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The external jugular vein (EJV) has been commonly used for clinical procedures in veterinary medicine, while the internal jugular vein (IJV) has been used mainly for research. Limited literature regarding anatomical variants in both EJV and IJV is available. The objectives of this descriptive retrospective study were to identify the number of dogs with variations of the jugular veins in canine patients undergoing CT of the head and neck and characterize these variations. Of 1000 dogs, 193 dogs (19.3%) had anatomical variations. Six types of anatomical variations were identified. The most common Type I was the absence of the linguofacial vein (72.0%, n = 139), with the lingual, facial, and maxillary veins entering the EJV at a common branching point. Type II described a variable course of the EJV and IJV, which in some dogs resulted in the absence of the EJV (14.0%, n = 27). Type III was a variable anastomotic loop formed by the linguofacial or maxillary vein cranial or at the junction of the EJV (4.2%, n = 8). In Type IV, the EJV was either suspected to be aplastic or markedly reduced in diameter compared with the contralateral side just distal to its formation (3.6%, n = 7). Type V was found in only six dogs (3.1%) with unilateral differences in the diameter of the IJV. Six of 193 dogs had a combination of more than one variation (Type VI, 3.1%). Type I was significantly observed more frequently in meso‐ and dolichocephalic breeds. Type II was significantly observed more frequently in brachycephalic breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indicators of pulmonary hypertension in dogs examined with thoracic computed tomography (CT) are not well established in the veterinary literature. In humans, the main pulmonary artery to aortic diameter ratio (MPA:Ao) measured via CT, has been shown to be more sensitive than echocardiographic variables for predicting presence and severity of pulmonary hypertension, in some cases. In veterinary literature, the MPA:Ao has been determined echocardiographically to have an upper limit of about 1:1. Measurement of this ratio has not been described in dogs using CT. The objectives of this cross-sectional, prospective study were to compare echocardiographic measurement of MPA:Ao with that obtained via CT, determine if measurement of MPA:Ao via CT is repeatable and reproducible, and determine the effect of respiration and contrast administration on the measurement of MPA:Ao via CT. Ten healthy dogs without pulmonary hypertension were anesthetized to undergo thoracic CT using three protocols and echocardiography. The MPA:Ao was measured three times by three observers for each of the three CT protocols and compared to echocardiographic measurements. The mean MPA:Ao measured among all observers and CT protocols was 1.108 ± 0.152 (SD). The effect of CT scan protocol on MPA:Ao significantly differed among the three methods ( P = 0.0014), where expiratory scans had lower MPA:Ao than inspiratory scans. The ratio measured on inspiratory CT scans consistently overestimated MPA:Ao when compared to echocardiography (bias = 0.226). Findings did not support the echocardiographically derived upper limit of MPA:Ao as an upper limit for determination of main pulmonary arterial enlargement on CT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective - To describe the clinical course, diagnostic findings, medical and surgical treatments, and outcome in a dog with spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to necrotizing pneumonia thought to be a delayed complication of heatstroke. Case Summary - A 1.5-year-old Labrador Retriever developed spontaneous pneumothorax 12 days after an episode of exertional heat stroke. Computed tomography was performed and showed bilateral pneumothorax and multifocal pulmonary consolidation, especially at the lung periphery. Amedian sternotomy was performed, and multifocal, well-demarcated areas of consolidated pulmonary tissue with purple discoloration were identified and resected from the right middle, right caudal, and accessory lung lobes. Histologic examination of the resected pulmonary tissue indicated necrotizing pneumonia, and bacteriologic culture of the tissue resulted in growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Examination of tissue from a pectoral muscle biopsy performed at this time showed necrotizing myopathy. The dog was discharged 7 days after surgery and made a full recovery. New or Unique Information Provided - This case report describes pneumothorax and multifocal necrotizing pneumonia as a delayed complication of heatstroke, and provides the first description of the computed tomography appearance of histologically confirmed necrotizing pneumonia in a dog. Multifocal necrotizing pneumonia with or without pneumothorax should be considered in dogs that develop respiratory distress following severe systemic illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoma is an uncommon tumor found in various animal species and is particularly rare or underreported in ferrets. A 2-year-old neutered male ferret ( Mustela putorius furo ) presented with an asymmetrical firm mass affecting the right dorsolateral skull. Radiographic images and computed tomography scans revealed a well-marginated mineralized mass involving the dorsal right calvarium that was growing concentrically into the cranium. A surgical biopsy sample was obtained and yielded a cytological diagnosis of sarcoma with reactive osteoblasts and osteoclasts and a histopathological diagnosis of osteoma. It was suspected that only the outer bony rim of the mass was submitted for histopathological evaluation, thereby adversely affecting the diagnostic quality of the sample. Based on interpretation of the combined imaging, cytological, and histopathological findings, a multilobular tumor of bone was suspected. Because of reduction in quality of life, the animal was euthanized 4 months after presentation, and postmortem examination yielded a definitive diagnosis of osteoma. This is the first report of an osteoma with cranial vault invasion in a ferret and is one of very few reports of this tumor diagnosed in this species. Lack of neurological signs in the patient, marked and extensive growth of the mass over several months, and the similar clinical appearance to other bony tumors leading to diagnostic ambiguity contributed to the distinctiveness of this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of a 5-year-old female spayed Labrador Retriever dog with pneumothorax. Spontaneous pneumothorax, pulmonary hypertension and multifocal pulmonary bulla lesions were revealed in thoracic radiographs and computed tomography. Severe Dirofilaria immitis infection leading to pulmonary vascular lesions and focally extensive infarcts of the pulmonary parenchyma was the final diagnosis.