Examination Of Dogs Research Articles

Ultrasound of the Right Lateral Intercostal Space

When performing an abdominal ultrasound examination in dogs, a right lateral intercostal approach often is indicated. This approach allows for a complete examination of the abdomen, especially in large deep-chested dogs, dogs with microhepatica, or dogs with a large volume of intestinal gas or peritoneal effusion. The right lateral intercostal approach provides an acoustic window for the evaluation of the right side of the liver, porta hepatis, right limb and body of the pancreas, duodenum, right kidney, right adrenal gland, and hepatic lymph nodes.

Korrelation zwischen zytologischen und histologischen Haut-, Lymphknoten- und Milzbefunden bei 500 Hunden und Katzen

The results of 382 cytological examinations in dogs and 118 in cats were retrospectively compared with the correlating histological results.The histological diagnosis represented the gold standard. The investigation comprised skin, lymph node and spleen samples. The aim was to estimate the diagnostic value and the limits of cytological examinations in relation to the type of the changes. The cases were grouped in six categories: Corresponding diagnoses were formulated in 201 cases. In lymph node samples, they were reached almost twice as frequently than in skin and spleen samples. Round cell neoplasias (mast cell tumours, canine cutaneous histiocytomas and malignant lymphomas) were most often subclassified. Cytological diagnoses lacking subclassification were reached in 98 cases. The lesions were cytologically less precisely characterized than histologically. Provisional cytological diagnosis or differential diagnosis were formulated in 112 cases. Most commonly, the distinction between neoplastic and non-neoplastic character of a lesion was not possible (especially in mesenchymal spindle-cell proliferations). In 53 cases, the cytological diagnosis could not be established. In 22 cases, the relevant lesion was diagnosed only histologically whereas the cytological picture revealed another, usually secondary tissue reaction. Cytologically incorrect diagnoses were formulated in 14 cases.

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPEARANCE OF THE CISTERNA CHYLI

Thoracolumbar spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations in dogs frequently include the region of the cisterna chyli within the field of view. It is important to be aware of the appearance and location of this structure to avoid confusing it for a pathologic periaortic lesion. MRI examinations of the thoracolumbar spine were reviewed in 30 dogs. The cisterna chyli was identified in 26 dogs and was most commonly located caudal to the diaphragmatic crura at the level of L4; afferent and efferent lymphatics were seen in all dogs. Transverse T2-weighted images were the most useful to locate the cisterna chyli. It was isointense to fluid on T2-weighted images and isointense to muscle on T1-weighted images. Mild contrast enhancement was seen in three dogs. The cisterna always wrapped around the aorta, but varied in shape, with the most common being the wide right dorsolateral ellipse. The thoracic duct was also visible in 30 dogs. MRI may have potential for noninvasive evaluation of the abdominal and thoracic lymphatic ducts in dogs.

Fine Tuning the History and Physical Examination: Correlations with Miscellaneous Techniques

It may be unusual to think of a physical examination as a technique, but what better "instruments" do we have than our eyes, our ears, and our hands? Therefore, I will describe several "techniques" that I felt should be included in this journal, but that do not warrant an article of their own. This article will cover some parts of the routine physical examination, correct positioning of cats and consequences of bad positioning, radiographic techniques that will help diagnose heart failure more consistently, examination of dogs with lower airway disease, and examination of cats with aortic thromboembolism (ATE). Several "pearls" that may get lost in the other information is sprinkled throughout the article.

Studies of the Toxicological Potential of Tripeptides (L-Valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline and L-lsoleucyl-L-prolyl-L-proline): IV. Assessment of the Repeated-Dose Toxicological Potential of Synthesized L-Valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline in Male and Female Rats and Dogs

The objective of these repeated-dose, 8-week studies was to assess the toxicological potential of a synthetic tripeptide, L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline (VPP), when administered to Charles River rats and Beagle dogs. Groups of 20 male and 20 female rats were fed powdered diets containing sufficient VPP to afford daily doses of 0, 2, 8, or 16 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day. Groups of five male and five female dogs were administered 0, 2, 8, or 16 mg/kg BW/day in hard gelatin capsules. Antemortem evaluative parameters for both species included grossly observable clinical signs, body weight and food consumption, clinical pathology (hematology, clinical chemistry, urinalysis), and ophthalmological examinations. Dogs also received electrocardiographic examinations. Postmortem evaluations in both species included complete necropsy, determination of major organ weights, and histopathological examination of specimens from approximately 50 organs and tissues. All rats and dogs survived to the scheduled termination of the studies and neither species exhibited evidence of VPP effects on appetite or body weight gain/maintenance. Ophthalmic examinations revealed occasional lens clouding in rats, but this occurred in all groups and was not attributable to VPP. Some clinical pathology parameters in both species were occasionally altered, but there was no evidence that this was dose-related. Electrocardiographic examinations in dogs revealed no VPP-associated changes. Mid- and high-dose male rats (but not females) had slightly reduced mean pituitary and kidney weight parameters, whereas mid- and high-dose females had slightly increased mean uterus:body weight ratios. There were no microscopic correlates for these minor changes. Ten percent to 20% of all female rats (but not males) exhibited corticomedullary mineralization of the kidney and gliosis of the optic nerve, and 10% to 20% of males (but not females) had thymic hemorrhage. Postmortem evaluations of dogs revealed no VPP-related effects on organ weights or either macro- or microscopic appearances of organs. The results of these studies provided no evidence of either local or systemic toxicity. Similarly, there was no evidence of neurotoxicity that might have been detected by the appearance of physical or behavioral changes during gross observations of animals. Although these results do not identify target organs for VPP toxicity, the no-observable-effect level and maximally tolerated dose are both greater than 16 mg/kg/day when administered to male and female rats and dogs for 8 consecutive weeks. Based upon food enhancement levels of VPP currently being evaluated, the resultant margin of safety (160) is substantial.

Doppler ultrasound examination in dogs and cats.

THIS article, the third and final instalment in a series on the role of Doppler ultrasonography in the investigation of diseases in dogs and cats, discusses the applications of Doppler...

Doppler ultrasound examination in dogs and cats

THIS article, the second of a three-part series on the role of Doppler ultrasonography in the investigation of diseases in dogs and cats, discusses the applications of Doppler ultrasound in...

Doppler ultrasound examination in dogs and cats

THIS is the first of three articles about Doppler ultrasound and its role in the investigation of diseases in dogs and cats. For small animal practitioners already familiar with two-dimensional,...

Quantification of Thrombopoietic Activity in Bone Marrow Aspirates of Dogs

The aims of the study were to investigate possible influences of different numbers of counted fields on slides, and different slides on the counting of platelet precursors, and to establish guidelines for bone marrow examination in dogs. The study was based on bone marrow slides of 131 healthy dogs. The slides were prepared by a squash technique. On each slide the number of thrombopoietic cells at different levels of maturation were counted in all fragment-containing fields.The results of a variance component model revealed no influence of different slides, in contrast to a high variance related to different fields. Between 20 and 25 low power fields (100× magnification) had to be examined to achieve an imprecision of 20%. An imprecision of 10% required the counting of 100 fields. The lowest thrombopoietic activity was seen in the bone marrow of dogs aged one to six years. The total number of platelet percursors per field was significantly higher in adult female (10.4±2.67) than in male dogs (7.84±2.04, P=0.0008) as was the number of megakaryocytes. We recommend assessment of thrombopoiesis on the basis of 20–25 fragment-containing low power fields and that age- and sex-related differences should be considered.

T9-T10 Intervertebral Disc Herniation in Three Dogs

SummaryThree middle-aged (6-8 years), intact male Dachshunds were admitted to the University of Tennessee Veterinary Teaching Hospital (UTVTH) with acute onset of back pain and pelvic limb paralysis.Physical examination of dog #1 revealed hyperaesthesia of the thoracolumbar spine. Superficial pain sensation was absent in the pelvic limbs, while deep pain sensation was intact. The cutaneous trunci (panniculus) reflex was absent caudal to the thoraco-lumbar region. Reflexes to the pelvic limbs were exaggerated.A myelogram showed dorsal deviation of the ventral contrast column and attenuation of the ventral and dorsal contrast columns at the T9-T10 disc space. A hemilaminectomy was performed from T9 to T10, and mineralized disc material was retrieved from the vertebral canal at T9-T10. The T9- T10 to L3-L4 disc spaces were fenestrated. Two weeks after surgery, superficial and deep pain sensation of the rearlimbs were present, but paralysis persisted. The animal was euthanatised at the owners’ request. A postmortem examination was not performed.Dog #2 displayed absent superficial pain sensation, and intact deep pain sensation of the pelvic limbs. Hyperaesthesia of the thoracolumbar region and hyperreflexia of the rear limbs were noted. Examination of the cutaneous trunci reflex was not performed. A myelogram revealed ventral extradural compression of the spinal cord at T9- T10. A T9-T10 hemilaminectomy revealed a large amount of extruded disc material, which was removed. The Tll- T12 to L4-L5 intervertebral discs were fenestrated. Forty-eight hours postoperatively, the patient regained voluntary motor function, and recovery was uneventful.Neurologic examination of dog #3 revealed absence of deep pain sensation in the pelvic limbs; duration of which was not known. Spinal radiographs and myelography revealed ventral extradural spinal cord compression at T9-T10 (Fig.). A right-sided hemilaminectomy at T9-T10 revealed a large amount of calcified disc material, ventral to the spinal cord. The T11-T12 through Ll- L2 intervertebral discs were fenestrated. Sixty days postoperatively, paralysis persisted and the dog was euthanatised. No postmortem examination was performed.Herniation of the T9-T10 intervertebral disc was diagnosed in three Dachshunds with acute paraplegia. The clinical diagnosis and surgical management of T9-T10 disc herniation are similar to that in the more common sites of disc herniation.

Early Diagnosis of Hip Dysplasia – A Stress-Radiographic Study

SummaryPresently, the diagnosis of hip dysplasia is based on a single pelvic radiographic examination of the dog at the age of 12 to 24 months. However, by this method, only a static appearance of the coxofemoral joint is evaluated. The purpose of our study was to diagnose hip dysplasia in young dogs and consequently, we included a radiographic evaluation of the dynamic appearance of the coxofemoral joint.A stress-radiographic examination was applied to 23 German Shepherd Dogs at the age of six and 12 months to obtain maximal reduction and maximal dislocation of the coxofemoral joint. Finally, at the age of 12 months, the hips were examined radiographically using the conventional criteria for hip dysplasia.At the age of six months, dogs with hip dysplasia showed significantly greater joint laxity and lateral dislocation of the femoral head than normal dogs. However, some predysplastic dogs, with lateral dislocation of the femoral head, developed normal hips and would be approved for breeding. Based on these findings, we conclude that stress-radiographic examinations of young dogs provide important, hitherto unrecognized, information of relevance in the future screening programmes to reduce the incidence of hip dysplasia.A stress-radiographic examination of young dogs provides important, hitherto unrecognized, information of relevance in the future screening programmes to reduce the incidence of hip dysplasia.

Use of a Fixed-Type Fundus Camera in Ophthalmoscopic Examination in Dogs

Use of a Fixed-Type Fundus Camera in Ophthalmoscopic Examination in Dogs

Canine intervertebral disc disease: Changes in the cerebrospinal fluid

ABSTRACTData was obtained from 118 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from dogs with intervertebral disc disease. The effect of lesion location and the severity and duration of clinical signs was studied. Ninety‐seven samples were obtained from the cerebellomedullary cistern and 21 from the lumbar cistern. Changes in CSF were identified in 84.7 per cent of the lumbar samples, compared with only 37.1 per cent of the cerebellomedullary samples. More pronounced pleocytosis and protein level increases were seen in dogs with acute and clinically severe lesions. The protein concentration was more commonly elevated than the total white blood cell count. These results indicate that marked protein and white blood cell count elevations can occur in association with intervertebral disc extrusion. Such findings, therefore, should not necessarily preclude myelographic examination in dogs presented for paralysis.

Duodenogastric reflux in the dog, a clinicopathological study

In an experimental group of dogs which included seven clinically healthy dogs and 34 dogs with symptoms of (upper) gastrointestinal disease, nine dogs had endoscopic signs of duodenogastric reflux and 13 dogs had a positive duodenogastric reflux test. Endoscopic examination and the reflux test were in agreement in seven dogs (dogs with duodenogastric reflux) but not in eight dogs (dogs with potential duodenogastric reflux). Examination of dogs with duodenogastric reflux showed bile stained gastric material; thick red rugal folds; petechia in the antral mucosa in three dogs; five dogs with histological signs of gastritis; four dogs with signs of enteritis; four with gastric acid hyposecretion and four with a delayed gastric emptying. Two dogs with potential duodenogastric reflux had endoscopic reflux gastritis; three dogs had histological gastritis and seven enteritis. The present study indicates that excessive duodenogastric reflux is likely to play a role in the pathogenesis of canine gastritis.

Early recovery of regional performance in salvaged ischemic myocardium following coronary artery occlusion in the dog.

Although numerous agents have been shown experimentally to protect ischemic myocardium, a critical unanswered question is whether function is preserved in the salvaged tissue. Accordingly, 38 openchest dogs had measurements of percent segment length shortening (%SS) and velocity of segment length shortening either in midmyocardial or subepicardial and subendocardial ischemic segments before and after 60 min of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion during 5 h of reperfusion; 10 additional dogs were subjected to 3 h of coronary occlusion followed by 72 h of reperfusion. 15 min after coronary artery occlusion, radiolabeled microspheres were injected into the left atrium for measurement of regional myocardial blood flow, and dogs were treated with 1 mg/kg i.v. (n = 23) of an anti-inflammatory drug, flurbiprofen or an equal volume of saline (n = 25). The ischemic myocardium-at-risk for necrosis was determined by injecting methylene blue dye into the left atrium with the coronary artery reoccluded at the end of the reperfusion period, slicing the left ventricle into thin transverse sections, and measuring the areas of each slice that were not perfused (pink unstained tissue) by methylene blue. The quantity of necrotic tissue in each transverse section was measured by planimetry after incubation of the slices in triphenyltetrazolium chloride, and by direct histological examination in dogs with 72 h of reperfusion. Regional myocardial blood flow of the ischemic segments between the ultrasonic dimension crystals was similar in treated (0.34+/-0.03 ml/min per g) and control dogs (0.35+/-0.03 ml/min per g). In saline-treated control dogs subjected to a l-h coronary occlusion, 17.9+/-1.8% of the myocardium-at-risk became necrotic but in flurbiprofen-treated dogs none of the tissue became necrotic. In saline-treated dogs passive lengthening of the previously ischemic segments persisted through 5 h of reperfusion in all three regions of myocardium after a 1-h coronary occlusion. In flurbiprofen-treated dogs regional function returned to normal within 5 min of reperfusion in both the subendocardium (%SS preocclusion = 17.2+/-2.0%; 5 min reperfusion = 17.8+/-3.1%; P = NS) and in the midmyocardium (%SS preocclusion = 17.8+/-2.2%; 5 min reperfusion = 17.9+/-2.3%; P = NS) and was not significantly different after 5 h of reperfusion from what it was before coronary occlusion. In the subepicardium of treated dogs regional function began to improve within 15 min of drug administration even during coronary occlusion. Regional function was not different from preocclusion values after either 5 min or 5 h of reperfusion (%SS preocclusion = 21.0+/-2.4%; 5 min reperfusion = 20.6+/-3.8%; P = NS). In dogs subjected to 3 h of coronary occlusion and 72 h of reperfusion, the administration of flurbiprofen was also associated with significantly smaller infarcts and a significantly more rapid rate of functional recovery than in control dogs.Thus, it appears that flurbiprofen not only decreased the quantity of necrosis in tissue made ischemic after coronary occlusion and then reperfused, but also allowed more rapid recovery of segmental function in ischemic but nonnecrotic tissue and in tissue with patchy necrosis; such recovery did not occur in equally ischemic myocardium in untreated control dogs. Earlier functional recovery of reversibly injured tissue following prolonged periods of ischemia is an additional important role for agents that protect ischemic myocardium from necrosis.

The possibility of prolonged survival of animals with an autotransplanted lung after removal of the intact contralateral lung

We conducted a functional and morphologic examination of dogs that survived after pulmonary autotransplantation and removal of the contralateral lung. Left lung autotransplantation was performed in 260 dogs, and 3 animals were subjected to excision of the contralateral intact lung in the late postoperative period. In the late follow-up period, the respiratory function of the autograft became normal, but the compensatory reserves were somewhat reduced. The animals easily tolerated the exclusion of the intact lung from respiration for 10 minutes, with no signs of respiratory insufficiency. In the early period after removal of the intact lung, hyperventilation and gas exchange disorders developed in the autograft, resulting in arterial hypoxemia and metabolic acidosis. The changes disappeared by the fifteenth postoperative day. The general state of the animals improved, as well. In both the early and late postoperative periods (maximum follow-up 3¼ years), the autotransplanted left lung supported a normal level of ventilation and gas exchange. The efficiency of gas exchange was evidenced by the normal parameters of arterial and venous oxygen saturation and acid-base balance. Histologic examination demonstrated a compensatory hypertrophy in the autograft that was a reaction to the removal of the right (intact) lung. The autograft ensured normal vital functions of the body after the removal of the intact lung, demonstrating satisfactory indices of external respiration, blood gases, and acid-base balance. Its performance served as a convincing proof of the restoration of the function and structure of the organ.

General Examination of Dogs

General Examination of Dogs

Studies on canine distemper infection by means of fluorescein-labeled antibody: II. The pathology and diagnosis of the naturally occurring disease in dogs and the antigenic nature of the inclusion body

In examinations of dogs with natural canine distemper infection, specific viral antigen was found in the visceral and cutaneous tissues as well as in the brain, depending on the stage of the infection. Localization of viral antigen in cutaneous tissues and visceral organs is similar to that seen in experimentally infected ferrets. In the brain of the dogs, however, viral antigen in the form of fluorescent granules or oval masses was found in the cell bodies of the neurons and in their dendrites and axons; also in ependymal cells and astrocytes. Viral antigen was seen in the walls of blood vessels of the brain in dogs with or without central nervous system lesions. The fuchsinophilic distemper inclusions in urinary bladder mucosa cells stained by the Seller's method are found to be antigenic. However, the acidophilic inclusions seen after Shorr's Triple (S-3) stain may be but usually are not antigenic. For the rapid diagnosis of acute canine distemper infection in dogs, fluorescent antibody staining of cells in conjunctival smears is found to be simple and practical. A similar method can be applied to imprint smears of various organs in autopsied dogs for specific post-mortem diagnosis.

THE TREATMENT OF PHOSGENE POISONING WITH TRACHEOTOMY AND SUCTION

A series of dogs poisoned by exposure to phosgene gas were treated by tracheotomy and suction applied by insertion of a catheter deep into the trachea. By this method of treatment, animals were brought out of a moribund condition and the survival time was definitely increased. The survival rate, however, was essentially the same as that of the control animals. Although digitalis augments the heart beat, clears up irregularities, and keeps the heart beating for a time after respiration has failed, it may be detrimental by increasing the effusion of the fluid into the lung rather than decreasing it. The higher the pregassing concentration of haemoglobin the smaller the amount of fluid that effused into the lungs and the greater was the chance of survival. In practically all animals the point at which haemoconcentration reached a maximum was between 22 and 23 gm. of haemoglobin per 100 mils of blood. On post-mortem examination of dogs dying from phosgene poisoning the stomach was found to be markedly distended with gas and the vessels congested. This adds to the embarrassment of respiration and circulation. The big problem in the treatment of phosgene poisoning is still the finding of some substance or means of limiting or preventing the effusion of fluid into the airways of the lung.

Iodinated Organic Compounds As Contrast Media for Radiographic Diagnoses

In the course of the experimental work leading to the development of pantopaque (ethyl iodophenylundecylate), it was observed that stable aqueous emulsions could be obtained easily with the medium (1, 2). Study of these emulsions has shown that they have the property of coating and adhering to mucosa and that they seem well adapted to the visualization of certain body cavities. In experimental examinations in dogs and other laboratory animals the most promising results have been obtained in bronchography, although satisfactory delineation may be produced in a number of other types of examination.2 Stable emulsions of ethyl iodophenylundecylate are formed when a 50 per cent mixture by volume with water containing up to 1 per cent of a surface active agent is passed numerous times through a colloid mill or other type of homogenizer. The surface active agents studied included bile salts, various neutral soaps, and a number of synthetics. Of these, oleyl methyl taurine (Igepon T gel) was found to be the most satisfactory when dissolved in the water phase at a concentration of 0.6 per cent. On standing, the emulsion prepared with Igepon T as a surface active agent separates into a lower milky phase, containing about 70 per cent of ethyl iodophenylundecylate, and a clear upper aqueous phase. The two phases are readily redispersed on shaking, and the resulting emulsion does not settle out for some hours. The two phases are easily separated by aspiration, or the emulsion may be diluted with isotonic saline. The size of the oil droplets in the emulsion varies somewhat with the mode of preparation, but usually they are of the order of 1.5–3.5 microns. Both the 50 and the 70 per cent emulsions may be readily injected through needles and catheters of small bore. As reported previously (2), ethyl iodophenylundecylate has a measurable toxicity in rats and mice which is consistent with the absorbability of the medium. The process of emulsification leads to an enormous increase in surface, and this in turn affects the values of the toxicity constants. The increase in surface does not alter significantly the ld 50 in mice as obtained by intraperitoneal injection, but does influence markedly the value found in rats. The intraperitoneal ld 50 of ethyl iodophenylundecylate has been reported to be 19 grams/kg. for 24-hour kill, while that of the emulsion has been found to be of the order of 2 grams/kg. It appears, on the basis of comparative work with other species, that the rat is particularly sensitive to ethyl iodophenylundecylate. Both ethyl iodophenylundecylate and its emulsion produce the same kind of pathological changes in the liver and kidneys of rats and mice when administered at or near the lethal level. Experimental Studies Bronchography: The spreading and coating properties of the emulsion were studied by making bronchograms in dogs. Other laboratory animals were briefly examined as experimental subjects but were found to be unsatisfactory.