Augmentation of primary Achilles tendon repair with a semitendinosus flap can be considered in dogs with chronic rupture but further investigation of the long-term outcome using this technique is needed.

Background Fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) is a common procedure as a diagnostic tool in veterinary medicine. However, it is unclear whether the gauge of the needle affects the quality of cytology. Objective This study compared the quality of cytologic samples obtained via FNA using 22‐ or 25‐gauge needles. Methods Fine‐needle aspiration was performed on 50 masses (cutaneous, subcutaneous, or intracavitary) obtained from client‐owned animals. The size of the needle was randomly assigned using either of the following two sequences: 22‐25‐22 gauge or 25‐22‐25 gauge. Samples were evaluated by two board‐certified clinical pathologists to assess cellularity, blood contamination, amount of cellular debris, degree of cellular trauma, and the overall ability to make a diagnosis for each sample. Results No significant difference was detected between the 22‐ and 25‐gauge needle samples for cellularity, whereas a significant difference was present for blood contamination, amount of cellular debris, and degree of cellular trauma. The overall ability to make a diagnosis was not significantly affected by the needle gauge. The degree of cellular trauma was significantly increased in intracavitary samples. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Needle gauge is a contributing factor to FNA sample quality. However, it did not affect the overall ability to make a diagnosis. Samples obtained using 25‐gauge needles resulted in less blood contamination yet increased cellular trauma compared to 22‐gauge needle samples.

A 30-year-old captive female harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) bit down upon a metal ring within a hoop-net normally used to assist in securing the seal for routine physical examination. Radiographic examination performed under general anesthesia revealed a unilateral closed fracture of the rostral left mandible between the first and second premolar teeth. The rostral fragment was displaced ventrally and slight laxity of the mandibular symphysis was noted. The fracture was repaired surgically using an oral dental acrylic splint incorporating circumferential mandibular cerclage wire. The mandibular symphysis was stabilized using interdental wire between the right and left canine teeth. The fixation device was removed following evaluation of radiographs that showed signs of bony union 12-months postoperatively.

It is not always possible to identify female cats that have undergone previous ovariohysterectomy based on physical examination alone. An easy, cost-effective method for screening female cats for reproductive status would be helpful for avoiding unnecessary exploratory laparotomies. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare diagnostic sensitivities of digital radiography, ultrasonography, and positive contrast vaginourethrography for determining reproductive status in female cats. Sixty-seven recently euthanized female cats of unknown medical history and reproductive status were randomly selected and included in the study. Digital abdominal radiography, digital abdominal radiography with compression, abdominal ultrasonography, and positive contrast vaginourethrography were performed in sequence by a board-certified veterinary radiologist and a second-year radiology resident. Immediately following diagnostic imaging procedures, necropsy was performed. Ultrasonography of the uterus had the highest sensitivity (86%) for determining reproductive status of all the imaging modalities tested. The specificity was 88%, and the positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 96% and 68%, respectively. The calculated sensitivities and specificities of other modalities were as follows: digital radiographs (28%, 100%), digital compression radiographs (58%, 100%), and vaginourethrography (32%, 100%). Based on McNemar's test statistic, there was a significant difference in the sensitivity of ultrasound compared to digital radiographs (P ≤ 0.05), compression radiographs (P ≤ 0.05), and vaginourethrogram (P ≤ 0.05). Findings from the current study indicated that ultrasonography is a sensitive diagnostic test for determining reproductive status in female cats. Although more readily available in private practice and shelters, digital radiography and vaginourethrography are not reliable predictors of reproductive status.

A free-ranging, adult male Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) was immobilized and evaluated for hematuria following routine capture. Prior to anesthetic recovery, the panther was fitted with a telemetry collar. After an initially quiet recovery, the panther began thrashing in the transport cage, and was again immobilized. Pink foam was evident from the nostrils, and crackles were ausculted over the chest, indicating pulmonary edema. Postobstructive pulmonary edema was diagnosed based on history, clinical signs, radiographic evaluation, and blood gas analysis. The animal was treated intensively for several hours with diuretics, oxygen, and manual ventilation. The panther responded rapidly to therapy and was released back into the wild 48 hr after presentation. Postobstructive pulmonary edema, also called negative-pressure pulmonary edema, may be underrecognized in veterinary medicine. In this case, the telemetry collar, in conjunction with anesthetic recovery in a small transport crate, may have contributed to tracheal obstruction. Wildlife veterinarians and biologists should be aware of the risk of airway obstruction when placing tracking collars, and animals should be continuously monitored during anesthetic recovery to ensure the presence of a patent airway.

Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) undergo substantial cyclical changes in body condition between foraging and nesting. Ultrasonography has been used to measure subcutaneous fat as an indicator of body condition in many species but has not been applied in sea turtles. To validate this technique in leatherback turtles, ultrasound images were obtained from 36 live-captured and dead-stranded immature and adult turtles from foraging and nesting areas in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Ultrasound measurements were compared with direct measurements from surgical biopsy or necropsy. Tissue architecture was confirmed histologically in a subset of turtles. The dorsal shoulder region provided the best site for differentiation of tissues. Maximum fat depth values with the front flipper in a neutral (45-90°) position demonstrated good correlation with direct measurements. Ultrasound-derived fat measurements may be used in the future for quantitative assessment of body condition as an index of health in this critically endangered species.