Recumbency affects respiratory mechanics and oxygenation in anesthetized horses. Changes in pleural and abdominal pressures that can impair ventilation have not been described in all recumbencies. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of patient positioning on transdiaphragmatic pressure and selected hemodynamic variables. Horses were maintained under total intravenous general anesthesia with nasal oxygen supplementation. Transnasal balloon catheters in the stomach and thoracic esophagus were used to measure intrathoracic and gastric pressures in standing horses and in anesthetized horses positioned in right and left lateral recumbency, dorsal recumbency, reverse Trendelenburg position, and Trendelenburg position. Transdiaphragmatic pressure was calculated as the difference between gastric and intrathoracic pressures. Measurements of oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures, and respiratory rate were obtained every 5 minutes. When compared to dorsal recumbency, gastric expiratory pressure is decreased in the standing position. Thoracic expiratory pressure is decreased in standing and reverse Trendelenburg. Transdiaphragmatic expiratory pressure and SpO(2) are decreased in Trendelenburg. Heart rate is increased in reverse Trendelenburg. Systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures are decreased in reverse Trendelenburg and increased in left lateral and right lateral recumbency. We found that there is wide variation in respiratory pressures between horses and positions and they are not predictive of associated changes in hemodynamic variables.

OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility of esophageal insufflation CT (EICT) for evaluation of the esophagus in dogs. ANIMALS 7 clinically normal adult Beagles. PROCEDURES Each dog was anesthetized twice with 1 week between anesthesia sessions. Dogs were positioned in sternal recumbency during all CT scans. During the first anesthesia session, a CT scan was performed before the esophagus was insufflated (insufflation pressure, 0 mm Hg) and unenhanced and contrast-enhanced EICT scans were performed after CO(2) was insufflated into the esophageal lumen to achieve a pressure of 5 mm Hg. For the contrast-enhanced scan, each dog received iohexol (600 mg/kg, IV), and the scan was performed 30 seconds later. During the second anesthesia session, unenhanced and contrast-enhanced EICT scans were performed in the same manner except the insufflation pressure achieved was 10 mm Hg. The esophageal luminal cross-sectional area and wall thickness were measured at each of 5 segments, and mean values were compared among the 3 insufflation pressures and between unenhanced and contrast-enhanced images. RESULTS Mean esophageal luminal cross-sectional area increased and esophageal wall thickness decreased as insufflation pressure increased. Measurements did not differ significantly between unenhanced and contrast-enhanced images. The stomach became distended with CO(2) at an insufflation pressure of 10 mm Hg but not at 5 mm Hg. No adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested EICT was feasible for esophageal evaluation in dogs. Further research is necessary to determine the optimal insufflation pressure for the procedure and its diagnostic efficacy in diseased patients.

Esophagus of geese was tubular organ situated at right side of the body. it was divided into, cervical and thoracic part, the cervical part longer than thoracic part. The length of cervical part ,crop, thoracic part were recorded and the mean and S.D. was founded: 16. 4,1 .35cm;7.3,1.06cm;3.83,0.57cm respectively. The crop was merely enlargement fusiform in shape which located at the entrance of the thorax. The esophagus parts showed that composed of four layer, the mucosa, sub mucosa, muscular and serosa. The mucosal layer was thickened in the thoracic part than the crop and constituted by thick nonkertenized stratified squamous epithelium, lamina propria and mucous glandsThe mucous glands and nodular lymphatic tissues in was rich in thoracic part. The sub mucous layer was no evidence and composed of loose connective tissues, the muscular layer constituted by circular inner and longitudinal extra.Serosa layer composed of connective tissue, collagen and elastic fibrous.

Objective: To develop a technique for radiographic evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract in ball pythons (Python regius). Samples: 10 ball python cadavers (5 males and 5 females) and 18 healthy adult ball pythons (10 males and 8 females). Procedures: Live snakes were allocated to 3 groups (A, B, and C). A dose (25 mL/kg) of barium sulfate suspension at 3 concentrations (25%, 35%, and 45% [wt/vol]) was administered through an esophageal probe to snakes in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Each evaluation ended when all the contrast medium had reached the large intestine. Transit times through the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine were recorded. Imaging quality was evaluated by 3 investigators who assigned a grading score on the basis of predetermined criteria. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate differences in quality among the study groups. Results: The esophagus and stomach had a consistent distribution pattern of contrast medium, whereas 3 distribution patterns of contrast medium were identified in the small intestine, regardless of barium concentration. Significant differences in imaging quality were detected among the 3 groups. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Radiographic procedures were tolerated well by all snakes. The 35% concentration of contrast medium yielded the best imaging quality. Use of contrast medium for evaluation of the cranial portion of the gastrointestinal tract could be a reliable technique for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases in ball pythons. However, results of this study may not translate to other snake species because of variables identified in this group of snakes.

The effect of a passive heat and moisture exchanger on tracheal and large airway temperature, as reflected by esophageal temperature at the thoracic inlet, was determined for 12 anesthetized and ventilated tumor-bearing dogs undergoing whole-body hyperthermia at 42 C. Delivered thermal dose to the esophagus and rectum during 120 minutes of whole-body hyperthermia was quantified as the thermal dose summary measure EQ43. The heat and moisture exchanger significantly increased esophageal EQ43 from 7.3 minutes to 12.1 minutes. Esophageal EQ43, however, remained lower than rectal EQ43. Although use of a heat and moisture exchanger improved esophageal temperature during whole-body hyperthermia, presumably through improved airway temperature, additional methods will be necessary to increase esophageal and airway temperature to the target value of 42 C.

In healthy adult goats, closure of the esophageal groove was induced by thirst, IV administered vasopressin, and intracarotid administration of hypertonic NaCl solutions. The efficiency of stimulation was tested directly by visual inspection of the course taken by orally administered solutions through a ruminal or abomasal fistula, palpation of the lips of the esophageal groove through a ruminal fistula, and indirectly by following the glucose dynamics in the blood after oral administration of glucose solution. Esophageal groove closure was observed during drinking after a 48-hour period of water deprivation. Intracarotid administration of 1.5 ml of a saturated solution or 10.5 ml of a 1.5% solution of NaCl also stimulated groove closure; however, groove closure stimulated by administration of vasopressin is the most satisfactory procedure for passing compounds of therapeutic importance directly from the cardiac orifice to the abomasum.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the morphological, histological, andhistochemical structures of the esophagus and stomach in small Indian mongoose at anatomy andhistology laboratory/ Veterinary Medicine College / Basra University in Basra/ Iraq. The currentstudy was conducted on six local healthy adult male mongoose directly . Morphological resultsreleaved that the esophagus is elastic muscular fibrous tube connects between pharynx andstomach. It consists from three parts; cervical, thoracic, and short abdominal part.The stomachappeared as simple type with shape of letter (J),and had three regions (cardiac, fundus, andpyloric region), two curvatures, and two openings. The mean length and width of esophagus andstomach (15cm, 0.5 cm) and (6.5 cm, 2cm cardiac, 1.5 cm fundus, and pyloric 1 cm in width)respectively. The histological study result showed the esophagus and stomach comprised fourlayers; mucosa, sub-mucosa, muscularis, and adventitia or serosa.Microscopic examination of esophagus revealed that the mucosal layer lined with thin stratifiedsquamous keratinized epithelium tissue. The gastric mucosa lined by simple columnar epitheliumwith goblet cells.This study showed the positive reaction for periodic acid Schiff (PAS)stain in esophagus andstomach , when appear red purple colour for mucin in the mucosa layer for them .

OBJECTIVE To determine effects of catheter shape, interelectrode spacing (IS), and electrode size (ES) on pacing threshold (PT), extraneous muscular stimulation (EMS), and zone of capture (ZOC) for dogs undergoing transesophageal atrial pacing (TAP). ANIMALS 10 purpose-bred dogs without cardiac conduction disturbances. PROCEDURES 7 configurations for TAP catheters were tested in each dog to evaluate effects of catheter shape (curved or straight), IS (5, 15, and 25 mm), and ES (2, 4, and 6 mm). Each catheter was passed into the esophagus to a location aboral to the heart and slowly withdrawn until atrial pacing was achieved. Then, catheters were withdrawn in 5-mm increments until pacing could not be achieved. Outcomes measured at each pacing site included PT, degree of EMS, and ZOC. RESULTS There was a significantly lower PT, wider ZOC, and less EMS for the curved catheter than for the straight catheter. An ES of 6 mm induced significantly more EMS than was induced by an ES of 2 or 4 mm. An IS of 5 mm induced significantly less EMS and a significantly narrower ZOC but required a significantly higher PT, compared with results for an ES of 15 or 25 mm. Additionally, there was a significant direct correlation between IS and ZOC. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that a curved catheter with multiple 4-mm electrodes that provides for variable IS would be ideal for TAP in dogs. IMPACT FOR HUMAN MEDICINE TAP catheters currently used in human medicine are straight. The PT in humans may potentially be reduced with curved catheters.

OBJECTIVE To assess feasibility of flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in awake dogs, determine whether specific variables associated with the oropharyngeal phase of swallowing can be recognized, and evaluate the safety and tolerability of FEES. ANIMALS 6 healthy client-owned large- and giant-breed adult dogs. PROCEDURES A topical anesthetic was applied to the nasal passage of each dog, and a fiberoptic endoscope was passed transnasally until the tip of the scope was positioned in the oropharynx. All dogs voluntarily drank colored water followed by consumption of a commercial canned diet and then a kibble diet mixed with food color. During each swallow, laryngeal and pharyngeal anatomic structures were evaluated and depth of bolus flow prior to the pharyngeal phase of swallowing was assessed. Evidence of bolus retention in the vallecula or pyriform sinuses and laryngeal penetration of the bolus were recorded. RESULTS FEES was completed without major adverse events and was tolerated well by all 6 dogs. Mild, self-limiting epistaxis was noted for 2 dogs. The nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx were observed in all dogs; movement of food boluses through the esophagus was observed in 2 dogs, and food boluses in the stomach were visible in 1 dog. Pharyngeal and laryngeal function was considered physiologically normal in all dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE FEES appeared to be a feasible diagnostic tool for use in large- and giant-breed dogs. Studies are warranted in dogs with oropharyngeal dysphagia to determine whether FEES can be tolerated and whether it can augment videofluoroscopy findings.

Objective- To describe the optimal thoracoscopic approach to the bovine pleural cavity and evaluate the short-term effects of thoracoscopy on cardiovascular and pulmonary function of healthy cattle. Sample- 6 healthy adult Holstein cows (12 hemithoraxes). Procedures- For each cow, thoracoscopy was performed in both the left and right hemithoraxes with a 24-hour interval between procedures. Cows were sedated and restrained in a standing position for each thoracoscopic examination. Examination of each hemithorax lasted for 30 minutes. Arterial blood gas variables, heart rate, and respiratory rate were assessed at predetermined times before, during, and after the procedures to monitor cardiovascular and pulmonary function. Thoracic ultrasonography was performed immediately and at 24 hours and 1 week after each thorascopic examination to evaluate the extent of residual pneumothorax. Results- Insertion of the laparoscope into the pleural cavity at the ninth intercostal space 15 cm ventral to the transverse processes of the thoracic vertebrae provided optimal visibility of structures in both the left and right hemithoraxes. Most structures of the pleural cavity were equally visible from both sides except the esophagus and the dorsal branch of the vagus nerve, which were best observed in the left hemithorax, and the pericardium, which was best observed in the right hemithorax. Mild increases in heart and respiratory rates and moderate decreases in arterial oxygen saturation and Pao2 were detected during the procedures. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Standing thoracoscopy was well tolerated in healthy adult dairy cattle and needs to be evaluated in cattle with pulmonary disease.