Infrared spectroscopy of serum as a potential diagnostic screening approach for naturally occurring canine osteoarthritis associated with cranial cruciate ligament rupture.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate infrared (IR) spectroscopy of serum as a screening tool to differentiate dogs affected by naturally occurring osteoarthritis (OA) associated with cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CrCLR) and controls. METHOD: 104 adult dogs with CrCLR (affected group) and 50 adult control dogs were recruited for this prospective observational study. Serum samples were collected preoperatively from CrCLR dogs and from a subset of these dogs at 4-, and 12-week post-surgical intervention to stabilize the affected stifles. Serum was collected once from control dogs. Dry films were made from serum samples, and IR absorbance spectra acquired. Data preprocessing, principal component analysis and multivariate analysis of covariance were performed to separate samples from the two groups, and to evaluate temporal differences. Weighted logistic regression with L1 regularization method was used to develop a predictive model. Model performance based on an independent test set was evaluated. RESULTS: Spectral data analysis revealed significant separation between the sera of CrCLR and control dogs (P < 0.0001), but not amongst different time points in the OA group. The sensitivity, specificity, AUC and accuracy of the test set were 84.62%, 96.15%, 93.20% and 92.31% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm the potential of IR-spectroscopy of serum with chemometrics methods to differentiate controls from dogs with OA associated with CrCLR. This is the first step in development of an economic, and comparatively simple IR-based screening serum test for OA. Utility of this tool as a clinical screening and diagnostic test requires further investigation and validation.

Use of Y-shaped TPLO plates for the stabilization of supracotyloid ilial fractures in four dogs and one cat.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the use of Y-shaped tibia plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) plates for the stabilization of supracotyloid ilial fracture in four dogs and one cat. METHODS: Clinical cases with supracotyloid ilial fracture that were repaired with a Y-shaped TPLO plate were retrospectively reviewed. Fracture type, concurrent injuries, fracture management, radiographic outcome and clinical recovery were documented. RESULTS: All fractures were reduced and a Y-shaped TPLO plate was applied with one short-term complication. Four fractures healed in original alignment. Screw loosening and malunion was documented in one patient at the six week follow-up examination. All patients had good to excellent limb function in the long-term follow-up. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The use of TPLO Y-shaped plates for supracotyloid ilial fractures allows good fracture reduction and fixation with a minimal approach and few postoperative complications.

Effect of exercise on kinetic gait analysis of dogs afflicted by osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of moderate exercise on kinetic gait analysis using a force platform in dogs with hindlimb lameness due to osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Ten control dogs (Control) and 10 dogs presented with chronic and stable hindlimb lameness (OA) were recruited. Dogs were subjected to force platform gait analysis to determine baseline data. They were thereafter trotted for a distance of 1.2 km on a short leash, lead by the same handler at a gait convenient for each of them (ranging from slow to fast trot), after which the gait analysis was immediately repeated to determine post-exercise values. Peak and impulse of the vertical and braking / propulsion forces were analysed using a linear model for repeated measures and Bonferroni sequential correction. RESULTS: In the Control group, the differences between baseline and post-exercise data were not significant. Conversely, post-exercise peak (p = 0.020) and impulse (p = 0.009) values of the vertical force, as well as the peak of the propulsion force (p = 0.009) values were significantly lower than baseline in the OA group. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study demonstrates the significant effect of a moderate amount of exercise in exacerbating hindlimb lameness in dogs clinically afflicted by OA. It is suggested that: 1) exercise should be considered as a potential factor of variation in future force platform gait analyses and an effort should be made to limit bias in data recording; and 2) an exercise-based protocol could be added to the standard force platform gait analysis to potentially increase its sensitivity in the detection of lame dogs.

Perirenal expanding haematoma in a cat.

A four-year-old, entire male domestic cat was referred for assessment of a large abdominal mass of three-weeks duration. Diagnostic imaging suggested the presence of either splenic neoplasia, an abdominal abscess or haematoma. A coeliotomy was performed and an enlarged, irregular mass, including the left kidney and adrenal gland, was identified. The mass was removed, requiring a left adrenalo-uretero-nephrectomy. The aorta was accidentally punctured during the procedure, resulting in paraplegia. Given a poor prognosis, the owners decided to have the cat euthanased. Histological examination of the mass was characteristic of a chronic expanding haematoma.

[Traumatic thrombosis of the internal carotid artery]. / Les thromboses traumatiques de la carotide interne.

Two cases of post-traumatic thrombosis of the internal carotid artery are presented, which are of interest because of their relative rarity. A detailed understanding of the pathogenesis and variety of clinical presentations, an adequate appraisal of the diverse proposed treatments, and an improvement in the prognosis, which is poor even in young patients-these await further enquiry and research.