Computed tomography angiography of coarctation of the aorta in a dog

Coarctation of the aorta has been described previously as either a post-mortem or angiographic finding in three dogs with clinical signs related to the aortic coarctation. A 10-year-old dog was presented for evaluation of suspected laryngeal paralysis. On physical examination, femoral pulses were absent bilaterally, with an indirect systolic blood pressure difference of 60 mmHg between the ipsilateral thoracic and pelvic limbs. Coarctation of the aorta was detected on a thoracic computed tomographic angiography study. The coarctation was pre-ductal in position, with extensive dilation of the descending thoracic aorta. Characteristic rib changes that are seen in humans with coarctation were not apparent in this dog. 3D reconstructions of the thorax provided high vascular definition with exact localization of the aortic narrowing.     

Preductal aortic coarctation and patent ductus arteriosus in a Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) cub.

Preductal aortic coarctation and patent ductus arteriosus are described in a neonatal Sumatran tiger, Panthera tigris sumatrae. Eight days postpartum, the cub appeared weak, and it was separated from the dam for hand rearing. On examination it was dehydrated and hypothermic. Despite treatment, the animal's condition worsened and the cub died 12 days postpartum. Gross postmortem and histologic examinations revealed a preductal aortic coarctation and patent ductus arteriosus with a patent foramen ovale and moderate dilatation of the right ventricle of the heart. Focal pneumonia and mild hepatitis were also present; however, diffuse pulmonary congestion and edema were considered to be the proximate cause of death.     

Vascular ring anomaly with coarctation of the aorta in a cat

A 13-week-old, entire male domestic shorthaired cat was presented with a nine-week history of regurgitation following the ingestion of food. A diagnosis of a vascular ring anomaly with coarctation of the aorta was based on clinical signs, angiography and echocardiography. Surgical exploration via a right lateral thoracotomy confirmed the existence of a persistent right aortic arch with right ligamentum arteriosum, aortic coarctation and an aberrant left subclavian artery. Following the surgical transection of the aberrant left subclavian artery, the cat made an uneventful recovery, showing normal swallowing function with no evidence of regurgitation. Twelve months after surgery, the cat had no special dietary requirements and remained clinically normal.     

Atresia of the Right Atrioventricular Orifice with Complete Transposition of the Great Arteries in a Horse

The heart of a 6-week old Arabian filly with a history of poor health and exercise intolerance revealed at postmortem examination, multiple cardiac malformations which included atresia of the right atrioventricular orifice (tricuspid atresia, with associated atrial and ventricular septal defects), complete transposition of the great arteries, anomalous drainage of the venae cavae and coronary sinus into the left atrium, coarctation of the aorta, and a small but patent ductus arteriosus. The course of blood through the heart was suggested and discussed.     

Systolic time intervals in domestic ponies: alterations in a case of coarctation of the aorta.

This report describes the measurement of systolic time intervals in a nine year old female domestic pony which was found at necropsy to show coarctation of the aorta and bilateral ventricular hypertrophy. Electrocardiogram, phonocardiogram and direct arterial blood pressure were recorded from the pony in a standing unmedicated state and systolic time intervals were measured from the resulting tracings. A prolongation of left ventricular ejection time and shortening of the pre-ejection period were observed in comparison to a group of normal ponies similarly examined. Such changes are consistent with outflow tract obstruction. The pony was also hypotensive and this condition was interpreted as a long-term compensation for the obstructive lesion. It is likely that the changes in systolic time intervals were at this stage predominantly affected by the hypotension. The report notes that the existence of such a case of spontaneous cardiovascular disease in the pony population might suggest the utility of the animal as a resource in comparative cardiovascular physiology and medicine.     

Evaluation of the renin-angiotensin system in cardiac tissues of cats with pressure-overload cardiac hypertrophy

OBJECTIVE: To clarify regulation of the renin-angiotensin (RA) system in cardiac tissues by measuring angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and chymase activities in cats with pressure-overload cardiac hypertrophy. ANIMALS: 13 adult cats. PROCEDURES: Pressure-overload cardiac hypertrophy was induced by coarctation of the base of the ascending aorta in 6 cats, and 7 cats served as untreated control animals. Cats were examined before and 3 months and 2 years after surgery. Two years after surgery, cardiac hypertrophy was confirmed by echocardiography, and the blood pressure gradient was measured at the site of constriction. Cats were euthanized, and ACE and chymase activities were measured in cardiac tissues. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD pressure gradient across the aortic constriction was 63 +/- 6 mm Hg. Chymase activity predominated (75% to 85%) in the RA system of the cardiac tissues of cats. Fibrosis in the wall of the left ventricle was detected in cats with hypertrophy, and fibrosis of the papillary muscle was particularly evident. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Chronic pressure overload on the heart of cats can activate the RA system in cardiac tissues. A local increase in angiotensin II was one of the factors that sustained myocardial remodeling.     

Calcific annuli in the aorta of a dog

This report describes a case with calcific annuli in the aorta, together with severe mitral insufficiency of the heart as well as myocarditis and bronchitis. Physical, radiographic, electrocardiographic, biochemical and haematological features are reported. The incidence of calcification of the cardiovascular system, the site and nature of the calcific lesion and haeniodynamic correlates with the combination of coarctation of the aorta and mitral insufficiency in man are discussed.
Résumé. On rapporte un cas de calcifications annulaires de l'aorte, accompagnées d'insuffisance mitrale, de myocardite et de bronchite; on décrit les constatations d'ordre physique, radiologique, électrocardiographique, biochimique et hématologique. On discute la fréquence des calcifications du système cardiovasculaire, leur siège, leur nature, leurs implications hémodynamiques et les rapports qui existent entre elles et l'association du rétrécissement aortique et l'insuffisance mitrale dans l'espèce humaine.
Zusammenfassung. Dieser Bericht beschreibt einen Fall von calcifizierten Annuli in der Aorta in Verbindung mit schwerer Mitralinsuffizienz des Herzens, Myocarditis und Bronchitis. Körperliche, röntgenologische, elektrokardiographische, biochemische und hämatologische Befunde werden angegeben. Korrelationen der Häufigkeit der Calcifizierung des cardiovasculären Systems, des Ortes und des Charakters dieser Läsion und der Blutdruckverhältnisse mit der Kombination von Aortenisthmusstenose und Mitralinsuffizienz beim Menschen werden besprochen.     

Calcific annuli in the aorta of a dog

This report describes a case with calcific annuli in the aorta, together with severe mitral insufficiency of the heart as well as myocarditis and bronchitis. Physical, radiographic, electrocardiographic, biochemical and haematological features are reported. The incidence of calcification of the cardiovascular system, the site and nature of the calcific lesion and haeniodynamic correlates with the combination of coarctation of the aorta and mitral insufficiency in man are discussed.
Résumé. On rapporte un cas de calcifications annulaires de l'aorte, accompagnées d'insuffisance mitrale, de myocardite et de bronchite; on décrit les constatations d'ordre physique, radiologique, électrocardiographique, biochimique et hématologique. On discute la fréquence des calcifications du système cardiovasculaire, leur siège, leur nature, leurs implications hémodynamiques et les rapports qui existent entre elles et l'association du rétrécissement aortique et l'insuffisance mitrale dans l'espèce humaine.
Zusammenfassung. Dieser Bericht beschreibt einen Fall von calcifizierten Annuli in der Aorta in Verbindung mit schwerer Mitralinsuffizienz des Herzens, Myocarditis und Bronchitis. Körperliche, röntgenologische, elektrokardiographische, biochemische und hämatologische Befunde werden angegeben. Korrelationen der Häufigkeit der Calcifizierung des cardiovasculären Systems, des Ortes und des Charakters dieser Läsion und der Blutdruckverhältnisse mit der Kombination von Aortenisthmusstenose und Mitralinsuffizienz beim Menschen werden besprochen.     

Seminoma in a southern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor): diagnosis, surgical management and effect on fertility

A testicular mass was identified by ultrasonography performed during a routine reproductive evaluation of an adult male southern black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis minor ). Histological examination of a testicular biopsy supported a presumptive diagnosis of testicular neoplasia. Hemi-castration was performed to excise the affected testis and a pathological diagnosis of a seminoma was made. Assessment of semen suggested reduced fertility as a consequence of the neoplastic process, but hemi-castration prevented further growth and metastasis of the tumour and ensured the animal's breeding potential. This is the second documented case of a seminoma in a rhinoceros species and the first case in a black rhinoceros.     

Identification of a periorbital wooden foreign body as the cause of chronic ocular discharge in a horse

The clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic features of a horse with a wooden foreign body embedded in the deep portion of the right masseter muscle adjacent to the right orbit are presented. The purpose of this report is to describe the clinical presentation, magnetic resonance imaging findings and treatment of a penetrating wooden foreign body in a horse that had no history of trauma or evidence of a puncture wound. This report documents the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging to detect a wooden foreign body embedded in the soft tissues of a horse with a chronic copious ocular discharge. Two surgical procedures were necessary, which is a frequent complication encountered with wooden foreign bodies.     

Which anatomical region determines a positive flexion test of the distal aspect of a forelimb in a nonlame horse?

Reasons for performing study: The flexion test is used routinely as part of lameness and prepurchase examinations. However, little is known about the mechanisms that cause a positive response to a flexion test. Objective: To determine which anatomical regions play a role in a positive outcome of a flexion test of the distal aspect of a forelimb in a nonlame horse. Methods: Eight clinically sound Dutch Warmblood horses were subjected to a standardised flexion test (force 250 N, time 60 s) inducing a consistent lameness. To discriminate between different areas of the distal aspect of a forelimb, effects of various nerve blocks on the outcome of the flexion test were investigated. Low palmar digital, palmar at the abaxial aspects of the base of the proximal sesamoids, high palmar, ulnar and low 4‐point nerve blocks were performed. Flexion test induced lameness was scored before and after each nerve block in separate sessions. Results: The low palmar digital nerve blocks and nerve blocks of the palmar nerves at the abaxial aspect of the base of the proximal sesamoid bones had no significant effect on the flexion test induced lameness score. The ulnar, high palmar and, most dramatically, the low 4‐point nerve blocks all caused a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the flexion test induced lameness score. Conclusions: Anatomical structures (soft tissue nor synovial structures) located distal to the metacarpophalangeal joint appear to contribute only minimally to the outcome of a positive flexion test of the distal aspect of a forelimb in a clinically nonlame horse. The structures in the region of, and including, the metacarpophalangeal joint appear to contribute most to a positive flexion test of the distal aspect of a forelimb in a nonlame horse. Potential relevance: The flexion test of the distal aspect of a forelimb may be sensitive for investigating the metacarpophalangeal joint region in horses free from lameness, but may be less relevant for structures distal to this region.     

Elevating the uterus (uteropexy) of five mares by laparoscopically imbricating the mesometrium

Reasons for performing study: There is a need for study of a method for restoring a ventrally positioned uterus to a horizontal position involving fertility of mares with delayed uterine clearance. Hypothesis: A ventrally‐angled uterus can be elevated to a horizontal position using a laparoscopic technique. Objective: To develop a laparoscopic technique of imbricating the mesometria to elevate the uterus to a horizontal position. Methods: The right and left mesometria of 5 pluriparous mares, all barren for 1–8 years (mean 3.8 years), with a pendulous, ventrally‐angled uterus were shortened laparoscopically, by imbrication, with the mares standing, to raise the uterine body and horns to a horizontal position. Sutures were placed through the dorsal aspect of the uterine body and uterine horn and the adjacent region of the mesometrium using a simple continuous suture pattern. Results: The uterus of all 5 mares was elevated successfully to a horizontal position. Three of the mares became pregnant the same year, without other treatment, after the procedure. Conclusions: A pendulous, ventrally‐angled uterus can be returned to a normal, horizontal position by imbricating the mesometria, using a laparoscopic technique. Potential relevance: Elevating a ventrally‐angled uterus to a horizontal position may improve egress of uterine debris, thereby improving fertility.     

Correlation between the histopathological diagnosis by AgNOR count and AgNOR area in canine mammary tumors

Background: Mammary tumors are the most common type of tumor in female dogs. The histopathological diagnosis is usually made by a hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining of the tumor, which then requires a pathologist's judgment for assessment of malignancy. The purpose of this study was to investigate an alternative silver staining of some argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) for improving the diagnostic accuracy with mammary tumors.
Hypothesis: There is a correlation between the histopathological diagnosis by AgNOR count and AgNOR area in canine mammary tumors.
Animals: Seventy-three canine mammary tumors from 33 female dogs.
Materials and Methods: The AgNOR staining was evaluated retrospectively in 73 canine mammary tumors with a parallel HE staining as a "Gold Standard." Both a quantitative manual counting method and a qualitative computerized morphometric method were tested.
Result: The result from both methods indicated a clinically relevant difference in the mean values of the AgNOR in the following 4 categories: malignant, benign, hyperplastic, and normal mammary tissue. The counting method was superior, with 89% of the cases given a correct diagnosis of a malignant or a nonmalignant canine mammary tumor. The 2 methods were then compared to test their ability to classify the tumors correctly. Again, the counting method was the most reliable method, with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 76% when the upper 50% of the AgNOR counts were presumed malignant.
Conclusion and Clinical Importance: The results indicated that an AgNOR test could be an aid to pathologists as a prognostic indicator or to assist them in deciding between a benign or a malignant diagnosis in questionable cases.     

Human case of bubonic plague resulting from the bite of a wild Gunnison's prairie dog during translocation from a plague‐endemic area

Plague is a zoonotic disease (transmitted mainly by fleas and maintained in nature by rodents) that causes severe acute illness in humans. We present a human plague case who became infected by the bite of a wild Gunnison's prairie dog, and a good practical example of the One Health approach that resulted in a rapid public health response. The exposure occurred while the animal was being transported for relocation to a wildlife refuge after being trapped in a plague enzootic area. This is the first report of a human plague case resulting from the bite of a Gunnison's prairie dog. Additionally, we present an observation of a longer incubation period for plague in captive prairie dogs, leading to a recommendation for a longer quarantine period for prairie dogs during translocation efforts.     

Surgical management of a pony with a traumatic medial luxation of the patella

This report describes a successful surgical repair of medial patellar luxation in a Miniature Shetland pony where manual reduction of the patella was not possible. The surgical procedure involves transection of the medial femoropatellar ligament to facilitate patellar release, the placement of a prosthetic suture to replace the lateral femoropatellar ligament and reinforcement of the lateral retinaculum by the use of a mesh implant. This is a newly described surgical technique for the rare but recognised condition of a medial luxation of the patella.     

SIDE LOBES AND GRATING LOBES ARTIFACTS IN ULTRASOUND IMAGING

Side lobes and grating lobes are both unwanted parts of the ultrasound beam emitted off axis that produce image artifacts due to error in positioning the returning echo. The purpose of this study was to reproduce artifacts associated with side lobes and grating lobes in vitro using different transducer types and recognize these artifacts in vivo. A phantom, composed of a water bath, a metallic wire, and a wooden tongue depressor, was imaged using a linear array, a curved linear array, a vector array, and a sector mechanical transducer. When imaging the metallic wire in a transverse plane, an echogenic artifact was constantly seen on each side of the wire, with a shape and intensity variable with the transducer type. The artifact was curvilinear and concave (linear and curved linear arrays), or curvilinear and convex (vector array and the mechanical transducer). When the tongue depressor was imaged in a longitudinal plane, the artifact was a straight line (linear array), a curved convex line(curved array), a series of convex curvilinear echo (vector array) or a small convex curvilinear echo (mechanical transducer). In vivo situations similar to the phantom experiment were investigated using clinical patients. Artifacts produced in vitro were recognized in vivo when a highly reflective object (urinary bladder wall) was imaged adjacent to an anechoic region (urine). These artifacts corresponded to the principle of secondary ultrasound lobes, and were therefore interpreted as such.     

贵妇鸡若干种质特性的研究

本试验对贵妇鸡早期生长发育等有关指标进行观测，以揭示该鸡种质特点及性状相关。并应用多元回归分析方法探讨体斜长、胸角、胸骨长、主翼羽长，尾羽长，胫长和胫围对体重的相关，结果表明，公鸡早期生长速率较母鸡快，平均日增重比母鸡高０．９３ｇ，公母鸡６周龄体重 ３７５．０３ｇ和３３６．７７ｇ；     

What is your diagnosis? Muculent pleural effusion from a dog

Pleural effusion was examined from a 5-year-old, female Brittany Spaniel with a 7-day history of dyspnea, anorexia, and diarrhea. The fluid was yellow, cloudy, and slightly gelatinous, and had a total protein concentration of 2.8 g/dL, a total nucleated cell concentration of 1.1 x 10(3)/muL, and a triglyceride concentration of 177 mg/dL. A cytocentrifuged preparation contained a mixed inflammatory cell population with a predominance of small lymphocytes and abundant mucinous material in the background. The dog died 3 days later and a mass was found within the lumen and wall of the right auricle of the heart at necropsy. Histopathologic sections of the mass contained a population of anaplastic spindle cells diffusely suspended in a pale basophilic matrix, consistent with myxosarcoma. The cells were positive for vimentin and negative for cytokeratin, desmin, and von Willebrand factor VIII-related antigen. A myxoid matrix was confirmed by positive staining with Alcian blue. Myxosarcoma is a rare cardiac tumor in dogs that should be considered, along with mucus-producing carcinomas and bile, as a cause of muculent effusion.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of nucleotides from late gestation to lactation on the performance and oxidative stress status of sows and their offspring

Increased metabolic burdens in breeding sows, which are induced by elevated systemic oxidative stress, could increase the need for nucleotides to repair lymphocyte DNA damage; however, de novo synthesis of nucleotides may be insufficient to cover this increased need. This study investigated the effects of dietary nucleotides on milk composition, oxidative stress status, and the reproductive and lactational performance of sows. Forty multiparous sows were assigned to 2 dietary treatments (Control group, and 1 g/kg Nucleotides group) based on a randomized complete block design using their BW at 85 d of gestation as a block. Sows from 2 groups were fed a restricted diet during gestation and ad libitum during lactation. The experiment lasted from 85 d of gestation to 21 d of lactation. The reproductive performance of sows and the growth performance of suckling piglets were measured. Oxidative stress parameters and milk components were also analysed. Data were analyzed using contrasts in the MIXED procedure of SAS. Sows in the Nucleotides group consumed more feed during the first week (P < 0.01) and from 1 to 21 d (P < 0.05) of lactation than those in Control group. Correspondingly, the litter weight gain of piglets showed a tendency to increase from cross-fostering to 9 d (P = 0.09) and from cross-fostering to 20 d (P = 0.10) in the Nucleotides group relative to the Control group. Additionally, the Nucleotides group was higher (P < 0.01) than the Control group in the concentrations of uridine 5''monophosphate, guanosine 5''monophosphate, inosine 5''monophosphate, adenosine 5''monophosphate and total nucleotides in milk. Furthermore, the Nucleotides group was higher (P < 0.01) than the Control group in the serum levels of total antioxidant capacity (P < 0.01) for sows at 109 d of gestation and glutathione peroxidase for weaning piglets, but lower at the levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (P < 0.05) in serum of weaning piglets. This study indicated that maternal dietary nucleotides could promote piglet growth, probably due to the higher lactational feed intake and higher concentration of nucleotides in the milk of sows, and lower oxidative stress for both sows and piglets.     

Rhabdomyosarcoma associated with the lead wire of a pacemaker generator implant

An 11‐year‐old female spayed Labrador Retriever was presented for a draining, painful subcutaneous mass palpated over a previously implanted pacemaker generator. Infection was suspected and the mass was removed surgically. On cut surface, the mass was friable and mottled tan to brown with firm pale tan nodules, surrounding the pacemaker lead wire adjacent to the pacemaker generator. Cytologic interpretation of impression smears was consistent with a sarcoma, and suggestive of a rhabdomyosarcoma due to the presence of strap‐like cells. On histopathologic examination, a highly invasive nodular mass surrounded the pacemaker lead, composed of pleomorphic round, spindle and strap cells, and multinucleated giant cells. The population exhibited microscopic invasion into the deep portion of the fibrous capsule surrounding the pacemaker generator. There were tumor emboli within small to medium subcutaneous veins adjacent to the mass. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells stained positive for α‐sarcomeric actin and vimentin, and negative for α‐smooth muscle actin, consistent with a rhabdomyosarcoma arising at the site of the pacemaker generator. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a rhabdomyosarcoma associated with the lead wire of a pacemaker generator in a dog.