Lead foreign body arthropathy in a horse

A diagnosis of degenerative joint disease secondary to an intra-articular metallic foreign body in the right metacarpophalangeal joint was made in a Quarter Horse gelding. Arthroscopy, performed to evaluate the joint and remove the foreign body, revealed yellow discoloration of the articular cartilage and synovium, and blunting and proliferation of the synovium. The foreign body was identified as a lead sphere. Microscopic examination of synovium revealed chronic synovitis, with accumulation of hemosiderin and multifocal, mild mineralization. Another pigment was evident extracellularly in the synovium. Lead arthropathy was diagnosed. Lead arthropathy results from the dissolution of intra-articular lead, causing signs of chronic pain, restricted motion, joint effusion, and synovial proliferation.

Pathogenesis and treatment of canine rhinitis

Unless a systematic approach is used, evaluation of a patient with rhinitis can be frustrating to the veterinary practitioner. A complete differential list for canine rhinitis should include infectious, inflammatory, neoplastic, and traumatic causes. Other causes of rhinitis include dental disease, parasitic infestation, and ciliary dyskinesia. Diagnostic techniques that should be considered when evaluating a patient with rhinitis include obtaining a complete history, performing a thorough physical and oral examination, evaluating the patient's coagulation abilities, cytology and culture of exudate, nasal radiographs, and rhinoscopy. This article describes the pathogenesis and treatment of the various causes of canine rhinitis.

[Endometritis caused by a foreign body in a cow]

Uterus, uterine tubes, and ovaries of a cow were obtained from the local abattoir. Post-mortem findings indicate a subacute to chronic endometritis, caused by a cigarette-lighter found in utero. The uterine mucosa, covered with mucopurulent secretions, was focally stained black by sulfhemoglobin. Regressed corpora lutea of different sizes and the absence of macroscopically visible tertiary follicles indicate irregularities of the estrous cycle.

Oral foreign bodies of longterm duration in dogs

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[Illustrated report from practice: foreign body in the bifurcation of the trachea of a dog]

A stone in the bifurcatio tracheae is diagnosed roentgenologically and extracted under endoscopic control.

Stapling in esophageal surgery

Indications for esophageal surgery include the closure of tears from foreign bodies and incisions for their removal, esophageal anastomosis after removal of diseased or nonfunctional segments, esophagogastric anastomosis after major gastric resection, removal of esophageal diverticula, resection of fistulas, and esophageal reconstructive surgical techniques. The potential use and application of surgical stapling instruments for these esophageal disorders in the veterinary patient are discussed.

Sinography in the investigation of draining tracts in small animals: retrospective review of 25 cases

The signalment, history, clinical signs, radiographic findings, and surgical findings of 25 consecutive animals that had sinography were reviewed to assess the contribution made by sinography to diagnosing and surgically managing draining tracts in small animals. There were 23 dogs and 2 cats; a variety of breeds and both sexes were represented (18 males, 7 females). Before referral the mean duration of clinical signs was 9.8 months (range, 0.5 to 33 months) and a mean of 2.0 surgical procedures (range, 1 to 5) had been performed. Sinuses occurred in a variety of locations, most commonly the neck (10), head (6), and paws (5). The most common cause was foreign body (15). Survey radiographs showed abnormalities in 21 of 26 (78%) instances, including soft-tissue swelling (11), chronic-appearing periosteal reaction on adjacent bones (5), possible foreign body (4), and gas in soft tissues (2). Sinography (or fistulography) enabled definite diagnosis of the cause of the sinus (or fistula) in 15 of 26 (58%) instances and demonstrated 13 of 15 foreign bodies (sensitivity 87%; specificity 100%). Tracts caused by an esophageal perforation and otitis media were also correctly shown by fistulography. In 11 animals, sinography indicated that the position or extent of the lesion was different to that expected on the basis of clinical signs and survey radiographs.

Lead poisoning and other causes of mortality in trumpeter (Cygnus buccinator) and tundra (C. columbianus) swans in western Washington

Lead poisoning and other causes of mortality of 115 trumpeter (Cygnus buccinator) and 21 tundra (C. columbianus) swans from northwestern Washington (USA) from 1986 to 1992 are reported. Necropsies were performed on all 136 swans, liver lead analysis conducted on 110, and differentiation between lead and steel shot pellets recovered from gizzards in 97 swans. Shot pellets were detected in 44 (32%) of 136 gizzards. Lead shot was recovered from 32 (33%) of 97 gizzards and steel shot from 16 (16%). Mean intensity of lead shot in gizzards was nearly five times greater than steel shot. Thirty-nine (35%) of 110 livers had lead concentrations diagnostic of lead poisoning (> 6 ppm, wet weight). Mean (+/- SE) weight for 61 non-lead poisoned trumpeter swans was 9.8 (+/- 0.30) kg, significantly heavier (P < 0.05) than 30 lead poisoned trumpeters (mean = 6.8 +/- 0.23 kg). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in weights between lead poisoned (n = 9) and non-lead poisoned (n = 12) tundra swans. Lead poisoning was the primary cause of death, accounting for 29% of the mortalities. Other causes of mortality identified were aspergillosis (17%), illegally shot (11%), and other traumatic factors (12%). The cause of death for 43 swans was not determined. Lead poisoning from the ingestion of lead shot continues to be a principal cause of mortality in swans overwintering in northwestern Washington.

Ultrasonographic findings in cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis

The morphological changes in the region of the reticulum were examined ultrasonographically in 26 cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis, and a radiograph of the reticulum was also taken. The ultrasonographic examination included observations of reticular motility during a three minute period, of reticular contours and of adjacent structures such as the diaphragm, the anterior dorsal blind sac of the rumen, the ventral sac of the rumen, the spleen, omasum, abomasum and liver. In cows with disturbed reticular motility, biphasic contractions were slower than normal or indistinct, and the number of contractions was reduced. Fibrinous changes appeared as echogenic deposits, sometimes accompanied by hypoechogenic fluid. Abscesses had an echogenic capsule with a hypoechogenic centre. In seven cows, there was an effusion in the region of the reticulum in addition to the morphological changes. The spleen was involved in the adhesions in four cows, the omasum in three cows, the liver in one cow and the abomasum in one cow. Radiography revealed foreign bodies penetrating the reticulum of 12 cows and magnets in the reticulum of seven cows. None of these foreign bodies or magnets could be visualised by ultrasonography.

Proventriculotomy in ostriches: 18 cases (1990-1992)

Over a 3-year period, proventriculotomy was performed on 18 ostriches to relieve impaction of the proventriculus. Diagnosis was confirmed by abdominal palpation, abdominal radiography, and in some cases, exploratory proventriculotomy. In addition to proventriculotomy, an esophagotomy was performed in 5 birds that were debilitated to allow force-feeding during the postoperative period. The median age of ostriches treated surgically for proventricular impaction was 7.5 months (range, 3 months to 18 years). Impactions consisted of sand, rocks, or gravel in combination with grass, leaves, wood, or other fibrous materials. In 7 birds, small pieces of wire or nails were also removed from the proventriculus. In 1 bird, a large metal punch was removed via the proventriculotomy. Six ostriches died at the hospital in the immediate postoperative period. Four of these died within 24 hours of surgery. All 4 birds were emaciated and in a severely weakened condition at admission, and they continued to deteriorate after surgery. One bird died 8 days after surgery as a result of complications associated with a septic joint unrelated to the proventriculotomy procedure. Another bird was euthanatized 6 days after surgery because its condition failed to improve and the owners did not want to pursue further treatment because of expense. Follow-up information was obtained for 12 surviving ostriches 1 week to 29 months (median, 5.5 months) after they were discharged from the hospital. Four of the 12 birds died within 30 days of discharge from the hospital. The remaining 8 birds (44%) were alive at follow-up evaluation (median, 10.5 months after surgery; range, 5 to 29 months).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An application of sinography in small animal practice

Sinography is a well recognised aid to clinical diagnosis in human medicine; it is used in equine practice but is less commonly used in small animal practice. The technique was used to investigate four dogs with sinuses associated with radiolucent foreign bodies secondary to penetration wounds.

Use of iohexol as a gastrointestinal contrast agent in three dogs, five cats, and one bird

Barium sulfate suspension is routinely used as contrast medium for upper gastrointestinal procedures. It has been contraindicated for use in cases of suspected perforation. In such instances, water-soluble iodides are recommended for use. Most of the water-soluble iodides available for use in veterinary medicine at this time are hyperosmolar. This results in in transit dilution of the contrast column. The dilution of the contrast agent within the intestines may prevent visualization of a perforation, especially if the perforation is in the distal portion of the small intestine. Iohexol a nonionic water-soluble iodide of low osmolality, is currently used in veterinary medicine for myelography. We have used it as the contrast agent for upper gastrointestinal studies in cases of suspected obstruction or perforation, with good results, and no adverse effects have been associated with its use. Opacity of the contrast column was adequate, and segmentation or flocculation of the column was not apparent.

Radiography as an aid in the diagnosis of traumatic reticuloperitonitis in cattle

Radiographs of the reticulum, the medical records and the surgical and post mortem findings for 151 cattle were evaluated, and the radiographic findings in animals which had no pathological changes in the cranioventral abdomen were compared with those in animals with traumatic reticuloperitonitis. Features that were found to be reliable in the diagnosis of the condition included atypically positioned foreign bodies, abnormal gas shadows in the region of the reticulum, and depressions in the cranioventral margin of the reticulum. In addition to the reticulum, the remainder of the cranioventral abdomen was also assessed radiographically. An accumulation of gas or a gas-fluid interface outside the gastrointestinal tract, and intra-abdominal masses were typical findings in cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis. Various parameters were used to determine the reliability of radiography of the reticulum in the diagnosis of the condition; its prevalence was 50 per cent, the sensitivity of the radiographic diagnosis was 76 per cent, the specificity was 93 per cent, the accuracy was 85 per cent, the positive predictive value was 92 per cent and the negative predictive value was 80 per cent.

Choledocholithiasis attributable to a foreign body in a horse

Cholelithiasis is the most common cause of biliary obstruction in horses. Proposed mechanisms include ascariasis, biliary stasis, ascending biliary infection, and changes in bile composition. In this horse, a foreign body acted as the nidus for bile-salt deposition and ascending cholangitis. Clinical signs (intermittent abdominal pain, icterus, and pyrexia) in conjunction with high serum activity of enzymes indicative of obstructive biliary disease led to a tentative diagnosis of cholelithiasis. Ultrasonography was used to confirm the diagnosis. Postmortem examination revealed a 7-cm wooden stick to be the core of a cholelith found in the common bile duct.

Nasopharyngeal grass foreign body in eight cats

Nasopharyngeal grass foreign bodies were diagnosed in 8 indoor/outdoor cats. Each cat was anesthetized with xylazine/ketamine, and the foreign bodies were extracted from the nasopharynx by use of mosquito forceps.

Penetrating lingual foreign bodies in three horses

Three horses examined for complaints of ptyalism and dysphagia were found to have metallic lingual foreign bodies. Metallic foreign bodies were located by oral examination combined with radiography. In 1 horse clinical signs resolved without removal of the foreign body. The foreign body was extracted via an oral approach in the second horse; a mandibular symphysiotomy and radiographic guidance were necessary for removal in the third horse. In all 3 cases, the presenting clinical signs subsided.

Oesophageal choke in an African elephant

A young African elephant suffered a fatal obstruction of the caudal oesophagus caused by an ingested apple. This report describes the attempts made to relieve the obstruction and the subsequent post mortem findings.

[The ultrasonic diagnosis of foreign bodies in the horse]

Ultrasonography in veterinary practice represents a method that nowadays is a approved component of the examination of small and large animals. Although sometimes more difficult than in small animals, ultrasonography can be often useful in horses. In the present report two cases demonstrate the possibility of sonography in the diagnostic of foreign bodies in soft tissues in horses.