ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF SMALL INTESTINAL TUMORS IN CATS AND DOGS

The aim of the study is to determine the ultrasound signs most characteristic of neoplasms of the small intestine of cats and dogs. The objects of the study were 25 cats and 6 dogs of various breeds and ages. At the time of the ultrasonographic examination of the abdominal organs, these animals had ultrasound signs characteristic of a tumor of the small intestine, or a suspicion of a neoplasm was noted, later an accurate diagnosis was established by histological examination of full-wall biopsy specimens of the small intestine. Ultrasound examination was performed after keeping the animals on a starvation diet for 8–12 hours on ultrasound scanning devices Mindray Vetus 7 and Mindray DC-T6 (China). Linear and microconvex sensors were used for the study. Ultrasound signs characteristic of focal neoplasm of the intestine were determined: violation of differentiation of intestinal layers with complete coherence of the organ structure; significant thickening of the intestinal wall; presence of a volumetric formation of a heterogeneous structure of various sizes and shapes; absence of peristalsis in the affected part of the intestine; filling of the intestinal lumen with liquid contents mixed with suspended matter; increased echogenicity of surrounding tissues; lymphadenopathy of the mesenetheric lymph nodes. Diffuse lesion of the intestinal wall in 9 cases (53 %) had inflammatory etiology, while 8 cases (47 %) had oncological. Thickening of the small intestine affected by the tumor was more pronounced, the thickness of the duodenum was (0.37 ± 0.06) cm, jejunum – (0.34 ± 0.02) cm, ileum – (0.37 ± 0.03) cm. In inflammatory bowel disease, the following values were established: duodenum – (0.34 ± 0.03) cm, jejunum – (0.31 ± 0.03) cm, ileum – (0.31 ± 0.02) cm. A distinctive ultrasound sign for a tumor with diffuse damage was the complete lack of differentiation of the layering of the intestinal wall.