Salmeterol or doxycycline do not inhibit acute bronchospasm and airway inflammation in cats with experimentally-induced asthma.

The objective of this study was to determine if inhaled salmeterol, a long-acting β(2)-adrenergic agonist, and oral doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic displaying matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitory activity, reduce airway inflammation and obstruction in cats with experimentally-induced asthma. Eight Ascaris suum (AS)-sensitised cats were enrolled in a prospective study in which they underwent four AS-challenges at 1 month intervals. The challenged animals were given no treatment or were treated on 4 consecutive days with either: (1) oral prednisolone (1mg/kg twice daily), (2) inhaled salmeterol (50 μg twice daily), or (3) oral doxycycline (5mg/kg twice daily), according to a randomised cross-over design.

Transsinusoidal portal vein embolization with ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx): a feasibility study in pigs.

Purpose: Portal vein embolization is performed to increase the future liver remnant before liver surgery in patients with liver malignancies. This study assesses the feasibility of a transsinusoidal approach for portal vein embolization (PVE) with the ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, Onyx.

Methods: Indirect portography through contrast injection in the cranial mesenteric artery was performed in eight healthy pigs.

Arterial head vascularization cartographies of normal metencephalic dogs using magnetic resonance angiography.

The aim of our study was to establish head arterial cartographies-useful for the diagnosis of brain diseases leading to cerebral vascular modifications-by means of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Casts of the arterial vascular brain system were used to corroborate the MRA results as they can be easily rotated in nonvirtual three-dimensions and give an accurate view of the arteries calibre and origin. Two types of 3T MRA images were used: three-dimensional fast low-angle shot (3D-FLASH) acquisition sequenced every 20 s, paired with injection of a paramagnetic contrast medium, and three-dimensional time-of-flight (3D-TOF) acquisition sequenced every 300 s.

Effect of short-term oral and inhaled corticosteroids on airway inflammation and responsiveness in a feline acute asthma model.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether high-dose inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP), alone or in combination with salmeterol (SAL), is as effective as oral prednisolone in reducing airway inflammation and obstruction in cats with experimentally-induced acute asthma. Six cats sensitised to Ascaris suum (AS) were enrolled in a prospective controlled therapeutic trial and underwent four aerosol challenges, at 1-month intervals with AS allergen. The allergen - stimulated animals received four consecutive days treatment with either oral prednisolone at 1mg/kg twice daily, 500 μg of FP inhaled twice daily, or a combination of FP/SAL at 500 μg/50 μg inhaled twice daily, respectively, according to a randomised cross-over design.

Precision, reproducibility, and clinical usefulness of measuring the Norberg angle by means of computerized image analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the precision, reproducibility, and clinical usefulness of measuring the Norberg angle (NA) by means of a computerized system of image analysis.

Sample Population: 1,182 consecutive radiographs of hip joints of various breeds of dogs assessed for hip dysplasia and 72 radiographs of hip joints of German Shepherd Dogs.

Procedures: Radiographs were assessed by a panel of 4 experts in consensus, and NAs were measured by means of a computerized system.

Evaluation of computed tomographic anatomy of the equine metacarpophalangeal joint.

Objective: To determine the detailed computed tomography (CT) anatomy of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint in healthy horses.

Sample Population: 10 cadaveric forelimbs from 10 adult horses without orthopedic disease.

Procedures: CT of the MCP joint was performed on 4 forelimbs.

Comparison of two canine registry databases on the prevalence of hip dysplasia by breed and the relationship of dysplasia with body weight and height.

Objective: To compare the results of 2 canine registries for classification of the hip joints for dysplasia by breed, and to relate the percentage of dysplastic dogs with body metric characteristics.

Sample Population: Data on the ranking order of hip dysplasia by breed from 2 registries for 156 dog breeds.

Procedures: The prevalence of hip dysplasia listed by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the breed mean score according to the list of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Kennel Club Hip Dysplasia scheme were related to weight and height as well as the body mass index (BMI; kg/m(2)) by breed.

Sonographic anatomy of the palmarodistal aspect of the equine digit.

Although ultrasonography is widely used in equine orthopedics, its use in the distal portion of the digit is still limited. The purpose of this descriptive study was to document the normal ultrasonographic appearance of the palmarodistal aspect of the digital area imaged between the bulbs of the heels. Ultrasonographic images were obtained with a 7.

Functional, inflammatory and morphological characterisation of a cat model of allergic airway inflammation.

The aims of this study were to characterise a model of feline allergic airway inflammation and to test through a longitudinal investigation whether five repeated allergen exposures would lead to signs of airway remodelling that would be detectable in vivo. Eight healthy control cats and eight cats sensitised with Ascaris suum allergens were investigated. Barometric whole body plethysmography (BWBP) was used for the assessment of respiratory variables and airway responsiveness (AR).

Effects of age and allergen-induced airway inflammation in cats: radiographic and cytologic correlation.

Thoracic radiography is an important diagnostic tool for feline respiratory medicine. The aim of this study was (1) to assess age-related changes of thoracic radiographic views in healthy young cats and (2) to test if experimentally-induced bronchial inflammation by inhaling Ascaris suum (AS) allergens leads to radiographic changes after single or repeated exposures. Healthy cats (n=15-30) aged between 6 and 30 months were evaluated.

Urodynamic and morphologic changes in the lower portion of the urogenital tract after administration of estriol alone and in combination with phenylpropanolamine in sexually intact and spayed female dogs.

Objective: To compare the urodynamic and morphologic effects of the administration of estriol alone and in combination with phenylpropanolamine on the lower portion of the urogenital tract in female dogs.

Animals: 3 sexually intact and 3 spayed female Beagles without urinary incontinence.

Procedure: Dogs received estriol (2 mg, PO) once daily for 7 days followed by estriol (2 mg, PO) and phenylpropanolamine (1.

Radiographic and ultrasonographic findings of emphysematous cystitis in four nondiabetic female dogs.

The urinary bladder of four dogs with emphysematous cystitis was assessed radiographically. Ultrasonography was also performed using a 7.5-MHz microconvex probe in dorsal recumbency and in a standing position.

Non-invasive assessment of airway responsiveness in healthy and allergen-sensitised cats by use of barometric whole body plethysmography.

This study aimed at determining whether airway responsiveness (AR) tests performed by use of barometric whole body plethysmography (BWBP) were repeatable in cats and to what extent AR was affected by the nebulization protocol used, the age of the animals, the inflammatory status of the airways and prior bronchodilator treatment. Repeatability of AR was tested on two occasions in 30 healthy cats. The concentration of carbachol inducing a 300% increase of the enhanced pause (Penh)--an estimator of airflow limitation--was calculated (C-Penh300) and did not differ significantly between the two tests (0.

Magnetic resonance imaging findings in the equine deep digital flexor tendon and distal sesamoid bone in advanced navicular disease--an ex vivo study.

We describe the abnormal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings in the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) and distal sesamoid bone in horses with radiographic changes compatible with navicular syndrome. Thirteen postmortem specimens were examined using a 1.5-T magnetic field, with spin echo (SE) T1-weighted, turbo SE (TSE) proton density-weighted (with and without fat saturation), and fat saturation TSE T2-weighted sequences.

Inhaled fluticasone reduces bronchial responsiveness and airway inflammation in cats with mild chronic bronchitis.

This study investigated the effect of inhaled fluticasone on lower airway inflammation and bronchial responsiveness (BR) to inhaled carbachol in cats with very mild, chronic bronchitis (n = 5) that were compared with healthy cats serving as controls (n = 6). Chest radiographs, BR tests performed non-invasively by barometric whole body plethysmography (BWBP) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were performed before and after treatment. BR was quantified by calculating the concentration of carbachol inducing bronchoconstriction (C-Penh300%), defined as a 300% increase of baseline Penh, an index of bronchoconstriction obtained by BWBP.

Non-invasive assessment of growth, gender and time of day related changes of respiratory pattern in healthy cats by use of barometric whole body plethysmography.

The objective of this study was to establish a reference base for respiratory variables (respiratory rate [R(R)], inspiratory and expiratory time [T(i) and T(e)], peak inspiratory and expiratory pseudoflow [PIF and PEF], tidal volume [V(T)], minute ventilation [V(E)] and enhanced pause [Penh]) of healthy cats by use of barometric whole body plethysmography (BWBP). Eighteen healthy European cats (10 male, 8 female) were studied from the age of 3 to 13 months in order to assess growth- and gender-related changes of BWBP variables. Chest radiographs and bronchoalveolar lavage cytology were performed to confirm pulmonary health status.

Influence of the estrous cycle on urodynamic and morphometric measurements of the lower portion of the urogenital tract in dogs.

Objectives: To compare the values of the urodynamic parameters of the lower portion of the urinary tract and vaginourethral measurements obtained during the phases of the estrous cycle in dogs and determine possible functional or anatomic modifications of the lower portion of the urinary tract associated with those phases.

Animals: 7 adult female Beagles.

Procedure: Urethral pressure profilometry, diuresis cystometry, and vaginourethrography were performed in each dog during proestrus; estrus; early, mid, and late diestrus; and early and late anestrus.

Bronchodilators in bronchoscopy-induced airflow limitation in allergen-sensitized cats.

This study investigated the effect of bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) on respiratory function, determined by barometric whole-body plethysmography (BWBP), of healthy and allergen-sensitized cats. Furthermore, the efficacy of inhaled bronchodilators in preventing changes in respiratory function was determined. For test 1, 18 healthy experimental cats were investigated on day 1 by BWBP.

Radiographic, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomographic, and rhinoscopic features of nasal aspergillosis in dogs.

Objective: To determine radiographic, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and rhinoscopic features of nasal aspergillosis in dogs.

Design: Prospective study.

Animals: 15 client-owned dogs.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the palmar aspect of the equine podotrochlear apparatus: normal appearance.

The purpose of this study was to describe the normal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics of the palmar structures of the equine podotrochlear apparatus by means of retrospective evaluation of MR imaging studies of 16 cadaver limbs. The articular aspect of the distal sesamoid bone was not evaluated in this study. Equine digits were imaged with a human knee radiofrequency coil in a 1.

Validation and comparison of the use of diuresis cystometry and retrograde filling cystometry at various infusion rates in female Beagle dogs.

Objectives: To compare retrograde filling cystometry at infusion rates of 5, 10, and 20 mL/min with diuresis cystometry for determination of an appropriate infusion rate and to confirm the reproducibility of measurements obtained by urethral pressure profilometry (UPP) and cystometry in female Beagles.

Animals: Adult female Beagles.

Procedure: Successive UPP and cystometry were performed by use of a water perfusion catheter on dogs anesthetized with propofol.

Effect of deep digital flexor tendon orientation on magnetic resonance imaging signal intensity in isolated equine limbs-the magic angle effect.

Ten normal equine isolated limbs were imaged using a knee coil in a 1.5 Tesla magnetic field, with short echo time sequences (TE < 15 ms). Magnetic resonance imaging was performed on each isolated limb in different positions, with and without extension of the metacarpophalangeal joint.

Computed tomographic findings in 35 dogs with nasal aspergillosis.

The purpose of this study was to describe the computed tomographic (CT) features of nasal aspergillosis in dogs. Initial (n = 35) and follow-up (n = 12) CT images were available from 35 dogs. The most commonly encountered CT findings were (1) moderate to severe cavitary destruction of the turbinates with presence of a variable amount of abnormal soft tissue in the nasal passages, (2) non-specific thickening of the mucosa adjacent to the inner surface of bones of the frontal sinus, maxillary recess and nasal cavity and, (3) thickened reactive bone.