A pilot study on the effect of fat loading on the gastrointestinal tract of healthy dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a high fat meal (fat loading) on gastrointestinal motility and the appearance of intestinal villi using video capsule endoscopy and ultrasound. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four healthy staff-owned dogs were included in a prospective blinded crossover study. Dogs had initial baseline video capsule endoscopy to measure gastrointestinal transit times and allow for visual assessment of intestinal mucosa. Abdominal ultrasound was also performed to obtain intestinal wall measurements and assess for the presence of mucosal hyperechoic speckling. All dogs had diagnostics repeated twice between one and two hours after ingestion of either corn oil or dairy cream for a total of four control and 16 fat loaded studies. RESULTS: Dogs in the corn oil group had greater mean gastric emptying times (740.3 ± 187.6 minutes vs. 237.9 ± 155 minutes) and total transit times (54.50 ± 22.2 hours vs. 23.25 ± 6.1 hours) than controls. Feeding of a fatty meal resulted in substantial retention of the capsules (10 of 16) within the stomach. While intestinal wall thickness of fat loaded dogs did not differ from control dogs, mucosal hyperechoic speckling scores of the duodenum of dairy cream dogs were greater when compared to control dogs (1.625 ± 0.518 vs. 0.500 ± 0.577). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Data from this pilot study provides further evidence that feeding of a small high fat meal results in ultrasonographic as well as visual changes to the intestinal mucosa of healthy dogs. This data suggests that previous recommendations to feed fatty meals to dogs with lymphangiectasia might not allow differentiation with healthy individuals. In addition, due to the marked effect on gastric emptying time, video capsule endoscopy should be avoided in dogs fed a high fat meal.

Computed tomographic appearance of canine thyroid tumours.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the computed tomography features of canine thyroid tumours. METHODS Retrospective study of records of dogs with a thyroid tumour and neck computed tomography. Neck computed tomographies were evaluated for tumour characteristics. Thoracic radiographs and computed tomographies were evaluated for lung nodules. RESULTS: Of 19 identified cases, 17 were carcinomas and 2 were adenomas; 12 had mineralisation, 16 had heterogeneous attenuation and 16 were unilateral. Tumours were located from the temporomandibular joint to C5. Sixteen had well-defined margins postcontrast. Tumours were ovoid and mean volume was 57·4 cm(3) . By computed tomography, eight had definitive or possible invasion into surrounding structures; all eight were histopathologically invasive carcinomas. Five histopathologically non-invasive tumours and two adenomas had no computed tomography invasion into surrounding structures. Four had complete palpable mobility (two adenomas and two histopathologically invasive carcinomas); one had computed tomography evidence of possible invasion. The sensitivity of palpable mass mobility to determine histopathological invasion was 71% with 0% specificity. The sensitivity of computed tomography invasion to determine histopathological invasion was 70% with 100% specificity. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Computed tomography scans revealed several common features. Palpable mass mobility was not definitive for lack of histopathological invasion. Computed tomography invasion was specific but not very sensitive for histopathological invasion.

Effect of public symphysiodesis on pelvic development in the skeletally immature greyhound.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of pubic symphysiodesis (PS) on pelvic development in skeletally immature dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized clinical trial. ANIMALS: Eight 4 month-old, sexually intact female Greyhounds. METHODS: Initial PS was performed at 4 months of age using a powered stapling device. Because of failure of the initial surgery, a second PS was performed 1 month later by resecting the pubic symphysis with a rongeur followed by placement of handmade bone staples in four dogs. Sham PS was performed in four control dogs at 4 months of age. Pubic growth rate and pelvic development were evaluated using standard plane radiography and computed tomography. Specific measurements included acetabular ventroversion, Norberg angle, lateral center-edge angle, and pelvic inlet dimensions. Hip distraction indices were determined as well. RESULTS: PS at 4 months of age using a stapling device failed. Pubic symphysiodesis using hand made staples was successful at 5 months of age and did not result in any clinically significant intraoperative or postoperative complications. Pubic symphysiodesis markedly decreased pubic symphysis growth in the treatment group. Hip distraction indices and pelvic inlet circumference, area, and width significantly decreased in treated dogs compared to those in the control group. Acetabular ventroversion was significantly increased in treated dogs compared to those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: PS decreases pelvic canal size, increases acetabular ventroversion, and does not appear to have any clinically significant complications. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: PS performed in skeletally immature dogs with hip dysplasia may provide an effect similar to a triple pelvic osteotomy and warrants further investigation.

Physeal growth retardation leads to correction of intracarpal angular deviations as well as physeal valgus deformity.

Retrospective analysis of the radiographs of horses with carpal valgus, presented to the Iowa State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital from 1987-1996, were used to compare 2 methods of geometric analysis for finding the total angle of deviation. The pivot point angle method and the individual joint angle method were found to be comparable for determining the total angle of deviation. The individual joint angle method was used to analyse individual carpal joint angles and physis angle in joints with carpal valgus, as well as the changes that occurred in response to surgical correction. Multiple joint involvement was common with carpal valgus; and surgical manipulation caused a change in angle at all joints. Use of the individual joint angle method for evaluating carpal valgus may aid the surgeon in making a more accurate prognosis.

Ultrasonographic pregnancy detection and inhalation anesthesia in the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica).

Female gray short-tailed opossums (Monodelphis domestica) with known breeding dates were anesthetized with isoflurane for ultrasonographic pregnancy detection. Beginning on gestational day 9, gravid females could be identified using a 9-MHz mechanical sector-scanning transducer equipped with a standoff pad. Fluid-filled vesicles 3 to 4 mm in diameter were seen within the thick-walled uteri on gestational days 9 and 10. Visualization revealed loss of individual vesicles, with replacement by thick, irregular uterine walls and some free luminal fluid by gestational days 12 and 13. On the basis of subsequent birth of pups, sonographic diagnosis of pregnancy was accurate in 27 of 28 oppossums examined.

Right-to-left patent ductus arteriosus with dysplastic left ventricle in a dog.

A 6-week-old Siberian Husky pup had an unusual group of congenital heart anomalies that included a right-to-left patent ductus arteriosus, a small left ventricular chamber and ascending aorta, and a dysplastic mitral valve that may have been stenotic. Anomalies were diagnosed, using cardiac catheterization, angiocardiography, and blood gas determinations. Findings were confirmed by postmortem examination.

Cervical intervertebral disc protrusion in two horses.

Two horses with ataxia of all four limbs were found to have cervical intervertebral disc protrusion. Severe pelvic limb ataxia, proprioceptive deficits and spasticity were present in both horses with similar but less severe signs in the thoracic limbs. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was within normal limits. Metrizamide myelography allowed definitive diagnosis in one case when a compression of the spinal cord was demonstrated at the level of the second intervertebral space. In the second case, an intervertebral disc protrusion between cervical vertebrae 6 and 7 was found at necropsy. Fiber degeneration with poor myelin staining characterized the spinal cords histologically.