Intra-Articular Umbilical Cord Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Elbow Osteoarthritis in Dogs: A Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Intra-articular stem cell therapy may help alleviate lameness caused by osteoarthritis in dogs. Umbilical cord-derived stem cell (UMSC) therapy has not yet been investigated in a veterinary clinical study. We hypothesized that dogs treated with intra-articular UMSC will have improved limb function and quality of life when compared to dogs treated with a saline placebo injection. Methods: This was a prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial in client-owned dogs with chronic elbow osteoarthritis with a follow-up time of 6 months. Dogs were assigned to receive intra-articular UMSC (n = 38) or a saline placebo intra-articular injection (n = 30). Outcome measures included the Canine Brief Pain Inventory score (CBPI) and peak vertical force (PVF) from force-platform gait analysis. Treatment was considered successful when there was a decrease in the Pain Severity Score of at least one and a decrease in the Pain Interference Score of at least one from baseline. Success rates and PVF were compared between groups. Results: No adverse effects associated with UMSC were noted. Of the dogs completing the study, treatment success in the UMSC (n = 28) vs. placebo groups (n = 23) was observed in 54 vs. 28% of dogs at 1 month, 50 vs. 27% at 3 months, and 46 vs. 14% at 6 months, respectively. Success rate in the UMSC group was significantly higher than the placebo group at 1 and 6 months after treatment. However, no differences in PVF of the affected limb over time was observed in either group. Conclusions: Intra-articular UMSC for osteoarthritis may improve clinical signs based on owner observations.

Caudal Mediastinal Fish Hook Foreign Body with Pulmonary Artery Penetration in Two Dogs.

A 1.5 yr old spayed female mixed-breed dog and a 3 yr old spayed female Labrador retriever were evaluated for suspected esophageal fishhook foreign bodies. Radiographs yielded fishhook foreign bodies present caudal to the cardiac silhouette. Endoscopic retrieval for suspected caudal esophageal foreign body was attempted and aborted due to inadequate visualization of the entire fishhooks within the lumen of the esophagus. At surgery, the fishhooks were seen within the caudal mediastinum, and were engaging the left caudal pulmonary artery. Manual fishhook extraction was performed successfully with minimal hemorrhage. Fishhook foreign bodies caudal to the cardiac silhouette may have vascular involvement. Clinicians should exercise caution when attempting endoscopic retrieval of fishhooks in this location.

Three-dimensional assessment of the influence of juvenile pubic symphysiodesis on the pelvic geometry of dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the 3-D geometry of canine pelves and to characterize the long-term effects of juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) on pelvic geometry by comparing the pelvic configuration between littermates that did and did not undergo the procedure. ANIMALS 24 Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, or Labrador Retriever-Golden Retriever crossbred service dogs from 13 litters. PROCEDURES At 16 weeks old, puppies with a hip joint distraction index ≥ 0.5 were randomly assigned to undergo thermal JPS (n = 9), mechanical JPS (7), or a sham (control) surgical procedure (8). Ten years later, each dog underwent a CT scan of the pelvic region. Modeling software was used to create 3-D reconstructions from the CT scans, and various pelvic measurements were made and compared among the 3 treatments. RESULTS Compared with the control treatment, thermal and mechanical JPS increased the hemipelvis acetabular angle by 4°, the acetabular angle of lateral opening by 5°, and the orientation of the medial acetabular wall in a transverse plane by 6°, which indicated that JPS increased dorsal femoral head coverage by the acetabulum. Both JPS procedures decreased the pelvic canal area by approximately 20% and acetabular inclination by 6° but did not alter acetabular retroversion. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that thermal and mechanical JPS were equally effective in altering the 3-D pelvic geometry of dogs. These findings may help guide future studies of alternatives for optimizing canine pelvic anatomy to minimize the risk of hip dysplasia and associated osteoarthritis.

Outcomes and complications following surgical correction of grade IV medial patellar luxation in dogs: 24 cases (2008-2014).

OBJECTIVE To determine short- and long-term outcomes and complications of dogs undergoing surgical correction of grade IV medial patellar luxation (MPL). DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 24 dogs (29 stifle joints) that underwent surgical correction of grade IV MPL between March 2008 and April 2014. PROCEDURES Medical records of all dogs were reviewed. When available, long-term follow-up information was obtained for each dog via the orthopedic surgeon (results of orthopedic examination and radiographic interpretation) and the dog's owner (responses to a questionnaire regarding postsurgical outcomes). Types of postsurgical complications and intervals to follow-up data collection were recorded. Recurrence of MPL was recorded separately. Successful outcome was defined as one without catastrophic complication, with owner-reported full or acceptable return to function and a surgeon- and owner-assigned pain or lameness score < 3. RESULTS 24% (7/29) of stifle joints had major complications, and 21% (6) of joints required surgical revision. Grade II to IV recurrence of MPL was identified in 21% (6) of stifle joints. One dog had a catastrophic complication requiring limb amputation. For all other dogs, owner-reported return to function was full or acceptable. Surgeon-assigned pain and lameness scores for all dogs at the final follow-up evaluation were < 2/5 (0 = pain or lameness free). Surgical correction of grade IV MPL had an overall success rate of 93% (27/29). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Surgical correction of grade IV MPL in dogs had a favorable overall success rate; however, owners should be counseled regarding the high rate of complications associated with surgery.

Biomechanical evaluation of a non-locking pre-manufactured loop suture technique compared to a three-loop pulley suture in a canine calcaneus tendon avulsion model.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this cadaveric study was to compare the strength of a non-locking pre-manufactured loop (SpeedWhip™ [SW]) suture pattern using Fiberwire® with the three-loop pulley (TLP) suture pattern using polypropylene for the surgical repair of canine calcaneal tendon avulsion injuries. METHODS: In vitro biomechanical study using 22 paired tendons collected from 11 canine cadavers. Paired tendons were repaired with either a SW suture pattern using Fiberloop® suture or a TLP suture pattern using polypropylene suture. Tensile loads required to create a 1 mm gap, 3 mm gap, and construct failure were measured. RESULTS: The mean loads to achieve a 1 mm gap in the TLP and SW constructs were not significantly different. Gap formation at 3 mm occurred at significantly lower loads for the SW (106.4 ± 21.5N) than for the TLP (127.2 ± 27.5N) (p = 0.05). The mean loads to construct failure for the TLP (172.8 ± 39.4N) and SW (131.3 ± 34.3N) were significantly different (p = 0.001). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The TLP with polypropylene suture is superior to the SW using Fiberloop® at resistance to 3 mm gap formation.

Disseminated Scytalidium infection in a German shepherd dog.

We report a systemic mycosis in a German shepherd dog caused by Scytalidium spp. The patient presented for progressive cervical pain and forelimb hemiparesis. Cervical computed tomography revealed lysis associated with multiple vertebrae and a soft tissue mass adjacent to the spinal cord, as well as prescapular lymphadenopathy. Fine needle aspirates of the lymph nodes yielded hyphae, and a subsequent culture obtained a Scytalidium spp. Itraconazole therapy was initiated, but the subject was euthanized three months later due to progressive neurologic disease and discomfort. This appears to be the first report of disseminated disease by this species in veterinary medicine.