Outcome following surgical stabilization of distal diaphyseal and supracondylar femoral fractures in dogs.

Signalment, clinical features, fixation techniques, complications, and outcome for dogs presenting with distal diaphyseal and supracondylar femoral fractures were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 45 dogs with unilateral femoral fractures were included. Supracondylar femoral plates were the most popular method of fixation. However, various fixation techniques resulted in favorable outcomes in most dogs with 19/45 cases achieving full function and 22/45 achieving acceptable function. Degree of fracture comminution did not appear to affect complication rate or be a surrogate for worse clinical outcome.

Résultats de stabilisation chirurgicale de fractures fémorales diaphysaires distales et supracondylaires chez le chien. Une étude rétrospective portant sur le signalement, la présentation clinique, les techniques de réduction de fracture, les complications et les résultats de chiens atteints de fractures fémorales supracondyliennes et diaphysaires distales a été réalisée. Quarante-cinq chiens présentant une fracture fémorale unilatérale ont été inclus au total. Les plaques fémorales supracondyliennes représentaient la méthode d'ostéosynthèse la plus courante. Diverses techniques de fixation ont abouti à des résultats favorables dans la majorité des cas, avec 19/45 cas récupérant une fonction complète et 22/45 une fonction considérée acceptable. Le degré de comminution de la fracture n'apparaissait pas comme étant un facteur de risque de complication ou étant associé à des résultats défavorables.(Traduit par Emilie Fauchon et Emilie Hanot).

The Effect of Calibration Method on Repeatability and Reproducibility of Pressure Mat Data in a Canine Population.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the repeatability and reproducibility of two different pressure-sensitive walkway calibration protocols, while collecting gait data from a heterogenous group of dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Fourteen dogs were walked across a high-definition pressure-sensitive walkway (Tekscan Strideway HRSW3) to obtain five valid trials from each dog. Two different calibration protocols were created following manufacturer recommendations: human step and phantom step using a custom-built three-legged device. Each calibration protocol was repeated five times, by three different operators, and then individually applied to the raw canine gait data. The software then automatically generated values for peak vertical force, vertical impulse and peak pressure for each trial. RESULTS: To control for the different bodyweight of the dogs, forces are reported as a percentage of bodyweight. Values for peak vertical force percentage of bodyweight, vertical impulse percentage of bodyweight and peak pressure were significantly different between calibration protocols, but the results were linearly correlated. Both calibration protocols were highly repeatable and highly reproducible. CONCLUSION: Both the step and phantom calibration protocols individually generated highly repeatable and reproducible results, which were not affected by different operators. A linear correlation was identified which may make it possible to apply a correction factor to enable comparison of results between different studies.

Fluoroscopy-guided balloon dilation of a proximal urethral stricture caused by a urethral membrane in a female cat.

CASE SUMMARY: A proximal urethral stricture was diagnosed by retrograde urethrogram in a 2-year-old female neutered cat, which was referred following a 2-month history of stranguria, pollakiuria and urinary incontinence. Cystoscopic examination confirmed the presence of a severe narrowing of the proximal urethra near to the bladder neck, consisting of a membrane arising from the urethral mucosa. Fluoroscopy-guided balloon dilation was performed. Twelve months after the procedure, the cat did not show any recurrence of clinical signs. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of a proximal urethral stricture in a cat. Management by fluoroscopy-guided balloon dilation proved to be a successful and minimally invasive option with an excellent outcome.