Ultrasonographic and cytopathological diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic carcinoma in the dog and cat.

This study describes the ultrasonographic and cytopathological characteristics of malignant neoplasms of the exocrine pancreas and their value in making an antemortem diagnosis. The medical records of eight dogs and five cats were reviewed. The clinical presentations were variable and at times mimicked pancreatitis. Overall, cytopathology of ultrasound or fluoroscopic-guided biopsies or fine-needle aspirates, or impressions from surgical biopsies were helpful in establishing the diagnosis in 10 of 12 animals where it was performed. Histopathology of ultrasound or fluoroscopic-guided biopsies provided a diagnosis in five of six cases where it was performed.

Doppler ultrasonographic features of thoracic limb arteries in clinically normal horses.

OBJECTIVES: To determine blood flow velocities and indices from spectral waveforms obtained by use of Doppler ultrasonography of thoracic limb arteries of horses and to assess interobserver and patient variability associated with the technique. ANIMALS: 9 clinically normal adult horses. PROCEDURE: Left thoracic limb arteries of 8 nonsedated horses were examined at 5 sites by use of pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography to determine a range of values for peak systolic, end diastolic, and mean velocities and resistive and pulsatility indices. Interobserver and patient variabilities were determined by 2 operators repeating similar measurements on 1 horse 8 times at weekly intervals. RESULTS: A range of values for each variable measured at the 5 selected sites was obtained. For each variable, strong positive correlations (R > or = 0.7) were detected for > 70% of the site-to-site comparisons made (excluding the coronary band). Among horses, resistive index varied least, whereas over time, mean velocity varied least. Waveform characteristics were consistent with resistive (n = 5) or nonresistive (4) patterns. In the single-horse experiment, waveform characteristics were consistent throughout the 8 weeks, and operator effects were not detected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Doppler ultrasonography of no one site resulted in more reliable measurements of blood flow characteristics in thoracic limb arteries of horses. Mean velocity and resistive index were the least variable measurements made. Pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography may be a useful technique for evaluating diseases that alter normal thoracic limb arterial blood flow in horses.

Right leg muscle atrophy and osteopenia caused by renal adenocarcinoma in a cockatiel (Melopsittacus, undulatus).

A 7-year-old cockatiel presented with a 1 week history of right leg lameness. A renal adenocarcinoma invading and constricting the right ischiatic nerve resulted in disuse atrophy of the affected leg and radiographic evidence of osteopenia. This report illustrates the natural behavior, radiographic, and pathologic appearance of malignant renal tumors in birds.

Unusual presentation of an Amazon parrot (Amazona species) with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Non-haematopoietic hepatic malignancies are uncommon in birds. The clinical presentation (i.e. chronic buphthalmos)and non-specific radiographic findings observed in this adult Amazon parrot (Amazona spp.) were not consistent with previous reports describing the natural behaviour of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma in birds.

Evaluation of renal hemodynamics in awake and isoflurane-anesthetized cats with pulsed-wave Doppler and quantitative renal scintigraphy.

The feasibility and reproducibility of obtaining the pulsed-wave Doppler measurements of resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were investigated in intrarenal arteries of normal, nonsedated cats, and cats anesthetized with isoflurane. In addition, relative renal function and relative renal blood flow were evaluated using quantitative renal scintigraphy. The percentage of injected dose uptake, time to peak activity, and two indices of renal blood flow (K/A ratio and flow index) obtained during the first pass of 99mTc-MAG3, were determined for both awake and anesthetized cats. Results indicate that measuring RI and PI in nonsedated cats is readily accomplished and that the results are reproducible within an animal. Mean RI and PI values in the awake cats were 0.55 and 0.8, respectively. Significant differences between the awake and anesthetized cats were found for all pulsed-wave Doppler and quantitative renal scintigraphic measurements evaluated.

Estimation of gestational ages in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) from published prenatal growth curves.

This report compares estimated gestational ages from published cubic spline curves to gestational ages estimated retrospectively from delivery dates in 28 pregnancies from ten common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Both CRL- and BPD-based estimates of gestational age were closely correlated with delivery-based gestational age estimates. Of the three ultrasound machines used, the one with 16 shades of gray and a sequential linear array overestimated gestational age during early pregnancy, based on CRL measures. Measures from the other two machines (64 or 264 shades of gray; linear sector and annular array or electronic phase array) were similar and resulted in a correlation of the two estimates of gestational age of 0.94 and a mean difference between the two estimates of 0.16 days with 80% of CRL-based gestational age estimates being within +/- 5 days of the delivery-based estimate. The reliability of BPD-based estimates of gestational age was strongly related to pregnancy outcome. BPD-based estimates underestimated gestational age in poor outcome pregnancies (i.e., those in which infants died within 7 days of birth) but not in good outcome pregnancies. The combined CRL- and BPD-based estimates on poor outcome pregnancies suggest that there was less growth in BPD in late gestation for those pregnancies that resulted in nonviable offspring. For good outcome pregnancies, the correlation between BPD-based and delivery-based estimates of gestational age was 0.871 and the mean difference between the two estimates was -0.06 days with 83.3% of BPD-based estimates falling within +/- 5 days of delivery-based estimates.

Gradual occlusion of extrahepatic portosystemic shunts in dogs and cats using the ameroid constrictor.

Gradual occlusion of the splenic vein, using a specialized device (ameroid constrictor), was evaluated experimentally in three normal beagle dogs. Splenoportograms were used to verify that total occlusion of the splenic vein had occurred in all dogs within 4 to 5 weeks after application of the device. The ameroid constrictor (AC) was also evaluated as a method of gradual vascular occlusion in 12 dogs and two cats with single, extrahepatic, portosystemic shunts (PSS). Serum bile acid (SBA) concentrations were measured and portal scintigraphy (PS) was performed on all 14 animals preoperatively and 10, 20, 30, and 60 days postoperatively. Two dogs (14%) died from portal hypertension in the early postoperative period. One dog and one cat developed multiple acquired PSS, confirmed by mesenteric portography 90 days after the operation. Portal scintigraphy confirmed total occlusion of the primary shunt in the other 10 animals. Shunt fractions (SF), as measured by PS on postoperative days 30 and 60, declined significantly from preoperative values. Significant decreases were noted between preoperative and postoperative values for preprandial SBA on postoperative day 60 and for postprandial SBA on postoperative day 30. SBA concentrations did not correlate with SF. Based on this study, gradual vascular occlusion using the AC is recommended as a method for treatment of single, extrahepatic, PSS.

Treatment of blastomycosis with itraconazole in 112 dogs.

One hundred twelve client-owned dogs with blastomycosis were treated with itraconazole, 5 or 10 mg/kg/d. The first group of 70 dogs treated in 1987 and 1988 received 10 mg/kg/d (group 1), and the second group of 42 dogs treated after October 1988 received 5 mg/kg/d (group 2). Even though the groups were treated at different times, the dogs were similar in age and gender distribution, number of sites involved, and percent and severity of pulmonary involvement. The proportion of dogs cured with a 60-day course of itraconazole was similar for both groups (53.6% versus 54.3%) and for a second historical control group treated with amphotericin B (57%); the recurrence rate was also similar, 20%, 21.4%, and 20%, respectively. Dogs treated with itraconazole had similar mortality rates (25.7% at 5 mg/kg/d; 25% at 10 mg/kg/day) to those treated with amphotericin B (23%). Seventeen of the 23 dogs that died (74%), did so during the first week of treatment; these early deaths were usually attributed to respiratory failure. The only site of infection that was significantly associated with failure (death or recurrence) was the brain. There was a marked difference in survival times between dogs without lung disease or with mild lung disease compared with dogs with moderate or severe lung disease. Serum itraconazole concentrations reached steady state by 14 days of treatment. Dogs receiving 5 mg/kg/d of itraconazole (group 2) had mean serum concentrations of 3.55 +/- 2.81 mg/mL (range, 0.67 to 10.8 micrograms/mL), whereas dogs receiving 10 micrograms/kg/d (group 1) had mean concentrations of 13.46 +/- 8.49 micrograms/mL (range, 1.8 to 28 micrograms/mL) (P < or = .001). There was no association between cure and serum itraconazole concentrations. Dogs in group 1 had significantly more adverse effects than dogs in group 2 (P = .046). Anorexia was the most common adverse effect, occurring in 14.9% of dogs in group 1. Only 8% of dogs in group 2 had adverse effects. Serum concentrations of itraconazole were positively correlated with serum alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase activities. Our findings indicate that itraconazole administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg/d is the drug of choice for blastomycosis in dogs.

Esophagitis due to Pythium insidiosum infection in two dogs.

Chronic esophagitis due to Pythium insidiosum infection caused weight loss, dysphagia, and hypersalivation in 2 dogs from rural Tennessee. Although dog 1 presented for evaluation in December 1984 and dog 2 in October 1992, infection likely occurred during the previous summer by drinking fresh pond water containing zoospores. Hematologic testing revealed eosinophilia and hypergammaglobulinemia in one dog. An etiologic diagnosis was not made until postmortem evaluation when hyphae within necrotic and granulomatous cellular infiltrates in the esophageal wall were identified as P insidiosum by immunoperoxidase staining. Failure to culture the organism from the esophageal wall in dog 2 was attributed to refrigeration of the tissues, since refrigeration decreases the survivability of P insidiosum.

Patterns of prenatal survival in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).

Fifty common marmoset pregnancies were monitored using ultrasound. The objective was to ascertain if fetal mortality was related to litter size. Prior to analysis we determined abortion rate and litter size were not influenced by repeated ultrasound. Mortality was unrelated to litter size and occurred fairly late in gestation. All singletons born in this study began gestation as twins. It is hypothesized that marmosets may be able to adjust litter size late in pregnancy in response to proximate environmental factors.

Solitary osteochondroma of the nasal bone in a horse.

A 3-year-old Appaloosa stallion with a 4 cm x 4 cm x 2.5 cm mass protruding from his nasal bone was evaluated. Radiographs revealed an osseous mass, with a radiopaque outer margin and several radiolucent areas within the body of the mass. The mass was surgically removed and evaluated histopathologically. The histopathological diagnosis was osteochondroma. This case represent the first reported occurrence of an osteochondroma arising from intramembraneous bone in the horse.

Evaluation of the calcium channel-blocking agents diltiazem and verapamil for treatment of feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

To determine the efficacy of and clinical response to several pharmacologic agents for treatment of idiopathic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats, 17 symptomatic cats were randomized to treatment with either propranolol, diltiazem, or verapamil. Clinical, laboratory, radiographic, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic data were obtained before treatment and after 3 and 6 months of chronic oral therapy. Too few of the cats receiving propranolol or verapamil survived long enough to obtain long-term data needed to make statistical comparisons between groups. However, all 12 cats ultimately treated with diltiazem became asymptomatic, and no adverse effects from this drug were noted in any of these cats. Treatment with diltiazem was associated with a significant reduction of pulmonary congestion assessed radiographically (P less than 0.01), and improved ventricular filling based on echocardiographic measurements of left atrial size (P less than 0.05), left ventricular internal diastolic dimension (P less than 0.05), and relaxation time index (P less than 0.001). There was also a drug-related improvement in jugular venous oxygen tension (P less than 0.001) and blood lactate concentration (P less than 0.01) suggesting improved peripheral perfusion in the cats receiving diltiazem. The results indicate that diltiazem provides an effective and apparently safe treatment for the management of feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Ultrasonographic findings in dogs and cats with oxalate nephrosis attributed to ethylene glycol intoxication: 15 cases (1984-1988).

Renal ultrasonographic findings in 12 dogs and 3 cats determined to have oxalate nephrosis presumed to be secondary to ethylene glycol intoxication were examined. Ultrasonographic changes varied from mild to marked increases in renal cortical echogenicity. A pattern of greater than normal cortical and medullary echogenicity with persistence of areas of lesser echo intensity at the corticomedullary junction and central medullary regions was observed. This pattern, termed the halo sign, was recognized in 7 dogs and 1 cat concurrent with the development of clinical anuria. Ultrasonographic patterns in these clinical cases were similar to those observed in a previous study of dogs with experimentally induced ethylene glycol nephrosis. Ultrasonographic findings were not considered pathognomonic of ethylene glycol nephrosis. Due to the high death rate reported in the cases surveyed, detection of ultrasonographic changes was considered to warrant a guarded to poor prognosis. Because of the association of the halo sign with anuria, its detection was considered to warrant a grave prognosis.

Use of ultrasonographic and nuclear imaging to diagnose scrotal hernia in a dog.

Ultrasonography and nuclear imaging were used in the diagnosis of scrotal hernia in a dog. Both techniques were useful as aids in the differential diagnosis of scrotal enlargement. Nuclear imaging was useful in ruling out testicular torsion; ultrasonography revealed a normal-appearing testis amid fluid and portions of omentum.

Right ventricular outflow obstruction caused by primary cardiac neoplasia. Clinical features in two dogs.

Obstruction to pulmonary blood flow as a result of neoplasia in the right ventricular outflow tract is described in two dogs. Whereas one dog had exertional syncope and a systolic ejection murmur, the other had signs of congestive failure and hypoxia. In both animals the mass was detected in the right ventricle with two-dimensional echocardiography and confirmed angiographically. Although rare, primary right ventricular neoplasia represents a potentially treatable form of cardiac disease and should be considered as a cause of acquired outflow tract obstruction.

Early renal ultrasonographic findings in dogs with experimentally induced ethylene glycol nephrosis.

Renal ultrasonographic changes were evaluated in 5 dogs administered 10 ml of commercial antifreeze (95% ethylene glycol)/kg of body weight, PO, and in 2 dogs given placebos. Studies were made prior to and after ingestion on an hourly basis over a period of 8 to 10 hours. All dogs were anesthetized immediately after toxin or placebo ingestion for the duration of the study. Renal cortical echogenicity was evaluated in comparison with that of the adjacent liver and spleen. Echogenicity of the renal medulla and definition of the corticomedullary junction were assessed. Within 4 hours after ethylene glycol administration, renal cortical echogenicity of all intoxicated dogs increased from normal to surpass that of liver and approach or equal that of the spleen. Medullary echogenicity in all intoxicated dogs progressively increased over the course of the study, with changes recognized within 5 hours after ethylene glycol administration. An ultrasonographic pattern consisting of nearly equal, marked increase in cortical and medullary echogenicity and relatively hypoechoic corticomedullary junction and central medullary regions was recognized concurrent with the development of anuria in 3 of the 5 intoxicated dogs. Mild, transient increases in cortical and medullary echogenicity were observed in anesthetized control dogs. However, no statistical difference (P less than 0.05) was detected between baseline, peak, and terminal echogenicity values in these dogs. Blood and urine samples were collected hourly from intoxicated dogs to coincide with ultrasonographic studies. Most clinicopathologic values derived from these samples were not statistically different (P less than 0.05) from those reported in a study that used a similar intoxication protocol in nonanesthetized dogs.