Monitoring of the Reproductive Cycle in Captive-Bred Female Boa constrictor: Preliminary Ultrasound Observations.

The Boa constrictor is one of the most common reptiles bred in captivity. To achieve a successful breeding season, thorough knowledge of the females' reproductive activity is necessary. In this regard, information on the Boa constrictor is still rather scarce. The aim of the present study was to monitor the ovarian activity and the embryonic development of boas by ultrasound. We performed brief scans on thirty non-anaesthetized snakes using a portable ultrasound system and a 7.5-10 MHz linear array transducer (Esaote MyLab™ Classic). Ultrasound features, dimensions, and echogenicity of the preovulatory and postovulatory follicles were determined. As gestation progresses, the postovulatory follicle size increases, and the embryonic silhouette becomes increasingly recognizable. During the second month after ovulation, by using color Doppler, early embryos' heart activity could be evaluated. It is possible to highlight vascular connections between the mother and the membrane covering the embryonic structures. Ultrasound also allows one to identify follicular regression or slugs (nonfertilized eggs) early. The present study suggests that ultrasound could be an excellent noninvasive technique to evaluate the reproductive activity of Boa constrictor, allowing us to precisely identify the correct time for mating, monitor embryo development and viability, and allow the early diagnosis of follicular regression.

Emphysematous cystitis: review of current literature, diagnosis and management challenges.

Emphysematous cystitis (EC) is a rare disease in human as well as in veterinary medicine; in both it is defined as an uncommon form of complicated urinary tract infection (UTI), characterized by the presence of gas within the bladder wall and lumen. While female dogs are at increased risk of developing an UTI, patients with EC are not subject to gender or age predisposition and may present with variable clinical manifestations. Diabetes mellitus (DM) appears as the most common risk factor for the development of EC, but many other underlying conditions have been mentioned in literature and should be taken into consideration. In case of EC, Escherichia coli appears to be the most common pathogen isolated from urine cultures. A conclusive diagnosis of EC requires necessarily the recourse to imaging methods, such as abdominal radiography and ultrasonography. An early diagnosis and appropriate medical therapy, consisting in protracted antibiotic treatment associated with control over underlying diseases, could lead to avoid surgical intervention.

Ultrasonographic differentiation between portal venous and parenchymal gas may be important for the prognosis of canine and feline hepatic emphysema: 37 cases.

The aim of this retrospective, cross-sectional, study was to evaluate clinical findings and outcomes for different ultrasonographic patterns of hepatic emphysema in dogs and cats. Dogs and cats with an ultrasonographic diagnosis of hepatic emphysema and a known outcome, from January 2010 to January 2018, were enrolled. The following data were recorded from medical and ultrasonographic records: ultrasonographic patterns of hepatic emphysema (parenchymal, portal venous, biliary), clinical signs, laboratory findings, and outcomes (favorable, poor). A total of 33 dogs and four cats met the inclusion criteria. Among these, 23 cases were classified as hepatic portal venous gas, 10 as parenchymal emphysema, and four as biliary emphysema. Clinical diagnosis categories were as follows: infection/sepsis (9), gastro-intestinal disease (9), iatrogenic (9), trauma (5), and liver neoplasia (5). An increase in serum liver enzymes was significantly associated with parenchymal emphysema (P = .03). Other clinical and laboratory findings were not associated with the type of hepatic emphysema. Hepatic portal venous gas was mostly transient in patients with ultrasonographic follow-up. The overall mortality was 40.5%. A significant difference was found between mortality by portal venous gas (21.7%) and mortality by parenchymal emphysema (90%) (P = .003). In conclusion, the ultrasonographic differentiation of hepatic emphysema between hepatic portal venous gas and parenchymal emphysema may be important for the prognosis of hepatic emphysema. The presence of parenchymal emphysema may be a poor prognostic indicator, while hepatic portal venous gas may be more benign. However, ultrasound findings should be carefully evaluated in the context of clinical findings.

Effect of a commercially available fish-based dog food enriched with nutraceuticals on hip and elbow dysplasia in growing Labrador retrievers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of hip and elbow dysplasia in a group of growing Labrador retrievers fed a fish-based diet enriched with nutraceuticals with chondroprotective properties. The puppies ranged from 3 to 12 mo of age and were divided into 2 groups, each fed a different diet. The control diet consisted of a high quality, chicken-based dog food, while the test diet was a fish-based dog food, enriched with nutraceuticals. Hip and elbow joints were radiographed and scored at 6 and 12 mo of age. Overall, 42 dogs completed the study. At 12 mo of age, no differences were found between the groups in the prevalence of hip and elbow dysplasia, although dogs fed the fish-based food enriched with nutraceuticals had a less severe grade of osteoarthritis at 12 mo. It was concluded that the fish-based diet with nutraceuticals did have beneficial effects on the development of severe osteoarthritis.

L'objectif de la présente étude était d'évaluer la prévalence de dysplasie de la hanche et du coude dans un groupe de chiens Labrador en croissance nourris avec une diète à base de poisson enrichie de neutraceutiques ayant des propriétés chondroprotectrices. L'âge des chiots variait de 3 à 12 mois et ils ont été divisés en deux groupes, chacun étant nourri avec une diète différente. La diète témoin consistait d'un aliment de haute qualité pour chien à base de poulet, alors que la diète test était un aliment pour chien à base de poisson et enrichi avec des neutraceutiques. Les articulations des hanches et des coudes ont été radiographiées à 6 et 12 mois d'âge. Un total de 42 chiens a complété l'étude. À 12 mois d'âge, aucune différence n'a été trouvée entre les groupes dans la prévalence de dysplasie de la hanche et du coude, bien que les chiens nourris avec la diète à base poisson enrichie de neutraceutiques avaient un score d'ostéoarthrite moins sévère à 12 mois. Il a été conclu que la diète à base de poisson enrichie de neutraceutiques avait des effets bénéfiques sur le développement d'ostéoarthrite sévère.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF INCISOR PSEUDO-ODONTOMAS IN PRAIRIE DOGS (CYNOMYS LUDOVICIANUS).

Maxillary incisor pseudo-odontomas are common in pet prairie dogs and can cause progressive respiratory obstruction, while mandibular pseudo-odontomas are rarely clinically significant. The aim of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to describe CT features of maxillary and mandibular incisor pseudo-odontomas vs. normal incisors in a group of pet prairie dogs. All pet prairie dogs with head CT scans acquired during the period of 2013-2015 were included. A veterinary radiologist who was aware of final diagnosis reviewed CT scans and recorded qualitative features of affected and normal incisors. Mean density values for the pulp cavity and palatal and buccal dentin were also recorded. A total of 16 prairie dogs were sampled (12 normal maxillary incisors, 20 confirmed maxillary incisor pseudo-odontomas, 20 normal mandibular incisors, 12 presumed mandibular incisor pseudo-odontomas). Maxillary incisors with confirmed pseudo-odontomas had a significantly hyperattenuating pulp and dentin in the reserve crown and apical zone, when compared to normal maxillary incisors. Pseudo-odontomas appeared as enlargements of the apical zone with a globular/multilobular hyperattenuating mass formation haphazardly arranged, encroaching on midline and growing caudally and ventrally. Presumed mandibular incisor pseudo-odontomas had similar CT characteristics. In 60% of prairie dogs with maxillary incisor pseudo-odontomas, the hard palate was deformed and the mass bulged into the oral cavity causing loss of the palatine bone. The common nasal meatus was partially or totally obliterated in 81.8% of prairie dogs with maxillary pseudo-odontomas. Findings supported the use of CT for characterizing extent of involvement and surgical planning in prairie dogs with pseudo-odontomas.

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS-ULTRASONOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF SKELETAL MUSCLE METASTASES IN A DOG WITH HEMANGIOSARCOMA.

A 13-year-old spayed female German shepherd dog was presented for acute onset of lethargy, anorexia, and disseminated erythematous skin lesions. Thoracic radiographs and abdominal ultrasonographic findings were consistent with metastatic hemangiosarcoma. Multiple, ill-defined, irregularly shaped hypoechoic nodules were also detected within the thoracic and abdominal wall. Hemangiosarcoma metastases to the skeletal muscle were confirmed based on histopathological examination. Multivisceral involvement was also confirmed by necropsy. Metastatic neoplasia should be considered as a differential diagnosis for dogs with ill-defined, irregular, hypoechoic, intramuscular nodules.

Emphysematous pyelitis and cystitis associated with vesicoureteral reflux in a diabetic dog.

A 12-year-old female dog with a 3-month history of poor response to diabetes treatment had an acute worsening of symptoms, including weakness and blindness. The dog had elevated blood glucose, alkaline phosphatase and urea concentration, hyposthenuria, glycosuria, hematuria, and pyuria. Escherichia coli was isolated from the urine. Radiographs and ultrasound examination showed that the dog had unilateral emphysematous pyelitis and concurrent cystitis associated with vesicoureteral reflux.

Pyélite emphysémateuse et cystite associées au reflux vésico-urétéral chez une chienne diabétique. Une chienne âgée de 12 ans avec une anamnèse de 3 mois de mauvaise réponse au traitement du diabète a présenté un aggravement aigu des symptômes, y compris de la faiblesse et de la cécité. La chienne avait une glycémie élevée, ainsi que des concentrations sériques élevées de la phosphatase alcaline et d'urée, de l'hyposthénurie, de la glycosurie, de l'hématurie et de la pyurie. Escherichia coli a été isolé de l'urine. Des radiographies et des échographies ont montré que la chienne était atteinte de pyélite emphysémateuse unilatérale et de cystite concomitante associées au reflux vésico-urétéral.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Diagnostic sensitivity of ultrasound, radiography and computed tomography for gender determination in four species of lizards.

Gender determination is frequently requested by reptile breeders, especially for species with poor or absent sexual dimorphism. The aims of the current study were to describe techniques and diagnostic sensitivities of ultrasound, radiography, and computed tomography for gender determination (identification of hemipenes) in four species of lizards. Nineteen lizards of known sex, belonging to four different species (Pogona vitticeps, Uromastyx aegyptia, Tiliqua scincoides, Gerrhosaurus major) were prospectively enrolled. With informed owner consent, ultrasound, noncontrast CT, contrast radiography, and contrast CT (with contrast medium administered into the cloaca) were performed in conscious animals. Imaging studies were reviewed by three different operators, each unaware of the gender of the animals and of the results of the other techniques. The lizard was classified as a male when hemipenes were identified. Nineteen lizards were included in the study, 10 females and nine males. The hemipenes were seen on ultrasound in only two male lizards, and appeared as oval hypoechoic structures. Radiographically, hemipenes filled with contrast medium appeared as spindle-shaped opacities. Noncontrast CT identified hemipenes in only two lizards, and these appeared as spindle-shaped kinked structures with hyperattenuating content consistent with smegma. Hemipenes were correctly identified in all nine males using contrast CT (accuracy of 100%). Accuracy of contrast radiography was excellent (94.7%). Accuracy of ultrasound and of noncontrast CT was poor (64.3% and 63.1%, respectively). Findings from the current study supported the use of contrast CT or contrast radiography for gender determination in lizards.

Cholecystocutaneous fistula containing multiple gallstones in a dog.

A 7-year-old dog was presented with a history of an open lesion on the right thoracic wall, discharging honey-like fluid and small stones. Ultrasonography and computed tomographic fistulography identified a cholecystocutaneous fistula; cholecystectomy was curative. Veterinarians should consider this disease in patients with long-term discharging lesions on the right thoracic or abdominal wall.

Fistule cholécystocutanée contenant des cholélithes multiples chez un chien. Un chien âgé de 7 ans a été présenté avec une anamnèse de lésion ouverte sur la paroi thoracique droite, d'où s'écoulait un liquide ressemblant à du miel et de petits calculs. Une échographie et une fistulographie tomographique ont identifié une fistule cholécystocutanée et une cholécystectomie a guéri l'affection. Les vétérinaires devraient considérer cette maladie chez les patients ayant des lésions suppurantes de longue date sur la paroi thoracique ou abdominale droite.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Radiological investigation of an over 2000-year-old Egyptian mummy of a cat.

A radiographical study of a cat mummy from the Egyptian collection of the National Archeological Museum in Parma, Italy was carried out in order to evaluate the content and to describe how cats were wrapped and mummified. The mummy contained the complete skeleton of a 4-5-month-old cat. Radiology revealed the position of the cat's body; it was wrapped to occupy the smallest space possible. In order to better position the cat, the ribs of the thorax were compressed cranio-caudally and the fore limbs were then positioned very close to the thorax. The hind limbs were flexed close to the lumbar spine and the tibio-tarsal joints were subluxated to allow the repositioning of the tarsal, metatarsal and phalanx bones cranio-caudally near the tibiae. A coccygeal vertebra was fractured in order to reposition the tail as close as possible to the body. Atlanto-occipital subluxation and a fracture/hole was present in the occipital region of the skull: whether this was made for draining skull contents as a mummification process and/or to euthanase the cat remains open for discussion.

Polycystic kidney disease in a Chartreux cat.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is one of the most common genetic diseases in cats. It has been widely described in Persians and Persian-related cats and sporadically in other breeds. The purpose of the present paper is to describe the first reported case of PKD in a 12-year-old female Chartreux cat. The cat was referred with polyuria and polydipsia and enlarged and irregular kidneys at palpation. Multiple renal cysts and a single liver cyst were identified by ultrasound and the inherited pattern was confirmed by genetic test (polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP) assay). Chartreux cats should be included in the screening programme of PKD, and PKD should be always considered as a possible cause of chronic renal failure in this breed.

Use of ultrasonography and contrast radiography for snake gender determination.

The purpose of this paper is to characterize the sonographic and radiographic features of hemipenes in male snakes and to use these features for gender determination. The sonographic and radiographic examination of 17 male and 10 female snakes, whose gender was determined previously by probing, were evaluated by one examiner who was unaware of the gender. Sonographically, hemipenes appeared funnel shaped with an echogenic thin wall and hypo to anechoic contents. Radiographically, hemipenes filled by positive contrast medium appeared as funnel-shaped radiopacities pointing caudally. Snake gender was correctly determined in all snakes using sonography (accuracy = 100%). Radiographic accuracy was 81.4%. Interpretation of radiographic examinations was limited by poor distribution of the contrast medium within the hemipenes.

Comparison between ultrasound and genetic testing for the early diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease in Persian and Exotic Shorthair cats.

Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (AD-PKD) is common in Persians and Persians-related breeds. The aims of this study were to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of early ultrasound examination and to compare ultrasound and genetic testing for early diagnosis. Sixty-three Persians and seven Exotic Shorthairs were considered. All underwent ultrasonographic and genetic testing (polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP) assay) between 2.5 and 3.5 months of age (10-14 weeks). With ultrasound, 41.4% showed renal cysts, while 37.1% were PKD positive by genetic testing and DNA sequencing. Six cats with at least one renal cyst were negative by genetic testing, while only one cat negative at ultrasound resulted positive at genetic test. DNA sequencing of three polycystic cats, negative by genetic test, revealed they were heterozygous for the mutation. Agreement was described by Cohen's kappa that resulted 0.85, considering genetic test and DNA sequencing. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound were 96.2% and 91%, respectively. Sensitivity was higher and specificity lower than reported previously. The higher sensitivity could be due to improved technical capabilities of ultrasound machines and transducers. Other causes of PKD could explain the lower specificity. In conclusion, ultrasound resulted in a reliable diagnostic method for feline AD-PKD1 at early age and it should always be used with genetic testing, in order to reach a complete screening programme and eventually to identify other genetic mutations.