Gallbladder mucocele is characterized by hyperplasia of the gallbladder epithelium, increased mucus production, accumulation, and densification of the bile content, which can lead to biliary obstruction, necrosis, and rupture of the gallbladder wall. Its finding may be accidental or related to symptoms. A retrospective study (2016-2019) was carried out based on abdominal ultrasound examinations in dogs, correlating aspects of the gallbladder and biliary system in the mucocele with existing comorbidities. Thirty dogs diagnosed with biliary mucocele were evaluated, of which 46.66% had the disease at an early stage, and 53.33% showed a more advanced stage. Of these, 66.66% were related to endocrinopathies and hyperadrenocorticism. Signs of extrahepatic bile duct obstruction and biliary peritonitis were observed in two animals. Due to their potential risk of complications, follow-up ultrasound assessments are indicated in cases that opt for clinical treatment, not excluding the need for surgical intervention.

ABSTRACT Arterioportal communications are complex hepatic vascular abnormalities. These are rarely seen in dogs and typically manifest as neurological, gastrointestinal, and developmental changes. This report describes clinical, laboratory and imaging findings associated with hepatic arterioportal malformation in a male Shih-Tzu dog aged 12 months. The diagnosis was achieved using computed tomographic angiography. The therapeutic approach selected consisted of palliative medical management (diuretics) combined with dietary protein restriction (3.6 g/100 kcal) provided by hepatic diet and gut activity modulation using lactulose. Surgical intervention was not recommended due to the complexity of vascular changes and portal hypertension. Despite initial clinical improvement, the patient died of disease-related complications seven months after diagnosis. Computed tomographic angiography was vital for accurate diagnosis and treatment selection, that needs to be more investigated.

Canine mast cell tumor is a malignant neoplasm, and a gold standard treatment remains to be determined despite the proposed chemotherapies or other therapies in dogs. This study aimed to determine therapeutic, adverse effects and toxicity, tumor-free, and overall survival times of 10 dogs with surgically excised mast cell tumors evaluated by histopathological/immunohistochemistry and treated with four weekly intravenous administrations of 2-Aminoethyl Dihydrogen Phosphate (70 mg/kg) as adjuvant therapy. No adverse events were noted. Laboratory changes were limited (p < 0.05) in red blood cell, hemoglobin, and platelet counts. Mean tumor-free and overall survival were 599.1 ± 469 and 755.5 ± 423.5 days, respectively. In conclusion, 2-Aminoethyl Dihydrogen Phosphate administration was safe in dogs. However, 2-Aminoethyl Dihydrogen Phosphate was not sufficiently effective to prevent a recurrence, new tumor, or metastasis of canine mast cell tumors with poor immunohistochemical prognostic factors.

Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) are a severe threat to wildlife biodiversity worldwide and most vertebrate species are at risk. However, there is a considerable knowledge gap on the traumatic features and potential patterns of MVCs in wildlife. We investigated traumatic injuries (TIs) caused by MVCs (MVCs-TIs) in 430 neotropical wild mammals representing 44 species from Brazil. Injuries were classified topographically into four categories: abdomen/pelvis (AP), chest (TX), head/neck (HN) and extremities (EX). We also determined the prevalence of pathological changes in MVC fatalities. AP (n = 381; 89%) was the most affected body segment, followed by TX (n = 372; 87%), HN (n = 363; 84%) and EX (n = 288; 67%). The most prevalent gross pathological findings were single or multiple bone fractures (n = 397; 92%), visceral organ rupture (n = 371; 86%), haemothorax (n = 220; 51%) and pulmonary haemorrhage (n = 212; 49%). Microscopically, pulmonary oedema (n = 324; 82%) and haemorrhage (n = 272; 69%) were the most prevalent lesions. No distinct TI patterns were evident across the various taxonomic groups, although trends were found in some taxa, such as armadillos. These results may help clinicians performing emergency care on MVC wildlife patients and may be of value in pathological and forensic investigations where a MVC has been deemed a likely contributory factor to death.

Background: Intestinal diverticulum is an abnormality resulting in the formation of a blind-ended saccular pouch that can be acquired either congenital, true (involving all intestinal layers) or false (involving the mucosa and submucosa), with extraluminal and intraluminal type. In humans, the acquired is more frequent, being the colon is the most affected segment followed by duodenum; most of duodenal diverticulum remains asymptomatic, but biliary obstruction, recurrent acute pancreatitis, hemorrhagic ulcer, proximal intestinal obstruction and perforation may occur. The aim of this report is to present a case of a congenital disease in dogs, prone to misdiagnosis due to non-specific clinical signs.Case: An 8-month-old male Boxer was evaluated due to recurrent hyporexia, vomiting, melena and syncope over three months with signs of a possible intestinal obstruction. Physical examination showed no abnormalities except for pale mucous membranes. Complete blood count revealed anemia and leukocytosis. Platelets and biochemical profiles were normal. Abdominal ultrasound examination indicated a dilated duodenum, measuring approximately 3.36 cm in diameter, with heterogeneous fluid content and hyperechogenic structures with acoustic shadow, peristalsis appeared decreased and non-progressive. The gastrointestinal positive contrast study was performed to better evaluate abnormalities detected at ultrasonography. Images after 30 m of contrast administration demonstrated a marked distension of the duodenum, filled with contrast and a mildly filled stomach displaced to the left. Sixty min after contrast administration a marked distension of the entire duodenum, with tortuous aspect and filled with contrast was seen. The caudal duodenal flexure was connected to a large barium filled saccular structure that measured approximately 7 cm in diameter, consistent with a duodenal diverticulum. A blood transfusion was performed and surgical treatment indicated. The diverticulum and a small portion of the caudal duodenal segment were resected, an end-side enteroanastomosis was made due to the difference in diameter between intestinal segments. The patient was medicated with sucralfate (12.5 mg/kg), ranitidine (2 mg/kg), metronidazole (25 mg/kg), dipyrone (25 mg/kg) and, tramadol (2 mg/kg) and recovered quickly from surgery. Histopathological examination characterized the diverticular tissue as a true diverticulum by the presence of all intestinal layers. Post-operative and follow-up evaluations showed no recurrence of clinical signs.Discussion: In veterinary practice, congenital duodenal diverticulum is a rare condition documented in dogs, curiously all Boxers None of the reported cases in literature had the diagnostic of duodenal diverticulum made exclusively by ultrasonography. Other diagnostic imaging modalities, such as gastrointestinal barium study or endoscopy, were necessary. In one case a diagnostic was made during exploratory laparotomy. The marked dilatation of the duodenal segment impaired ultrasound evaluation, allowing recognition of an obstructive pattern, not the diverticulum itself. At histopathological examination, the diverticular tissue was characterized by a thickened wall with a hypertrophied muscle layer, characterizing a true duodenal diverticulum. The location, breed and age of the dogs affected with duodenal diverticulum was similar in all veterinary cases reported. Dogs presenting signs of gastrointestinal disease and abdominal pain are common in patients referred to ultrasound examination. However, despite the rare reports described, we must consider this affection as a differential diagnosis, whenever boxer puppies present these clinical signs associated with gastrointestinal bleeding and syncope.

Intestinal endoparasite infection may promote a nutrient competition with host, reducing absorption and performance as consequence. Phosphorus could be more affected due to the main absorption site is the duodenum. Thus, the study measured the performance, phosphorus metabolism, bone density and blood markers in Santa Ines lambs infected Trichostrongylus colubriformis and fed with different phosphorus (P) levels were tested. Eighteen healthy six-month old, castrated male, Santa Ines lambs (initial body weight 22.4 +/- 2.7 kg) were randomly assigned to 4 treatments in a 2 x 2 split-plot arrangement. Treatment factors were sufficient (SP) or deficient (DP) dietary P and uninfected (ui) or infected (i) resulting in 4 treatments: SPui, DPui, SPi, and Dpi). Five animals were assigned to each of the infected treatments and 4 to the uninfected treatments. Infection was established using a single oral dose of 40.000 T. colubriformis in the larval stage (L3). All the animals were fed Tifton 85 hay (Cynodon spp.; 60 %) supplemented with cassava and maize gluten meal (40 %). Animals were weighed and blood was sampled weekly. Body composition was estimated twice by computed tomography. P metabolism was assessed by isotope dilution after a bolus infusion of P-32 (7.4 M Bq/0.5 mL). Fecal egg counts (FEC) were assessed every 3 days beginning d 18 post-infection, and adult nematodes were counted and characterized (gender, length, and eggs in reproductive tract) at slaughter. The experiment lasted 96 d, and 45 d after infeciton. Statistical procedures were performed using R studio. Infection was successful as evidenced by increased FEC, and the elevated counts were maintained longer with Dpi than SPi. Performance, feed intake, and blood parameters were not affected by treatments. Infected animals had reduced bone density and bone P concentrations as compared to uninfected ones. Endogenous P loss was reduced for DP. Plasma, saliva, and ruminal liquid P concentrations decreased in infected animals. Phosphorus absorption and retention coefficients did not differ by treatment, but the biological half-life (T-1/2) of P was reduced for infected animals due to faster blood P-32 removal. We concluded that T. colubriformis infection modified P metabolism, and blood P concentrations are an indicator of animal problems, connecting infection and bone mineralization.

Foi realizada uma revisão sobre a fisiopatogenia, sinais clínicos, diagnóstico e principais tratamentos e técnicas para o desvio portossistêmico em pequenos animais. As fontes pesquisadas foram: CAB, MEDILINE por um período retrospectivo de 20 anos e acervos da Biblioteca da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ) da Universidade de São Paulo (USP). O desvio portossistêmico congênito (DPSC) é uma das anormalidades vasculares mais comuns em cães, as raças de pequeno porte apresentam maior incidência. Os DPSCs em cães e gatos são comunicações vasculares que ocorrem do sistema venoso portal para o sistema venoso sistêmico, ou seja, fazem uma via secundária. Há dois tipos de DPSCs, intra-hepático e extra-hepático, observados com frequência em raças de grande porte e miniaturas, respectivamente. O diagnóstico é baseado no histórico de animais jovens com retardo de crescimento, letargia, convulsão ou distúrbio de comportamento principalmente após alimentação, retorno demorado de anestesia ou sedação, crise de encefalopatia hepática, em raças predispostas. A confirmação do vaso anômalo é realizada pela ultrassonografia com doppler, angiografia por tomografia computadorizada ou por ressonância magnética. O manejo clínico pode aliviar sinais clínicos de encefalopatia hepática, porém em longo prazo, é questionável, pois o fluxo sanguíneo portal continua desviado para a circulação sistêmica, comprometendo a distribuição de fatores hepatotróficos ao fígado e ocorrendo uma contínua atrofia do mesmo. O único tratamento definitivo é o cirúrgico, idealmente com técnica que atenue progressivamente o vaso anômalo e evite a hipertensão portal aguda. Dentre as técnicas de tratamento cirúrgico descritas o uso de ameroide constrictor apresenta-se como uma das formas mais seguras a obtenção do fechamento do desvio. Entretanto, os portadores de DPSC podem sofrer de complicações perioperatórias graves e necessitam de abordagem clínicocirúrgica específica, associado a um diagnóstico por imagem precisa para a correta localização do vaso anômalo e sucesso cirúrgico.

Resumo Avaliou-se o potencial de reprodutibilidade e repetibilidade de um sistema semiautomático de mensuração radiográfica. Para isto foram mensurados, por intermédio de um software o vertebral heart score (VHS) e a área cardíaca normalizada (ACN) em imagens radiográficas de cães da raça poodle clinicamente normais e portadores de insuficiência valvar mitral. Dada a subjetividade da análise da silhueta cardíaca por diferentes observadores, acredita-se que mesmo com um sistema semiautomático essa avaliação poderia ser afetada pela experiência prévia do observador em radiodiagnóstico. Foram analisadas cinquenta e sete imagens radiográficas torácicas de cães atendidos em um hospital veterinário. As imagens foram analisadas por dois grupos de observadores com diferentes níveis de experiência em radiologia: (A) sem experiência (n = 2) e (B) com experiência (n = 2). Demonstrou-se boa repetibilidade e reprodutibilidade para o VHS independente da experiência em radiodiagnóstico, e para a ACN em observadores experientes e com familiaridade com o software.

The objective of this study was to describe the lumbosacral region of domestic felines using ultrasonography. The limits and dimensions of the epidural and subarachnoid spaces were identified and their correlation with sex and body score condition (BSC) were evaluated. Fourteen mongrel cat cadavers, nine males and five females, weighing between 2.0 and 4.5 kg and with BCS ranging from 2 to 5 (1–5) were used. The cadavers were put in sternal recumbency and ultrasonographic images of the lumbosacral region were obtained in the sagittal and transverse planes. There was no statistical difference in the measurements between males and females. The BCS was positively correlated with the distance between the skin and dorsal epidural space, the distance between the skin and dural sac, and the distance between the skin and the ventral floor. No correlations were identified between the BCS and the distance between epidural space and dural sac, BCS and the sagittal dural sac height, or BCS and transverse dural sac height. The study showed that animals with a higher body condition score present larger distances between structures, regardless of their sex. In addition, the sonographic study verified the close proximity of the epidural and subarachnoid spaces, highlighting the risk of inadvertent spinal puncture in felines.

Resumo O objetivo foi estudar e aprimorar a técnica intracapsular de reparação do ligamento cruzado cranial assistida por artroscopia em cadáveres de cães com a confecção dos túneis tibial e femoral e utilização de autoenxerto osso-tendão patelar-osso. Foram utilizados 10 membros pélvicos de cães > 20kg. Os túneis ósseos foram confeccionados de forma independente e na posição anatômica original dos locais de inserção do ligamento cruzado cranial. Foram realizados estudo radiográfico e tomográfico para avaliar a articulação. A coleta das porções ósseas do enxerto foi feita com osteótomo e martelo. Ocorreram fratura em três patelas e em três tuberosidades tibiais. Os enxertos apresentaram comprimento médio 7,56cm. Os túneis tibiais e os túneis femorais foram confeccionados no local de inserção do ligamento cruzado cranial em 80% e 90% das articulações, respectivamente. Os túneis tibiais apresentaram ângulo médio de 62,95º mensurado por tomografia computadorizada. Os túneis femorais foram confeccionados em posição 13hs para o joelho esquerdo (100%) e 11hs para o direito (100%). Ao final do procedimento, obteve-se gaveta negativo em 100% das articulações. Pode-se concluir que a técnica proposta é viável de ser realizada no cão, porém faz-se necessário instrumental específico devido ao pequeno tamanho da articulação canina para obter melhor acurácia.

Osteomyelitis of the vertebral body is a rare condition, and its prognostic is reserved in several species, caus- ing spinal cord involvement, and neurological manifestations. In foals, the disease can be resulted from an infection caused by several bacteria, in which R. equi has a higher incidence among the responsible agents. The objective of this report is to describe the osteomyelitis occurrence on the structures that constitute the atlantoaxial joint in a 115 day-old foal. At the cervical spine radiographic exam suspected a fracture in the odontoid process. After the radiograph results, associated to the clinical manifestations, and the owner’s interest, it was decided to euthanize the animal. In order to find a more accurate diagnosis, a myelography and a myelotomography were performed. The radiograph was not enough to identify precisely the vertebral disorders, whilst the computerized tomography detected the lesions related to the condition was confirmed later with necropsy and histopathological evaluation.

ABSTRACT: The contribution of computed tomography for staging and surgical planning of malignant perineal tumors in dogs is discussed. Five dogs diagnosed with malignant perineal neoplasms underwent to computed tomography (CT) examination. The CT image enabled investigation of cleavage planes between neoplastic lesions and adjacent structures such as the rectum, anus, vagina, urethra and perineal muscles. Accurate assessment regional lymph nodes and adjacent bone structures was also possible. All tumors evaluated in this region presented heterogeneous appearance in pre and postcontrast CT images, but only the anal sac adenocarcinomas presented lymphadenopathy. Computed tomography proved to be a valuable tool for tumor staging and determination of lesion extension and invasion of adjacent tissues, providing significant contributions to clinical and surgical therapeutic planning.

Background: The ultrasound exam has always played a secondary role in pulmonary imaging, with its applicability restricted in emergency care to screen for pleural and/or pericardial effusion, pneumothorax and pulmonary contusion. The recognition of different reverberating artifacts arising from the normal aerated lungs (A lines) and in the presence of lungs with interstitial and/or alveolar infiltrates (B lines) led to wider application of the technique in patients with respiratory syndrome. The objective of this study was to describe the ultrasound imaging methodology and the aspects of the pleura, pleural space and lung fields in healthy dogs.Materials, Methods & Results: Twenty healthy dogs of different breeds and ages, males and females were evaluated in this study; good health status was confirmed by physical examination, electro and echocardiographic assessment, thoracic radiography and systemic arterial blood pressure measurements. Dogs were scanned by a single examiner experienced in diagnostic imaging and previously trained for 6 months in thoracic ultrasound image interpretation. A MyLab 40 with a microconvex multifrequency probe (5-8 MHz) was used in this study. Evaluation was performed in an orthopneic position (standing or sternal recumbecy) under manual containment. Ultrasound examinations were based on the VetBLUE (Veterinary Bedside Lung Ultrasound Exam) protocol. Lung fields were regionally scanned at the 2nd-3rd, 4-5th, 6-7th and 8-9th intercostal spaces in the right and left hemithorax. A subxiphoid window was added to screen for free fluid in the pleural space and/or pericardial sac. Pleural sliding and A lines, that are hyperechoic parallel equidistant lines arising from the visceral pleura-lung interface could be easily seen at all intercostal spaces in all dogs in this sample, with more difficult visualization at the 2nd-3rd intercostal space. B lines were observed in seven out of twenty dogs (35%). However, this artifact was limited to one intercostal space and a maximum of two lines were detected per field. B line artifacts were more commonly seen in the right hemithorax, at the level of the 8-9th intercostal space however without significant differences. In the subxiphoid window evaluation A lines were not detected.Discussion: The observation of B lines in healthy dogs was previously described and as in our study there were no significant differences relative to B line observation relatively to the intercostal space neither between the right and the left hemithorax. B lines are generally associated with decreased pulmonary aeration in response to interstitial/alveolar infiltration, which generates reflections and comet tail artifacts. The low number of B lines observed in this study may be associated with larger veins or lymphatics vessels, focal interstitial thickening or microatelectasia. The high respiratory frequency does not interfere in the sonographic evaluation. The dyspnea presented for animals with acute respiratory syndromes can be aggravated in stress situations, such as the displacement to the radiology service and manipulation necessary to the radiographic projections. Regional scanning by some acoustic windows allows rapid assessment of the thorax, with significant contributions to decision making in emergency situations. However, ultrasonography does not eliminate the need for other imaging modalities such as radiography and computed tomography and should be seen as a screening tool for patients presenting with acute respiratory syndromes.

The increase of urinary fractional excretion of phosphorus (uFEP) may indicate phosphorus retention before the onset of hyperphosphatemia in the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The hypothesis of this study is whether uFEP may increase during the early stage of CKD as a compensatory mechanism to prevent hyperphosphatemia as well as whether hyperphosphatemia in the late stages is associated with increase or decrease in uFEP in dogs with naturally occurring CKD; therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the uFEP in CKD dogs with different stages. Forty-nine CKD dogs were included, and they were divided into stage 1 (serum creatinine < 1.4 mg/dL), stage 2 (serum creatinine 1.5 to 2.0 mg/dL), stage 3 (serum creatinine 2.1 to 5.0 mg/dL) and stage 4 (serum creatinine > 5.0 mg/dL), according to the IRIS staging criteria. The stage 3 was subdivided into stage 3-A (serum creatinine 2.1 to 3.5 mg/dL) and stage 3-B (serum creatinine 3.6 to 5.0 mg/dL). The control group comprised 10 dogs, and uFEP ≤ 40% was considered as normal. A progressive increase in uFEP along the progression of CKD was found. However, similar results of uFEP levels were observed in late CKD, since there were no differences between stages 3 (A, B) and 4. Interestingly, some CKD dogs with stage 4 showed normal or reduced uFEP, besides hyperphosphatemia; conversely, some dogs in early CKD had increased uFEP values and normophosphatemia. Our findings suggest that uFEP may act as a compensatory mechanism to avoid the onset of hyperphosphatemia in early CKD, but not in later stages. uFEP assessment may be considered as an additional tool for the diagnostic and monitoring of phosphate disorders in dogs with CKD, since it may help to identify disturbances of phosphorus balance. More studies are needed to elucidate the role of uFEP in phosphorus homeostasis in dogs with CKD.

Congenital malformations have been reported in all classes of vertebrates and may be a determinant of life span and survival. In reptiles, the incidence of congenital malformations can be associated with genetic and environmental causes, including pollution. The characterization of pathological processes involved in the development of congenital malformations of bone in snakes is rare in the literature, but is of great relevance in the field of reptile conservation and environmental health. We describe congenital bone lesions in 50 newborn jararaca (Bothrops jararaca) and 26 South American rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus terrificus) born from wild-caught pregnant females in Southeastern Brazil. Lesions were evaluated by morphometric quantitative analysis, x-ray microtomography, and histopathologic descriptive analysis. Morphometric analysis showed that jararaca presented more severe axial lesions (kyphosis, scoliosis, and kyphoscoliosis) than rattlesnakes. Female rattlesnakes presented more severe axial lesions than did males. In rattlesnakes, spinal deformities were more frequently diagnosed in the caudal segment of the body. We present x-ray microtomographic assessments and images of malformed snakes (n = 9) and characterized novel malformations, such as the agenesis of frontal, parietal, and supraoccipital bones in a jararaca specimen. Histopathologic findings included vertebral body fusion, myositis, coagulation necrosis, and disorganization of periaxial muscle fibers. The new methods and results presented in this study will be useful and informative for future research in pathology, teratology, embryology, and ecotoxicology in snakes.

RESUMO: Este estudo teve como objetivo apresentar de forma detalhada dados morfológicos e morfométricos da articulação umerorradioulnar de cães de raça definida avaliados por meio de exames físicos, radiográficos e tomográficos. A amostra dessa pesquisa constituiu-se de 44 cotovelos de cães com idades variadas. Para análise de informações obtidas, o coeficiente kappa e de correlação interclasse e associação foram realizados. Constatou-se que o desempenho individual de cada projeção radiográfica teve pobre concordância com o exame tomográfico; não houve concordância entre os observadores para as mensurações do ângulo da incisura ulnar ao exame radiográfico e tomográfico. Porém houve boa/moderada concordância para mensuração da incongruência radioulnar no plano sagital entre os observadores. Concluiu-se que nenhuma das cinco incidências radiográficas foi superior para análise radiográfica, uma vez que cada projeção apresentou melhor identificação de um compartimento do cotovelo. Medidas ao exame tomográfico para incongruência radioulnar não apresentaram reprodutibilidade no plano de reconstrução frontal, entretanto no corte sagital apresentaram boa e moderada concordância entre os observadores e que a mensuração do ângulo da incisura ulnar não apresentou repetibilidade ao exame radiográfico e nem reprodutibilidade ao exame tomográfico. Esses resultados contribuem para melhor utilização de cada exame de acordo com a região a ser avaliada bem como ressaltam a necessidade da somatória de múltiplos exames de imagem para a correta avaliação desta afecção.