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Background: Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) are widely used as primate experimental models in biomedical research. Duodenal dilation with chronic vomiting in captive common marmosets is a recently described life-threatening syndrome that is problematic for health control. However, the pathogenesis and cause of death are not fully understood., Case Presentation: We report two novel necropsy cases in which captive common marmosets were histopathologically diagnosed with gastric emphysema (GE) and pneumatosis intestinalis (PI). Marmoset duodenal dilation syndrome was confirmed in each case by clinical observation of chronic vomiting and by gross necropsy findings showing a dilated, gas-filled and fluid-filled descending duodenum that adhered to the ascending colon. A diagnosis of GE and PI was made on the basis of the bubble-like morphology of the gastric and intestinal mucosa, with histological examination revealing numerous vacuoles diffused throughout the lamina propria mucosae and submucosa. Immunostaining for prospero homeobox 1 and CD31 distinguished gas cysts from blood and lymph vessels. The presence of hepatic portal venous gas in case 1 and possible secondary bacteremia-related septic shock in case 2 were suggested to be acute life-threatening abdominal processes resulting from gastric emphysema and pneumatosis intestinalis., Conclusions: In both cases, the gross and histopathological findings of gas cysts in the GI tract walls matched the features of human GE and PI. These findings contribute to clarifying the cause of death in captive marmosets that have died of gastrointestinal diseases., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Choledochal cysts, congenital segmental dilations of the common bile duct, have been reported in few cats, and histologic characterization is lacking. A 20-mo-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was presented because of vomiting and weight loss. There was progressive elevation of liver enzyme activity (ALT > ALP, GGT) and hyperbilirubinemia. Diagnostic imaging identified focal cystic dilation of the common bile duct, dilation and tortuosity of adjacent hepatic ducts, and a prominent duodenal papilla. A choledochal cyst was suspected, and the animal was euthanized. On postmortem examination, there was a 2-cm, firm, thickened, cystic dilation of the common bile duct, patent with adjacent ducts. Histologically, the cyst wall was expanded by fibroblasts, collagen, and lymphoplasmacytic inflammation. Adjacent bile ducts were markedly dilated and tortuous, with lymphoplasmacytic inflammation and papillary mucosal hyperplasia that extended to the major duodenal papilla. There was chronic neutrophilic cholangitis, suggesting bacterial infection and/or disturbed bile drainage, extrahepatic obstruction, and lymphoplasmacytic pancreatitis with ductular metaplasia. Prominent lymphoid follicles within biliary ducts and duodenum suggested chronic antigenic stimulation. Choledochal cysts can be associated with chronic neutrophilic cholangitis, extrahepatic obstruction, choledochitis, duodenal papillitis, and pancreatitis, and should be a differential for increased hepatic enzymes and hyperbilirubinemia in young cats.

An 11 yr old female neutered domestic shorthair presented for an 8 mo history of an asymptomatic abdominal mass. Computed tomography described an irregular, cystic structure closely associated with the duodenum, and focal ultrasonography confirmed the mass shared outer layers with the intestinal wall. Coeliotomy revealed the mass was originating from, and firmly adhered to, the antimesenteric border of the duodenum but was not communicating with the intestinal lumen. En bloc mass resection with omentalization was performed without small intestinal resection. Histopathology confirmed an enteric duplication cyst. The cat made a full recovery and remained asymptomatic postoperatively with no evidence of recurrence. A review of the literature confirms the duodenum to be the most common location of enteric duplication cysts in felines and that subtotal excision is curative in most cases. This differential should be considered in cases of cystic gastrointestinal structures in juvenile and adult felines, with or without associated clinical signs. In cases of luminal involvement or malignant transformation, intestinal resection and anastomosis is more appropriate. This report describes the presentation, investigations, and treatment of an asymptomatic duodenal duplication cyst in an adult feline and summarizes and compares current knowledge of the condition between veterinary and human literature., (© 2021 by American Animal Hospital Association.)

Endoscopy represents a commonly employed technique for canine enteropathies. Different trials in human intestinal endoscopy have suggested that the introduction of water for luminal distension, in place of air, improves the visualization of the mucosal texture and decreases pain. The aim of the study was to compare water immersion (WI) vs. air insufflation (AI) during duodenoscopy in anesthetized dogs in terms of mucosal visualization and nociception. Twenty-five dogs undergoing duodenoscopy were included. The same image of the descending duodenum was recorded applying WI and AI. Each pair of images was analyzed using morphological skeletonization, an image entropy evaluation, and a subjective blind evaluation by three experienced endoscopists. To evaluate differences in nociception related to the procedure applied, heart rate and arterial blood pressure were measured before, during and after WI/AI. To compare the two methods, a t-test for paired data was applied for the image analysis, Fleiss' Kappa evaluation for the subjective evaluation and a Friedman test for anesthetic parameters. No differences were found between WI and AI using morphological skeletonization and entropy. The subjective evaluation identified the WI images as qualitatively better than the AI images, indicating substantial agreement between the operators. No differences in nociception were found. The results of the study pointed out the absence of changes in pain response between WI and AI, likely due to the sufficient control of nociception by the anesthesia. Based on subjective evaluation, but not confirmed by the image analysis, WI provided better image quality than AI., (Copyright© by the Polish Academy of Sciences.)

Benign duodenal tumours have very rarely been reported in captive non-human primates and are also rare in human beings. Brunner's gland hyperplasia has not been fully described in a non-human primate. Here, we report Brunner's gland hyperplasia in a geriatric chimpanzee, which was an incidental finding during post-mortem examination., (© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Medical Primatology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

A 10-month-old German Shepherd Dog presented for evaluation of intermittent vomiting. Abdominal radiographs revealed a marked right cranial mass effect. Initial differentials included abscess/cyst or less likely neoplasia from undetermined origin. On abdominal ultrasound the mass appeared cystic and thin walled. Computed tomography revealed a large cystic lesion originating from the pyloroduodenal junction causing pyloric outflow obstruction. A noncommunicating duodenal duplication cyst was found on exploratory laparotomy and further confirmed with histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Enteric duplication cyst should be considered as a differential in young dogs with gastrointestinal signs and a cystic abdominal mass detected with different imaging modalities., (© 2017 American College of Veterinary Radiology.)

A 7-month-old, 2.8 kg, intact female Siamese cat was evaluated for repetitive and intermittent episodes of vomiting and anorexia. Abdominal palpation revealed a round, firm, nonpainful mass in the right cranial abdomen. Ultrasonography findings were consistent with a cystic structure adjacent to the descending duodenum. The structure exhibited a "muscular rim sign." A duodenal duplication cyst was confirmed by histopathological analysis. Computed tomography ruled out concurrent vertebral anomalies and clarified anatomic relationships for surgical planning. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of an ultrasound "muscular rim sign" in a duodenal duplication cyst in a cat., (© 2017 American College of Veterinary Radiology.)

Background: Limited evidence exists in the literature regarding whether a specific mount is preferable to use for processing endoscopically obtained gastrointestinal biopsy specimens., Hypothesis/objectives: To compare 3 methods of handling endoscopically obtained gastrointestinal biopsy specimens from collection to laboratory processing and to determine if any technique produced superior results., Animals: Twenty-three dogs and cats presented for gastrointestinal signs., Methods: Prospective study of dogs and cats presented with gastrointestinal signs to a veterinary teaching referral hospital which underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Biopsy specimens were taken from the stomach and duodenum and submitted to the laboratory using 3 techniques: mounted on a cucumber slice, mounted on a moisturized synthetic foam sponge, and floating free in formalin. The techniques were compared with regard to the specimens' width, orientation, presence of artifacts, and pathologist's confidence in diagnosis., Results: Twenty-three patients were included, with a total of 528 biopsies collected. Specimens on cucumber slice and on sponge were significantly wider (P < .001 and P = .001, respectively) compared to those floating free in formalin (mean width of 3.81 versus 3.31 and 2.52 mm, respectively). However, specimens on synthetic sponge had significantly fewer artifacts compared to those on cucumber slice (P = .05) and those floating free in formalin (P = .02). Confidence in the diagnosis also was superior with the sponge technique over floating free specimens (P = .002)., Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The use of mounted gastrointestinal biopsy specimens was superior over the use of specimens floating free in formalin. This technique improved the quality of the specimens and the pathologist's confidence in their histopathologic interpretation., (Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)

Cell proliferation in the intestine is commonly occurred during infection and inflammation to replace damaged enterocytes, and cholesterol as an essential constituent of cell membrane, is required for cell proliferation and growth. Here we found that coccidium-challenged (CC) chickens showed severe damages in intestinal structure, a significant increase of cell proliferation, and an activation of genes expression involved in the innate immune response. Compared to control (CON), CC chickens showed a marked decrease of cholesterol (Tch) level in the circulating system, but a significant increase in local duodenum epithelium. Increase of LDLR protein combined with a significant decrease of CYP27A1 protein expression in duodenum epithelium may contribute to intestinal cholesterol accumulation in CC chickens. Moreover, we found miRNAs targeting to CYP27A1 gene participating in post-transcriptional regulation. Hence, these results provide a new insight for the intervention of epithelial proliferation and cholesterol metabolism in the gastrointestinal tracts., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

A 5 yr old, male, neutered mixed-breed dog was referred for persistent vomiting 2 wk following a pyloric biopsy for a pyloric outflow obstruction. Histopathology at the time of initial surgery was suggestive of pythiosis. Following referral, the dog underwent radical surgical treatment with a Billroth II procedure, partial pancreatectomy, and cholecystoduodenostomy. Histopathology and serology confirmed the diagnosis of pythiosis and medical treatment consisting of itraconazole and terbinafine was started postoperatively. Serology titers were checked again at 8, 12, and 24 wk postoperatively revealing a positive response to treatment and no reoccurrence of pythiosis. Since surgery, the patient experienced waxing and waning elevations of liver values and laparoscopic liver biopsies 10 mo postoperatively revealed hepatic cirrhosis with fibrosis, bile duct hyperplasia, and chronic inflammation. This report documents successful treatment of pyloric/duodenal pythiosis and the long-term (17 mo) consequences associated with the Billroth II, partial pancreatectomy, and biliary rerouting in the dog.

Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic tool for cats and dogs with signs of gastrointestinal disease. This retrospective study examined the case records of six cats and one dog diagnosed with perforation secondary to gastrointestinal endoscopy. Gastrointestinal perforation occurred in 1.6% of cats and 0.1% of dogs that underwent endoscopy during the 17 yr study period (from 1993 to 2010). It can be difficult to predict what animals are at risk for gastrointestinal perforation but possible risk factors suggested by this study include small intestinal infiltrative disease in cats and preexisting gastrointestinal ulceration in both cats and dogs. Overall, gastrointestinal endoscopy is associated with a low rate of gastrointestinal perforation.

A 12-year-old spayed female Yorkshire Terrier with intermittent vomiting was diagnosed with regional granulomatous enteritis through histopathological examination. On ultrasonography and computed tomography, a focal thickened duodenal wall showed a mass-like appearance with indistinct wall layers. Marked uptake of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose was observed from the mass on positron emission tomography-computed tomography. Regional granulomatous enteritis is a rare form of inflammatory bowel disease and may have imaging features similar to intestinal tumors. This is the first study describing the diagnostic imaging features of ultrasonography, computed tomography and positron emission tomography-computed tomography for regional granulomatous enteritis in a dog.

A 21-day-old Thoroughbred colt was euthanized following a history of recurrent colic. A 4.5 cm in diameter, occlusive, submucosal cyst was identified in the duodenum at necropsy. Histologically, the cyst was surrounded by a smooth muscle wall and was lined by both squamous and attenuated cuboidal to columnar epithelium. A diagnosis of an esophageal cyst was made based on the gross and histologic findings.

Objectives: To describe surgical treatment of herniation of the gravid uterus through the mesoduodenum, displacement of the descending duodenum around the gravid uterus, and concurrent herniation of the small and large intestines into the omental bursa in a cow., Study Design: Clinical report., Animal: Three-year-old, five-month-pregnant Swiss Braunvieh cow., Methods: Repositioning of the displaced uterus and descending duodenum without transection and anastomosis of the duodenum was performed through a right flank laparotomy. Concurrent displacement of a large portion of the small and large intestines into the omental bursa was not associated with intestinal strangulation and was corrected manually. The defects in the omentum and mesoduodenum were sutured., Results: There were no postoperative complications, and the cow was healthy at discharge from the clinic 1 week after surgery. Telephone follow-up revealed that the cow had delivered a live calf and was producing a normal amount of milk. The cow was slaughtered 14 months after the surgery because of an udder problem., Conclusions: Herniation of the gravid uterus through a tear in the mesoduodenum with subsequent displacement of the descending duodenum around the uterus combined with internal omental herniation caused nonspecific clinical signs and no ileus. Exploratory laparotomy in an early stage of pregnancy facilitated reduction of the displaced uterus without transection of the descending duodenum., (© Copyright 2013 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

A 32-month-old male common marmoset had a firm and white-colored mass in the duodenal wall. The cut surface was smooth and grayish white in color. Histologically, the mass consisted of a proliferation of spindle cells with an oval to spindle-shaped nucleus and scant eosinophilic cytoplasm in a loose myxoid or fibrotic background. Most of the lesion displayed no specific growth pattern whereas some of the cells concentrated around the vessels and created an onion-bulb structure. Additionally, marked inflammatory cellular infiltration, mainly eosinophils, was observed throughout the lesion. Immunohistochemically, the spindle cells were positive for vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin, fascin, and cyclin D1, and negative for S-100, factor VIII-related antigen, and c-kit. These histological and immunohistochemical features did not meet any differential diagnoses such as gastrointestinal stromal tumor, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma, smooth muscle tumor, schwannoma, and hemangiosarcoma. Collectively, the authors diagnosed the mass as a lesion that corresponded to an inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP) in humans. IFP is defined as a mesenchymal proliferation composed of spindle stromal cells, small blood vessels, and inflammatory cells, particularly eosinophils, and is currently classified as a nonneoplastic lesion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of spontaneous IFP in nonhuman primates.

A 3 yr old spayed female boxer weighing 22.8 kg was presented for severe, acute vomiting and tenesmus. Tachycardia, tachypnea, dehydration, and abdominal pain were present on physical examination. Abdominal radiographs showed a foreign object (golf ball) in the fundus of the stomach, and a larger, round, soft-tissue opacity mass in the region of the pylorus. Endoscopic removal of the foreign object was unsuccessful. A large soft-tissue mass (duodenogastric intussusception) was visualized with endoscopy, but was not correctly diagnosed until surgery. A midline exploratory celiotomy was performed and the duodenogastric intussusception was diagnosed and manually reduced. Severe pyloric wall edema and minimal bruising were present. A routine fundic gastrotomy was performed and the foreign object was removed. A right-sided incisional gastropexy and duodenopexy were performed in attempt to prevent recurrence of the intussusception. The dog was discharged from the hospital 38 hrs after surgery, and was normal on follow-up 1 yr after surgery. The dog in this report is the sixth documented case of duodenogastric/pylorogastric intussusception in the veterinary literature. This is the first reported case with a concurrent gastric foreign body and endoscopic visualization of the intussusception.

Background: The diagnosis of intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL) has been associated with characteristic duodenal mucosal changes. However, the sensitivity and specificity of the endoscopic duodenal mucosal appearance for the diagnosis of IL are not reported., Hypothesis/objectives: To evaluate the utility of endoscopic images of the duodenum for diagnosis of IL. Endoscopic appearance of the duodenal mucosal might predict histopathologic diagnosis of IL with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity., Animals: 51 dogs that underwent upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy and endoscopic biopsies., Methods: Retrospective review of images acquired during endoscopy. Dogs were included if adequate biopsies were obtained during upper GI endoscopy and digital images were saved during the procedure. Images were assessed for the presence and severity of IL. Using histopathology as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of endoscopy for diagnosing IL were calculated., Results: Intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL) was diagnosed in 25/51 dogs. Gross endoscopic appearance of the duodenal mucosa had a sensitivity and specificity (95% confidence interval) of 68% (46%, 84%) and 42% (24%, 63%), respectively for diagnosis of IL. Endoscopic images in cases with lymphopenia, hypocholesterolemia, and hypoalbuminemia had a sensitivity of 80%., Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Endoscopic duodenal mucosa appearance alone lacks specificity and has only a moderate sensitivity for diagnosis of IL. Evaluation of biomarkers associated with PLE improved the sensitivity; however, poor specificity for diagnosis of IL supports the need for histopathologic confirmation., (Copyright © 2012 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)

For 6 years, 5 Japanese Black cows of the same herd showed anorexia, depression, and dehydration with no feces in the rectum. Biomedical examination of 3 animals showed severe hypokalemia and hypochloremia. Although the first 3 animals died or were slaughtered (causes unknown), necropsy results showed that the cow in case 4 had intestinal obstruction due to phytobezoar derived from napier grass, fed mainly to the cattle as roughage. Therefore, farmers were recommended to avoid the hard root-stem portion of napier grass as roughage. Consequently, less phytobezoar was recovered from the fifth cow, and no similar clinical case of intestinal obstruction was observed thereafter. This is the first report on intestinal obstruction caused by phytobezoars derived from napier grass.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory disease of the stomach, the small intestine and/or the large intestine. Loss of integrity of the intestinal barrier may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of IBD. In dogs, lymphoplasmacytic enteritis (LPE) is one of the recognized forms of IBD. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a membrane-bound efflux pump constituting an important component of the intestinal barrier. Changes in P-gp expression at the level of the intestinal barrier may be important in the pathogenesis of canine LPE, as this may lead to variable protection against xenobiotics and bacterial products in the intestine. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of epithelial P-gp in the intestine in dogs with LPE compared with disease-free animals. Formalin-fixed intestinal biopsy samples from 57 dogs with histopathological evidence of LPE were immunolabelled with anti-P-gp antibodies (C494 and C219). Endoscopic biopsy samples of the duodenum and colon from 16 healthy beagles were used as controls. None of the control dogs had P-gp expression in the apical membrane of duodenal enterocytes, but all had P-gp labelling at the colonic epithelial surface. Twenty out of 57 dogs with LPE had P-gp expression at the apical surface membrane of villus epithelial cells in the duodenum, jejunum and/or ileum. Six out of 16 colonic samples from dogs with LPE had decreased P-gp expression at the epithelial surface compared with controls. It is unclear whether these changes in P-gp expression in dogs with LPE are a cause or a consequence of the inflammation. The observed changes could affect bioavailability of therapeutic drugs used in LPE., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Unlabelled: CLINICAL SUMMARY: A 7-month-old female Persian cat presented with gastrointestinal (GI) necrosis and perforation caused by Rhizomucor species. Unfortunately, the cat died of bacterial peritonitis and sepsis before a definitive diagnosis, based on histopathology and fungal culture, was achieved., Practical Relevance: This appears to be the first reported case of GI disease caused by Rhizomucor species in a cat. Mucorales infections typically cause acute and rapidly progressive disease. As illustrated by this case, clinicians should be alert to the potentially fatal consequences of an opportunistic Rhizomucor species infection in their feline patients., (Copyright © 2011 ISFM and AAFP. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The aim of this report was to describe duodenal obstruction caused by a rubber foreign body in a cow., Case Presentation: The clinical, biochemical and ultrasonographic findings in a five-year-old Swiss Braunvieh cow with duodenal ileus caused by a calf feeding nipple are described. The main clinical signs were anorexia, ruminal tympany, decreased faecal output and abomasal reflux syndrome. Ultrasonographic examination revealed reticular hyperactivity and a dilated duodenum. A diagnosis of duodenal ileus was made and the cow underwent right-flank laparotomy, which revealed a dilation of the cranial part of the duodenum because of obstruction by a pliable foreign body. This was identified via enterotomy as a calf feeding nipple. The cow was healthy at the time of discharge four days after surgery and went on to complete a successful lactation., Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first description of duodenal obstruction by a calf feeding nipple. This is an interesting case, which broadens the spectrum of the causes of duodenal ileus, which is usually caused by obstruction of the duodenum by a phytobezoar.

Six cases of acquired duodenal diverticulitis (pseudodiverticula) were found in a flock of sheep over a short period of time. All the animals had duodenal lesions characterized by the presence of multiple saccular dilations filled with feed material. The mucosal surface was elevated by multiple small nodules that histologically corresponded to cystic dilatations of the duodenal glands, which likely caused the displacement, atrophy, and disappearance of the muscular layer, leading to pseudodiverticula. The gross appearance, microscopic findings, and epidemiological characteristics suggest that this is a different pathological process to that described for diverticula in animals to date.

The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical and gross pathological findings, treatment, and outcome in three dogs receiving deracoxib that developed proximal duodenal perforation and subsequent septic peritonitis. Clinical findings were acute vomiting and anorexia following initiation of deracoxib therapy. Deracoxib dosages ranged from 2 to 3 mg/kg per os q 24 hours. In each dog, exploratory laparotomy revealed duodenal perforations approximately 1 cm orad to the major duodenal papilla. Two out of three dogs survived following exploratory laparotomy. Two of three dogs in the present case series received the approved deracoxib dosage. Dogs receiving deracoxib, even at labeled dosages, should be monitored judiciously for signs of gastrointestinal disease.

A 9-year-old neutered female Pug with a 2-week history of pancreatitis was presented for dyspnea, icterus, and intractable vomiting. Sonographically, the gallbladder, intrahepatic bile ducts, and common bile duct were distended. The pancreas was hypoechoic with hyperechoic peripancreatic fat. A mildly heterogeneous intramural mass was present in the muscularis layer of the descending duodenum. A presumptive diagnosis of pancreatitis and smooth muscle tumor of the duodenum leading to common bile duct obstruction was made. The dog died despite supportive care. Necropsy examination confirmed the presence of pancreatitis and an intramural duodenal hematoma.

This paper analyzes the effects of the infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii on the cat duodenal wall. Six cats (Felis catus) with 3-month-old were randomly divided into Control Group (G1; n = 3) and Infected Group (G2; n = 3). The animals from G2 received orarilly 200 T. gondii tissye cysts of ME49-strain (type II). After 40 days, the animals were submitted to euthanasia, laparotomy and had their duodenum removed, fixed in Bouin solution and submitted to histological routine obtaining 3 μm transverse cuts. The cuts were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE), Azan, Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), Alcian-Blue, and Mallory trichrome. Qualitative assessment of the intestine wall as well as comparative measurements with respect to the thickness of mucosa, muscle tunic, total wall, the height of the villous, the depth of the crypts, and the height of the enterocytes and their nuclei were carried out. Calciform cells, the intraepithelial lymphocytes, and the Paneth cells were quantified. The results showed that the infection led to the atrophy of the mucosa, muscle tunic, and the intestinal wall of the duodenum of G2 cats (p < 0.05). The enterocytes height presented significant (p < 0.05) increase for G2 animals. According to the qualitative analysis, the collagen fibers were visibly taken a broader area on the intestinal wall layers, what suggests they have increased in size. Decrease in the sulphomucins secretion and the increase of Paneth cells were observed for these animals (p < 0.05).

A young female Boxer had a history of chronic soft stool. Survey abdominal radiographs were unremarkable. A duodenal diverticulum was identified in abdominal ultrasound and barium upper-gastrointestinal contrast examinations. Before surgery a 99mTc-pertechnetate study was performed to evaluate for ectopic gastric mucosa in the duodenal diverticulum. Focal abnormal increased radioactivity was identified in the right caudal abdominal quadrant. The diverticulum was excised. Upon histopathologic examination of the duodenal diverticulum, ectopic gastric mucosa was not identified but ectopic pancreatic tissue was found. Mild eosinophilic inflammation within the diverticulum was suspected to be the cause of the mild 99mTc uptake seen in this dog.

Background: The quality of histopathology slides of endoscopic biopsies from different laboratories varies, but the effect of biopsy quality on outcome is unknown., Hypothesis: The ability to demonstrate a histologic lesion in the stomach or duodenum of a dog or cat is affected by the quality of endoscopic biopsy samples submitted. More endoscopic samples are needed to find a lesion in poor-quality tissue specimens., Animals: Tissues from 99 dogs and 51 cats were examined as clinical cases at 8 veterinary institutions or practices in 5 countries., Methods: Histopathology slides from sequential cases that underwent endoscopic biopsy were submitted by participating institutions. Quality of the histologic section of tissue (inadequate, marginal, adequate), type of lesion (lymphangiectasia, crypt lesion, villus blunting, cellular infiltrate), and severity of lesion (normal, mild, moderate, severe) were determined. Sensitivity of different quality tissue samples for finding different lesions was determined., Results: Fewer samples were required from dogs for diagnosis as the quality of the sample improved from inadequate to marginal to adequate. Duodenal lesions in cats displayed the same trend except for moderate duodenal infiltrates for which quality of tissue sample made no difference. Gastric lesions in dogs and mild gastric lesions in cats had the same trend, whereas the number of tissue samples needed to diagnose moderately severe gastric lesions in cats was not affected by the quality of tissue sample., Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The quality of endoscopically obtained tissue samples has a profound effect on their sensitivity for identifying certain lesions, and there are differences between biopsies of canine and feline tissues.

A 6-year-old male elk presented in August with a 4-month history of weight loss and a 1-day history of being recumbent and unable to rise. The elk's body condition score was 1.5/5. Hematology and blood chemistry showed an inflammatory leukogram, mild electrolyte abnormalities, and elevated liver enzyme activities. Because of poor prognosis, the owner elected euthanasia. On necropsy, 8 diverticula were in the duodenum distal to the common bile duct, which was dilated and filled with feed material. Many intrahepatic bile ducts were dilated up to 5 cm, were filled with ingesta and gritty material, and had walls thickened up to 1.5 mm. On histologic examination, mural thickening of dilated bile ducts was because of increased fibrous connective tissue with inflammatory cell infiltration and hyperplastic and hypertrophic epithelial lining. Portal tracts diffusely contained hyperplastic bile ducts and had increased amounts of fibrous connective tissue. Abscesses that contained bacteria were scattered throughout the liver. Duodenal diverticula lacked the tunica muscularis, and the muscularis mucosa was hypertrophied. Caudal to some diverticula, the duodenal lumen was narrowed. An additional finding was embolic pneumonia with fungi morphologically and immunohistochemically consistent with Aspergillus spp.

Two littermates, a young male and female boxer, were admitted to the Utrecht University's Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals within a three month period. Both dogs suffered from anaemia caused by chronic intestinal blood loss, vomiting and weight loss. In both cases, there was no response to conservative medical management. Eventually, the dogs suffered significant gastrointestinal haemorrhage that resulted in collapse. Gastroduodenoscopy and exploratory surgery showed a duodenal diverticulum in both dogs. This is the first report that describes this congenital anomaly in two siblings.

A 13-month-old, neutered female domestic shorthaired cat was evaluated for vomiting, anorexia, and lethargy. The cat was icteric and hyperbilirubinemic. Radiographically a partially radiolucent proximal duodenal foreign body was suspected. Ultrasonographically, there was a foreign body at the level of the duodenal papilla and dilation of the common bile duct and cystic duct; a diagnosis of extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction secondary to a duodenal foreign body was made. Sonographic findings were confirmed at surgery and a duodenal foreign body was removed. This information defines duodenal foreign body as a cause of extrahepatic biliary obstruction in cats.

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of nifedypine--competitive antagonist of voltage-gated dependent L-type Ca2+ channels (VGCCs)--on inhibition of reticulo-ruminal motility, heart beats, respiratory rates and other nociceptive behavior symptoms caused by duodenal distention (DD). The animals, which were under general anesthesia, had duodenal and ruminal fistulas and intracerebroventriculary (i.c.v.) cannulas inserted into the lateral ventricle. Reticulo-ruminal contractions were recorded mechanographically using an electronic tensometer. The frequency of reticulo-ruminal contractions was determined by the number of mechanograms with 5 min intervals prior to and after DD (for 180 min). The duodenal distention was performed using a rubber balloon (10 cm length), which was inserted via the duodenal fistula and filled with 40 ml water. Five min DD caused immediate and almost complete inhibition of reticulo-ruminal contractions, nociceptive behavior symptoms, tachycardia and hyperventilation. Nifedypine per se did not change the reticulo-ruminal motility, general behavior or clinical symptoms; however, doses of 1 and 2 mg of nifedypine in toto infused i.c.v 10 minutes before DD prevented all signs of reticulo-ruminal disorders, as well as the general nociceptive behavior. Nifedypine inhibited particularly clinical symptoms such as tachycardia and hyperventilation. The observed antinociceptive action of VGCCs type-L blockers suggests that these channels play a crucial role in the modulation of acute visceral hyperalgesia. Nifedipine can be useful in controlling acute visceral pain associated, for example, with different kinds of colic.

Objective: To evaluate effects of injection with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) followed by oral administration of an NSAID on the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of healthy dogs., Animals: 6 healthy Walker Hounds., Procedures: In a randomized, crossover design, dogs were administered 4 treatments consisting of an SC injection of an NSAID or control solution (day 0), followed by oral administration of an NSAID or inert substance for 4 days (days 1 through 4). Treatment regimens included carprofen (4 mg/kg) followed by inert substance; saline (0.9% NaCl) solution followed by deracoxib (4 mg/kg); carprofen (4 mg/kg) followed by carprofen (4 mg/kg); and carprofen (4 mg/kg) followed by deracoxib (4 mg/kg). Hematologic, serum biochemical, and fecal evaluations were conducted weekly, and clinical scores were obtained daily. Endoscopy of the GIT was performed before and on days 1, 2, and 5 for each treatment. Lesions were scored by use of a 6-point scale., Results: No significant differences existed for clinical data, clinicopathologic data, or lesion scores in the esophagus, cardia, or duodenum. For the gastric fundus, antrum, and lesser curvature, an effect of time was observed for all treatments, with lesions worsening from before to day 2 of treatments but improving by day 5., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Sequential administration of NSAIDs in this experiment did not result in clinically important gastroduodenal ulcers. A larger study to investigate the effect of sequential administration of NSAIDs for longer durations and in dogs with signs of acute and chronic pain is essential to substantiate these findings.

The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and antibiotic-responsive diarrhea (ARD) in dogs likely involves an interaction between the intestinal immune system and luminal bacterial or food antigens. German Shepherd Dogs (GSD) are particularly predisposed to both IBD and ARD. CD4+ T cells are important for the regulation of immune responses in the mucosa, and they exert their effects through the secretion of cytokines. The present study examined the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of canine chronic enteropathies by quantification of mRNA encoding interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-18, interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in duodenal mucosal biopsies obtained from 39 dogs with chronic diarrhea and 18 control dogs. Contemporaneously collected biopsies were assessed for histologic changes with a 4-point grading system. No significant difference in the expression of cytokine mRNA (P > .01) was detected between dogs with and those without chronic diarrhea. Similarly, no significant differences in cytokine mRNA expression were observed between GSD and other breeds with chronic diarrhea, or between histologically normal duodenal mucosa and that with evidence of inflammatory change. Failure to detect a difference in mRNA expression does not rule out the possibility of a defect downstream at the level of translation or protein function. No conclusion can be drawn from these data as to the predominant CD4+ cell type in the pathogenesis of these canine chronic enteropathies.

Two dogs were emaciated and hypoalbuminemic due to protein-losing enteropathy associated with a severe, focal, mucoid, cryptal ectasia of the duodenum and marked villus atrophy. In one case, diseased portions of the duodenum were obvious endoscopically and were limited to discrete, focal areas in the small intestine, with apparently more undiseased tissue than diseased tissue being present. The signs and lesions in one dog resolved after initiating combination dietary and pharmacological therapy.

Pythium insidiosum is an aquatic fungus-like organism that causes a serious chronic granulomatous disease called pythiosis in animals and humans in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In North America, pythiosis is most often diagnosed in the Gulf Coast states. Early recognition of the disease is crucial to successful treatment, which includes surgical resection of granulomatous lesions and administration of antifungal agents. Despite increasing availability of diagnostic tests, intestinal pythiosis is insidious and is often not detected until lesions are extensive. Intestinal pythiosis was diagnosed in a 12-week-old puppy from South Carolina examined because of vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia. Pythiosis was not initially suspected because of the young age of the patient and because pythiosis is uncommon in this area.

Endoscopic examination of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract in dogs and cats is a relatively recent development. It was just over 20 years ago, in 1978, that the first series report of GI endoscopy in dogs and cats was presented. In those initial days, endoscopy was truly a novelty, and the primary uses for endoscopes were to retrieve foreign objects or visualize the esophagus and stomach. It was not until the mid-1980s that technology and training made gastroduodenoscopy standard practice. The evolution in endoscopic technology has also mirrored the evolution in computers and imaging modalities. The original fiberoptic endoscopes, although still available, are giving way to video endoscopy and digital imaging capabilities that provide spectacular images and an ability to generate hard copy images for medical records, teaching purposes, and research data that was previously not possible.

Two Swiss Braunvieh cows in late pregnancy underwent surgery because of a rare form of ileus due to strangulation of the duodenum at its caudal flexure by the gravid uterus. The whole uterus had passed through a gap between the mesoduodenum and duodenum and with increasing weight had led to strangulation of the duodenum. This was possible since the mesoduodenum and both walls of the greater omentum adjacent to its caudal edge were not connected with the duodenum, probably due to a congenital inhibitory malformation. A transsection and an end-to-end anastomosis of the duodenum were necessary in both cases since it was impossible to retract the gravid uterus through the defect. Postoperative recovering was uneventful in both cows, which were discharged after seven and five days respectively and calved normally about two months later., (Copyright Harcourt Publishers Ltd.)

Matched samples of serum, saliva and tears were collected from four groups of dogs; two of the groups were German shepherd dogs (GSDs) either with (Group 1) or without (Group 4) a variety of small intestinal disorders; the remaining two groups were dogs of other breeds, again with (Group 2) or without (Group 3) small intestinal disease. Capture ELISAs were used to measure IgG, IgM, IgA and albumin concentrations within these samples; intestinal humoral immune status of clinical cases was assessed by quantifying immunoglobulin production from duodenal explant cultures.There were no significant differences in IgG, IgM or IgA concentrations in serum, saliva or tears between the different groups of dog. Moreover, no significant differences were noted between groups for IgG, IgM and IgA salivary and tear secretory indices. IgA production by 24-h explant cultures was significantly lower in GSDs compared with non-GSDs with small intestinal disease (groups 1 and 2, respectively), but the numbers of lamina propria IgA(+) plasma cells in duodenal biopsies were not different between groups. These results suggest that there may be a relative deficiency in local IgA secretion in GSDs with small intestinal enteropathies, which is not reflected in either serum IgA concentrations, or in secretion at unaffected mucosal sites. It remains to be determined whether such a deficiency is a breed-related primary defect, or whether it arises secondary to the pathological processes within the intestinal mucosa.

German shepherd dogs (GSD) are predisposed to enteropathies such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). The present study examined the role of cytokines in the immunopathogenesis of both conditions. Duodenal mucosal biopsies were taken from GSDs with small intestinal enteropathies (group 1; N = 16) or control dogs (group 2, N = 12). IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12p40, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and TGF-beta1 mRNA expression was determined by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. IL-2, IL-5, IL-12p40, TNF-alpha, and TGF-beta1 mRNA expression in group 1 dogs was significantly greater than in group 2 dogs (all P<0.01), but there were no significant differences between dogs with IBD or SIBO. Further, antibiotic treatment in five dogs with SIBO, resulted in reduced TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 mRNA expression (P<0.05). Such alterations in cytokine mRNA expression suggest heightened immune responses within the duodenal mucosa in GSDs with either SIBO or IBD.

A one-year-old, female domestic shorthair was presented for septic peritonitis 10 days following a routine ovariohysterectomy and subsequent oral administration of carprofen. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a perforated duodenum which was treated with a gastroduodenostomy (Billroth I) and open abdomen management. Etiology of the duodenal perforation was most likely due to the administration of carprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug approved for oral use in dogs only.

Post-mortem examinations performed during May and August of 1997 on three free-living green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the United Arab Emirates revealed that all had stomachs full of fresh seagrass (approximately 99% of the total ingesta) and presented with a duodenal volvulus involving a length of approximately 100 cm. Duodeni appeared empty and necrotic with diffuse purple-black mucosa. No apparent signs of obstruction by foreign objects, acute endoparasitism, or other disorders were observed. In all cases, duodenal volvulus was diagnosed, the cause of which may have been dietary in origin. The rise in water temperature, with an associated rise in the temperature of seagrass, thus enhancing the over-fermentation of ingesta with the subsequent liberation of excessive amounts of gas was the probable cause of volvulus formation. Ingestion of foreign bodies and physical movement also are discussed as causes of digestive disorders. It is recommended that handlers should avoid 360 degrees rotation when overturning turtles onto their carapaces.

This report presents a review of the historic and current methods for performing pancreatic exocrine studies in intact animals. Special emphasis is given to the various surgical procedures--pancreatic fistulas, duodenal pouches, and duodenal fistulas--and practice of collecting pancreatic secretion in dogs. Procedures in other animal species--rat, cat, pig, rabbit, cattle, sheep, and horse--also are specified. The advantages and disadvantages, as well as the indications and limitations of the distinct methods, are discussed.

Plasma chemistry and haematological studies were conducted on chickens with coccidiosis. Male White Leghorn chickens, of two weeks old, were inoculated with 5 x 10(4) Eimeria tenella sporulated oocysts or with 1 x 10(6) E acervulina sporulated oocysts. Blood samples were taken four, seven and 11 days after inoculation. A wet chemistry system was applied to measure the plasma activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltransferase, creatine kinase, amylase and lactate dehydrogenase and the concentrations of creatine, total bilirubin, urate, total cholesterol, total protein, albumin, glucose and triglycerides. A dry chemistry system was applied to measure sodium, potassium, chloride and calcium. The number of red blood cells and packed cell volume were determined by a micro cell counter and blood pH was measured with a blood gas analyser. The erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, sodium and chloride levels in the chickens infected with E tenella were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of the uninfected controls. The significant decrease in blood pH of the chickens infected with E acervulina suggests malabsorption associated with duodenal lesions induced by the infection.