Pneumatosis describes the presence of gas within gut wall of presumed bacterial origin. In cats and dogs this is usually associated with acute gut wall necrosis such as haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome or gastric dilation-volvulus. However, it can also be seen in chronic enteropathies. This is an elderly Westie with chronic weight loss and gastrointestinal signs. … Continue reading
I’m interested in lung ultrasound. I feel it has a lot to offer, it’s quick and easy. For a while I’ve been waiting for a convincing case of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) to come along. It seems very likely that such cases exist amongst our workload but, since we don’t do a lot of CT angiography, … Continue reading
Chronic hepatitis is a big issue in Springers in our part of the world: Vet Rec. 2011 Oct 15;169(16):415. doi: 10.1136/vr.d4665. Epub 2011 Aug 18. Chronic hepatitis in the English springer spaniel: clinical presentation, histological description and outcome. Bexfield NH1, Andres-Abdo C, Scase TJ, Constantino-Casas F, Watson PJ. ..and it’s frequently a frustrating and difficult … Continue reading
This poor chap was a British Short-Hair and 3 y.o. at presentation. He was presented for progressive weight loss with polyuria/polydispsia and proved to be azotaemic. However, his kidneys are another story -we are concerned here with his heart. On physical examination he proved to have systolic murmurs on both left and right sides about … Continue reading
This is Cindy: Cindy is a cutie. She is of indeterminate age but probably between 18months -3 years. She came from Romania originally and was then found to have a loud left basilar murmur with a thrill. At the time when this murmur was discovered she was asymptomatic. However, a few months later her owner … Continue reading
Following on from our splenic torsion case, a couple of days later I saw a similarly interesting spleen. The patient was a 9 y.o. MN mixed breed dog presenting with progressive malaise, anorexia, weight loss, abdominal pain and vomiting. On physical examination he exhibited ecchymoses/bruising on his flank. His blood biochemistry was relatively unremarkable but … Continue reading
*Advanced warning -gory surgical photo involved here* This Great Dane presented with acute, non-tympanic abdominal distention and malaise. On sonography the spleen exhibits the classic ‘starry sky’ parenchymal pattern which is typical although not specific for torsion: There is no detectable flow in the splenic vessels with Doppler. At the point where the splenic veins … Continue reading
Transitional cell carcinomas are the commonest bladder neoplasm of dogs. However they only account for 70% of the total. Moreover, it’s important not to assume that all bladder tumours are TCCs since that may discourage partial cystectomy in situations where it may prove beneficial. This lesion in an 8 year old dog was found on … Continue reading
Strangulation is on the list of differentials for pulmonary oedema: post-obstructive pulmonary oedema (POPE). The pathophysiology is thought to involve negative intra-pulmonary presure resulting from strenous efforts to inhale against a closed airway. This puppy suffered an episode of accidental strangulation. Having survived the acute episode he then presented a few hours later with progressive … Continue reading
This is a an adult DSH of unknown age and provenance who presented with ascites. His owner reported him as being otherwise active and well. He was not tachypnoeic or hyperpnoeic (resting respiratory rate in the clinic 26/minute). On auscultation he does have left and right-sided murmurs and a gallop sound on the left. Ultrasonographically, … Continue reading
