1,720,974 research outputs found
EFFICACY OF SACCHAROMYCES BOULARDII IN THE TREATMENT OF DOGS WITH CHRONIC ENTEROPATHIES. RANDOMIZED DOUBLE BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROL STUDY
Full text linkA case of a dog refractory to different treatments for pulmonary capillariasis
No full textPulmonary capillariasis is a parasitic disease caused by the nematode Eucoleus aerophilus which affects wild and domestic carnivores. Currently, there are no anthelmintics approved for use in the treatment of dogs infected with E. aerophilus. The use of several anthelmintics has been reported in a few case reports and field efficacy studies in cats; much less is known on the treatment of dogs infected with E. aerophilus. The paper describes a case of a 4-month-old, mixed breed intact male referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) of the Department of Veterinary Medical Science of the University of Bologna for a routine vaccination and tested positive for E. aerophilus. The dog has not been responding to three different administered treatments, such as moxidectin, fenbendazole, and milbemycin oxime. Eighteen months after the first fecal examination, owner has brought in the dog for a routine visit; a coprological examination was requested and performed resulting negative for parasites. Veterinary practitioners, parasitologists, diagnostic laboratories, and dog owners need to be aware of the increased danger of possible treatment failure when attempting to control parasitic infections for which there are no approved anthelmintics with established efficacies available for use
Factors Influencing Contrast Enhancement in Abdominal Computed Tomography Angiography in the Dog: A Systematic Review
Full text linkMultidetector-row computed tomographic angiography (angio-CT) aims to achieve optimal opacification of the vascular compartment of interest. The distribution and quality of vascular opacification are influenced by patient-related factors, contrast medium (CM)-related factors, and scanner-related factors. This systematic review evaluates these factors and their effects on contrast enhancement. A comprehensive literature search was made in February 2024 across four online bibliographic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and CAB Abstract) in adherence with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. After screening the 5990 unique published articles initially identified, 20 full-text original studies met the inclusion criteria for the final review. The amount of abdominal adipose tissue was found to significantly affect enhancement, which suggests the possibility of reducing the CM dose to minimize adverse effects or toxicity. The injection rate of the CM, rather than the injection duration, was identified as the most critical factor, with important clinical implications. For scanners with slower acquisition speeds or longer scan durations, maintaining a fixed CM injection duration may optimize vascular phase acquisition. In contrast, faster scanners benefit from bolus tracking, which allows for improved differentiation between vascular phases. Additionally, administering a saline flush post-CM injection enhances arterial opacification while reducing the necessary CM dose. This systematic review highlights essential factors influencing contrast enhancement in angio-CT for dogs and provides a foundation for future research aimed at optimizing imaging protocols in veterinary medicine
Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography of the pancreas in healthy cats
Full text linkBackground: This study describes the pattern of ultrasonographic contrast enhancement of the pancreatic body and
left lobe using a second-generation commercial contrast medium (Sonovue) in 10 clinically healthy cats.
Results: Following contrast medium administration, microbubbles were observed within the splenic artery. This was
followed by an inflow of contrast medium into the pancreatic capillary beds, providing a uniformly contrast-enhanced
pancreas at peak intensity (PI). At the time of PI, a replenishment of the splenic and portal veins started and increased
progressively during the wash-out phase. During the wash-out phase, the echogenicity of the pancreatic parenchyma
decreased progressively. Perfusion parameters included arrival time (4.69 ± 1.26 s), time to peak from injection (7.52 ±
1.88 s), time to peak from initial rise (2.84 ± 0.88 s), peak intensity (6.58 ± 2.66 a.u.), and wash-in rate (2.11 ± 1.79 a.u./s).
Conclusions: This perfusion pattern of normal pancreatic parenchyma may be useful for characterising cats with exocrine
pancreatic disorders
Penile Foreign Bodies in Dogs: A Retrospective Study
Full text linkHematuria, or preputial hemorrhagic discharge, is an extremely common clinical sign; it can be associated with a wide range of diseases, including, even if only rarely, penile foreign bodies. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the diagnosis and therapy involving migration from the preputial ostium or penile urethra of a foreign body (awn grass) embedded in the connective tissue surrounding the penis, or in deeper inguinal tissues, in dogs with hematuria or preputial hemorrhagic discharge. In the selected cases, signaling, history, clinical signs, results of laboratory exams, endoscopic and ultrasonographic evaluation, and the technique used for foreign body removal were evaluated. Dogs with hemorrhagic discharge consequent to a penile foreign body represented 2% of the entire population considered. At physical examination, the most common features were the presence of swelling of the glans and hyperemia associated with a penile fi stula (4/6 dogs), and pain during penile exteriorization (3/6 dogs). Laboratory results showed mild neutrophilic leukocytosis in 2/3 dogs and reticulocytosis in 1/3 dogs. Endoscopy, performed in 2/6 dogs, did not reveal any alterations associated with passage of the foreign body. Ultrasonography was useful in reaching a defi nitive diagnosis, identifying the position of the grass awn in 6/6 cases and permitting its removal in all dogs using an ultrasound-guided technique. This case report suggested that penile foreign bodies are a rare, but possible, cause of hematuria or hemorrhagic discharge in male dogs, and that ultrasonography is a useful technique in the making of a differential diagnosis and removal of foreign bodies
Ultrasonographic assessment of early leakage in intestinal sutures in dogs
Full text linkIntestinal suture dehiscence is one of the most feared complications following gastrointestinal surgery in both human and veterinary medicine, increasing the morbidity and mortality of these patients. Clinical and laboratory early signs of septic peritonitis are not always easily identifiable while prompt treatment should help decrease postoperative morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to describe the ultrasonographic (US) features of confirmed leakage of intestinal sutures (LIS) and to evaluate if this imaging technique can be useful as noninvasive tool for the early diagnosis of LIS. Seven dogs developed LIS in a range of three-four days after gastrointestinal surgery and four of these developed a second dehiscence. On B-mode ultrasonography, all intestinal surgical sites were identified and characterized by a bowel focal thickening with reduced or absent wall layering and the presence of hyperechoic, double-walled foci at regular intervals (suture material). Furthermore, hyperechoic linear interfaces associated with dirty acoustic shadowing and comet-tail artifacts crossing the intestinal wall to free-float in peritoneal cavity or in a saccate collection have been documented. On the basis of these preliminary results, canine abdominal ultrasound seems to be a useful diagnostic technique for post-operative monitoring of patients undergoing intestinal surgery, allowing early detection of signs of a LIS, before the patient develops clinical signs of septic peritonitis
Gastric inflammatory pseudotumour secondary to Actinomyces hordeovulneris infection in a cat
Full text linkBackground: The authors report the first case of feline gastric actinomycosis associated with infection by Actinomyces hordeovulneris. Case presentation: A 4-year-old, neutered male, semi-feral European cat, with a 1 year history of chronic vomiting, was referred to the clinic. Abdominal ultrasound examination identified a hypoechoic focal transmural thickening with loss of normal wall layering and hyperechoic speckles at the gastric body. Initial gastroscopic examination showed a tumour-like gastric mass with an ulcerated depression at the level of the greater curvature. Histologic examination of endoscopic biopsy specimens was consistent with a severe lymphoplasmacytic gastritis. After 2 months, due to persistence of abdominal discomfort, surgical exploration and intraoperative sampling of gross abnormalities was recommended. Full thickness gastric wall biopsies, and fine needle aspiration of the gastric thickening and gastric lymph node, were performed. Histopathological examination identified a transmural pyogranulomatous gastritis. Aspirate samples of the gastric wall cultured positive, with colony morphology, biochemical testing and PCR of the 16 s rRNA gene compatible with Actinomyces hordeovulneris. After 4 months of treatment with cefovecin (8 mg/kg subcutaneously every 14 days), the vomiting completely resolved, as well as the ultrasonographic gastric alteration. Conclusion: This case report of feline gastric actinomycosis, caused by Actinomyces hordeovulneris, suggests that gastric bacterial infection should be considered in cases of focal gastric wall thickening associated with chronic vomiting in the cat, which may otherwise closely resemble neoplastic disease. Once a diagnosis of actinomycosis was obtained, a correct treatment with antibiotic therapy can resolve it
Effect of Saccharomyces boulardii in dog with chronic enteropathies: double-blinded, placebo-controlled study
No full textSaccharomyces boulardii is used to treat acute and chronic enteropathies in humans, but to date, no studies have evaluated the use of this yeast in dogs. The current study, a prospective non-randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, evaluated the effects of S boulardii in healthy dogs and dogs with chronic enteropathies (CE). Four healthy dogs and 20 dogs with CE were included. In healthy dogs, S boulardii was administered for 10 days. Possible short-term adverse effects were recorded, and quantitative stool cultures for yeasts were performed. In dogs with CE, S boulardii or a placebo was administered in addition to standard treatment protocols. Canine Chronic Enteropathy Clinical Activity Index, abdominal ultrasonography, gastroenteroscopy and histology were performed at the time of diagnosis and after 60 days of treatment. In healthy dogs, S boulardii reached a steady state in five days and was completely eliminated on day 4 after administration. No short-term side effects were seen. Clinical activity index, stool frequency, stool consistency and body condition score improved significantly in dogs with CE receiving S boulardii versus the placebo. In conclusion, S boulardii can be safely used in dogs with CE and seems to achieve better control of clinical signs than standard therapy alone
Ultrasonographic appearance and possible clinical relevance of hyperechoic foci of mineralization in the canine intrahepatic biliary tree
Full text linkBackground:
The evidence of mineralizations in the canine liver is usually considered an incidental finding of unclear clinical significance, frequently observed in small size old dogs.
Aim:
To describe the ultrasound features of intrahepatic biliary tree foci of mineralization, to assess their clinical relevance and their possible relationship with other gastrointestinal pathological disorders.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis evaluating the database of canine patients admitted to two referral veterinary centers we carried out. All dogs under study underwent an abdominal ultrasound examination in which intrahepatic biliary tree mineralization was found. Clinical and anamnestic data of the included dogs were reviewed.
Results:
Approximatively 90% of the patients showed ultrasonographic abnormalities regarding the biliary system, and over 85% presented ultrasonographic abnormalities of the hepatic parenchyma. In 81.2% of dogs, ultrasonographic anomalies in the digestive tract were observed. In approximately the half of our patients, we evidenced increased liver enzymes (ALP, ALT and GGT). At clinical evaluation, 84.4% (23 out of 32 dogs) of patients showed signs of gastrointestinal disease that persisted for over three months.
Conclusion:
The presence of intrahepatic biliary tree mineralizations is an unusual and frequently incidental finding that could be related to a bile stasis condition, a chronic inflammatory disease involving the biliary system and the hepatic parenchyma, and it could be associated to a liver-gut axis alteration. [Open Vet J 2023; 13(5.000): 541-549
ultrasonographic and histological morphometry of small intestinal wall layers in horses
Full text link: Ultrasonographic morphometry of wall layers is commonly used in veterinary patients with suspected small intestinal disease, however published studies comparing this method with histopathology in horses are limited. This prospective, methods comparison study compared the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of small intestinal wall layers using ex vivo high-frequency ultrasound versus histopathology in a sample of 16 horses. Transverse section images of duodenum, distal jejunum, and ileum were acquired with a high-frequency linear transducer (7-15 MHz). Transverse histological cryosections were obtained at the same level. Appearance and measurements of the intestinal wall layers were assessed on the ultrasonographic and histological images. High-frequency scanning with the probe in close contact with the serosal surface of the equine intestinal wall allowed a clear and detailed definition of wall layers. A hyperechoic line was consistently detected within the tunica muscularis in all the intestinal tracts, corresponding histologically to the interface between its longitudinal and circular muscle layers. The overall trend of the values for wall layers thickness was comparable between ex vivo ultrasonography and histology. However, a poor agreement was found between the two methods for all layers. The ultrasonographic measurements were thicker compared to histological measurements, with the exception of the total wall and the muscular layer thicknesses. These layers were thinner on ultrasonography in the duodenum and in all the intestinal segments, respectively. Findings from the current study can be used as background for future ultrasonographic investigations of small intestinal diseases in horses
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