IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—URETHROVAGINAL FISTULA CAUSED BY A MIGRATING GRASS AWN IN THE VAGINA

A young intact female dog was presented with urinary incontinence. Abdominal ultrasound revealed the presence of hyperechoic linear structures within the cranial vagina suggestive of foreign material. A computed tomography (CT) retrograde vaginourethrogram demonstrated the presence of a fistulous tract between the urethra and vagina. A presumptive diagnosis of urethrovaginal fistula due to migration of foreign material was made. The grass awn was removed with vaginoscopic‐guided retrieval. Fourteen days later, surgical repair of the fistula and an ovariohysterectomy were done. This case report emphasizes the usefulness of CT for diagnosis and precise anatomical localization of genitourinary tract fistulas.     

Clinical and radiographic study of bone and joint lesions in 26 dogs with leishmaniasis

Twenty-six dogs with parasitologically confirmed leishmaniasis and abnormalities of gait were studied to determine the most common radiological patterns of bone and joint lesions. The clinical findings included either lameness, joint pain and crepitation, soft tissue swelling and/or muscle atrophy. Bone lesions were observed radiographically in 12 of the 26 dogs; the radius and ulna were affected in seven, the tibia in six and the femur in six. Joint lesions were observed radiographically in 15 of the 26 dogs; the carpus and stifle were affected in all 15, and the tarsus in nine. There was a tendency for the bones and joints to be affected bilaterally. The radiographic patterns observed were different in the long bones and the joints. In the long bones, the most common pattern was periosteal and intramedullary proliferation, involving the diaphyses and related to the nutrient foramen; in the joints, two patterns, either non-erosive or erosive polyarthritis with soft-tissue swelling, were observed. The changes observed in the synovial fluid were associated in most cases with osteolytic lesions. However, Leishmania organisms were identified in the synovial fluid from joints without bony radiographic changes.     

Unilateral renal agenesis associated with additional congenital abnormalities of the urinary tract in a Pekingese bitch

An eight-month-old Pekingese bitch with urinary incontinence was found to have three congenital anomalies of the urinary tract: left renal agenesis, bilateral ectopic ureters with a left cranial blind-ending ureter, and urinary bladder hypoplasia. The diagnoses were made by retrograde vaginourethrography, excretory urography, ultrasonography and duplex Doppler ultrasonography. Although urological anomalies associated with renal agenesis have been frequently observed, a cranial blind-end ectopic ureter has not, to the authors' knowledge, been described in the bitch. The dog was managed medically with a restricted protein diet because of a compromised unilateral kidney with hydronephrosis and hydroureter.     

A Urethrorectal Fistula due to Prostatic Abscess Associated with Urolithiasis in a Dog

An 8-year-old, entire male crossbreed dog had a 2-day history of abdominal pain and straining to urinate and defecate. A diagnosis of urolithiasis with urinary retention, and probable prostatitis was made. The dog was treated with fluids and enrofloxacin. Five days later, ultrasonography of the prostate showed two hypoechoic areas compatible with abscesses. Twelve hours later, the patient started to urinate from the rectum during micturition and urethrorectal fistula was diagnosed. The omentalization of the prostatic abscesses and castration were performed and calculi were removed. The urethrorectal fistula was treated conservatively with an indwelling urinary catheter, a low residue diet and antibiotics. The dog recovered uneventfully without recurrence of the fistula.     

Ultrasound‐guided ‘two‐in‐one’ femoral and obturator nerve block in the dog: an anatomical study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the dye extent and distribution at the lumbar plexus (LP) of three volumes of local anaesthetic-methylene-blue solution administered close to the femoral nerve (FN) by the use of a ventral ultrasound (US)-guided suprainguinal approach (SIA).Study designProspective experimental trial.AnimalsTwenty mongrel canine cadavers weighing 17.7 ± 3.8 kg (mean ± SD).MethodsThe left and right LP of two cadavers were dissected to identify the FN, obturator nerve (ON) and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). The extent and distribution of dye at the LP of each of three volumes of injectate of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 mL kg^?1 administered close to the FN by a ventral US-guided SIA then were studied in a further 18 dog cadavers (n = 6 per group). Staining of ≥2 cm along the target nerves was indicative of sufficient spread to produce a nerve block.ResultsThe ventral US-guided SIA allowed the observation of the FN within the iliopsoas muscle (IPM) in a total of 17 cadavers. The assessment of the dye extent and distribution revealed a similar pattern regardless of the injected volume. From the injection site, the spreading of injectate occurred in cranial, lateral and caudal directions. The FN and ON were effectively stained in all the cases. The LFCN was not effectively stained in any case.Conclusions and clinical relevanceA volume of 0.2 mL kg^?1 administered close to the FN by a ventral US-guided SIA produced a sufficient distribution of the injectate within the IPM to produce effective staining of the FN and ON. This US-guided technique may be an appropriate alternative to previously reported techniques based on electrolocation to block the FN and ON in the dog.     

Effects of altering the sequence of midazolam and propofol during co‐induction of anaesthesia

ObjectiveTo assess the effects of varying the sequence of midazolam and propofol administration on the quality of induction, cardiorespiratory parameters and propofol requirements in dogs.Study designRandomized, controlled, clinical study.AnimalsThirty‐three client owned dogs (ASA I‐III, 0.5–10 years, 5–30 kg).MethodsDogs were premedicated with acepromazine (0.02 mg kg^?1) and morphine (0.4 mg kg^?1) intramuscularly. After 30 minutes, group midazolam‐propofol (MP) received midazolam (0.25 mg kg^?1) intravenously (IV) before propofol (1 mg kg^?1) IV, group propofol‐midazolam (PM) received propofol before midazolam IV at the same doses, and control group (CP) received saline IV, instead of midazolam, before propofol. Supplementary boluses of propofol (0.5 mg kg^?1) were administered to effect to all groups until orotracheal intubation was completed. Behaviour after midazolam administration, quality of sedation and induction, and ease of intubation were scored. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, and systolic arterial blood pressure were recorded before premedication, post‐premedication, after midazolam or saline administration, and at 0, 2, 5, and 10 minutes post‐intubation. End‐tidal CO₂ and arterial oxygen haemoglobin saturation were recorded at 2, 5 and 10 minutes post‐intubation.ResultsQuality of sedation and induction, and ease of intubation were similar in all groups. Incidence of excitement was higher in the MP compared to CP (p = 0.014) and PM (p = 0.026) groups. Propofol requirements were decreased in MP and PM groups with respect to CP (p < 0.001), and in PM compared to MP (p = 0.022). The HR decreased after premedication in all groups, and increased after midazolam and subsequent times in MP (p = 0.019) and PM (p = 0.001) groups. Incidence of apnoea and paddling was higher in CP (p = 0.005) and MP (p = 0.031) groups than in PM.Conclusions and clinical relevanceAdministration of midazolam before propofol reduced propofol requirements although caused mild excitement in some dogs. Administration of propofol before midazolam resulted in less excitatory phenomena and greater reduction of propofol requirements.     

Imaging diagnosis--Ultrasound-guided ethanol sclerotherapy for a simple renal cyst.

Solitary renal cysts are benign and in the majority of instances asymptomatic and do not require treatment. Nevertheless, treatment may be required if abdominal discomfort or pain, hypertension, infection or renal outflow obstruction occur. Under these circumstances, percutaneous management of the cyst is the easiest and fastest procedure, and no major complications are generally encountered. In this report we describe a patient with a solitary renal cyst treated successfully by a single injection of ethanol into the cyst. The sonographic appearance of the cyst changed from a well-defined hypoechoic structure to an ill-defined hyperechoic region. Canine renal cysts may be successfully managed in some instances by a single ethanol injection.     

Anaesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of romifidine/ketamine combinations in cats

ObjectiveTo study the anaesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of intramuscular (IM) administration of different combinations of romifidine and ketamine in cats.Study designProspective, randomized, cross-over experiment.AnimalsSeven healthy adult cats weighing (mean ± SD) 3.4 ± 0.7 kg and aged 4.6 ± 3.2 years.MethodsAnimals received romifidine 100 μg kg^?1 with ketamine 7.5 (R100/K7.5) and 10 mg kg^?1 (R100/K10), romifidine 200 μg kg^?1 with ketamine 5 (R200/K5), 7.5 (R200/K7.5) and 10 mg kg^?1 (R200/K10) by IM injection. The time required to perform orotracheal intubation (IT) was measured and the ease of intubation assessed. The onset of anaesthesia (OA), duration of anaesthesia (DA) and anaesthesia recovery times (AR) were measured. Analgesia and muscle relaxation scores were recorded every 5 minutes for 60 minutes after OA. Heart rate, systolic arterial pressure, arterial haemoglobin saturation, respiratory rate, end-tidal carbon dioxide and oesophageal temperature were also measured.ResultsThe IT, OA and DA were not significantly different between the treatments. The analgesia and muscle relaxation scores were similar between all treatments at most time points. The cardiorespiratory variables were not significantly different between the treatments in most cases. The adverse effects were dose dependent and similar to those previously described for other combinations of α₂-agonists and ketamine.Conclusions and clinical relevanceAnaesthesia produced by the studied combinations of romifidine and ketamine may only be reliable when conducting brief and noninvasive procedures in cats. The OA times were slower and the DA shorter than those reported for other alpha-2 agonists combined with ketamine. A dose-related increase in the intensity of the anaesthetic effects could not be demonstrated in this study.     

Radiographic,ultrasonographic, and computed tomographic characteristics of an accessory liver lobe in a cat

A 5‐year‐old male Norwegian Forest cat presented with increased hepatic serum biochemical parameters. Abdominal radiography showed an oval cranioventral mass and ultrasound revealed a mobile mass attached to one hepatic lobe. Computed tomography (CT) confirmed that the mass was attached to the right medial liver lobe. Differential diagnoses were an accessory liver lobe, benign neoplasia, and focal nodular hyperplasia. The mass was removed and histopathology confirmed the mass to be normal liver tissue. Accessory liver lobe should be included in the differential diagnosis of a mobile cranial abdominal mass with a similar ultrasonographic or CT appearance to the liver.