Comparative measurements on lateral plain radiographs of the lumbosacral junction in neutral position, in flexion, and in extension, were made of 41 clinically and radiographically normal dogs (21 German shepherd dogs [GSDs], 12 Bernese mountain dogs, eight labrador retrievers) and 58 GSDs with clinical signs of cauda equina compression due to malformation and, or, malarticulation. The comparison of these measurements between sexes, between normal and affected GSDs and between normal GSDs and the two other breeds of dogs showed several statistically significant results. One was that the affected GSDs showed a reduced flexion ability at this junction compared to the normal ones. However, no difference was observed in the degree of sub‐luxation of the sacrum between normal and affected GSDs. It was concluded that plain radiographs of the lumbosacral junction in flexion could help in determining a reduced flexion ability, which could be a characteristic of the GSD with cauda equina compression.

The purpose of this study was to measure splanchnic blood flow during digestion in unsedated dogs by using duplex Doppler sonography. The study population consisted of 12 healthy dogs. Blood flow in the cranial mesenteric artery, the celiac artery, and the aorta was measured before a test meal and at 20, 60, and 90 minutes after eating. The following measurements were made or calculated: vessel diameter, peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, mean velocity, resistive index, pulsatility index, and flow volume. There was a significant postprandial decrease in the resistive and pulsatility indices in both the cranial mesenteric (preprandial RI = 0.867, postprandial RI = 0.796, preprandial PI = 3.033, postprandial PI = 2.173) and the celiac (preprandial RI = 0.854, postprandial RI = 0.769, preprandial PI = 2.639, postprandial PI = 1.930) arteries. In both vessels the end diastolic velocity, the mean velocity, and the flow volume increased significantly postprandially. These changes occurred significantly earlier in the celiac artery than in the cranial mesenteric artery. The findings most likely correspond to postprandial splanchnic vasodilation. Doppler ultrasound provide a good methode of detecting changes in postprandial splanchnic blood flow in the dog.

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Ultrasonography was used to compare adhesions induced by two different methods of gastropexy in 16 dogs. An incisional gastropexy technique was used in eight dogs (group 1) and a 'modified' gastropexy technique in the remaining eight (group 2). The length and thickness of the gastropexy and the peristaltic activity of the stomach were measured ultrasonographically and compared between groups. Measurements for the two groups were taken in the early postoperative interval (two to four days), intermediate postoperative interval (eight to 20 days) and late postoperative interval (57 to 79 days). Both techniques were equally successful in forming permanent adhesions at two months postoperatively and there was no recurrence of gastric dilatation and volvulus. The length and thickness of the gastropexy were similar for both groups at two months postoperatively and there were no surgical complications with either technique. The modified gastropexy provides a technique that can easily be performed by a single surgeon, with no increased operative time or duration of anaesthesia, and with the formation of a permanent adhesion.

No abstract