Passive drainage versus primary closure after total ear canal ablation-lateral bulla osteotomy in dogs: 59 dogs (1985-1995).

OBJECTIVE: Compare passive wound drainage to primary closure of total ear canal ablation-lateral bulla osteotomy (TECA-LBO) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of medical records. SAMPLE POPULATION: Fifty-nine dogs with end-stage otitis externa or neoplasia of the external and middle ear. METHODS: Medical records of dogs with TECA-LBO were reviewed. Dogs were divided into postoperative drain and primary closure groups. Statistical analyses were performed to identify differences in data for signalment, preoperative treatment, duration of hospitalization, immediate complications, and long-term complications between groups. RESULTS: No significant differences were detected in signalment, diagnosis, and duration of medical management between groups (P > .05). Duration of hospitalization was greater for dogs in the drain group (P < .05). Immediate postoperative complications occurred in 26 of 59 dogs and included ipsilateral facial palsy, incision swelling, vestibular signs, premature drain removal, and one dog died of aspiration pneumonia. Long-term (> 6 months) complications were identified in 12 of 50 dogs and included dermatitis of the medial aspect of the pinna, chronic fistula formation, and permanent facial paralysis. No association between immediate or long term complications and method of closure was identified. CONCLUSIONS: Primary closure is an acceptable alternative in dogs undergoing TECA-LBO when surgical wound dead space can be managed with meticulous hemostasis, complete debridement of devitalized tissue, and accurate apposition of tissue planes.

Clinical evaluation of tube esophagostomy in small animals.

An alternative technique for placement of tube esophagostomy in small animals is described. Tube esophagostomy was placed in 13 dogs and nine cats. The mean duration of tube placement was 23 days (range, one to 48 days). No significant complications related to the tube were noted. In each case, tube esophagostomy was tolerated and time to healing of the esophagostomy site following tube removal was less than two weeks. Tube esophagostomy is suitable for use in a nutritionally compromised small animal with a functional esophagus and gastrointestinal tract.

Characterization of a group D rotavirus.

A rotavirus isolated from the intestinal contents of commercial ring-neck pheasant chicks was determined to be a group D rotavirus based on its RNA electropherotype and its serologic relatedness to known turkey group A and D rotaviruses using immune electron microscopy and agar-gel immunodiffusion assays. Further characterization revealed a buoyant density in cesium chloride of 1.347 g/cm3 for double-shelled particles and 1.365 g/cm3 for single-shelled particles. The average size for the pheasant-origin group D rotavirus was determined to be 80 nm for double-shelled particles and 70 nm for single-shelled particles. In contrast, the average size for a turkey group A rotavirus isolate was determined to be 73 nm for double-shelled particles and 60 nm for single-shelled particles. There was no evidence of viral replication by the pheasant-origin group D rotavirus (either cytopathic effect or increase in numbers of viral particles) after six passages in MA104 cells. The hemagglutinating activity of the pheasant origin group D rotavirus was compared with that of a turkey origin group A rotavirus. Differences and similarities were noted depending upon the species of erythrocytes employed and the temperature of incubation.