Awake 160-Slice Computed Tomography for Upper Airway Evaluation in 17 Dogs.

This study investigated using a 160-slice multidetector computed tomography (CT) scanner for conscious image acquisition in dogs with upper airway disease, and describes findings in dogs that had previously undergone soft palate surgery. Seventeen client-owned dogs with upper airway disease were retrospectively reviewed, and classified into three groups: group I, "untreated brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) patients"; group II, "previously treated BOAS patients"; and group III, "patients with respiratory disease other than BOAS". Data included signalment, clinical history, direct laryngoscopy and endoscopy findings, previous surgeries and CT findings. CT scans in group I revealed overlong and thickened soft palates in all dogs, and signs of laryngeal collapse in four dogs. Patients in group II exhibited normal soft palate lengths, while patients in group III displayed various findings such as nasopharyngeal narrowing and tracheal collapse. Upper airway examinations under general anaesthesia confirmed most CT findings. This study demonstrates the feasibility and value of conscious CT scanning for assessing upper airway diseases in dogs, providing valuable diagnostic information while eliminating the need for chemical immobilisation, thus reducing patient stress and cost. These findings offer new insight into upper airway anatomy in awake patients, especially in brachycephalic breeds, and lay a foundation for future research.

Received dose variability after administration of I-131 for treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats.

BACKGROUND: Injectable radioactive iodine (I-131) frequently is used to treat hyperthyroidism in cats. In human medicine, residual activity after injection of radionuclides has been reported, and the actual quantity administered is recorded after administration. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate actual administered dose variability after administration of preprepared I-131 single unit doses for the treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats. ANIMALS: Twenty-seven cats with hyperthyroidism treated with I-131 between April 2017 and March 2019. METHODS: Retrospective observational study of cats treated with preprepared single unit I-131 doses. For each dose, the measured activity before administration and residual activity were recorded. The measured dose and the actual dose administered were compared to the prescribed dose. RESULTS: Measured activity before administration ranged from 88.4% to 103.3% of the prescribed dose. Mean residual activity was 5.2 ± 3.0 MBq (ranging from 1.5% to 15% of the prescribed dose). The actual dose administered (measured activity - residual activity) ranged from 79.1% to 100.2% of the prescribed dose. Seventeen of 28 (60.7%) of the actual administered doses differed between 10% and 20% of the prescribed dose. One administered dose had a >20% difference compared to the prescribed dose (79.10% of the prescribed dose). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Our study identified variability in the residual and actual administered activity of I-131 as compared to the prescribed dose, which should be taken into consideration when treating cats with (predrawn) I-131.