Long-term follow-up of working dogs in New Zealand following pancarpal arthrodesis using dorsal hybrid plating.

AIM: To determine the long-term prognosis for working dogs in New Zealand following pancarpal arthrodesis (PCA) utilising a dorsal hybrid plate. METHODS: Owners of 14 dogs who had a PCA performed as part of a previous study conducted at two small animal veterinary surgical hospitals were contacted via phone and asked to participate in a short survey. RESULTS: A phone survey was completed for seven dogs. Five of the seven dogs had returned to full work, one dog had a moderate persistent lameness that prevented returning to normal work and the remaining dog did not return to normal work for reasons unrelated to the study. Removal of the implants was required in four of seven cases at a median interval of 2 (min 0.5, max 2) years following surgery. One dog had no gait abnormality, but developed an occasional mild lameness after jumping, one dog had a constant gait abnormality with a moderate, persistent lameness, and the remaining five dogs had a constant gait abnormality with a mild, intermittent lameness. All owners contacted were very satisfied with the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Working dogs undergoing a standardised surgical procedure for unilateral PCA using a hybrid carpal arthrodesis bone plate applied dorsally have a good prognosis for return to work. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although this study has a small number of cases, this study provides subjective longer-term follow-up data than previously reported for working dogs that have undergone PCA. Owners should be warned that plate removal may be required in approximately 60% of dogs and additional expenditure should be planned for.

Surgical management of suspected congenital luxation of the radial head in three dogs.

CASE HISTORIES: Three dogs, aged between 11 and 20 weeks, were presented with unilateral forelimb lameness, with an associated bony prominence on the lateral elbow. CLINICAL FINDINGS AND DIAGNOSIS: Radiographs revealed a caudolateral luxation of the radial head in all cases, consistent with a diagnosis of suspected congenital luxation of the radial head. Surgical reduction and stabilisation involved open reduction of the radial head, and in two cases the use of a trans articular pin. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Congenital luxation of the radial head is an uncommon condition that has conflicting reports in the literature regarding its cause, heritability, breed predisposition, treatment and prognosis. The three cases here occurred in young dogs of English Bull Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeds. Surgical reduction and stabilisation provided successful outcomes, in all cases. Only six cases of congenital luxation of the radial head managed surgically have previously been reported in the literature.

Prospective evaluation of pancarpal arthrodesis for carpal injuries in working dogs in New Zealand, using dorsal hybrid plating.

AIM: To determine whether working dogs in New Zealand with carpal injuries and treated with unilateral pancarpal arthrodesis (PCA), using a dorsal hybrid-plating method, are able to return to satisfactory working ability. METHODS: Fourteen working dogs presented to the Veterinary Specialist Group (VSG) and the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (MUVTH) with carpal injuries were prospectively treated using dorsal hybrid plating. Dogs were eligible if actively involved in farm, hunting or police work. Dogs had a standardised PCA surgical procedure performed, and similar instructions for post-operative care were provided. Dogs were re-evaluated clinically and radiographically at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery. A questionnaire was completed by 12 owners, to assess each dog's working ability. RESULTS: Twelve months following arthrodesis, 10/12 (83%) dogs could perform most or all duties normally. Eleven owners (92%) reported that the result of the surgery met their expectations, and nine owners (75%) were very satisfied with the outcome of the surgery. No owners were disappointed or very disappointed with the surgical outcome. Post-operative complications requiring surgical removal of the implant occurred in three (25%) dogs. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral PCA using a standardised surgical procedure and dorsal hybrid plating of carpal injuries has a good prognosis for working dogs in New Zealand to return to work. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These results may allow veterinarians to provide a more accurate prognosis to owners of working dogs that have debilitating carpal injury.

Male pseudohermaphroditism in a Labrador Retriever, and a review of mammalian sexual differentiation.

CASE HISTORY: An 8-month-old Labrador Retriever was referred with a history of ambiguous external genitalia. CLINICAL FINDINGS AND TREATMENT: Clitoromegaly within apparent vulval folds, and an adjacent subcutaneous mass were noticed on external examination. An intra-abdominal testicle, with epididymis and suspected vas deferens ducts, was found during exploratory celiotomy. Incision over the subcutaneous mass revealed the accompanying testicle. Clitoridectomy was performed and an os clitoris removed. Normal juvenile testes were diagnosed on histology of the gonads. Chromosomal studies revealed a normal 78, XY male chromosomal constitution. Due to the combination of a male karyotype (78, XY), the presence of testicular tissue in the gonads, and the appearance of the external genitalia, a diagnosis of male pseudohermaphroditism (MPH) was made. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This case presents the first report of MPH in a Labrador Retriever, and highlights the diagnostic steps recommended when confronted with a dog with ambiguous external genitalia.

Treating pedal shortening in a dog by metatarsal distraction osteogenesis.

A five-month-old, male German shepherd dog was presented with a left hindlimb deformity. Wearing a cast for a prolonged period to treat left metatarsal fractures at eight weeks of age had resulted in physeal closure of the calcaneus, metatarsals and phalanges. Hyperextension of the phalanges and ulceration of the plantar skin proximal to the main tarsal pad were seen. The left foot was 40 mm shorter than the right. At seven months of age, a modified circular external skeletal fixator (CESF) was used to perform distraction osteogenesis of the metatarsal bones for 28 days. The CESF apparatus was removed after eight weeks when there was radiographic consolidation of regenerate bone. At follow-up evaluations four and 12 months after surgery, the phalangeal hyperextension and plantar skin ulceration had resolved. No lameness was detected.

Successful treatment of a pancreatic pseudocyst by omentalisation in a dog.

CASE HISTORY: A 3-year-old male Labrador retriever was presented with a history of dietary indiscretion followed by vomiting and abdominal pain. CLINICAL FINDINGS AND TREATMENT: Abdominal ultrasonography revealed the presence of a fluid-filled cystic structure in the region of the pancreas. Flocculent, dark fluid was drained from the cystic structure during exploratory celiotomy prior to resection of the lateral cystic wall. Omentum was sutured into the cystic cavity to provide drainage and enhance immune response. A jejunostomy feeding tube was placed. Post-surgical care consisted of antibiotic therapy. The dog was clinically normal at 1 and 7 months post-operatively and the pancreas appeared normal on final ultrasonographic examination. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This case describes the use of omentum to provide physiological drainage of a pancreatic pseudocyst. This surgical technique may help clinicians manage patients with this condition in the future.

Cranial cruciate ligament injury in the dog: pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment.

Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease in the dog is a multifactorial complex problem that requires a thorough understanding of the biomechanics of the stifle joint to be understood. Successful treatment of rupture of the CCL should be based on managing underlying anatomical and conformational abnormalities rather than attempting to eliminate the tibial cranial drawer sign. The cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments, the patella ligament and quadriceps mechanism, the medial and lateral collateral ligaments, the medial and lateral menisci and the joint capsule provide stability of the joint and load-sharing. The function of the stifle is also significantly influenced by the musculature of the pelvic limb. An active model of biomechanics of the stifle has been described that incorporates not only the ligamentous structures of the stifle but also the forces created by weight-bearing and the musculature of the pelvic limb. This model recognises a force called cranial tibial thrust, which occurs during weight-bearing, and causes compression of the femoral condyles against the tibial plateau. In middle-aged, large-breed dogs, forces acting on the CCL together with conformation-related mild hyperextension of the stifle and slightly increased tibial plateau slopes are suspected to cause progressive degeneration of the ligament. Palpation of craniolateral stifle laxity has become pathognomonic for CCL rupture; however, chronic periarticular fibrosis, a partial CCL rupture, and a tense patient, may make evaluation of instability of the stifle difficult. Surgical treatment is broadly separated into three groups: intracapsular, extracapsular, and tibial osteotomy techniques. Tibial osteotomy techniques do not serve to provide stability of the stifle but rather alter the geometry of the joint to eliminate cranial tibial thrust such that functional joint stability is achieved during weight-bearing. Visualisation of both menisci is a critical aspect of CCL surgery, irrespective of the technique being performed. Regardless of the surgical technique employed, approximately 85% of dogs show clinical improvement. However, many of these dogs will demonstrate intermittent pain or lameness. Post-operative management is an integral part of the treatment of CCL rupture, and significant benefits in limb function occur when formalised post-operative physiotherapy is performed.

The efficacy of mechanical abrasion and talc slurry as methods of pleurodesis in normal dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of mechanical abrasion and talc slurry as methods for pleurodesis in normal dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Ten normal beagle dogs. METHODS: Group I dogs had mechanical abrasion (MA) of the pulmonary and costal pleurae performed in one hemithorax with a dry gauze sponge with a median sternotomy approach. Group II dogs had 100 mL of a 1 g talc slurry (TS) administered into one hemithorax through a tube thoracostomy. Administration of the TS was visualized by using video thoracoscopy. All dogs were evaluated at 2, 10, 20, and 30 days postoperatively by means of thoracic radiography and ultrasonographic thoracic wall measurement. The dogs were euthanatized 30 days postoperatively and a gross necropsy was performed. Hemithoraces were assigned a pleurodesis score (0-4) and an obliteration grade (0-6). Tissues were collected for histopathologic examination of pulmonary pleura, costal pleura, and pleural adhesions. Pulmonary and costal pleurae were graded for the degree of fibrosis (0-4). RESULTS: Obliteration grade and costal pleural fibrosis score were significantly higher for the treated sides in the MA dogs compared with the TS dogs. MA Dogs: Mechanical abrasion dogs had pleurodesis, obliteration, and pleural fibrosis scores that were greater on the treated side than the untreated side, however, the differences were not statistically significant. Only two MA dogs had firm adhesion of the pulmonary pleura to the costal pleura in portions of the cranial and middle lung lobes in the treated hemithorax. Thoracic wall surface area covered with adhesions was 15% and 21% in each of these two dogs. The median pulmonary pleural fibrosis score of all MA dogs for the treated hemithorax was 3 compared to 0 on the untreated side. TS Dogs: There was no statistical difference for pleurodesis scores and obliteration grades between the treated and untreated sides. No dogs showed evidence of pulmonary to costal pleural adhesions. Histopathology showed talc crossover into the untreated side in all five dogs. Median pulmonary fibrosis score of the treated hemithorax was 1 compared with 0 on the untreated side. CONCLUSIONS: Neither method of pleurodesis produced sufficient pleural adhesions to obliterate the pleural space. It is possible that the degree of pulmonary pleural fibrosis present in MA dogs may be sufficient to limit air leakage from pulmonary blebs and bullae resulting in successful treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax.

Endogenous lipid (cholesterol) pneumonia associated with bronchogenic carcinoma in a cat.

An 11-year-old, female domestic longhair was presented for dyspnea, vomiting, and left forelimb lameness. A mass in the left caudal lung lobe was seen on thoracic radiographs. The mass was resected during thoracotomy, and histopathology confirmed a diagnosis of endogenous lipid pneumonia. The cat recovered slowly from surgery and was euthanized 11 days following discharge because of persistent respiratory difficulties. Necropsy findings included lipid pneumonia and bronchogenic carcinoma, with probable tumor metastasis to the small intestine, spleen, kidney, and left triceps muscle.