Diagnostic, Clinical and Ultrasonographic Features of Abdominal Disease Conditions in Dogs

Mathai, Lilyan Wanjiku (2015) Diagnostic, Clinical and Ultrasonographic Features of Abdominal Disease Conditions in Dogs. Masters thesis, University of Nairobi.

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Abstract

Diagnostic imaging modalities such as radiography, ultrasonography, fluoroscopy, scintigraphy, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography have been used in veterinary practice. Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging modality which uses high frequency sound waves to facilitate visualization of the internal architecture of parenchymatous and viscous organs. Its major advantages over other imaging techniques include the fact that, it is safe, non-invasive, cost effective and easy to perform. Reports and scientific literature on the ultrasonographic evaluation of abdominal disease conditions in dogs in Kenya are scanty. Data on these aspects of diagnostic, clinical and ultrasonographic features of abdominal disease conditions remain limited and thus the information from this study could help in the diagnosis of abdominal disease. The aim of this study was to enhance the use of ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool in the effective management of abdominal disease conditions in dogs presented at the Small Animal Clinic, University of Nairobi, Kenya (2011-2013). The objectives were to relate the clinical features of abdominal conditions and their ultrasound findings; to compare the ultrasonographic appearance of abdominal organs in normal and diseased dogs; and to determine a confirmatory diagnosis using ultrasound supported by other ancillary tests. These tests included: radiography, haematology and clinical chemistry, abdominal fluid analysis, exploratory laparotomy, post-mortem and histopathological examination. Organs that were selected for ultrasound scanning included: the liver, spleen, stomach, intestines, uterus in bitches, right and left kidneys and the urinary bladder. The acoustic window used to scan the uterus was the urinary bladder through the ventral midline body wall. All organs were scanned trans-cutaneously based on their corresponding anatomic locations. Thirty clinically normal dogs were scanned to serve as a control group and reference for normal tissue appearances. Dogs were evaluated by physical examination and categorized according to body weight and breed types. Investigation comprised twenty five purposively selected dogs which fulfilled the criteria of exhibiting clinical signs of abdominal disease. The abdominal organs of dogs were scanned with the organ of interest being selected as the organ whose pathology had led to the clinical signs exhibited. The following measurements were recorded for analysis: right kidney horizontal diameters (Rkh), right kidney vertical diameter (Rkv), left kidney horizontal diameters (Lkh), left kidney vertical diameter (Lkv), the stomach wall thickness (Sw) and intestinal wall thickness (Sit). Data was analysed quantitatively using the independent t- test to compare breed types and age groups. The study findings revealed at 95% confidence interval, a significant difference in the left kidney horizontal diameter (Lkh) of large breeds (p=0.02) when compared to the right kidney horizontal diameter (Rkh). The p values of the other measurements showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between both breed types and age groups. The sonograms were descriptively evaluated based on changes in echotexture. The control group sonograms were compared with the research group‘s sonograms. It was found that the echotexture of the organs exhibiting pathologies was detectable on ultrasound and the changes varied from mild to severe. The ultrasound findings were related to the clinical features exhibited in the dogs diagnosed with the various abdominal conditions. These included liver cirrhosis, urinary bladder calculi, splenic hemangiosarcoma and pyometra. Results showed that the liver was viewed with best clarity compared to other organs due to its location and size. The right kidney was often not visualized due to obstruction by air in the overlapping thoracic cavity. The stomach was best visualized when filled with fluid. The urinary bladder was used as an acoustic window to view abdominal organs due to acoustic enhancement property of fluid such as urine. The uterus was visualized only when it was filled with contents such as when it contained pus or foetal parts. The spleen was best visualized on the left caudal border of the last rib. The intestines were not well visualized due to reverberation artefacts due to gas accumulation in the intestinal tract. Challenges recorded during the study were numerous artefacts seen in the sonograms such as pseudo sludge, reverberation, acoustic enhancement, clean and dirty acoustic shadows. Knowledge of the artefacts and proper ways to compensate for these helped in preventing misdiagnosis. It was concluded that, whilst the use of ultrasonography has its challenges in the diagnosis of abdominal disease conditions, conditions such as liver cirrhosis and pyometra were easily identified. Prognosis was reached based on pathologic changes in echotexture and other ancillary tests. This varied from case to case. It was noted that ultrasound proved to be a good diagnostic imaging tool for abdominal disease conditions. Routine ultrasonography is proposed to be a beneficial procedure for the prompt, cost effective and non-invasive diagnostic procedure of abdominal disease conditions in dogs.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	R Medicine > RZ Other systems of medicine S Agriculture > SF Animal culture
Divisions:	Africana
Depositing User:	Mr. Senay Abate
Date Deposited:	25 Jul 2016 13:42
Last Modified:	28 Jun 2017 12:24
URI:	http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/1184

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