Acetabular ventroversion with double pelvic osteotomy versus triple pelvic osteotomy: a cadaveric study in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine which of 3 different plate angles (20°, 25°, 30°) used in double pelvic osteotomy (DPO) would result in the most similar acetabular angle (AA) achieved with a 20° triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) technique in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental anatomic study. ANIMALS: Cadaveric canine pelves (n = 8). METHODS: Transverse plane computed tomographic images of cadaveric pelves with intact sacroiliac joints, mounted in a custom jig, were made (baseline) and again after DPO (20°, 25°, 30°) and TPO (20°) and pelvic angles measured in 6 transverse planes. Pelvic angles of the 3 DPO techniques were compared with TPO using concordance correlation to determine which DPO angle resulted in an acetabular ventroversion angle closest to TPO. RESULTS: Mean ± SD AAs were 32.89 ± 2.23 (baseline), 47.39 ± 4.39 (20° DPO), 51.43 ± 5.06 (25° DPO), 54.75 ± 4.38 (30° DPO), and 50.20 ± 5.76 (20° TPO). Concordance correlations for the AA compared with 20° TPO were 0.027 (baseline), 0.721 (20° DPO), 0.902 (25° DPO), and 0.593 (30° DPO). A concordance correlation of ≥ 0.8 indicates good correlation. CONCLUSIONS: A 25° DPO is most similar in acetabular ventroversion to 20° TPO (concordance correlation, 0.902).

Bilateral ureteral ectopia with renal dysplasia and urolithiasis in a dog.

A 7-month-old, 4.3-kg, spayed female bichon frise was referred for evaluation of chronic urinary incontinence. Abdominal radiographs revealed calculi within the right kidney and ureter. An ultrasound revealed a small right kidney. An abdominal computed tomography scan with contrast revealed that the left ureter was extramurally ectopic, inserting into the proximal urethra. A right intramural ectopic ureter was identified during cystotomy. Ureteronephrectomy was performed on the right, and ureteroneocystostomy was performed on the left. A telephone conversation with the owner 4 months after surgery revealed that the dog exhibited no evidence of urine dribbling, and urinary continence was maintained well on phenyl-propanolamine (1.75 mg/kg orally q 12 hours). This is the first report of successful surgical management of bilateral ureteral ectopia with concurrent, unilateral, renal dysplasia and urolithiasis.

Comparison of canine stifle kinematic data collected with three different targeting models.

OBJECTIVE: To model the kinematics of the canine stifle in 3 dimensions using the Joint Coordinate System (JCS) and compare the JCS method with linear and segmental models. STUDY DESIGN: In vivo biomechanical study. ANIMALS: Normal adult mixed breed dogs (n=6). METHODS: Dogs had 10 retroreflective markers affixed to the skin on the right pelvic limb. Dogs were walked and trotted 5 times through the calibrated space and the procedure was repeated 5 days later. Sagittal flexion and extension angle waveforms acquired during each trial with all 3 models (JCS, Linear, and Segmental) were produced simultaneously during each gait. The JCS method provided additional internal/external and abduction/adduction angles. Comparison of sagittal flexion and extension angle waveforms was performed with generalized indicator function analysis (GIFA) and Fourier analysis. A normalization procedure was performed. RESULTS: Each model provided consistent equivalent sagittal flexion-extension data. The JCS provided consistent additional internal/external and abduction/adduction. Sagittal waveform differences were found between methods and testing days for each dog at a walk and a trot with both GIFA and Fourier analysis. After normalization, differences were less with Fourier analysis and were unaltered with GIFA. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas all methods produced similar flexion-extension waveforms, JCS provided additional valuable data. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The JCS model provided sagittal plane flexion/extension data as well as internal/external rotation and abduction/adduction data.

Arthroscopic documentation of elbow cartilage pathology in dogs with clinical lameness without changes on standard radiographic projections.

OBJECTIVE: To document cartilage damage associated with elbow lameness in dogs without radiographic signs. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: Dogs (n=16). METHODS: Medical records (November 2004-January 2006) of dogs with undiagnosed forelimb lameness localized to the elbow but without radiographic signs that had lesions identified by either computed tomography (CT) or nuclear scintigraphy and confirmed by arthroscopy were included. Signalment, duration of clinical signs before admission, surgical diagnosis, and treatment were recorded. RESULTS: Sixteen dogs (10 left, 6 right elbows) were identified. Median age was 30.1 months and median duration of clinical signs before admission was 15.6 months. CT or scintigraphy were strongly suggestive of elbow pathology before confirmation by arthroscopy. Medial coronoid pathology was identified in every abnormal elbow and osteochondrosis dissecans in 2 elbows. CONCLUSIONS: Elbow pathology not associated with radiographic changes can be identified by CT and scintigraphy. Coronoid pathology is the most likely diagnosis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Absence of radiographic signs in elbows with clinical signs of lameness should be evaluated with advanced imaging techniques (CT, scintigraphy) and arthroscopy to identify the cause of lameness.