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.

Sixteen cases of hiatal hernia were diagnosed in cats and dogs at the University of Tennessee between 1978 and 1989. Three cases were found as incidental findings during thoracic or abdominal radiography and another two cases were found during post mortem examination. The remaining 11 cases were evaluated clinically and radiographically. The results of conservative or surgical therapy were reviewed. Not all animals with a hiatal hernia were symptomatic. Five animals with signs underwent surgery and another three had surgical intervention but were asymptomatic. Medical management was successful in controlling the signs in two animals showing signs consistent with reflux oesophagitis. One dog with 'shortened oesophagus syndrome' was treated inappropriately with conventional surgical techniques used in veterinary medicine for hiatal hernia. This study clearly emphasises the need to evaluate carefully each dog or cat with hiatal hernia before choosing the best therapeutic plan.

Forty three dogs with non-neoplastic canine gastric and/or duodenal ulcers were diagnosed at the University of Tennessee Veterinary Teaching Hospital (UTVTH) and reviewed in conjunction with dogs reported in the literature. No age, sex, or breed predilection was found. Most of the 43 UTVTH dogs presented with clinical signs referable to gastrointestinal disease, but evidence of hemorrhage was not always present. Nonregenerative anemia was a common (33/43 dogs) finding. Diagnosis of ulcer disease was made by contrast radiography, with clinical evidence of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, or surgery, endoscopy, or necropsy. Treatment with nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and hepatic disease were the two most common predisposing factors for ulcer disease. Dogs with liver disease tended to have duodenal ulcers, dogs receiving NSAID treatment tended to have pyloroantral ulcers, and dogs with mastocytosis had ulcers in multiple locations. Three dogs with duodenal ulcers receiving NSAID treatment had an additional predisposing factor. Surgical treatment (with or without medical treatment) had a good outcome when the predisposing factors could be controlled or eliminated. Only 3 of 27 dogs in both the surgical and medically treated groups died from ulcer disease, whereas 6 of 16 dogs in the untreated group died from ulcer disease.

Per rectal portal scintigraphy using 99"Technetium pertechnetate (99"T~04-) was used to diagnose portosystemic shunts (PSS) before surgical confirmation in seven dogs and two cats. Shunt fractions, representing the percent of portal blood that bypasses the liver, were determined by computer analysis of the scintigraphic images. Animals with portosystemic shunts had a mean preoperative shunt fraction of 84.02% (n = 9). The mean postoperative shunt fraction in four animals was 58.22%. The mean shunt fraction in ten control dogs was 5.00%. Per rectal portal scintigraphy is an innovative, easily performed, inexpensive method to diagnose congenital portosystemic shunts in dogs and cats. (Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 1991; 523-27)

This study evaluated postoperative sequelae following a sternotomy closed with transsternal and parasternal sutures in nine dogs. Wound complications noted within 30 days suggested excessive intraoperative trauma to bone or surrounding soft tissues. Radiographic evaluation at the end of this period demonstrated a significant lack of osseous bridging between the sternal halves in eight of nine dogs. There was frequent wire breakage, suggesting instability of the sternal halves and considerable midline inaccuracy when splitting the sternum. Postoperative pain was minimal. This technique is suitable for use in dogs provided that swaged‐on needles and sufficient transsternal wires are used, the sternebrae are carefully split on the midline, and the wires are carefully twisted to assure a tight closure.

Per‐rectal portal scintigraphy using tech‐netium‐99m pertechnetate (99mTcO4‐) was performed in 8 normal dogs before and after surgical creation of a portacaval shunt. Shunt fractions were calculated by computer assisted analysis of dynamic images (IMG) and compared to shunt fractions determined by mesenteric venous injection of radioactive microspheres (MIC). The mean pre‐operative shunt fraction was 1.59% using IMG and 3.00% using MCI. The mean postoperative shunt fraction was 64.56% using IMG and 69.56% using MIC. There was excellent correlation between both methods (r2 0.94). Per‐rectal portal scintigraphy is an easily performed, inexpensive method to diagnose and quantify portosystemic shunts in dogs.

Paraoesophageal hiatal hernia was diagnosed in a three-week-old Alaskan malamute. Reduction of the hernia was followed by an oesophagopexy and a bilateral gastropexy. During the early postoperative period, the puppy continued to have signs that were thought to be related to a concurrent megaoesophagus. At nine months of age the dog had gained weight and was well except for occasional episodes of regurgitation. These episodes responded well to medical therapy, and at the time of writing the dog had not required further treatment.

A free omental graft may not have sufficient durability to be an acceptable wound covering by itself. Further studies combining omentum with a skin graft or other tissues may result in a clinically useful technique.