Ultrasonographic reference values for the pancreas and pancreatic duct of dogs were determined. Results of this study indicated that the pancreatic duct was visible, especially in the right lobe of the pancreas. These values may be useful for the assessment of pancreatic abnormalities, such as chronic pancreatitis and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Cecal appendix is recognizable via ultrasound in the vast majority of rabbits. We describe the normal morphological aspect of the appendix and we provide reference intervals for wall thickness and diameter of the appendix, in order to aid in the diagnosis of disorders of the appendix. The negative correlation between age and AWT indicates lower values of AWT associated with increasing age that could represent the physiological decrease in the immunitary function of the appendix in aged rabbits.

A four-year-old, castrated male ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was evaluated because of a one-year history of sporadic cough. On physical examination a grade 5 of 6 holosystolic murmur was audible over the right apex of the heart. Radiographic findings included the presence of air bronchograms in apical lobes accompanied by pulmonary venous congestion. Colour Doppler echocardiography revealed a left-to-right shunting compatible with a ventricular septal defect. Medical therapy was initiated at the time of the diagnosis. The ferret was presented again 2 months after the initial examination for coughing and respiratory distress. Echocardiographic findings included tricuspid regurgitation, relative enlargement of left-atrial diameter and decreased systolic function, with presence of pleural effusion. Thoracocentesis was performed and the therapeutic plan was revised. In the following months the symptoms did not recur. In the authors' opinion this is the first report to describe the clinical findings of isolated ventricular septal defect in the ferret. Congenital heart defects are rare in this species, the present ferret being only the second case described.

Congenital heart diseases have rarely been described in rabbits. The purpose of the present case report is to describe the clinical, radiological, echocardiographic and pathological features of a partial atrioventricular septal defect in a pet rabbit. A 3-month-old 380-gram male vaccinated pet rabbit was presented for decreased activity, increased respiratory rate and effort, anorexia and decreased fecal output of two days of duration. Total body radiographic images revealed severe cardiomegaly associated with enlarged caudal pulmonary vessels and increased interstitial to alveolar lung pattern. Echocardiographic imaging showed evidence of distended heart chambers, abnormal flow through the atria, and mitral valve

To describe transscleral ultrasonography as a novel alternative approach for visualising the optic nerve sheath and measuring its diameter and to analyse the linear regressions of the optic nerve sheath diameter value with the weights and morphometric measurements of the globe in dogs. Forty healthy dogs admitted for routine sterilisation were examined. Under general anaesthesia, a B-mode ultrasonography with a linear probe (9–18 MHz) was applied transscleral in the dorso-temporal quadrant. The optic nerve sheath diameter was measured 3 mm behind the caudal aspect of the globe. The morphometric measurements, including the axial globe, lens thickness and vitreous chamber, were estimated by two observers using the direct corneal approach. Univariate and multivariate multiple linear regression analyses were performed to explore the associations of the independent predictors with dependent variables. The optic nerve sheath diameter intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analyses revealed interobserver 0.91 (ICC = 0.83–0.95) and intraobserver 0.93 (ICC = 0.87–0.96) reliability. The multiple regression analysis revealed that the optic nerve sheath diameter was associated with the weight (R² = 0.60, P < 0.0001) but not with the axial globe (P = 0.48), the lens thickness (P = 0.73) or the vitreous chamber (P = 0.99). The findings of this study suggest that transscleral ultrasonography may be a valid alternative approach for the optic nerve visualisation and optic nerve sheath diameter measurements with excellent intra- and interobserver repeatability. The optic nerve sheath diameter was associated with the body weight, but not with the morphometric measurements of the globe.