This is a retrospective study that describes the historical, physical exam, radiographic, fistulographic, ultrasonographic, and surgical findings associated with non-gastrointestinal and extrathoracic foreign bodies in six dogs. All dogs had a chronic draining tract or abscess. Although radiographs were obtained in five of the six dogs, no foreign bodies were identified with this modality. Fistulography was performed in four of the six dogs, and a filling defect consistent with a foreign body was found in two of four dogs. A foreign body was identified in five of the six dogs with ultrasound. Foreign bodies were removed surgically in five of six dogs. This report clarifies the importance of ultrasound in the evaluation of chronic draining tracts and abscesses in dogs.

CT was more sensitive than radiography for detection of pulmonary nodules. This was particularly evident in large-breed to giant-breed dogs. Thoracic CT is recommended in large-breed to giant-breed dogs with osteosarcoma if the detection of pulmonary nodules will change treatment.

A twelve-year-old neutered male beagle presented for a cranial abdominal mass. The results of physical examination, laboratory tests, radiography, and ultrasonography are presented. A torsion of the quadrate lobe of the liver was diagnosed at surgery and confirmed by histopathology. A brief discussion of liver lobe torsion is presented.

Seventeen adult captive American flamingos ( Phoenicopterus ruber ruber) (34 eyes) underwent a complete ocular examination, including assessment of menace response, pupillary light reflexes, dazzle reflex, palpebral and corneal reflexes, fluorescein staining, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and direct ophthalmoscopy. Birds were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups for tear production and intraocular pressure measurements. Tear production was measured by modified Schirmer tear test I (n = 9 birds) or phenol red thread test (n = 8 birds), and intraocular pressure was measured indirectly by applanation (Tonopen-XL) (n = 9 birds) or rebound (TonoVet) (n = 8 birds) tonometry. Conjunctival swab samples were taken from one randomly selected eye of all 17 birds to identify surface ocular microbial flora via aerobic bacterial culture. Additionally, 3 of the 17 birds were anesthetized for bilateral B-mode ocular ultrasonography examination to obtain axial globe measurements. Results showed that the menace response and dazzle reflex were absent in all birds. Sixteen of the 17 birds were free of significant ocular disease; a small cataract and pigment on the anterior lens capsule were noted in one eye of one bird. Mean ± SD tear production was 12.3 ± 4.5 mm/min (range, 4-20 mm/min) for modified Schirmer tear test I and 24.2 ± 4.4 mm/15 s (range, 14-30 mm/15 s) for phenol red thread test. Modified Schirmer tear test I measurements were significantly lower than phenol red thread measurements (P < .001). Mean intraocular pressure was 16.1 ± 4.2 mm Hg (range, 7-22 mm Hg) for Tonopen and 9.5 ± 1.7 mm Hg (range, 7-13 mm Hg) for TonoVet. Tonopen measurements were significantly higher than TonoVet measurements (P < .001). An Enterococcus species (9/17 eyes; 53%) and a gram-positive coccus (7/17 eyes; 41%) were the bacteria most commonly isolated from conjunctival swab samples. Mean B-mode ultrasonographic globe measurements of 6 eyes (3 birds) were axial globe length, 13.8 ± 0.16 mm; anterior chamber depth, 1.75 ± 0.05 mm; lens thickness, 4.6 ± 0.06 mm; vitreous body depth, 6.95 ± 0.10 mm; and pecten dimensions, 5.1 ± 0.38 mm length, 2.2 ± 0.14 mm width. In summary, the prevalence of ocular lesions was low in this population of captive American flamingos. Results obtained from 2 types of tear and intraocular pressure measurement tests were significantly different, indicating that a single type of each diagnostic test should be consistently used. A modification of the standard Schirmer tear test or use of phenol red thread test is recommended due to the small flamingo eye.

An ultrasound pattern of corrugated, and sometimes thickened, bowel wall has been associated with pancreatitis and small intestinal lymphangiectasia. In a retrospective study, records of dogs and cats with an ultrasound diagnosis of corrugated bowel were examined for age, breed, gender, presenting complaint, abdominal radiographic results, and final diagnosis. Eighteen dogs and six cats had an ultrasound diagnosis of corrugated bowel. The final diagnosis was pancreatitis (12 of 24), peritonitis (4 of 24), enteritis (2 of 24), pancreatic neoplasia (2 of 24), diffuse abdominal neoplasia (1 of 24), lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis (1 of 24), thrombosis/infarction (1 of 24), and protein-losing enteropathy and acute renal failure (1 of 24). The presence of bowel wall corrugation, although a nonspecific finding, should alert one-to the possibility of pancreatitis, enteritis, peritonitis, neoplasia, or bowel wall ischemia.