Ocular ultrasonography and ultrasound biomicroscopy: applicability in clinical and ophthalmic surgery

With the advent of high frequency transducers, the use of ocular ultrasound has become widely used because it provides definitions of major ocular structures. This diagnostic tool is useful in the evaluation of ophthalmic injuries, and also used for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of intraocular and orbital lesions. It is a noninvasive, safe and fast, easy to use and can be performed in an awake animal. The ocular ultrasonography is indicated in cases of ocular opacity, when the ophthalmic examination cannot be done, and in eyes with ocular trauma or suspected orbital disease. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) is a diagnostic tool with high cost and sedation or general anesthesia is necessary, but has the advantage of evaluating structures poorly defined or visualized in the anterior segment of the eye. Therefore, this paper aims to show the importance of ocular ultrasonography and UBM to veterinary practitioners, and to demonstrate its advantages and indications in ophthalmic routine.

Echocardiographic aspects of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a Persian cat: case report

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a primary myocardial abnormality characterized by diastolic dysfunction and congestive heart failure of unknown etiology. It is a cardiac disorder most common in cats (Felis catus), and is reported as a rare condition in dogs. There are racial, sex and age predisposition in cats. Clinical signs commonly found are anorexia, nausea, vomiting, acute dyspnea, paresis or paralysis of hind limbs. Radiographic and electrocardiographic exams are critical to understanding the disease, but Doppler echocardiographic imaging is the definitive method for diagnosis. Our objective is to report the appearance and Doppler ultrasonography in a case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a 3-year-old Persian cat.

Ultrasound analysis of a canine patient with renal disease and chronic liver disease undergoing treatment with intravenous stem cells

With the improvement in quality of life of animals, it is increasingly frequent clinical care of elderly patients, which present renal disorders, including chronic renal failure. Recent studies report the use of stem cells to treat renal failure, which would improve the levels of urea and creatinine, and in renal ultrasound evaluation. With the present work, the idea is to report a case of ultrasonographic evaluation in a patient with chronic renal failure, liver disease and splenic nodule, which underwent stem cell therapy, where there was an improvement in the sonographic evaluation of part of the liver.

Doppler ultrasound in pregnancy assessment in bitches - literature review

Doppler ultrasound enables the assessment of blood flow in real time and has been widely used to aid in pregnancy diagnosis and monitoring in dogs and cats. This technique has a diferencial when compared with the B-mode ultrasound, as it allows the evaluation of vascular hemodynamic characteristics, while the two-dimensional ultrasound allows the diagnosis of pregnancy and fetal viability. Thus, the objective of this review is to describe how circulation is characterized in the uterine and fetal arteries in bitches during pregnancy using Doppler ultrasonography.

Cardiovascular and respiratory evaluation during cervical myelography using ioversol in dogs

The objective of this study was to evaluate cardiovascular and respiratory effects associated with neck flexion, subarachnoid puncture, cerebrospinal fluid drainage and the subarachnoid infusion of ioversol (320mgl/mL) in dogs under isoflurane general anesthesia. The dogs received infusion of: autologous cerebrospinal fluid at 38 degrees C (GC - control group); ioversol 0.3mL/ Kg at 25 degrees C (GI25) and heated to 38 degrees C (GI38). Heart rate, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure, respiratory rate, oxyhemoglobin saturation and electrocardiography readings were recorded. The results showed that cervical myelography with ioversol 320mgl/mL at 0.3mL/Kg (25 C-degrees and 38C degrees) did not significantly alter recorded parameters, except for an elevation in arterial pressure.

Sonographic and radiographic findings in congenital renal dysplasia in a female Lhasa apso

An 8-month-old Lhasa Apso female dog was referred to the Veterinary Hospital, FMVZ, Unesp, Botucatu Campus, with suspected congenital renal disorder. Ultrasound images revealed higher renal echogenicity, loss of corticomedullary demarcation and diverticular mineralization on the right kidney. The mucosal lining of the stomach was hyperechoic and radiographic examination demonstrated mineralization of wall and folds, which is consistent with uremic gastropathy.

Abdominal ultrasound alterations in dogs with lymphoma

The aim of this study was to evaluate abdominal ultrasound images of dogs diagnosed with lymphoma. Seventy cases of dogs with lymphoma were analyzed. The animals selected were diagnosed with lymphoma which was confirmed by citology or histopathology. The most common sonographic alterations were abdominal lymphadenopathy (57.1%), hepatomegaly (54.2%) and splenomegaly (51.4%). Of the animals that had a cytology done of superficial lymph nodes, 82,8% showed diffuse sonographic changes in the liver, 54.5% had normal sonographic appearance in the spleen and enlargement of the medial iliac lymph nodes. Considering the results, we conclude that canine lymphoma is a complex disease and that it requires several laboratory tests for a correct diagnosis and prognosis.

Cerebellar tomographic attenuation of healthy felines

The cerebellum is responsible for coordination and maintenance of the fine control of muscle contraction. In cases of a suspected cerebellar disorder, a computed tomography scan can be performed to identify structural change. The aim of this study is to describe the cerebellar tomographic attenuation values in healthy cats since this variable is considered of great importance in the evaluation of images obtained by this imaging modality. A simple and a contrast enhanced brain computed tomographic scan were performed in 15 adult cats with no history of neurological symptoms and negative for feline leukemia and immunodeficiency virus. After acquiring the image, the measurement of the average attenuation of a cerebellar area of 2 centimeters in diameter was obtained. The cerebellar tomographic attenuation showed a variation from 14.60 to 25.50 HU in the simple scan and from 25.50 to 33.40 HU in the enhanced phase. Most animals (73.33%) had precontrast cerebellar attenuation values within the stipulated limit for the brain in a previous study (20-41 HU). Four animals in this study (26.67%) had values lower than 20 HU, which can be explained by differences in cellular composition between these two regions. The average value of contrast enhancement was 4.91 HU, and in none of the animals an enhancement greater than 10 HU was observed, which is in agreement with previous studies.

Echocardiographic and radiographic aspects of tetralogy of Fallot in a Border Collie: case report

Tetralogy of Fallot is a complex cardiac malformation characterized by four anatomical defects: pulmonary valve stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, interventricular septal defect and aortic dextroposition. Imaging techniques are useful in the diagnosis of this disease, such as radiography for screening and Doppler echocardiography for a definitive diagnosis. Our objective is to report the radiographic and Doppler echocardiographic aspects of a tetralogy of Fallot case in a 10 month-old Border Collie dog.