomly assigned operators. A 5–8 MHz microconvex U/S probe was positioned caudal to the orbital ligament in the longitudinal plane. Using an in-plane technique, methylene blue dye was injected in five dogs (10 eyes total), while methylene blue dye and iohexol contrast mixture (50:50) were injected in the remaining five dogs. Injection volume was 0.2 mL cm^?1 of cranial length. A computed tomography (CT) scan was performed on dogs injected with dye and contrast to identify spread of contrast. Dissection to visualize dye spread in the orbit was performed in all dogs. Injection success was defined as spread of contrast into the peribulbar space. The pattern of distribution of contrast-dye was also assessed. Comparisons between operator and bilateral injections were assessed using a Student t test (p < 0.05). All other data are reported as number (n/N) and percentage (%).ResultsPeribulbar spread was noted in 19/20 injections (95%) on dissection. CT imaging (five dogs) illustrated peribulbar contrast spread in 9/10 injections (90%), with mixed peribulbar/retrobulbar spread for the remaining injection. Contrast was present at the rostral alar foramen in 4/10 (40%) injections, orbital fissure in 5/10 (50%), oval foramen in 1/10 (10%), maxillary nerve in 3/10 (30%) and intracranial in 5/10 (50%). Coverage of the maxillary nerve was noted on 3/20 (15%) injections on dissection. No further dye spread was noted.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThis technique demonstrated peribulbar spread of injectate in 100% of injections for the 10 canine cadavers studied. Further studies are required to evaluate this technique clinically.     

Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block in the dog: an anatomical evaluation

Objective To describe the ultrasound‐guided technique to the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in the dog and evaluate the spread of a local anesthetic/methylene blue solution. Study design Prospective experimental trial. Animals Ten adult Beagle cadavers weighing 11.1 ± 1.1 kg (mean ± SD). Methods Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks were performed bilaterally by a single trained individual on unpreserved cadaver dogs using 10 mL of methylene blue/bupivacaine solution per site. Dissection of the abdominal wall was performed within 15–55 minutes of block to determine distribution of injectate and nerve involvement in the transversus abdominis fascial plane. Results The transversus abdominis fascial plane was adequately visualized via ultrasound and injected in twenty hemi‐abdominal walls. Segmental branches of T11, T12, T13, L1, L2, and L3 were adequately stained in 20%, 60%, 100%, 100%, 90%, and 30% of injections, respectively. Conclusions and clinical relevance This anatomical study suggests that the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block would provide adequate regional anesthesia of the abdomen, potentially extending to the cranial and caudal limits of the abdomen. This supports the clinical potential of this block in veterinary medicine.     

Creatinine in the dog: a review

Creatinine is the analyte most frequently measured in human and veterinary clinical chemistry laboratories as an indirect measure of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Although creatinine metabolism and the difficulties of creatinine measurement have been reviewed in human medicine, similar reviews are lacking in veterinary medicine. The aim of this review is to summarize information and data about creatinine metabolism, measurement, and diagnostic significance in the dog. Plasma creatinine originates from the degradation of creatine and creatine phosphate, which are present mainly in muscle and in food. Creatinine is cleared by glomerular filtration with negligible renal secretion and extrarenal metabolism, and its clearance is a good estimate of GFR. Plasma and urine creatinine measurements are based on the nonspecific Jaffé reaction or specific enzymatic reactions; lack of assay accuracy precludes proper interlaboratory comparison of results. Preanalytical factors such as age and breed can have an impact on plasma creatinine (P-creatinine) concentration, while many intraindividual factors of variation have little effect. Dehydration and drugs mainly affect P-creatinine concentration in dogs by decreasing GFR. P-creatinine is increased in renal failure, whatever its cause, and correlates with a decrease in GFR according to a curvilinear relationship, such that P-creatinine is insensitive for detecting moderate decreases of GFR or for monitoring progression of GFR in dogs with severely reduced kidney function. Low sensitivity can be obviated by determining endogenous or exogenous clearance rates of creatinine. A technique for determining plasma clearance following IV bolus injection of exogenous creatinine and subsequent serial measurement of P-creatinine does not require urine collection and with additional studies may become an established technique for creatinine clearance in dogs.     

貉发情期卵巢和子宫解剖结构的观察

本文以发情期母貉为研究对象,借助形态学、组织胚胎学、解剖生理学等知识,对母貉发情期子宫、卵巢的形态结构进行研究,通过冰冻切片的方法,在发情期母貉的卵巢中观察到了原始卵泡、生长卵泡、囊状卵泡.经过本试验,确立了貉发情期卵巢、子宫的正常生殖变化和解剖结构,为今后的生理学和病理学的研究提供了理论基础.     

Measurement of transepidermal water loss from clipped and unclipped anatomical sites on the dog

Objectives   To establish a standardised clipping method for the measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) with a VapoMeter® in Beagle dogs and to identify the optimal anatomical site for TEWL measurement.
Procedure   TEWL values obtained from skin sites on five healthy Beagles clipped using two different blade angles (standard vs non-standard) were compared. TEWL values for 48 h were also obtained from seven different anatomical sites that had differing hair density. The hair was clipped in the intensively haired anatomical sites (head, lower and upper back and tail), but not clipped in the sparsely haired sites (ear, inguinal region, footpad).
Results   The TEWL values for the standard and non-standard clipping sites were 6.3 ± 1.31 and 27.2 ± 1.11 g/h/m², respectively. We found the upper back among the clipped sites was the most appropriate site for TEWL measurement over 48 h after clipping, whereas among the unclipped sites the ear was the most appropriate, because the TEWL values from those anatomical sites had the least fluctuation and were less affected by movement.
Conclusion   The clipping method and anatomical site should be standardised in order to minimise the experimental variation in TEWL measurement in dogs.