Complete transposition of the aorta and pulmonary artery in a Belgian Blue crossbreed calf: A case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Complete transposition of the great arteries is a congenital cardiac malformation occasionally encountered in cattle and other species. The objective of the present report was to provide a detailed clinical, echocardiographic and post mortem description of a calf presenting with this condition.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 6-week old male Belgian Blue cross-breed calf was examined for respiratory distress and exercise intolerance. The patient was bright, alert and responsive without any neurologic abnormalities but was exercise intolerant, had marked cyanosis, tachycardia, tachypnea, a pansystolic heart murmur as well as a bilaterally palpable thrill over the heart. Arterial blood gas analysis revealed marked hypoxemia (PaO₂= 23 mmHg, O₂sat = 41.1%), mild hypercapnia and compensated respiratory acidosis. Echocardiographic examination revealed a complete transposition of the great arteries in combination with a ventricular septal defect through which blood shunted bidirectionally. Cardiac catheterization confirmed that arterialization of blood of the systemic circulation solely occurred in the right ventricle through blood shunting from the left into the right ventricle. Results of post mortem examination are presented.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Complete transposition of the great arteries is a cyanotic congenital anomaly repeatedly reported in calves that should be considered as differential diagnosis in patients presenting with hypoxemia more severe than commonly encountered with other congenital cyanotic heart conditions. We give a comprehensive summary of the clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up and post mortem examination of a Belgian Blue cross-breed calf with complete transposition of the great arteries</p

Squamous gastric ulceration complicated by gastric stenosis in a foal

A 2-month-old Warmblood colt presented with recurrent colic and regurgitation. Gastroscopy, performed on several occasions, and barium-contrast radiography revealed severe squamous gastric ulceration and stenosis at the level of the margo plicatus. Treatment with omeprazole reduced the extent and severity of the gastric ulcers but did not affect the stenosis. The foal was euthanised because of a poor prognosis, and post-mortem examination confirmed the clinical diagnosis. Severe squamous gastric ulceration, granulation tissue formation and cicatrisation of deep gastric lesions were considered to have caused the stenosis. Gastroduodenal outflow obstruction is a recognised disorder in foals, but stenosis at the level of the margo plicatus has not been reported in foals or adult horses. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of severe squamous gastric ulceration, complicated by stenosis at the level of the margo plicatus, in a foal. Although rare, gastric stenosis should be considered in foals suffering recurrent colic and regurgitatio

Renal secondary hyperparathyroidism should be considered a differential diagnosis in forensic cases where animal abuse is suspected

This case description reports an adult dog with multiple rib fractures that was initially suspected to be the victim of non-accidental trauma, but eventually was diagnosed with severe chronic interstitial nephritis and renal secondary hyperparathyroidism leading to fibrous osteodystrophy and multiple pathological fractures. The importance of the specific expertise of a dedicated expert panel on animal abuse is discussed. This case illustrates the significance of the identification of normal, pathological, and breed-related variations within an animal in addition to forensic expertise, emphasizing that the presence of multidisciplinary teams in an expert panel on animal abuse is crucial

Renal secondary hyperparathyroidism should be considered a differential diagnosis in forensic cases where animal abuse is suspected

This case description reports an adult dog with multiple rib fractures that was initially suspected to be the victim of non-accidental trauma, but eventually was diagnosed with severe chronic interstitial nephritis and renal secondary hyperparathyroidism leading to fibrous osteodystrophy and multiple pathological fractures. The importance of the specific expertise of a dedicated expert panel on animal abuse is discussed. This case illustrates the significance of the identification of normal, pathological, and breed-related variations within an animal in addition to forensic expertise, emphasizing that the presence of multidisciplinary teams in an expert panel on animal abuse is crucial

Successful Treatment of Ureteral Obstructive Lithiasis by Ureterotomy in a Domestic Hen

A 2-year-old domestic hen was presented for a 15-day history of intermittent left leg lameness. The owners also observed a decrease in egg quality during that period. Physical examination of the bird revealed a generalized weakness with a flattened pale comb. Neurological evaluation of the left leg found a proprioceptive deficit with no loss of pain sensitivity. Whole body radiographic images showed a marked reduction of abdominal detail, a large amount of "grit" (mineral opacity) in the ventriculus, intestinal dilation, and a metallic foreign body (nail) in the digestive tract. Abnormal results from a plasma biochemistry panel were hypercalcemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglobulinemia, hypophosphatemia, increased creatine kinase, and decreased uric acid. After initial stabilization of the patient, a computed tomographic scan was obtained, which revealed multiple right-sided ureteral calculi, the largest of which measured 10 mm in diameter, and changes compatible with cystic right renal nephrosis. Suspected compensatory enlargement of the left kidney was also observed. Considering the renal lesion and associated neurological limb impairment, surgery was recommended and approved by the owner. A right lateral approach was used for the coeliotomy, and a ureterotomy was performed to remove all calculi. Analysis of the ureteral stones confirmed they were 100% uric acid salts. The hen fully recovered left leg function 1 week postsurgery. Urolithiasis is well described in hens, but surgical treatment is uncommon. This report describes the successful removal of ureteral stones by ureterotomy in a domestic hen

Successful Treatment of Ureteral Obstructive Lithiasis by Ureterotomy in a Domestic Hen

A 2-year-old domestic hen was presented for a 15-day history of intermittent left leg lameness. The owners also observed a decrease in egg quality during that period. Physical examination of the bird revealed a generalized weakness with a flattened pale comb. Neurological evaluation of the left leg found a proprioceptive deficit with no loss of pain sensitivity. Whole body radiographic images showed a marked reduction of abdominal detail, a large amount of "grit" (mineral opacity) in the ventriculus, intestinal dilation, and a metallic foreign body (nail) in the digestive tract. Abnormal results from a plasma biochemistry panel were hypercalcemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglobulinemia, hypophosphatemia, increased creatine kinase, and decreased uric acid. After initial stabilization of the patient, a computed tomographic scan was obtained, which revealed multiple right-sided ureteral calculi, the largest of which measured 10 mm in diameter, and changes compatible with cystic right renal nephrosis. Suspected compensatory enlargement of the left kidney was also observed. Considering the renal lesion and associated neurological limb impairment, surgery was recommended and approved by the owner. A right lateral approach was used for the coeliotomy, and a ureterotomy was performed to remove all calculi. Analysis of the ureteral stones confirmed they were 100% uric acid salts. The hen fully recovered left leg function 1 week postsurgery. Urolithiasis is well described in hens, but surgical treatment is uncommon. This report describes the successful removal of ureteral stones by ureterotomy in a domestic hen

Twelve years of chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia scanning in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in the Netherlands: Towards a more precise phenotype

Chiari-like malformation (CM), syringomyelia (SM) and middle ear effusion (also called PSOM) are three conditions that frequently occur in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS). Both CM and SM are currently screened in the Netherlands prior to breeding and are graded according to the British Veterinary Association's Kennel Club (BVA/KC) scheme. This study evaluated the prevalence and estimated genetic parameter of CM, SM and middle ear effusion from 12 years of screening results. For SM, the classical method using the BVA/KC scheme, was compared with exact measuring of the central canal dilation. For CM, the BVA/KC scheme was compared with a more detailed scheme. Next to this the presence of microchip artifacts was assessed. 1249 screening of 1020 dogs were re-evaluated. Results indicated the presence of CM in all dogs, suggesting it has become a breed-specific characteristic. And although different grades of CM were observed, the condition did not deteriorate over time. SM was present in 39% of the dogs and a clear age effect was demonstrated, with SM increasing with age. This emphasizes the importance of screening at appropriate age, since SM can worsen with increasing age. One alternative is to promote repeated measures. The presence of middle ear effusion in this study was 19%-21% for dogs younger than 3 years, and 32%-38% for dogs older than 3 years. In as much as 60%, microchip artifacts were noticed, leading to the recommendation to place microchips in another location in breeds that are susceptible to developing SM. Finally, this study estimated the heritability of CM in this population, due to the lack of phenotypic variance, to be very low at 0.02-0.03. The heritability for SM central canal dilatation to be 0.30, compared to 0.13 for the classical BVA/KC method, using a model including the age effect and the combined effect of veterinary clinic and year of the evaluation. Genetic correlations were rather small, ranging from 0.16-0.33. As a conclusion, screening for SM and CM in the entire population should be maintained, and a selection scheme against SM should be based on estimated breeding values for the exact measurement of the central canal dilatation.status: publishe

Innovative application of an implantable venous access system in the portal vein : technique, results and complications in three dogs

BACKGROUND: Vascular access port (VAP) systems are widely used in human medicine to provide long-term venous access. However, in veterinary medicine the use of VAP systems is not common practice and publications on their potential applications have been limited. A VAP system was used as part of an experimental study on liver regeneration and implanted in the canine portal vein to create direct access to the portal venous circulation of the liver. The aim of the present study is to describe the surgical technique, its use, and the complications of a VAP system in three research dogs. RESULTS: The VAP system was successfully used for the intraoperative measurement of portal blood pressure, the administration of cell suspensions, and the collection of portal venous blood samples. Long-term complications consisted of dislocation of the VAP system in one dog (2 months after implantation) and thrombus formation at the catheter tip in two dogs (3 months after implantation). Both complications prevented further use of the VAP but had no adverse clinical implications. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests that the VAP system is an effective and safe technique to obtain long term access to the portal venous system in dogs. However, complications with port detachment and thrombosis may limit long term use of VAPs in the portal system of dogs