Clinical utility of pneumogastrography in dogs.

Pneumogastrography utilizes negative contrast media such as air or carbonated beverages to improve visualization of luminal contents and mucosal surfaces within the stomach. Pneumogastrography as a diagnostic technique in cases of gastric disease has not been widely described in the veterinary literature and is a procedure that may yield additional information not obtained from survey radiographs. This technique is useful in the diagnosis of luminal and mucosal gastric diseases. In this article, the pneumogastrography technique and relevant literature are reviewed. Six case examples are included that demonstrate the utility of pneumogastrography in dogs with gastric disease.

Thyroid to salivary ratios determined by technetium-99m pertechnetate imaging in thirty-two euthyroid cats.

Thyroid to salivary (TS) ratio is the most commonly used scintigraphic parameter for differentiating euthyroid and hyperthyroid cats. Studies to determine the normal TS ratio have been performed in small cat populations. In this study, the TS ratio was determined in 32 cats between 8 and 13 years of age. The study population was documented to be euthyroid based on normal initial and 6-week follow-up serum thyroid concentrations and normal T3 suppression tests. All images were obtained with a low-energy all-purpose collimator between 20 and 40 min after the injection of approximately 111 MBq (3.0 mCi) pertechnetate. Manual regions of interest (ROI) were made of the thyroid and salivary glands of the ventral image A 95% prediction interval based on the natural log of the TS ratio was computed to provide a normal range of 0.48-1.66. This range is similar to previous studies, but suggests a slightly higher upper limit than previously reported.

Intravesical instillation of dilute formalin for the treatment of severe hemorrhagic emphysematous cystitis in a diabetic dog.

Intravesical formalin is a known treatment for control of hemorrhagic cystitis caused by multiple etiologies in humans and dogs. This case report documents the successful use of intravesical formalin for the treatment of severe hemorrhagic cystitis that occurred secondary to emphysematous cystitis in a diabetic dog. In addition, a review of emphysematous cystitis and the use of intravesical formalin in human and veterinary medicine is discussed. Formalin instillation into the urinary bladder is an option for life-threatening, refractory cases of hemorrhagic cystitis; but clinicians must be familiar with the proper technique and be aware of potential complications prior to its use.