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Complications of cystocentesis in dogs and cats are seldom reported. The aim of this study was to describe clinical and ultrasonographic features of complications after diagnostic cystocentesis. Medical records of animals that underwent ultrasound-guided diagnostic cystocentesis (UGDC) were retrospectively reviewed to describe adverse events. The inclusion criteria were: ultrasound report describing the complication, signalment, clinical history, urine culture, and surgical exploration or necroscopic findings if present. Images of ultrasonographic examination were reviewed. Complications were classified as minor and major. Minor complications were defined as self-limited events; major complications were those that led to prolonged hospitalization and required intensive therapy or surgery, or lead to death. Twenty-one cases met the inclusion criteria (20 animals). Major complications included septic peritonitis (n = 2), big vessel laceration (n = 2), and acute abdomen (n = 1). Death occurred in two cases (septic peritonitis). Minor complications included nodular fat necrosis (n = 1), abdominal wall abscess formation (n = 1), intraluminal blood clots (n = 2), self-limited bleeding (n = 5), wall bladder hematoma (n = 3), bladder mucosal detachment (n = 1), intraparietal gas bubbles (n = 2), and focal peritonitis adjacent to bladder (n = 1). Findings of this study can be useful to promptly identify complications after UGDC and to ensure a proper treatment and follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 2000 to 2002, sediment contamination by Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn was analysed in the Pialassa Baiona salt marsh, which receives petrochemical wastewaters from the industrial district of Ravenna (Italy). The recent contamination levels were compared with data of previous studies carried out in 1982, in order to assess whether environmental policies and remedial measures reduced sediment pollution. Sedimentary profiles of Cu and Pb were homogeneous along the uppermost 0–10 cm horizon, which corresponded to the sedimentation in the last 30 years. Concentrations of Zn attained a peak (up to 800 mg kg−1 dry weight) in the 0–4 cm sediment horizon, which was assumed to correspond to the last 10–15 years. A wide-spread contamination by Hg was detected in the salt marsh as well as in the main channel with peaks up to 20–40 mg kg−1 dry weight. Nonetheless, recent sediments resulted less contaminated, since Hg discharge from industrial plants ceased about 20 years ago. Contamination levels by Hg values were two orders of magnitude higher than the international sediment quality standards. Cadmium, which was analysed for the first time in 2000–2002, attained a peak in the surface layers (1–2.5 mg kg−1 d.w.), with a progressive decline along the sediment column. Through comparison with pre-industrial values detected in the deeper sediment horizons (before 1920), Hg showed the highest enrichment factor, up to 300 times. Cd and Zn concentrations in recent sediments were from 2 to 10 times higher than background values. In terms of possible adverse effects, Hg posed the highest risk, and Cd and Zn were frequently above the recommended thresholds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]