Effect of acute volume loading on left atrial strain values derived from two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in dogs.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cardiac acute volume loading effect on left atrial (LA) strain and strain rate (SR) parameters derived from two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in healthy dogs. Six healthy beagles were anesthetized and subjected to increase cardiac preload by intravenous infusion with lactated Ringer solution at 150 ml/kg/hr for 90 min. A Swan-Ganz catheter was placed to directly measure the mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP).

Plasma-free amino acid profiles in dogs with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Metabolomic analysis using blood samples has been suggested to be useful for the early detection of cancer. Among metabolites, plasma-free amino acid (PFAA) profiles are potential diagnostic biomarkers for several diseases including cancer. However, the relationship between PFAA concentrations and liver tumors in dogs remains unknown.

Predictive factors of malignancy in dogs with focal liver lesions using clinical data and ultrasonographic features.

A definitive diagnosis of focal liver lesions (FLLs) requires invasive procedures for histopathologic examination. Thus, a simpler noninvasive diagnostic method, such as conventional ultrasonography combined with clinical data, is needed for the prediction of liver malignancy. The objective of this study was to examine the diagnostic accuracy of clinical data and ultrasonographic (US) features to differentiate benign and malignant liver lesions.

Evaluation of duodenal perfusion by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy and intestinal lymphoma.

Background: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) can be used to evaluate intestinal perfusion in healthy dogs. It is helpful for diagnosing and monitoring inflammatory bowel disease in humans and could be useful for dogs with chronic intestinal diseases.

Objectives: To examine duodenal perfusion in dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE) and intestinal lymphoma.

The effect of sedation with a combination of butorphanol and midazolam on quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasonography of duodenum in healthy dogs.

Quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) enables non-invasive and objective evaluation of intestinal perfusion by quantifying the intensity of enhancement on the intestine after microbubble contrast administration. During CEUS scanning, sedation is sometimes necessary to maintain animal cooperation. Nevertheless, the effect of sedative administration on the canine intestinal CEUS is unknown.

Repeatability and reproducibility of quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for assessing duodenal perfusion in healthy dogs.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) with microbubbles as a contrast agent allows the visualization and quantification of tissue perfusion. The assessment of canine intestinal perfusion by quantitative CEUS may provide valuable information for diagnosing and monitoring chronic intestinal disorders. This study aimed to assess the repeatability (intraday variability) and reproducibility (interday variability) of quantitative duodenal CEUS in healthy dogs.

Expression of apical junction complex proteins in colorectal mucosa of miniature dachshunds with inflammatory colorectal polyps.

We examine the expression of tight junction and adherence junction proteins in the colorectal mucosa of miniature dachshunds (MDs) with inflammatory colorectal polyps (ICRPs). Colorectal mucosa samples were endoscopically obtained from 8 MDs with ICRPs and 8 control dogs for immunoblotting. Paraffin-embedded tissues of surgically resected inflamed lesions from another 5 MDs with ICRPs and full-thickness colorectal specimens from 5 healthy beagles were obtained for immunohistochemistry.