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.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of negative energy balance (NEB) on the final growth of the dominant ovarian follicle in Holstein cows. Cows at 14 to 21 d postpartum from an intensive dairy farm were randomly selected and allocated into a positive energy balance group (PEB, with β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) level < 1.2 mmol/L, n = 15) and an NEB group (BHBA > 1.2 mmol/L, n = 15). Plasma samples were collected at 21, 50 and 55 d postpartum to assess the concentrations of energy metabolites, minerals, hormones and cytokines. Ovaries were examined by transrectal ultrasound on days 50 and 55 (120 hours later) to evaluate the diameter of the largest follicle. Compared with PEB cows, there were a more severe body condition loss and a lower milk yield in NEB cows (P < 0.05) and these had greater concentrations of plasma BHBA, non-esterified fatty acids, triglycerides, urea nitrogen, growth hormone, interleukin 6, and fibroblast growth factor 21 and lesser concentrations of plasma glucose, total cholesterol, insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3, leptin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and angiopoietin-like protein 8 on d 21 (P < 0.05), while plasma minerals were not affected by energy status (P > 0.05). These changes persisted until the end of the study period (50–55 days postpartum) resulting in a lower follicular growth rate for cows in the NEB than the PEB group. These observations indicate that follicular growth rate is associated with measurable changes in energy metabolite, hormone and cytokine concentrations caused by early postpartum NEB.

Introduction: The thyroid and parathyroid glands play a major role in maintaining physiological homeostasis in all vertebrates. Reptiles have plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones far lower than mammals. Low levels of these hormones in reptiles impede thyroid hormone detection with assays designed for the higher levels of mammals. The aim of this study was to explore teaming this with ultrasound imaging of the thyroid to appraise glandular function. Material and Methods: Thyroid function of four pond sliders was evaluated based on the results of T4 analyses and ultrasound. Results: The concentrations of T4 varied considerably between the examined animals from <9 nmol/L to >167.3 nmol/L. Ultrasound examination revealed uniform echogenicity and a smooth outline of the thyroid gland in all animals. Conclusion: Monitoring of thyroid function based on T4 and electrolyte concentrations is helpful in assessing the health and living conditions of reptiles, which is important in veterinary practice but problematic. Ultrasound examinations are useful in diagnosing changes in gland structure, such as tumours and goitres, and a combination of both methods supports comprehensive assessments of the anatomy and function of the thyroid gland.

The objective of this study was to characterize arterial blood pressure (BP) measurements obtained by using 2 indirect methods, oscillometry and Doppler ultrasonic sphygmomanometry, in conscious goats. Agreement between systolic BP yielded by these 2 methods was then assessed. Sixty female dairy goats aged from 1.5 to 11.8 y (median: 5.5 y) were examined in a standing position with a cuff placed on the tail. All goats had a severe arthritic form of caprine arthritis-encephalitis. Three to 5 repeated measurements of each BP type were averaged for each goat and considered as a final measurement. With oscillometry, systolic blood pressure (O-SBP), diastolic blood pressure, and mean blood pressure, as well as heart rate (HR) were measured, while only systolic blood pressure was measured with Doppler (D-SBP). The O-SBP did not correlate with D-SBP [correlation coefficient (r) = 0.24, P = 0.067]; the mean difference (± standard deviation) was 24.5 ± 26.3 mmHg and limits of agreement were from -27.2 mmHg [95% confidence interval (CI): -39.0, -15.4 mmHg] to 76.1 mmHg (95% CI: 64.3, 87.9 mmHg). No significant linear correlation was found between any BPs and HR (r: -0.10 to 0.22) or age (r: -0.26 to 0.07) of the goats. The study showed that, while BP could be measured in conscious goats using both oscillometry and Doppler ultrasonic sphygmomanometry, the results obtained were so inconsistent that these methods could not be used interchangeably.

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.

We determined the position, dimensions, and structure of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra of 62 female sheep by use of ultrasonography. A 5.0-MHz convex transducer was placed over the right flank to examine the kidneys, and a 5.0 MHz-linear transducer was used to examine the bladder and urethra transrectally. All examinations were performed on sheep in standing position. The left kidney was 7.1 to 8.9 cm long, 3.4 to 5.5 cm wide, and 3.3 to 4.7 cm deep. Diameter of the parenchyma and renal sinus of the left kidney ranged between 1.1 and 1.9 cm and 1.1 and 2.0 cm, respectively. Circumference of the medullary pyramids varied between 2.1 and 3.3 cm. Similar ultrasonographic measurements were obtained for the right kidney. The diameter of the bladder varied between 0.3 and 6.9 cm in 96.8% of the sheep. The diameter of the bladder could not be determined in 32% of the sheep because it was > 10 cm, and, therefore, was beyond the penetration depth of the scanner. The only part of the urethra that could be ultrasonographically visualized was the internal urethral orifice. It had diameter between 0.1 and 0.2 cm. The ureters could not be ultrasonographically visualized in any of the sheep examined. The urinary tract of 8 sheep was examined 10 times within 2 weeks to examine whether measurements were reproducible. The interassay variation coefficient determined ranged from 3.1 to 31.8%, although for most variables, it ranged between 5 and 11%. Measurements for the length and width of the kidneys had the smallest interassay variation coefficient, whereas values obtained for diameter of the bladder and urethra, as well as thickness of the bladder, had the largest. It was concluded that the ultrasonographic findings described in this study can be used as references for diagnosis of morphologic changes in the kidneys, bladder, and urethra of sheep.