Prevalence of elbow dysplasia in 13 dog breeds in France: a retrospective radiographic study (2002-2022).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of elbow dysplasia (ED) in 13 dog breeds in France. ANIMALS: A total of 18,870 elbow radiographs taken from 2002 to 2022 were evaluated by 2 independent examiners. METHODS: For each breed, the incidence of each of the 4 International Elbow Working Group scoring classes was extracted from the database. Breeds were excluded if fewer than 150 radiographs had been read for that breed. RESULTS: This study included 17,861 records for 13 dog breeds: American Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Old German Shepherd (Altdeutscher Schäferhund), American Staffordshire Terrier, Australian Shepherd, Belgian Shepherd, White Swiss Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, Cane Corso, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, and Dogue de Bordeaux. The overall prevalence of ED was 11.4%, ranging from 1.1% in the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog to 32.2% in the Dogue de Bordeaux. The Dogue de Bordeaux, Rottweiler, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Cane Corso breeds were most commonly affected by ED. The prevalence of ED was significantly higher in male dogs than in female dogs (17.5% vs 10.5%, P < .05). Joint incongruity and fragmented coronoid process were the 2 most common primary ED lesions identified. The prevalence of ED among the dogs evaluated decreased over the timeframe of the study. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of this study help to clarify the prevalence of ED in different breeds in France. These data should be interpreted with caution as this study included a small percentage of the total number of dogs born for each breed in France over the study period.

Influence of Different Implant Types on Bone Levels After Healing and Peri-implant Tissue Reactions Following Peri-implantitis: A Preclinical Study.

This study evaluated the influence of different implant types on (1) radiographic marginal bone levels after healing and (2) radiographic and histomorphometric tissue levels and characteristics following ligature-induced peri-implantitis. Four implant types (Standard Plus, Straumann [S]; NobelReplace Tapered, Nobel Biocare [N]; In-Kone Universal, Global D [I]; and twinKon, Global D [T]) were randomly placed in the edentulous healed mandibular ridge of six dogs (T0), for a total of 57 implants placed. After 10 weeks, a peri-implantitis was ligature-induced (T1). After 12 weeks, biopsy samples were processed for histomorphometric analysis (T2). Standardized radiographs were taken at T0, T1, and T2 for imaging analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using mixed-effects linear modeling. After healing (T1), the radiographic marginal bone level was more coronal for implants I, T, and S compared to N. Following peri-implantitis (T2), the histologic marginal bone level was more coronal for implants I, T, and S compared to N, and for implants I and T compared to S. Also at T2, the radiographic marginal bone level was more coronal at implants I, T, and S compared to N. Implant type may influence bone remodeling during healing and bone loss during the early stages of experimental peri-implantitis.

Evaluation of a new method to determine the tibial tuberosity advancement distance required to reduce the patellar tendon-tibial plateau angle to 90° with the modified Maquet technique in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To assess use of a new radiographic method to determine the distance by which the tibial tuberosity should be advanced to reduce the patellar tendon-tibial plateau angle (PTA) to 90° by means of the modified Maquet technique (MMT) in dogs. SAMPLE 24 pelvic limbs from 12 adult medium-sized to large-breed canine cadavers. PROCEDURES Radiographs of stifle joints at 135° extension in true lateral position were used to determine tibial tuberosity advancement distances for use in the MMT. A method was devised to incorporate the planned osteotomy axis; distal patellar translations of 0, 3, 5, or 10 mm; and advancement cage implant application level along the osteotomy site in advancement planning measurements. Concordance correlation coefficients (CCCs) were calculated to compare these adjusted advancement measurements with true advancement measurements obtained for the same joints in another study after treatment by MMT. Intraobserver, interobserver, and total agreement for selected measurements were determined by assessment of CCCs for results obtained by 3 blinded observers. RESULTS Agreement between true advancement measurements and measurements obtained with osteotomy axis and cage position method calculations that incorporated a 5-mm distal patellar translation distance was excellent (CCC, 0.96). Intraobserver and interobserver agreements for the planning measurements evaluated were good to excellent (CCC, 0.83 to 0.96). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that the osteotomy axis and cage position method incorporating a 5-mm distal patellar translation distance has the potential to improve success rates for achieving a PTA of 90° in medium-sized to large-breed dogs undergoing MMT for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Further research is warranted.

Placement of subcutaneous ureteral bypasses without fluoroscopic guidance in cats with ureteral obstruction: 19 cases (2014-2016).

Objectives The purpose of this study was to describe the perioperative and postoperative complications as well as short-term and long-term outcomes in cats with ureteral obstructions treated by placement of a subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) device without imaging control. The second objective of this study was to compare cats treated by SUB device with cats treated by traditional surgical intervention. Methods Data were obtained retrospectively from the medical records (2014-2016) of cats that underwent SUB placement (SUB cats) and cats that underwent traditional ureteral surgery (C cats). Results Nineteen SUB devices were placed without fluoroscopic, radiographic or ultrasonographic guidance in 13 cats. Fifteen traditional interventions (ureterotomy and neoureterocystostomy) were performed in 11 cats. Successful placement of the SUB device was achieved in all cats with only one major intraoperative complication (kinking of the kidney catheter) and one minor intraoperative complication (misplacement of the kidney catheter). Eleven SUB cats recovered from the surgical procedure; two SUB cats and three C cats died during the anaesthesia recovery period. Postoperative SUB complications included anaemia (n = 2), urinary tract infection (UTI) (n = 4), non-infectious cystitis (n = 5) and SUB device obstruction (n = 1). Postoperative traditional surgery complications included anaemia (n = 7), UTIs (n = 6), non-infectious cystitis (n = 1), re-obstruction (n = 4) and ureteral stricture (n = 1). Median postoperative duration of hospitalisation (3 days) was significantly shorter for SUB cats than for C cats ( P = 0.013). Ten SUB cats (76.9%) and four C cats (40%) were still alive at a median follow-up of 225 days and 260 days, respectively. Owners were completely (90%) or mostly (10%) satisfied with the SUB device placement. Conclusions and relevance SUB device placement appears to be an effective and safe option for treating ureteral obstruction in cats, and this study has shown that fluoroscopic guidance is not essential in all cases.

Comparison of desired radiographic advancement distance and true advancement distance required for patellar tendon-tibial plateau angle reduction to the ideal 90° in dogs by use of the modified Maquet technique.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the validity of 2 radiographic methods for measurement of the tibial tuberosity advancement distance required to achieve a reduction in patellar tendon-tibial plateau angle (PTA) to the ideal 90° in dogs by use of the modified Maquet technique (MMT). SAMPLE 24 stifle joints harvested from 12 canine cadavers. PROCEDURES Radiographs of stifle joints placed at 135° in the true lateral position were used to measure the required tibial tuberosity advancement distance with the conventional (AM) and correction (AE) methods. The MMT was used to successively advance the tibial crest to AM and AE. Postoperative PTA was measured on a mediolateral radiograph for each advancement measurement method. If none of the measurements were close to 90°, the advancement distance was modified until the PTA was equal to 90° within 0.1°, and the true advancement distance (TA) was measured. Results were used to determine the optimal commercially available size of cage implant that would be used in a clinical situation. RESULTS Median AM and AE were 10.6 mm and 11.5 mm, respectively. Mean PTAs for the conventional and correction methods were 93.4° and 92.3°, respectively, and differed significantly from 90°. Median TA was 13.5 mm. The AM and AE led to the same cage size recommendations as for TA for only 1 and 4 stifle joints, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Both radiographic methods of measuring the distance required to advance the tibial tuberosity in dogs led to an under-reduction in postoperative PTA when the MMT was used. A new, more accurate radiographic method needs to be developed.

Soft Tissue and Marginal Bone Adaptation on Platform-Switched Implants with a Morse Cone Connection: A Histomorphometric Study in Dogs.

The purpose of this study was to investigate peri-implant tissue adaptation on platform-switched implants with a Morse cone-type connection, after 3 and 12 weeks of healing in dogs. Ten weeks after mandibular premolar extractions, eight beagle dogs received three implants each. At each biopsy interval, four animals were sacrificed and biopsies were processed for histologic analysis. The height of the peri-implant mucosa was 2.32 mm and 2.88 mm, respectively, whereas the bone level in relation to the implant platform was -0.39 mm and -0.67 mm, respectively, after 3 and 12 weeks of healing. Within the limits of the present study, platform-switched implants exhibited reduced values of biologic width and marginal bone loss when compared with previous data.

Thoracolumbar partial lateral corpectomy for the treatment of chronic intervertebral disc disease in 107 dogs.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess short-and medium-term outcomes in dogs with chronic ventral thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) treated by thoracolumbar partial lateral corpectomy (TLPLC). Dogs surgically treated for chronic ventral IVDD by TLPLC were included. For each dog, neurological status evolution and complications were reported. Factors that could have influenced neurological recovery were statistically tested. RESULTS: A total of 107 dogs were included in the study. Before surgery, 67.3 % of the dogs were able to walk, 24.3 % were grade 3, and 8.4 % were grade 4. The median hospitalization time was 3 days, and 82.2 % of the dogs were able to walk at discharge. The medium-term neurological grade was reached at a median time of 2 months. At the medium-term follow-up (median 12 months), 74.3 % of the dogs were neurologically improved, 22.9 % were stable, and 2.8 % were worsened. A total of 91.4 % of dogs were ambulatory, with 58.6 % of dogs having a normal gait. Preoperative neurological grade was significantly associated with the neurological status 24 h after the surgery and at discharge. Dogs with a higher preoperative neurological grade had a better chance of improving but lower odds of walking at 24 h after the surgery and at discharge compared with dogs with a lower preoperative grade. Spinal compression recurrence at the same surgical site was confirmed in 8 cases. CONCLUSION: Even if TLPLC leads to several intra and postoperative complications, this technique is a viable surgical option to treat chronic ventral IVDD.

Early Periimplant Tissue Healing on 1-Piece Implants With a Concave Transmucosal Design: A Histomorphometric Study in Dogs.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of our study was to investigate the early healing phase of marginal bone and soft tissues around unloaded 1-piece implants with a concave transmucosal design, in a dog model. METHODS: Twenty-four 1-piece implants with a concave transmucosal neck were inserted 1 mm subcrestally in the mandibular ridge of 8 beagle dogs. Four animals were sacrificed after 3 and 12 weeks of healing. Histomorphometric analysis was performed to measure the height of the periimplant tissues. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The overall height of the periimplant mucosa was, respectively, 2.67 and 2.52 mm, after 3 and 12 weeks. In the connective tissue, a soft tissue O-ring seal was observed in the healing area provided by the transmucosal concavity, after 12 weeks. The location of the first bone-to-implant contact facing the implant shoulder was 0.00 and +0.18 mm, respectively, after 3 and 12 weeks of healing. Some bone apposition occurred on the implant shoulder during the healing. CONCLUSION: Within the limits of the present study, a concave transmucosal design in 1-piece implants was associated with a short vertical value of biological width and promoted a mechanical interlocking of the implant body at the connective tissue and marginal bone levels.

Original surgical treatment of thoracolumbar subarachnoid cysts in six chondrodystrophic dogs.

BACKGROUND: Subarachnoid cysts are rare conditions in veterinary medicine, associated with spinal cord dysfunction. Most of the 100 cases of subarachnoid cysts described since the first report in 1968 were apparently not true cysts. Reported cysts are usually situated in the cervical area and occur in predisposed breeds such as the Rottweiler. The purpose of this retrospective study, from May 2003 to April 2012, was to describe the distinctive features of thoracolumbar spinal subarachnoid cysts, together with their surgical treatment and outcome in 6 chondrodystrophic dogs. RESULTS: Five Pugs and 1 French Bulldog were examined. Images suggestive of a subarachnoid cyst were obtained by myelography (2/6) and computed tomography myelography (4/6), and associated disc herniation was observed in 3/6 dogs. A hemilaminectomy was performed. The protruding disc eventually found in 5/6 dogs was treated by lateral corpectomy. The ventral leptomeningeal adhesions observed in all dogs after durotomy were dissected. No or only mild post-operative neurological degradation was observed. Follow-up studies (7 months to 4 years) indicated good outcome and no recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: All the thoracolumbar subarachnoid cysts described in these 6 chondrodystrophic dogs were associated with leptomeningeal adhesions. Good results seemed to be obtained by dissecting and removing these adhesions. A protruding disc, found here in 5/6 dogs, needs to be ruled out and can be treated by lateral corpectomy.

The biomechanical properties of canine skin measured in situ by uniaxial extension.

INTRODUCTION: A uniaxial extension system was setup to analyze the mechanical properties of dog skin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pads were glued onto dog skin with constant reproducible geometrical parameters and the extension force was measured as a function of the extension values. Forty-one sites (82 cycling tests) were investigated in situ on 11 canine cadavers, half of them after surgically isolating the test area from the surrounding skin. Series of loading-unloading cycles of up to 5N or 10N or both loads were performed on each site. The elastic properties and the dissipative effects were characterized respectively by evaluating the secant Rigidity at maximum loads and the Fraction of dissipated energy. RESULTS: A hysteresis phenomenon, implying the need for preconditioning to attain equilibrium cycles, was apparent during mechanical characterization. Polynomial expressions were used to relate the measured Rigidities and the Fractions of dissipated energy with or without sample isolation. The latter were less affected by isolation. The ratios between the Rigidities at 5N to those at 10N displayed non-linearity in the investigated extension range in contrary to the Fractions of dissipated energy. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The parameters confirming the dissipative non-linear elastic behavior of dog skin were identified and the correlation between Rigidity and Fraction of dissipated energy on isolated and non-isolated skin samples was quantitatively determined. This extension setup can now be used as a "true in vivo" mapping tool to determine the mechanical characteristics of the skin during healing processes or during the study of Human skin disease with the dog as an animal model.

Endoscope-assisted thoracolumbar lateral corpectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To report an endoscope-assisted lateral approach to expose the intervertebral foramen and disk and perform lateral corpectomy of thoracolumbar disks in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Cadaver study. ANIMALS: Fresh canine cadavers (n=6). METHODS: A thoracic (T10-T11) and a lumbar (L3-L4) lateral approach were made on 6 fresh canine mixed breed cadavers. Through a limited skin incision, musculature was dissected and retracted using a neurosurgical self-retaining retractor and lateral corpectomy performed. The approach and bone removal, both performed under endoscopic control, were assessed. RESULTS: The foramen and intervertebral disk were clearly observed in all specimens without any iatrogenic injury of the ventral and dorsal nerve branches. Access to the foramen was possible in all specimens; in the thoracic area the head of the rib was always partially excised to observe the intervertebral disk medially. Lateral corpectomy was easily performed in all cadavers and spinal cord observation was good. Extension to foraminotomy or mini hemilaminectomy could easily be performed through the same limited approach. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic exploration provided a good viewing of the intervertebral disk and/or foramen. An endoscope-assisted thoracolumbar lateral corpectomy could effectively be performed through a limited approach to the thoracolumbar disks and allowed good ventral spinal cord assessment.

Radiographic assessment of the femorotibial joint of the CCLT rabbit experimental model of osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: The purposes of the study were to determine the relevance and validity of in vivo non-invasive radiographic assessment of the CCLT (Cranial Cruciate Ligament Transection) rabbit model of osteoarthritis (OA) and to estimate the pertinence, reliability and reproducibility of a radiographic OA (ROA) grading scale and associated radiographic atlas. METHODS: In vivo non-invasive extended non weight-bearing radiography of the rabbit femorotibial joint was standardized. Two hundred and fifty radiographs from control and CCLT rabbits up to five months after surgery were reviewed by three readers. They subsequently constructed an original semi-quantitative grading scale as well as an illustrative atlas of individual ROA feature for the medial compartment. To measure agreements, five readers independently scored the same radiographic sample using this atlas and three of them performed a second reading. To evaluate the pertinence of the ROA grading scale, ROA results were compared with gross examination in forty operated and ten control rabbits. RESULTS: Radiographic osteophytes of medial femoral condyles and medial tibial condyles were scored on a four point scale and dichotomously for osteophytes of medial fabella. Medial joint space width was scored as normal, reduced or absent. Each ROA features was well correlated with gross examination (p < 0.001). ICCs of each ROA features demonstrated excellent agreement between readers and within reading. Global ROA score gave the highest ICCs value for between (ICC 0.93; CI 0.90-0.96) and within (ICC ranged from 0.94 to 0.96) observer agreements. Among all individual ROA features, medial joint space width scoring gave the highest overall reliability and reproducibility and was correlated with both meniscal and cartilage macroscopic lesions (rs = 0.68 and rs = 0.58, p < 0.001 respectively). Radiographic osteophytes of the medial femoral condyle gave the lowest agreements while being well correlated with the macroscopic osteophytes (rs = 0.64, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Non-invasive in vivo radiography of the rabbit femorotibial joint is feasible, relevant and allows a reproducible grading of experimentally induced OA lesion. The radiographic grading scale and atlas presented could be used as a template for in vivo non invasive grading of ROA in preclinical studies and could allow future comparisons between studies.

Transiliac approach for exposure of lumbosacral intervertebral disk and foramen: technique description.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and evaluate a transiliac approach to the L7-S1 disk and intervertebral foramen in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Cadaver study. ANIMALS: Fresh canine cadavers (n=10). METHODS: A craniolateral approach was made to each iliac wing of 10 fresh canine mixed breed cadavers. An 18 mm hole was drilled in a standardized position through the iliac wing. The musculature connected to the cranial aspects of the sacral wing was dissected and retracted cranially through this iliac window. Endoscopic exploration of the area was performed. RESULTS: The foramen and intervertebral disk were clearly observed in all specimens without iatrogenic injury of the L7 nerve branch. Access to the foramen was possible in 16 of 20 specimens without excision of the sacral wing; however, it was always partially excised to observe the intervertebral disk which lies more caudally and ventrally. CONCLUSION: Transiliac approach to the lumbosacral joint allows direct exposure of the intervertebral disk and foramen through an iliac window. Endoscopic exploration provided good observation of the intervertebral disk and/or foramen. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Transiliac approach could be used for lateral corpectomy and foraminotomy in dogs with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis caused by ventral or ventrolateral disk protrusion, foramen stenosis, or OCD of the L7-S1 joint. Clinical study will be necessary to evaluate the efficacy of this approach.