Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift

Normal liver-to-heart transit time and shunt fraction after transplenic injection of 99MTC-pertechnetate in healthy cats

E. Vandermeulen — 2021-12-23

Portosystemic shunts (PSS) are rare vascular anomalies in cats. Transsplenic portal scintigraphy (TSPS) can aid in diagnosing PSS in cats. Although the actual performance of the scan remains the same between species, it is questionable whether the generally accepted transit time of seven seconds for small dogs can be applied to cats, thereby influencing shunt fraction (SF) calculation. In this study, normal mean transit time and SF were determined in a population of cats without PSS following two methods established in canine medicine. For both, the mean ± SD transit time was calculated as 6.75 ± 1.58 seconds and 7.40 ± 1.64 seconds respectively, without significant difference between both methods. The results confirmed the validity of the generally used transit time of seven seconds for SF calculation in cats. The average normal SF (± SD) for the cats in this study was 0.73 % (±0.74; range 0.11-2.48%).

The value of bone scintigraphy in dogs with undefined hind limb lameness or unlocalized pain

N. De Wilde — 2021-12-23

Bone scintigraphy is a very sensitive technique to detect early changes in the metabolic activity of bone structures such as a higher blood perfusion and/or bone remodeling. Therefore, bone scintigraphy is highly suited as sensitive diagnostic tool in the lameness examination of dogs. Due to the limited specificity of this technique, scintigraphy has to be combined with structural imaging techniques. In this retrospective study, 194 patients with complaints of limping and/or pain in the hind legs were observed in the period of 2001 until 2020. Sixty-four dogs were included in the study based on patient data and results. In the selected dogs, the findings on the scintigraphy scans were compared to the results of prior examinations and to the imaging techniques which were taken based on the scintigraphy images. Based on this retrospective study, it can be concluded that bone scintigraphy is useful in conditions where previous examinations were inconclusive.

Whole-body thermal therapy as adjuvant therapy to radiation in a dog with metastasized anal sac adenocarcinoma

S. Janssen — 2021-12-23

An eleven-year-old Galgo Espagnol was diagnosed with metastasized anal sac adenocarcinoma. The patient was enrolled into a clinical trial and underwent three “whole-body thermal therapy” (WBTT) sessions combined with four hypofractionated radiotherapy sessions during a ten-weeks’ time period. The medical device and corresponding treatment protocol were designed by ElmediX (ElmediX NV, Belgium). Air was injected at high speed in a treatment chamber and automatically regulated to reach and maintain a body temperature of 41.5°C for eight hours. Thermometry was ensured by temperature sensors placed in and on the patient. During four radiotherapy sessions, an external beam delivered hypofractionated doses of 6Gy on both the primary tumor and the metastatic lymph nodes. Clinical monitoring and assessment of quality of life confirmed that the WBTT sessions were well tolerated. Although burn wounds at pressure points occurred, prolonged severe adverse effects were not observed. Furthermore, the disease progression was deemed slower than the expected progression based on the literature.

The benefits of computed tomography imaging in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment planning of equine orthopedic patients illustrated by six cases

L M. J. Vandekerckhove — 2021-12-23

Radiography and/or ultrasonography are the first imaging modalities for diagnosing orthopedic pathology in equine patients. However, in some cases, cross-sectional imaging is necessary to reach a more accurate diagnosis. Six cases were retrospectively selected from the imaging database of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Ghent University) to illustrate the benefits of computed tomography (CT) in orthopedic patients. In two cases, CT demonstrated osteomyelitis lesions in two young foals, which could not be detected with radiography and ultrasonography. In three cases, CT was performed for surgical planning of fracture repair, and in one case CT demonstrated multiple lesions at the soft tissues and ligamentous insertions in the stifle. In all cases, CT revealed additional findings, which were important for the treatment and prognosis of the patient.

Bloodletting

L. Devriese — 2021-12-23

For centuries, evacuation of blood, bloodletting, along with purgation, has been the most employed means to attempt healing in diseased domestic animals, as well as in humans. It was a common belief that unknown and much-feared evil forces causing disease (in French: “le mal”, hence “la maladie”) could be evacuated from the body in this way. Among university-trained medicals, however, bloodletting was justified by antique Greek theories on disbalance (dyscrasy) of the different body humors (liquids), as the main cause of illness. Through Roman, Byzantine and Arab medicine, this doctrine was introduced in European medical schools. In the nineteenth century, this was superseded by theories on inflammation as a major cause. Again, evacuation of blood was advocated as a powerful means to cure. In domestic animals, bloodletting was frequently performed by farrier- or butcher-veterinarians, officially licensed in the nineteenth century to attempt most veterinary diagnoses and therapeutic acts. A diary kept by a farrier-veterinarian with a mainly dairy practice in a Flemish rural region from 1853 to 1887, shows that bloodletting was done in nearly half (44.5%, first period) to over one third (38%, second period) of all patients suffering from internal disorders. This was nearly always accompanied by oral application of minerals and plant extracts in drenches. This background information is completed and illustrated by a short description of the techniques used.

Runderen versus paardachtigen in de vroeg-West-Europese geschiedenis

L. Devriese — 2021-12-23

Traditioneel wordt in onze geschiedenis een grote rol toebedeeld aan het paard als oorlogsinstrument en daarmee ook als middel om streken te veroveren en te koloniseren. Domesticatie van deze diersoort zou ervoor gezorgd hebben dat stammen die de paardrijkunst beheersten, dominant werden in onze streken. Minstens zo belangrijk echter, indien al niet meer, is de domesticatie van het rund. Die zorgde voor een extra voedselbron doordat, voor de mens onverteerbare planten, in hoofdzaak grassen, door runderen omgezet worden in voedzaam vlees en melk. Hun melkproductie, hoe gering ook, gaf een selectief voordeel aan mensen die de genetisch gedetermineerde eigenschap lactosetolerantie bezaten. Dit vinden we nu nog weerspiegeld in de prevalentie ervan in de huidige bevolking. In het tweede deel wordt de belangrijke rol van paarden in Noordwest-Europa als trekkracht geïllustreerd.

Vraag & Antwoord

M. Van Aert — 2021-12-23

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