Subtotal colectomy for the treatment of obstipation secondary to pelvic fracture malunion in cats.

Eleven cats in which subtotal colectomy with end-to-end jejunocolostomy was performed for the treatment of chronic obstipation secondary to pelvic fracture malunion were followed for at least 18 months. Seven cats had no recurrence of clinical signs and no longterm complications. In two cats, constipation was less severe and occurred less frequently; however, medical treatment was still required. In one cat, watery diarrhea gradually changed to semiformed feces of normal consistency by month 6; the cat was clinically normal at month 18. One cat had recurrence of constipation and was euthanatized after 2 years of medical treatment.

Complications associated with the medical and surgical management of gastric dilatation-volvulus in the dog.

Morbidity and mortality encountered in the medical and surgical management of gastric dilatation-volvulus syndrome are most commonly associated with hypovolemic shock, ventricular arrhythmias, and sepsis related to gastric wall necrosis. Complications requiring spontaneous decisions are frequently encountered preoperatively during emergency stabilization, intraoperatively during exploratory laparotomy and prophylactic gastropexy, and postoperatively during the recovery period.

Urethrorectal fistulectomy in a dog, using a perineal approach.

Using urethrography, urethrorectal fistula was diagnosed in a 3-year-old male Labrador Retriever with a 2 1/2-year history of recurrent urinary tract infection characterized by intermittent hematuria and pollakiuria. Fistulectomy was performed, and the dog recovered without complication.

High-rise syndrome in cats.

High-rise syndrome was diagnosed in 132 cats over a 5-month period. The mean age of the cats was 2.7 years. Ninety percent of the cats had some form of thoracic trauma. Of these, 68% had pulmonary contusions and 63% had pneumothorax. Abnormal respiratory patterns were evident clinically in 55%. Other common clinical findings included facial trauma (57%), limb fractures (39%), shock (24%), traumatic luxations (18%), hard palate fractures (17%), hypothermia (17%), and dental fractures (17%). Emergency (life-sustaining) treatment, primarily because of thoracic trauma and shock, was required in 37% of the cats. Nonemergency treatment was required in an additional 30%. The remaining 30% were observed, but did not require treatment. Ninety percent of the treated cats survived.

Dynamic intramedullary crosspinning technique for repair of distal femoral fractures in dogs and cats: 71 cases (1981-1985)

Dynamic intramedullary crosspinning was used in the surgical treatment of supracondylar and distal physeal fractures of the femur in 129 dogs and cats over a 5-year period; the records of the 44 dogs and 27 cats with follow-up information up to time of bony union were evaluated. The results were good or excellent in 66 of 71 animals (93%). The mean follow-up period was 22 months. Distal pin migration was the major complication (10 animals; 14%). The pin migrated before bony union in 2 animals because of instability and collapse at the fracture site. The pin migrated in 8 animals after bony union and was associated with intermittent lameness. In 5 of these, pin removal was performed and the lameness resolved.