ultrasonography

Do we still believe that the EPIC study was helpful? When are we using pimobendan in dogs with mitral valve disease in early 2019?

Time has moved on a bit. We’ve had the benefit of a chance to reflect on EPIC: J Vet Intern Med. 2016 Nov;30(6):1765-1779. doi: 10.1111/jvim.14586. Epub 2016 Sep 28. Effect of Pimobendan in Dogs with Preclinical Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease and Cardiomegaly: The EPIC Study-A Randomized Clinical Trial. Boswood A et al. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jvim.14586 The … Continue reading

17/03/2019 roger cardiology, Internal medicine, ultrasonography

Sonographic features of shoulder osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) in a dog

To add to the surprisingly-frequent useful indications for musculoskeletal sonography in companion animals. The defect in the articular cartilage of the humeral head is readily apparent. &nbs… Continue reading

04/03/2019 roger ultrasonography

Ultrasonographic features of acute canine lung lobe torsion

It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to scan a lung lobe torsion case: since when my machine got upgraded. This patient is a young Whippet with a 24 hour history of acute-onset cough, tachypnoea and pleural effusion (modified transudate). Her echocardiogram is interesting. Although we have to take into account the fact … Continue reading

09/02/2019 roger cardiology, Internal medicine, ultrasonography

Grass seed foreign bodies: sonography and ultrasound-guided retrieval

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

16/01/2019 roger Internal medicine, ultrasonography, Uncategorized

Pyelonephritis in cats and dogs: sonography and management

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

14/12/2018 roger Internal medicine, ultrasonography

Iatrogenic overhydration: diagnostic nightmaresville

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

05/12/2018 roger cardiology, Internal medicine, ultrasonography, Uncategorized

Why is this cat with a huge left atrium not in congestive failure?

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

03/12/2018 roger cardiology, Internal medicine, ultrasonography

Sonographic features of cardiac hepatopathy in a dog with cor triatriatum dexter

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

23/11/2018 roger cardiology, Internal medicine, ultrasonography

It’s not surprising that dogs with acute pancreatitis often have signs of colitis!

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

21/11/2018 roger Internal medicine, ultrasonography

Lung ultrasound: ‘flooding’ in fulminant pulmonary oedema in cats and a comparison with pneumonia

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

12/11/2018 roger cardiology, Internal medicine, ultrasonography