DOPPLER SONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF THE DIGITAL BLOOD FLOW IN HORSES WITH LAMINITIS OR SEPTIC PODODERMATITIS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of Doppler ultrasonography to monitor vascular blood flow dynamics in defined diseases of the equine digit in a noninvasive way. Doppler sonography was used to evaluate medial digital artery blood flow in eight horses with septic pododermatitis and four horses with laminitis in comparison with 10 horses of a control group. Doppler sonographic measurement and lameness examinations were performed in lame horses before treatment (day 0) and at 3, 6, and 9 days following treatment. Before treatment, blood flow velocities, arterial diameter, and flow volume were significantly higher in the lame horses, while pulsatility indices (PIs) were significantly lower (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference of resistive indices (RI) in the septic pododermatitis group, but these indices were significantly lower in the laminitis group. No significant difference between the two lame groups was recorded. After treatment, blood flow velocities and flow volume decreased significantly and PIs increased significantly in both lame groups, while RI and arterial diameter did not change. No correlation between Doppler parameters and the degree of lameness was found. Doppler sonography can be used to monitor vascular blood flow dynamics in horses suffering from septic pododermatitis and laminitis, while blood flow velocities and PI can serve as parameters for monitoring the course of the disease.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY-ANATOMY OF THE NORMAL FELINE NASOLACRIMAL DRAINAGE SYSTEM

Computed tomography (CT) of the nasolacrimal drainage system with and without contrast medium (barium sulfate) was used to create an anatomic basis for clinical evaluation in domestic cats. To evaluate and compare the anatomical findings, three casts were carried out and were followed by CT examinations. These CT series were also used for a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the nasolacrimal drainage system within surrounding structures. In noncontrast CT images, osseous structures limiting the nasolacrimal drainage system are easily recognizable. In most cats, this allows the identification of the nasolacrimal drainage system even without contrast enhancement. A distal part of the lacrimal sac adjoins directly to the respiratory mucosa of the nasal cavity without an osseous protection. Thus, this may represent a predilection site for infiltration of adjacent pathologic processes from the nasal cavity onto the lacrimal sac. The nasolacrimal duct begins on level with the maxillary third premolar tooth. The apex of the root of the canine tooth is situated very close to the nasolacrimal duct. This close topographic relation may lead to problems with the nasolacrimal drainage system. In domestic cats the nasolacrimal drainage system consists of a descending and a horizontal part, which form an angle of approximately 90 degrees for unhindered drainage of the lacrimal fluid.     

Distribution and abundance of two species of codlet (Teleostei, Bregmacerotidae) larvae from the south-eastern Brazilian Bight

Two species of codlet (Bregmacerotidae) larvae were collected during nine survey cruises conducted in the south-eastern Brazilian Bight between 23^oS and 30^oS in 1985-91. Of 4846 codlet larvae collected during nine cruises, 99.2% were identified as Bregmaceros canton and only 0.8% were B. athanticus. The two species were more abundant during winter in the neritic region (60–135 m depth). Vertical distribution of codlet larvae was studied using the BIOMOC net, and vertical profiles of temperature/salinity and chlorophyll a concentration were recorded by CTD and fluorescent sonde. Only 9.0% of larvae were collected in the upper 30 m and 91.0% were found deeper (> 40 m). The depths of highest density of larvae bore a close relationship to the subsurface chlorophyll maximum layer. Some B. canton larvae were found in the upper 30 m layer at night, but no larva was found during the day. Water temperatures where B. canton larvae occurred ranged from 16 to 23^oC, but most larvae were found at 18–20^oC and in salinities of 35.5–36.5 psu.     

BONE SCINTIGRAPHY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF AN ABNORMAL MEDIAL CORONOID PROCESS IN DOGS

Few reports have been published regarding the use of scintigraphy in the diagnosis of elbow joint lameness in dogs. Some authors have speculated about the potential use of bone scintigraphy and its suspected high sensitivity for the early diagnosis of abnormalities of the medial coronoid process (MCP) in dogs. Scintigraphy is used routinely in our institution in dogs presented for thoracic limb lameness and/or suspected of abnormalities of the MCP when radiographic findings were equivocal. Radiographic, scintigraphic, and surgical findings of the elbow joints of 17 dogs with elbow joint lameness were compared with radiographic, scintigraphic, and necropsy findings of the elbow joints of 12 clinically healthy Labrador Retrievers. Quantitative evaluation of scintigraphic images was performed to determine relative radiopharmaceutical uptake in the region of the MCP. Maximum relative uptake of the coronoid process in the normal dogs was taken as a threshold value to classify elbows as positive or negative for an abnormal MCP after all 24 elbows of the 12 healthy dogs were confirmed as being normal at necropsy. All 17 elbows from lame dogs were positive on scintigraphy and confirmed as having chondromalacia, a fissure, or fragmentation of the MCP. Based on our results, bone scintigraphy may be a valuable diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of abnormalities of the MCP in dogs, and particularly in older dogs where clinical and radiographic changes may be ambiguous.     

Cutaneous Drug Reactions: a Retrospective Study of Histopathological Changes and their Correlation with the Clinical Disease*

Abstract— Biopsy samples from 67 cases with a primary history and histopathological changes highly indicative of a drug reaction were reviewed. The histopathological lesions in 39 dogs, 19 cats, six horses, two goats and one bull were classified into five different groups: erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis, lichenoid interface dermatitis (lichenoid drug eruption), vasculitis and pemphigus foliaceus. In 53 cases additional information on the clinical history and follow-up was received. None of the patients was rechallenged. Clinical and histopathological observations were consistent with a diagnosis of drug reaction in four animals only. The diagnoses were erythema multiforme (one dog, one cat), lichenoid drug eruption (one dog), and pemphigus-like drug eruption (one cat). A drug reaction was ruled out in seven dogs. In 15 cases no further clinical information was available. No relationship between skin lesions and administered drugs could be established in the remaining 27 patients, as the skin lesions could have been provoked by different concurrent diseases. Résumé— Des biopsies provenant de cas cliniques avec un historique et dans lésions histologiques très suggestifs d'un accident médicamenteux ont été revues. Les lésions histologiques chez 39 chiens, 19 chats, 6 chevaux, 2 chèvres et un taureau ont été classées en 5 catégories; érythème polymorphe, nécrolyse épidermique toxique, dermatite lichénoïde d'interface, vaculite et pemphigus foliacé. Dans 53 cas des informations supplémentaires concernant l'anamnèse et le suivi ont pu être obtenues. Aucun test de provocation n'a été fait. Les observations cliniques et histopathologiques étaient compatibles avec un diagnostic d'accident médicamenteux chez seulement quatre animaux. Le diagnostic était dans ces cas: érythème polymorphe (1 chien, 1 chat), dermatite lichénoïde d'inteface (1 chien) et pemphigus follacé (1 chat). Une réaction médicamenteuse a pu être éliminée chez sept chiens. Dans 15 cas aucune information clinique sur le suivi n'a pu être obtenue. Aucune relation entre les lésions cutanées et l'administration de médicaments n'a pu être établie chez les 27 patients restants, les lésions cutanées ayant pu être provoquées par d'autres maladies. Zusammenfassung— Biopsieproben von 67 Fällen, deren Anamnese und histopathologische Veränderungen deutlich auf eine Medikamentenreaktion hinwies, gelangten zu einer retrospektiven Beurteilung. Die histopathologischen Veränderungen bei 39 Hunden, 19 Katzen, 6 Pferden, 7 Ziegen und 1 Stier wurden in fünf verschiedene Gruppen einegeteilt: Erythema multiforme, toxisch-epidermale Nekrolyse, lichenoide Interface Dermatitis, (lichenoide Medikamentenreaktion), Vaskulitis und Pemphigus foliaceus. In 53 Fällen wurden Zusatzinformationen über die klinische Anamnese und Nachbehandlung ermittelt. Keiner der Patienten wurde nochmals in gleicher Weise wie zuvor behandelt, um eine erneute Hautreaktion auszulösen. Die klinischen und histopathologischen Befunde stimmten nur bei vier Tieren mit der Diagnose einer Medikamentenreaktion überein. Die Diagnosen waren Erythema multiforme (1 Hund, 1 Katze), lichenoide drug eruption (1 Hund), und Pemphigusähnliche drug eruption (1 Katze) Eine Reaktion auf Medikamente wurde bei sieben Hunden ausgeschlossen. In 15 Fällen war keine weitergehende klinische Information verfügbar. Bei den übrigen 27 Patienten konnte zwischen den Hautläsionen und den verabreichten Medikamenten ursächlicher Zusammenhang hergestellt werden, da die Hautläsionen auch durch andere gleichzeitig vorliegende Krankheiten hätten hervorgerufen worden sein können Resumen En éste artículo se investigan 67 casos el los que las biopsias cutáneas, historia clínica y cambios histopatólogicos, indicaban la posibilidad de reacción adversa a la administración de medicamentos. Las lesiones histopatológicas de 39 perros, 19 gatos 2 cabras y un toro, se clasificaron en cinco grupos diferentes: eritem multiforme, necrólisis tóxica de la epidermis, dermatitis liquenoide interfásica (erupción liquenoide a la administración de medicamentos), vasculitis, y pémfigo foliáceo. En 53 casos se recibió información adicional de la historia clínica y chequeos periódicos. A niniguno de los pacientes se le volvió a administrar la medicación. Sólamente en 4 de los animales el exámen histopatológico correspondió con la diagnosis de reacción a la medicación. Las diagnosis resultaron sen eritema multiforme, (un perro, y un gato), erupción liquenoide a la administración de medicamentos (un perro), y reacción de tipo penfigácea (un gato). En 7 de los perros se denegó reacciones adversas a drogas. En los 27 pacientes restantes, no se encontró relación entre las lesiones cutáneas y la administración de drogas, y la aparición de lesiones cutáneas se atribuyó a enfermadades concurrentes.     

THYROID TO SALIVARY RATIOS DETERMINED BY TECHNETIUM-99M PERTECHNETATE IMAGING IN THIRTY-TWO EUTHYROID CATS

Thyroid to salivary (TS) ratio is the most commonly used scintigraphic parameter for differentiating euthyroid and hyperthyroid cats. Studies to determine the normal TS ratio have been performed in small cat populations. In this study, the TS ratio was determined in 32 cats between 8 and 13 years of age. The study population was documented to be euthyroid based on normal initial and 6-week follow-up serum thyroid concentrations and normal T3 suppression tests. All images were obtained with a low-energy all-purpose collimator between 20 and 40 min after the injection of approximately 111 MBq (3.0 mCi) pertechnetate. Manual regions of interest (ROI) were made of the thyroid and salivary glands of the ventral image A 95% prediction interval based on the natural log of the TS ratio was computed to provide a normal range of 0.48-1.66. This range is similar to previous studies, but suggests a slightly higher upper limit than previously reported.