The accuracy of the Doppler technique for indirect systolic blood pressure measurement was assessed in 16 anesthetized cats. Eight cats were anesthetized with isoflurane and 8 were anesthetized with halothane. Anesthetic depth and mode of ventilation were varied to obtain a wide range of arterial blood pressure. A Doppler transducer was placed on the palmer surface of the left fore-limb over the common digital branch of the radial artery to detect blood flow, and a blood pressure monitoring cuff with a width 37% the limb circumference was placed half way between the elbow and the carpus. To enable direct arterial pressure measurements, the left femoral artery was catheterized and the blood pressure waveforms recorded simultaneously. Systolic blood pressure measured by use of the Doppler ultrasonic technique was significantly lower than that obtained from the femoral artery catheter. Using linear regression, we determined a clinically useful calibration adjustment for Doppler indirect blood pressure measurement in cats: femoral systolic pressure = Doppler systolic pressure + 14 mm of Hg.

A method was developed for percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis in cattle. The procedure was performed on the right side in the 9th, 10th, or 11th intercostal space of 30 cows. Of the 30 cows, 20 were slaughtered 24 hours after cholecystocentesis and the remaining 10 cows were slaughtered after a 10-day observation period. Changes in the peritoneum and gallbladder wall, observed at slaughter, were minimal. During the 10-day observation period, general behavior, attitude, and appetite of the 10 cows were normal. A transient, slight increase in rectal temperature was observed in 6 cows at 4, 5, or 8 days after cholecystocentesis. Total and differential WBC counts and total protein and fibrinogen concentrations, determined daily, were all within normal ranges. Bile samples from 20 cows were examined microscopically and biochemically. Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocoelium dendriticum eggs were observed in bile from 7 and 12 cows, respectively. Fecal examination revealed F hepatica eggs in 4 cows; D dendriticum eggs were not identified in any of the fecal samples. In 1 cow, F hepatica eggs were observed in the feces, but not in the bile. Bile acids concentration in bile varied from 12.5 to 68.5 mmol/L (mean +/- SD, 45.3 +/- 3.05 mmol/l) and in serum from 3.8 to 281.0 micromol/l (41.6 +/- 17.24 micromol/L). Negative correlation was obtained between bile acids concentration in bile and that in serum (r = - 0.60, P < 0.01). It was concluded that percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis in cows is a safe procedure and that microscopic and biochemical examinations of obtained bile can be useful diagnostic aids.

A 2-year-old, spayed female, Korean domestic short-hair cat was presented with depression and vomiting. The patient had history of weight loss lasting seven months. Physical examination revealed icterus in the pinna, oral mucosa, and sclera. Based on ultrasonography and computed tomography, tentative diagnosis was extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction with acquired portosystemic shunt (PSS). Tumor or inflammation of hepatobiliary system was suspected as the cause of obstruction of the common bile duct. But it could not be determined without biopsy. The severely dilated cystic duct was considered to cause portal hypertension and secondary multiple PSS. The patient expired without histopathologic examination.

A castrated male, 4-year old, Dachshund weighing 5.3 kg with an acute history of anorexia, vomiting, severe depression, and hypothermia for 1 day was referred. Severe leukopenia, mild increased hepatic enzymes, and mild imbalanced electrolyte were found on laboratory tests. There are no remarkable findings on abdominal radiographs. Ultrasonography showed multifocal heterogeneous and hypoechoic round regions in the liver. Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration and drainage were performed and hepatic abscess was diagnosed. The patient was recovered normally without any complications through aggressive medical treatments from the result of culture and sensitivity test.

Isolated splenic torsion is a rare disease, which is usually produced in deep-chest large breed dogs. A five-year old Pitbull terrier and a four-year old Yorkshire terrier were diagnosed as isolated splenic torsion with chronic form. Leukocytosis, anemia and elevated hepatic enzyme level were found in blood test and a large amount of ascites was observed. Abdominal radiography revealed splenomegaly and ascites and ultrasonography showed diffuse hypoechoic change of spleen in case 1 and hyperechoic change of spleen with focal hypoechoic regions in case 2, thromboembolism of splenic vein and abnormal direction of spleen.

A 5-year-old intact female Persian cat was referred with anorexia and vomiting. Physical examination revealed icterus in the pinna, oral mucosa, and sclera. Ultrasonography revealed several findings including uniformly hyperechoic hepatic parenchyma compared to adjacent falciform fat, increased attenuation of the ultrasound beam, and poor visualization of intrahepatic vessel borders. Computed tomography revealed hypoattenuation of the hepatic parenchyma with a radiodensity value of-60 Hounsfield units. The adjacent intrahepatic vessels appeared hyperattenuated relative to the hepatic parenchyma as if the vessels were contrast-enhanced. Based on ultrasonography and computed tomography results, the cat was tentatively diagnosed as feline hepatic lipidosis.

A six-year-old, female Jin-do dog was referred for the recurrence of vaginal prolapse. Less than 7 months previously, the dog with the vaginal prolapse had been treated with hormone therapy because ultrasonography had identified a single follicular cyst in the left ovary. Three months after the first visit, the dog came into heat and the vaginal prolapse recurred. Ultrasonography showed multiple follicular cysts in both ovaries and radioimmunoassay detected a plasma estradiol-17β concentration of 13.3 pg/ml. Treatment involved the repositioning of the vaginal prolapsed, ovariohysterectomy and the resection of the protruding tissue. The dog had been completely recovered two months later after the treatment.

Pancreatic pseudocyst is one of the most common pancreatic mass lesions developed following acute or chronic pancreatitis. Two dogs were presented with nonspecific clinical signs such as abdominal pain, vomiting and depression and diagnosed as pancreatic pseudocysts through percutaneous ultrasound-guided aspiration. Pancreatic pseudocyst may contain pancreatic juice, so leads the deteriorate state of patient through pertinent inflammation and autodigestion of pancreas. In this study, the clinical signs and pancreatic lesion were improved after aspiration.

Radiography, ultrasonography with hydrogram, and contrast studies using radiopaque markers were applied to evaluate alimentary lymphoma in two cats. The hydrogram facilitated the differentiation of pseudo-thickening from true wall thickening, and enabled an evaluation of wall layering and lymph nodes. In case 1, mechanical obstruction of the duodenum was confirmed with barium-impregnated polyethylene spheres (BIPS), a radiopaque marker; however, results obtained in case 2 were not as definitive. We expect that hydrograms and BIPS can be used as valuable alternative methods to evaluate the gastrointestinal (GI) tract although further studies in cases involving GI tumors are needed.