The sonographic appearance of the feline pancreas and associated anatomic landmarks including the pancreatic duct, duodenum, duodenal papilla, portal vein, and gastric lymph node were evaluated in 20 healthy, awake cats. The pancreas appeared nearly isoechoic to surrounding mesenteric tissues, isoechoic to slightly hyperechoic to adjacent liver lobes, and hypoechoic to the spleen. The mean thickness measurements for the right pancreatic lobe, body, and left pancreatic lobe were 4.5 mm (range 2.8-5.9), 6.6 mm (range 4.7-9.5), and 5.4 mm (range 3.4-9.0), respectively. The pancreatic duct was consistently visualized in the left pancreatic lobe and had a mean thickness of 0.8 mm (range 0.5-1.3). It could be differentiated from the pancreatic vessel, by its central location, and the duct's lack of Doppler flow signal. The duodenum was used as a landmark to identify the right lobe of the pancreas. The mean duodenal wall thickness measurement was 2.8 mm (range 2.1-3.8) in sagittal section, and 3.0 mm (range 2.2-4.4) in transverse section. The duodenal papilla was identified in 4 of 20 cats. It ranged in size from 2.9 to 5.5 mm in width, and had a maximum height of 4.0 mm in transverse section. The portal vein was used as a consistent anatomic landmark for identification of the left lobe and body of the pancreas. The mean diameter of the portal vein at the level where the pancreatic body joins the left pancreatic lobe was 4.3 mm (range 2.7-5.9) when viewed in sagittal section, and 4.5 mm (range 3.6-6.1) in transverse section. The gastric lymph node was identified cranial and ventromedial to the pyloroduodenal angle in 6 of 20 cats. It had an asymmetrical shape with a larger caudal pole in five of the six cats. The largest dimensions of the gastric lymph node were 10 mm in length, and 6 mm in width for the larger caudal pole, and 5.1 mm in width for the smaller cranial pole.

Megavoltage radiation therapy currently is the standard of care for dogs with nasal tumors. Some studies report that surgery and adjunctive orthovoltage radiation therapy result in longer control of these tumors than does megavoltage radiation therapy alone. This study reports less effective control of nasal tumors in dogs treated with surgery and orthovoltage radiation than previously observed, supporting the superiority of megavoltage radiation therapy for these tumors. In addition, this study suggests 2 new prognostic indicators for dogs with nasal tumors and describes toxicity associated with surgery and orthovoltage therapy. Fortytwo dogs with nasal tumors were treated with surgical cytoreduction and 48 Gy orthovoltage radiation therapy administered in twelve 4-Gy fractions. Median survival was 7.4 months. One-and 2-year survival rates were 37% and 17%, respectively. Dogs with facial deformity had shorter survival than those without deformity (P ϭ .005). Dogs with resolution of clinical signs after treatment had longer survival than those with chronic nasal signs (P ϭ .0001). Acute radiation toxicity was moderate to severe for skin and eye and negligible for oral mucosa. Toxicity healed within 1 month after radiation therapy. Late toxicity was mild, but 70% of evaluable dogs experienced persistent ocular signs. Only 39% of dogs achieved a disease-free period.

A 7-year-old castrated male German Shepherd Dog was evaluated for lethargy, icterus, and sepsis. Porcupine quills had been removed from the dog's face 1 month prior to examination; progressive right forelimb lameness had developed soon after removal of the quills. Septic arthritis of the right elbow joint was diagnosed and was unresponsive to antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory treatments. At the time of referral, the dog had developed endocarditis, septicemia, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Via ultrasonography, a foreign body consistent with a porcupine quill was detected in the medial portion of the right humeroradial joint. The dog did not respond to initial supportive treatment and died as a result of cardiac arrest. Postmortem examination confirmed the presence of a quill in the medial compartment of the right elbow joint and severe acute endocarditis with septic emboli to the kidneys and spleen. Ultrasonographic examination should be considered as a diagnostic tool when septic arthritis secondary to a foreign body is suspected in dogs.

A 7-year-old domestic cat was examined because of a history of weight loss, intermittent diarrhea, and anorexia of 6 months' duration. Results of physical examination were normal except for marked abdominal tension. Results of a CBC and serum biochemistry profile were unremarkable. Severe pneumoperitoneum was noted radiographically, and abdominocentesis yielded 640 mL of air. Abdominal distension recurred 1 day after abdominocentesis. Exploratory laparotomy was performed 3 days after recurrence of abdominal distension and revealed a gastric perforation along the greater curvature of the stomach with omental and pancreatic adhesions at the site of perforation. Mild local peritoneal inflammation was also noted. A partial gastrectomy was performed to resect the lesion, and histologic examination confirmed a severe perforating ulcer. The gastric wall adjacent to the ulcer was histologically normal. Aerobic and anaerobic bacteriologic cultures of abdominal swab specimens were negative for bacterial growth. The cat was discharged 4 days after surgery and clinically normal at suture removal.