Gastrointestinal ultrasonography of the dog: a review of 265 cases (1996-1998)

Use of computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of mechanical gastrointestinal obstruction in canines and felines

The objective of this study was to describe the use of computed tomography (CT) for diagnosis of mechanical gastrointestinal (GIT) obstruction in canines and felines. Medical records of 130 canines and felines that underwent an abdominal CT scan between 2013 and 2015 at a specialty referral hospital for suspected gastrointestinal tract (GIT) obstruction were reviewed. Images were evaluated by a single board-certified radiologist for the presence of foreign material, evidence of obstruction, and location of foreign material present. Confirmation of CT findings was based on surgical exploration or medical management if surgery was not indicated. Of the 97 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 48 (49.48%) had evidence of foreign material present within the GIT and 49 (50.52%) did not. Forty-one patients had evidence of mechanical gastrointestinal obstruction. Thirty-nine of these patients had an obstruction due to foreign material; one had an intussusception with no foreign material, and another had obstruction secondary to mucosal thickening. Forty-five patients underwent exploratory laparotomy, and CT findings were confirmed in all patients. The presence of a GIT obstruction was confirmed intra-operatively in 37 patients and lack of obstruction was confirmed in the remaining eight. Non-surgical medical management was pursued for the remaining patients. Based on follow-up client interviews, clinical signs resolved in all of these patients. In conclusion, computed tomography appears to be useful for the diagnosis of GIT obstruction in canines and felines and is a helpful tool for guiding the recommendation for surgical intervention.

Occurrence, clinical features and outcome of canine pancreatitis (80 cases)

Medical records of 80 dogs diagnosed with acute pancreatitis during a 4-year period were evaluated regarding history, breed predilection, clinical signs and additional examination findings. Cases were selected if compatible clinical symptoms, increased serum activity of amylase or lipase and morphologic evidence of pancreatitis by ultrasonography, laparotomy or necropsy were all present. Like in other studies, neutered dogs had an increased risk of developing acute pancreatitis. Although breed predilection was consistent with earlier reports, some notable differences were also observed. Apart from Dachshunds, Poodles, Cocker Spaniels and Fox Terriers, the sled dogs (Laikas, Alaskan Malamutes) also demonstrated a higher risk for pancreatitis according to our results. Concurrent diseases occurred in 56 dogs (70%), diabetes mellitus (n = 29, 36%) being the most common. Clinical signs of acute pancreatitis were similar to those observed in other studies. The study group represented a dog population with severe acute pancreatitis, having a relatively high mortality rate (40%) compared to data of the literature. Breed, age, gender, neutering and body condition had no significant association with the outcome. Hypothermia (p = 0.0413) and metabolic acidosis (p = 0.0063) correlated significantly with poor prognosis and may serve as valuable markers for severity assessment in canine acute pancreatitis.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the thickness of the small intestinal wall in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVES

To establish whether the intestinal wall thickness, as measured ultrasonographically, is significantly increased in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The results would provide the information necessary to decide whether measurement of ultrasonographic wall thickness can predict IBD in dogs.

METHODS

The intestinal wall thickness of 75 dogs with idiopathic IBD, as measured by ultrasonography, was compared with recently published normal values. IBD was either confirmed histologically (n = 54) or suspected (n = 21). In all cases there was a positive response to immunosuppressive treatment.

RESULTS

A positive association between intestinal wall thickness in dogs and either the histological diagnosis or the response to treatment was not found. Ultrasonographic intestinal wall measurements do not appear to be able to establish a diagnosis of intestinal inflammation and may result in a false negative diagnosis in cases of IBD.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The same 'grey zone' of between 4 and 6 mm used in humans can be used in the canine duodenum to distinguish the normal range, reserving the term 'abnormal' for an intestinal measurement greater than 6 mm in the duodenum and greater than 4.7 mm in the jejunum.

Sonographic signs of gastroduodenal linear foreign body in 3 dogs

This article describes the sonographic signs identified in three dogs with confirmed gastroduodenal linear foreign bodies. The sonographic signs included the following; an abnormal tortuous path of the descending duodenum, the presence of a hyperechoic linear structure within the duodenal lumen which was carefully followed orally to the pylorus. The presence of a mass with strong acoustic shadow within the pylorus may also be imaged. The normal intestinal layers were present in the duodenal wall. In real time, the intestinal path was followed through many "hairpin" turns, and during this process the lumen was observed for identification of a linear structure. Secondary sequelae of gastrointestinal perforation were more difficult to identify with confidence in the cases presented.