Smoke exposure in cats: 22 cases (1986-1997).

OBJECTIVE: To review clinical findings and clinical course for cats exposed to smoke in residential fires and to determine clinical variables that may have prognostic importance. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 22 cats admitted to our veterinary teaching hospital between 1986 and 1997 with a history of smoke exposure during a residential fire. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed for history, clinical signs, physical examination findings, changes in respiratory tract signs, initial hematologic analysis, treatment, results of thoracic radiography, and outcome. RESULTS: Fifteen of 22 (68%) cats were categorized in the uncomplicated group, 5 (23%) in the complicated group, and 2 (9%) were discharged after a short period because of financial considerations. Twenty (91%) cats survived, but 2 (9%) were euthanatized because of severe respiratory compromise or neurologic changes. Predominant thoracic radiographic changes were diffuse interstitial pattern (6 cats) and focal alveolar pattern (5). The majority (8/13) of cats that were stable or had improved by the day after admission had an uncomplicated clinical course while hospitalized, whereas cats that were worse on the day after admission tended to have a complicated clinical course. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cats that survive a residential fire and are admitted to a hospital have a good chance to be discharged. Cats that do not have signs of respiratory tract dysfunction at admission probably will not develop severe respiratory complications. For cats with signs of respiratory dysfunction at admission, better prognostic information will be determined by monitoring progression of the respiratory condition on the day after admission.     

Clinical findings and diagnostic value of post-traumatic thoracic radiographs in dogs and cats with blunt trauma

Objective: To characterize the clinical findings in dogs and cats that sustained blunt trauma and to compare clinical respiratory examination results with post‐traumatic thoracic radiography findings. Design: Retrospective clinical study. Setting: University small animal teaching hospital. Animals, interventions and measurements: Case records of 63 dogs and 96 cats presenting with a history of blunt trauma and thoracic radiographs between September 2001 and May 2003 were examined. Clinical signs of respiratory distress (respiratory rate (RR), pulmonary auscultation) and outcome were compared with radiographic signs of blunt trauma. Results: Forty‐nine percent of dogs and 63.5% of cats had radiographic signs attributed to thoracic trauma. Twenty‐two percent of dogs and 28% of cats had normal radiographs. Abnormal auscultation results were significantly associated with radiographic signs of thoracic trauma, radiography score and presence and degree of contusions. Seventy‐two percent of animals with no other injuries showed signs of thoracic trauma on chest radiographs. No correlation was found between the radiographic findings and outcome, whereas the trauma score at presentation was significantly associated with outcome and with signs of chest trauma but not with the radiography score. Conclusion: Thoracic trauma is encountered in many blunt trauma patients. The RR of animals with blunt trauma is not useful in predicting thoracic injury, whereas abnormal chest auscultation results are indicative of chest abnormalities. Thorough chest auscultation is, therefore, mandatory in all trauma animals and might help in the assessment of necessity of chest radiographs.     

Cytological Analysis of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid in the Diagnosis of Spontaneous Respiratory Tract Disease in Dogs: A Retrospective Study

Results of cytological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAD fluid were compared with clinical diagnoses in dogs that presented with signs of respiratory disease to referral hospitals. Of 68 dogs in which a clinical diagnosis was possible, BAL cytological findings were considered definitive for the diagnosis in 17 cases (25%), supportive of the diagnosis in 34 cases (50%), and not helpful in 17 cases (25%). Findings were most often considered supportive of or definitive for the clinical diagnosis in dogs with alveolar or bronchial radiographic patterns, or the presence of pulmonary masses. BAL results among lung lobes differed in 23 of 63 dogs (37%) with diffuse radiographic patterns. Tracheal wash cytology differed from BAL fluid cytology in 45 of 66 dogs (68%). Bronchoalveolar lavage was a clinically useful procedure for the diagnostic evaluation of dogs with signs of respiratory disease.     

Surgical and interventional radiographic treatment of dogs with hepatic arteriovenous fistulae

OBJECTIVE: To report outcome after surgical and interventional radiographic treatment of hepatic arteriovenous fistulae (HAVF) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Dogs (n=20) with HAVF. METHODS: Medical records of dogs with HAVF were reviewed. Referring veterinarians and owners were contacted by telephone. History, clinical signs, biochemical and hematologic variables, ultrasonographic and angiographic findings, surgical findings, techniques used to correct the HAVF, survival time, and clinical follow-up were recorded. RESULTS: Canine HAVF often appeared to be an arteriovenous malformation rather than a single fistula. Multiple extrahepatic portosystemic shunts were identified in 19 dogs. Surgery (lobectomy or ligation of the nutrient artery) and/or interventional radiology (glue embolization of the abnormal arterial vessels) was performed in 17 dogs. Thirteen dogs were treated by surgery alone, 4 dogs by glue embolization alone, and 1 dog by glue embolization and surgery. Three dogs treated by surgery alone died <1 month later, and 3 dogs were subsequently euthanatized or died because of persistent clinical signs. None of the dogs treated by glue embolization died <1month after the procedure and all were alive, without clinical signs, at follow-up (9-17 months). Overall, 9 of 12 (75%) dogs with long-term follow-up required dietary or medical management of clinical signs. CONCLUSION: HAVF-related death occurred less frequently after glue embolization than after surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Glue embolization may be a good alternative to surgery for treatment of certain canine HAVF.     

Comparison of arthroscopic and radiographic abnormalities in the hip joints of juvenile dogs with hip dysplasia

OBJECTIVE: To compare radiographic and arthroscopic abnormalities in juvenile dogs with clinically apparent hip dysplasia. DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: 52 dogs (70 hip joints) with clinical signs of hip dysplasia scheduled to undergo triple pelvic osteotomy. PROCEDURE: A ventrodorsal radiographic projection of the pelvis was evaluated by a radiologist unaware of clinical and arthroscopic findings, and radiographic osteoarthritic abnormalities were judged and scored as absent (0), mild (1), moderate (2), or severe (3). Arthroscopy was performed by a surgeon unaware of clinical and radiographic findings, and arthroscopic abnormalities were graded from 0 (normal) to 5 (exposed, eburnated subchondral bone). RESULTS: In 30 of the 70 (43%) hip joints, no radiographic osteoarthritic abnormalities were seen. Severe, full-thickness articular cartilage lesions (grade 4) of the femoral head or acetabulum were seen arthroscopically in 14 (20%) joints. Lesions > or = grade 2 were seen in 60 (86%) joints. Partial tearing of the ligament of the femoral head was present in 57 (81%) joints, and complete rupture was seen in 5 (7%). Radiographic abnormalities were seen in 13 of the 14 (93%; 95% confidence interval, 66% to 99.8%) joints with grade 4 arthroscopic abnormalities but in only 23 of the 46 (50%; 95% confidence interval, 35% to 65%) joints with grade 2 or 3 arthroscopic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that radiography is not a sensitive method for identifying moderate cartilage lesions in juvenile dogs with hip dysplasia. If moderate cartilage lesions are an important prognostic indicator for the success of triple pelvic osteotomy, then methods other than radiography should be used to detect these lesions.     

Canine dilated cardiomyopathy: a retrospective study of signalment, presentation and clinical findings in 369 cases

O bjective : To review the clinical and diagnostic findings and survival of dilated cardiomyopathy from a large population of dogs in England.
M ethods : A retrospective study of the case records of dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy collected between January 1993 and May 2006.
R esults : There were 369 dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy of which all were pure-bred dogs except for four. The most commonly affected breeds were dobermanns and boxers. Over 95 per cent of dogs weighed more than 15 kg and 73 per cent were male. The median duration of signs before referral was three weeks with 65 per cent presenting in stage 3 heart failure. The most common signs were breathlessness (67 per cent) and coughing (64 per cent). The majority of dogs (89 per cent) had an arrhythmia at presentation and 74 per cent of dogs had radiographic signs of pulmonary oedema or pleural effusion. The median survival time was 19 weeks.
C linical S ignificance : Dilated cardiomyopathy occurs primarily in medium to large breed pure-bred dogs, and males are more frequently affected than females. The duration of clinical signs before referral is often short and the survival times are poor. Greater awareness of affected breeds, clinical signs and diagnostic findings may help in early recognition of this disease which often has a short clinical phase.     

Type I immune-mediated polyarthritis in dogs: 39 cases (1997-2002)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical signs, laboratory findings, relationship to vaccination, and response to treatment for type I immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 39 dogs PROCEDURE: Clinical records and radiographic reports from 3 university referral hospitals were reviewed. Clinical signs, laboratory and investigative findings, relationship to vaccination, and response to treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: Clinical signs and initial laboratory and clinical investigative findings were frequently abnormal but were nonspecific and not associated with likelihood of recovery. Time of vaccination was not associated with onset of disease. Chemotherapeutic immunosuppression resulted in complete cure in 56% of dogs. Continuous medication was required in 18% (7/39) of dogs, relapses were treated successfully in 13% (5/39) of dogs, and 15% (6/39) of dogs died or were euthanatized as a result of disease. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The possible involvement of vaccination in type I IMPA was not made clear from this study because of the small population size. Signalment, clinical signs, and results of diagnostic tests other than multiple synovial fluid analyses were generally nonspecific. Most dogs with type I IMPA responded to initial immunosuppressive treatment, but 31% (12/39) of dogs relapsed, required further treatment, or both.     

Pneumonia associated with Mycoplasma spp in three cats

Mycoplasma spp were isolated in pure culture from bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from three cats with clinical, cytological and radiographic signs of bron-chopneumonia or suppurative bronchitis. Predisposing factors were not identified in the first case, the second cat had oesophageal hypomotility, while the third cat had been exposed to cigarette smoke and had advanced periodontal disease. Respiratory signs resolved promptly and completely in all cases following antimicrobial therapy directed against mycoplasmas. Mycoplasma spp are possible causes of lower respiratory tract disease in cats and this should be considered when selecting empirical therapy for feline airway disease and pneumonia. In some situations mycoplasmas may behave as primary lower respiratory tract pathogens in cats.     

A correlative study of the clinical and radiographic signs of periodontal disease in dogs

Twenty-four dogs admitted for routine teeth cleaning were selected arbitrarily to undergo a periodontal examination and a dental radiographic examination before the dental procedure. Data pertaining to the physical and radiographic manifestations of periodontal disease of 783 teeth were collected. All dogs had lesions consistent with periodontal disease, ranging from mild gingivitis and minimal plaque accumulation to severely inflamed gingiva, exuberant calculus formation, and root exposure. Of the 783 teeth examined, 153 (20%) had a pocket depth greater than or equal to 4 mm and less than or equal to 9 mm. Data regarding these teeth were subjected to statistical analysis. The clinical signs of plaque, calculus, mobility, pocket depth, and furcation were positively associated with radiographic signs of periodonta disease. The association between grossly evident gingivitis and radiographic signs of periodontal disease was not significant. Conditional probability analysis was applied to determine confidence intervals for the probability of a radiographic sign of periodontal disease occurring given that a clinical sign of periodontal disease occurs.     

Radiographic findings and clinical factors in dogs with surgically confirmed or presumed colonic torsion

Colonic torsion is a life‐threatening condition in dogs and radiographic findings for this condition have not been well described. The purpose of this retrospective case series was to describe radiographic findings and clinical signs in a group of dogs with colonic torsion. Inclusion criteria were dogs presenting during the period of 2006 and 2016, and that had abdominal radiography and a surgically confirmed or presumed diagnosis of colonic torsion. For each dog, clinical data were recorded from medical records and imaging findings were recorded from retrieved plain radiographs and positive contrast radiographs in which barium enema was performed. Fourteen dogs met inclusion criteria. Of these, nine dogs had colonic torsion confirmed at surgery, with five dogs having surgical confirmation of colonic congestion or mesenteric torsion. Radiographic findings included segmental distention of the colon (14/14), focal narrowing of the colon (11/14), displacement of cecum (11/14), displacement of descending colon (14/14), and mild to no small intestinal distention (14/14). In cases where barium enema was performed, focal narrowing of the colon and longitudinal striations that course in a helical pattern were identified, termed the “torsion sign.” Vomiting was the most common clinical sign observed (12/14), followed by abdominal pain in a small majority of cases (8/14). Severe abdominal pain and hypovolemic shock were uncommon in the patients reported (3/14). Colonic torsion should be considered as a differential diagnosis for dogs with radiographic segmental colonic distention with displacement of the descending colon and cecum. Barium enema is recommended for more definitive diagnosis.     

Acute Oropharyngeal and Esophageal Stick Injury in Forty‐One Dogs

Objective— To report clinical findings, treatment, and outcome in dogs with acute (<7 days) oropharyngeal or esophageal stick injury. Study Design— Retrospective study. Animals— Dogs (n=41) with acute oropharyngeal or esophageal injury. Methods— Dogs had clinical and radiographic examination, and frequently, cervical surgical exploration. The decision to operate was based on radiographic findings of cervical emphysema. Outcome was determined by owner or veterinarian interview. Results— Of 41 dogs, 27 had oropharyngeal injury and 14 had esophageal injury. Five dogs with esophageal injury died. All dogs with radiographic evidence of cervical emphysema (n=34) had ventral median cervical exploration or necropsy; 11 had wood fragment(s) retrieved. In 7 dogs without radiographic signs of cervical emphysema, wounds involving the pharynx or soft palate were treated by local debridement and lavage using an oral approach. Mean follow‐up time was 36.4 months. All wounds healed without complication; however, 1 dog that was not surgically explored had a piece of wood surgically retrieved 3 months later. Conclusions— Radiographic evidence of cervical emphysema is a frequent finding in dogs with acute penetrating oropharyngeal or esophageal injury and indicates trauma to the deeper cervical tissues. Acute penetrating injury of the oropharyngeal region, when treated appropriately, has a better prognosis than acute esophageal penetration. Clinical Relevance— Ventral median cervical surgical exploration is recommended in dogs with acute penetrating injury of the oropharynx or esophagus if there is radiographic evidence of tissue emphysema.     

The lumbosacral junction in working german shepherd dogs -- neurological and radiological evaluation

The clinical and radiological incidence of lumbosacral (LS) disease was studied on 57 German Shepherd dogs (GSDs) used in active service. The study included a clinical history, a neurological examination, and plain radiographs of the caudal lumbar vertebrae. The neurological examinations revealed lower back pain and/or neural deficits in 21 dogs, of which 14 had a history of pain or pelvic gait abnormalities. Radiographic findings were spondylosis at L7-S1, degeneration of L7-S1 disc, LS malalignment, transitional LS vertebrae and/or primary spinal canal stenosis in 15 dogs with neurological abnormalities and/or back pain and in 18 dogs with no clinical signs. No correlation between the neurological and the radiographic findings were found. This study demonstrates that even prominent radiographic LS abnormalities are of minimal value in the evaluation of LS disease in the GSD.     

Pulmonary Thromboembolism in 29 Dogs: 1985–1995

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) occurs as a complication to a number of commonly encountered clinical diseases. Antemortem recognition of this life-threatening disorder is hampered by nonspecificity of clinical signs. This retrospective study was performed to analyze clinical features, laboratory findings, imaging abnormalities, and concurrent postmortem diagnoses in 29 dogs with confirmed pulmonary embolism. A variety of clinicopathologic and radiographic abnormalities were noted but there were no pathognomonic findings for PTE. Arterial blood gas analyses were performed in 15 (52%) of 29 dogs; 12 (80%) of 15 exhibited hypoxemia and 15 (100%) of 15 had increased alveolar-arterial oxygen gradients. Response to supplemental O2 was variable and did not correlate with the presence or absence of additional pulmonary pathology on postmortem. At postmortem, 25 (86%) of 29 dogs had grossly visible emboli, 17 (59%) of 29 dogs had multiple disease processes, and 16 (55%) of 29 dogs had additional pulmonary pathology. PTE was suspected antemortem in 11 (38%) of 29 dogs. In dogs with respiratory signs consistent with PTE, the condition was a differential diagnosis in 11 of 17 animals; all had diseases previously reported to be associated with PTE. Neoplasia, systemic bacterial disease, and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia were diagnosed most frequently.     

The Role of Bronchoscopy in Foreign Body Removal in Dogs and Cats: 37 Cases (2000–2008)

Background: Foreign body aspiration is a differential diagnosis for acute or chronic cough that requires medical or surgical management in animals. Hypothesis: Success of bronchoscopy in airway foreign body removal is dependent on the size of the animal, duration of clinical signs, and location of the foreign body. Animals: Thirty‐two dogs and 5 cats with airway foreign bodies identified at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Methods: Retrospective case study evaluating the role of duration of clinical signs and body size in successful bronchoscopic removal of foreign bodies. In addition, radiographic localization of disease was compared with bronchoscopic identification. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) culture and cytologic findings are reported. Results: Bronchoscopy was successful for removal of airway foreign bodies in 76% of animals (24/28 dogs and 2/5 cats), and in dogs was independent of duration of clinical signs or body size. One‐third of thoracic radiographs lacked distinctive features of an airway foreign body, and therefore radiography was unable to predict the affected site. BAL fluid at the site of the foreign body contained more neutrophils and more often had intracellular bacteria than lavage fluid from a separate site. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Bronchoscopy was successful in removing airway foreign bodies regardless of animal size or long duration of clinical signs. Results of this study confirm the utility of bronchoscopy with lavage in management of suspected foreign bodies, even in the absence of localizing radiographic findings.     

RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS DURING RECOVERY FROM DISCOSPONDYLITIS

The diagnosis of discospondylitis is based on radiographic changes in the vertebrae. The limitations of this method are the time gap between the onset of clinical signs and the first appearance of the radiographic findings, as well as the disassociation between the clinical and radiographic signs during recovery. It is known that the radiographic changes appear only two to four weeks after the onset of clinical signs, but the characteristics of radiographic changes during recovery has yet to be documented, thus making follow-up radiographs difficult to interpret. A prospective and retrospective study was designed to document typical radiographic changes during recovery from discospondylitis. We reviewed 12 dogs that had complete and uneventful recovery with antibiotic therapy alone. Periodic follow-up radiographs and clinical examinations were conducted up to five months after the onset of clinical signs to correlate between the clinical status and radiographic changes during recovery. Although the clinical signs improved within the first 10 days of antibiotic therapy, the radiographic deterioration continued before regression and signs of radiographic recovery were noticed. This radiographic deterioration, despite successful antibiotic therapy, appeared shorter in young dogs (less than one year old) and lasted three to nine weeks in older dogs.     

Lumbosacral stenosis in 29 military working dogs: epidemiologic findings and outcome after surgical intervention (1990-1999)

OBJECTIVE: To study the outcome of military working dogs (MWDs) diagnosed with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLS) after surgical intervention and to determine what prognostic indicators affected outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Twenty-nine MWDs with DLS. METHODS: The medical records of dogs diagnosed and surgically treated for DLS at the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Veterinary Service Hospital were reviewed. Retrieved data were signalment, clinical signs, survey radiograph results, and surgical findings. RESULTS: Breed and sex were not found to have prognostic significance. Increasing age at surgery correlated with a poor surgical outcome. Twelve dogs (41%) returned to normal function, 11 (38%) improved, and 6 (20%) never returned to active duty. The average age at surgery was 74 months, 93 months, and 112 months for normal, improved, and dogs not returning to duty, respectively. Significant clinical findings associated with a poor prognosis were related to increasing neurologic severity. The only significant radiographic finding indicating a poor prognosis was foraminal narrowing. Surgical findings with negative prognostic significance were hypertrophic articular facets and interarcuate ligament. Recurrence rates were 16.7% and 54.5% for normal and improved dogs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: MWDs with DLS have a good prognosis with surgical decompression if they are young dogs with mild clinical signs at the time of diagnosis. As age and severity of clinical signs increase, the prognosis for successful outcome decreases. Recurrence may be seen in some dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Information provided by this study should help military veterinarians determine the prognosis for working dogs with DLS after surgical treatment.     

Clinical and radiographic signs in primary and metastatic esophageal neoplasms of the dog.

Esophageal neoplasms were diagnosed in 8 of 49,229 dogs seen over the last 11 years at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the University of California at Davis. The neoplasms were primary in 2 dogs and metastatic to the esophagus in 6 dogs, with thyroid carcinoma being the most common site of the primary tumor. The most common clinical signs were regurgitation, dysphagia, weight loss, development of neck masses, and respiratory difficulties. It was concluded that the clinical signs often can be misleading. The interpretation of survey radiographs, barium contrast studies, or fluoroscopic studies often provide the initial data base. The final diagnosis requires histologic examination. Retention of air in the esophagus (with or without esophageal displacement) and motor dysfunction (with or without gross morphologic changes) are the most important criteria for radiographic diagnosis.     

Neurologic abnormalities as the predominant signs of neoplasia of the nasal cavity in dogs and cats: seven cases (1973-1986)

Neurologic abnormalities were the predominant historic and physical findings in 5 dogs and 2 cats with primary nasal cavity tumors that had invaded the cranial vault. Seizures, behavior changes, and obtundation were the most common signs. Other neurologic signs included paresis, ataxia, circling, visual deficit, and proprioceptive deficit. Although 1 dog and 2 cats had historic findings of mild respiratory disease, no physical abnormalities related to the respiratory tract were found in any of the 7 animals. Nasal cavity neoplasia was suggested by radiographic and computed tomographic studies and was confirmed histopathologically in each case. The nasal tumor types in the 5 dogs were epidermoid carcinoma (n = 1), adenocarcinoma (n = 2), solid carcinoma (n = 1), and anaplastic chondrosarcoma (n = 1). An esthesioneuroblastoma was found in each cat. Radiation therapy was effective for 3 months in palliating the clinical signs in the 2 dogs in which it was used. Neoplasia of the nasal cavity should be considered in the differential diagnosis for animals with neurologic signs suggestive of cerebral disorders.     

Diagnosis and surgical management of ureteral calculi in dogs: 16 cases (1990-2003)

AIMS: To examine the clinical signs, laboratory and radiographic findings, surgical technique, ureterolith composition, and post-operative outcomes in dogs managed surgically for ureterolithiasis to determine whether surgical removal of ureteroliths in dogs resulted in a positive clinical outcome. METHODS: The medical record database of a university veterinary hospital in Pennsylvania, USA, was searched for dogs that underwent surgery to remove obstructive ureteral calculi between 1990 and 2003. Records were reviewed for signalment, clinical history and examination findings, radiographic and laboratory test results, surgical technique, and ureterolith analysis. Follow-up information was obtained from telephone interviews with owners or referring veterinarians, or by reviewing the medical record of subsequent hospital visits. RESULTS: Sixteen dogs were included in this study; ten were neutered females, two intact females and four castrated males. Abdominal radiography revealed ureteral calculi in 14/16 dogs, renal calculi in 8/16, cystic calculi in 8/16, urethral calculi in 1/16, renomegaly in 6/16 and renal mineralisation in 5/16. Ureterolith type included struvite in six dogs, calcium oxalate in five, calcium phosphate in one, and a mix of struvite, calcium phosphate and calcium oxalate in another. Compared to dogs with non-struvite ureteroliths, those with struvite ureteroliths had a higher pre-operative white blood cell (WBC) count (25.6, SD 7 vs 17.6, SD 6 x 103 cells/mul; p=0.046), and were more likely to have a purulent discharge from the ureteral incision noted at the time of surgery (p=0.015). Following discharge, 14/16 dogs were re-evaluated. Median survival time was 904 days (range 2-1,876). Two dogs required additional surgery on the urinary tract. Four dogs died or were euthanised because of azotaemia and clinical signs related to the urinary system or non-specific signs of illness (vomiting, lethargy) at 8, 90, 333 and 904 days post-operatively. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical management of ureteroliths was successful and resulted in good long-term survival in the majority of dogs examined in this small study population. Similar proportions of calcium oxalate and struvite ureteroliths were identified. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of the ureteral surgery may increase as the frequency of diagnosis of ureteroliths in dogs increases.     

A review of the usefulness of myelography in 50 dogs.

Fifty dogs showing clinical signs of spinal disease were investigated by myelography, using iopamidol. In 27 cases the technique was considered worthwhile. Of the 19 dogs not subjected to surgery or euthanasia as a result of the findings, three suffered seizures during recovery from anaesthesia, eight deteriorated in neurological condition and one suffered permanent respiratory arrest as a result of extensive subarachnoid haemorrhage.