Experimental studies on lymphography in dogs: clinical and hematological findings following lymphography of pelvic limbs.

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to obtain information on clinical and hematological influences of lymphography with Lipiodol Ultra-Fluide (LUF) in dogs. Experiments were carried out with 24 healthy adult dogs. They were divided into four groups: (1) intralymphatic injection of 0.4 ml/kg of Ringer's solution; (2) intralymphatic injection of 0.4ml/kg of LUF; (3) intravenous injection of 0.4 ml/kg of LUF; (4) intravenous injection of 1.2ml/kg of LUF. In group 1, no clinical or hematological changes were observed after the injection. In group 2, delayed wound healing, coughing, and a rise in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate were observed. In two dogs, arborizing vascular patterns appeared on their chest roentgenograms. In group 3, coughing was observed after the injection. Fine granular densities due to the droplets of the contrast medium appeared on their chest roentgenograms. There were no hematological changes. In group 4, such severe clinical signs as subnormal body temperature, decreased blood pH, and increased in plasma glucose were observed after the injection. The number of leukocytes also changed showing as a stress pattern. Two dogs died in 8 hr, and an obvious decrease in plasma calcium was observed in another dog. It is concluded that lymphography in dogs by intralymphatic injection of 0.4 ml/kg of LUF is not so hazardous, but as complications may sometimes occur, it should not be carried out without full knowledge of the procedure.