Remoção endoscópica de corpo estranho ventricular em gallus gallus domesticus da raça brahma: relato de caso / Endoscopic removal of a ventricular foreign body in a brahma gallus domesticus: case report / Extracción endoscópica de un cuerpo extraño ventricular en un brahma gallus domesticus: informe de un caso

Relatos de ingestão de corpos estranhos dos mais diferentes materiais são comuns em aves, especialmente nas mais jovens. Os corpos estranhos podem causar intoxicação (dependendo da composição do material) ou mesmo perfuração do canal alimentar ou obstrução gastrintestinal. Quando há suspeita de ingestão de corpos estranhos, exames de imagem como a radiologia, ultrassonografia e endoscopia são ferramentas valiosas para o diagnóstico. Objetivou-se relatar um caso de uma ave da espécie Gallus gallus domesticus, raça Brahma, sete meses de idade, macho, pesando 4,3 Kg com quadro de sensibilidade na cavidade corporal e histórico de regurgitação, hiporexia e prostração há cinco dias. As radiografias simples indicaram a presença de corpo estranho radiopaco (parafuso) alojado na região do ventrículo (moela). Após tratamento clínico com lavagens gástricas por cinco dias sem êxito, optou-se por realizar uma endoscopia digestiva alta sob anestesia geral com quetamina e isoflurano. O corpo estranho foi satisfatoriamente removido com pinça de alça de polipectomia e a ave apresentou rápida melhora clínica sem complicações. A endoscopia mostrou-se um procedimento pouco invasivo e eficaz para a resolução do presente caso. Os clínicos veterinários de aves devem considerar a possibilidade de usar a endoscopia como ferramenta para diagnóstico e resolução de corpos estranhos no canal alimentar das aves.(AU)

Reports of ingestion of foreign bodies from most different materials are common in birds, especially younger ones. Foreign bodies can cause intoxication (depending on the composition of the material) or even perforation of the alimentary canal and gastrointestinal obstruction. When foreign body ingestion is suspected, imaging tests such as radiology, ultrasound, and endoscopy are valuable diagnostic tools. The objective of this paper was to report a case of an avian of the species Gallus gallus domesticus, Brahma breed, seven months old, male, weighing 4.3 kg, with sensitivity in the body cavity, and a history of regurgitation, hyporexia, and prostration for five days. Plain radiographs indicated the presence of a radiopaque foreign body (screw) lodged in the ventricle region (gizzard). After clinical treatment with gastric lavages for five days without success, it was decided to perform an upper digestive endoscopy under general anesthesia with ketamine and isoflurane. The foreign body was satisfactorily removed with polypectomy loop forceps, and the bird showed rapid clinical improvement without complications. Endoscopy proved to be a minimally invasive and effective procedure for resolving the present case. Avian veterinary practitioners may consider using endoscopy to diagnose and resolve foreign bodies in the alimentary canal of birds.(AU)

Los informes de ingestión de cuerpos extraños de los más diferentes materiales son comunes en las aves, especialmente en las más jóvenes. Los cuerpos extraños pueden causar intoxicación (dependiendo de la composición del material) o incluso perforación del tubo digestivo u obstrucción gastrointestinal. Cuando se sospecha la ingestión de un cuerpo extraño, las pruebas de imagen como la radiología, la ecografía y la endoscopia son valiosas herramientas diagnósticas. El objetivo fue reportar un caso de un ave de la especie Gallus gallus domesticus, raza Brahma, de siete meses de edad, macho, con un peso de 4,3 kg, con sensibilidad en la cavidad corporal y antecedentes de regurgitación, hiporexia y postración de cinco días de evolución. Las radiografías simples indicaron la presencia de un cuerpo extraño radiopaco (tornillo) alojado en la región del ventrículo (molleja). Tras tratamiento clínico con lavados gástricos durante cinco días sin éxito, se decide realizar endoscopia digestiva alta bajo anestesia general con ketamina e isoflurano. El cuerpo extraño se extrajo satisfactoriamente con pinzas de asa de polipectomía y el ave mostró una rápida mejoría clínica sin complicaciones. La endoscopia demostró ser un procedimiento mínimamente invasivo y efectivo para la resolución del presente caso. Los veterinarios aviares deberían considerar la posibilidad de utilizar la endoscopia como herramienta para el diagnóstico y resolución de cuerpos extraños en el tubo digestivo de las aves.(AU)

Retention and loss of PIT tags and surgically implanted devices in the Eurasian beaver.

BACKGROUND: Passive integrated transponder devices (PIT tags) are a valuable tool for individual identification of animals. Similarly, the surgical implantation of transmitters and bio-loggers can provide useful data on animal location, physiology and behavior. However, to avoid unnecessary recapture and related stress of study animals, PIT tags and bio-loggers should function reliably for long periods of time. Here, we evaluated the retention of PIT tags, and of very high frequency (VHF) transmitters and bio-loggers that were either implanted subcutaneously or into the peritoneal cavity of Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber). RESULTS: Over a 21-year period, we implanted PIT tags in 456 individuals and failed to detect a PIT tag at recapture in 30 cases, consisting of 26 individuals (6% of individuals). In all instances, we were still able to identify the individual due to the presence of unique ear tag numbers and tail scars. Moreover, we implanted 6 VHFs, 36 body temperature loggers and 21 heart rate loggers in 28 individuals, and experienced frequent loss of temperature loggers (at least 6 of 23 recaptured beavers) and heart rate loggers (10 of 18 recaptured beavers). No VHFs were lost in 2 recaptured beavers. CONCLUSIONS: Possible causes for PIT tag loss (or non-detection) were incorrect implantation, migration of the tag within the body, a foreign body reaction leading to ejection, or malfunctioning of the tag. We speculate that logger loss was related to a foreign body reaction, and that loggers were either rejected through the incision wound or, in the case of temperature loggers, possibly adhered and encapsulated to intestines, and then engulfed by the gastro-intestinal tract and ejected. We discuss animal welfare implications and give recommendations for future studies implanting bio-loggers into wildlife.

Foreign body reaction to ruptured follicular cysts in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous cysts are common in dogs, and surgical resection is the recommended treatment. However, additional therapy may be required for ruptured follicular cysts with severe cutaneous complications. CASE PRESENTATION: A 3-year-old neutered male Samoyed was presented with multifocal masses on the forelimbs. A 5-year-old neutered female Maltese was also presented with multiple masses and ruptured lesions, which were ulcerative and painful, around the parotid and submandibular glands. The lesions were examined cytologically. In addition, bacterial and fungal cultures and histopathologic examination were performed. Cutaneous multifocal nodules in the Samoyed could not be diagnosed via cytological examination or bacterial/fungal culture. Histopathology revealed numerous follicular cysts with multiple pyogranulomas of various sizes, some of which contained central keratin debris. In the Maltese, cytologic examination revealed central keratins or enucleated ghost cells in the intact cysts and few keratinized squamous cells mixed with neutrophils, mucus and metachromatic cells in the ruptured cysts. Histopathologic examination revealed severely dilated follicular cysts. Oral steroid and cyclosporine therapy resulted in marked improvement in the aseptic pyogranulomas after 2 weeks in formal case and combined with a surgery for residual cysts in latter case. CONCLUSIONS: We have reported two canine cases of ruptured follicular cysts causing foreign body-like aseptic pyogranulomas around cutaneous tissues and their successful management with pharmacological therapy and surgery.

Cyclophosphamide modulated the foreign body inflammatory reaction in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

In order to understand events and mechanisms present in the pathophysiology of tilapia's chronic inflammation and based on the immunomodulatory activity attributed to cyclophosphamide which is widely used to suppress immune responses in human medicine, the present study investigated the effects of cyclophosphamide (CYP) treatment on the modulation of foreign body inflammatory reaction in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with round glass coverslip implanted in the subcutaneous tissue (9 mm of diameter). Forty tilapia (151 ± 10,2 g) were randomly distributed in 5 aquariums (n = 8) with a capacity of 250 L of water each, to compose two treatments (sampled 3 and 6 days post-implantation): implanted/untreated (control) and implanted/treated with 200 mg of CYP kg-1 of b.w., through i.p. route. A fifth group (n = 8) was sampled without any stimulus (naive) to obtain reference values. CYP-treated tilapia showed decrease in macrophage accumulation, giant cell formation and Langhans cells on the glass coverslip when compared to control fish. The treatment with CYP resulted in decrease of leukocyte and thrombocyte counts. Decrease in alpha-2-macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin, albumin and transferrin levels, as well as increase in haptoglobin, complement C3 and apolipoprotein A1 were observed in tilapias during foreign body inflammation. Blood levels of complement C3, alpha-2-macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin and transferrin were modulated by treatment with CYP. Therefore, the treatment with 200 mg of CYP kg-1 of b.w. in tilapia resulted in an anti-inflammatory effect by suppressing the dynamics between leukocytes in the bloodstream and macrophage accumulation with giant cell formation in the inflamed focus, as well as by modulating APPs during foreign body reaction.

Clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic, and anatomopathological aspects of 30 cases of traumatic reticulosplenitis in cattle / Aspectos clínicos, laboratoriais, ultrassonográficos e anatomopatológicos de 30 casos de reticulo-esplenite traumática em bovinos

Ingestion of metallic and/or sharp foreign bodies triggers cases of traumatic reticuloperitonitis and its sequelae in cattle. Among these sequelae, we can highlight traumatic reticulosplenitis, that has high mortality, although its frequency in the ruminant medicine is low. Therefore, based on the scarcity of information on this disease, the current study aimed to evaluate the clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic, and pathological findings of 30 adult cattle diagnosed with traumatic reticulosplenitis. Clinical, ultrasound, and anatomopathological findings were analyzed using descriptive statistics and laboratory data were evaluated using measures of central tendency. Clinically the animals presented dehydration and alterations in behavior, appetite, and ruminal motility. Hematological findings revealed neutrophilic leukocytosis (37077.17±25004.59cell/µL) with regenerative left shift and hyperfibrinogenemia (1130±364.98mg/dL). The ultrasound examination enabled visualization of mobile and echogenic filaments that corresponded to the presence of fibrin adhesions. Displacement of the reticulum and irregularity in its contour, as well as alterations in the quantity, pattern, and amplitude of reticular contractions were also observed. Splenic alterations such as abscesses were found, characterized as circular structures of varying sizes delimited by capsules containing variable echogenicity. Splenic vein thrombosis and spleen folding were also observed. The results obtained in the current study indicated that traumatic reticulosplenitis causes nonspecific clinical signs, severe laboratory alterations and, mainly, that ultrasound is an efficient method for the diagnosis of this disease, since the anatomopathological lesions confirmed the ultrasound findings.(AU)

A ingestão de corpos estranho de origem metálica e/ou pontiagudos desencadeia em bovinos, quadros de Reticuloperitonite Traumática e suas sequelas. Dentre as quais podemos destacar a retículo esplenite traumática cuja letalidade é elevada, embora a mesma apresente uma baixa frequência na clínica de ruminantes. Portanto, baseado na escassez de informações sobre esta enfermidade, este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar os achados clínicos, laboratoriais, ultrassonográficos e anatomopatológicos de 30 bovinos adultos diagnosticados com retículo esplenite traumática. Os achados clínicos, ultrassonográfico e anatomopatológico foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva, e os dados laboratoriais foram avaliados utilizando-se as medidas de tendência central. Clinicamente os animais apresentaram desidratação e alterações no comportamento, apetite e na motilidade ruminal. Os achados hematológicos revelaram leucocitose (37077.17±25004.59cell/µL) por neutrofilia com desvio à esquerda regenerativo e hiperfibrinogenemia (1130±364.98mg/dL). O exame ultrassonográfico possibilitou a visualização de filamentos móveis e ecogênicos que corresponderam à presença de aderências fibrinosas, observou-se também, deslocamento do retículo e irregularidade no seu contorno além das alterações na quantidade, padrão e amplitude das contrações reticulares. Permitiu ainda, a constatação de alterações esplênicas como abscessos que foram caracterizados como estruturas circulares de variados tamanhos delimitada por capsula contendo no seu interior conteúdo de ecogenicidade variável. Trombose da veia esplênica e dobramento do baço. Os resultados obtidos nesse trabalho, indicaram que a retículo esplenite traumática causa sinais clínicos inespecíficos, severas alterações laboratoriais e principalmente que a ultrassonografia é um método eficiente para o diagnóstico dessa enfermidade uma vez que as lesões anatomopatológicas confirmaram os achados ultrassonográficos.(AU)

Polypropylene meshes coated with chitosan/polyethylene glycol for the reconstruction of the abdominal wall: an experimental study in rats / Telas de polipropileno revestidas com o filme de quitosana/polietilenoglicol para a reconstrução da parede abdominal: estudo experimental em ratos

The aim of this study was to characterize the tissue reactions triggered by the polypropylene mesh coated with chitosan and polyethylene glycol film, and if it's able to prevent the formation of peritoneal adhesions. Defects in the abdominal wall of rats were induced and polypropylene meshes coated with chitosan/polyethylene glycol (CPEG group, n= 12) and uncoated (PP control group, n= 12) were implanted. On the fourth and forty-fifth postoperative day the formation of adhesion and the tissue reaction to the biomaterial was evaluated through histological and histochemical analysis. The area (P= 0.01) and severity (P= 0.002) of the adhesion was significatively less in the CPEG group. On the fourth day the foreign body reaction was less intense in CPEG group (P= 0.018) and the production of collagen fibers was more intense in this group (P= 0.041). The tissue reactions caused by the biomaterials were similar on the 45th day, with the exception of the high organization of collagen fibers in the CPEG group. The CPEG meshes did not fully prevent the formation of adhesions, but minimized the severity of the process. The foreign body reaction promoted by polypropylene meshes coated with CPEG is less intense than that triggered by uncoated polypropylene meshes.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar as reações tissulares desencadeadas pela tela de polipropileno revestida com o filme de quitosana e polietilenoglicol e verificar se ela é capaz de prevenir a formação de aderências peritoneais. Um defeito na parede abdominal dos ratos foi realizado, e as telas de polipropileno revestidas com quitosana/polietilenoglicol (grupo CPEG, n= 12) e sem revestimento (grupo controle PP, n= 12) foram implantadas. No quarto e no 45º dia pós-operatório, avaliou-se a formação de aderências e a reação tecidual ao biomaterial por análise histológica e histoquímica. A área (P= 0,01) e a severidade (P= 0,002) da aderência peritoneal foram significativamente menores no grupo CPEG no 45º dia. No quarto dia, observou-se que a reação do corpo estranho foi menor no grupo CPEG (P= 0,018), e a produção de fibras de colágeno mais intensa (P= 0,041). As reações tissulares causadas pelos biomateriais implantados foram semelhantes no 45º dia, com exceção da melhor organização das fibras colágenas no grupo CPEG. As telas CPEG não impediram completamente a formação de aderências, porém minimizaram a gravidade do processo. A reação de corpo estranho promovida por telas de polipropileno revestidas com CPEG é menos intensa do que a desencadeada por telas de polipropileno não revestidas.(AU)

Disposable skin staplers for closure of linear gastrointestinal incisions in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical features and outcomes of linear gastrointestinal incisions closed with skin staples in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Historical cohort study. ANIMALS: 333 client-owned dogs. METHODS: Medical records from 1 private referral hospital were searched for dogs that underwent gastrointestinal surgery between November 1999 and October 2015. Cases were included if skin staplers were used to close linear gastrointestinal incisions. Information regarding preoperative, surgical, and postoperative factors was collected. RESULTS: Complications were diagnosed in 8 of 245 (3.27%) dogs, including 3 of 245 (1.22%) dogs that died or were euthanized, 3 of 245 (1.22%) dogs with incisional dehiscence, and 2 of 245 (0.81%) dogs with attachment of a linear foreign body to the staples at the intestinal lumen. Dehiscence was noted at the enterotomy sites in 3 dogs at a mean time of 44 hours after surgery (SD ± 6.93). Two dogs presented with another linear foreign body that was attached to the staples in the intestinal lumen at postoperative days 24 and 42. The risk factors associated with incisional dehiscence included multiple gastrointestinal incisions performed in 1 surgery (χ2 , P < .001) and the presence of a linear foreign body (χ2 , P = .02253). No associations were detected between dogs' age, sex, weight, surgery time, indication for surgical intervention, surgery location in the gastrointestinal tract, or surgeon experience and incisional dehiscence. CONCLUSION: Skin staplers provide safe and effective closure of gastrotomies, enterotomies, and colonotomies in dogs. This method is reliable, efficient, and affordable in the hands of veterinary surgeons with varying skill levels.

Use of cryopoor plasma for albumin replacement and continuous antimicrobial infusion for treatment of septic peritonitis in a dog.

OBJECTIVE: To report the successful management of a dog with septic peritonitis and septic shock secondary to enterectomy dehiscence using novel techniques for identification of intestinal dehiscence and for septic shock treatment. CASE SUMMARY: A 5-year-old castrated male Bernese Mountain Dog presented for lethargy 6 days following enterotomy for foreign body obstruction. Septic peritonitis was identified due to dehiscence of the enterotomy site, and resection and anastomosis were performed using a gastrointestinal anastomosis and thoracoabdominal stapling device. Postoperatively the patient experienced severe hypotension, which responded to norepinephrine constant rate infusion (CRI) after failing to improve with fluid therapy or dopamine CRI. Further treatment included antimicrobial CRI and supportive care including careful fluid therapy. Due to low effective circulating volume paired with intersititial fluid overload and large volume abdominal effusion, fluid therapy consisted of a combination of human serum albumin, canine albumin, synthetic colloids, and isotonic crystalloids. Cryopoor plasma (CPP) was used as a source of canine albumin and intravascular volume. On Day 4, food dye was given through a nasogastric tube due to suspicion of dehiscence of the anastomosis site. Dehiscence was confirmed during abdominal exploratory, and a second resection and anastomosis was performed. Abdominal partial closure with vacuum-assisted closure device was performed. Supportive care was continued with CPP CRI and imipenem CRI. Planned relaparotomy to change the vacuum-assisted closure device was performed 48 hours later, with abdominal closure 96 hours after anastomosis. The patient was discharged on Day 15. Recheck 12 months later was normal. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: This case includes novel techniques such food dye via nasogastric tube to identify anastomosis dehiscence, use of CPP as a source of canine albumin, and antimicrobial CRI in a dog with septic peritonitis.

Rhabdomyosarcoma associated with the lead wire of a pacemaker generator implant.

An 11-year-old female spayed Labrador Retriever was presented for a draining, painful subcutaneous mass palpated over a previously implanted pacemaker generator. Infection was suspected and the mass was removed surgically. On cut surface, the mass was friable and mottled tan to brown with firm pale tan nodules, surrounding the pacemaker lead wire adjacent to the pacemaker generator. Cytologic interpretation of impression smears was consistent with a sarcoma, and suggestive of a rhabdomyosarcoma due to the presence of strap-like cells. On histopathologic examination, a highly invasive nodular mass surrounded the pacemaker lead, composed of pleomorphic round, spindle and strap cells, and multinucleated giant cells. The population exhibited microscopic invasion into the deep portion of the fibrous capsule surrounding the pacemaker generator. There were tumor emboli within small to medium subcutaneous veins adjacent to the mass. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells stained positive for α-sarcomeric actin and vimentin, and negative for α-smooth muscle actin, consistent with a rhabdomyosarcoma arising at the site of the pacemaker generator. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a rhabdomyosarcoma associated with the lead wire of a pacemaker generator in a dog.

Foreign body reaction to a retained surgical sponge (gossypiboma) mimicking an implant associated sarcoma in a dog after a tibial plateau levelling osteotomy.

A dog was presented with the complaint of an acute onset left pelvic limb lameness three years after a right tibial plateau levelling osteotomy had been performed. Radiographs taken at the time of presentation showed signs that were consistent with a diagnosis of an implant associated sarcoma. At revision surgery, a retained surgical sponge was identified, leading to a diagnosis of a gossypiboma. This is the first reported case of a gossypiboma as a complication of a tibial plateau levelling osteotomy surgery.

Mouse barley awn (Hordeum murinum) migration induced cystolithiasis in 2 male dogs.

Two male dogs were presented with cystic uroliths composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite). Each had an atypical nidus, a mouse barley awn (Hordeum murinum). To our knowledge, this is the first report of grass awns located in the bladder lumen of dogs. The composition of uroliths and the pathophysiology of grass awn migration to the urinary bladder are discussed.

Inflammatory response to therapeutic gold bead implantation in canine hip joint osteoarthritis.

Inflammatory changes associated with periarticular pure gold bead implants were studied in dogs involved in a clinical trial investigating motor dysfunction and chronic pain owing to hip joint dysplasia and osteoarthritis. Gold beads were percutaneously implanted via a needle into different locations surrounding the greater trochanter of the femur. Nine dogs with implants were necropsied. In all examined animals, characteristic histologic lesions were observed in the tissue surrounding the gold implants--namely, a fibrous capsule composed of concentric fibroblasts intermixed with a variable number of inflammatory cells and a paucicellular innermost layer of collagen with a few fibrocyte-like cells in empty lacunae. Lymphocytes dominated the inflammatory infiltrate, with rarely observed macrophages present in close proximity to the implant site. No giant cells were observed. Immunohistochemistry showed mixed populations of lymphocytes, both CD3 positive (T cells) and CD79a positive (B cells), which in some cases formed lymphoid follicles. Diffuse inflammatory changes were present to a minor extent in the perimysium and surrounding fascia. The inflammation observed in dogs is similar to that observed with gold implants in humans. It is possible that the clinically beneficial effect of gold beads for chronic osteoarthritis depends on sustained localized inflammation with localized release of soluble mediators. The encapsulation of the implant by a paucicellular and poorly vascularized fibrous capsule may help prevent an exaggerated inflammatory reaction by sequestering the gold bead from the surrounding tissue.

Ultrasonographic features of grass awns in the urinary bladder.

Grass awns are a common cause of foreign body disease in animals, but little is known about their presence in the lower urinary tract. The ultrasonographic features of grass awns in vivo and in vitro have been described in detail. The purpose of this report is to describe the clinical and sonographic features of grass awns in the urinary bladder of dogs and cats. Three male Yorkshire terriers (one of which was examined twice) and one female domestic short-haired cat were evaluated for signs of lower urinary tract disease, and an intravesicular grass awn was suspected based on ultrasound examination. The grass awn appeared ultrasonographically as a bladder stone (n = 1) or a linear hyperechoic structure (n = 4) with or without acoustic shadowing that was easy to identify due to contrast with surrounding urine. The presence of a grass awn within the urinary bladder was confirmed during exploratory surgery. In all patients, the route of entry of the grass awn was thought to have been retrograde migration from the urethral opening. The ultrasonographic appearance of grass awns in the bladder is consistent with that in other tissues.

What is your diagnosis? Intra-abdominal mass aspirate from a spayed dog with abdominal pain.

An 8-year-old, spayed female Labrador Retriever was presented for evaluation of unwillingness to exercise. On clinical examination abdominal pain was elicited, and a midabdominal mass was detected in survey radiographs. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of the intra-abdominal mass was done. The cytologic findings indicated chronic granulomatous inflammation with reactive fibroplasia, cholesterol crystals, and extracellular foreign material. The foreign material consisted of opaque, basophilic fragments of uniform width (5-10 mum) and variable length (30-180 microm) and was observed extracellularly and within macrophages. The material was birefringent under polarized light. Histologic examination of the excised mass confirmed the cytologic findings and a diagnosis of gossypiboma (textiloma) was made, consistent with retention of a surgical sponge. This case provides a unique example of the utility of fine-needle aspiration for the diagnosis of gossypiboma.

Cutaneous sterile granulomas/pyogranulomas, leishmaniasis and mycobacterial infections.

Cutaneous "sterile" granulomas represent a group of uncommon skin disorders of unknown aetiopathogenesis. Many diseases are included in this group (for example, sterile granuloma/pyogranuloma syndrome and reactive histiocytosis). The definition of sterile is based on the exclusion of other possible aetiological agents (for example, microorganisms or foreign body). Many techniques are used to rule out a microbial aetiology including cytology, histology, immunohistochemistry and culture. However, some organisms are "fastidious" and difficult to culture or to identify with routine methods, and molecular studies are necessary. This is particularly true for mycobacteria (for example, canine leproid granuloma syndrome) and Leishmania. Recently, studies in human and veterinary medicine have proved the presence of microorganisms (mycobacteria and Leishmania) using a polymerase chain reaction technique in specimens previously diagnosed as sterile. Therefore, it is very important, with the development of new technologies, to use a multidisciplinary diagnostic approach to definitively rule out any microorganism before declaring a disease sterile.

Wooden orbital foreign body in a Weimaraner.

A 2-year-old, male Weimaraner presented with acute-onset nonaxial exophthalmos with dorsal deviation of the left globe. Periorbital swelling, pain and a profuse purulent ocular discharge were present on the left side. A draining sinus tract was present in the left ventral conjunctival fornix and another in the left pterygopalatine fossa. The right eye was normal on complete ophthalmic examination. Orbital ultrasonography revealed large, double, linear, parallel echogenic bands with shadowing present in the ventrolateral aspect of the left orbit suggestive of a foreign body. Deformation of the posterior segment was also present. Removal of the orbital foreign body was attempted under ultrasound guidance via the discharging sinuses in the ventral conjunctival fornix and the pterygopalatine fossa. Neither approach was successful; however, a small amount of organic material was retrieved confirming the diagnosis of orbital foreign body. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a linear foreign body of 8 x 1.5 x 0.8 cm extending from the orbit to the level of the oropharynx. A modified lateral orbitotomy with zygomatic arch resection on the left side allowed removal of the wooden foreign body.

Imaging diagnosis--extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction secondary to a duodenal foreign body in a cat.

A 13-month-old, neutered female domestic shorthaired cat was evaluated for vomiting, anorexia, and lethargy. The cat was icteric and hyperbilirubinemic. Radiographically a partially radiolucent proximal duodenal foreign body was suspected. Ultrasonographically, there was a foreign body at the level of the duodenal papilla and dilation of the common bile duct and cystic duct; a diagnosis of extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction secondary to a duodenal foreign body was made. Sonographic findings were confirmed at surgery and a duodenal foreign body was removed. This information defines duodenal foreign body as a cause of extrahepatic biliary obstruction in cats.

Enterolithiasis in a cat.

An 8-year-old female Persian cat was brought in for evaluation of chronic vomiting. The presence of opaque enteric foreign bodies and intestinal obstruction along with azotaemia, hyperphosphataemia, moderate anaemia and peritoneal fluid were revealed following appropriate diagnostic work-up. Exploratory laparotomy confirmed jejunoileal dilation, ileocaecal stenosis, and numerous foreign objects in the jejunoileum. These foreign objects and ileocaecal stenosis were surgically removed, and intestinal resection and anastomosis was performed. The patient recovered favourably. Analysis revealed that the foreign objects were composed of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Intestinal inflammation and stenosis secondary to enterolithiasis may have developed following ingestion of cat litter or a previous unrelated surgical intervention. We were unable to delineate the inciting pathogenesis in this particular case.

Fatal venous air embolism in a cat with a retropharyngeal diverticulum.

A cat with a 1-year history of oropharyngeal foreign bodies was diagnosed with a pharyngeal diverticulum. The cat experienced fatal cardiac arrest during endoscopy, and postmortem radiographs and ultrasound revealed venous air embolism. Venous air embolism is uncommonly reported in veterinary medicine, but is a risk during any procedure that introduces air into a body cavity. Precautions should be taken during these procedures to help minimize the risk of adverse events.