Radiography and ultrasonography in the diagnosis and treatment of abdominal enlargements in five guinea pigs.

Five guinea pigs with palpable abdominal masses were examined by radiography and ultrasonography, and laparotomy was performed. Splenic haematoma, splenic and uterine haemangioma, uterine fibroma and ovarian teratoma were found on histological examination after excision of the relevant organs. Both of the imaging methods allowed localisation of the affected organs, but the inner structure of the masses could only be imaged by ultrasonography. Ultrasonography served as an aid in decision-making with respect to the laparotomy. Surgery was successful in four out of the five cases. Both imaging methods were found to be useful in diagnosis and in determining the choice of treatment in cases of abdominal masses in guinea pigs.

A preliminary study of the ultrasonographic determination of renal size in the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus).

No standard kidney measurements studies are available for guinea pigs and other pet rodents. Because the size of the kidney often is altered due to diffuse parenchymal renal disease, standardized normal values may help in the ultrasonographic detection of renal enlargement or diminution in vivo. We obtained in vivo ultrasonographic renal measurements from 31 clinically healthy guinea pigs. A significant (P < 0.01) positive correlation was found between renal length and calculated volume compared to body weight (r = 0.459 to 0.535). Renal volume data were calculated from a single sagittal ultrasonographic image by using the area-length prolate ellipsoid mathematic model. Renal volume can be calculated from the data of the regression equation, and both linear and calculated volume measurements correlated to body weight.

Abdominal ultrasonography in pet guinea pigs.

Ultrasonographic examination of 40 pet guinea pigs was performed in the framework of this study. Preparation of the patient for ultrasonography and the examination procedure are described. Normal ultrasonographic findings of the abdominal organs including the liver, spleen, kidney and urinary bladder are presented and illustrated for the first time in this species. Ultrasonography was found to be a useful investigative tool in the diagnosis of abdominal diseases in guinea pigs. In comparison to other diagnostic methods like physical examination including palpation, haematological examination, radiography and diagnostic laparotomy, ultrasonography offers a rapid, non-invasive and reliable means of diagnosing abdominal diseases in this species.

Ultrasonographic findings of renal dysplasia in cocker spaniels: eight cases.

A retrospective study of eight young Cocker Spaniels aged 9-24 months was performed to describe the ultrasonographic findings of histologically confirmed renal dysplasia. Ultrasonography revealed kidneys of significantly (p < 0.001) reduced volume in all dogs. During qualitative evaluation, two different types of sonographic alterations could be seen. In one type of the ultrasound alterations, corticomedullary demarcation was distinct and the renal cortex was remarkably thin, which was best seen in the dorsal (frontal) imaging plane. In the other type of the ultrasound appearance, overall increased echogenicity with poor corticomedullary demarcation was noticed, and the kidneys could hardly be separated from their surroundings. These features were best recognised in the sagittal (coronal) imaging plane. In one dog with secondary hypercalcaemia, a hyperechoic corticomedullary area was also seen. Post-mortem histological diagnosis revealed renal dysplasia and secondary fibrosis. Based on ultrasound findings alone, renal dysplasia (renal familial disease) can be suspected when small kidneys with thin echogenic cortex are present in young dogs. An ultrasound image, similar to that of fibrotic kidneys (increased overall echogenicity and reduced corticomedullary definition) cannot be differentiated from chronic inflammatory disease and from end-stage kidneys. Therefore, ultrasound-guided biopsy or post-mortem histology is necessary for the definitive diagnosis of renal dysplasia. This is the first study reporting on the ultrasound appearance of renal dysplasia in Cocker Spaniel dogs.

Two-dimensional echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis in a horse with traumatic pericarditis.

Two-dimensional echocardiographic (2DE) examination was performed on a horse with clinical signs of pericardial effusion. Thickening of the pericardium, excess amount of pericardial fluid, elevation of the cardiac apex, and right ventricular compression, characteristic of cardiac tamponade, could be seen on 2DE recordings. Fibrinous pericarditis was suspected by observation of fibrinous strands in the pericardial fluid and epicardial fibrin deposits. Echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis was performed, and 4 L of fluid was removed from the pericardial sac. Streptococcus zooepidemicus was isolated from the fluid. Pericardiocentesis was repeated for 3 days, and medication was administered. Despite temporary improvement in cardiac function, the horse's condition deteriorated gradually, and euthanasia was performed on the ninth day of hospitalization. Necropsy revealed chronic serofibrinous pericarditis of traumatic origin, attributable to an intercostal stab wound entering the pericardium and the apical portion of the myocardium.