Evaluation of the presence of gingivitis as confounding factor in assessing inflammatory status in serum and saliva of dogs with diabetes mellitus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the serum and salivary inflammatory markers induced by Diabetes mellitus (DM) in dogs and to assess the possible confounding effect of gingivitis. A panel of 13 cytokines was measured in the serum and saliva of dogs diagnosed with DM and compared with healthy dogs without gingivitis (control group 1; CG1) and dogs with gingivitis but otherwise healthy (control group 2; CG2). The results of the present study showed statistically significantly higher levels of IL-8, KC-like and MCP1 in the serum of dogs with DM compared to CG1 dogs. In the case of saliva, the DM group presented statistically higher GM-CSF, IL6, IL15, and MCP1 levels compared to CG1, and lower KC-like chemokine compared to CG2. Finally, gingivitis produced changes in saliva, with salivary levels of GM-CSF, IL-6, IL-7, IL-15, IP-10, KC-like, IL-10, IL-18, MCP1, TNFα being statistically significantly higher in the saliva of CG2 dogs compared to CG1. The results of the present study indicate that dogs with DM have altered cytokine levels in serum and saliva compared to healthy dogs. In addition, this study highlights the importance of taking oral health into account when determining cytokines in dogs, as gingivitis can significantly alter their concentrations. .

Radiographic, ultrasonographic, and computed tomographic characteristics of an accessory liver lobe in a cat.

A 5-year-old male Norwegian Forest cat presented with increased hepatic serum biochemical parameters. Abdominal radiography showed an oval cranioventral mass and ultrasound revealed a mobile mass attached to one hepatic lobe. Computed tomography (CT) confirmed that the mass was attached to the right medial liver lobe. Differential diagnoses were an accessory liver lobe, benign neoplasia, and focal nodular hyperplasia. The mass was removed and histopathology confirmed the mass to be normal liver tissue. Accessory liver lobe should be included in the differential diagnosis of a mobile cranial abdominal mass with a similar ultrasonographic or CT appearance to the liver.

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS-COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY FINDINGS IN A DOG WITH SPONTANEOUS TRANSMURAL MIGRATION OF A TEXTILOMA INTO THE CECUM.

A 3-year-old spayed female dog was presented with 3-month history of severe bilateral uveitis subsequent to previous ovariohysterectomy. Physical examination revealed moderate abdominal pain. Computed tomography showed a nonobstructive heterogeneous mass-like lesion with a speckled gas pattern (spongiform pattern) within the cecum. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a surgical swab in the lumen of the cecum with severe adhesions. Histopathological examination demonstrated a chronic inflammatory pyogranulomatous reaction to the retained swab embedded within the intestinal wall, consistent with transmural migration of the swab from the peritoneal cavity into the cecum.

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS-RADIOGRAPHIC, ULTRASONOGRAPHIC, AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A DUODENAL DUPLICATION CYST IN A YOUNG CAT.

A 7-month-old, 2.8 kg, intact female Siamese cat was evaluated for repetitive and intermittent episodes of vomiting and anorexia. Abdominal palpation revealed a round, firm, nonpainful mass in the right cranial abdomen. Ultrasonography findings were consistent with a cystic structure adjacent to the descending duodenum. The structure exhibited a "muscular rim sign." A duodenal duplication cyst was confirmed by histopathological analysis. Computed tomography ruled out concurrent vertebral anomalies and clarified anatomic relationships for surgical planning. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of an ultrasound "muscular rim sign" in a duodenal duplication cyst in a cat.

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS-URETHROVAGINAL FISTULA CAUSED BY A MIGRATING GRASS AWN IN THE VAGINA.

A young intact female dog was presented with urinary incontinence. Abdominal ultrasound revealed the presence of hyperechoic linear structures within the cranial vagina suggestive of foreign material. A computed tomography (CT) retrograde vaginourethrogram demonstrated the presence of a fistulous tract between the urethra and vagina. A presumptive diagnosis of urethrovaginal fistula due to migration of foreign material was made. The grass awn was removed with vaginoscopic-guided retrieval. Fourteen days later, surgical repair of the fistula and an ovariohysterectomy were done. This case report emphasizes the usefulness of CT for diagnosis and precise anatomical localization of genitourinary tract fistulas.

Cystitis glandularis in a cat.

An 8-year-old intact male Persian cat was presented for investigation of chronic haematuria. The cat had episodes of haematuria on several occasions that were non-responsive to antimicrobial therapy. Abdominal ultrasound examination revealed dilation of the renal pelvis and ureters of both kidneys. The urinary bladder wall was thickened, a mass of heterogeneous echogenicity filled the lumen of the bladder, and two parallel thin hyperechoic lines were identified within the lumen, which suggested a urethral catheter. Differential diagnoses for the urinary bladder mass included cystitis and neoplasia. The mass was surgically removed from the urinary bladder, and a urethral catheter was found embedded in the mass. Histopathological findings were consistent with cystitis glandularis of a typical type. Periodic bladder ultrasonographic studies were performed; at the time of writing, over 2 years later, recurrence had not been detected.