Effects of corn oil administered orally on conspicuity of ultrasonographic small intestinal lesions in dogs with lymphangiectasia.

Lymphangiectasia is one of the causes of protein-losing enteropathy in dogs and characteristic ultrasonographic small intestinal lesions have been previously described. The purpose of this study was to determine whether corn oil administered orally (COAO) would result in increased conspicuity of these characteristic small intestinal ultrasonographic lesions in dogs with lymphangiectasia. Affected dogs were included if they underwent corn oil administered orally and had a surgical full-thickness intestinal biopsy diagnosis of lymphangiectasia. Control dogs had normal clinical examination and standard laboratory test findings. Ultrasound images of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were obtained prior to and 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after corn oil administered orally for all dogs. Parameters recorded for each ultrasound study were intestinal wall thickness, mucosal echogenicity, and presence or absence of hyperechoic mucosal striations (HMS) and a parallel hyperechoic mucosal line (PHML). Nine affected and five controls dogs were included in the study. Seven of the nine dogs with lymphangiectasia had hyperechoic mucosal striations prior to corn oil administered orally. Jejunal hyperechoic mucosal striations were significantly associated with lymphangiectasia at multiple time points (P < 0.05) and were best identified in dogs with lymphangiectasia 60 or 90 min after corn oil administered orally. Increased mucosal echogenicity was observed in all dogs at multiple time points after corn oil administered orally. A parallel hyperechoic mucosal line was present in the jejunum in 4/5 healthy and 6/9 dogs with lymphangiectasia at one or more time points after corn oil administered orally. Findings indicated that corn oil administered orally improves conspicuity of characteristic ultrasonographic lesions in dogs with lymphangiectasia, however some of these lesions may also be present in healthy dogs that recently received a fatty meal.

Pediatric abdominal ultrasonography.

Pediatric patients are commonly presented to the veterinarian because of signs referable to the abdominal cavity caused by congenital anomalies,dietary indiscretion, parasitic infestation, and infectious disease. Abdominal ultrasound provides valuable clinical information about the peritoneal cavity, great vessels, abdominal viscera, and lymph nodes,which is obtained in a noninvasive fashion and usually does not necessitate sedation or anesthesia. Ultrasonography thus greatly facilitates diagnostic evaluation of the pediatric patient. Ultrasound equipment already in place in many small animal veterinary clinics is appropriate for most pediatric cases.

Reproductive ultrasound of the bitch and queen.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the reproductive tract is an important component in the evaluation of the bitch and queen. Information is obtained concerning normal events involving the reproductive system (eg, ovulation, pregnancy) as well as pathologic conditions (eg, ovarian cysts, metritis). The appearance of the female reproductive tract normally changes with phases of the cycle; these changes need to be interpreted with knowledge of the ovarian cycle. Serial ultrasonographic evaluation of the diseased reproductive tract can be very helpful in evaluating response to therapy.

Reproductive ultrasound of the dog and tom.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the reproductive tract is an important component in the evaluation of the dog and tom with reproductive disorders. Information is obtained confirming normal anatomy as well as pathologic conditions (eg, testicular neoplasia). Serial ultrasonographic evaluation of the diseased reproductive tract can be very helpful in evaluating progression of disease (eg, testicular atrophy) and response to therapy (eg, benign prostatic hyperplasia).