RESUMEN

Atrial fibrillation and dilated cardiomyopathy were diagnosed in a 9-year old boxer who was examined because of anorexia and ascites. Longterm treatment included a diuretic (furosemide), an ACE-inhibitor (benazepril), digoxin, and a betablocker (atenolol). The prognosis for DCMP is unfavorable--the described dog died 11 months after diagnosis.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Thirty-eight cases (24 dogs, 14 cats) of elbow luxation were reviewed. Seventeen surgical treatments were necessary either after conservative reduction (14) or because conservative reduction was not possible (3). Medial instability of the elbow joint due to medial collateral ligamental damage or avulsion of the origin of the medial collateral ligament were the major indication for surgery. The type and frequency of perioperative lesions as well as their therapeutical and prognostical relevance are described.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

This article describes the general principles of radiation therapy, reviews the indications for this treatment modality and discusses the response of tumors and normal tissue to radiation. Radiation modalities and treatment protocols currently available in Switzerland are presented. Treatments of spontaneous tumors in animals contribute to the development of radiation therapy in human medicine at the same time.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

An overview of the circulation of the liver and of the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy as a result of portal vascular anomalies is given. Clinical signs associated with portal systemic shunts are described on the basis of 16 cases, 14 dogs and 2 cats. These animals ranged in age at the time of presentation from 4 months to 7 years. The predominant abnormality observed were central nervous signs, which differed in severity. The different techniques of contrast angiography allowing demonstration of a portal systemic shunt are presented along with a discussion of the pros and cons of each. Additionally the significance of making portal venous pressure measurements prior to each angiography is also explained. In most cases mesenteric portography was chosen. Based on their location the anomalies could be categorized as intrahepatic (4 dogs) or extrahepatic (10 dogs, 2 cats). In both groups breeds of various size are represented. The extrahepatic shunts could be further described as portal-caval (n = 5), portal-phrenic (n = 4) and portal-azygos (n = 3). In five of the older animals angiography showed in addition some hepatic perfusion by the portal vein. Laboratory evaluation revealed increased resting blood ammonia concentrations (greater than 200-912 micrograms/100 ml) in all animals. Seven dogs had definitely subnormal BUN concentrations (less than 10 mg%) and ten dogs low total plasma protein levels (less than 5.4 g%). Free amino acids (24) were determined in four dogs and a lowered hepatic encephalopathy index (less than 1.64) found. Medical palliative therapy to control the clinical signs is discussed. The only effective long term therapy is, however, surgery. The shunt vessel is narrowed so that a greater volume of portal blood reaches the liver. Experience gained from the surgical therapy of 14 animals is presented. Ten of these survived well without requiring further therapy at a later time. Finally the etiology, prognosis, and differential diagnosis are summarized.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

An overview of the circulation of the liver and of the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy as a result of portal vascular anomalies is given. Clinical signs associated with portal systemic shunts are described on the basis of 16 cases, 14 dogs and 2 cats. These animals ranged in age at the time of presentation from 4 months to 7 years. The predominant abnormality observed were central nervous signs, which differed in severity. 15 animals showed a reduction in liver size. The different techniques of contrast angiography allowing demonstration of a portal systemic shunt are presented along with a discussion of the pros and cons of each. Additionally the significance of making portal venous pressure measurements prior to each angiography is also explained. In most cases mesenteric portography was chosen. Based on their location the anomalies could be categorized as intrahepatic (4 dogs) or extrahepatic (10 dogs, 2 cats). In both groups breeds of various size are represented. The extrahepatic shunts could be further described as portal-caval (n = 5), portal-phrenic (n = 4) and portal-azygos (n = 3). In five of the older animals angiography showed in addition some hepatic perfusion by the portal vein. Laboratory evaluation revealed increased resting blood ammonia concentrations (greater than 200-912 micrograms/100 ml) in all animals. Seven dogs had definitely subnormal BUN concentrations (less than 10 mg%) and ten dogs low total plasmaprotein levels (less than 5.4 g%). Free amino acids (24) were determined in four dogs and a lowered hepatic encephalopathy index (less than 1.64) was found. Medical palliative therapy to control the clinical signs is discussed. The only effective long term therapy is, however, surgery. The shunt vessel is narrowed so that a greater volume of portal blood reaches the liver. Experience gained from the surgical therapy of 14 animals is presented. Ten of these survived well without requiring further therapy at a later time. Finally the etiology, prognosis, and differential diagnosis are summarized.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

An eosinophilic granulomatous pneumonia is described in a German shepherd dog. On thoracic radiographs and at post mortem examination disseminated pulmonary tumour-like nodules had been seen. Histologically the nodules consisted of macrophages, eosinophils, plasma cells and occasionally giant cells. In plasma cells and macrophages, large amounts of immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M could be demonstrated. An aetiology could not be determined, but vasculitis and cytology made an allergic reaction of type 1 and, or, type 3 most likely. The classification of pulmonary infiltration with eosinophilia (PIE-syndrome) is discussed.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Direct staining of the granules of blood eosinophils by anti-immunoglobulin fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugates was observed when feline blood smears were tested for presence of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen by immunofluorescent antibody. When blood smears of other species including swine, horses, cattle, dogs, sheep, birds, and human beings were examined, direct staining of eosinophils by FITC conjugates was also detected. This FITC staining was restricted to eosinophils and was not observed in neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets. Direct FITC staining of eosinophils does not represent a problem in immunofluorescent test for the detection of FeLV infection in cats, as long as the eosinophils, which can easily be recognized as such, are excluded from the spectrum of interpreted cells.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The clinical, radiographic, gross pathologic, and histologic findings in 4 dogs with primary laryngeal neoplasia and 1 dog with secondary laryngeal neoplasia were reviewed. The clinical and radiographic findings were compared with those for proliferative inflammatory laryngeal conditions, since such conditions pose a problem in differential diagnosis. The most common clinical sign was hoarse bark or loss of voice, with subsequent onset of exertional dyspnea and cough.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Eleven arteriograms, 7 corrosion casts, and 40 dissection studies of 51 clinically normal dogs were examined for the branching patterns of the hepatic artery. An injection of radiopaque medium for selective arteriography was made initially to radiograph the celiac artery, after which a technique defined as superselective arteriography was done, advancing a catheter tip into the hepatic artery. Superselective arteriograms for study of the hepatic artery are described, and the anatomic variants of its branching are discussed. Three major types of hepatic artery branching patterns were identified. The first consists of a single hepatic artery trunk, and this pattern was found in four dogs. The second type with two separate branches of the hepatic artery was found in 27 dogs. The third type was seen in 20 dogs and consisted of 3, 4, or 5 branches that originated directly from the hepatic artery. The origin of the right gastric artery varied, as did the branching of the celiac artery. The most common termination of the celiac artery was as two branches in 31 dogs, and these branches were the hepatic artery and a gastrosplenic trunk. The gastrosplenic trunk subsequently divided to form the left gastric artery and the splenic artery. The usual description of the celiac artery is that it ends by trifurcating. A scheme was developed in which the three major types of hepatic artery branching patterns were outlined. This scheme encompases the hepatic lobar artery variants and can serve as a basis for interpretation of detailed hepatic arteriograms.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Congenital lymphedema was diagnosed clinically and confirmed radiographically in five dogs. In all dogs, hindlimbs were affected with painless pitting edema at birth or shortly thereafter. The absence of popliteal lymph nodes and lymphatic hyperplasia or lymphatic hypoplasia were detected by lymphangiography or necropsy (or both). Improvement was obtained by long-term bandaging in Robert Jones splints in one dog and by surgical excision of the affected superficial fascia and subcutaneous tissue in two dogs. The remaining two dogs were euthanatized after lymphangiographic studies and were necropsied to confirm the diagnosis.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Esophageal neoplasms were diagnosed in 8 of 49,229 dogs seen over the last 11 years at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the University of California at Davis. The neoplasms were primary in 2 dogs and metastatic to the esophagus in 6 dogs, with thyroid carcinoma being the most common site of the primary tumor. The most common clinical signs were regurgitation, dysphagia, weight loss, development of neck masses, and respiratory difficulties. It was concluded that the clinical signs often can be misleading. The interpretation of survey radiographs, barium contrast studies, or fluoroscopic studies often provide the initial data base. The final diagnosis requires histologic examination. Retention of air in the esophagus (with or without esophageal displacement) and motor dysfunction (with or without gross morphologic changes) are the most important criteria for radiographic diagnosis.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Indirect fluorescent antibody titers to Dirofilaria immitis microfilaria (IFA-mf) and peripheral eosinophilia were recorded from 15 to 52 months in ten experimentally infected dogs with occult dirofilariasis (heartworm infection without microfilaremia). Five dogs which were experimentally sensitized with D immitis microfilaria did not exhibit microfilaremia after inoculation with infective-stage larvae. In three other dogs, microfilaremia suddenly ceased after 4 to 7 months. In these three dogs, antimicrofilarial antibodies were detectable by IFA-mf test as soon as microfilaremia ended. In the remaining two dogs, which exhibited spontaneous occult dirofilariasis, antibodies were detected at the end of the prepatent period of 6 months. The presence of adult worms was confirmed by angiocardiography. Significant IFA=mf titers (greater than or equal to 1:8) persisted after successful treatment with an adulticide. Reinfection of treated dogs reestablished occult dirofilarasis. Eosinophilia was present in all dogs and peaked at about 3, 6, and 9 months after they were inoculated with infective-stage larvae. At necropsy, the ten dogs harbored gravid, reproducing adult worms in the heart and pulmonary arteries.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

A German Shepherd Dog was examined because of ascites and hepatomegaly. The finding of proteinaceous ascitic fluid and hepatic histologic features of centrizonal sinusoidal congestion suggested hepatic venous outflow obstruction. Diagnostic tests eliminated heart failure from the differential diagnosis and thus indicated an obstruction between the right atrium and hepatic sinusoids. Vascular manometry and angiography established the site of the lesion in the right atrium and confirmed portal vein hypertension. Surgical exploration revealed an unresectable right atrial tumor occluding the caudal vena cava.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Acute pancreatitis and cardiac disease were diagnosed in a dog with pulmonary edema. The early clinical course and initial thoracic radiographs suggested that the pulmonary edema was noncardiogenic. The late clinical course was complicated by heart failure. The dog died, and a necropsy was performed. Histologically, an acute, severe capillary-alveolar membrane lesion was found in the lungs. Review of the human medical literature indicated that respiratory complications, including pulmonary edema, are commonly recognized in people with acute pancreatitis. Furthermore, in acute pancreatitis of human beings, the existence of specific mechanisms of pulmonary injury is suspected. Retrospective consideration of this case suggested that the initial pulmonary edema was induced by acute pancreatitis.

Asunto(s)