Anatomical features of the canine C2-C3 spinal cord vascular environment.

OBJECTIVE: Interarcuate branch (IAB) is a vascular structure, particularly developed in C2-3 intervertebral space, forming a dorsal bridge that connects ventral venous plexi in the vertebral canal. While precisely described in the human, the precise anatomical features of IABs have not been reported in the veterinary literature. The purpose of this study is to describe the features and relations of IABs in the C2-3 vertebral canal. ANIMALS: 10 dogs were enrolled; 5 dogs for necropsy and 5 dogs for histology. PROCEDURES: The ventral venous plexi in the cervical spine of 5 dogs were injected with latex and underwent vertebral canal dissection for visual assessment of the IAB. Two out of 5 dogs were injected with the addition of barium sulfate and underwent a CT scan. The C2-3 regions of 5 small-breed dogs were harvested for histological examinations. RESULTS: IABs arose from the ventral venous plexus at the level of the intervertebral vein; they originated from 2 separate branches located caudally and cranially to the intervertebral foramen, forming a ventrodorsal triangle surrounding the spinal nerve root. No dorsal anastomosis was observed on the CT scan nor at dissection but were observed histologically. A cervical fibrous sheath was observed all around the vertebral canal. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: IABs are voluminous venous structures at the C2-3 intervertebral space in dogs and found within a split of the cervical fibrous sheath, which is adherent to the interarcuate ligament and the ligamentum flavum. This anatomical description is paramount when planning an approach to the C2-3 intervertebral space.

Risk factors and clinical relevance of positive urine cultures in cats with subcutaneous ureteral bypass.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to report the incidence and risk factors associated with positive urine bacterial cultures as well as long-term outcome in cats with subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) devices. RESULTS: Medical records of cats that underwent SUB device placement were retrospectively reviewed. Signalment of the cat, laterality of the ureteral obstruction, surgery, anesthesia and hospitalization duration, bacterial culture results and follow-up data were retrieved. Thirty-two cats met the inclusion criteria. Four cats (12.5%) had a positive intraoperative culture, with two of them being treated successfully. Ten cats out of 28 (35.7%) were documented with a positive urine culture during follow-up period, with a median time between discharge and identification of the first positive urine culture of 159 days (range 8-703 days). Bacteriuria resolved in 60% of cats (6/10). Escherichia coli was the most common organism, isolated in 4 out of 10 postoperative urine cultures. Overall, subclinical bacteriura was documented for 6 of 32 (18.8%) cats and 5 of 32 (15.6%) cats displayed clinicals signs suggestive of persistent UTI. One cat had subclinical bacteriuria. Three cats died during the follow-up period. There was a significant difference between negative and positive urine bacterial culture groups in median hospitalization duration (5 days versus 6 days, P = 0.022) and in median body condition score (5/9 versus 4/9, P = 0.03). Cats with a longer hospital stay and with a lower body condition score were more likely to have a positive urine culture during follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: SUB device placement surgery is associated with complications such as chronic bacteriuria. Bacteriuria in our study resolved with appropriate antibiotic treatment in more than half of cats. Risk factors identified for positive urine culture were a longer hospitalization duration and a decreased body condition score.

Prevalence of canine hip dysplasia in 10 breeds in France, a retrospective study of the 1997-2017 radiographic screening period.

Canine hip dysplasia (HD) is a complex developmental disease of the coxo-femoral joint and is one of the most common orthopedic conditions in dogs. Due to the genetic contribution, most of the programs fighting against HD recommend selective breeding that excludes affected dogs. Using the best-scoring dogs for breeding may reduce the prevalence of HD. In France, the phenotypic screening of coxo-femoral joint conformation remains a strategy for breeders to establish selection decisions. The HD prevalence was evaluated in 10 breeds, based on the assessment of 27,710 dogs, during the 1997-2017 screening period, which was divided into 3 homogeneous cohorts for analysis. The global HD prevalence varied widely among breeds from 5% (Siberian Husky) to 51.9% (Cane Corso). It decreased over time in 6 breeds, among which 4 (Cane Corso, Gordon Setter, Rottweiler and White Swiss Shepherd) showed a significant decrease. A statistically significant increase in HD prevalence was noted for the Siberian Husky. Although the efficacy of phenotype-based breeding programs remains controversial, our results are in accordance with several recent studies showing that long-term selection policies are valuable, as they may help decreasing the HD prevalence in some breeds. The complementary use of more recent tools such as estimated breeding values and genomics would probably help breeders achieve more substantive results.

Comparison of Outcomes Associated with Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy and a Modified Technique for Tibial Tuberosity Advancement for the Treatment of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease in Dogs: A Randomized Clinical Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare outcomes between the tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) procedure and a modified tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA Rapid) in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six dogs were prospectively randomized into two groups: a TPLO group (n = 13) and a TTA Rapid group (n = 13). A lameness score evaluation, gait analysis and radiographical examination were performed before surgery, the 3 days after surgery, and then at 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Finally, owners were asked to subjectively rate their level of satisfaction. RESULTS: The duration of surgery was significantly shorter for the TTA Rapid procedure (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of complications between groups. Lameness scores were significantly higher during the first 3 days after surgery for the TPLO group (p = 0.01 at day 1, p = 0.01 at day 2 and p = 0.003 at day 3). One month after surgery, the symmetry index between healthy and affected limbs for the relative stance time during the gait cycle (symmetry index/%) was significantly higher for the TTA Rapid group (p < 0.01). No gait parameters were significantly different between the two groups 6 months after surgery. All of the owners of dogs in the TPLO group were completely satisfied, whereas only 11/13 owners of dogs in the TTA rapid group were completely satisfied. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy and TTA Rapid were associated with high long-term success rates in dogs. The immediate postoperative recovery seemed faster with TTA Rapid, but thereafter there was no difference.

Evolution of Radiographic Parameters of Canine Passive Hip Laxity at 4, 6 and 12 months: A Study of 306 Dogs.

OBJECTIVES: This article evaluates the variation in the distraction index (DI) and Norberg angle measurement with the femur in a neutral position and the hips distracted (distraction Norberg angle [DNA]) between 4, 6 and 12 months of age. METHODS: Radiographic data from dogs (n = 306) line-bred for favourable characteristics, including hip conformation, were reviewed. Dogs underwent stress radiographs, using a Vezzoni distractor, at 4, 6 and 12 months of age. The DI and DNA were calculated, and their evolution was studied for the total population and the sub-category of hips with a DI > 0.7. RESULTS: For the total population, the DI showed a significant increase from 4 to 6 months and a significant decrease at 12 months. For the hips with a DI > 0.7 at 4 months, DI at 6 and 12 months showed a significant decrease (0.14 and 0.26, respectively, on average). For the total population, the DNA followed the same pattern as the DI, and the values are significantly associated (p < 0.001). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The DI varies significantly from 4 to 12 months in dogs, and the time of radiographic evaluation of hip laxity may strongly influence the value of the DI. The DNA is strongly related to the DI, and its use as a more convenient indicator of hip laxity in dogs should be further investigated.

Quality by design approach in the optimization of the spray-drying process.

CONTEXT/OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to illustrate the influence of the processing parameters, inlet temperature, atomization air flow rate and feed flow rate, on critical quality attributes of spray-dried powders using design of experiments (DoE). METHODS: Spray-dried powders were characterized by laser diffraction, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR). Multivariate analysis of two different experimental designs was performed to elucidate the optimal process conditions. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: XRPD revealed that the spray-dried powders consisted of crystalline ß-mannitol and amorphous trehalose. Non-invasive NIR measurement was successfully used for correlating the critical quality attribute particle size with size determined by laser diffraction. The full factorial design proved to be unsuitable due to the non-linear influence of factors. The composite face-centered design improved the quality of the models and showed both linear and non-linear influence of the parameters on the outcomes. A model explaining the influence of the factors on all quality attributes showed similar results as the models optimized for a single response. CONCLUSION: This study showed the applicability of DoE for the investigation of spray-dried powders. The knowledge of the interplay between process parameters and quality attributes will enable rational process design to achieve a desired outcome.