Retrospective multicentric study comparing durations of surgery and anesthesia and likelihoods of short- and long-term complications between cats positioned in sternal or dorsal recumbency for perineal urethrostomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the durations of surgery and anesthesia and the likelihoods of short- and long-term postoperative complications between cats positioned in sternal recumbency versus dorsal recumbency for perineal urethrostomy (PU). ANIMALS: 247 client-owned cats that underwent PU between January 2004 and December 2015 at 6 veterinary teaching hospitals and 1 private veterinary referral hospital. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed, and signalment, presenting complaints, previous history of urethral obstruction or PU, diet fed, medications administered, indication for PU, durations of surgery and anesthesia for PU, suture type and size, suture pattern for skin closure, and short- and long-term postoperative complications were recorded. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify differences in durations of surgery and anesthesia and the likelihoods of short- and long-term complications between cats positioned in sternal recumbency and those positioned in dorsal recumbency. RESULTS: Patient position was not associated with durations of surgery and anesthesia for PU, even if a concurrent cystotomy was necessary or the patient required repositioning from sternal to dorsal recumbency. Likewise, patient position was not associated with the likelihood of short- and long-term complications. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The observed lack of differences in outcomes between sternal and dorsal recumbency suggested that logistic considerations and personal preference can continue to guide veterinarians when positioning cats for PU.

Long-term effects of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy and tibial tuberosity advancement on tibial plateau subchondral bone density in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term loading patterns using subchondral bone density (SBD) distribution of the tibial plateau after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) and tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: Adult (> 2 years), medium to large breed dogs (>20 kg) that had been treated with TPLO or TTA at least 1 year prior to the study were recruited. A normal cohort of similar age and weight dogs with normal physical and orthopedic examinations served as control. METHODS: Dogs were sedated for computed tomography (CT) of the stifle, and DICOM (digital imaging and communications in medicine) files were processed for CT osteoabsorptiometry (CTOAM). Tibial plateaus were sampled at 6 zones, and CTOAM was used to determine regional and maximal areas of SBD as a marker of joint loading. RESULTS: Data were collected on 48 stifles in 31 dogs (15 TPLO, 11 TTA, 22 control). Lower Hounsfield unit (HU) values were measured in the caudal and mid-region of the lateral tibial plateau after TPLO and compared to normal. HU values did not differ between joints treated with TTA and those in the control group. CONCLUSION: TPLO may alter stifle load distribution relative to the normal control group. There were no differences between TTA and the control group. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE/IMPACT: Despite ongoing osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs after surgical intervention for cranial cruciate disease, changes in tibial SBD are minor and may not correlate with clinical function.