1. Holstein cow
- Describe the sonographic findings Normal visceral pleura dorsally (to the left) then sharply-demarcated and extensive hypoechoic area extending to full depth of field ventrally (hepatoid change).
- What is the likely cause of the halitosis and frequent productive coughing? Presence of muco-pus in dilated bronchioles.
- What it the most likely diagnosis? Bronchiectasis.
- What is the likely best course of action? Extended course of procaine penicillin.
2. Greyface ewe
- Describe the lesion. Thickened visceral pleura dorsally. Sharply-demarcated 3 cm deep homogenous hypoechoic area showing a bronchial pattern. The heart is displaced from the chest wall (anechoic area lower right quadrant).
- What it the most likely diagnosis? Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA). Common breed affected and age profile. Ewe's age precludes Mycoplasma-type pneumonia. Diagnosis necessitates lung lesion histopathology.
- What action is necessary? Immediate culling. If unsure of OPA diagnosis, isolate and re-scan in 1–2 months when OPA lesion would be more extensive.
- What other test could be performed and what is the accuracy of this test? Wheelbarrow test. Around 60%.
3. Texel ram
- Describe the lesion. 6 cm circular hypoechoic area containing multiple hyperechoic dots surrounded by a 1 cm thick capsule.
- What it the most likely diagnosis? Well-encapsulated inspissated abscess within the pleural space.
- What sounds would be auscultated over this region? Reduced/no lung sounds, greatly reduced heart sounds as displaced to other side of chest.
- What is the prognosis for this sheep? Good prognosis as abscess well-encapsulated and relatively small such that it is not a significant space-occupying lesion.
4. Suffolk ram
- Describe the lesion. Large anechoic area extending to 6 cm containing large organising fibrin tags (pleural exudate).
- What it the most likely diagnosis? Fibrinous pleurisy (extensive).
- What sounds would be auscultated over this lesion? Much reduced/no lung and heart sounds on that side of chest. Importantly, there are no pleuritic rubs generated by this pathology.
- What is the prognosis? Good prognosis with antibiotic treatment noting that pathology likely to have been present for 5–10 days.