Diagnostic and public health investigation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a dog in Ontario, Canada.

A 4-y-old, female mixed-breed dog was presented to the Ontario Veterinary College for further evaluation of multiple pulmonary and hepatic masses, intrathoracic lymphadenitis, and recent development of a pyogranulomatous pleural effusion. Along with other comprehensive tests, a thoracic lymph node biopsy was performed, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex infection was confirmed by real-time PCR. The dog's condition declined post-operatively, and euthanasia was elected. Postmortem examination confirmed severe granulomatous pneumonia, hepatitis, intrathoracic and intraabdominal lymphadenitis, omentitis, and nephritis. Line-probe assays performed on samples collected postmortem confirmed the species as M. tuberculosis. 24-loci MIRU-VNTR genotyping, spoligotyping, and whole-genome sequencing revealed relations to known human isolates, but no epidemiologic link to these cases was investigated. Given the concern for potential human exposure during this animal's disease course, a public health investigation was initiated; 45 individuals were tested for M. tuberculosis exposure, and no subsequent human infections related to this animal were identified. Our case highlights the need for more readily available, minimally invasive testing for the diagnosis of canine mycobacteriosis, and highlights the ability of canid species to act as potential contributors to the epidemiology of M. tuberculosis infections.

Clinical assessment following tibial tuberosity advancement in 28 stifles at 6 months and 1 year after surgery.

This prospective study evaluated the effect of tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) on lameness, thigh circumference, range of motion (ROM), and radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) scores at 6 wk, 6 mo, and 1 y after surgery in 24 client-owned dogs with cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) deficiency. Complications associated with TTA were also assessed. A significant improvement in lameness score and thigh circumference was observed in CrCL deficient limbs that received TTA, but no significant overall change in range of motion occurred in the affected limbs over the course of the study. Post-operative complications were identified in 33.3% of the dogs. This study demonstrates that TTA results in significant clinical improvement in patients up to 1 y after surgery. However, 21% of the dogs had post-operative recurrent lameness.

Évaluation clinique après l'avancement de la tubérosité tibiale dans 28 grassets 6 mois et 1 an près la chirurgie. Cette étude prospective a évalué l'effet de l'avancement de la tubérosité tibiale (ATT) sur la boiterie, la circonférence de la cuisse, l'amplitude articulaire (AA) et les cotations radiographiques d'ostéo-arthrite 6 semaines, 6 mois et 1 an après la chirurgie chez 24 chiens, qui appartenaient à des clients, atteints d'une dysfonction du ligament croisé crânial (LCCr). Les complications associées à l'ATT ont aussi été évaluées. Une amélioration importante de la cotation de la boiterie et de la circonférence des cuisses a été observée dans les membres atteints d'une dysfonction du LCCr qui avaient reçu l'ATT, mais aucun changement général important ne s'est produit au niveau de l'amplitude articulaire des membres touchés pendant l'étude. Des complications post-opératoires ont été identifiées chez 33,3 % des chiens. Cette étude a démontré que l'ATT produit une amélioration clinique importante chez les patients jusqu'à 1 an après la chirurgie. Cependant, 21 % des chiens présentaient une boiterie post-opératoire récurrente.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Limb-sparing surgery using tantalum metal endoprosthesis in a dog with osteosarcoma of the distal radius.

A 5-year-old, male neutered, mixed breed dog was presented for left forelimb lameness and swelling over the left distal radius. A primary bone tumor of the distal radius was diagnosed and limb-sparing surgery of the left forelimb was performed using a tantalum metal-DCP endoprosthesis. Post-operative histopathology confirmed osteosarcoma.