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High costs for installing, maintaining, and updating a standard picture archiving and communication system (PACS) can be prohibitive for small/medium-sized veterinary facilities. The aims of this prospective, exploratory study were to describe the design, implementation, and author experiences for 1 year's use of a low-cost PACS based on network-attached storage. The system described here was easily installed and resiliently stored redundant copies of data. It excellently balanced data recovery, system speed, security, and available memory for storage. A virtual private network also allowed off-site data review. This system can also be used for future off-site backup of data in the cloud.

In a previous study, an ultrasonographic method to assess kidney size in dogs as a ratio of kidney length to aortic luminal diameter (KL/AoD ratio) was proposed. The main lim- itation of this method was the wide range of normal values (5.5-9.1), which resulted in poor sensitivity and specificity. The aim of this prospective, observational, refer- ence interval study was to determine whether the KL/AoD normal cut-off values in a single breed (Whippets) would have a narrower range than the previously reported normal reference ranges. The influence of sex, age, weight, and side on kidney length (KL) and of sex, age, weight, and scanning plane (longitudinal vs transversal) on aortic luminal diameter (AoD) were also investigated. Thirty-six clinically healthy Whippets (16 males, 20 females) without ultrasonographic renal lesions were included in this study. The 95% confidence interval of mean KL/AoD was found to be narrower than the previously reported range (ie, 6.3-6.9 versus 5.5-9.1). This was considered to be especially notable in that the KL in this breed exhibits marked sexual dimorphism. The KL/AoD ratio did not differ between right versus left sides or male versus female sexes in Whippets (P > .05). Findings from the current study provided KL/AoD ratio nor- mal reference range cut-off values for future use in Whippets and supported the use of breed-specific KL/AoD ratio values for characterizing abnormal renal size in other canine breeds.

Bacterial bone infections have been occasionally reported in wild sea turtles. This study reports on a sub-adult Caretta caretta affected by Aeromonas hydrophila osteomyelitis, with extensive involvement of cranial and caudal flippers. The turtle was severely debilitated, had limited flipper mobility and showed signs of pain in reaction to manipulation. Radiographs and computed tomography revealed multiple lytic bone lesions. Since an infectious polyostotic osteomyelitis was suspected, the turtle was subjected to echo-assisted fine needle aspiration to characterize the etiology of the disease. Bacterial cultures and antibiotic susceptibility testing led to the isolation of Aeromonas hydrophila responsive to amikacin and doxycycline. Therefore, the turtle was treated with these antibiotics and monitored through repeat bacterial cultures and diagnostic imaging. The turtle was released 17 mo after admission, upon resolution of clinical signs. The documentation of this case provides a treatment approach that may improve the outcome of Aeromonas-associated osteomyelitis, especially in endangered wildlife species.

This report describes a 10-month-old dog with a sudden loss of vision and severe dyspnoea. The ocular examination revealed bilateral panuveitis, lens subluxation, secondary glaucoma, and retinal detachment. In addition, the ocular ultrasound showed in the vitreous body of the right eye, a small doubled-lined foreign body compatible with an intraocular parasite. Radiographs of the thorax revealed an increased opacity with mixed lung pattern (alveolar and bronchial) and thoracic ultrasonography showed several subpleural nodules. The presence of Angiostrongylus vasorum first stage larvae was confirmed with 324 larvae per gram of feces and an antigen test for the parasite (AngioDetect, IDEXX) also yielded a positive result. The severe and irreversible ocular lesions described in this case enhanced the complexity of the clinical picture of canine angiostrongylosis. Infection with the parasite should be included in the list of differential diagnoses for ocular uveitis to avoid potentially serious complications related to a missed or delayed diagnosis.

A 2-year-old neutered male European short-haired cat was presented for a persistent discharge from the scar of previous left eye enucleation, performed 6 months prior by the referring veterinarian. A surgical exploration of the orbit was performed and retained nictitating membrane glandular and conjunctival tissues were removed. Eleven days later, the cat developed an orbital pneumatosis caused by retrograde movement of air through a patent nasolacrimal system and diagnosed by survey radiographic examination of the skull. Nasolacrimal system patency was assessed by dacryocystography performed by injection of iodinated contrast medium under pressure into the orbital cavity. Computed tomography dacryocystography confirmed the radiographic findings. The condition resolved following dacryocystography, possibly as an inflammatory response to the contrast medium. To our knowledge, this is the first case of orbital pneumatosis reported in a cat.

A novel supra-temporal technique for retrobulbar anaesthesia in dogs is described and compared to the inferior temporal palpebral approach. Supra-temporal and inferior temporal palpebral retrobulbar injections were performed in 20 orbits of canine cadavers. Distribution of injected contrast medium within the intraconal space and around the optic nerve was analysed using computed tomography. There was adequate distribution of contrast medium within the intraconal space with both techniques. Concurrent intraconal and extraconal distribution was observed using the inferior temporal palpebral approach in 3/10 orbits and using the supra-temporal approach in 5/10 orbits. In 3/10 supra-temporal injections, the injected vehicle was distributed preferentially in the caudal aspect of the retrobulbar cone, closer to the orbital fissure. Accidental intraocular injection was never observed. The supra-temporal approach appears to be a valid alternative to the inferior temporal palpebral approach for retrobulbar anaesthesia in dogs, being less technically challenging. Further studies are required to confirm the clinical efficacy of this approach in dogs.

We report a case of polyostotic chondroblastic osteosarcoma in a kestrel ( Falco tinnunculus ) admitted to the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Rescue Center (Naples, Italy). A consolidated fracture of the left tibiotarsus bone and a deviation of the limb were evident. After radiographic, cytologic, and histopathologic examinations, a diagnosis of polyostotic chondroblastic osteosarcoma was made. To our knowledge, this is the first report on polyostotic chondroblastic osteosarcoma in a kestrel.

Oral malignant melanomas are one of the most common oral malignant neoplasms in dogs but are rare in other domesticated species. This case report describes the clinical manifestations and histological appearance of oral melanoma in a ferret ( Mustela putorius furo). To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first published description of a clinical case and histopathological findings of oral melanoma in this species.

SUMMARY. A common seagull (Larus fuscus) was found near the southern coast of Italy by the veterinarians of the local wild animal rescue center. Physical examination of the bird revealed an ulcerated mass involving a majority of the oral cavity; the mass did not allow for normal feeding. After the bird died necropsy was performed and the mass was histologically and immunohistochemically examined. The morphology and the immunoreactivity for Melan-A and S-100 antigens led to a diagnosis of malignant melanoma. This is the first case of malignant melanoma described in a seagull, and herein we compare the characteristics of the present case with malignant melanoma already described in domestic animals.

Objectives The objectives were to determine the resistive index (RI) in normal cats and in cats with various renal diseases, and to evaluate the effect of age on RI. Methods The subjects were cats that had ultrasonography (US) of the urinary tract and RI measurement at our centre between January 2003 and April 2014. Based on clinical evaluation, biochemical and haematological tests, urinalysis and US, the cats were classified as healthy or diseased. RI measurements were made from the interlobar or arcuate arteries. Data were analysed for differences between the right and the left kidney, the two sexes, different age groups in healthy cats, and between healthy and diseased cats. Results A total of 116 cats (68 males, 48 females) were included: 24 healthy and 92 diseased. In the healthy cats, RI (mean ± SD) differed significantly ( P = 0.02) between the right kidney (0.54 ± 0.07) and the left kidney (0.59 ± 0.08). For the left kidney, RI was significantly higher in cats with chronic kidney disease (0.73 ± 0.12) and acute kidney injury (0.72 ± 0.08) ( P = 0.0008). For the right kidney, RI was significantly higher in cats with chronic kidney disease (0.72 ± 0.11), acute kidney injury (0.74 ± 0.08), polycystic kidney disease (0.77 ± 0.11) and renal tumour (0.74 ± 0.001) ( P Conclusions and relevance RI could be considered a valuable diagnostic tool in cats, useful in the differential diagnosis of diffuse renal diseases. While it does not change with the age of the cat, ultrasonographers should be aware that RI may differ between the two kidneys.

A series of high-resolution computed x-ray tomography (CT) images of the normal canine middle and inner ear are presented to serve as a reference for optimal interpretation of clinical CT images of animals with diseases affecting this region.

Background: Canine angiostrongylosis is a nematode infection in domestic dogs and wild carnivores. The present report focuses on epidemiological, clinical and histopathological findings in a case of fatal disseminated angiostrongylosis in a dog living in southern Italy and provides data on the extent of the spread of Angiostrongylus vasorum in the same area.Case presentation: A 4-year-old female English Setter from the Campania region of southern Italy was referred with a 2-week history of cough and severe respiratory distress that did not respond to antimicrobial therapy. Based on clinical, radiological, echographical and cytological findings (including the presence of larvae), a suspect diagnosis of lungworm infection was performed. After few days the dog died due to progressive clinical aggravation. Complete postmortem examination was conducted within 24 hours from death and samples from lungs, heart, liver, kidney, spleen, stomach and small intestine were fixed in 10% buffered formalin. Grossly, several hemorrhagic foci were observed mostly in the lungs, liver, kidney. Microscopically, the lungs contained numerous, multifocal to coalescing granulomas composed of epitheliod macrophages, multinucleated giant cells and some neutrophils, frequently associated with parasite eggs and larvae. The lungs contained many firm nodules, many adult nematodes approximately 1.5 to 2 cm in length were observed in cut sections and identified as A. vasorum. A subsequent parasitological survey performed with FLOTAC on stray dogs living in the same area showed the presence of A. vasorum larvae in 17 of 1639 stray dogs examined (1.04%).Conclusion: This survey provides new data on distribution of A. vasorum and underlines that canine angiostrongylosis should be considered as differential diagnosis in dogs.

Objective To evaluate a combination of acepromazine, dexmedetomidine and ketamine (ADK) on induction and recovery from anaesthesia, and on physiological parameters in hares undergoing non‐invasive procedures. Study design Prospective clinical study. Animals Sixteen European hares ( Lepus europaeus ), seven males and nine females, aged (mean ± SD) 3.25 ± 0.9 months and weight 2.1 ± 0.6 kg. Methods Acepromazine 1% (A), dexmedetomidine 0.05% (D) and ketamine 5% (K) were mixed and given intramuscularly (IM) at 0.25 mL kg −1 , representing 10 mg kg −1 K, 0.25 mg kg −1 A, 12.5 μg kg −1 D. If the righting reflex was present after four minutes, a second injection of 0.15 mL kg −1 (6 mg kg −1 K, 0.15 mg kg −1 A, 7.5 μg kg −1 D) was administered IM. Surgical anaesthesia was judged as present when righting, palpebral, ear‐pinch and pedal withdrawal reflexes were absent. Anaesthetized hares were tagged, and underwent blood sampling and ocular ultrasound examination. Physiological parameters were recorded every ten minutes, and were compared by Kruskal‐Wallis tests. Results A single dose induced loss of righting reflex in 11/16 (69%) hares within four minutes; the second dose was effective in the remaining hares. Ten minutes after the loss of the righting reflex, a surgical plane of anaesthesia was present in all hares. Sleep time to regaining righting reflex was 34 ± 11 (range 21–62) minutes and recovery was calm. Although there were some statistical differences over time, cardiovascular parameters remained within an acceptable range but there was respiratory depression and hares were hypoxemic. Conclusions and clinical relevance The ADK mixture produced a smooth and rapid induction of anaesthesia, a low incidence of untoward side effects and full recovery after four hours. Supplementary oxygen might be advisable if a deeper plane of anaesthesia was required. Chemical restraint was adequate to perform non‐invasive procedures.

Lipomas are common benign tumors of fat cells. In most cases surgical excision is curative and simple to perform; however, it require general anesthesia and may be associated with delayed wound healing, seroma formation and, nerve injury in deep and intramuscular tumors. Lipomas often grow after surgical excision. The objective of this study was to evaluate treatment of subcutaneous, subfascial or intermuscular lipomas using steroid intralesional injections in dogs. Fifteen dogs presenting a lipoma were selected for treatment with intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide, 40mg/mL. The procedure was ultrasound-guided. Nine subcutaneous and subfascial tumors showed a complete regression. The others lipomas decreased in diameter achieveing in some cases the remission of the pain and the regression of the lameness. Steroid injection was a relatively safe and effective treatment for lipomas in dogs, only six dogs showed temporary polyuria/polydipsia post treatment.

The effect of right vs. left recumbency on computation of the vertebral heart score (VHS) was assessed in 63 healthy dogs. The VHS was significantly higher in right lateral recumbency (9.8 +/- 0.6 vs. 9.5 +/- 0.8; P < 0.0004). Gender and dog size did not significantly influence VHS values while there was m oredifference between left and right side measurements when considering the type of thorax (P = 0.055).

Meningoencephalomyelitis (MEM) is an inflammatory process of the CNS that may have viral, bacterial, rickettsial, fungal or parasitic causes. When no pathogen is identified these are defined as non infectious MEMs (Bagley 2000; Cauzinille 1999; Suzuki et al. 2003). The diagnosis of MEM is based on clinical examination, blood tests and on the Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) test (Fisher 2002). In fact CSF modifications can often be observed during inflammatory, infectious, neoplastic and traumatic diseases as well as in some degenerative diseases of the brain and the spinal marrow (Munana 1996; O'Neill 2005). The assessment of antibody titers, in the CSF and serum, allows us to diagnose etiologically suspect cases. For some MEM forms, it is necessary to make a biopsy of the CNS to make an intra-vitam diagnosis (Platt 2004). Amongst all the imaging techniques, Magnetic Resonance (MRI) has proven to be the most effective in defining the CNS morpho-structural lesions due to MEMs (Lamb et al. 2005). On MRI lesions appear as hyper-intense areas in T2-weighted sequences or FLAIR or hypo-intense in T1-weighted images (Lamb et al. 2005). In 1992 Plummer and collaborators used Computerised Tomography (CT) in MEM cases and observed post-contrast impregnation areas, frequent lesions of the encephalic lacunary system and mass effect lesions. Nevertheless, based on the results obtained, the authors of this study concluded that CT was not sufficiently specific and not very sensitive in MEM diagnosis (Plummer et al. 1992). Still,nowadays, MRI veterinary services are not so widespread, particularly in Italy, while CT equipped centres are becoming more and more numerous.In 5 subjects (5/13) the cytological examination showed a mild, moderate or severe pleiocytosis which was then differentiated into neutrophilic, mononuclear and mixed pleiocytosis and was therefore considered as positive to MEM. In the other 8 subjects, the CSF test was negative. With the CT scan a MEM diagnosis was made in 7 subjects (5 true positive and 2 false positive cases) All the subjects considered as CT-positive presented relatively hyperdense single or multiple focal lesions before contrast and impregnating single or multiple focal lesions after contrast. Encephalic lesions were mainly located in the posteroventral districts whereas spinal cord lesions had a variable location. In none of the CT-positive subjects did these lesions show a mass effect and only one subject showed a moderate hydrocephalus. In the remaining 6 CT-negative dogs, two did not show any alteration, 1 showed a small defect of the left temporal cortical region, compatible with the outcome of an ischemic lesion, 1 showed a small non-impregnating mass on the foramen magnum floor, 1 showed a spondylitis at T2 and, finally, 1 showed a disc hernia between T2 and T3. The CT scan showed 100% sensitivity, 71% specificity and 83% accuracy. Our results, despite the small number of cases and the fact that the CSF test is not conclusive as to whether the inflammation is of a primary origin, lead us to conclude that the CT scan can be considered a valid diagnostic aid in dogs' MEM, when it is impossible to access MRI.

In recent years some buffalo farms in Campania have reported the birth of calves with limb malformation, especially with transversal hemimelia. We investigated 20 Mediterranean Italian buffaloes (8 males and 12 females) from one day to six months of age, of which 10 were affected by transversal hemimelia (group 1) and 10 were healthy controls (group 2). The following clinical and radiological patterns were observed in the malformed animals: hind limbs amputated, the right amputated off the second tarsus bones and the left amputated off the proximal epiphysis metatarsus, and the right thoracic limb hypoplasic (1 female); left hind limb amputated off the proximal epiphysis metatarsus (2 females and 1 male); left hind limb amputated off the third tarsus bones (1 female); left hind limb amputated off the tibia (1 female and 1 male); left hind limb amputated off the distal epiphysis metatarsus (1 female); left hind limb amputated off the first phalanx (1 male); right hind limb amputated off the proximal epiphysis metatarsus (1 male). In their malformed limbs all the animals presented more or less developed outlines of claws. The mean rate of SCE/cell in animals with transversal hemimelia was 8.80 ± 3.19, that of the controls 6.61 ± 2.73. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001).

DIAGNOSTIC ultrasound has been used in almost all medical fields and is recognised as an increasingly important modality in a variety of clinical situations. The mouse is currently the most widely used animal in biomedical research (Marshall 2000). Diagnosis of pregnancy in experimental mice is possible at 12 to 14 days gestation, when abdominal distension is apparent. Mice with large litters may show distension slightly earlier (Kaufman 1989). Diagnosis of pregnancy at 7·5 days in experimental mice is currently performed by direct inspection of the uterine horns after laparotomy, with no routine utilisation of imaging techniques. The embryonic mouse is a ubiquitous model of mammalian development, due to the obvious benefits of a short gestation cycle, and genetic homologies with developmental genes in other mammals. Such models should yield further insight into the mechanisms responsible for human developmental and disease processes. Most previous investigations of the gestation period in the mouse have been invasive in nature.

A rare association between situs inversus totalis (SIT), restrictive ventricular septal defect, severe subaortic stenosis, and tricuspid dysplasia was observed in an adult mixed-breed dog. Primary ciliary dyskinesia and Kartagener’s syndrome were excluded. After 15 mo the dog died suddenly. The association between SIT and congenital heart diseases is discussed.

A 10-year-old, male, mixed-breed dog that developed cervical pain and neurological deficits was diagnosed with primary lymphoma of the second cervical vertebra. The cervical lesion was not surgically resectable. A dorsal cervical hemilaminectomy was performed to provide temporary decompression. The dog had complete pain relief after surgery but was euthanized 6 weeks later with recurrent clinical signs and evidence of lymphoma in the right femur.

Ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in the cat is an unusual complication of traumatic lesions involving articular (true ankylosis) or periarticular structures (false ankylosis). Seven cats with true ankylosis of the TMJ (four cases unilateral and three cases bilateral), of which previous trauma had been documented in five cases, were referred to the authors' clinic between September 1991 and October 1996. Radiographic assessment was performed in all cases, using dorsoventral and oblique projections. Five subjects underwent arthroplastic excision of the TMJ and, in the remaining two cases, stretching of the jaws was performed under general anaesthesia. The surgical outcome was satisfactory in all but one case, where partially decreased joint mobility was observed (follow-up time one to five years), but in the two cases where non-surgical treatment was carried out, recurrence of TMJ ankylosis was observed (follow-up time two to five months). In the authors' experience, surgery represents the treatment of choice for TMJ ankylosis in cats. Additional mandibular symphysiotomy can confirm the radiological findings in unilateral cases.

Disc herniation is one of the most common pathologies of the vertebral column in dogs. The aim of this study was to develop a geographical information system (GIS)-based vertebral canal (VC) map useful for spatial evaluation of extruded disc herniation (EDH) in dogs. ArcGIS ® was used to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional maps, in which the VC surface is divided into polygons by lines representing latitude and longitude. Actual locations and directions of the herniated disc material were assessed by a series of 142 computer tomographies of dogs collected between 2005 and 2013. Most EDHs were located on the cervical and transitional regions (thoraco-lumbar and lumbo-sacral) and shown at the level of the ven- tro-cranial and ventro-central polygons created. Choropleth maps, highlighting the distribution and the location/direction patterns of the EDHs throughout the VC, were produced based on the frequency of the ailment. GIS proved to be a valuable tool in analysing EDH in dogs. Further studies are required for biomechanical analysis of EDH patterns.