Sternotomy and ventral slot decompression for treatment of T1-2 intervertebral disk disease in a Dachshund.

CASE DESCRIPTION A 9-year-old 7.5-kg (16.5-lb) castrated male Dachshund was referred for emergency evaluation of pelvic limb paraplegia of < 24 hours' duration. CLINICAL FINDINGS A spinal cord lesion between T3 and L3 was suspected given the dog's history and neurologic examination results. Computed tomography and myelography spanning T3 through L4 identified an extradural compressive lesion at the L3-4 disk space. Hemilaminectomy was performed, and disk material adhered to and compressing the spinal cord was identified. However, because the material appeared to have been present for an extended period, postoperative CT of the cervicothoracic region was performed, which revealed extrusion of disk material from the T1-2 space and marked spinal cord compression. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME A sternotomy of the manubrium and ventral slot decompression of the T1-2 disk space were performed successfully without entering the thoracic cavity. A large amount of disk material was removed from the spinal canal. No loss of intrathoracic negative pressure was appreciated, and intraoperative complications included only mild hemorrhage. The dog maintained pelvic limb pain sensation postoperatively and regained motor function 2 days after surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Intervertebral disk disease is rare at T1-2 in Dachshunds. Typically, a dorsal approach has been used to decompress the spinal cord, but findings for this dog suggested that a ventral approach may also be appropriate. Consideration should be given to include the T1-2 disk space when performing advanced imaging in dogs because of the inconsistent ability to identify lesions at this location by means of neurologic examination.

Traumatic luxations of the appendicular skeleton.

Traumatic luxation of joints of the appendicular skeleton is common.Timely and accurate identification of the luxation is essential to restoring normal function. Physical examination and radiographic assessment are commonly utilized for accurate identification and categorization. Conservative and surgical techniques are employed for treatment of luxations solely and in combination. Selection of appropriate reparative techniques is dependent on the joint injured as well as on other joint- and injury-specific factors.

Anesthetic indices of sevoflurane and isoflurane in unpremedicated dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the anesthetic index of sevoflurane with that of isoflurane in unpremedicated dogs. DESIGN: Randomized complete-block crossover design. ANIMALS: 8 healthy adult dogs. PROCEDURE: Anesthesia was induced by administering sevoflurane or isoflurane through a face mask. Time to intubation was recorded. After induction of anesthesia, minimal alveolar concentration (MAC) was determined with a tail clamp method while dogs were mechanically ventilated. Apneic concentration was determined while dogs were breathing spontaneously by increasing the anesthetic concentration until dogs became apneic. Anesthetic index was calculated as apneic concentration divided by MAC. RESULTS: Anesthetic index of sevoflurane (mean +/- SEM, 3.45 +/- 0.22) was significantly higher than that of isoflurane (2.61 +/- 0.14). No clinically important differences in heart rate; systolic, mean, and diastolic blood pressures; oxygen saturation; and respiratory rate were detected when dogs were anesthetized with sevoflurane versus isoflurane. There was a significant linear trend toward lower values for end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide during anesthesia with sevoflurane, compared with isoflurane, at increasing equipotent anesthetic doses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that sevoflurane has a higher anesthetic index in dogs than isoflurane. Sevoflurane and isoflurane caused similar dose-related cardiovascular depression, but although both agents caused dose-related respiratory depression, sevoflurane caused less respiratory depression at higher equipotent anesthetic doses.