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Biomedical subjects

W T Wolvekamp

Publications and source records attributed to W T Wolvekamp.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Hepatic arteriovenous fistulae and portal vein hypoplasia in a Labrador retriever.

An 18-month-old male Labrador retriever was referred for investigation of chronic intermittent diarrhoea and vomiting of two months duration. A diagnosis of hepatic arteriovenous fistulae was made. These are extremely rare hepatic vascular anomalies which confer arterial pressure to the portal vein. Liver atrophy, portal vein hypoplasia, portal hypertension and multiple acquired portosystemic collateral vessels are the main complications. Surgical excision is a challenge as resection of large lesions may be associated with significant blood loss. In this dog, persistence of portal vein hypoplasia and extensive collateral pathways following surgery led to a reserved prognosis.

Angiography↗

Prediction of the genetic risk for fragmented coronoid process in labrador retrievers.

In a cohort of 252 Dutch labrador retrievers born between 1988 and 1992, seven founders for fragmented coronoid process were identified. The 185 labrador retrievers born to this cohort between January 1, 1993 and January 1, 1997, were examined clinically, and radiographs of both elbows taken in four directions at 12 to 18 months of age, or earlier when they had signs of lameness, were evaluated. The diagnosis of fragmented coronoid process was confirmed by arthrotomy. The incidence of the condition in the 185 dogs was 17.3 per cent, and for each dog a genetic risk factor was calculated on the basis of its relatedness to the seven founders. The risk factors ranged from 0.07 to 0.41. The dogs were divided into classes of increasing predicted risk, and the mean risk for each class was then compared with the clinical outcome. There were no significant differences between the predicted risk and the outcome in any of the classes.

Animals↗

Clinical diagnosis of aneurysm of the right coronary artery in a white cockatoo (Cacatua alba).

A 16-year-old male white cockatoo was presented with lethargy and a decreased appetite. Auscultation between the second and third sternal rib revealed a heart murmur, which was confirmed by electrocardiographic and phonocardiographic examination to be systolic, with a shift of the heart axis to -152 degrees. Radiographs showed lack of detail in the cranial part of the abdominal coelom, indicative of ascites and an enlarged cardiac shadow, while ultrasonographic examination revealed pericardial effusion and fluid accumulation in the cavitas peritonealis hepatica. An extra fluid-filled cavity was found at the atrioventricular junction in the right cardiac wall and colour Doppler examination demonstrated a turbulent jetstream of blood into the cavity, originating directly above the aortic valve. Non-selective angiocardiography confirmed the ultrasonographic observations. Findings were indicative of an aneurysm of the a. coronaria dextra (right coronary artery). This was confirmed by necropsy which revealed atherosclerosis to be the underlying cause.

Angiography↗

Epidural lipomatosis in a six-year-old dachshund.

A six-year-old female dachshund was examined because of intermittent lameness in its left pelvic limb and periodic back pain. Myelography, epidurography and computed tomography (CT) revealed a dorsal displacement of the dural sac in the lumbosacral region caused by a soft tissue mass which had the specific density of fat. The mass was removed via a dorsal laminectomy in the lumbosacral area and a histological examination confirmed that it was adipose tissue. The clinical signs resolved after the surgery and a follow-up CT five months later showed no evidence of compression of the dural sac. The diagnosis of epidural lipomatosis in this dog was based on the clinical findings, the results of diagnostic imaging, and the surgical and histological findings, all of which revealed many similarities with epidural lipomatosis in man.

Animals↗

Long-term follow-up of avascular necrosis of the femoral head in the dog.

In a clinical study of 35 dogs with avascular necrosis of the femoral head, 60 per cent were Yorkshire terriers; the mean age of 33 of the dogs at onset of clinical signs was seven months. The dogs had the following signs: muscle atrophy (n = 25), shortening of the affected leg (n = 14), pain on passive movement of the hip joint (n = 28), and crepitation of the hip joint (n = 8). Radiographic findings were irregular density and flattening of the femoral head in combination with degenerative joint disease. Conservative treatment consisted of exercise therapy, and surgical treatment of a standard femoral head and neck excision. In 17 of the dogs the results of therapy were evaluated with the help of a questionnaire. It is concluded that femoral head and neck excision is indicated when conservative treatment fails to lead to clinical improvement within four weeks. Femoral head and neck excision has a good long term prognosis; however, slight intermittent lameness may remain.

Animals↗

Destructive polyarthritis in a dog with leishmaniasis.

The clinical history and diagnosis of a dog with leishmaniasis involving both elbow joints and the skin is described. The dog, a female, five-year-old crossbreed, had been imported from Majorca (Balearic Islands, Spain) four years before the diagnosis was made. For two years, the dog had had bilateral forelimb lameness. Physical examination revealed swollen, painful and crepitating elbow joints. Furthermore, an ulcerating dermatitis was found on the concave surface of the left pinna and necrotising margins on both ears. Radiographs of the elbow joints revealed complete destruction of the joint surfaces with dislocation of the radius and the ulna, compatible with severe osteolytic arthritis. The diagnosis of leishmaniasis was confirmed by a direct agglutination test.

Animals↗

Evaluation of a standardised questionnaire for the detection of dysphagia in 69 dogs.

The diagnosis of dysphagia in the dog requires an evaluation of a variety of signs that can be caused not only by a 'swallowing disorder' but also by several other pathological conditions. Most owners mention coughing, vomiting, regurgitation and nasal discharge, and the clinician must decide whether these signs are related to dysphagia. In this study a standardised questionnaire for the diagnosis and localisation of dysphagia was evaluated for its accuracy by comparing the results with contrast videofluorography as the definitive standard. The purpose of the study was to optimise the selection of dogs for more expensive diagnostic procedures such as videofluorography and electromyography. In a group of 69 dogs with 'swallowing problems' the questionnaire had a sensitivity of 0.97 and a positive predictive value of 0.94 for dysphagia in general. The questionnaire was also useful for the exclusion of oral phase dysphagia, with a specificity of 0.70 and a negative predictive value of 0.97. Most dogs with pharyngeal phase dysphagia could be detected by using the questionnaire (sensitivity 0.91). The questionnaire was not of specific value for the detection or exclusion of oesophageal phase dysphagia, for which it had a sensitivity of 0.69, a specificity of 0.57 and predictive values for positive and negative tests of 0.79 and 0.44, respectively.

Animals↗

[Roentgen diagnosis of stomach volvulus].

In this article, the radiographic examination and presentation of dogs with gastric dilatation-volvulus syndrome is discussed. Much emphasis is placed on the influence of gravitational positioning on the detection of the abnormality. A list of radiographic signs is included.

Animals↗

Dysphagia in Bouviers associated with muscular dystrophy; evaluation of 24 cases.

Twenty-four Bouviers with dysphagia were examined between October 1986 and October 1988. The type of dysphagia was characterised by the results from the clinical examination, the videofluorographic examination and the electromyographic recordings from the oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal muscles. Electromyography indicated neurogenic as well as myogenic causes of dysphagia. Tissues from 10 dogs were available for histopathologic examination. In nine dogs there was a progressive muscular degeneration of the pharyngeal and/or esophageal muscles, resembling muscular dystrophy. In two of these dogs the same abnormalities were also noticed in the masseter and temporalis muscles and in the intrinsic laryngeal muscles. In one dog small areas with hyalin degeneration and fragmentation of muscle fibres were found in the cricopharyngeal muscle. No abnormalities in nerve tissue were found. Muscular dystrophy is a hereditary disease. The mode of transmission in these Bouviers is not yet known.

Animals↗

Gastric granulomatous cryptococcosis mimicking gastric carcinoma in a dog.

An ulcerated lesion resembling a tumour in the lesser curvature of the stomach of a 3-year-old male Dobermann pinscher was found to be caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. The dog had been vomiting for two months and had slight leucocytosis and anaemia. Biopsies of the ulcerated lesion revealed granulomatous inflammation and many cryptococci, which were particularly prominent in PAS and mucicarmine stained sections. No other lesions were found at necropsy.

Animals↗

Total ligation of the left renal vein in the dog: an inappropriate model for varicocele.

Induction of varicocele was attempted by ligation of the left renal vein (LRV) in male dogs (Group I). Before the operation and in the 4-month post-operative period, sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology of Group I (n = 8) dogs were compared to sham operated animals (Group II, n = 5). Furthermore, haemodynamics as well as testicular and vascular morphology were studied. In Group I, changes in diameter and consistency of the spermatic cord were temporary. Semen quality was reduced significantly during the second month after ligation of the LRV, but improved thereafter. Haemodynamic studies revealed that LRV blood pressure was increased significantly in Group I dogs. An extensive venous collateral network replaced the occluded LRV. Retrograde blood flow in the left testicular vein (LTV) was observed only in the proximal part of the LTV of Group I dogs. In Group II dogs numerous pairs of sufficient valves prevented reflux into the LTV. Histological examination revealed that spermatogenesis was not impaired and that the left pampiniform plexus had not changed. The number of Leydig cells was decreased slightly in Group I dogs. Sufficient valves in the LTV prevented formation of a permanent varicocele.

Angiography↗

Regional eosinophilic coloproctitis, typhlitis and ileitis in a dog.

A 3-year-old female Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is presented with tenesmus alvi caused by a 15 cm long chronic regional cicatrising eosinophilic coloproctitis with bacterial masses surrounded by clubs, resembling actinomycosis. Similar changes were found in the caecum, next to a nodular eosinophilic inflammation in the ileal mucosa.

Actinobacillosis↗

[Lumbosacral epidural anesthesia in dogs].

The technique of epidural anaesthesia is described in the present paper. In addition, the relationship between external features and the dosage of the local anaesthetic was studied. In this study, epidurography was used to visualise the cranial extension of the anaesthetic solution in the vertebral canal. It is concluded that the most reliable parameter is the length of the spinal column. Cases in which the use of epidural anaesthesia is indicated, are stated.

Anesthesia, Epidural↗

Continuous electromyographic recordings of pharyngeal muscle activity in normal and previously denervated muscles in dogs.

Continuous electromyographic recordings of pharyngeal muscle activity were made in 5 clinically normal control dogs and in 7 dogs 3 years after partial denervation of the pharyngeal muscles. Electromyographic recordings were made of the sequence of actions of each muscle and of the combined muscle activity, at rest and during swallowing of food. During 30-second periods, the recordings were digitalized and stored on diskette for further analysis. All control dogs had a distinct pattern of muscle activity during swallowing, the onset being in a constant order (hyopharyngeal, thyropharyngeal, and cricopharyngeal) and bilaterally synchronous. While eating, each dog had about 5 to 12 short periods of synchronous activity in each muscle, between the swallowing actions. During the resting period, there were longer periods of activity, which were synchronous with respiration. In each denervated dog, there were normal and irregular swallowing actions. Swallowing activity was recognized, but the sequence of hyopharyngeal, thyropharyngeal, and cricopharyngeal muscle activity was irregular and different from that in control dogs. Partial denervation of the pharyngeal muscles does not seriously impair motor activity of the muscles, but does alter the sequence of activity in the pharyngeal muscles during swallowing.

Animals↗