Iodinated non-ionic contrast medium does not inhibit Escherichia coli growth in ex vivo inoculated canine urine.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of iohexol on standardized quantitative urine culture results in dogs. The authors hypothesized that the presence of iohexol in inoculated urine samples would result in lower bacterial concentrations (CFU/mL) and, therefore, decrease culture sensitivity. SAMPLE: Urine samples were aseptically collected during cystoscopy from a single client-owned dog untreated with antimicrobials. PROCEDURES: An experimental controlled study. The urine sample was divided into 38 aliquots (0.5 mL each) that were used as negative controls or inoculated with an equal amount of Escherichia coli (105 CFU/mL). Different volumes (0.1 and 0.5 mL) of contrast or saline were added to the aliquots and quantitative culture results were compared. Two different incubation times between the preparation of aliquots and culture were evaluated (15 minutes and 24 hours). RESULTS: All aliquots from samples inoculated with E. coli (positive controls and iohexol-group) had the same reported quantitative result (104 CFU/mL). No growth was reported for the negative controls. Iohexol did not show any anti-E. coli properties in canine urine cultures for dilutions up to 1:2 contrast:urine and concentrations up to 120 mgI/mL. No difference was reported when iohexol was incubated with inoculated urine for 15 minutes or 24 hours. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Based on the experimental in vitro conditions described, administration of iohexol before the collection of urine during urologic procedures does not negatively impact the isolation and growth of E. coli.

Endoscopic-guided diagnosis of and interventional stent placement for nasolacrimal duct obstruction in a horse.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the successful use of endoscopy to visualize and place a soft canine ureteral stent to relieve a chronic nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction in a horse. ANIMAL STUDIED: A 7-year-old, Quarter horse gelding. PROCEDURE: Under general anesthesia, retrograde nasolacrimal endoscopy was performed using an 8.5 Fr Storz Flex XC ureteroscope through the nasal punctum (NP). An obstructive web of fibrous tissue was visualized approximately 20 cm proximal to the NP. A 0.035″/150 cm hydrophilic guidewire was passed normograde from the ventral lacrimal punctum and used to puncture the stenotic tissue. Then, a 5.0Fr/70 cm open-end ureteral catheter was threaded normograde over the guidewire and NLD patency was re-established. The catheter confirmed a NLD length of 30 cm and was then removed. A 5.0Fr/22-32 cm Universa© Soft Ureteral Stent was threaded normograde over the guidewire until the loops of the stent were exposed at each end. The guidewire was removed and the stent loops were sutured in place. RESULTS: The stent was withdrawn 1 month after the procedure. Telephone follow-up with the client reported significant improvement in the amount of ocular discharge and decreased sensitivity around the face and ears. CONCLUSION: Endoscopy is a safe and effective procedure allowing for definitive diagnosis of NLD obstruction and to assist in interventional procedures. Placement of a canine indwelling ureteral stent seems to be an effective alternative treatment option for equine NLD obstruction compared to conventional invasive surgical procedures.

Surgical treatment of a circumferential oesophagogastric mass associated with a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia in a Maine Coon cat.

Case summary: A 7-month-old intact female Maine Coon presented with a 2-week history of vomiting. A peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH) and a mass arising from the cardia, protruding into the gastric lumen, were diagnosed using a combination of ultrasound and CT. An exploratory gastrotomy revealed a circumferential, irregular, ulcerated mass involving the submucosal layer of the cardia. This mass was excised by partial-thickness resection of the gastro-oesophageal wall. The PPDH was corrected and a gastrostomy feeding tube was placed under the same anaesthetic. Histopathologically, the most characteristic feature of this mass was a submucosal fibroplasia associated with marked ulceration and granulation tissue. No infectious or neoplastic cells were identified. The affected region of the gastric wall appeared narrowly excised. Resolution of clinical signs was achieved until the cat was lost to follow-up 12 months postoperatively. Relevance and novel information: This is the first report of the surgical management of an oesophagogastric mass in a cat with a concurrent PPDH and no other underlying disease. A benign fibrous mass should be considered as a differential diagnosis of an oesophagogastric mass in feline patients with PPDH. While medical and surgical options are debated for the management of PPDH, symptomatic patients with a concurrent oesophagogastric mass are legitimate candidates for surgical herniorrhaphy to prevent further complications. Based on this case, prognosis can be considered good if surgical resection is complete.

Ultrasonographic characteristics of the portal venous system of 37 healthy, unsedated, student-owned cats: A prospective study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine portal vein and divisional branch diameters and portal vein velocities in healthy, unsedated cats, using B-mode and Doppler ultrasound. Animal: Thirty-seven healthy, adult cats, all owned by students. Procedure: Enrollment of cats in the study was done prospectively. Ultrasonographic imaging in both the longitudinal and transverse planes was assessed, with all examinations and measurements done by the same person. The assessment included the following 3 sites: extra-hepatic portion of the portal vein, intra-hepatic branches of the portal vein, and the aorta at the level of the porta hepatis. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used for normality and P < 0.05 was used to define statistical significance. Results: Both the extra-hepatic portion of the portal vein and the porta hepatis were identified in all 37 cats (100%), whereas the aorta was recorded in 31 (84%), and the left and right intra-hepatic branches of the portal vein were seen in 29 (78%). Pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound of the portal vein was obtained in 32 cats (86%). In longitudinal view, average maximal diameter of the extra-hepatic portal vein was 3.6 mm (± 0.7 mm), and the mean portal flow velocity was 14.6 cm · s (± 4.3 cm · s). In transverse view, average maximal diameter was 4.8 mm (± 0.8 mm) for the extra-hepatic portal vein, and 3.1 mm (± 0.8 mm) and 2.6 mm (± 0.7 mm) for the left and right intra-hepatic branches, respectively. The portal-vein-to-aorta ratio averaged 1.2 (± 0.2). Conclusion: This study produced sonographic data of the portal venous system in healthy, conscious adult cats, which may be useful during investigation of liver diseases, including congenital and acquired liver diseases.

Caractéristiques échographiques du système porte hépatique chez 37 chats domestiques, sains et non sédatés. Objectif: Cette étude a évalué plusieurs paramètres échographiques de la veine porte chez des chats sains, en échographie conventionnelle et Doppler. Animaux: Trente-sept chats adultes sains non-sédatés appartenant à des étudiants vétérinaires. Procédure: L'ensemble des chats ont été recrutés de manière prospective. Des plans de coupes échographiques longitudinaux et transverses ont été évalués, et les mesures échographiques ont été réalisées par un unique investigateur. Trois régions anatomiques ont été évaluées, dont la portion extra-hépatique de la veine porte, les rameaux portes intra-hépatiques, ainsi que l'aorte, au niveau de la porte hépatique. Le test de Shapiro-Wilk a été utilisé pour évaluer la distribution des variables, et une valeur P de 0,05 a été utilisée pour définir la signification statistique des résultats. Résultats: La porte hépatique et la portion extra-hépatique de la veine porte ont été identifiés chez 37 chats (100 %), l'aorte a été visualisés chez 31 chats (84 %), et les rameaux portes intra-hépatiques ont été visualisés chez 29 chats (78 %). Des images échographiques Doppler de la veine porte ont été obtenues chez 32 chats (86 %). En coupe longitudinale, le diamètre maximal de la portion extra-hépatique de la veine porte était de 3,6 mm (± 0,7 mm), et la vitesse du flux sanguin portal était de 14,6 cm · s (± 4,3 cm · s). En coupe transverse, le diamètre maximal était de 4,8 mm (± 0,8 mm) pour la portion extra-hépatique de la veine porte, et respectivement de 3,1 mm (± 0,8 mm) et 2,6 mm (± 0,7 mm) pour les rameaux intra-hépatiques gauche et droit. Le ratio veine porte : aorte était de 1,2 (± 0,2). Conclusion: Cette étude fournit des intervalles de valeurs échographiques du système vasculaire porte hépatique chez le chat sain non-sédaté, ce qui peut s'avérer utile lors d'investigations diagnostiques, notamment la recherche de maladies hépatiques congénitales ou acquises.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Investigation of a retroesophagoscopic approach to nasopharyngoscopy as an alternative to the conventional retroflexed endoscopic approach for selected indications in feline cadavers and client-owned cats.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a retroesophagoscopic approach (ROSA) to nasopharyngoscopy and compare it with the conventional retroflexed endoscopic approach (REA). ANIMALS: 36 feline cadavers and 2 client-owned cats with nasopharyngeal disorders. PROCEDURES: 36 veterinarians participated in the experimental portion of the study involving feline cadavers. Each veterinarian performed the ROSA and REA to nasopharyngoscopy on a feline cadaver once, attempting to identify and biopsy 2 landmarks (soft palate and choanae) with each approach while time was recorded. Numeric scales were used to measure perceived ease of use and image quality for both techniques. Data were compared between approaches by an independent statistician. The ROSA approach was also used as part of the diagnostic workup for the 2 client-owned cats. RESULTS: 35 of the 36 (97%) veterinarians were able to identify and biopsy both landmarks using the ROSA, whereas 21 (58%) veterinarians were able to visualize both landmarks using the REA and 19 (53%) successfully biopsied the landmarks. Image quality for the soft palate was scored higher with the ROSA (median score, 7.5/10) than with the REA (4.5/10). The ROSA was fast and easy to perform. This approach was also successfully performed in the 2 client-owned cats with nasopharyngeal disorders, with no complications reported. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The ROSA was found to be a fast, effective, and easy alternative endoscopic technique for assessment of the nasopharynx in cats. This approach may allow use of various instruments that could be relevant for interventional procedures. However, the ROSA was also invasive and should be considered for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes for selected indications only when REA is unsuccessful.