Rupture of the gastrocnemius muscle at its distal musculotendinous junction: conservative treatment and outcomes in 11 dogs.

CASE HISTORY: Medical records from three veterinary referral centres and a university veterinary teaching hospital in Australia and the USA were reviewed to identify dogs with a diagnosis of distal gastrocnemius musculotendinous junction rupture (DGMJR) that were treated without surgery between 2007 and 2020. CLINICAL AND IMAGING FINDINGS: All dogs (n = 11) presented with unilateral, pelvic limb lameness and bruising, swelling or pain on palpation at the distal musculotendinous junction. The diagnosis was confirmed with ultrasound or MRI in six dogs; radiographs were used to excluded stifle and tarsus pathology in four dogs; and five dogs were diagnosed on physical examination findings. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: All dogs were managed conservatively, either with complete confinement alone (n = 10; median 9 weeks), external coaptation alone (n = 1), or a combination of both (n = 4). Sporting dogs (n = 7) were completely confined (median 22 weeks) for longer periods than companion dogs (n = 3; median 5 weeks).A good to excellent outcome was achieved for all cases in this cohort. The seven sporting dogs achieved an excellent outcome; returning to their previous level of sport, with complete resolution of lameness and recovery of a normal tibiotarsal stance. The four companion dogs achieved a good outcome; returning to their previous level of activity but with persistently increased tibiotarsal standing angle compared to the contralateral limb. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Conservative treatment represents a viable treatment option for dogs with a rupture of the gastrocnemius muscle at its distal musculotendinous junction.

Comparison of bone healing, as assessed by computed tomography, following tibial tuberosity advancement in dogs with and without autogenous cancellous bone grafts.

AIMS: To objectively compare measures of bone healing, using computed tomography (CT) in dogs following bilateral tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA), between tibiae treated with and without autogenous cancellous bone grafts. METHODS: Ten dogs with bilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease requiring surgical stabilisation were prospectively recruited to undergo single-session bilateral TTA, with only one, randomly assigned, tibia receiving bone graft in the osteotomy deficit. Bone healing at the osteotomy site was assessed using CT performed 38-70 days post-operatively. CT images were evaluated using both objective measurements of osseous bridging and subjective evaluation by six radiologists. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the objective outcomes between the grafted and non-grafted tibiae. RESULTS: The mean percentage of the osteotomy deficit bridged at the lateral cortex was greater in grafted (77.6, SD 35.2%) compared to non-grafted (63.0, SD 36.5%) tibiae (p=0.001), but did not differ at the medial cortex (p=0.1). The mean minimum callus width was greater in grafted (7.2, SD 3.3 mm) compared to non-grafted (3.6, SD 2.9 mm) tibiae (p<0.001). There was no difference in mean attenuation (measured in Hounsfield units) of the callus between grafted and non-grafted tibiae (p=0.5). The grafted tibia was deemed to have superior bone healing in 50/60 subjective assessments made by radiologists. CONCLUSIONS: Superior osseous bridging was detected by CT analysis following TTA using autogenous cancellous bone grafts compared with no graft. This was shown by greater bridging percentage at the lateral cortex and formation of a broader callus. Qualitative assessments made by six radiologists also supported the conclusion that bone healing was improved by use of autogenous cancellous bone graft. CT was a useful method for assessing evidence of bone healing following TTA. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings justify the application of autogenous cancellous bone graft to augment healing following TTA in dogs.

Negative pressure wound therapy using a portable single-use device for free skin grafts on the distal extremity in seven dogs.

OBJECTIVE: Retrospective study to describe clinical experience with a portable single-use negative pressure wound therapy device after application of full-thickness meshed skin grafts to wounds on the distal extremities of seven dogs. METHODS: Seven dogs were treated with portable NPWT after receiving skin grafts; six as the result of tumour resection and one for traumatic injury. Medical records were reviewed and data recorded on patient signalment, cause and location of wound, surgical technique, application and maintenance of portable NPWT, graft survival and outcome, and complications encountered with the system. CLINICAL OUTCOMES: NPWT was provided for between 4 and 7 days. Five patients were discharged from hospital during the treatment period. Application and maintenance of the portable device was technically easy and no major complications were encountered. Minor complications consisted of fluid accumulation in the evacuation tubing. All dogs achieved 100% graft survival. CONCLUSIONS: Application and maintenance of the portable device was technically straightforward. All dogs receiving portable NPWT after transfer of a free skin graft to the distal extremity had a successful outcome.

Sodium monofluoroacetate (Compound 1080) poisoning in dogs.

Sodium monofluoroacetate (Compound 1080) is a widely used pesticide for control of feral animals such as the fox. Accidental poisoning of domestic animals occurs despite strict regulations on 1080 usage. Dogs are particularly susceptible to the toxin. The mechanism of 1080 toxicity, susceptibility of target and non-target species, persistence of 1080 in the environment and risk of accidental poisoning are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on 1080 toxicity in the dog. Early recognition of intoxication is most important for prognosis and relies upon characteristic clinical signs and diagnostic findings. The treatment of 1080 intoxication remains a challenge with no proven antidotes. However, there are possible benefits from monoacetin, acetamide, calcium salts, colestipol, activated charcoal, peritoneal dialysis, sodium bicarbonate, neurotransmitter modulators and four-methylpyrazole. A recommended treatment protocol for 1080 toxicosis in dogs is included. Safety measures such as the use of wire dog muzzles and investigating alternatives to 1080 in pest control programs may be the key to reducing the incidence of future accidental poisonings.

Arthroscopic management of septic polyarthritis in a dog.

A 4 1/2-month-old male Neapolitan Mastiff was presented with a history of severe non weight-bearing lameness, depression and anorexia, following 6 weeks of intermittent thoracic limb lameness that had deteriorated in the previous 72 hours. Haematogenous septic polyarthritis involving the right elbow joint and left glenohumeral joint was diagnosed, with blood and joint cultures revealing a Pasteurella species. Arthroscopy was utilised to facilitate joint evaluation and effect drainage of both joints. Clinical remission was achieved within 48 hours. Arthroscopy provided a minimally invasive yet thorough joint examination, lavage, and drainage of fibrinopurulent debris, thereby allowing early postoperative mobility and minimal morbidity.

Transposition of first digital pad for reconstruction of a palmar antebrachial soft tissue defect in a cat.

An 8-year-old female neutered Siamese cat was presented with a recent history of incomplete excision of an apocrine gland adenocarcinoma from the palmar aspect of the right antebrachium, just proximal to the carpal joint. There was no evidence of metastasis. Wide surgical excision of the previous surgery site was performed resulting in a soft tissue defect. Partial reconstruction was achieved using digital pad transposition of the first digit (dewclaw), forming a local axial pattern flap that was transposed into the adjacent defect. The remaining defect was closed by primary apposition. The skin flap healed successfully. Some breakdown of the skin closed by primary apposition necessitated open wound management. The cosmetic and functional result of the first digital pad transposition was considered excellent, rendering it a useful means to reconstruct soft tissue defects in the carpal region.

Cervical hyperaesthesia in a Maltese Terrier with necrotising meningoencephalitis.

A 15-month-old female neutered Maltese Terrier was presented with a 12 hour history of low head carriage, reluctance to move and yelping when picked up. Physical examination was unremarkable apart from cervical hyperaesthesia. Twenty four hours after initial assessment there was significant clinical deterioration, with the dog exhibiting lateral cervical flexion and neurological abnormalities consistent with diffuse multifocal cerebral dysfunction. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed a marked pleocytosis. Euthanasia was elected and gross necropsy findings included swelling of the right frontal cortex and a focal area of necrosis in the ventrolateral grey matter of the frontal cortex. Histological examination of the brain tissue revealed focal areas of necrosis and generalised non-suppurative inflammation consistent with a morphological diagnosis of necrotising encephalomyelitis.

Major complications and risk factors associated with surgical correction of congenital medial patellar luxation in 124 dogs.

Dogs treated for congenital medial patellar luxation were reviewed for the purpose of determining the incidence of postoperative major complications requiring surgical revision and the risk factors for their occurrence. Major complications occurred in 18.5% of the patellar luxation stabilization procedures with implant associated complications being the most frequent, patellar reluxation the second, and tibial tuberosity avulsion the third most common major complication. Other complications included patellar ligament rupture and trochlear wedge displacement. When recession trochleoplasty was performed in addition to tibial tuberosity transposition, a 5.1-fold reduction in the rate of patellar reluxation was observed. Release of the cranial belly of the sartorius muscle further reduced the incidence of patellar reluxation, while patella alta (pre- or postoperative) and patellar luxation grade were not found to influence the rate of reluxation. Tibial tuberosity avulsion was 11.1-times more likely when using a single Kirschner wire to stabilize a transposition, compared with two Kirschner wires. Independent to the number of Kirschner wires used, the more caudodistally the Kirschner wires were directed, the higher the risk for tibial tuberosity avulsion. Tension bands were used in 24.4% of the transpositions with no tuberosity avulsion occurring in stifles stabilized with a tension band. Overall, grade 1 luxations had a significantly lower incidence of major complications than other grades, while body weight, age, sex, and bilateral patellar stabilization were not associated with risk of major complication development.

Omentalisation of a caudal mediastinal abscess in a dog.

A caudal mediastinal abscess was diagnosed in a 2-year-old German Short-haired Pointer with acute onset of lethargy, pyrexia and tachypnoea. The abscess was managed surgically by median sternotomy, abscess content evacuation and omentalisation of the abscess cavity via the diaphragm. Although surgical management of mediastinal abscesses has been reported previously, this is the first report to describe successful management of the condition in a dog by omentalisation.