Gradual occlusion of the splenic vein, using a specialized device (ameroid constrictor), was evaluated experimentally in three normal beagle dogs. Splenoportograms were used to verify that total occlusion of the splenic vein had occurred in all dogs within 4 to 5 weeks after application of the device. The ameroid constrictor (AC) was also evaluated as a method of gradual vascular occlusion in 12 dogs and two cats with single, extrahepatic, portosystemic shunts (PSS). Serum bile acid (SBA) concentrations were measured and portal scintigraphy (PS) was performed on all 14 animals preoperatively and 10, 20, 30, and 60 days postoperatively. Two dogs (14%) died from portal hypertension in the early postoperative period. One dog and one cat developed multiple acquired PSS, confirmed by mesenteric portography 90 days after the operation. Portal scintigraphy confirmed total occlusion of the primary shunt in the other 10 animals. Shunt fractions (SF), as measured by PS on postoperative days 30 and 60, declined significantly from preoperative values. Significant decreases were noted between preoperative and postoperative values for preprandial SBA on postoperative day 60 and for postprandial SBA on postoperative day 30. SBA concentrations did not correlate with SF. Based on this study, gradual vascular occlusion using the AC is recommended as a method for treatment of single, extrahepatic, PSS.

One hundred twelve client-owned dogs with blastomycosis were treated with itraconazole, 5 or 10 mg/kg/d. The first group of 70 dogs treated in 1987 and 1988 received 10 mg/ kg/d (group 1). and the second group of 42 dogs treated after October 1988 received 5 mg/kg/d (group 2). Even though the groups were treated at different times, the dogs were similar in age and gender distribution, number of sites involved, and percent and severity of pulmonary involvement. The proportion of dogs cured with a 60-day course of itraconazole was similar for both groups (53.6% versus 54.3%) and for a second historical control group treated with amphotericin B (57%); the recurrence rate was also similar, 20%. 21.4%, and 20%. respectively. Dogs treated with itraconazole had similar mortality rates (25.7% at 5 mg/kg/d; 25% at 10 mg/ kg/day) t o those treated with amphotericin B (23%). Seventeen of the 23 dogs that died (74%), did so during the first week of treatment; these early deaths were usually attributed t o respiratory failure. The only site of infection that was significantly associated with failure (death or recurrence) was the brain. There was a marked difference in survival lastomycosis is a systemic fungal infection of the dog.

The feasibility and reproducibility of obtaining the pulsed-wave Doppler measurements of resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were investigated in intrarenal arteries of normal, nonsedated cats, and cats anesthetized with isoflurane. In addition, relative renal function and relative renal blood flow were evaluated using quantitative renal scintigraphy. The percentage of injected dose uptake, time to peak activity, and two indices of renal blood flow (K/A ratio and flow index) obtained during the first pass of 99mTc-MAG3, were determined for both awake and anesthetized cats. Results indicate that measuring RI and PI in nonsedated cats is readily accomplished and that the results are reproducible within an animal. Mean RI and PI values in the awake cats were 0.55 and 0.8, respectively. Significant differences between the awake and anesthetized cats were found for all pulsed-wave Doppler and quantitative renal scintigraphic measurements evaluated.

This study describes the ultrasonographic and cytopathological characteristics of malignant neoplasms of the exocrine pancreas and their value in making an antemortem diagnosis. The medical records of eight dogs and five cats were reviewed. The clinical presentations were variable and at times mimicked pancreatitis. Overall, cytopathology of ultrasound or fluoroscopic-guided biopsies or fine-needle aspirates, or impressions from surgical biopsies were helpful in establishing the diagnosis in 10 of 12 animals where it was performed. Histopathology of ultrasound or fluoroscopic-guided biopsies provided a diagnosis in five of six cases where it was performed.

No abstract

Obstruction to pulmonary blood flow as a result of neoplasia in the right ventricular outflow tract is described in two dogs. Whereas one dog had exertional syncope and a systolic ejection murmur, the other had signs of congestive failure and hypoxia. In both animals the mass was detected in the right ventricle with two-dimensional echocardiography and confirmed angiographically. Although rare, primary right ventricular neoplasia represents a potentially treatable form of cardiac disease and should be considered as a cause of acquired outflow tract obstruction. (Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 1990; 4:12-16) PRIMARY tumors of the heart, although uncommon, occur with sufficient frequency in dogs that clinicians should be aware of the manifestations of cardiac neoplasia and should consider neoplasia in the differential diagnosis of heart disease.'.' However, the clinical manifestations of cardiac neoplasia are highly variable making antemortern diagnosis difficult. This study describes the clinical, echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and angiographic features of primary right ventricular neoplasia in two dogs. In both dogs the tumor produced obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract. Case Reports Dog IAn eight-year-old, spayed female Bassett Hound cross weighing 30 kg was referred to the University of Tennessee Veterinary Teaching Hospital for evaluation and treatment of anasarca and dyspnea of two weeks duration. The dyspnea and edema had improved with furosemide therapy. Tests for circulating microfilaria and heartworm antigen were negative.During physical examination the heart rate was slightly elevated ( 180 beats per minute), but auscultation of the heart was otherwise normal. The jugular veins were distended. and the liver was palpably enlarged. The dog was tachypneic (60 breaths per minute).An electrocardiogram showed abnormally deep S waves in leads 11, 111, aVF, CV6LL, and CV6LU and a right axis deviation in the frontal plane (mean electrical axis, 260"). These ECG changes were suggestive of right ventricular enlargement.Survey thoracic radiographs revealed an enlarged right heart and caudal vena cava. The main pulmonary artery and peripheral pulmonary vasculature were unremarkable. The dog's packed cell volume and red blood cell count (RBC) were high normal (PCV = 5096, RBC = 8.66 X 106/pl), and there was a slight increase of the alkaline phosphatase (189 units/L). The central venous pressure was 20 cm HzO (normal < 7 cm HzO) indicating right heart failure.Two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiographic examination* demonstrated normal left heart structure and function. However, the right atrium and right ventricle were eccentrically hypertrophied, and there was an echodense mass located within the right ventricular outflow tract (Fig. I). The mass was best seen using left cranial and left caudal long-axis views.3Right heart catheterization revealed right ventricular systolic hypertension consistent with right ventricular outflow obstruction or pulmonary hypertension (peak systolic pressure = ...

An 11-year-old, 43 kg neutered female Labrador retriever dog developed acute pelvic limb paraparesis. In magnetic resonance images there was a T1- and T2-hyperintense extradural at the fifth thoracic intervertebral space that was causing marked compression of the spinal cord. In short tau inversion recovery and fat suppressed T1-weighted images the signal from the mass was decreased indicating it was of fatty origin. The mass was removed via a dorsal hemilaminectomy in the thoracic area. Histopathologic analysis confirmed the mass was an infiltrative lipoma. The dog recovered and is fully ambulatory 24 months after surgery. This report provides additional evidence that lipomas in the vertebral canal may be the source of pelvic limb neuropathy and also illustrates the value of magnetic resonance imaging in establishing the fatty nature of some soft tissue masses.

A laboratory-maintained colony of English springer spaniel dogs heterozygous for a putative autosomal recessive immotile-cilia syndrome (ICS) has been studied. Matings between dogs thought to be heterozygous for ICS resulted in 22 pups, five (three males and two females) of which were homozygous for ICS. Four of the five ICS-affected dogs had chronic rhinitis and bronchopneumonia. The other dog had a serious nasal discharge and died at 10 days. Four dogs had situs inversus totalis (kartagener syndrome), and the two males of reproductive age were azoospermic. In the two ICS dogs studied for ciliary function, in vivo mucociliary clearance was absent, and in vitro ciliary beat was rarely observed and of low frequency. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy disclosed the same lesions in respiratory cilia from all dogs with ICS, including random orientation and partial outer dynein arm deficiency. Four of five dogs with ICS had dilated lateral ventricles. One female pup with neonatal rhinitis and bronchopneumonia, situs solitus, and dilated lateral ventricles was presumed to be homozygous for ICS, but died without functional or structural confirmation of defective respiratory cilia. An autosomal recessive mode of inheritance for the ciliary defects and respiratory signs of ICS in these dogs is proposed.