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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Digital color doppler ultrasonographic system(DCDUS) has a lot of diagnostic functions. One of these is a detection of low velocity vessels in the organs of abdominal cavity. The purpose of study was to determine the clinical usefulness of DCDUS. Interlobar artery resistive index(RI), pulsatility index(PI) and systolic diastolic ratio(SDr) were measured for diagnosis of obstructed urinary tract. RI, PI and SDr were a measure of intrarenal blood flow impedance. This study was consisted of 2 groups. The normal group was studied in 16 normal adult dogs and the study group was studied 7 dogs with surgically induced, unilateral ureateral obstruction. In the study group, parameters were checked in nirmal condition and on 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10th day after ligation. The result were summarized as follows. In the normal group, RI, PI and SDr of the left kidney was 0.65+_0.04, 1.25+_0.12 and 292.45+_29.40, respectively. RI, PI and SDr of the right kidney were 0.64+_0.05, 1.28+_0.20 and 282.25+_37.26, respectively. In the study group, RI of the left kidney induced ligation was increased sighificantly on 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10th day. RI of the left kidney on 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10th day wee 0.75+_0.05, 0.71+_0.03, 0.74+_0.04, 0.74+_0.02, 0.73+_0.02 and 0.73+_0.04, respectively. PI of the left kidney was increased significantly on 1, 3, 5 and 7th day. PI of the left kidney on 1, 3, 5 and 7th day were 1. 57+_0.21, 1.54+_0.24, 1.60+_0.15 and 1.60+_0.26, respectively. SDr of the left kidney increased significantly on 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7th day. SDr of the left kidney on 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7th day were 412.18+_86.69, 352.14+_47.05, 399.77+_65.54, 369.43+_48.34 and 365.57+_22.46, respectively(p0.05). In the study group, RI of the left kidney was more increased than that of the right kidney on 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10th day. PI of the left kidney was more increased than that of the right kidney on 1, 3, 5, and 7th day. SDr of the left kidney was more increased than that of the right kidney on 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7th day(p0.05). RI was effective in the diagnosis of an acute unilateral ureteral obstruction. PI and SDr were insufficient in the diagnosis of an acute unilateral ureteral obstruction.

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.