SONOGRAPHIC APPLICATION IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF PYELONEPHRITIS IN CATTLE

Nineteen cattle with pyelonephritis were examined sonographically. A 3.5- and 5.0-MHz convex transducer was used for percutaneous and a 5.5-MHz linear scanner for transrectal examination. Ultrasonographic changes included enlarged kidneys, echogenic material, and flocculent fluid within a dilated and deformed renal sinus and a poor cortical medullary differentiation. Azotemia was detected in 10 and hematuria and proteinuria in all animals. Microbial culture revealed Corynebacterium renale in eight and Escherichia coli in five cattle. Sonography supplemented the clinical examination and clinicopathological analysis by providing additional information on renal disease in these patients.     

ACUTE DIFFUSE MYCOTIC PNEUMONIA IN A 7-MONTH-OLD COLT

A 7-month-old Quarter horse colt developed acute diarrhea, laminitis, bilateral uveitis, and severe respiratory distress after intramuscular injection with a bacterial vaccine. Thoracic radiographs revealed diffuse unstructured, nodular interstitial, and peribronchial opacities throughout the lung. Despite intensive supportive therapy, the colt became progressively hypoxemic and died. At postmortem examination, severe multifocal to coalescing hemorrhagic, necrotizing fibrinous pneumonia was found. Histologic study revealed numerous branched septate fungal hyphae diffusely distributed throughout the lung parenchyma. Fungal culture of lung tissue grew Aspergillus fumigatus. This report presents the radiographic, clinical, and pathologic features of acute mycotic pneumonia in horses.     

INFLAMMATORY POLYP IN THE MIDDLE EAR WITH SECONDARY SUPPURATIVE MENINGOENCEPHALITIS IN A CAT

A 15-month-old male Maine Coon Cat presented with persistent auricular discharge and progressive head tilt, ataxia, and loss of blink on the right side. Using computed tomography a hyperattenuating, contrast-enhancing material within a thickened right tympanic bulla and contrast enhancement of the adjacent cerebellum were identified. Marked suppurative inflammation was identified on cerebrospinal fluid analysis with no growth on bacterial culture. Ventral bulla osteotomy was performed to remove a soft tissue mass, and an inflammatory polyp with chronic severe suppurative inflammation was confirmed using histology. Staphylococcus auricularis was grown on aerobic culture and Fusobacterium necrophorum and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius were grown on anaerobic culture. The cat was treated for 10 weeks with amoxicillin/clavulinic acid and metronidazole. Dramatic improvement in body weight, appetite, energy level, balance, and resolution of right-sided facial paralysis were noted, but the cat retained a head tilt.