Ultrasound Diagnosis of Pylorogastric Intussusception in a Chihuahua Puppy

Abstract

Our report describes the first case of pylorogastric intussusception (PI) diagnosis in a puppy of a small-breed dog, along with its clinical, ultrasonographic, and postmortem findings. Three-month-old, female, 650 g body weight Chihuahua dog with acute history of abdominal pain, vomiting and hypovolemic shock was presented to our clinic. Ultrasound was performed using General Electric Logic 5 Expert equipped with 7,5-10 MHz Convex probe. Ultrasonographically, the stomach was distended and filled with fluids, the pyloric region presented a laminated appearance, while the pylorus and proximal duodenum were displaced into the pyloric antrum and fundus. In addition, multiple concentric echolucent rings were visible. A severe hypoechoic gastric mucosal layer caused by edema was also present. A diagnosis of PI was made and dog was euthanatized because a poor prognosis. Diagnosis was confirmed at the necropsy, clear causes were not found. There are only five previously reported cases of PI in veterinary medicine. In literature, same authors sustain that diagnosis of PI is difficult to confirm without a celiotomy, while we suggest that diagnosis of PI could be confirmed at ultrasonographic examinations. In our dog ultrasonographic procedures confirmed the diagnosis of PI, and celiotomy was not necessary for diagnosis itself. Our case confirm gastric inflammation as possible predisposing etiology for PIs, besides confirmation the ultrasounds examinations as valid diagnostic tools to reach a clinical diagnosis.