Echocardiographic assessment of cats anesthetized with xylazine-sodium pentobarbital.

Left ventricular echocardiographic parameters in cats were recorded, measured and analyzed to study the effects of a combination of xylazine and sodium pentobarbital on left ventricular function. The depressant effects of a combination of xylazine and sodium pentobarbital on the left ventricular dimension at end diastole, the percent change in minor diameter and the velocity of circumferential fibre shortening were compared to echocardiographic values of unanesthetized cats. No change in heart rate was noted. Stroke volume and cardiac output were depressed.     

Fibrocartilaginous embolism and ischemic myelopathy in a four month old German shepherd dog.

Clinical signs and postmortem findings are described in a four month old German Shepherd dog with fibrocartilaginous embolism of the spinal cord. Ischemic myelopathy involved spinal cord segments C7 to L1. No evidence of degeneration or herniation of intervertebral discs was found at necropsy.