Using a questionnaire, we investigated veterinary nurses’ understanding of image inspection assistance of X-ray and ultrasound examinations. A total of 403 veterinary nurses participated in this investigation, and 395 participants provided definitive responses (valid response rate: 98.0%). When questioned on the “importance of image inspection,” 92% (363 participants) of the respondents answered, “It is high (importance).” When questioned on the “importance of the role of a veterinary nurse in image inspection assistance,” 57% (227 participants) of the respondents answered, “It is high (importance),” and 2% (8 participants) responded, “It is low (importance).” For X-ray image inspection, 75% (297 participants) of the respondents answered that “It is high (the importance of studies)” when asked about the “importance of studies in radiographic inspection assistance.” For both examinations, in response to the question, “Would you like ambitious efforts to image inspection business?”, which indicated the participants’ willingness to address the image inspection business, the response rate for the answer “I don't want to wrestle” was less than 5%. The results of this study suggest that many veterinary nurses have a high interest in the image inspection auxiliary and have recognized the importance of testing the auxiliary. In Japan, the occupational field of veterinary nurses have not been clearly defined. The results of this investigation may prove useful when determining the occupational field of veterinary nurse.

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The nursing records of three Scottish Folds with bone cartilage dysplasia were examined for the purpose of reducing the pain and symptoms caused by the disease. The cats had been hospitalized and received radiation therapy in the University Medical Center. We made a flow diagram of medical and nursing events for each cat. Consequently, we clarified that they had five nursing problems in common. The items described in detail were ‘treatment’, ‘nutrition’, and ‘records written on the days of radiation’.

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This is the case of a 7-year-old, spayed beagle weighing 8 kg that was admitted for self-injurious behavior of tail chasing. This behavior worsened after the earthquake. Based on the results of various tests, impairment of hepatic function due to hypoplasia of the portal vein was diagnosed. Preferential management of hepatic function disorder resulted in a decrease in the self-injurious behavior.

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An eleven-month-old male Chihuahua was brought to us with intermittent vomiting and diarrhea. Clinicopathological findings showed elevated activity levels of serum liver enzyme and high serum bile acid levels. Ultrasonography detected ascites and increased blood flow in a swollen right medial liver lobe, and laparoscopy revealed acquired portosystemic collateral vessels. These findings strongly suggested the presence of hepatic arteriovenous fistulae, but we could not observe them macroscopically at laparotomy. Histopathologically, however, an autopsy showed typical hepatic arteriovenous fistulae in the right medial lobe, and primary hypoplasia of the portal vein in the other liver lobes.

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We performed a number of tests including blood test, X-ray examination, ultrasonic examination, Encephalitozoon titer test, and neurological examination on 3 rabbits showing neurological symptoms. Based on the test results, neurological disorder was strongly suspected. Therefore, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) were performed. Based on their clinical condition and the findings on MRI and X-ray CT, the rabbits were diagnosed with labyrinthitis/tympanitis, hydrocephalus, and myelomalacia. We conclude that MRI and X-ray CT can be useful for diagnosing neurological disorders in rabbits, as is the case with cats and dogs.

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As a screening test to check full dentition in dogs and cats, this study was conducted to devise a method to take intraoral radiographs easily, quickly, and stably regardless of the operators being skilled or not. Occlusal film positions, incident angles, and incident beam directions during photographing were tested variously, and we made up a new reference guide which contained diagrammatic illustrations of the standard incident angles and beam directions, and typical X-ray images. By using this reference guide, efficiency of the photographing procedure was increased.

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