QUARTERLY BEAT
JULY 2026
ABBREVIATIONS
tamponade secondary to pericardial effusion, which commonly causes tachycardia. Pey et al. performed a survey of veterinary radiologists and estimated a 1% death rate based on respondents’ experiences with the procedure. Thirty-two percent of responding veterinarians (138/977 contacted) perform the procedure, with no reports of a hypertensive crisis. Of those who performed the procedure, complications were rare and were usually hemorrhage. One dog died of acute respiration distress syndrome, but it was likely associated with the dog’s laryngeal paralysis. These two studies reflect the author’s experience which has been favorable with no known instances of hypertensive crisis or death.
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FN-NA: fine needle non-aspiration
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FNA: fine needle aspirate
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G: gauge
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GDV: gastric dilatation-volvulus
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GI: gastrointestinal
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PCR: polymerase chain reaction
RESOURCES
• Amores-Fuster I, Cripps P, Graham P, et al. The diagnostic utility of lymph node cytology samples in dogs and cats. J Small Anim Pract. 2015;56:125-129. • Arai S, Rist P, Clancey N, et al. Fine needle aspiration of cutaneous, subcutaneous, and intracavitary masses in dogs and cats uses 22- vs 25-gauge needles. Vet Clin Pathol. 2019;48:287-292. • Bahr KL, Sharkey LC, Murakami T, et al. Accuracy of US- guided FNA of focal liver lesions in dogs: 140 cases (2005- 2008). J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2013;49:190-196. • Ballegeer EA, Forrest LJ, Dickinson RM, et al. Correlation of ultrasonographic appearance of lesions and cytologic and histologic diagnoses in splenic aspirates from dogs and cats: 32 cases (2002-2005). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007;230:690-696. • Bertazzolo W, Didier M, Gelain ME, et al. Accuracy of cytology in distinguishing adrenocortical tumors from pheochromocytoma in companion animals. Vet Clin Pathol. 2014;43(3):453-459. • Blacklock KLB, Ireland J, Stewart J, et al. A preliminary investigation of the effect of sample collection technique on the cell and RNA content of fine-needle aspirates of five canine tumors. J Small Anim Pract. 2018;59:211-221. • Boland LE, Hardie RJ, Gregory SP, et al. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage as the primary treatment for prostatic abscesses and cysts in dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2003;39:151-159. • Bonfanti U, Bertazzolo W, Bottero E, et al. Diagnostic value of cytologic examination of gastrointestinal tract tumors in dogs and cats: 83 cases (2001-2004). J Vet Med Assoc. 2006;229:1130-1133. • Bonfanti U, Bussadori C, Zatelli A, et al. Percutaneous fine- needle biopsy of deep thoracic and abdominal masses in dogs and cats. J Small Anim Pract. 2004;45:191-198.
Ultrasound image of the left adrenal gland. Photo courtesy of Dr. Amy Kaplan-Zattler, cVMA, DACVECC, MRCVS.
CONCLUSION
With increasing levels of evidence, our ability as a profession to safely perform FNA and FN-NA procedures in veterinary species has expanded and will hopefully continue to do so. At this time, as long as an abdominal organ or mass can be safely approached with a needle as visualized on ultrasound, it can be sampled for cytology. Despite this, it is good practice to discuss with owners any possible risks, albeit small, as well as the potential for a non-diagnostic or misleading sample which can cost both time and money. Currently, non-aspirate procedures with a 22G needle or smaller typically yield more diagnostic samples with less blood contamination. However, certain tissues or neoplasms may benefit from an aspiration technique.
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