Ulnar ostectomy decreases the stability of canine cadaver carpi as assessed with stress radiography.

Distal ulnar ostectomy may be performed palliatively in patients with distal ulnar osteosarcoma. Concurrent arthrodesis of the carpus has been proposed to counteract joint instability following transection of carpal ligaments associated with removal of the distal ulna. The objective of this prospective one group pretest, posttest study was to assess stability of the carpus following distal ulnar ostectomy using pre- and postoperative stress radiographic views in a group of canine cadaver limbs. Seven thoracic limbs from six canine cadavers weighing more than 20 kg were obtained. Lateral and dorsopalmar, extended lateral, medial stress, and lateral stress radiographs were made before and after distal ulnar ostectomy. Presurgical canine cadaver carpal angle measurements were as follows (mean ± standard deviation): extension 205.9° ± 5.4; medial stress 25.1° ± 5.7; and lateral stress 13.3° ± 5.2°. Cadaver limb joint angles exceeded those previously reported in live dogs. A significant increase in carpal angle was noted following ulnar ostectomy. The mean increases in carpal angle were as follows: (mean ± standard deviation (95% confidence interval)): extension 6.2° ± 4.9 (2.6-9.8) (P = 0.007); medial stress 3.2° ± 3.0 (1.0-5.5) (P = 0.015); lateral stress 6.2° ± 5.2 (2.4-10.1) (P = 0.010). Findings from this cadaver study support the use of supplementary stabilization for clinical patients undergoing distal ulnar ostectomy. Future studies are needed in clinical patients to evaluate changes in limb positioning and gait associated with distal ulnar ostectomy.

Effect of distal ulnar ostectomy on carpal joint stability during weight bearing in the dog.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of a 50% distal ulnectomy on mediolateral carpal stability in the dog. STUDY DESIGN: Canine cadaveric study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Seven canine thoracic limbs METHODS: Thoracic limbs were placed in a jig to mimic weight bearing with a load representing 30% of body weight. Carpal extension angle was standardized at 190° ± 5°. Frontal plane carpal angles were measured with the limb loaded on craniocaudal radiographs before and after ulnectomy. Valgus and varus stress radiographs with the limb loaded were acquired before and after ulnectomy. The limbs were palpated and were subjectively graded for valgus or varus instability by 2 investigators before and after ulnectomy. RESULTS: Mean (±SD) valgus angulation increased after ulnectomy (2.1° ± 1.7°; P = .017; CI95 = 0.5°-3.7°) when the limb was loaded without valgus or varus stress applied. Mean valgus angulation increased after ulnectomy (2.7° ± 2.8°; P = .032; CI95 = -0.2°-5.5°) when valgus stress was applied to the loaded limb. Varus angulation was unchanged after ulnectomy (0.6° ± 4.6°; P = .383; CI95 = -4.2°-5.3°) when varus stress was applied to the loaded limb. Palpation detected increased valgus score after ulnectomy. CONCLUSION: Distal ulnectomy with excision of the lateral styloid process induces a slight increase in valgus in canine cadaver carpi. The clinical consequences of that valgus on carpal function and health should be assessed in clinical patients.

Unilateral notomelia in a newborn Holstein calf.

A 24-hour-old Holstein bull calf with notomelia was donated to the Atlantic Veterinary College. The extra limb was on the right side of the caudal neck adjacent to the withers. The limb was surgically removed under general anesthesia. The calf was adopted and discharged with no complications.

Notomélie unilatérale chez un veau Holstein nouveau-né. Un veau taureau Holstein âgé de 24 heures atteint de notomélie a été donné à l'Atlantic Veterinary College. Le membre supplémentaire se trouvait du côté droit du cou caudalement au garrot. Le membre a été enlevé par chirurgie sous anesthésie générale. Le veau a été adopté et a reçu son congé sans complications.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Association between excess body weight and urine protein concentration in healthy dogs.

BACKGROUND: Markedly overweight people can develop progressive proteinuria and kidney failure secondary to obesity-related glomerulopathy (ORG). Glomerular lesions in dogs with experimentally induced obesity are similar to those in people with ORG. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate if urine protein and albumin excretion is greater in overweight and obese dogs than in dogs of ideal body condition. METHODS: Client-owned dogs were screened for underlying health conditions. These dogs were assigned a body condition score (BCS) using a 9-point scoring system. Dogs with a BCS of ≥ 6 were classified as being overweight/obese, and dogs with a BCS of 4 or 5 were classified as being of ideal body weight. The urine protein:creatinine ratio (UPC) and urine albumin:creatinine ratio (UAC) were then determined, and compared between 20 overweight/obese dogs and 22 ideal body weight control dogs. RESULTS: Median UPC (0.04 [range, 0.01-0.14; interquartile range, 0.07]) and UAC (0.41 [0-10.39; 3.21]) of overweight/obese dogs were not significantly different from median UPC (0.04 [0.01-0.32; 0.07]) and UAC (0.18 [0-7.04; 1.75]) in ideal body weight dogs. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicopathologic abnormalities consistent with ORG were absent from overweight/obese dogs in this study.

Comparison of digital radiography, ultrasonography, and positive contrast vaginourethrography for determining reproductive status of female cats.

It is not always possible to identify female cats that have undergone previous ovariohysterectomy based on physical examination alone. An easy, cost-effective method for screening female cats for reproductive status would be helpful for avoiding unnecessary exploratory laparotomies. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare diagnostic sensitivities of digital radiography, ultrasonography, and positive contrast vaginourethrography for determining reproductive status in female cats. Sixty-seven recently euthanized female cats of unknown medical history and reproductive status were randomly selected and included in the study. Digital abdominal radiography, digital abdominal radiography with compression, abdominal ultrasonography, and positive contrast vaginourethrography were performed in sequence by a board-certified veterinary radiologist and a second-year radiology resident. Immediately following diagnostic imaging procedures, necropsy was performed. Ultrasonography of the uterus had the highest sensitivity (86%) for determining reproductive status of all the imaging modalities tested. The specificity was 88%, and the positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 96% and 68%, respectively. The calculated sensitivities and specificities of other modalities were as follows: digital radiographs (28%, 100%), digital compression radiographs (58%, 100%), and vaginourethrography (32%, 100%). Based on McNemar's test statistic, there was a significant difference in the sensitivity of ultrasound compared to digital radiographs (P ≤ 0.05), compression radiographs (P ≤ 0.05), and vaginourethrogram (P ≤ 0.05). Findings from the current study indicated that ultrasonography is a sensitive diagnostic test for determining reproductive status in female cats. Although more readily available in private practice and shelters, digital radiography and vaginourethrography are not reliable predictors of reproductive status.

Anuria due to inadvertent prostatectomy during cryptorchidectomy.

This report describes an 8-month-old male Labrador retriever dog that was evaluated for a 2-day history of anuria and vomiting following a suspected inadvertent prostatectomy during a cryptorchidectomy. A positive contrast urethrogram was performed to definitively diagnose the absence of a patent prostatic urethra and necropsy confirmed inadvertent prostatectomy.

Anurie attribuable à une prostatectomie par inadvertance durant une cryptorchidectomie. Ce rapport décrit un chien Labrador Retriever mâle âgé de 8 mois qui a été évalué pour une anamnèse de 2 jours d'anurie et de vomissements suite à une prostatectomie par inadvertance suspectée durant une cryptorchidectomie. Une urétrographie à contraste positif a été réalisée pour diagnostiquer définitivement l'absence d'une urètre prostatique et la nécropsie a confirmé une prostatectomie par inadvertance.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Candida osteomyelitis in a gelding.

A 2-year-old gelding was referred for evaluation of severe right forelimb lameness. The horse was grade 4/5 lame on the right forelimb. Clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings were consistent with septic arthritis and osteomyelitis. Due to poor prognosis the owner elected euthanasia. Histopathology confirmed chronic arthritis and osteomyelitis with intralesional yeast (Candida species).

Ostéomyélite àCandidachez un hongre. Un hongre âgé de 2 ans a été référé pour l'évaluation d'une boiterie grave du membre antérieur droit. Le cheval avait une boiterie de stade 4/5 du membre antérieur droit. Les constatations cliniques ainsi que les résultats de laboratoire et des radiographies étaient conformes à l'arthrite septique et à l'ostéomyélite. En raison d'un pronostic sombre, le propriétaire a choisi l'euthanasie. L'histopathologie a confirmé l'arthrite chronique et l'ostéomyélite avec des levures intralésionnelles (espèce Candida).(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Valvular endocarditis and septic thrombosis associated with a radial fracture in a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis).

A free-ranging adult female red-tailed hawk died suddenly after 3 weeks in rehabilitation for a radial fracture. Cause of death was septic thrombosis from a chronic bacterial valvular endocarditis, probably associated with injury at the fracture site. The challenge of clinical diagnosis of sepsis in wild birds is emphasized.

Osteoprogenitor cell therapy in an equine fracture model.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of osteoprogenitors in fibrin glue to fibrin glue alone in bone healing of surgically induced ostectomies of the fourth metacarpal bones in an equine model. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental. ANIMALS: Adult horses (n = 10). METHODS: Segmental ostectomies of the 4th metacarpal bone (MC4) were performed bilaterally in 10 horses. There was 1 treatment and 1 control limb in each horse. Bone defects were randomly injected with either fibrin glue and osteoprogenitor cells or fibrin glue alone. Radiography was performed every week until the study endpoint at 12 weeks. After euthanasia, bone healing was evaluated using radiography and histology. Analysis of radiographic data was conducted using a linear-mixed model. Analysis of histologic data was conducted using a general linear model. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: Radiographic grayscale data as a measure of bone healing revealed no significant difference between treatment and control limbs. Radiographic scoring results also showed that the treatment effect was not significant. Histologic analysis was consistent with radiographic analysis showing no significant difference between the area of bone present in treatment and control limbs. CONCLUSION: Injection of periosteal-derived osteoprogenitors in a fibrin glue carrier into surgically created ostectomies of MC4 does not accelerate bone healing when compared with fibrin glue alone.

Osteochondrosis of the occipital condyles and atlanto-occipital dysplasia in a Belgian horse.

A lesion in the cervical region of a 14-month-old Belgian gelding with severe ataxia was suspected. Necropsy revealed symmetric focal cartilage defects compatible with osteochondrosis of the occipital condyles and atlanto-occipital dysplasia. To our knowledge this is the first equine report of symmetrical osteochondrosis of the occipital condyles causing neurologic signs.