Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of medically treated female dogs with cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex.

Monitoring the treatment outcome of canine cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex (CEH-P) is essential to identify nonresponding patients who might require a rapid intervention to avoid life-threatening conditions. Uterine artery Doppler characterization may contribute to monitoring medically treated CEH-P, but published studies are currently lacking. Therefore, the aim of this longitudinal prospective observational study was to evaluate uterine artery resistance changes in the medical treatment of female dogs with CEH-P. Twelve diestrous female dogs suffering from CEH-P were treated with a combined protocol of cabergoline, cloprostenol, and antibiotics. The animals were clinically and ultrasonographically evaluated before the beginning of treatment (day 0) and on days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28. The widest transverse diameter and luminal diameter of uterine horns were measured, as well as the peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) of uterine arteries. The resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), and notch deep index (NDI) were calculated. On day 3, nine of 12 animals showed clinical improvement. In all these female dogs, the widest transverse sectional diameter (P < 0.01), luminal diameter (P < 0.01), PSV (P < 0.01), and EDV (P < 0.01) progressively decreased, while RI (P < 0.01), PI (P < 0.01), and NDI (P < 0.01) increased up to day 21. In nonresponding dogs (3/12), Doppler parameters remained unchanged. Although comparisons of PSV, EDV, and NDI were significantly different, these results should be cautiously interpreted due to the low statistical power. female dogs that responded to this treatment showed an increase in uterine artery resistance, along with clinical and ultrasonographic improvement.

Uterine two-dimensional and Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of feline pyometra.

The aim of this study was to compare uterine two-dimensional and Doppler ultrasonographic parameters in queens suffering from pyometra from those in early pregnancy. Secondly, the effect of the presence of clinical signs of systemic illness on these parameters was also described. Fourteen post-oestrous queens, with uterine luminal content in the absence of embryos were included. According to their outcome (pyometra surgery or parturition), the queens were retrospectively assigned to one of the following groups: Pyometra (PYO; n = 7) or pregnant (PRG; n = 7). In all the queens, two-dimensional and Doppler ultrasound examinations of the uterus were performed. The presence or absence of clinical signs of systemic illness was recorded. The widest cross-sectional diameter (UD), uterine wall thickness (WT), uterine lumen contents (LC) and uterine artery resistance index (RI) were measured. Uterine horn diameter was higher in PYO group than in PRG group (p < 0.05), while WT (p > 0.1) and LC (p = 0.09) did not differ between groups. Values of RI for PYO and PRG groups were 0.61 ± 0.03 vs 0.53 ± 0.09 (p < 0.05), respectively. PYO cats suffering from clinical signs of systemic illness showed larger UD than those without signs (p < 0.01). It is concluded that two-dimensional and Doppler ultrasound might be useful to distinguish queens suffering from pyometra from those in early pregnancy. Secondly, the clinical signs of systemic illness were associated with a larger UD.

Occurrence of dioctophymosis in canines within a riparian zone of the Río de La Plata watercourse, in Ensenada, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.

Dioctophymosis is a parasitic disease occasioned by the so-called "giant kidney worm", Dioctophyme renale, a nematode with an indirect life cycle. This parasite's definitive host is the mink, Mustela vison, though numerous wild and domestic mammals as well as man can serve as final hosts. The worms also can be in ectopic locations in the body. We surveyed 692 canines by ecography, urine sampling, surgery, necropsy, and clinical examination and diagnosed 244 cases of dioctophymosis (35.3%). Of the cases of dioctophymosis identified, 30.7% were obtained by ecography, 45.9% by urinalysis, and 17.6% by both those techniques -in addition to positive findings through surgery (2.5%), necropsy (2.5%), and the spontaneous elimination of the parasites (0.8%). Cases of dioctophymosis were observed in animals as young as 4months of age up to 15years. The frequency of D. renale diagnosis throughout the sampling period varied significantly. There was a statistically significant association between risk factors (swimming in the river, eating frogs, fish or eels, drinking ditch water) and the prevalence of infection. It was discussed the period missing after infection in canines.