Three-dimensional CT angiography of the canine hepatic vasculature.

Eight Beagle dogs were anesthetized and were imaged using a single channel helical CT scanner. The contrast medium used in this study was iohexol (300 mg I/ml) and doses were 0.5 ml/kg for a cine scan, 3 ml/kg for an enhanced scan. The flow rate for contrast material administration was 2 ml/sec for all scans. This study was divided into three steps, with unenhanced, cine and enhanced scans. The enhanced scan was subdivided into the arterial phase and the venous phase. All of the enhanced scans were reconstructed in 1 mm intervals and the scans were interpreted by the use of reformatted images, a cross sectional histogram, maximum intensity projection and shaded surface display. For the cine scans, optimal times were a 9-sec delay time post IV injection in the arterial phase, and an 18-sec delay time post IV injection in the venous phase. A nine-sec delay time was acceptable for the imaging of the canine hepatic arteries by CT angiography. After completion of arterial phase scanning, venous structures of the liver were well visualized as seen on the venous phase.

Osteochondrodysplasia in three Scottish Fold cats.

This report explains typical radiographic features of Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia. Three Scottish Fold cats suffering from lameness were referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Seoul National University, Korea. Based on the breed predisposition, history, clinical signs, physical examination, and radiographic findings, Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia was confirmed in three cases. Radiographic changes mainly included exostosis and secondary arthritis around affected joint lesions, and defective conformation in the phalanges and caudal vertebrae. The oral chondroprotective agents such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate make the patients alleviate their pain without adverse effects.

Spectral Doppler ultrasound in the major arteries of normal conscious immature micropigs.

Spectral waveform analysis of blood flow velocity in the major arteries of six healthy, conscious immature micropigs was determined using Doppler ultrasonography. Doppler spectral tracings were recorded from the external iliac artery, femoral artery, and renal arcuate artery. Tracings were also taken from three parts of the common carotid artery and two parts of the abdominal aorta. Spectral Doppler parameters included peak systolic velocity, early diastolic velocity, peak systolic velocity-to-end diastolic velocity ratio, resistive index, and pulsatility index. In addition, the diameter of major arteries and indirect blood pressure were measured. These results from spectral Doppler analysis in major arteries may be useful as reference ranges in the future studies of vascular hemodynamics in immature micropigs.

Computed tomography angiography for evaluation of pulmonary embolism in an experimental model and heartworm infested dogs.

This study was performed to characterize pulmonary embolism with computed tomography pulmonary angiography in experimental pulmonary embolism and heartworm infected dogs. In the experimental group, there were pulmonary changes after pulmonary embolism induction as follows: hypoattenuating round filling defects in pulmonary arteries, arterial dilations with straight and abrupt cut-off appearances in the pulmonary embolism regions, pulmonary infarctions, a cavity formation and spontaneous pneumothorax, and emboli migration. In the heartworm-infected group, three out of eight dogs developed pulmonary embolism, especially in the right caudal arteries. Arterial dilations with typical tortuosity were also identified, mainly in the right caudal arteries in five dogs. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography can be an important imaging modality in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and the evaluation of pulmonary arterial and parenchymal changes in dogs.