Normal sonographic anatomy of the abdomen of coatis (Nasua nasua Linnaeus 1766)

Abstract

BackgroundThe use of ultrasound in veterinary medicine is widespread as a diagnostic supplement in the clinical routine of small animals, but there are few reports in wild animals. The objective of this study was to describe the anatomy, topography and abdominal sonographic features of coatis.ResultsThe urinary bladder wall measured 0.11 ± 0.03 cm. The symmetrical kidneys were in the left and right cranial quadrant of the abdomen and the cortical, medullary and renal pelvis regions were recognized and in all sections. The medullary rim sign was visualized in the left kidney of two coatis. The liver had homogeneous texture and was in the cranial abdomen under the rib cage. The gallbladder, rounded and filled with anechoic content was visualized in all coatis, to the right of the midline. The spleen was identified in the left cranial abdomen following the greater curvature of the stomach. The parenchyma was homogeneous and hyperechogenic compared to the liver and kidney cortex. The stomach was in the cranial abdomen, limited cranially by the liver and caudo-laterally by the spleen. The left adrenal glands of five coatis were seen in the cranial pole of the left kidney showing hypoechogenic parenchyma without distinction of cortex and medulla. The pancreas was visualized in only two coatis. The left ovary (0.92 cm x 0.56 cm) was visualized on a single coati in the caudal pole of the kidney. The uterus, right adrenal, right ovary and intestines were not visualized.ConclusionsUltrasound examination of the abdomen of coatis may be accomplished by following the recommendations for dogs and cats. It is possible to evaluate the anatomical and topographical relationships of the abdominal organs together with the knowledge of the peculiarities of parenchymal echogenicity and echotexture of the viscera.

Mode B ultrasonography and abdominal Doppler in crab-eating-foxes ( Cerdocyon thous )

“…Unlikely to the described in marmosets that exhibit a poor corticomedullary definition (Wagner & Kirberger 2005), in crab-eating foxes this feature is well defined and the kidney presents a corticomedullary ratio of 1:1, similarly to the reported in cheetahs (Carstens et al 2006), dogs and cats (Silva et al 2008) and coatis (Ribeiro et al 2013). In Veterinary Medicine this proportion is important for the diagnosis of kidney diseases that may present an increased cortical echogenicity with enhanced or loss of corticomedullary definition (Nyland et al 2002).…”

“…Similarly to the reported in marmosets (Wagner & Kirberger 2005), dogs, cats (Santos 2009) and coatis (Ribeiro et al 2013) the right kidney was located in renal fossa of the caudate lobe of the liver and the left kidney was caudal to the greater curvature of the stomach and medial to the spleen. The kidneys were approximately 4.6 cm long and 2.4 cm wide, slightly smaller when compared to adult dogs weighing 5 to 15 kg, which presented average lengths of 5 cm (Barr et al 1990) and width of 2.97cm (Santos 2009).…”

“…Similarly to the described for the spleen of dogs, cats (Silva et al 2008, Santos 2009) and coatis (Ribeiro et al 2013), in the crab-eating fox this organ presented a homogeneous echogenicity and hyperechoic when compared to the renal parenchyma. Corroborating with the findings in raccoons, dogs and cats, the hepatic echogenicity presented a homogeneous echogenicity and hypoechoic when compared to the spleen (Mamprim 2004, Larson 2009, Santos 2009, Ribeiro et al 2013.…”

“…Corroborating with the findings in raccoons, dogs and cats, the hepatic echogenicity presented a homogeneous echogenicity and hypoechoic when compared to the spleen (Mamprim 2004, Larson 2009, Santos 2009, Ribeiro et al 2013.…”

“…Additionally, ultrasonographic imaging proved to be effective to correlate anatomic and ultrasonographic features of abdominal organs, highlighting important characteristics considered normal for the species. Nevertheless, this method demonstrated to be a standard tool for diagnosis and clinical evaluation of crab-eating foxes, similarly to the described for ferrets (Mustela furo) (Neuwirth et al 1997), common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) (Wagner & Kirberger 2005), cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) (Carstens et al 2006), tufted capuchin (Cebus apela) (Alves et al 2007) and coatis (Nasua nasua) (Ribeiro et al 2013). …”