Treatment of lumbosacral discospondylitis by surgical stabilisation and application of a gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponge.

This report describes a case of lumbosacral discospondylitis in a two-year-old boxer dog. The dog had been presented with chronic hindlimb lameness and signs of lumbar spinal pain. The diagnosis was confirmed with a magnetic resonance imaging scan and positive blood culture. Following unsuccessful conservative management, the dog was treated with surgical stabilisation using screws and polymethylmethacrylate, and implantation of a gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponge into the L7-S1 disc space. This technique has not previously been described. The dog had a successful long-term outcome with complete resolution of clinical signs.

Preliminary experiences of the triple tibial osteotomy procedure: tibial morphology and complications.

OBJECTIVE: To document the effect of variable tibial morphology on the planning and execution of the triple tibial osteotomy (TTO) procedure in dogs and complications encountered while becoming familiar with the technique. METHODS: The records of 21 consecutive cases that had a TTO performed were reviewed. Preoperative tibial morphology was assessed. Modifications in the described technique and complications were documented. Postoperative outcome was evaluated using a client-based questionnaire. RESULTS: The size of the tibial wedge ostectomy was modified because of variable tibial morphology in four dogs (19 per cent) to avoid over or under correction of the tibial plateau angle (TPA). Intraoperatively, fracture through the caudal tibial cortex occurred in nine cases (41 percent) and through the distal tibial crest cortex in four cases (18 percent). Major complications occurred in five (23 per cent) of cases with four (18 per cent) requiring further surgery. The client questionnaire results demonstrated significant improvements in all parameters and no significant difference from the preinjury status. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: TPA measurement is recommended when planning a TTO to avoid over or under correction of the TPA. Despite frequent minor complications, it appears that the TTO is an effective procedure for management of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in the dog.