Comparison of the distraction index and Norberg angle with radiographic grading of canine hip dysplasia.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) radiographic grading system stands as a well-established benchmark for categorizing hip dysplasia in canines. Although more objective techniques to quantify early hip laxity in young dogs, such as the Norberg angle (NA) and distraction index (DI), have been documented, there is a scarcity of published studies that directly compare these radiographic measures. The primary objectives of this prospective, analytical study were to assess and compare the NA and DI measures with OFA grades within a cohort of dogs. Thirty dogs (57 hip joints) were evaluated, with a mean age of 5.4 ± 2.9 years and a mean body weight of 34.3 ± 7.1 kg. The discriminative power of hip dysplasia for DI and NA used OFA as a reference were compared by multivariate discriminant analysis test. Using the DI (≤0.3) 12 joints were classified as normal, using NA (≥105°) 24 joints and using OFA (≤3) 29. When comparing the discriminant power of NA with OFA resulting similar (P = .8324) with correct classifications of 81% using cross validation, however, the discriminant power of dysplasia of the DI resulted significantly greater (P = .0034) than OFA with correct classifications of only 59% using cross-validation, consequently it was possible determined that of 29 patients with OFA ≤ 3, 20 had DI > 0.3. These findings demonstrated that phenotypic healthy dogs according to OFA grading can present passive hip joint laxity, as demonstrated by radiographic evaluation with distraction. Furthermore, DI can contribute to the screening of CHD when evaluated in conjunction with OFA grading.

Renal scintigraphy as an early and efficient method for detecting loss of renal function in a cat.

CASE SUMMARY: A 6-year-old mixed-breed male cat was evaluated for a routine annual health assessment. No alterations on physical examination were observed other than mild pain on palpation of the right kidney. Complete blood count, serum biochemistry (including symmetric dimethylarginine), urinalysis and urine protein:creatinine ratio were within the reference intervals for the species. Abdominal ultrasonography showed the presence of asymmetric kidneys, decreased corticomedullary definition, presence of a cyst on the left kidney and moderate renal pelvis dilatation on the right kidney. Dynamic renal scintigraphy (technetium [99mTc]-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid) revealed a single functioning kidney on the left. Static renal scintigraphy (99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid) exhibited renal activity practically restricted to the left kidney (relative uptake was 99% for the left kidney and 1% for the right kidney). Results of renal scintigraphy showed that the left kidney was compensating for the lack of function of the right one. GFR was 2.17 ml/min/kg, which is considered subclinical renal insufficiency and is in accordance with the case, as the cat was asymptomatic and did not present alterations in laboratory parameters. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: Renal scintigraphy was an important tool to determine the loss of renal function in one of the kidneys and mild reduction of global GFR. In this case report, renal scintigraphy proved to be more sensitive in the assessment of renal function than other tests routinely performed.

Surgical management of long bone fractures in cats using cortical bone allografts preserved in honey.

This report describes comminuted fractures in 2 cats repaired by stabilization with cortical bone allografts that had been preserved in honey. Both cats exhibited appropriate post-operative weight-bearing. Preservation of bone in honey is a simple and widely available alternative for bone banking. This is the first report of a bone defect in cats repaired with bone preserved in honey.

Gestion chirurgicale de fractures osseuses longues chez les chats à l'aide d'une allogreffe de la corticale préservée dans du miel. Ce rapport décrit deux fractures comminutives réparées par la stabilisation à l'aide de l'allogreffe de la corticale qui avait été préservée dans du miel. Les deux chats ont manifesté une mise en charge postopératoire appropriée. La préservation de l'os dans du miel est une méthode de remplacement simple et facilement disponible comme ostéothèque. Il s'agit du premier rapport d'un défaut osseux chez des chats qui a été réparé à l'aide d'un os préservé dans du miel.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation of biocompatibility of castor oil polyurethane polymer with calcium carbonate in equine bone tissue.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of castor oil polyurethane polymer with calcium carbonate for use in a unicortical ostectomy on the dorsal surface of the third metacarpal bone of horses. ANIMALS 6 adult horses. PROCEDURES A unicortical ostectomy was created on the dorsal surface of both third metacarpal bones of each horse. Castor bean (Ricinus communis) oil polyurethane polymer with calcium carbonate was implanted into the ostectomy on 1 limb, and the ostectomy of the contralateral limb was left unfilled and served as a control sample. Ostectomy sites were evaluated histologically 120 days later. Biopsy specimens were obtained from the interface of bone and polymer or the interface of bone and newly formed tissue; specimens were processed for histomorphometric evaluation by use of light microscopy, immunohistochemical analysis, histochemical analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS Osteoconductive activity of the biomaterial was confirmed by the presence of osteoblasts in the biopsy specimens. Absence of a chronic inflammatory response or foreign body reaction indicated biocompatibility. Expression of osteoblast markers was detected in the newly formed tissue. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that castor oil polyurethane polymer with calcium carbonate could be an acceptable compound for use as a bone substitute in horses with fractures in which bone filling is necessary.

Short-term comparison of tibial tuberosity advancement and tibial plateau levelling osteotomy in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease using kinetic analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study set out to compare the outcomes of tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) and tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) procedures in the treatment of dogs affected with unilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) based on subjective parameters and objective pressure platform analysis (baropodometry). METHODS: Twenty-seven adult dogs weighing over 20 kg that were presented with unilateral CCLD and were treated by the TTA (12 dogs) or TPLO (15 dogs) surgical procedure. Patient allocation to either group was based on tibial plateau angle (TPA), according to clinical guidelines (indication for TTA for dogs was a TPA up to 25°, and indication for TPLO was any TPA). Pressure platform analysis was performed prior to surgery and at four different postoperative time points (14, 30, 60 and 90 days). RESULTS: Limb function significantly improved following TTA and TPLO, with no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSION: The TTA and TPLO surgical procedures were considered to be equally effective in promoting weight bearing capacity recovery in dogs affected with unilateral CCLD under the conditions of this trial.

Radial shock wave therapy in dogs with hip osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims were to evaluate the effects of radial shock wave therapy (RSWT) in dogs with hip osteoarthritis (OA) using clinical assessment and kinetic analysis. METHODS: Thirty dogs diagnosed with bilateral hip OA and 30 healthy dogs were used. In OA dogs, one limb was randomly selected for treatment with RSWT while the contralateral limb served as an untreated control. Dogs were evaluated while walking on a pressure walkway. Peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) were documented; symmetry index (SI) was also calculated. Blinded clinical evaluation was performed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Owner perception data regarding levels of physical activity were also collected. The RSWT protocol (2000 pulses, 10 Hz, 2-3.4 bars) consisted of three weekly treatment sessions (days 1, 8 and 16). Follow-up data were collected 30, 60 and 90 days after the first session. Data were compared between time points, groups and limbs pairs. RESULTS: At the end of the experimental period, mean PVF and VI values had increased (25.9 to 27.6%BW and 2.1 to 12.7%BW × s respectively) in treated limbs, with no significant differences in control limbs; SI values suggest improvement. Mean PVF and VI remained lower in the treated compared to the healthy group following treatment. The VAS scores suggested improvement in pain and lameness in treated dogs. Owner perception data suggested improved levels of physical activity following treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Outcomes of this study suggested beneficial effects of RSWT in dogs with hip osteoarthritis.

Osteossíntese de fêmur em gato-do-mato-pequeno (Leopardus tigrinus) / Femur osteosynthesis in little spotted cat (Leopardus tigrinus)

O gato-do-mato-pequeno (Leopardus tigrinus) apresenta porte e proporção corporal semelhante ao gato doméstico e é a menor espécie de felídeo não doméstico do Brasil, sendo classificado com espécie da fauna brasileira ameaçada de extinção. Em gatos domésticos, o fêmur é o osso que mais sofre trauma e a porção distal é a mais acometida por fraturas. Uma fêmea de gato-do-mato-pequeno, com cinco meses de idade, apresentando fratura completa transversa supracondilar de fêmur direito foi tratada com sucesso por meio de osteossíntese com dois fios de Kirschner cruzados. Aos 60 dias de evolução do procedimento cirúrgico, a paciente recebeu alta do Hospital Veterinário, sendo devolvida ao seu local de origem. Segundo o conhecimento dos autores, este é o primeiro relato de osteossíntese de fêmur com o uso de fios de Kirschner em Leopardus tigrinus. Assim, o tratamento foi desenvolvido com base em dados referentes ao gato doméstico em função da similaridade anatômica entre as duas espécies. O método de osteossíntese escolhido, nesse relato, mostrou-se eficaz, promovendo retorno adequado à função do membro.

The little spotted cat or oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus) is a wild feline that has size and body proportions similar to the domestic cat (Felis catus), but can be classified as the smallest wild feline all the way from Costa Rica to Brazil and Argentina threatened with extinction. In domestic cats, the distal portion of the long bone femur is more susceptible to fractures. The aim of this paper is to report the treatment of a complete, transverse, supracondylar fracture of the right femur on a five-month-old little female oncilla, by internal fixation by two crossed Kirschner wires. At 60 days after surgery, the patient was discharged from the veterinary hospital and returned to its place of origin. Considering the author's knowledge, this is the first report of osteosynthesis in L. tigrinus using this described technique. Due to similarities with species, anatomical, surgical and anesthetics data of domestic cats were considered. The fixation method was successful and limb function was achieved without any complication.

Laparoscopic versus open splenectomy in dogs

In the last few years, the use of laparoscopy in veterinary medicine has expanded and consequently so was the need for studies that establish the advantages, disadvantages and possible complications of each procedure. The purpose of the current study was to describe a laparoscopic splenectomy technique and the alterations due to this access, and compare it to the open procedure in dogs. A total of 15 healthy female mongrel dogs were used, with mean weight of 17.4±2.5kg. The animals were distributed into three groups: Group IA of open splenectomy (laparotomy) using double ligation of the vessels of the splenic hilum with poliglicolic acid, Group IB of open splenectomy (laparotomy) with bipolar electrocoagulation of the splenic hilum, and Group II of laparoscopic access with bipolar electrocoagulation of the splenic hilum. Operative time, blood loss, size of incisions, complications during and after surgery were evaluated. Other parameters included pain scores, white blood cell (WBC) counts and postoperative serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose and cortisol. No differences were found in the evaluation of parameters between both open splenectomy techniques employed. Laparoscopic access presented significant differences (p<0,05) when compared with open surgery: Longer operative time, smaller abdominal access, decrease in blood loss, lower concentrations of CRP, higher levels of CK and ALP, and lower scores in the pain scale. Laparoscopic surgery showed fewer complications of the surgical wound. No significant differences were observed between groups in the postoperative temperature, WBC, ALT, cortisol and glucose concentrations. In conclusion, the laparoscopic technique is useful for splenectomy in dogs, being advantageous in terms of blood loss, surgical stress and surgical wounds. However, it expends more operative time and causes transitory...

Nos últimos anos, a utilização da laparoscopia em Medicina Veterinária vem expandindo e, conseqüentemente, a necessidade de pesquisas que determinem as vantagens, desvantagens e possíveis complicações de cada procedimento. Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever uma técnica de esplenectomia laparoscópica, assim como as alterações decorrentes deste acesso, e compará-la ao procedimento convencional em cães. Foram utilizadas 15 cadelas hígidas, sem raça definida, com peso médio de 17,4 ±2,5kg. Os animais foram distribuídos em três grupos: Grupo IA de acesso convencional (por laparotomia) utilizando ligadura com ácido poliglicólico no selamento vascular do hilo esplênico, Grupo IB de acesso convencional (por laparotomia) com eletrocoagulador bipolar do hilo esplênico, e Grupo II de acesso laparoscópico com eletrocoagulador bipolar para selamento vascular dos ramos esplênicos. Estes grupos foram avaliados em relação ao tempo cirúrgico, à perda de sangue, ao tamanho das incisões e às complicações durante e após a cirurgia. Também foram comparadas as avaliações da escala de dor e as alterações no leucograma e nas concentrações séricas da alanina aminotransferase (ALT), da fosfatase alcalina (FA), da creatina quinase (CK), da proteína C-reativa (CRP), da glicose e do cortisol no pós-operatório. Os acessos convencionais não diferiram entre si nos parâmetros avaliados. O acesso laparoscópico apresentou diferenças significativas (p<0,05) quando comparado ao convencional: maior tempo cirúrgico, menor acesso abdominal, diminuição na perda de sangue, menores concentrações de CRP, maiores níveis de CK e FA, além de pontuação menor na escala de dor. A cirurgia laparoscópica apresentou menor número de complicações das feridas cirúrgicas. A ALT, o cortisol, a glicemia, o leucograma e a temperatura retal pós-operatórias não diferiram significativamente entre os acessos convencional e laparoscópico. Conclui-se que a cirurgia laparoscópica é viável para...