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.

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 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.

Portosystemic shunt (PSS) was diagnosed in 43 dogs by mesenteric portogram from January, 2002 to June 2007 in Haemaru referral animal hospital. PSS was found in various breeds including Maltese, Miniature Schnauzer and Yorkshire Terrier and there was no predisposition in gender. In laboratory parameters, mean cell volume was lower than normal value in single shunt and alanine aminotransferase was higher than normal range in multiple shunts with clinical significance. Cystic calculi were found in over 50% dogs with PSS and even in 70.8% dogs with single shunt. In 81% dogs with PSS, extrahepatic single shunt such as portocarval type and portoazygous type was identified. Extrahepatic multiple shunt and intrahepatic single shunt were observed in 4 dogs, respectively. Gradual attenuation using ameroid constrictor was applied to 35 dogs with extrahepatic single shunt and the prognosis of these dogs were good except two dogs, which showed poor prognosis because of acquired multiple PSS and renal disease unrelated with PSS, respectively.

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.

Endocrine test data from a 13-year old intact female Maltese was indicative of the presence of an insulinoma, however ultrasonography identified a pancreatic mass only after 10 months after the first admission. Following identification of both pancreatic tumor and hepatic metastasis on computed tomography (CT), surgical excision of the mass was attempted. However, total excision failed because of tumor adhesion to adjacent large vessels. The pancreatic mass was monitored over the next 25 months via ultrasonography, CT, and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT). Histopathological and immunohistochemical data confirmed the diagnosis of insulinoma with hepatic metastasis.

A 3-month-old male Maltese dog was presented with generalized trembling, ataxia, and seizure. The patient had traumatic injury on history takings. Physical examination revealed dome shaped cranium with open fontanelle, nasal hemorrhage, and blepharoedema with hemorrhage on the left side. On serum biochemical profiles, creatine phosphokinase was severely elevated. There was no remarkable finding on radiography. Ultrasound images of brain were obtained via a persistence bregmatic fontanelle, and bilaterally dilated lateral ventricles with a hyperechoic mass on the left temporal lobe were detected.

In 3 dogs with gallbladder mucocele, rupture of gallbladder was diagnosed and treated. Although the diagnosis of gallbladder is challenging due to non-specific clinical signs and physical examination findings, mucoceles are ultrasonographically characterized by the appearance of the stellate of finely striated bile patterns and differ from biliary sludge by the absence of gravity dependent bile movement. In this case, gallbladder rupture caused by mucocele can be diagnosed based on not only above characteristics but secondary lesion such as ascites around gallbladder and swollen hyperechoic mesentery.

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.