Ultrasonographic findings in cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis

The morphological changes in the region of the reticulum were examined ultrasonographically in 26 cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis, and a radiograph of the reticulum was also taken. The ultrasonographic examination included observations of reticular motility during a three minute period, of reticular contours and of adjacent structures such as the diaphragm, the anterior dorsal blind sac of the rumen, the ventral sac of the rumen, the spleen, omasum, abomasum and liver. In cows with disturbed reticular motility, biphasic contractions were slower than normal or indistinct, and the number of contractions was reduced. Fibrinous changes appeared as echogenic deposits, sometimes accompanied by hypoechogenic fluid. Abscesses had an echogenic capsule with a hypoechogenic centre. In seven cows, there was an effusion in the region of the reticulum in addition to the morphological changes. The spleen was involved in the adhesions in four cows, the omasum in three cows, the liver in one cow and the abomasum in one cow. Radiography revealed foreign bodies penetrating the reticulum of 12 cows and magnets in the reticulum of seven cows. None of these foreign bodies or magnets could be visualised by ultrasonography.

Proventriculotomy in ostriches: 18 cases (1990-1992)

Over a 3-year period, proventriculotomy was performed on 18 ostriches to relieve impaction of the proventriculus. Diagnosis was confirmed by abdominal palpation, abdominal radiography, and in some cases, exploratory proventriculotomy. In addition to proventriculotomy, an esophagotomy was performed in 5 birds that were debilitated to allow force-feeding during the postoperative period. The median age of ostriches treated surgically for proventricular impaction was 7.5 months (range, 3 months to 18 years). Impactions consisted of sand, rocks, or gravel in combination with grass, leaves, wood, or other fibrous materials. In 7 birds, small pieces of wire or nails were also removed from the proventriculus. In 1 bird, a large metal punch was removed via the proventriculotomy. Six ostriches died at the hospital in the immediate postoperative period. Four of these died within 24 hours of surgery. All 4 birds were emaciated and in a severely weakened condition at admission, and they continued to deteriorate after surgery. One bird died 8 days after surgery as a result of complications associated with a septic joint unrelated to the proventriculotomy procedure. Another bird was euthanatized 6 days after surgery because its condition failed to improve and the owners did not want to pursue further treatment because of expense. Follow-up information was obtained for 12 surviving ostriches 1 week to 29 months (median, 5.5 months) after they were discharged from the hospital. Four of the 12 birds died within 30 days of discharge from the hospital. The remaining 8 birds (44%) were alive at follow-up evaluation (median, 10.5 months after surgery; range, 5 to 29 months).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An application of sinography in small animal practice

Sinography is a well recognised aid to clinical diagnosis in human medicine; it is used in equine practice but is less commonly used in small animal practice. The technique was used to investigate four dogs with sinuses associated with radiolucent foreign bodies secondary to penetration wounds.

Use of iohexol as a gastrointestinal contrast agent in three dogs, five cats, and one bird

Barium sulfate suspension is routinely used as contrast medium for upper gastrointestinal procedures. It has been contraindicated for use in cases of suspected perforation. In such instances, water-soluble iodides are recommended for use. Most of the water-soluble iodides available for use in veterinary medicine at this time are hyperosmolar. This results in in transit dilution of the contrast column. The dilution of the contrast agent within the intestines may prevent visualization of a perforation, especially if the perforation is in the distal portion of the small intestine. Iohexol a nonionic water-soluble iodide of low osmolality, is currently used in veterinary medicine for myelography. We have used it as the contrast agent for upper gastrointestinal studies in cases of suspected obstruction or perforation, with good results, and no adverse effects have been associated with its use. Opacity of the contrast column was adequate, and segmentation or flocculation of the column was not apparent.

Radiography as an aid in the diagnosis of traumatic reticuloperitonitis in cattle

Radiographs of the reticulum, the medical records and the surgical and post mortem findings for 151 cattle were evaluated, and the radiographic findings in animals which had no pathological changes in the cranioventral abdomen were compared with those in animals with traumatic reticuloperitonitis. Features that were found to be reliable in the diagnosis of the condition included atypically positioned foreign bodies, abnormal gas shadows in the region of the reticulum, and depressions in the cranioventral margin of the reticulum. In addition to the reticulum, the remainder of the cranioventral abdomen was also assessed radiographically. An accumulation of gas or a gas-fluid interface outside the gastrointestinal tract, and intra-abdominal masses were typical findings in cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis. Various parameters were used to determine the reliability of radiography of the reticulum in the diagnosis of the condition; its prevalence was 50 per cent, the sensitivity of the radiographic diagnosis was 76 per cent, the specificity was 93 per cent, the accuracy was 85 per cent, the positive predictive value was 92 per cent and the negative predictive value was 80 per cent.

Choledocholithiasis attributable to a foreign body in a horse

Cholelithiasis is the most common cause of biliary obstruction in horses. Proposed mechanisms include ascariasis, biliary stasis, ascending biliary infection, and changes in bile composition. In this horse, a foreign body acted as the nidus for bile-salt deposition and ascending cholangitis. Clinical signs (intermittent abdominal pain, icterus, and pyrexia) in conjunction with high serum activity of enzymes indicative of obstructive biliary disease led to a tentative diagnosis of cholelithiasis. Ultrasonography was used to confirm the diagnosis. Postmortem examination revealed a 7-cm wooden stick to be the core of a cholelith found in the common bile duct.

Nasopharyngeal grass foreign body in eight cats

Nasopharyngeal grass foreign bodies were diagnosed in 8 indoor/outdoor cats. Each cat was anesthetized with xylazine/ketamine, and the foreign bodies were extracted from the nasopharynx by use of mosquito forceps.

Penetrating lingual foreign bodies in three horses

Three horses examined for complaints of ptyalism and dysphagia were found to have metallic lingual foreign bodies. Metallic foreign bodies were located by oral examination combined with radiography. In 1 horse clinical signs resolved without removal of the foreign body. The foreign body was extracted via an oral approach in the second horse; a mandibular symphysiotomy and radiographic guidance were necessary for removal in the third horse. In all 3 cases, the presenting clinical signs subsided.

Oesophageal choke in an African elephant

A young African elephant suffered a fatal obstruction of the caudal oesophagus caused by an ingested apple. This report describes the attempts made to relieve the obstruction and the subsequent post mortem findings.

[The ultrasonic diagnosis of foreign bodies in the horse]

Ultrasonography in veterinary practice represents a method that nowadays is a approved component of the examination of small and large animals. Although sometimes more difficult than in small animals, ultrasonography can be often useful in horses. In the present report two cases demonstrate the possibility of sonography in the diagnostic of foreign bodies in soft tissues in horses.

Removal of nasogastric tube fragments from three horses

Three horses were admitted for retrieval of polyurethane nasogastric tube fragments. The fragments were removed from the esophagus or stomach of 2 horses by manipulation of a snare introduced through the biopsy port of an endoscope. The fragments were surgically removed from the stomach of the third horse.

[2 cases of 'hardware' foreign objects in ponies]

An obstruction of the small intestine was suspected in two ponies with colic. At surgery and at necropsy, the cause of the colic appeared to be an inflammation process caused by perforation of the jejunum by a piece of wire. One pony recovered after laparotomy and enterectomy, but had to be put down eight weeks later because of severe laminitis. The other pony was euthanized immediately after clinical evaluation.

Heavy metal poisoning in ostriches from proventricular foreign bodies

Cases of iron, zinc, lead and copper poisoning in ostriches are discussed. Metallic proventricular foreign bodies are a potential source of heavy metal poisoning in ratites. Tissue levels of heavy metals and trace elements supporting these diagnoses are reviewed.

Traumatic, degenerative, and developmental lesions in wolves and coyotes from Saskatchewan

A retrospective review was done of traumatic and osseous lesions in 241 wolves (Canis lupus) and 316 coyotes (Canis latrans) necropsied at the University of Saskatchewan between 1971 and 1990. Most lesions were the result of interspecific conflict. The most frequently occurring lesion in wolves was fracture of one or more bones, primarily ribs. Lesions were healed in most cases and appeared to be compatible with injuries caused by prey animals. One wolf, found dead, died as a result of thoracic trauma. Limb and skull fractures were less common. Fractures were uncommon in coyotes. The most frequent injuries in coyotes were related to gunshot wounds. Four coyotes had been killed but not eaten by wolves. One wolf had been killed and another attacked by wolves. Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) quills contributed to the death of a wolf and two coyotes. Degenerative joint disease, involving the spinal column and limb joints, was found in a few individuals of both species. A coyote had severe anomalies of the spinal column and a wolf had anomalous external genitalia.