Screening of bacterial DNA in bile sampled from healthy dogs and dogs suffering from liver- or gallbladder-associated disease.

Although the biliary system is generally aseptic, gallbladder microbiota has been reported in humans and some animals apart from dogs. We screened and analyzed the bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid in canine gallbladders using bile sampled from 7 healthy dogs and 52 dogs with liver- or gallbladder-associated disease. PCR screening detected bacteria in 17.3% of diseased dogs (9/52) and none in healthy dogs. Microbiota analysis of PCR-positive samples showed that the microbial diversity differed between liver- and gallbladder-associated disease groups. Thus, a specific bacterial community appears to occur at a certain frequency in the bile of diseased dogs.

Role of autopsy imaging-computed tomography in the post-mortem study of farm animals.

BACKGROUND: Autopsy imaging (Ai) is used to determine the cause of death, providing pre-dissection information. Ai is often used in the field of human forensic medicine but has never been applied on farm animals. METHODS: Ai-computed tomography (CT) was performed before necropsy for farm animals (one goat, one ox, one cow and three calves) that died or were euthanised. RESULTS: Ai-CT findings of rib fractures (case 1), urethral calculi (case 2), multiple osteolytic bone lesions (case 3 and 4) and hair balls (case 4) were confirmed by dissection. However, a tentative diagnosis of actinomycosis was made in an ox (case 5) using antemortem radiography and Ai-CT, and the mass was identified as ameloblastic fibro-odontoma on histological examination. A tentative diagnosis of maxillary abscess was made from antemortem radiography in a cow (case 6); however, the lesion was shown to be maxillary neoplasia on Ai-CT. The mass was identified as hemangiosarcoma on histopathological examination. CONCLUSION: Ai is helpful in pathological examination because the specific findings are known before the dissection, the lesions can be pinpointed in the pathological dissection, facilitating workflow; furthermore, the oversight of lesions can be reduced. In addition, Ai-CT images, including three-dimensional images and a three-dimensional printed model, allowed an easy understanding of pathology among students and farmers. Ai-CT for farm animals represents a novel option for veterinary education.

Partial hepatectomy for treatment of multiple liver abscess in a calf: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Umbilical vein bacterial infections may cause liver abscesses during bacterial ascent. A single liver abscess can be surgically treated by marsupialization, but a risk of recurrence or non-healing remains. Moreover, there is no effective treatment for multiple abscesses. CASE PRESENTATION: A 17-day-old Holstein female calf exhibited reduced general condition, swelling and drainage of the umbilicus, and pressure sores in the area of the carpus, resulting in reluctance to stand up. The umbilicus showed pain at palpation; deep abdominal palpation indicated a swollen umbilical vein coursing from the umbilicus toward the liver. Ultrasonography confirmed a swollen umbilical vein with pus accumulation and multiple abscesses in the liver. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) examination confirmed that the swollen umbilical vein with fluid continued to the liver, and multiple unenhanced lesions, most likely abscesses, were confirmed in the liver. Partial hepatectomy was performed to remove as many abscesses as possible. For the resection, a vessel sealing device (LigaSureTM) was used to excise a part of the left liver lobe. As we could not remove all the abscesses in the liver during the operation, cefazolin sodium (5 mg/kg) was administered for 14 days after surgery. Post-operatively, blood accumulation was observed in the abdominal cavity, but no signs of peritonitis were found. The calf returned to the farm on day 38 after surgery. Follow-up information was obtained after 1 year, and complications were not reported. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report of partial hepatectomy using a vessel sealing device for a calf with multiple liver abscesses. This case report suggests that the combination of partial hepatectomy and long-term administration of antibacterial drugs may restore the health of calves with multiple liver abscesses.

Diagnosis of a sublaryngeal abscess in a Japanese Black calf using computed tomography.

A 76-day-old Japanese Black calf presented with severe stridor, resenting palpation of the laryngeal region. Endoscopic examination revealed an expansile process restricting the esophageal and tracheal lumina caudal to the arytenoid cartilage, hyperemia and edema of the pharyngeal mucosa, right arytenoid cartilage swelling and displacement, and marked airway obstruction. The absence of an endotracheal wall abnormality impeded a definitive diagnosis. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a mass (CT value: 40-45 HU) caudal to the arytenoid cartilage, causing tracheal stenosis and esophageal displacement. The presence of gas in the mass suggested the presence of an abscess. Diagnosis of deep retropharyngeal lesions by conventional endoscopic and ultrasonographic examinations may be challenging; CT can then provide more comprehensive diagnostic information on a lesion.