Effect of propofol and ketamine-diazepam on intraocular pressure in healthy premedicated dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of propofol and ketamine/diazepam for induction following premedication on intraocular pressure (IOP) in healthy dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, quasi-experimental, unmasked, longitudinal. ANIMALS: A total of 61 client-owned dogs. METHODS: Dogs were anesthetized twice with a 4 week washout period. Premedication with dexmedetomidine (5 µg kg-1) and hydromorphone (0.1 mg kg-1) intramuscularly was followed by either propofol (4 mg kg-1) or ketamine (5 mg kg-1) and diazepam (0.25 mg kg-1) intravenously for induction and inhaled isoflurane for maintenance. IOP was measured by applanation tonometry using TonoPen-XL before premedication and after 5, 10, 20 and 30 minutes. IOP was measured again immediately after induction and after 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 minutes. Data were analyzed using one- or two-way repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: No difference was found between right and left IOP (p = 0.45), and data from both the eyes of each dog were averaged and considered as one set of data. Following premedication, IOP was significantly lower at all time points than at baseline when animals were grouped together, mean difference -1.6 ± 0.2 mmHg (p < 0.05). IOP increased immediately (12.2 ± 2.4 mmHg before versus 17.1 ± 3.8 mmHg after) and at 3, 5 (p < 0.001), 10 and 40 minutes (p = 0.009 and 0.045, respectively) after propofol administration. For ketamine/diazepam, IOP was increased immediately post-induction (13.0 ± 2.7 mmHg before versus 14.7 ± 2.8 mmHg after) and at 3, 5 (p < 0.001), 30 and 40 minutes (p = 0.010 and 0.037, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Sedation with hydromorphone and dexmedetomidine significantly decreased IOP in normal dogs and may be an appropriate choice for dogs that cannot tolerate acute increases in IOP. However, IOP increased significantly after both induction protocols, abolishing the effect of premedication.

Magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis and arthroscopic treatment of medial meniscal injury in a dog with a palpably stable stifle.

A dog with lameness, stifle effusion, and osteophytes, but in which the stifle retained stability for 10 months after the onset of lameness, was evaluated with 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Imaging revealed a tear in the caudal meniscotibial ligament of the medial meniscus. Arthroscopy findings correlated well with MRI and a partial meniscectomy was subsequently carried out, without any surgery to stabilize the stifle, and lameness resolved.

Diagnostic par imagerie à résonance magnétique et traitement arthroscopique d'une blessure du ménisque médial chez un chien ayant un grasset stable à la palpation. Un chien présentant de la boiterie, de l'effusion du grasset et des ostéophytes, mais pour lequel le grasset a conservé de la stabilité pendant 10 mois après l'apparition de la boiterie, a été évalué à l'aide de l'imagerie à résonance magnétique (IRM) 3T. L'IRM a révélé une déchirure dans le ligament méniscotibial caudal du ménisque médial. Les résultats de l'arthroscopie présentaient une bonne corrélation avec l'IRM et une méniscectomie partielle a ensuite été réalisée sans chirurgie pour stabiliser le grasset et la boiterie a été résolue.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Correction of antebrachial angulation-rotation deformities in dogs with oblique plane inclined osteotomies.

OBJECTIVE: To describe oblique plane inclined osteotomies and report preliminary data on outcomes in dogs treated for antebrachial angulation-rotation deformities. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Six antebrachii from 5 dogs. METHODS: Records of dogs with antebrachial angulation-rotation deformities treated with oblique plane inclined osteotomies were reviewed. Postoperative frontal, sagittal, and transverse plane alignments were assessed subjectively, and alignment in the frontal and sagittal planes was quantified on radiographs. Outcomes were classified based on owner's and veterinarian's evaluation as full, acceptable, and unacceptable function. Complications were classified as minor, major, or catastrophic. RESULTS: Limb alignment was subjectively considered excellent in 1 case, good in 3 cases, and fair in 2 cases. Osseous union was achieved in all cases (mean 10.5 weeks; range, 6-13 weeks). Outcomes were assessed by the veterinarian as return to full function in 5 cases and acceptable function in 1 case at the final in-hospital follow-up (mean 44 weeks; range, 6-124 weeks). All owners classified their dogs as returning to full function at the final phone/email interview (mean 107 weeks; range, 72-153 weeks). Implants were removed due to infection or irritation in 3/6 limbs, while the other 3 limbs had minor dermatitis secondary to postoperative external coaptation. No catastrophic complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Oblique plane inclined osteotomies led to a successful outcome in all 6 limbs, but the technique can be challenging and does not always lead to optimal alignment. Future refinement of this technique could focus on the development of patient-specific osteotomy guides to improve accuracy and precision.

Clinical outcomes associated with the initial use of the Canine Unicompartmental Elbow (CUE) Arthroplasty System(®).

We evaluated mid- to long-term outcomes with respect to function and complications in dogs undergoing canine unicompartmental elbow (CUE) arthroplasty for treatment of medial compartment disease of the elbow. This prospective multicenter case series is the first group of clinical cases to receive CUE arthroplasty. Cases (each elbow that underwent CUE performed by a participating surgeon) were enrolled into an electronic database and prospectively followed to determine and record all associated complications, as well as functional outcomes. There were 103 cases from 18 surgeons. Final follow-up time ranged from 6 to 47 mo with a mean and median of 10 mo. Canine unicompartmental elbow was associated with 1 catastrophic (1%), 11 major (10.7%), and 28 minor (27.2%) complications. Outcomes following CUE were reported as full function in 49 cases (47.6%), acceptable function in 45 cases (43.7%), and unacceptable function in 9 cases (8.7%). We conclude that CUE arthroplasty is an appropriate consideration for treatment of medial compartment disease of the elbow in dogs.

Résultats cliniques associés à l'utilisation initiale du système d'arthroplastieCanine Unicompartmental Elbow (CUE) Arthroplasty SystemMD. Nous avons évalué les résultats à long et à moyen terme relativement à la fonction et aux complications chez les chiens subissant une arthroplastie du coude unicompartimental canin (CUC) pour le traitement de la maladie compartimentale médiale du coude. Cette série prospective de cas multicentres représente le premier groupe de cas cliniques à recevoir une arthroplastie CUC. Les cas (chaque coude qui a subi une CUC réalisée par un chirurgien participant) étaient inscrits dans une base de données électroniques et suivis de manière prospective afin de déterminer et de consigner toutes les complications connexes ainsi que les résultats fonctionnels. Il y avait 103 cas provenant de 18 chirurgiens. Le temps de suivi final s'échelonnait de 6 à 47 mois avec une moyenne et une médiane de 10 mois. Le coude compartimental canin a été associé à 1 complication catastrophique (1 %), à 11 complications majeures (10,7 %) et à 28 complications mineures (27,2 %). Les résultats après l'arthroplastie CUC ont été signalés comme une fonction complète dans 49 cas (47,6 %), une fonction acceptable dans 45 cas (43,7 %) et une fonction inacceptable dans 9 cas (8,7 %). Nous avons conclu que l'arthroplastie CUC est une considération appropriée pour le traitement de la maladie compartimentale médiale du coude chez les chiens.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Theory and development of a unicompartmental resurfacing system for treatment of medial compartment disease of the canine elbow.

Medial compartment disease (MCompD) of the canine elbow can be defined as clinical signs attributable to articular cartilage loss of the medial coronoid process (MCP) of the ulna and medial aspect of the humeral condyle without significant lateral compartment pathology. Whereas outcomes associated with treatment of defined cohorts of dogs with MCompD have not been published, the impressions of many surgeons are that non-surgical management or surgical treatment of the MCP alone does not result in long term highly functional outcomes. Thus, alternative surgical options for treatment of MCompD have been developed including various osteotomies and total elbow replacement (TER) with "successful" outcomes reported in case series. Results and data on safety have been reported for relatively few of these procedures and when reported, major complication rates have been >10% and catastrophic complications have been reported. Accordingly, we sought to develop a surgical technique with the objective of obtaining higher levels of safety and efficacy in the treatment of dogs with MCompD. This report describes the rationale for, and development of, a unicompartmental resurfacing system for treatment of MCompD in the canine elbow.

Outcomes associated with treatments for medial, lateral, and multidirectional shoulder instability in dogs.

OBJECTIVES: To describe demographic factors, treatments, and outcomes associated with shoulder instability in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Multi-center, retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS: Dog (n = 130) with shoulder instability. METHODS: Medical records (October 2007-2010) from 4 hospitals of dogs with shoulder instability were reviewed to document age, breed, weight, and gender, categorize them into diagnosis cohorts of medial (MSI), lateral (LSI), or multidirectional (MDI) instability, determine treatments, and document outcomes. Treatment cohorts were defined as nonsurgical management, radiofrequency-induced thermal capsulorrhaphy (RITC), or shoulder reconstruction. Outcomes based upon clinician reevaluation and owner input >1 year after diagnosis were used to determine success, failure, and complication rates. RESULTS: Most dogs were diagnosed with MSI, but 23% had LSI or MDI. Dogs with MSI treated by reconstruction were more likely than dogs treated without surgery to have a successful outcome (odd's ratio = 3.0; P = .01). Similarly, treatment of MDI with reconstruction was more likely to be associated with a successful outcome than nonsurgical management (odd's ratio = 5.0; P = .007). Success with surgical and nonsurgical management was equivocal between LSI treatment cohorts, but the number of dogs with LSI was small. Complication rates for all treatment cohorts were <10%. CONCLUSIONS: In dogs with shoulder instability, LSI and MDI are less common than MSI. Surgical reconstruction for treatment of MSI and MDI appears to produce a higher likelihood of achieving successful outcomes than nonsurgical management and surgical complication rates were low but these conclusions are tempered by the limitations of the study.

Prospective trial of autologous conditioned plasma versus hyaluronan plus corticosteroid for elbow osteoarthritis in dogs.

This prospective, randomized, double-blinded trial compared outcomes in dogs with bilateral elbow osteoarthritis (OA) treated with hyaluronan plus methylprednisolone (HA + S) or autologous conditioned plasma (ACP(®); Arthrex). An investigator blinded to the treatments graded lameness (0-4) before and 6 months after a single injection with either HA + S or ACP. Clients were blinded to treatment and completed a validated survey before and 1, 6, 12, and 24 weeks after injection. Ten dogs (5 per group) completed all parts of the study. Pre-treatment lameness grades were 1.2 ± 0.97 for HA + S and 1.8 ± 1.1 for ACP and were not different between groups. Post-treatment lameness grades were 0.4 ± 0.55 for HA + S and 0.8 ± 0.64 for ACP with significant (P < 0.05) improvement with either treatment but without differences between groups. Client-based assessments demonstrated improvements in activity, lameness, and pain with HA + S and ACP. These data suggest that both treatments have beneficial effects for dogs with bilateral elbow OA.

Étude prospective d'un plasma conditionné autologue par opposition à l'hyaluronane et un corticostéroïde pour l'ostéoarthrite chez les chiens. Cette étude prospective, randomisée et à double insu a comparé les résultats chez les chiens atteints de l'ostéoarthrite bilatérale du coude (OA) traitée avec l'hyaluronane et le méthylprednisolone (HA + S) ou un plasma conditionné autologue (ACPMD; Arthrex). Un enquêteur ne connaissant pas les traitements a évalué la boiterie (0­4) avant et 6 mois après une seule injection soit de l'HA + S ou de l'ACP. Les clients étaient traités à l'insu et remplissaient un sondage validé avant l'injection ainsi qu'aux semaines 1, 6, 12, et 24 après l'injection. Dix chiens (5 par groupe) ont terminé toutes les parties de l'étude. Les grades de la boiterie avant le traitement étaient 1,2 ± 0,97 pour l'HA + S et 1,8 ± 1,1 pour l'ACP et ne différaient pas entre les groupes. Les grades de la boiterie après le traitement étaient 0,4 ± 0,55 pour l'HA + S et 0,8 ± 0,64 pour l'ACP avec une amélioration importante (P < 0,05) avec soit l'un ou l'autre traitement mais sans différences entre les groupes. Les évaluations des clients ont démontré des améliorations au niveau de l'activité, de la boiterie et de la douleur avec l'HA + S et l'ACP. Ces données suggèrent que les deux traitements ont des effets bénéfiques pour les chiens atteints de l'OA bilatérale du coude.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

The relationship of the canine femoral head to the femoral neck: an anatomic study with relevance for hip arthroplasty implant design and implantation.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To evaluate a novel method for characterizing the relationship of the canine femoral head to the femoral neck and (2) to determine whether the femoral head is symmetrically positioned upon the femoral neck. STUDY DESIGN: Cadaveric study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Cadaveric dog femurs (16 dogs, 32 femurs) METHODS: Femurs were photographed in frontal and sagittal planes simultaneously using 2 cameras positioned orthogonally. Ten measurements were made by 2 independent observers and agreement assessed by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Repeatability in specimen positioning was assessed by repositioning and imaging a single femur10 times. RESULTS: ICC values exceeded 0.6 for 8 of the 10 different measurements made. Mean ± SD femoral head offset ratios in the frontal and sagittal planes were 0.14 ± 0.08 and 2.66 ± 1.16. The mean specimen positioning error (±SD) for the single specimen that was repositioned 10 times was 0.93° ± 1.92° and 2.39° ± 1.13° in the frontal and sagittal planes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Correlations between observers were moderately strong or strong for 8 of 10 measurements. Specimen positioning was repeatable. The offset ratios indicate that dogs have a substantial cranial and ventral offset of the femoral head from the femoral neck.

Novel Achilles tendon repair technique utilizing an allograft and hybrid external fixator in dogs.

Background: Achilles mechanism rupture is a surgical condition involving primary tenorrhaphy with various described means of surgical augmentation and bolstering. Aim: To report complications and outcomes with a novel Achilles repair technique in dogs using a superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) or deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) allograft. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for dogs with chronic rupture or deterioration of the Achilles mechanism. Fibrous tissue was excised and either primary tenorrhaphy or reattachment of the tendon(s) to the calcaneus was performed. The surgical repair was supplemented by an SDFT or DDFT allograft, and postoperative immobilization was provided using a transarticular hybrid external skeletal fixator. Complications were classified as minor, major, or catastrophic, and function was classified as full, acceptable, or unacceptable, based on established guidelines. Results: Complications occurred with 6 out of 12 repairs, including 1 minor, 6 major, and 2 catastrophic complications. The two catastrophic complications were the recurrence of tarsal hyperflexion and lameness at 20 weeks and 18 months following surgery. Of the 12 surgeries performed, 2 resulted in full function, 8 with acceptable function, and 2 with unacceptable function at last follow-up 17-98 weeks postsurgery (mean = 45 weeks) for a success rate of 10/12 cases. Conclusion: The use of SDFT or DDFT allografts, coupled with an external fixator, can provide a moderate rate of full or acceptable functional outcomes and appears a viable treatment. However, complications were frequent and without a comparison group no conclusions can be drawn about the inferiority or superiority of this technique to other techniques for Achilles mechanism repair in dogs.

Comparison of osteotomy level with three different canine total hip replacement systems.

Background: Numerous cementless total hip replacement (THR) systems are available for application in dogs and one of the potential differences among these systems is the technique for performing a femoral osteotomy and the amount of bone preserved in the calcar region. However, no quantitative comparison of osteotomy level has been performed for canine THRs to date. Aims: To develop and validate a method for quantifying the level of the osteotomy at its most distomedial aspect in conjunction with canine THR and to compare osteotomy level between multiple different THRs. Methods: Immediate post-operative cranial-caudal or caudal-cranial radiographs of 33 dogs treated with 17 Helica and 17 BFX THR were assessed and osteotomy level was quantified using a novel radiographic assessment by 3 independent observers. Correlation among observers was quantified using a Spearman rank order correlation. Osteotomy location was subsequently quantified for an additional 10 Zurich THRs. The osteotomy level for each THR was subsequently compared between Helica, BFX, and Zurich THRs using one-way non-parametric Mann-Whitney rank sum tests and significance set at p < 0.05. Results: R-values assessing correlation between observers were 0.87, 0.72, and 0.60. Osteotomy location was significantly more proximal in conjunction with the Helica (0.75 ± 0.22) versus the BFX (0.97 ± 0.13; p < 0.001) and Zurich (1.1 ± 0.15; p < 0.001) femoral prostheses. Osteotomy location was also significantly more proximal with the BFX prosthesis in comparison to the Zurich THR (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The strong correlations among three different observers indicate that the technique for measuring the location of the distomedial aspect of the osteotomy was acceptably precise. The osteotomies made in conjunction with the short-stemmed Helica implants were significantly more proximal than those made with both of the long-stemmed (BFX and Zurich) femoral prostheses. The distomedial aspect of the osteotomy with the BFX system was significantly more proximal than that with the Zurich THR, indicating that between these two long-stemmed systems the osteotomy level is unique.

Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Autologous Protein Solution to Hyaluronic Acid Plus Triamcinolone for Treating Hip Osteoarthritis in Dogs.

Twenty-three dogs with bilateral hip osteoarthritis were used to compare the efficacy of intra-articular injections of autologous protein solution (APS) to hyaluronic acid plus triamcinolone (HAT). Prior to treatment, owner assessments of pain and mobility were obtained using the canine brief pain inventory (CBPI) and Liverpool Osteoarthritis for Dogs (LOAD) questionnaires. Owners were also asked to list all medications used to control signs of pain associated with hip osteoarthritis (OA). In addition, objective kinetic data using a pressure sensitive walkway was used to quantify the relative weight bearing of each of the limbs (total pressure index; TPI). One hip was then selected using a random number generator for injection with HAT and the contralateral hip was injected with APS under the same sedation event. At 1-, 3-, and 6 months following injection, medication usage was recorded and dogs were re-assessed using the CBPI and LOAD questionnaires and using objective gait analysis to determine the TPI. Twenty dogs completed all aspects of the study and statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvements were noted by dog owners at every post-treatment time point in every category of pain and mobility as assessed by the CBPI and LOAD questionnaires. Only 5 dogs, compared to 14 pre-treatment, received any oral NSAID or other analgesic for the duration of the 6-month study period. The TPI, and change in TPI from baseline, were not statistically significantly different between the two treatments at any time point. These data suggest clinical efficacy of both APS and HAT, but fail to show superiority of one treatment vs. the other. The inability to detect a statistically significant difference between the two treatments could be attributable to a true lack of a difference, or a type II statistical error.

Complications with the Zurich Canine Total Hip Replacement System in an Initial Series of Cases Performed by a Single Surgeon.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to quantify the complications using the Zurich total hip replacement system in an initial series of cases performed by a single surgeon who had experience with other total hip replacement systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study in which complications were classified as major if any treatment was needed or if the outcome was less than near-normal function. Complications that did not warrant treatment and that did not result in function that was inferior to near-normal were considered minor. Outcomes were assessed by radiographic review, physical examination, subjective gait evaluation or, in one case, by objective gait analysis. Bilateral total hip replacements were considered separate procedures. RESULTS: The first 21 procedures in 19 dogs performed by a single surgeon were included. The mean time to follow-up was 48 weeks (range: 8-120 weeks; standard deviation: 36 weeks). Two cases (of 21) experienced major complications including one dog with excess internal femoral rotation during weight bearing and one dog having luxation. One case (of 21) had a minor complication; femoral fracture in the presence of an intact bone plate that maintained alignment and healed without treatment. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A high rate of successful outcomes with few major complications can be obtained in the initial cases treated using the Zurich total hip replacement system for surgeons with prior experience with other total hip replacement systems.

Corrigendum: Outcomes Associated With Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation in Dogs.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.759610.].

Outcomes Associated With Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation in Dogs.

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively characterize outcomes and complications associated with osteochondral allograft transplantation for treating chondral and osteochondral lesions in a group of client-owned dogs with naturally-occurring disease. Records were reviewed for information on signalment, treated joint, underlying pathology (e.g., osteochondritis dissecans; OCD), and type, size, and number of grafts used. Complications were classified as "trivial" if no treatment was provided, "non-surgical" if non-surgical treatment were needed, "minor surgical" if a minor surgical procedure such as pin removal were needed but the graft survived and function was acceptable, or "major" if the graft failed and revision surgery were needed. Outcomes were classified as unacceptable, acceptable, or full function. Thirty-five joints in 33 dogs were treated including nine stifles with lateral femoral condyle (LFC) OCD and 10 stifles with medial femoral condyle (MFC) OCD treated with osteochondral cylinders or "plugs." There were 16 "complex" procedures of the shoulder, elbow, hip, stifle, and tarsus using custom-cut grafts. In total there were eight trivial complications, one non-surgical complication, two minor surgical complications, and five major complications for a total of 16/35 cases with complications. Accordingly, there were five cases with unacceptable outcomes, all of whom had major complications while the other 30 cases had successful outcomes. Of the 30 cases with successful outcomes, 15 had full function and 15 had acceptable function. Based on these subjective outcome assessments, it appears osteochondral allograft transplantation is a viable treatment option in dogs with focal or complex cartilage defects. However, no conclusions can be made regarding the inferiority or superiority of allograft transplantation in comparison to other treatment options based upon these data.

T1ρ, T2 mapping, and EPIC-µCT Imaging in a Canine Model of Knee Osteochondral Injury.

The dog is the most commonly used large animal model for the study of osteoarthritis. Optimizing methods for assessing cartilage health would prove useful in reducing the number of dogs needed for a valid study of osteoarthritis and cartilage repair. Twelve beagles had critical-sized osteochondral defects created in the medial femoral condyle of both knees. Eight dogs had T1ρ and T2 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed approximately 6 months after defect creation. Following MRI evaluations, all 12 dogs were humanely euthanatized and cartilage samples were obtained from the medial and lateral femoral condyles, medial and lateral tibial plateaus, trochlear groove, and patella for proteoglycan and collagen quantification. Equilibrium partitioning of an ionic contrast (EPIC)-µCT was then performed followed by the histologic assessment of the knees. Correlations between T1ρ, T2, EPIC-µCT and proteoglycan, collagen, and histology scores were assessed using a multivariate analysis accounting for correlations from samples within the same knee and in the same dog. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the strength of significant relationships. Correlations between µCT values and biochemical or histologic assessment were weak to moderately strong (0.09-0.41; p < 0.0001-0.66). There was a weak correlation between the T2 values and cartilage proteoglycan (-0.32; p = 0.04). The correlation between T1ρ values and cartilage proteoglycan were moderately strong (-0.38; p < 0.05) while the strongest correlation was between the T1ρ values and histological assessment of cartilage with a correlation coefficient of 0.58 (p < 0.0001). These data suggest that T1ρ shows promise for possible utility in the translational study of cartilage health and warrants further development in this species. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:368-377, 2020.

Metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal osteoarthritis in 49 dogs.

Although osteoarthritis (OA) is a common and debilitating condition in the canine patient, few data are available on OA of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints. Review of medical records of 49 dogs with a radiographic diagnosis of MCP or MTP OA presented over a 7-year period demonstrated that OA was an "incidental finding" for the majority of animals (n=35), while 14 dogs were identified as clinically lame as a result of MCP or MTP OA. Dogs that were clinically lame as a result of MCP or MTP OA were significantly more likely to have visible swelling over the affected digits. Five times as many dogs were diagnosed with MCP OA than with MTP OA, and the majority of dogs had radiographic changes on multiple digits. Review and scoring of radiographs (n=44 dogs) for six radiographic signs of OA followed by logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the two lateral digits of the front limb were significantly more likely to have osteophytosis and enthesophytosis than the two medial digits. Osteoarthritis of MCP and MTP joints has unique radiographic features that are not seen in the stifle, hip, shoulder, or elbow; these features can complicate accurate diagnosis, particularly differentiation from primary bone neoplasia. These data underscore the clinical relevance of this condition and provide useful information detailing which and how many digits are most commonly affected, potentially assisting discrimination between OA and neoplasia.

A Pilot Clinical Study Assessing Treatment of Canine Hip Dysplasia Using Autologous Protein Solution.

Five dogs with bilateral hip dysplasia and without osteoarthritis of other joints were enrolled in this pilot study. Objective kinetic data using a pressure sensitive mat and owner assessments using the canine brief pain inventory (CBPI) and Liverpool Osteoarthritis for Dogs (LOAD) questionnaires were obtained prior to treatment. Enrolled dogs were treated in one hip with autologous protein solution (APS) and the contralateral hip was injected with an equal volume of saline. The hip to be treated was selected using a random number generator. At exactly 28 days following treatment dogs were re-assessed using the pressure sensitive mat and the CBPI and LOAD questionnaires. No dogs were treated with any other medications or supplements throughout the study period. Assessment of the total pressure index (TPI) collected using the pressure sensitive mat showed that the hips treated with APS improved significantly more than hips treated with saline (p = 0.0005) and that the hips treated with APS bore significantly more weight than the hips treated with saline at day 28 (p < 0.05). Statistically significant improvement was noted by owners in "pain" and "function" as assessed by the CBPI as well "mobility at exercise" using the LOAD questionnaire. This pilot study provided proof of principle that APS is beneficial in treating pain and lameness in dogs affected by coxofemoral osteoarthritis.

Ocelots on Barro Colorado Island are infected with feline immunodeficiency virus but not other common feline and canine viruses.

Transmission of pathogens from domestic animals to wildlife populations (spill-over) has precipitated local wildlife extinctions in multiple geographic locations. Identifying such events before they cause population declines requires differentiating spillover from endemic disease, a challenge complicated by a lack of baseline data from wildlife populations that are isolated from domestic animals. We tested sera collected from 12 ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) native to Barro Colorado Island, Panama, which is free of domestic animals, for antibodies to feline herpes virus, feline calicivirus, feline corona virus, feline panleukopenia virus, canine distemper virus, and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), typically a species-specific infection. Samples also were tested for feline leukemia virus antigens. Positive tests results were only observed for FIV; 50% of the ocelots were positive. We hypothesize that isolation of this population has prevented introduction of pathogens typically attributed to contact with domestic animals. The high density of ocelots on Barro Colorado Island may contribute to a high prevalence of FIV infection, as would be expected with increased contact rates among conspecifics in a geographically restricted population.

Assessment of Canine Autologous Conditioned PlasmaTM Cellular and Transforming Growth Factor-ß1 Content.

To evaluate (1) the cellular composition of canine ACP™ including using two different preparation protocols with variations on centrifugation time, (2) the effect of different activation protocols on the transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 content in the ACP, and (3) patient factors that might influence platelet concentration of the ACP. ACP was made with blood from 15 dogs using a manufacturer-recommended protocol. Each ACP sample was divided into three aliquots that were activated with calcium chloride (CaCl2), human γ-thrombin (HGT), or not activated. TGF-ß1 was quantified in each aliquot using an ELISA and comparisons among activation protocols were performed using a Skillings-Mack test. Correlations between platelet and TGF-ß1 concentration were assessed with a Pearson correlation coefficient. ACP was subsequently prepared from an additional 17 dogs using a slightly modified centrifugation protocol and cellular composition was assessed. Effects of dog age, body weight, and hematocrit were assessed for their potential impact on ACP platelet concentration using a multiple linear regression analysis. The mean increase in platelet concentration in the ACP above that in the whole blood was 1.2× (±std 0.62) and leukocyte concentration was a mean of 26% (0.37) that in the whole blood using the standard protocol. There was a significant (p < 0.01) effect of activation on TGF-ß1 concentrations with mean concentrations of 4,538 (2,317), 14,948 (13,784), and 14,096 (15,210) pg/ml in aliquots that were not activated or were activated with thrombin or CaCl2 respectively. There were significant correlations between the platelet concentration and TGF-ß1 concentration in aliquots that were activated with either thrombin (r = 0.66; p < 0.01) or CaCl2 (r = 0.86, p < 0.0001). The mean increase in platelet concentration was 1.4× (0.62) and the leukocyte concentration was 0.28× (0.13) that in whole blood using the modified ACP preparation protocol. Dog age, body weight, and hematocrit were not significant predictors of ACP platelet concentration. These data show that on average this preparation protocol produces a mildly platelet-concentrated, leukoreduced platelet-rich plasma. Intentional activation had a significant effect on TGF-ß1 concentrations with use of both CaCl2 and thrombin resulting in higher TGF-ß1 concentrations than that obtained in samples that are not activated.