Grass seed (and other vegetation) foreign bodies are a potential nightmare. We all know this. Sadly, it seems that neither CT nor MRI are reliable modalities for locating them in our patients. Obviously there may be clues from advanced imaging findings but actual visualisation of the foreign body itself isn’t consistent. In a series of … Continue reading
I feel that pyelonephritis is a bit of a neglected subject in small animal medicine. Since we don’t often do pyelocentesis, the diagnosis tends to be presumptive on the basis of UTI plus systemic signs. And when there are few confirmed cases then it’s hard to establish optimal treatment regimes. Unless one does a lot … Continue reading
The inconvenient bottom line is that there is nothing intrinsic about the appearance of effusions or tissue oedema caused by fluid overload to distinguish them from those caused by congestive heart failure or any other pathological process. We have to infer the probable cause (or causes) from history, physical examination, clin path and imaging. So, cardiogenic … Continue reading
This is a cat we saw last week. She presented for routine vaccination and was found to have a tachydysrhythmia. No hyperpnoea, no dyspnoea, outwardly well. This is her echocardiography. First, right long axis four chamber view: Her left atrium measures about 28mm (normal being <16mm). Technically, that falls into the ‘huge’ category. … Continue reading
I have to confess that this dog caught me out initially. A 12 m.o. Springer Spaniel; relatively well in herself but presenting with abdominal distention due to progressive ascites (of the modified transudate variety). No loud murmur. This is the liver: That’s not normal. The parenchyma is heterogeneous: specifically, the centres … Continue reading
Just a little image of interest…to show how closely the pancreas is associated with the transverse and descending left colon in the dog. And how the colon is enveloped within the resulting swamp of inflamed fat when the pancreas is poorly. And a still image of the very inflamed-looking ileo-caeco-colic junction from the … Continue reading
Pulmonary oedema in cats and dogs is typically characterised by increased ‘B lines’ (also known as ultrasound lung rockets or comet-tail artefacts). This is a feature of oedema in the broadest sense and is not specific to aetiology. Differential diagnosis of this phenomenon includes trauma, electrocution, acute respiratory distress syndrome/acute lung injury, overhydration, asthma, near-downing … Continue reading
Just a striking image of something not much depicted in the published literature. This is what normal, healthy lactating mammary gland looks like in the bitch (on this occasion two days post partum): &nbs… Continue reading
A severe colitis refractory to conventional treatments is not uncommon in young French Bulldogs and Boxers in the UK: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jvim.12020 A definitive diagnosis requires histopathology; conventionally using mucosal biopsies acquired at colonocopy. However, it’s certainly worth having a look with ultrasound before embarking on scoping. This helps to identify the worst-affected sections of … Continue reading
This patient is a five-month-old DSH with a history of ill-thrift and presumed hepatic encephalopathy (episodic hypersalivation, ataxia, blindness, seizures). Interestingly, her fasting bile acids were unremarkable. However, on abdominal ultrasonography there are all kinds of shenanigans: First off, the left side of the liver contains a bizarre, aneurysmal dilation of the vasculature which communicates … Continue reading
