The diagnosis of cat digestive tract diseases requires barium meal imaging

Barium meal imaging in cats. Cat digestive tract diseases are also very common in breeding. Cats swallow some small objects, causing foreign bodies in the esophagus, and Some large foreign bodies can dilate the esophagus, and other symptoms such as blood in the stool and loose stools may also appear in some diseases. Therefore, in order to better diagnose and find the cause, barium meal imaging is an effective method.

Equipment and preparation

High-frequency mobile X-ray machine, WFC50, contrast agent, barium sulfate dry suspension, Kodak medical X-ray film. Animals generally do not need special preparation before imaging, and animals that are uncooperative can be lightly sedated. Take lateral X-rays immediately after barium injection, and take an appropriate number of photos at different time points to observe the image performance after esophagography.

Barium meal radiography of specific parts

1. Barium meal radiography of the esophagus

Generally, 50 is given for imports %~70% barium sulfate 20~50ml. If you suspect there are small fish bone foreign bodies, you can give cotton fiber dipped in barium.

Indications: reflux, retching, dysphagia, vomiting of undigested food after eating.

Contraindications: If esophageal perforation is suspected or confirmed, use non-ionized iodine contrast agent instead.

Operating techniques

1. Take plain X-rays of the chest and anterior abdomen in lateral and ventro-dorsal views. This is important because abnormal images such as foreign objects may be obscured by the contrast agent.

2. Orally administer barium sulfate solution (60%W/V) with a syringe, the dose is about 1ml/5kg body weight. Alternatively, if esophageal dilatation is suspected based on plain radiographs, the preferred option is to encourage the animal to eat canned wet food supplemented with 20 to 30 ml of 100% w/v barium sulfate suspension.

3. Immediately after instilling barium sulfate suspension, photograph the cervical and thoracic esophagus (especially the left side). Sometimes, additional information can be obtained from dorsoventral or ventrodorsal X-rays.

4. If necessary, repeat administration of barium sulfate suspension and repeated X-ray photography.

Potential complications: aspiration pneumonia, vomiting, diarrhea

2. Barium meal angiography of stomach and small intestine

Indications: persistent Sexual vomiting, hematemesis, gastrointestinal displacement associated with diaphragmatic rupture, gastrointestinal displacement assessed by changes in size and position of nearby organs, unexplained distension of the small intestine

Contraindications: suspected gastrointestinal rupture, The plain X-ray shows dilation of the small intestine, and mechanical obstruction is strongly suspected

Operating technique

1. Take plain X-rays of the lateral and ventrodorsal views of the abdomen. This is important because abnormal images such as foreign objects may be obscured by the contrast agent.

2. Administer barium sulfate suspension (30%W/V) orally through a syringe, with a dose of approximately 10ml/kg body weight. Or, willBarium sulfate suspension mixed with food encourages animals to eat.

3. In order to completely evaluate the stomach, take X-rays from 4 angles immediately after administration of the contrast agent: right side, left side, ventrodorsal view and dorsoventral view. The center of X-ray shooting is all aimed at the last rib.

4. Assess gastric emptying: Repeat stomach X-rays 5 to 10 minutes after the initial X-ray is taken to check for any visible damage and assess the start time of normal gastric emptying. For cases of delayed gastric emptying, further X-rays can be taken at intervals of 10 to 15 minutes.

5. Evaluate the small intestine: Following the gastric examination, take lateral and ventro-dorsal X-rays at normal intervals according to the intestinal peristalsis speed in each case until the diagnosis is established or the barium enters the large intestine. X-rays should be taken 24 hours after the administration of the contrast agent to confirm that all of the contrast agent has entered the large intestine. If barium sulfate contrast is performed to detect gastrointestinal displacement when examining abdominal foreign bodies or diaphragmatic rupture, a more economical approach is to omit the initial X-ray and take X-rays directly 30 to 45 minutes after administration of the contrast agent. Contrast should be present in the stomach and most of the small intestine at this time.

Potential complications: aspiration pneumonia, vomiting, diarrhea

3. Barium colonography

Indications: tenesmus, melanoma Coprophylaxis, chronic diarrhea, determination of large bowel location associated with foreign body in the posterior abdomen/pelvis

Contraindications: Large foreign body in the rectum or colon that prevents passage of the tube administering the barium sulfate solution, suspicion of lower gastrointestinal tract Rupture

Operating technique

1. Use an enema pump or a gravity tube and funnel to give a dilute barium sulfate suspension (20% W/V) slowly into the descending colon. The dose of contrast agent is usually about 10ml/kg body weight.

2. If the sick animal is sedated or anesthetized, the contrast agent may leak from the anus. The contrast agent can be administered through the Foley tube and the tube is sutured to the rectum at the same time.

3. Take lateral and ventro-dorsal X-rays of the abdomen. The image does not need to be taken immediately and is usually taken within 30 minutes of administration of the contrast agent. 4. In addition, "double" imaging can be performed to better evaluate mucosal details. Barium contrast agent (approximately 10ml/kg body weight) is administered to cover the mucosa, and air (approximately 5ml/kg body weight) is injected to expand the colon.

Potential complications: lower gastrointestinal tract rupture, lower gastrointestinal tract injury, bloody stools, diarrhea.