Standard protocol for splenic measurement is warranted to aid in interpretation when sonographically imaging the spleen of cats. The purpose of this study was to describe the appearance and size of healthy cat spleens, and to develop a standard method of evaluation. Data were obtained from 31 clinically healthy non-sedated cats with no sonographic abnormalities. The sonographic appearance of the spleen's relative echogenicity compared to the left renal cortex and the hepatic parenchyma was recorded. Splenic height was measured at three sites. Three measurements were determined at each site, and the mean value of these three measurements was determined and used for data analysis. A significance level of P <0.05 was used for analysis, which was performed using S-PLUS software (version 8.1). The mean proximal height of the spleen was 7.1 mm. The mean body sagittal height was 9.3 mm. The mean height of the tail of the spleen was 8.7 mm (95% confidence interval). The splenic parenchymal echogenicity was less than the left renal cortex echogenicity and greater than the liver in 17/31cats; less than the left kidney cortex and equal to the liver in 5/31cats; equal to the cortex of the left kidney and greater than the liver in 5/31 cats; equal to the liver and renal cortex in 2/31 cats; and less than the liver and kidney with the renal cortex less than the liver in 2/31 cats. The protocol recommended for consistent evaluation of the spleen in the cat includes three specific measurements.

The prognosis for dogs with ingestion of 5-FU is dependent on the amount consumed, with severe intoxication carrying a poor prognosis. Toxic doses can be as little as 5 mg/kg, and doses ≥40 mg/kg are reported to be uniformly fatal.

This case report describes OLV using standard anesthesia equipment that is available at most private practices. Furthermore, this case describes the computed tomographic images of the intrathoracic tracheal avulsion and offers a positive outcome for tracheal resection and anastomosis.

An approximately three-year-old mixed breed female dog was evaluated for peritoneal effusion, anorexia, intermittent vomiting, and diarrhea. Radiographically, there was mineralization of the wall of small intestinal segments. Sonographic findings were consistent with multisystemic mineralization of liver, small intestinal wall, and pancreas. Multifocal granulomas containing schistosome eggs (Heterobilharzia americana) were identified histologically. The mineralization pattern described herein is an uncommon presentation of severe diffuse heterobilharziasis in a dog.

Veterinary Technician | FEBRUARY 2010 E1 M any veterinarians and veterinary technicians are intimidated by anesthesia of foals. General anesthetic principles for adult horses apply to foals; however, because of their age and size, foals are at risk for certain complications during anesthesia, and there are a few special considerations for determining adjustments in their anesthetic protocol. Neonatal foals (i.e., younger than 1 month) have rapidly changing cardiovascular and pulmonary physiologies as they develop adult systems, and, therefore, they have an increased risk of anesthetic-related death and/or complications. During the first week of life, a foal's risk of anesthesia-related death is seven times higher than that of an adult horse.1 At 1 to 4 months of age, foals still have a higher risk for anesthetic complications and/or death, but their risk level is closer to that of adult horses. The Transition to Adult PhysiologyIn utero, foals have cardiac shunts (foramen ovale, ductus arteriosus [FIGURE 1]) that permit low-pressure circulation of blood. The foramen ovale permits most blood to be shunted from the right atrium into the left atrium, thereby bypassing the lungs. In addition, the relatively low-oxygen environment in utero leads to constriction of pulmonary vessels and dilation of the ductus arteriosus. Because the foal's pulmonary arterial resistance is higher than its systemic arterial resistance, most pulmonary arterial blood is shunted through the ductus arteriosus into the aorta, with the remaining blood perfusing the lungs. During birth, neonatal foals begin the transition to a right-sided, adult cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology. The initial breaths and lung expansion after parturition (delivery) decrease pulmonary vascular resistance, increasing pulmonary blood flow. The foramen ovale and the ductus arteriosus close because of an increase in Pao 2 (partial pressure of oxygen, arterial) and a decrease in prostaglandins. A thin layer of tissue initially closes these shunts, which permanently close over a few weeks if the foal is normal. However, if a pathologic state, such as prematurity or infection, leads to hypoxemia, acidemia (e.g., pH <7.4), or hypercarbia (Paco 2 [partial pressure of CO 2 , arterial]: >45 mm Hg), these shunts may reopen, and pulmonary hypertension may occur.Neonatal foals younger than 1 week have a high resting heart rate (e.g., 60 to 120 beats/min [bpm]), high respira- Glossary Acidemia-the state of low blood pH (e.g., arterial blood gas pH <7.4)Cardiac output-the amount of blood pumped per minute by the heart Chest (thoracic) wall-the boundary of the thoracic cavityChronotropic agent-an agent that alters the heart rate (e.g., a positive chronotropic agent increases the heart rate) Hypercarbia (hypercapnia)-excess carbon dioxide in the blood, resulting in respiratory acidosisHypoxemia-decreased partial pressure of oxygen in the blood (<60 mm Hg)Inotrope-an agent that alters the force of muscular contraction (e.g., a positive inotrope causes a stronger cardiac cont...