Ante mortem diagnosis of pancreatitis in four cats

The ante mortem detection of pancreatitis in four cats is reported. Clinical findings included vomiting, lethargy and constipation in all the cats, diabetes mellitus in two cats and severe jaundice and a vitamin K responsive coagulopathy in one cat. Serum amylase was normal in all the cats and serum lipase was elevated in one azotaemic cat. Ultrasonography revealed predominantly hypoechoic masses in the right cranial quandrant of the abdomen of each cat. The anatomical location of these masses was consistent with the pancreas. Gross examination supported these ultrasonographic observations. The pancreatic lesions were characterised histologically as acute necrotising pancreatitis, acute necrotising pancreatitis with abscessation, chronic active pancreatitis with cystic dilatation of the pancreatic duct causing bile duct obstruction and chronic active pancreatitis with nodular hyperplasia. This report indicates that pancreatitis is a clinically significant disease in cats that may be diagnosed ante mortem.     

Academic and private practice partnerships in veterinary radiology residency training

As veterinary radiologists devote greater time to telemedicine consultation, residency training must evolve to reflect the skills of these services. The contribution of private practice/consultant radiologists to residency training has traditionally been minimal but academic and private practice partnerships in education and research can provide the framework for a well‐rounded residency. These partnerships can also lessen the impact of workforce shortages in academia and provide financial compensation to academicians through external consultation. The purpose of this commentary is to review existing collaborative interactions between academic and private practice veterinary radiologists; with a focus on ways to sustain, improve, and cautiously increase the number of veterinary radiology training programs.     

EFFECT OF REPRODUCTIVE STATUS ON FELINE RENAL SIZE

Renal length and width dimensions were determined from survey radiography and excretory urography in 28 cats of various sex and reproductive status. Renal dimensions were expressed as a ratio to the length of the second lumbar vertebra. Renal dimensions were not significantly different when males were compared to females. However, significant differences in renal dimensions between intact and neutered cats were identified. Renal length ratios for neutered cats were: left kidney 2.22 +/- 0.14 (mean +/- standard deviation), right kidney 2.29 +/- 0.14. In intact cats, renal length ratios were: left kidney 2.60 +/- 0.19, right kidney 2.65 +/- 0.24. The mean renal length ratios for neutered cats was smaller than previously reported normal values. Thus, reproductive status should be considered when evaluating feline kidneys for alterations in size. Based on this study, normal feline renal length ratios range from 1.9 to 2.6 for neutered cats and 2.1 to 3.2 for intact cats.     

Dorsal subluxation of the proximal interphalangeal joint in the pelvic limb of three horses

In horses, dorsal subluxation of the proximal interphalangeal joint in the pelvic limb, which realigned when weight was applied to the limb, improved following surgery. Improvement was observed, if not immediately, at least within two weeks after treatment. The severity and duration of the condition appear to be important considerations in predicting the time necessary for resolution of the condition following surgery. Treatment consisted of surgical resection of a small segment of the medial head of the deep digital flexor tendon in the pelvic limb. The section removed was positioned distal to the tarsus, at the level prior to the tendon joining the main portion of the deep digital flexor tendon. Previously, a surgical treatment was described in which a portion of the accessory ligament (distal check ligament) of the deep digital flexor muscle was resected. Because the medial head is much stronger than the accessory ligament, resection of the tendon of the medial head provides more release of tension to allow stretching of the deep digital flexor muscle tendon.     

PARAESOPHAGEAL CYST IN A HORSE

A 2 year old Morgan gelding was evaluated for a non-painful mass located caudodorsal to the larynx. Radiographically, the mass was ovoid shaped and had a peripheral rim of mineralization. Slight ventral displacement of the dorsal margin of the trachea could also be identified. Uniform moderate level echoes were seen throughout the interior of the mass on ultrasound examination. An esophagram was performed and demonstrated displacement without involvement of the esophagus by the mass. The esophagus appeared as a separate structure from the mass on both the ultrasound examination and esophagram. During surgical removal, the mass also appeared as a distinct structure from the esophagus. Histologically, the mass was consistent with an epithelial inclusion cyst which originated from the esophagus.     

The effect of cancellous autograft and novel plate design on radiographic healing and postoperative complications in tibial tuberosity advancement for cranial cruciate-deficient canine stifles

Objective: To assess the effect of autogenous cancellous bone graft (autograft) and novel plate use on radiographic healing and complications in tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)‐deficient stifles in dogs. Study Design: Prospective clinical study. Animals: Consecutive dogs (n=125) with unilateral CrCL‐deficient stifles. Methods: Four treatment groups: CPG, conventional plate with autograft; CPNG, conventional plate without autograft; NPG, novel plate with autograft; NPNG, novel plate without autograft were studied. Radiographs from 60 dogs were scored for healing at 6 and 10 weeks postoperatively; all 125 dogs were assessed for radiographic complications. Variables evaluated for relationship with healing scores and radiographic complications were age, weight, sex, cage and plate size, implant type, and graft use. Results: Dogs with autograft had overall higher healing scores at 6 and 10 weeks. Radiographic complications occurred in 13 dogs (12 minor, 1 major), and were not influenced by graft or novel plate use. Conclusion: Autograft increases healing scores, but was not found to have a significant impact on the rate of complications in TTA. The novel plate was not found to have healing scores or radiographic complication rates significantly different from the conventional plate design.     

Sonographic Evaluation of the Common Bile Duct in Cats

Ultrasound is an excellent imaging tool in the evaluation of the biliary tract in cats. Extrahepatic obstruction could be diagnosed by the presence of dilated common bile duct (CBD), which was measured ventral to the portal vein in the porta hepatis. At this level, the diameter of the CBD in 6 healthy cats and in 22 cats with nonsurgical jaundice was 4 mm. Six of 7 cats with a CBD >5 mm had extrahepatic biliary obstruction.