Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy using a dome-shaped saw blade for canine cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) is commonly used to manage cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) disease. The use of a spherical osteotomy blade (S-TPLO) enables correction of some tibial deformities with three rotational degrees of freedom. METHODS: As a proof of concept, this retrospective study included 45 dogs with CrCL disease that were treated with an S-TPLO. The tibial plateau angle (TPA) was measured preoperatively, immediately after surgery (pTPA0 ) and on postoperative days 42 (pTPA42 ) and 56 (pTPA56 ). Lameness and osteotomy healing were assessed until 56 days postoperatively. RESULTS: Thirty-one dogs had complete CrCL ruptures, and 14 dogs had partial ruptures. Thirty-one dogs had medial meniscal damage. The mean TPA, pTPA0 , pTPA42 and pTPA56 were 26.0°, 7.8°, 8.5° and 8.9°, respectively. The TPA from post-op to follow-up did not vary significantly (p > 1.365). Minor complications occurred in five dogs. The mean lameness score improved significantly from 3.2 preoperatively to 0.9 on day 56 (p < 0.0001). The mean healing score improved significantly from 1.6 on day 42 to 2.2 on day 56 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: S-TPLO was successful in treating CrCL disease in stifle joints without tibial deformities, with results comparable to previously reported TPLO outcomes.

MRI-guided, transrectal, intraprostatic steam application as potential focal therapeutic modality for prostatic diseases in a large animal translational model: A feasibility follow-up study.

Parallel to establishment of diagnostic surveillance protocols for detection of prostatic diseases, novel treatment strategies should be developed. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the feasibility and possible side effects of transrectal, MRI-targeted intraprostatic steam application in dogs as an established large animal translational model for prostatic diseases in humans. Twelve healthy experimental, intact, male beagle dogs without evidence of prostatic pathology were recruited. An initial MRI examination was performed, and MRI-targeted steam was applied intraprostatically immediately thereafter. Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), clinical and ultrasonographic examinations were performed periodically following the procedure to assess treatment effect. Four weeks after treatment, all dogs underwent follow-up MRI examinations and three needle-core biopsies were obtained from each prostatic lobe. Descriptive statistics were performed. MRI-guided intraprostatic steam application was successfully performed in the study population. The first day after steam application, 7/12 dogs had minimal signs of discomfort (grade 1/24 evaluated with the short-form Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale) and no dogs showed any sign of discomfort by day 6. CRP elevations were detected in 9/12 dogs during the first week post steam application. Mild to moderate T2 hyperintense intraparenchymal lesions were identified during follow-up MRI in 11/12 dogs four weeks post procedure. Ten of these lesions enhanced mild to moderately after contrast administration. Coagulative necrosis or associated chronic inflammatory response was detected in 80.6% (58/72) of the samples obtained. MRI-targeted intraprostatic steam application is a feasible technique and displays minimal side effects in healthy dogs as translational model for human prostatic diseases. This opens the possibility of minimally invasive novel treatment strategies for intraprostatic lesions.

Cardiac-gated, phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography is a reliable and reproducible technique for quantifying blood flow in canine major cranial abdominal vessels.

Blood flow changes in cranial abdominal vessels are important contributing factors for canine hepatic disease. This prospective, experimental, pilot study aimed to evaluate cardiac-gated, phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography (PCMRA) as a method for characterizing blood flow in canine major cranial abdominal vessels. Eleven, healthy, adult beagle dogs were sampled. Cardiac-gated, phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography of the cranial abdomen was performed in each dog and blood flow was independently measured in each of the major cranial abdominal vessels by three observers, with two observers recording blood flow values once and one observer recording blood flow values three times. Each dog then underwent ultrasonographic examination of the liver with fine needle aspirations and biopsies submitted to cytologic and histologic examination. The mean absolute stroke volume and velocity were respectively 9.6 ± 1.9 ml and -11.1 ± 1.1 cm/s for the cranial abdominal aorta, 2.1 ± 0.6 ml and -6.6 ± 1.9 cm/s for the celiac artery, and 2.3 ± 1.0 ml and -7.9 ± 3.1 cm/s for the cranial mesenteric artery. The mean absolute stroke volume and velocity were respectively 6.7 ± 1.3 ml and 3.9 ± 0.9 cm/s for the caudal vena cava and 2.6 ± 0.9 ml and 3.2 ± 1.2 cm/s for the portal vein. Intraobserver reliability was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.9). Interobserver reproducibility was also excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.89-0.99). Results of liver ultrasonography, cytology, and histopathology were unremarkable. Findings indicated that cardiac-gated, phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography is a feasible technique for quantifying blood blow in canine major cranial abdominal vessels. Blood flow values from this sample of healthy beagles can be used as background for future studies on canine hepatic disease.

Osteomyelitis of the hyoid bones in two calves.

Two calves were referred because of ptyalism and difficulty opening the mouth (Calf 1) and for elective umbilical hernia surgery under inhalation anaesthesia (Calf 2). Additional clinical signs were increased breath sounds and swelling in the region of the mandibular angle in Calf 1. Ultrasonography and endoscopy revealed oral inflammation and abscessation in the area of the base of the tongue in both calves. Infection of the hyoid apparatus was suspected based on ultrasonographic findings and confirmed by means of computed tomography. In Calf 1, there was no response to treatment with systemic antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and local lavage, and Calf 2 was not treated. Both calves were euthanized because of a poor prognosis and the diagnoses confirmed during postmortem examination. In Calf 1, the abscess was associated with complete destruction of the left epihyoid bone and partial destruction of the left stylohyoid and ceratohyoid bones. In Calf 2, the abscess was located at the distal end of the right stylohyoid bone near the epihyoid bone. Stomatitis or laryngeal and pharyngeal abscessation caused by sharp feed particles are common in cattle and infection of the hyoid apparatus should be included in the differential diagnosis.