Evaluation of ultrasonographically determined ratios of kidney length to aorta diameter for assessment of kidney size in healthy young dogs.

Objective: To determine whether previously described cutoffs for ultrasonographically determined kidney length-to-aorta diameter ratio (KL:Ao) for evaluation of kidney size in adult dogs are applicable to healthy dogs 1 to 18 months of age and to assess interobserver and intraobserver variability for ultrasonographic kidney and aorta measurements in these dogs grouped according to age.

Animals: 82 dogs.

Procedures: 41 university-owned dogs and 41 client- or staff-owned dogs of 3 age groups (approx 1, 6, and 12 to 18 months of age) underwent ultrasonographic examination by 3 observers.

Stifle joint osteoarthritis at the time of diagnosis of cranial cruciate ligament injury is higher in Boxers and in dogs weighing more than 35 kilograms.

Osteoarthritis is a ubiquitous disease in dogs. The purpose of this retrospective study was to characterize the severity and distribution of osteoarthritis (OA) within the joint and to identify differences among dog breeds in the severity of OA in the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL)-deficient stifle joint. Radiographs of 240 stifles from 51 Boxers, 66 German Shepherds, 100 Labrador Retrievers, and 23 Siberian Huskies with confirmed CCL rupture were included.

Development of a minimally invasive approach to equine cervical articular facet joints for placement of an ND:YAG LASER.

The purpose of this study was to develop a minimally invasive approach to equine cervical articular facet joints for application of an ND:YAG LASER and to evaluate the effects of the laser fiber on the surrounding tissue. Under general anesthesia, an ND:YAG LASER was used to apply 2000 J of energy to 5 cervical articular facet joints in 3 horses (15 joints total). Horses were euthanized and the cervical facets and spinal cords were examined grossly and histologically.

Correlation of dickkopf-1 concentrations in plasma and synovial fluid to the severity of radiographic signs of equine osteoarthritis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was a correlation between circulating and intra-synovial Dkk-1 and radiographic signs of equine osteoarthritis.

Methods: Circulating and intra-synovial Dkk-1 levels were measured in clinical cases using a commercially available human Dkk-1 ELISA. Radiographs were performed of the joints from which fluid was collected and these were assessed and scored by a boarded radiologist for joint narrowing, subchondral bone sclerosis, subchondral bone lysis, and periarticular modelling.

Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging Protocol of the Normal Canine Brain.

Perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), specifically dynamic susceptibility MRI (DSC-MRI) is routinely performed as a supplement to conventional MRI in human medicine for patients with intracranial neoplasia and cerebrovascular events. There is minimal data on the use of DSC-MRI in veterinary patients and a DSC-MRI protocol in the veterinary patient has not been described. Sixteen normal dogs, 6 years or older were recruited for this study.

Computed tomographic identification of dysplasia and progression of osteoarthritis in dog elbows previously assigned OFA grades 0 and 1.

Elbow dysplasia is a heritable disease that is a common cause of lameness and progressive elbow osteoarthritis in young large breed dogs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) screens elbow radiographs, and assigns grades 0-3 based on presence and severity of bony proliferation on the anconeal process. Grade 1 is assigned when less than 3 mm is present and considered positive for dysplasia.

Microvasculature of the suspensory ligament of the forelimb of horses.

Objective: To determine the microvascular anatomy of the suspensory ligament of the forelimb of horses.

Sample: 17 cadaveric forelimbs from 9 adult horses with no known history of forelimb lameness.

Procedures: The median artery of the forelimb was cannulated proximal to the antebrachiocarpal joint and injected with contrast medium for CT evaluation of the gross vasculature (n = 2) or India ink to evaluate the microvasculature (12).

Radiographic evaluation of feline appendicular degenerative joint disease vs. Macroscopic appearance of articular cartilage.

Degenerative joint disease (DJD) is common in domesticated cats. Our purpose was to describe how radiographic findings thought to indicate feline DJD relate to macroscopic cartilage degeneration in appendicular joints. Thirty adult cats euthanized for reasons unrelated to this study were evaluated.

The effect of sequence selection and field strength on detection of osteochondral defects in the metacarpophalangeal joint.

Six cadaver forelimbs were imaged in two high-field magnetic resonance (MR) systems and one low-field MR system following the creation of osteochondral defects on the palmar distal aspect of the third metacarpal bone. The following sequences were performed using all three systems: proton density (PD) turbo spin echo, T2* gradient echo (GRE), T2-weighted fast spin echo, and short tau inversion recovery. In addition, 3D T1 GRE sagittal standard and motion insensitive sequences were obtained using the low-field system.

Item generation and design testing of a questionnaire to assess degenerative joint disease-associated pain in cats.

Objective: To determine the items (question topics) for a subjective instrument to assess degenerative joint disease (DJD)-associated chronic pain in cats and determine the instrument design most appropriate for use by cat owners.

Animals: 100 randomly selected client-owned cats from 6 months to 20 years old.

Procedures: Cats were evaluated to determine degree of radiographic DJD and signs of pain throughout the skeletal system.

Ultrasonography of histologically normal parathyroid glands and thyroid lobules in normocalcemic dogs.

The purpose of this study is to characterize the sonographic appearance of canine parathyroid glands using high-resolution ultrasonography. Ten cadaver dogs were studied after euthanasia for reasons not relating to the parathyroid. The cervical region was examined using a 13-5 MHz linear transducer in right and left recumbency.

The effects of iohexol administration on technetium thyroid scintigraphy in normal cats.

Administration of iodinated contrast medium interferes with iodide uptake in the human thyroid gland and compromises diagnostic thyroid scintigraphy and radioiodine treatment for 4-6 weeks. However, the degree and duration of inhibition of thyroid uptake of pertechnetate (99mTcO4-) by iodinated contrast medium has not been established in any species. The main objective of this study was to better understand the temporal characteristics and magnitude of inhibition of feline thyroid uptake of 99mTcO4- due to iohexol administration.

Meniscal mineralization in domestic cats.

Objective: To (1) determine prevalence of radiographically detectable meniscal mineralization in domestic cats and (2) to evaluate the association between meniscal mineralization and degenerative joint disease (DJD).

Study Design: Prospective study.

Animals: Client-owned cats (n=100) and 30 feline cadavers.

Morphology of the caudal fossa in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Chiari malformations and syringohydromyelia are an important disease complex in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Although abnormalities in caudal fossa morphology are considered major contributors to the development of this disease, limited information exists on the range of morphologies in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and on the relationship of these to clinically evident disease. Sixty-four Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were studied.

Aural cholesteatoma in twenty dogs.

Objective: To determine the clinical course in dogs with aural cholesteatoma.

Study Design: Case series.

Animals: Dogs (n=20) with aural cholesteatoma.

Simulation of turbulent airflow using a CT based upper airway model of a racehorse.

Computational model for airflow through the upper airway of a horse was developed. Previous flow models for human airway do not hold true for horses due to significant differences in anatomy and the high Reynolds number of flow in the equine airway. Moreover, models that simulate the entire respiratory cycle and emphasize on pressures inside the airway in relation to various anatomical diseases are lacking.

Accuracy of increased large-intestine wall thickness during ultrasonography for diagnosing large-colon torsion in 42 horses.

Large-colon torsion is a common cause of colic in horses and has a worse prognosis and higher cost than other causes of surgical colic of the large colon. During large-colon torsion, the colon wall becomes thick due to vascular occlusion. Therefore, we hypothesized that detecting increased colon wall thickness during ultrasonography would be an accurate preoperative test for large-colon torsion.

Radiographic, computed tomographic and histopathologic appearance of a presumed spinal chordoma in a dog.

A 4-year-old Labrador Retriever presented for urinary incontinence and constipation of 2 weeks duration. There was a tender abdomen, lumbar pain and conscious proprioceptive deficits in both pelvic limbs. Depressed pelvic limb reflexes were present consistent with a lower motor neuron lesion.