(2015) Semen quality, testicular B-mode and Doppler ultrasound, and serum testosterone concentrations in dogs with established infertility. Theriogenology, 84 (5). pp. 805-810. ISSN 1879-3231 Access from the University of Nottingham repository: http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/38920/1/Dogs%20with%20Established%20Infertility %20Theriogenology.pdf Copyright and reuse:The Nottingham ePrints service makes this work by researchers of the University of Nottingham available open access under the following conditions. This article is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives licence and may be reused according to the conditions of the licence. For more details see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ A note on versions:The version presented here may differ from the published version or from the version of record. If you wish to cite this item you are advised to consult the publisher's version. Please see the repository url above for details on accessing the published version and note that access may require a subscription. concentrations (1.40 ± 0.62 ng / mL) than fertile dogs (1.81 ± 0.87 ng / mL) (P < 0.05). 37There were subjective differences in testicular echogenicity in some of the infertile 38 dogs, and important differences in testicular artery blood flow with lower peak systolic 39 and end diastolic velocities measured in the distal supra-testicular artery, marginal 40 testicular artery and intra-testicular artery of infertile dogs (P < 0.05). Notably, 41resistance index and pulsatility index did not differ between infertile and fertile dogs. 42These findings demonstrate important differences between infertile and fertile dogs 43 which may be detected within an expanded breeding soundness examination.

RESUMO.-[Avaliação Triplex Doppler dos testículos de cães de tamanhos diferentes.]Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar se existem diferenças nos parâmetros dopplervelocimétricos entre cães de diferentes portes. Para tanto, foram utilizados 20 cães, sendo 10 cães de pequeno porte e 10 cães de grande porte. Foram avaliados pelo Triplex Doppler para localização da artéria testicular nos segmentos de cordão espermático, marginal ao testículo e intratesticular. Após isso, o Doppler espectral foi acionado para cálculo dos parâmetros de velocidade de pico sistólico (VPS), velocidade diastólica final (VDF) e índices de resistência (IR) e pulsatilidade (IP). O volume testicular médio do testículo esquerdo foi significativamente maior que o direito em ambos os grupos. Ao Doppler, foram observadas diferenças dos valores entre os portes, sendo as velocidades no cordão espermático superiores nos animais de grande porte (P < 0,05) e dentro dos grupos também foram observadas diferenças entre as regiões da artéria testicular. Diante do exposto, conclui-se que existem diferenças nos parâmetros dopplervelocimétricos quando comparados animais de diferentes portes, além disso, os parâmetros dopplervelocimétricos são diferentes dependendo da região em que são mensurados. INTRODUCTIONThe ultrasonographic evaluation of the testes allows the study of anatomy, parenchyma and adjacent structures, which is important to detect anatomical abnormalities, as well as guiding interventional procedures for diagnosis purposes (Nyland & Matton 2004). Two-dimensional ultrasound of the testes enables the assessment of echogenicity and echotexture, besides the measure of testicular volume, which may represent normal development of testes, serving as a tool in detecting testicular diseases (Dogra et al. 2003). This study aimed to assess whether there are differences in Doppler velocimetry parameters between different sizes. Twenty dogs were equally divided into small and large groups used in this study. The dogs were evaluated using Triplex ultrasound. Testicular artery was located by Colour Doppler in the spermatic cord, marginal to the testes and intratesticular segments and then, spectral Doppler were used to calculate: peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI). The mean testicular volume in the left side was significantly higher than the right side, in both groups. Doppler examination showed higher velocities (EDV) at spermatic cord in large dogs; marginal to the testes was observed higher velocities in small dogs; intratesticular region no differences were observed (P < 0.05) and within the groups differences between segments of the artery were also observed for each parameter. The results showed that there are differences in Doppler velocimetry parameters between different sizes.

BackgroundMeasurement of testicular artery blood flow is used in several species to evaluate reproductive function and testicular and scrotal pathology. In dogs there are inconsistent reports about normal flow in post-pubertal dogs and no information concerning pre-pubertal dogs. The aim of this study was to describe regional differences in testicular artery blood flow in clinically normal post-pubertal and pre-pubertal dogs with no history of reproductive tract disease.ResultsThe post-pubertal dogs produced normal ejaculates throughout the study. In all dogs the three different regions of the artery were imaged and monophasic flow with an obvious systolic peak and flow throughout diastole was observed on every occasion. The highest peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) were measured within the distal supra-testicular artery and marginal artery whilst the lowest PSV and EDV were measured within the intra-testicular arteries. Flow measurements were not different between left and right testes and were consistent between dogs on different examination days. Calculated resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were lowest in the intra-testicular arteries.The pre-pubertal dogs had significantly smaller testes than the post-pubertal dogs (p < 0.05) and were unable to ejaculate during the study. The three different artery regions were imaged at every examination time point, and flow profiles had a similar appearance to those of the post-pubertal dogs. PSV, EDV, RI and PI showed a similar trend to the post-pubertal dogs in that values were lowest in the intra-testicular arteries. Notably, values of PSV, EDV, RI and PI were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in pre-pubertal dogs compared with post-pubertal dogs.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated important regional and pubertal differences in testicular artery blood flow of dogs, and form the basis for establishing baseline reference values that may be employed for the purposes of clinical diagnosis.

Background: Ingestion of foreign bodies is one of the most common cases seen among puppies of dogs in the medical clinics of small animals which may be related to their curious behavior. The diagnosis is based on the patient’s history, clinical signs, and complementary diagnostic imaging tests. The present case report describes the use of complementary imaging tests, showing a partial gastric obstruction caused by cajarana (Spondias cytherea Sonn) in a puppy.Case: At the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid Region, a 4-month-old male Yorkshire dog was treated. The guardian reported having witnessed the ingestion of a cajarana stone by the animal. During the physical examination, the animal was active, with good nutritional status, normocorated mucosae, and a moderate degree of dehydration, besides a slight pain on palpation in the epigastric region. Hematological examinations included blood counts, blood urea, creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase. A moderate degree of polycythemia was observed, which may be explained by the dehydration caused by the episodes of vomiting. The patient had frequent episodes of vomiting after the reported event and was then referred to the diagnostic imaging sector. During the sonographic examination, a concave echogenic interface associated with a posterior acoustic shadowing was observed in the region of the stomach. The animal was sent for simple radiographs and positive contrast based on barium sulfate due to the suspicion of the presence of a foreign body. On simple radiography, in the left laterolateral view, a little radiopaque structure of circular format with poor definition was observed in the pyloric region. After the simple radiography, approximately 10 mL of barium sulfate contrast was administered orally followed by a new left lateral radiographic imaging. On performing sequenced radiographs, a discrete barium contrast contour, oval in structure, located in the pyloric region was observed, even after gastric emptying for about 1 h, reinforcing the clinical suspicion of cajarana stone ingestion. In view of these results, the animal underwent a gastrostomy for the removal of cajarana, which measured about 2.5 cm in diameter. After the surgical procedure, the animal had a good clinical recovery.Discussion: The history of the animal along with clinical signs and imaging tests are of great assistance in the investigation of gastric foreign bodies. The most common type of foreign bodies found in the gastrointestinal tract of small animals are bones, but other atypical structures may also be found, as shown in this report. Radiography (simple and with contrast) is an imaging method widely used in veterinary medicine because of its low cost and clinical accessibility. It is important for the investigation of gastrointestinal obstructions, being of fundamental importance in the management of this case. Ultrasound examination also provides crucial information when foreign bodies are suspected since the formation of intense posterior acoustic shadow (described in this case) is one of the characteristic findings of this condition. Finally, the associated radiography and ultrasonography as diagnostic imaging for the investigation of foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract complement each other. Depending on the nature of the foreign body, a single imaging examination may not be satisfactory to suggest the presence of a foreign body with certainty.

Background: In patients (pts) with sick sinus syndrome (SSS), right ventricular apical (RVA) pacing increased the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the mechanism of proarrhythmic effect of RVA pacing remains unclear. Methods: We performed detailed echocardiograhic examination with Tissue Doppler Imaging in 60 pts with SSS (mean age 73A9 years, 42 F) who implanted with DDD pacemakers during atrial and ventricular pacing with atrioventricular interval programmed at 120-150 mesc (ApVp mode) and AAI mode with (ApVs mode) at 70 bpm. Echo measurements were taken after 15 mins of pacing in each mode. The myocardial atrial contraction velocity was measured at annulus of right free wall (Ra), septal (Sa) and lateral free wall (La) respectively. Results: As expected, the AV interval was significantly shorter (118A25 vs.163A45 ms, P=0.002), and QRS duration was longer (146A33 vs.97A26 ms, P,0.001) during ApVp mode as compared with ApVs mode. Although there was no significant difference in left ventricular ejection fraction, left atrial (LA) ejection fraction (50A14 vs.55A14%, P=0.005), LA active emptying fraction (32A17 vs.37A16%, P=0.018) and LA filling fraction (43A13 vs. 48A13%, P=0.007) were all significant improved by 18%, 54% and 18%, respectively during ApVs mode as compared with ApVp mode. Furthermore, atrial myocardial contraction velocities among Ra (14.0A3.8 vs.15.2A4.6cm/s, P=0.026), Sa (7.8A2.6 vs. 8.8A2.8cm/s, P=0.001), and La (8.9A3.2 vs.9.7A2.7cm/s, P=0.020) were also significantly increased during ApVs mode by 12%, 19% and 21%, respectively as compared with ApVp mode (Figure). Conclusions: In pts with SSS, avoidance of RVA pacing during ApVs mode improves LA haemodynamic and mechanical function, which might contribute to a lower risk of development of AF after pacemaker implantation. P773Qualitative and quantitative assessment of 3 novel post-processing methods for enhancing echocardiographic images. Echocardiography, while a prevalent tool for assessing cardiac morphology and function, suffers from a range of artefacts that reduce its diagnostic value. This work qualitatively and quantitatively evaluates 3 novel post-processing methods for enhancing echocardiographic images. Data enhancement is achieved by utilising multiple partially decorrelated instances of a cardiac cycle acquired through a single acoustic window. Such information has until now been largely disregarded during data post-processing. Moreover, unlike past approaches, data enhancement is achieved without filtering out information based on static or adaptive selection criteria. Qualitative assessment using 32 clinical datasets demonstrated (i) suppression of cavity noise, (ii) increase in tissue/cavity contrast, and (iii) visual enhancement of tissue structures previously masked-out by various artefacts (Figure 1). The effect of each post-processing method on the diagnostic value of cardiac ultrasound data was quantitatively assessed by examining the repeatability coefficient variations (via Bland-Altman plots) in clini...

RESUMOO estreitamento cada vez maior da relação entre os animais e o homem, principalmente cães e gatos, tem despertado na medicina veterinária um olhar crítico dos profissionais da área, tornando imprescindível a avaliação do bem-estar e saúde a partir de estresses, traumas físicos ou ansiedade aos quais o animal possa ter sido submetido. Um distúrbio comportamental cada vez mais frequente e de bastante importância é o chamado transtorno obsessivo compulsivo, caracterizado por ações repetidas, constantes e sem propósito aparente. As causas do TC podem ser de origem genética, médica ou mesmo comportamental. O diagnóstico é baseado na observação do comportamento, histórico detalhado, incluindo informações acerca do desenvolvimento do problema, histórico de toda vida do animal, descrição da situação na qual o comportamento surgiu inicialmente. O tratamento para TC baseia-se no tratamento farmacológico (ansiolíticos e/ou anti-depressivos) e não farmacológico (comportamental). Diante do exposto, tem-se como objetivo abordar em uma revisão de literatura o que se sabe sobre o transtorno compulsivo em cães e gatos, a importância, possíveis etiologias, como se apresenta nos animais, diagnóstico e tratamento.Palavras-chave: TOC, ansiedade, estresse, comportamento, anti-depressivos. ABSTRACTThe increasingly closer relationship between animals and humans, especially dogs and cats, has aroused in veterinary medicine a critical eye of professionals, making it essential to assess the well-being and health from stress, physical trauma or anxiety, which the animal may have undergone. A behavioral disorder increasingly common and very important is the so-called obsessive compulsive disorder, characterized by repeated actions, constant and without apparent purpose. The causes of OCD can be genetic, medical or behavioral origin. Diagnosis is based on observation of behavior, detailed history, including information about the problem of development, history of all animal life, description of the situation in which the behavior first appeared. The TC treatment is based on pharmacological treatment (anxiolytic and/or anti-depressants) and nonpharmacological (behavioral). Given the above, it has aimed to address in a literature review what is known about compulsive disorder in dogs and cats, the importance, possible etiologies, as shown in animals, diagnosis, and treatment.Key-words: OCD, anxiety, stress, behavior, anti-depressants.

Background: Ureteral ectopia (or ectopic ureter) is a congenital anomaly of the urinary system in which the ureter inserts anywhere other than the vesical trigone. This anatomical change may have unilateral or bilateral involvement. The most evident clinical sign, occurring mostly in females, is urinary incontinence, however in some cases the condition may progress to nephritis and dilation of the renal pelvis. The diagnosis is established through imaging, and definitive treatment requires surgical approach. The present study reports a case of ureteral ectopia in a dog which was diagnosed by ultrasound and contrast radiography (excretory urography) and successfully treated by neoureterostomy.Case: A 10-month-old female American Pit Bull Terrier was attended at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid (UFERSA), in Mossoró, RN. Her owner reported incontinence of dark, malodorous urine since birth as the chief complaint. After clinical examination, cystitis was suspected, and a complete blood count, urinalysis, and abdominal ultrasound was requested. The blood count and creatinine were within the reference values. The presence of struvite crystals were found on urinalysis. Ultrasound examination revealed a tortuous, dilated right ureter from the renal pelvis to the urinary bladder; no uroliths were identified as a cause of potential obstruction, but the ipsilateral kidney showed increased cortical echogenicity, loss of corticomedullary definition, and moderate pelvic dilation. These findings supported a presumptive diagnosis of ectopic ureter. For the purpose of confirming this suspicion, excretory urography was performed, revealing unilateral ureteral dilation and radiopaque contrast uptake following the path of the urethra. Once the diagnosis was confirmed, surgery was performed to correct the ureteral ectopia using the standard neoureterocistostomy technique. Considering the unilateral involvement, location of the insertion, and preserved renal function, the decision was made to perform a neoureterostomy. During the surgery it was possible to identify that the ectopic ureter was found to be intramural. At 2-month follow-up, urinary incontinence had resolved and control ultrasound showed significant improvement in the inflammatory appearance of the right renal parenchyma, with no signs of dilation of the renal pelvis or ureter.Discussion: Different from what happens in male dogs, females with an ectopic ureter will often present with urinary incontinence as the main (and, often, only) symptom, usually in the first months of life. As pollakiuria suggests a wide range of diseases of the urinary tract, ultrasound was considered the first-line imaging modality of choice, indispensable for ruling out other differential diagnoses such as a severe urinary tract infection, urolithiasis, or even malignancy. Despite the literature reporting that urinary incontinence persists in 44 to 67% of cases of ureteral ectopia, even after surgery in this case there was complete recovery of the patient after two months. Accessible techniques like ultrasonography and contrast radiography (excretory urography) supplemented one another in the elucidation of this case, with both demonstrating an excellent contribution to the diagnosis of ectopic ureter as well as served as support for surgical planning, enabling effective repair and consequent recovery of the patient.

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