Objectives The aims of the present study were to monitor, by radiographic examination, the skeletal development of the pelvis and the femorotibial joints of the domestic cat from the first week of life until the closing of the growth plates. Methods Radiographic examinations were collected from 15 domestic cats at weekly intervals during the first month and every 2 weeks from the second to the fourth month of age. After that, examinations were performed monthly until the age of 18 months. Results The ischiopubic growth plate closed at 2 months of age, followed by the fusion of the iliopubic, ilioischial, proximal femoral, greater trochanter and proximal fibular growth plates. The distal femur and proximal tibial growth plates were the last to close, with fusion occurring at 18 months. The mean time to closure of the iliopubic, ilioischial and distal femoral growth plates was shorter in females. The ossification centers first appeared, in ascending order, beginning with the lesser trochanter, followed by the greater trochanter, proximal fibular epiphysis, tibial tuberosity, patella, ischial tuberosity and lateral sesamoid of the popliteus muscle. Conclusions and relevance The complete closure of the growth plates of domestic cats occurs at approximately 18 months of age. Skeletal maturation at approximately 18 months of age is an important parameter to be considered in radiographic evaluation of certain skeletal changes, evolution of fractures and nutritional imbalance.

Echoencephalography and spectral Doppler ultrasonography of the middle cerebral artery in canine foetuses might be a useful technique for prenatal care.

A 3 year old female feline of mixed breed was sent to the diagnostic imaging sector under suspicion of bleeding due to ovariohysterectomy. An abdominal ultrasonography was performed to confirm the initial suspicion. However, no signs of bleeding were found, instead it was observed that the left renal silhouette had two pelvises and was elongated and larger than normal. The right kidney was not found. Excretory urography was requested to evaluate the condition of the ureters. The final diagnosis was crossed renal ectopia with fusion in an asymptomatic cat with no changes in renal function.

RESUMOO interesse pelo estudo do sistema nervoso central vem crescendo na Medicina Veterinária. A ultrassonografia transcraniana (USTC) tem a vantagem de não ser invasiva e ter baixo custo quando comparada à tomografia computadorizada (TC) e à imagem em ressonância magnética (RM). O osso temporal tem sido utilizado como janela acústica na realização da USTC em seres humanos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo correlacionar imagens ultrassonográficas transcranianas obtidas através das janelas temporal e occipital com a anatomia encefálica em cães adultos hígidos, e padronizar a técnica de exame. Foram utilizados 37 cães adultos, sem raça definida: 30 animais in vivo, para realização da técnica, e sete cadáveres, para a secção do encéfalo, à similitude dos planos de imagem obtidos ao USTC. Os dados foram analisados utilizando o teste não paramétrico de Wilcoxon. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que a USTC é um método diagnóstico viável para a avaliação do encéfalo de cães com peso corporal até 10kg, por meio de planos dorsal e dorsais oblíquos, sem a necessidade de anestesiar o paciente. (Schellinger et al., 1985). Palavras-chave: cães, encéfalo, ultrassonografia ABSTRACTA literatura descreve o uso da ultrassonografia para o diagnóstico da hidrocefalia em cães pela fontanela bregmática persistente (Prynn e Kedding, 1968) e na investigação do encéfalo de animais com suspeita de neoplasia, em que a extensão do tecido neoplásico pode ser

The objective of this study was to calculate the collapsibility index (CI) in a group of 15 healthy adult mixed breed cats via right hepatic intercostal ultrasound view. The minimal and the maximal diameters of the caudal vena cava (CVC) were obtained during inspiration and expiration, respectively, then CI was calculated. The mean diameter of the CVC was 0.5cm. The mean CI was 28±3% and CI was not significantly associated with gender. As in human medicine, there is a growing need for less invasive monitoring in small animal practice. The CI enables the assessment of estimated volemia without the need for a central venous catheter. This is the first reported study investigating CI in cats.