Massimo Vignoli

Single and mixed feline lungworm infections: clinical, radiographic and therapeutic features of 26 cases (2013–2015):

Objectives The aim of this study was to retrospectively describe clinical, radiographic and therapeutic features of feline lungworm infection. Methods Medical records of cats with lungworm diagnosis, thoracic radiography and without concurrent diseases between 2013 and 2015 were reviewed. Collection of data included physical examination, haematology, serum biochemistry, therapy with a variety of anthelmintics and outcomes. Results Thirty-seven records were recovered and 26 were included in the study. Single infections by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (nu2009=u200915), Troglostrongylus brevior (nu2009= 3) and Capillaria aerophila (nu2009= 1) and coinfections by T brevior/A abstrusus (nu2009= 6) and T brevior/C aerophila (nu2009= 1) were diagnosed. The most common respiratory signs were coughing (nu2009= 12), increased vesicular sounds (nu2009= 10), dyspnoea (nu2009= 9), such as laboured breathing, orthopnoea or open-mouth breathing, and tachypnoea (nu2009= 6). Two cats were subclinically infected. The most common laboratory abnormality was anaemia (nu2009= 7). Radiographic patterns recorded were interstitial (nu2009= 24), bronchial (nu2009= 21), alveolar (nu2009=u200910) and vascular (nu2009= 2). Twenty-five cats had a complete recovery within 2–6 weeks of therapy. One kitten died 7 days after the diagnosis. Conclusions and relevance Lungworms should always be included in the differential diagnosis in cats living in endemic areas and presenting with respiratory signs and radiographic abnormalities. A copromicroscopic examination should be considered as the first diagnostic step for all cats at risk of lungworm infections. In most cases, timely therapy with a variety of anthelmintics guarantees recovery.

Evaluation of liver parenchyma and perfusion using dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in captive green iguanas (Iguana iguana) under general anesthesia

BackgroundContrast-enhanced diagnostic imaging techniques are considered useful in veterinary and human medicine to evaluate liver perfusion and focal hepatic lesions. Although hepatic diseases are a common occurrence in reptile medicine, there is no reference to the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) to evaluate the liver in lizards. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of change in echogenicity and attenuation of the liver in green iguanas (Iguana iguana) after administration of specific contrast media.ResultsAn increase in liver echogenicity and density was evident during CEUS and CECT, respectively. In CEUS, the meanu2009±u2009SD (median; range) peak enhancement was 19.9%u2009±u20097.5 (18.3; 11.7-34.6). Time to peak enhancement was 134.0u2009±u2009125.1 (68.4; 59.6-364.5) seconds. During CECT, first visualization of the contrast medium was at 3.6u2009±u20090.5 (4; 3-4) seconds in the aorta, 10.7u2009±u20092.2 (10.5; 7-14) seconds in the hepatic arteries, and 15u2009±u20094.5 (14.5; 10-24) seconds in the liver parenchyma. Time to peak was 14.1u2009±u20093.4 (13; 11-21) and 31u2009±u20099.6 (29; 23-45) seconds in the aorta and the liver parenchyma, respectively.ConclusionCEUS and dynamic CECT are practical means to determine liver hemodynamics in green iguanas. Distribution of contrast medium in iguana differed from mammals. Specific reference ranges of hepatic perfusion for diagnostic evaluation of the liver in iguanas are necessary since the use of mammalian references may lead the clinician to formulate incorrect diagnostic suspicions.

Is Serum Total LDH Evaluation Able to Differentiate between Alimentary Lymphoma and Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Real World Clinical Setting

Context An increase in enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum is a negative prognostic factor for survival in cats affected by lymphoma. Measuring LDH at the time of diagnosis has been studied for differentiating neoplastic disease from non-neoplastic disease in dogs. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and alimentary lymphoma are common diseases in cats. Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether elevation of total LDH occurred in cats with alimentary lymphoma and non-neoplastic gastrointestinal disease, such as IBD, and to evaluate whether this enzyme is useful in supporting the differential diagnosis of these specific diseases. Materials and Methods A prospective non-randomized controlled study was carried-out in a real world setting of three Italian private veterinary clinics. Seventy-one client-owned cats with a history of chronic gastrointestinal symptoms were enrolled; 33 cats were histologically diagnosed as having alimentary lymphoma and 38 cats as having IBD. Serum samples of total LDH analysis were measured. Results Gender (P = 0.016) and age (P = 0.046) were found to be significant factors influencing the differentiation of serum total LDH between cats with alimentary lymphoma and those with IBD. Despite low diagnostic accuracy in the overall population (63%), a cut-off value of serum total LDH ranging from 0.85- to 1.04-times the upper reference limit showed good capability (accuracy >80%) of differentiating these two conditions in neutered males and cats younger than 8 years of age (AUC: 0.805, 0.833; sensitivities: 76.9%, 83.3%; specificities: 80.0%, 76.5%; PPV: 76.9%, 55.6%; NPV: 80.0%, 92.9%; respectively). Conclusions Although our study showed that gender and age are significant factors in differentiating serum total LDH between cats with alimentary lymphoma and those with IBD, this test had poor diagnostic accuracy in differentiating between these two conditions in the overall population.

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY–GUIDED BONE BIOPSIES FOR EVALUATION OF PROLIFERATIVE VERTEBRAL LESIONS IN TWO BOA CONSTRICTORS (BOA CONSTRICTOR IMPERATOR)

Abstract:u2003 Two boa constrictors (Boa constrictor imperator) presented with paresis of the trunk originating cranial to the cloaca. Radiographs were consistent with proliferative bone lesions involving several vertebrae. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated the presence of lytic/expansile lesions. Computed tomography–guided biopsies of the lesions were performed without complications. Histology was consistent with bacterial osteomyelitis and osteoarthritis. Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella sp. and Pseudomonas sp.) were isolated from cultures of the biopsies. Medical treatment with specific antibiotics was attempted for several weeks in both cases without clinical or radiographic improvements. The animals were euthanized, and necropsy confirmed the findings observed upon CT. To the authors knowledge, this is the first report of the use of CT-guided biopsies to evaluate proliferative vertebral lesions in snakes. In the present report, CT-guided biopsies were easily performed, and both histologic and microbiologic results were consistent with the final diagnosis.

Negative hepatic computed tomographic attenuation pattern in a dog with vacuolar hepatopathy and hepatic fat accumulation secondary to cushing's syndrome

This report describes an unusual computed tomographic (CT) hepatic pattern, characterized by negative attenuation values (from -19.59 to -28.85 Hounsfield Units, HU) in a canine patient with severe Cushings syndrome. Attenuation values of the splenic parenchyma (63.26 HU) and abdominal fat (-118.34 HU) were within normal limits. The negative hepatic attenuation values allowed a CT diagnosis of severe hepatic fatty infiltration that was subsequently confirmed by tissue-core biopsy and histopathological examination.

Congenital and acquired anomalies of the caudal vertebrae in dogs: Radiographic classification and prevalence evaluation

A prospective study to create radiographic classification of caudal vertebral anomalies in dogs was performed and the prevalence of the disorders estimated. Radiographic examination of the caudal vertebrae was performed in 595 client-owned dogs undergoing routine radiological examination of the hip joints. Anomalies of the caudal vertebrae were divided into four groups: (1) congenital anomalies with aberrant fusion of the vertebral epiphysis, like hemivertebra, block or transitional vertebra; (2) morphological anomalies like vertebra curva and dysplastic vertebral epiphysis; (3) post-traumatic changes, represented by fracture or luxation; and (4) degenerative changes, represented by spondylosis, osteophyte formation and mineralisation of intervertebral spaces. A total of 303 caudal vertebral anomalies were detected in 259 dogs (43.53% of all dogs examined). A single type of vertebral anomaly was present in 215 dogs and a combination of two pathologies was recorded in 44 dogs, which represents 83.01% and 16.99%, respectively, of the affected dogs. Congenital anomaly was present in 11.09% of the dogs examined. Sacrocaudal transitional vertebra was the most common congenital anomaly, present in 12.74% of the affected dogs. Radiographic examination of the caudal vertebrae is recommended as an essential part of any screening process to confirm the presence of congenital anomaly as a cause of kinked tail.