Humeral Condylar Fractures in French Bulldogs-Inciting Cause and Factors Influencing Complications of Internal Fixation in 136 Dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To report the inciting cause and configuration of humeral condylar fractures in French Bulldogs, and to identify risk factors for complications associated with their surgical stabilization, as well as their occurrence. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective multicenter clinical cohort study. ANIMALS: French bulldogs (n = 136) with humeral condylar fracture. METHODS: Records from eight United Kingdom referral centers were reviewed for French bulldogs that underwent surgery for humeral condylar fracture between January 2017 and January 2021. RESULTS: Lateral fractures of the humeral condyle represented two-thirds of condylar fractures in this study (95 elbows; 69.8%); medial fractures of the humeral condyle and intracondylar Y or T fractures affected 22 (16.2%) and 19 (14%), respectively. A fall was the inciting cause for 60 elbows (45.6%), with stairs implicated in 27 (20.45%) elbows. Skeletal immaturity was significantly correlated with fracture. Complications affected 30 out of 132 dogs (136 elbows) (22%), of which 10 (33%) were major, and 20 (66%) were minor. Fixation method did not significantly impact complication rate for medial or lateral fractures of the humeral condyle (p = 0.87). Comminution increased the risk of complication for all humeral condylar fracture types (p = 0.02). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Fixation method was not found to significantly impact the complication rate of surgically managed fractures of the humeral condyle in French bulldogs. Stair use, falling from low heights, and skeletal immaturity were common inciting reasons for humeral condylar fractures.

TTA-Rapid for treating the canine cruciate deficient stifle: Medium to long-term outcome and analysis of risk factors.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate medium to long-term outcomes following treatment of lameness associated with cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency using the tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA)-Rapid technique and to investigate risk factors associated with outcome, including tibial plateau angle (TPA). METHODS: Patient records for cases treated over an 80-month period were examined retrospectively. An owner postal questionnaire using a clinical metrology instrument (Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs) evaluated the outcome at least 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 149 procedures were carried out in 120 dogs. Questionnaires were received for 64 dogs (53.3%), with a median follow-up time of 37.5 months. Outcome was judged to be satisfactory, based on frequency of lameness, in 63 (98.4%), while satisfactory outcomes were achieved in 61 (95.3%) based on severity of lameness and in 50 (78.1%) based on mobility score. Statistical analysis showed that age, bodyweight, TPA, meniscal injury and concurrent patellar surgery did not influence outcome, but time to follow-up positively correlated with mobility score. LIMITATIONS: This study involved one surgeon in one centre with outcome data based on the completion of an owner questionnaire, although this used a validated clinical metrology instrument. CONCLUSION: TTA-Rapid offers a treatment option for cranial cruciate-deficient stifles with a good medium to long-term outcome, and no risk factors were identified to suggest any limitations to its use.

Humeral unicondylar fractures in immature dogs treated using a bone screw and Kirschner wire.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the incidence of implant-related complications when humeral unicondylar fractures in immature dogs are stabilised with a transcondylar bone screw and epicondylar Kirschner wire (K-wire)/pin. METHODS: Records of cases treated by the author in this clinic over a 10-year period were screened for those involving humeral condylar fractures. These were then reduced to include those patients who were less than 7 months of age with unicondylar fractures and follow-up radiographs. RESULTS: Thirty fractures in 29 dogs met the inclusion criteria. All of these had been stabilised with a transcondylar bone screw and epicondylar K-wire. Fracture healing was documented in all dogs. Surgical site infection was not recorded. Implant-related major complications were reported in four (13%) dogs and successfully treated by either implant removal or replacement. Short-term outcome was judged as excellent in 23 out of 30 and good in seven out of 30 of these fractures. CONCLUSION: The use of a transcondylar bone screw in combination with an epicondylar K-wire is an appropriate fixation method for humeral unicondylar fractures seen in puppies less than 7 months of age.

Manufacturing Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis in Canine Patients: Challenges and Recommendations.

The recent interest in advanced biologic therapies in veterinary medicine has opened up opportunities for new treatment modalities with considerable clinical potential. Studies with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from animal species have focused on in vitro characterization (mostly following protocols developed for human application), experimental testing in controlled studies and clinical use in veterinary patients. The ability of MSCs to interact with the inflammatory environment through immunomodulatory and paracrine mechanisms makes them a good candidate for treatment of inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions in canine species. Analysis of existing data shows promising results in the treatment of canine hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis and rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament in both sport and companion animals. Despite the absence of clear regulatory frameworks for veterinary advanced therapy medicinal products, there has been an increase in the number of commercial cell-based products that are available for clinical applications, and currently the commercial use of veterinary MSC products has outpaced basic research on characterization of the cell product. In the absence of quality standards for MSCs for use in canine patients, their safety, clinical efficacy and production standards are uncertain, leading to a risk of poor product consistency. To deliver high-quality MSC products for veterinary use in the future, there are critical issues that need to be addressed. By translating standards and strategies applied in human MSC manufacturing to products for veterinary use, in a collaborative effort between stem cell scientists and veterinary researchers and surgeons, we hope to facilitate the development of quality standards. We point out critical issues that need to be addressed, including a much higher level of attention to cell characterization, manufacturing standards and release criteria. We provide a set of recommendations that will contribute to the standardization of cell manufacturing methods and better quality assurance.

Clinical comparison of the hybrid dynamic compression plate and the castless plate for pancarpal arthrodesis in 219 dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare a large population of dogs that had pancarpal arthrodesis (PCA) using either a hybrid dynamic compression plate (HDCP) or a CastLess Plate (CLP). STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective, cohort study. ANIMALS: Dogs (n = 240; 261 PCA). METHODS: Medical records (2000-2012) from 12 UK orthopedic centers were reviewed for dogs that had PCA to document signalment, diagnosis, arthrodesis method, and complication rates. Follow-up data were used to compare outcome (lameness evaluation and radiographic healing) after use of HDCP and CLP plates. RESULTS: PCA was performed with HDCP in 125 cases, CLP in 105, and by other techniques in 31. Carpal hyperextension injury was the most common diagnosis in HDCP and CLP groups. Surgical site infection (18.3%) was the most common postoperative complication. There was no difference in intra- (11% HDCP, 21% CLP) or postoperative (34% HDCP, 41% CLP) complication rates. Use of external coaptation did not affect postoperative complication rates or outcome. External coaptation related complications occurred in 32% HDCP and 18% CLP (P = .02). At median follow-up, most dogs were classified as having no or mild lameness (73% HDCP, 83% CLP) and there was radiographic healing in 40% HDCP and 46% CLP (P = .8) cases. CONCLUSIONS: CLP and HDCP may both be used successfully to achieve pancarpal arthrodesis. Adjunctive external coaptation does not appear to have a measurable clinical benefit but is associated with morbidity.

Postoperative complications after surgical management of incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To describe incidence and type of postoperative complications in the surgical management of incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle (IOHC) and identify any risk factors associated with development of these complications. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: Clinical records of dogs (n=57) that had prophylactic transcondylar screw insertion for treatment of IOHC (79 elbows) at 6 UK referral centers were reviewed. Signalment, presentation, surgical management, postoperative care, and complications were recorded. Postoperative complications were divided into seroma, surgical site infections (SSI) and implant complications. RESULTS: Spaniel breeds and entire males were overrepresented. The overall complication rate was 59.5%. Seroma (n=25) and SSI (24) were the most commonly encountered complications. Implant failure occurred in 2 dogs. Labrador retrievers were at greater risk of developing a postoperative complication than other breeds (P=.03). Increasing bodyweight was a significant risk factor for development of a SSI (P=.03). Placement of the transcondylar screw in lag fashion rather than as a positional screw reduced the incidence of postoperative SSI (P=.007). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical management of IOHC is associated with a high rate of postoperative complications. Placement of the transcondylar screw in lag fashion may limit postoperative complications and warrants further consideration.

A candidate gene study of canine joint diseases.

Canine osteoarthritis (OA) commonly occurs in association with articular diseases, such as hip dysplasia (HD), elbow dysplasia (ED), or cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR). We hypothesized that a common genomic risk for the development of canine joint disease and canine OA would be identified by evaluating the allele frequencies of candidate gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in dogs with OA associated with different articular diseases when compared with a general population of breed-matched dogs. DNA was extracted from blood samples obtained from Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers surgically treated for ED, HD, and CCLR and confirmed to have radiographic evidence of OA. One hundred and thirteen SNPs in 20 candidate genes were genotyped. No significant associations were identified for SNPs or haplotypes in the candidate genes for the diseases evaluated. The candidate gene approach for the study of genetic association is unlikely to be successful for complex canine diseases such as OA without prior trait mapping evaluation.

High level waste tank closure project: ALARA applications at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory.

Bechtel BWXT Idaho, Maintenance and Operating Contractor for the Department of Energy at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, has emptied, cleaned, and sampled six of the eleven 1.135 x 10(6) L high level waste underground storage tanks at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center, well ahead of the State of Idaho Consent Order cleaning schedule. Cleaning of a seventh tank is expected to be complete by the end of calendar year 2004. The tanks, with associated vaults, valve boxes, and distribution systems, are being closed to meet Resource Conservation and Recovery Act regulations and Department of Energy orders. The use of remotely operated equipment placed in the tanks through existing tank riser access points, sampling methods and application of as-low-as-reasonably-achievable (ALARA) principles have proven effective in keeping personnel dose low during equipment removal, tank, vault, and valve box cleaning, and sampling activities, currently at 0.03 Sv.