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Dilated cardiomyopathy is a relatively common disease in pet rats (Rattus norvegicus); however, there is a lack of radiographic references for the normal cardiac size in this species. The aim of this prospective, anatomical and reference interval study was to establish quantitative radiographic reference range measurements for the vertebral heart score (VHS) in rats. Right lateral (RL), ventrodorsal (VD), and dorsoventral (DV) radiographs of clinically healthy rats (n = 124) were evaluated. Measurements were performed by 2 expert readers who were unaware of signalment data. The mean values and references intervals of VHS were 7.7 and 7.0-8.5 for the RL, 7.5 and 6.6-8.6 for the VD, and 7.9 and 6.9-9.0 for the DV, with VHS values greater in males than in females. The measurements reported in this study can be used by the clinician as an objective tool to evaluate cardiac size in rats, in order to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac diseases.

Spontaneous emphysematous splenitis is a life-threatening condition reported rarely in humans; however, published reports in dogs are currently lacking. The aim of this multicentric, retrospective, case series design study was to describe radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging findings in Golden Retriever dogs diagnosed with spontaneous emphysematous splenitis. A total of three dogs were sampled. All dogs had a history of lethargy, diarrhea, and weight loss. Radiographic findings in all dogs included a mass effect with focal or multifocal coalescing "vesicular-like" gas pattern in the splenic region and focal loss of serosal detail. Ultrasonographic findings in all dogs included focal or multifocal irregularly shaped, hypoechoic areas containing a mixture of hyperechoic fluid and gas within the splenic parenchyma, hyperechoic abdominal free fluid, and generalized hyperechoic mesenteric fat without evidence of splenic torsion. Pneumoperitoneum was detected ultrasonographically and radiographically in two dogs. All three dogs underwent splenectomy and splenic torsion was definitively ruled out at surgery. One dog died three days after surgery, whereas the other two dogs recovered uneventfully. Culture of the splenic tissue and free abdominal fluid was positive for Clostridium spp. in all three cases. Findings supported inclusion of spontaneous emphysematous splenitis and septic peritonitis as differential diagnoses for dogs with this combination of clinical and imaging characteristics.

Computed tomography has been used in human medicine to evaluate the thyroid gland functional status by means of Hounsfield units (HU). Studies describing attenuation value abnormalities, other than those in thyroid neoplasia, lack in veterinary medicine. The authors have observed a subjective reduction in thyroid attenuation in some patients undergoing CT for reasons other than thyroid disease. This finding has been identified more frequently in brachycephalic breeds compared to non-brachycephalic breeds. In order to determine the thyroid gland attenuation variability on CT, a retrospective and prospective, analytical, cross-sectional study was performed. The thyroid attenuation values of 65 client-owned dogs were assessed using a 16-slice helical CT scanner. Differences in attenuation between brachycephalic and non-brachycephalic dogs were estimated by Welch's t-test. Serum TT4 and TSH levels were available in 26 patients. Statistically significant differences were observed in the pre-contrast attenuation value ranges between brachycephalic and non-brachycephalic dogs (P = .04). The pre-contrast attenuation value range for the brachycephalic group was 69.1-108 HU while being 75.8-121 HU for the non-brachycephalic group. No significant correlation was found between thyroid attenuation and serum thyroid hormone levels in our population (P > .6). All patients with hypoattenuating thyroid were brachycephalic and reported euthyroid. In conclusion, brachycephalic dogs seem to have a pre-contrast attenuation thyroid gland range lower than non-brachycephalic dogs. The present study contributes to the veterinary literature by providing a new thyroid attenuation value range for brachycephalic breeds. Additionally, hypoattenuating thyroid glands may be found in dogs with normal TT4 and TSH values.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the usefulness of excretory urography performed during radiography (REU) and CT (CTEU) in healthy rabbits, determine timings of urogram phases, and compare sensitivities of REU and CTEU for detection of these phases. ANIMALS 13 New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). PROCEDURES Rabbits were screened for signs of systemic and urinary tract disease. An REU examination of each was performed, followed ≥ 5 days later by a CTEU examination. Contrast images from each modality were evaluated for quality of opacification and intervals between initiation of contrast medium administration and detection of various urogram phases. RESULTS Excretory urograms of excellent diagnostic quality were achieved with both imaging modalities. For all rabbits, the nephrographic phase of the urogram appeared in the first postcontrast REU image (obtained between 34 and 40 seconds after initiation of contrast medium administration) and at a median interval of 20 seconds in CTEU images. The pyelographic phase began at a median interval of 1.63 minutes with both imaging modalities. Contrast medium was visible within the urinary bladder at a median interval of 2.20 minutes. Median interval to the point at which the nephrogram and pyelogram were no longer visible in REU images was 8 hours and 2.67 hours, respectively. The CTEU technique was better than the REU technique for evaluating renal parenchyma. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Findings suggested that REU and, particularly, CTEU may be valuable tools for the diagnosis of renal and urinary tract disease in rabbits; however, additional evaluation in diseased rabbits is required.

Disorders of the kidneys and urinary tract are relatively common in rabbits. Survey radiographs and abdominal ultrasound have inherent limitations in the evaluation of the urinary tract in this species; because of that, contrast study modalities are a valuable diagnostic tool in rabbits with urinary disorders. The aims of this study were to describe digital fluoroscopic excretory urography (DFEU) and to determine the urogram phases in healthy New Zealand rabbits. The median time of beginning of the nephrographic and pyelographic phases was 10 seconds (IQR: 10-12 seconds) and 1.39 minutes (IQR: 1.27-1.60 minutes). The median time in which the contrast medium was visible in the urinary bladder was 1.58 minutes (IQR: 1.44-1.72 minutes). Results of this study indicate that DFEU provides a good degree of opacification of the kidneys as well as the ureters, and allows the evaluation of the urogram phases. Text not justifed in the proof version.

Cerebrospinal fluid analyses are important for diagnosis of neurologic problems in rabbits and for translational research projects using rabbits as models. Blind puncture of the cisterna magna is the current standard technique for sampling cerebrospinal fluid in this species. However, the complexity and small size of the cisterna magna and surrounding structures are limitations of this technique. Aims of this prospective, anatomic, pilot study were to (1) describe the normal anatomy of the atlanto-occipital region, (2) describe ultrasonographic anatomic landmarks, and (3) develop and evaluate a technique for ultrasound-guided puncture of the cisterna magna for cerebrospinal fluid sampling in rabbits. Thirty healthy rabbits were included and the study was conducted in three stages. Three rabbit cadavers were used for the first stage of the study. Then, the second stage was completed using 13 rabbit cadavers. Finally, the third stage was completed in 14 live rabbits. The ultrasound-guided puncture performed in 13 cadavers was successful at the first attempt in 10 cases, and at the second attempt in the remaining three cases. In the in vivo study, the ultrasound-guided puncture was successful in all 14 cases, without signs of complications. Findings supported the use of ultrasound-guided puncture of the cisterna magna as a safe technique that may be used routinely or when the sample of cerebrospinal fluid cannot be obtained with the blind technique in rabbits.

Objective—To determine whether high-frequency diagnostic ultrasonography is useful for assessment of skin thickness in Shar-Peis. Animals—10 healthy Shar-Peis and 10 healthy Beagles used as controls. Procedures—Ultrasonographic examination of the skin was performed on 4 cutaneous sites by use of a 13-MHz linear-array transducer, and the mean of 3 measurements was calculated. Ultrasonography results were compared with histologic findings of skin specimens stained with H&E, Alcian blue at a pH of 2.5, and Masson trichrome stains, with histometric measurements of skin thickness made by use of a microscope, and with measurements of skin thickness made by use of a plicometer. Ultrasonograpy results were also compared via age and sex of selected animals. Results—A clear correlation was detected between ultrasonography results and results of histologic and histometric analysis in both groups. In Shar-Peis, no correlation was found between ultrasonography results and age and sex, whereas in Beagles, a weak positive correlation was found only between skin thickness in dorsal cervical and frontal (on the rostral margins of the supraorbital processes) regions and age. A positive overall correlation was found in Shar-Peis between measurements made via ultrasonography and plicometery. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Ultrasonography was a useful tool to assess skin thickness, and in Shar-Peis, it might be considered a valid alternative to invasive methods such as histologic examination to objectively estimate the severity of hereditary cutaneous hyaluronosis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the comparison between the ultrasonographic features of canine mammary tumours, assessed by B-Mode, colour Doppler, power Doppler, spectral Doppler, and histopathologic features, would help to differentiate if a tumour is benign or malignant. Ultrasonographic examinations of 104 tumours were performed. Volume, margins, presence of a capsule, echotexture and presence and distribution of the vascular flow of the tumours were evaluated. All the tumours were surgically removed, submitted for histopathologic examination and classified in two groups: Group I (benign tumours) and Group II (malignant tumours). Echotexture was the only parameter evaluated by B-Mode ultrasonography where significant differences were found (p

Thirty red-eared slider terrapins (Trachemys scripta elegans) were examined by ultrasound to establish the normal ultrasonographic appearance of their coelomic structures. They were not sedated, and owing to their small size they were examined through the inguinal window of the carapace. High resolution transducers (7.5 and 11 MHz) enhanced the ultrasonographic imaging of the bowel, urinary bladder, liver, gall bladder, heart, kidney and gonads, but the pancreas, adrenal glands, thyroid glands and spleen could not be visualised.

Even though mice are being increasingly used as models for human cardiovascular diseases, non-invasive monitoring of cardiovascular parameters such as cardiac output (CO) in this species is challenging. In most cases, the effects of gender and body weight (BW) on these parameters have not been studied. The objective of this study was to provide normal reference values for CO in C57BL/6 mice, and to describe possible gender and/or BW associated differences between them. We used 30-MHz transthoracic Doppler ultrasound to measure hemodynamic parameters in the ascending aorta [heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), stroke index (SI), CO, and cardiac index (CI)] in ten anesthetized mice of either sex. No differences were found for HR, SV, and CO. Both SI and CI were statistically lower in males. However, after normalization for BW, these differences disappeared. These results suggest that if comparisons of cardiovascular parameters are to be made between male and female mice, values should be standardized for BW.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative administration of meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for pain control, on primary haemostasis in dogs. Twenty healthy female dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy were enrolled in the study. Sixty minutes before pre-anaesthesia, a single dose of meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) was randomly administered intravenously (IV) to 10 dogs (treatment group) while control dogs received an equivalent volume of saline solution IV. Platelet aggregation, buccal mucosa bleeding time, platelet count and haematological indices were measured at 0, 1, 6 and 24 h after administration of meloxicam. Since significant differences between groups were not observed for any of the measured parameters, preoperative administration of meloxicam may be used for pain control before elective ovariohysterectomy in healthy dogs, without compromising primary haemostasis.

Introduction Umbilical artery (UA) hemodynamics reflect blood flow and vascular resistance in the placental circulation. We examined non-invasively the hemodynamic effects of propofol, etomidate, and alphaxalone on the placental circulation of a sheep model by means of UA Doppler ultrasonography. Methods Eleven sheep fetuses were examined at 90–109 days of gestation. UA Doppler ultrasound was performed before and after administration of a single intravenous bolus of propofol, etomidate, or alphaxalone. UA Doppler velocities (peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, and mean velocity), vascular indices (pulsatility index, resistance index, and S/D ratio), blood flow, and fetal heart rate were recorded during the experimental period and UA Doppler waveforms were characterized. Results A laminar, parabolic, low resistance flow was observed in the UA of the sheep fetuses. No statistically significant changes were observed in the UA Doppler waveforms or in the UA Doppler hemodynamics after anesthesia induction. Discussion Changes in placental vascular resistance may alter the corresponding UA Doppler waveforms. When resistance in the fetal placenta increases, blood flow in the UA becomes more pulsatile. In the present study, umbilical arteries showed a parabolic flow with low resistance in all cases, as it occurs in normal human pregnancy. The administration of these anesthetics did not cause abnormalities in the normal UA Doppler pattern, inducing no changes in the resistance of the placenta in any case. Conclusion These results suggest that intravenous anesthetic induction with propofol, etomidate, or alphaxalone does not cause significant detrimental effects on the placental circulation of the pregnant ewe.

A 10-year-old entire female Beagle dog was evaluated for an acute history of lethargy, anorexia, and diarrhea. Mammary tumors were detected during physical examination. Ultrasonographic scanning revealed the presence of a unique pattern of multiple, well-defined and well-marginated hypoechoic nodules in the muscularis layer of the jejunum. These nodules were not associated with changes in the rest of the normal intestinal layering and were not causing signs of intestinal obstruction. Mammary carcinoma metastases to the intestinal muscularis layer were diagnosed based on histopathological examination.

This study investigated the possible relationships between renal resistive index (RI) or pulsatility index (PI) and systolic blood pressure and biochemical and haematological parameters in dogs and cats with renal disease. The study included 50 dogs and 20 cats with renal disease. RI and PI were significantly higher in both dogs and cats with renal disease than in 27 healthy dogs and 10 healthy cats. In dogs, a significant negative correlation was found between RI and red blood cell count, and a positive correlation was found between PI and serum creatinine. In cats, a positive correlation was found between RI and serum urea, between PI and serum creatinine, and between PI and serum urea. No relationship could be found between either RI or PI and systolic blood pressure.

In dogs, diabetes mellitus and hyperadrenocorticism are causes of hypertension associated with increases in vascular peripheral resistance. In human patients, the renal resistive index (ri) and pulsatility index (pi) are related to hypertension and diabetes and are used as indicators of disease severity. In this study the renal vascular resistance was measured in 12 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism, three with diabetes mellitus and four with both conditions, and the possible relationships between the two indices, blood pressure and biochemical parameters were investigated. Hypertension, defined as a systolic blood pressure more than 150 mmHg, was recorded in two of the dogs with hyperadrenocorticism and three of the dogs with hyperadrenocorticism and diabetes. The overall mean values for ri, pi and systolic blood pressure were higher in the diseased group of dogs than in 27 healthy dogs, and both indices were correlated with blood glucose concentration.

Resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) are indirect measurements of blood flow resistance that may be measured by pulsed wave Doppler ultrasonography. Chemical restrain may potentially alter the indices although it is required to perform ultrasonography in some patients. The purpose of this study was to describe values for both intrarenal and ocular RI and PI within the same subject in clinically normal dogs sedated with a midazolam and butorphanol combination and evaluate if there are any significant changes between sedated and nonsedated dogs. Fifteen healthy Beagle dogs were studied by Duplex Doppler interrogation in interlobar or arcuate arteries of the kidney and long posterior ciliary artery. Pulse rate and systolic blood pressure were also determined. All measurements were recorded before and after the administration of a sedative combination of midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) and butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg). Mean comparison tests (paired t-tests or Wilcoxon's rank-sum test) were used to determine if any significant differences existed between right and left renal values or right and left ocular values. A correlation study (Pearson or Spearman) was applied between RI, PI, and systolic pressure, and pulse rate. RI and PI were significantly higher in sedated Beagles than in unsedated Beagles. There was neither correlation between index and systolic blood pressure nor pulse rate. In conclusion, provided that normal RI and PI increase in sedated animals, then reference ranges should be higher when sedated--healthy or ill--animals are evaluated.

A cross-sectional serosurvey using Leishmania infantum ELISA was performed on 445 cats living in ecoregions around the Northwestern Mediterranean basin; 58 cats from an area of the US where leishmaniasis is not endemic were used as negative controls. ELISA results were further confirmed in 69 cats by Western blot (WB). Finally, 76 of them were also tested for FeLV and FIV. Seroprevalence by ELISA-prot A was 6.29%, and that by ELISA-IgG was 5.25%. Positive cat sera recognized patterns of polypeptides in WB, including L. infantum-specific antigenic fractions. There was no association with retroviruses. Leishmania-specific antibodies are prevalent in cats living in ecoregions around the Northwestern Mediterranean basin; thus, leishmaniasis must be included in the differential diagnosis of diseases in cats living in these ecoregions. Their role as peridomestic reservoirs for L. infantum needs further characterization, but it could be hypothesized that the cat is a secondary reservoir host, rather than an accidental one.

Doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive technique that can be used to estimate vascular resistance by calculation of resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI). Liver disease may increase renal RI and PI, and in humans with liver disease the indices are monitored to attain prognostic information. Systemic hypertension has been found in dogs with hepatic disease and is also related to increased renal vascular resistance in humans. The aim of this study was to examine renal vascular resistance increases in dogs with hepatic disease and to ascertain whether these may be related to blood pressure increases and biochemical parameters. Twenty dogs with hepatic disease were evaluated. The mean renal RI, PI, and systolic blood pressure were significantly higher than in normal animals. A positive correlation was found between the indices and alkaline phosphatase but not with systolic blood pressure. It is concluded that renal vascular resistance may increase in dogs with hepatic disease and in this study was above the limit value in 50% of the animals.

One hundred sixty-eight cat sera from Spain were tested for IgG antibodies to Rickettsia conorii (Rc), Ehrlichia canis (Ec), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Ap) and Bartonella henselae (Bh) antigens using IFA and for FeLV antigen and FIV antibody by ELISA. For 47 whole blood samples, PCR testing was performed for Rickettsia, Ehrlichia and Bartonella. Seroprevalences were: Bh (71.4%), Rc (44%), Ec (11.3%), FeLV (8.5%), FIV (7.4%) and Ap (1.8%). Bh antibodies were associated with seroreactivity to both Ec and Rc antigens. FIV antibodies were associated with illness and cats older than 2 years. Bartonella henselae and B. clarridgeiae (Bcl) DNA was amplified from seven and one sample, respectively.

A retrospective study of clinical cases of babesiosis in dogs examined at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Rof Codina, from January 2003 to October 2004 is presented. The diagnosis was confirmed by direct observation of large piroplasms in stained blood smears. Dogs with concurrent diseases were excluded from the study. Clinical signs, complete blood count, serum biochemistry and hemostasis profiles were obtained. The observed clinical signs were due to hemolytic anemia and inflammatory responses but the most relevant clinico-pathological findings were related to alterations in hemostasis. All dogs presented with thrombocytopenia and 20% had disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome. Anemia of variable severity was observed in most of the dogs.

The objective of this study was to assess whether a new human platelet function analyser (the PFA-100) could be used to evaluate platelet function in horses and detect acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)-induced platelet dysfunctions. Citrated blood samples from 40 healthy horses were processed to obtain reference values for closure time (CT) using cartridges with collagen-ADP (CT-ADP) and collagen-epinephrine (CT-EPI) as platelet agonists. In addition, CT-ADP and CT-EPI were also measured before and 24 h after oral ASA administration in another 12 healthy horses. The sensitivity and specificity of the test were also determined. In normal horses, means+/-SD value for CT-ADP was 85.1+/-13.1 s (median, 82 s), and CT-EPI ranged from 158 to >300 s (median 291 s). Calculated reference ranges were 60.5-115.9 s and 158.5->300 s for CT-ADP and CT-EPI, respectively. Administration of ASA significantly (P

Summary An isotonic electrolyte solution with a composition similar to equine sweat was compared to an isotonic glucose-glycine-electrolyte solution for oral rehydration therapy in exercising horses. Ten horses were dehydrated by using frusemide and allocated randomly to receive 4 different oral solutions: isotonic sweat-like electrolyte solution, half-strength hypotonic electrolyte solution, isotonic glucose-glycine-electrolyte solution, and plain water. Solutions were given by nasogastric tube using the same volume as the bodyweight lost by each horse. Blood samples were collected before and throughout 6 h of the rehydration period. Results showed that all solutions recovered pre-frusemide values of packed cell volume (PCV) and total plasma protein (TP) in a similar fashion. No changes for Na+ values were observed during the rehydration period when the isotonic sweat-like solution was used. However, a significant hyponatraemia was induced throughout rehydration when the other 3 solutions were given, especially when hypotonic solution and water were used. Osmolality values did not change when both isotonic solutions were administered; but a significant hypotonicity was observed when hypotonic solution and water were given. When the isotonic sweat-like solution was used, plasma Cl−, K+ and creatinine values recovered to premedication values significantly faster than the other 3 solutions. In conclusion, the isotonic sweat-like electrolyte was the best solution because it restored rapidly the fluid and plasma electrolyte imbalances. In contrast, the isotonic glucose-glycine-electrolyte solution impaired the plasma electrolyte imbalances.

Ferret systemic coronavirus infection (FSCV) is a systemic disease in ferrets that clinically and pathologically resembles the dry form of FIP. The present study describes abdominal imaging features of 11 ferrets with FSCV. Abdominal survey radiographs were available for eight ferrets and ultrasound examination for all cases. Loss of lumbar musculature, decreased peritoneal detail, presence of mid-abdominal soft-tissue masses and splenomegaly were the most significant radiographic signs in these patients. Ultrasonographic findings including peritonitis, abdominal lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, abdominal soft-tissue masses, nephromegaly and changes in the renal cortex echogenicity were recorded in the majority of cases with FSCV. As an imaging modality, ultrasound is superior to radiology when abdominal contrast is reduced, as it frequently occurs in these cases. However, although imaging techniques provide additional information in the antemortem diagnosis, they can not replace the definitive diagnosis based on histological and immunohistochemical results.

An 8-year-old female Boxer was examined for acute onset of seizures. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an intra-axial mass with imaging features consistent with glioma was observed in the right cerebral hemisphere. A defect in the temporal bone adjacent to the mass was observed. Postmortem computed tomography (CT) confirmed temporal bone osteolysis and necropsy demonstrated a glioblastoma with associated calvarial erosion. Although occasionally described in human medicine, to our knowledge, this is the first description of a brain glioma causing calvarial erosion in a dog. Glioma should be included as a differential diagnosis for intracranial lesions that could cause bony changes in the skull.

A nine-year-old female German shepherd dog was presented in severe renal failure. Clinical and ultrasonographic examination revealed the presence of adrenal neoplasia, bilateral hydroureter and hydronephrosis but no evidence of urolithiasis or bladder neoplasia. In the absence of anuria, therapy for the renal failure was attempted but the azotaemia did not improve. Remarkably, bilateral hydroureter appeared to have been induced by a past routine surgical procedure - ovariohysterectomy.