Primary Splenic Torsion in Dog as a Cause of Atypical Acute Abdomen

Background: A primary splenic torsion occurs when the organ rotates around its vascular pedicle in the absence of any other concomitant disease. The occurrence of primary splenic torsion is rare, with a prevalence lower than 1%. Splenic torsion is more often related to dilated gastric volvulus syndrome, and it has no clear etiology despite reports that associate it with congenital abnormalities or traumatic ruptures of the gastrosplenic or splenocolic ligaments. This study reports a case of splenic torsion in an American Pit Bull terrier dog, its related symptomatology, and the treatment adopted.Case: A 3-year-old male American Pit Bull terrier dog weighing 32 kg was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of acute abdomen, lethargy, increased abdominal volume, discomfort, restlessness, and with a history of collapse three days prior to admission. Clinical examination revealed lethargy, pale mucous membranes, reduced capillary refill time, moderate dehydration, and hyperthermia. Abdominal palpation revealed increased abdominal volume in the epigastric and mesogastric areas. CBC and serum biochemistry profile revealed hypochromic normocytic anemia, leukocytosis with absolute neutrophilia and eosinopenia, mild hypoalbuminemia, and thrombocytopenia. PCR for detection of Babesia sp. and Ehrlichia sp., which returned negative results, and measurement of clotting time, which was prolonged, were performed to exclude immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. Radiographic and ultrasonographic images showed a normal stomach, but revealed presence of splenomegaly. An exploratory laparotomy allowed direct observation of the spleen, which exhibited an increased volume, a blackened, cold, hyperemic appearance, and a complete torsion of the splenic vascular pedicle; the surgical team opted to perform total splenectomy rather than undoing the pedicle twist. The animal returned to the hospital after 10 days exhibiting an excellent clinical condition. Healing of the incisional wound was satisfactory, with formation of epithelial tissue throughout its extension. Thirty days after the surgery, the hematological parameters were within normal ranges. The animal was discharged, and its owner received information on adequate nutrition.Discussion: Clinical evaluation of symptoms of discomfort and increase in abdominal volume, especially on the left side, together with the information of the anamnesis, led to a suspicion of splenic torsion in this case. Splenic torsion can exhibit numerous clinical signs; here, ultrasound imaging allowed diagnosis of this condition. The anemia observed by means of the hematological tests could be explained by sequestration of red blood cells by the rotated spleen, with and inflammatory leukogram resulting from inflammation of the poorly perfused parenchyma, local peritonitis, and, possibly, increased release of neutrophils from the bone marrow. Thrombocytopenia and prolonged clotting time may be secondary to splenic torsion, as shown in this case. Splenectomy is the treatment of choice in cases of acute splenic torsion. This procedure is relatively easy to perform. Additionally, merely undoing the torsion does not prevent its recurrence, and may allow necrotic debris to reach the circulation. No intercurrences or involvement of adjacent organs were observed in this patient. This is due to factors such as early diagnosis, preoperative stabilization of the patient, and the short time between diagnosis and the surgical procedure, reiterating its importance in emergency conditions such as splenic torsion

Mielografia e tomografia computadorizada de afecções compressivas da medula espinhal em cães

Spinal cord injuries often occur in small animals due to exogenous or endogenous causes. Spinal cord injury is classified into extradural, intradural-extramedullary and intramedullary. This study aims to determine the lesions involving the spinal cord and its findings and different frequencies to myelography. At the same time, another study with six patients with inconclusive examinations to myelography underwent computed tomography contrasting and their findings were compared with myelography. In this study were reassessed 154 cases of dogs with neurological clinical suspicion surrounding the spinal cord, which underwent conventional radiographs and myelography with nonionic iodinated compound in the period 2008 to 2012. The imaging studies were developed in Sector Diagnostic Imaging Veterinary Hospital Governador Laudo Natel of the Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Jaboticabal - Unesp. Among the different breeds of dogs, the Teckel were the most affected with the presentation of 58 patients (38%). The age group most frequent was 5-8 years, totaling 67 dogs (43.5%). The cervical column was the most frequent segment of the lesions found in 88 lesions (44%). The most common location of lesions was extradural corresponding to lesions of the total analyzed 191 (95.5%) and nine lesions were intradural extramedullary (4.5%). Extradural lesions of 175 (91.6%) were degenerative intervertebral disc protrusion / extrusion. Aside from the 154 cases in the first half of 2013, in six other patients were performed sequentially myelography and computed tomography. In these cases the lesions were in the neck: three cases (50%), two in the lower back (33%) and one thoracolumbar (17%). All lesions were extradural three cases of disc extrusion (50%), two protrusion (33.3%) and one for cancer/osteomyelitis (16.7%). The myelography permits, in most cases lead to a definitive diagnosis in patients with spinal cord compression injury. Computed ...Lesões da medula espinhal ocorrem frequentemente em pequenos animais em razão de causas exógenas ou endógenas. A lesão medular é classificada em extradural, intradural-extramedular e intramedular. Este estudo tem como objetivo determinar as lesões que envolvem a medula espinhal e seus diferentes achados e frequências à mielografia. Paralelamente, um outro estudo com seis pacientes com exames inconclusivos à mielografia foram submetidos à tomografia computadorizada contrastada e seus achados foram confrontados com a mielografia. Neste estudo foram reavaliados 154 casos de cães com suspeita clínica neurológica envolvendo a medula espinhal, os quais foram submetidos a exames radiográficos convencionais e à mielografia com composto iodado não iônico no período de 2008 a 2012. Os exames imaginológicos foram desenvolvidos no Setor Diagnóstico por Imagem do Hospital Veterinário Governador Laudo Natel da Faculdade de Ciências Agrária e Veterinária de Jaboticabal - Unesp. Entre as diferentes raças de cães, a Teckel foi mais acometida com a apresentação de 58 pacientes (38%). A faixa etária de maior ocorrência foi de cinco a oito anos, totalizando 67 cães (43,5%). A coluna cervical foi o segmento de maior ocorrência das lesões encontradas com 88 lesões (44%). A localização mais frequente das lesões foi extradural, correspondente a 191 lesões do total analisado (95,5%) e nove lesões foram intradurais-extramedulares (4,5%). Das lesões extradurais, 175 (91,6%) foram de origem degenerativa do disco intervertebral, protrusão/extrusão. Com exceção dos 154 casos, no primeiro semestre de 2013, em seis outros pacientes foram realizados, sequencialmente, mielografias e tomografia computadorizada. Nestes casos as lesões foram em região cervical: três casos (50%), dois na região lombar (33%) e um toracolombar (17%). Todas as lesões foram extradurais, três casos de extrusão do disco (50%), dois de..

CARACTERÍSTICAS EPIDEMIOLÓGICAS, CLÍNICAS E LABORATORIAIS DE GATOS COM SINAIS DE DOENÇA DO TRATO URINÁRIO INFERIOR

A cistite idiopática felina (CIF) é a causa mais comum de doença do trato urinário inferior felino (DTUIF), enquanto a cistite bacteriana é diagnosticada somente em 1% a 3% dos casos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar gatos com apresentação ou histórico de sinais de trato urinário inferior (STUI), considerando aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e laboratoriais. Cinco gatos sadios e 45 gatos com STUI foram avaliados no período de março de 2011 a outubro de 2012, por meio de histórico, exame físico, ultrassonografia abdominal e exames laboratoriais (hematológico, urinálise, bioquímica sérica e urinária e urocultura). Os diagnósticos dos gatos com STUI incluíram CIF não obstrutiva, CIF obstrutiva e cistite bacteriana. Não houve diferença significativa quanto à densidade, pH e qualidade do sedimento urinário entre as diferentes categorias etiológicas de DTUIF. A hematúria foi maior em gatos com STUI, e a piúria foi associada principalmente com cistite bacteriana. Adicionalmente, outros achados sugerem que raças específicas, idade, gênero e castração não estão associados com as manifestações de STUI em felinos

Fratura de pelve e complicações em gatos domésticos

Com este estudo objetivou-se analisar características radiográficas das fraturas acometendo os ossos da pelve e suas principais complicações concomitantes observadas em gatos atendidos no Hospital Veterinário (HV) “Governador Laudo Natel” da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias da Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Campus de Jaboticabal. As fraturas de pelve são rotineiras no atendimento médico de pequenos animais e representam aproximadamente 20 a 30% de todas as fraturas e requerem avaliação clinica e radiográfica minuciosa. Complicações decorrentes destas fraturas são observadas em grande número e podem causar morbidade e muitas vezes mortalidade nos gatos

Ultrasonographic tools used in the evaluation of the canine spleen: A review

Abstract The spleen is one of the most susceptible organs to primary tumours, metastasis, and a wide range of diseases of the hematopoietic system. Therefore, detailed assessment of the spleen is of great importance in veterinary medicine, especially in dogs, due to their economic and sentimental value, and as an experimental model in human medicine. Considering the recent advances in diagnostic imaging in companion animals, this review aims to describe the applicability of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography (qualitative and quantitative), Doppler, and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for evaluating the spleen in dogs. The ARFI elastography is a recent ultrasound method that can provide reference values and aid in the diagnosis and evaluation of splenic abnormalities routinely encountered in veterinary practice. Conventional ultrasonography of the spleen combined with haemodynamic analysis by Doppler and contrast enhanced ultrasonography is an important tool in diagnosis and triage

Primary Splenic Torsion in Dog as a Cause of Atypical Acute Abdomen

Background: A primary splenic torsion occurs when the organ rotates around its vascular pedicle in the absence of any other concomitant disease. The occurrence of primary splenic torsion is rare, with a prevalence lower than 1%. Splenic torsion is more often related to dilated gastric volvulus syndrome, and it has no clear etiology despite reports that associate it with congenital abnormalities or traumatic ruptures of the gastrosplenic or splenocolic ligaments. This study reports a case of splenic torsion in an American Pit Bull terrier dog, its related symptomatology, and the treatment adopted.Case: A 3-year-old male American Pit Bull terrier dog weighing 32 kg was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of acute abdomen, lethargy, increased abdominal volume, discomfort, restlessness, and with a history of collapse three days prior to admission. Clinical examination revealed lethargy, pale mucous membranes, reduced capillary refill time, moderate dehydration, and hyperthermia. Abdominal palpation revealed increased abdominal volume in the epigastric and mesogastric areas. CBC and serum biochemistry profile revealed hypochromic normocytic anemia, leukocytosis with absolute neutrophilia and eosinopenia, mild hypoalbuminemia, and thrombocytopenia. PCR for detection of Babesia sp. and Ehrlichia sp., which returned negative results, and measurement of clotting time, which was prolonged, were performed to exclude immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. Radiographic and ultrasonographic images showed a normal stomach, but revealed presence of splenomegaly. An exploratory laparotomy allowed direct observation of the spleen, which exhibited an increased volume, a blackened, cold, hyperemic appearance, and a complete torsion of the splenic vascular pedicle; the surgical team opted to perform total splenectomy rather than undoing the pedicle twist. The animal returned to the hospital after 10 days exhibiting an excellent clinical condition. Healing of the incisional wound was satisfactory, with formation of epithelial tissue throughout its extension. Thirty days after the surgery, the hematological parameters were within normal ranges. The animal was discharged, and its owner received information on adequate nutrition.Discussion: Clinical evaluation of symptoms of discomfort and increase in abdominal volume, especially on the left side, together with the information of the anamnesis, led to a suspicion of splenic torsion in this case. Splenic torsion can exhibit numerous clinical signs; here, ultrasound imaging allowed diagnosis of this condition. The anemia observed by means of the hematological tests could be explained by sequestration of red blood cells by the rotated spleen, with and inflammatory leukogram resulting from inflammation of the poorly perfused parenchyma, local peritonitis, and, possibly, increased release of neutrophils from the bone marrow. Thrombocytopenia and prolonged clotting time may be secondary to splenic torsion, as shown in this case. Splenectomy is the treatment of choice in cases of acute splenic torsion. This procedure is relatively easy to perform. Additionally, merely undoing the torsion does not prevent its recurrence, and may allow necrotic debris to reach the circulation. No intercurrences or involvement of adjacent organs were observed in this patient. This is due to factors such as early diagnosis, preoperative stabilization of the patient, and the short time between diagnosis and the surgical procedure, reiterating its importance in emergency conditions such as splenic torsion

Surgical treatment of lumbar extradural chondroma in a dog - Case report

Neoplasms originating in the spinal canal are uncommon in small animal veterinary clinic, but when present can cause significant neurological signs. Anatomically, these neoplasms can be classified as extradural, intradural-extramedullary and medullary. Extradural neoplasms are located outside the dura mater, but they can cause compression of the spinal cord. The chondromas are benign neoplasms characterized by the formation of cartilage and is rarely located in the spinal canal in both human and veterinary medicine. We describe a case of lumbar extradural chondroma in a dog that surgical decompression and removal of the mass allowed the resolution of clinical signs of paralysis with return of function of the hind limbs of the patient