A rare case of a double vagina in a young American Staffordshire Terrier bitch (Canis lupus familiaris). A case report.

The presence of congenital urogenital malformations is relatively common in bitches. However, cases of double vagina in the literature are scarce, and the ones reported usually accompany other urogenital defects. The vaginal anomaly was an incidental finding in the present case during a routine spay and was not accompanied by any other malformations. A detailed presentation of the diagnosis and surgical management of the double vagina is presented in the current paper. A 1-year-old nulliparous American Staffordshire Terrier bitch was presented for dysuria in the past 24 h. After inspection and palpation, a distended abdomen was noticed. Biochemistry, hematology, and urinalysis were performed. No other laboratory findings were noted besides mild hypocalcemia, hypoproteinemia, hypobilirubinemia, and increased lipase. During the ultrasonographic examination, a hypoechoic fluid accumulation was observed caudal to the urinary bladder in what seemed to be hydrocolpos. Exploratory laparotomy was recommended. Ovariohysterovaginectomy was performed, and the gross and histological findings were highly suggestive of a double vagina. The dog recovered from surgery uneventfully, and it was free of clinical signs six months after the surgery. To the extent of our knowledge, this is the first case of double vagina, without any other congenital defects, ultrasonography documented and surgically corrected, in a young bitch.

Coxofemoral luxation as a complication of localised tetanus in a cat.

Case summary: A 9-month-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat presented 2 weeks after castration with a 48 h history of acute-onset lateral recumbency and severe hindlimb rigidity. Physical examination findings included hyperthermia, tachypnoea, hindlimb rigidity and a healed orchidectomy site. Neurological examination of the head and forelimbs was normal; however, there was a spastic, non-ambulatory paraparesis of the hindlimbs, which was more severe on the left. Abnormal findings included mildly elevated serum creatine kinase levels and on electromyography there was bilateral pathological spontaneous activity of the biceps femoris muscles. A tentative diagnosis of tetanus was made based on clinical presentation. Treatment was initiated with tetanus antitoxin, diazepam, metronidazole, buprenorphine and physiotherapy of the hindlimbs. There was an improvement over the following 20 days. Twenty-five days later the cat presented with acute, painful, non-weightbearing lameness of the left hindlimb. Physical examination was suggestive of craniodorsal coxofemoral joint luxation, which was confirmed radiographically. This was treated with analgesia and rest. A marked clinical improvement was observed at the 3-month follow-up. Relevance and novel information: To our knowledge, there have been no previously published reports of spontaneous coxofemoral joint luxation as a complication of hindlimb localised tetanus infection in cats. This report suggests that coxofemoral luxation should be considered as a possible complication in young cats with hindlimb localised tetanus.

The Use of Sixty Degree Rotation of the Acetabulum for Treatment of Dogs With Canine Hip Dysplasia. A Short Case Series.

Triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) is a prophylactic surgical procedure performed on dogs with canine hip dysplasia. The procedure is indicated in skeletally immature dogs without secondary osteoarthritis (OA). It has been suggested that 60° of rotation is excessive and is associated with poor outcome. The objective of the study was to assess the medium term outcome in dogs having undergone triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) using 60° dedicated plates. Nine TPOs were performed in seven dogs with hip dysplasia. Eight of nine hips had 72-100% osseous union at the time of revisit. The mean time to final radiographic recheck was 200 days (range, 185-229 days). The mean time to follow-up was 11.5 months (range 11-12 months). All 7 dogs had regained full function and did not require supplemental analgesia. Pelvic canal narrowing was noted in the two dogs with bilateral surgeries, but no clinical consequences were noted according to owner's statement.If more than 40 degrees reduction angles at Ortolani test, 60° of rotation of the acetabulum can be used successfully in dogs with hip dysplasia. At the time of mid-term follow-up, all dogs in this case series had full function.

Pelvic modelling and the comparison between plate position for double pelvic osteotomy using artificial cancellous bone and finite element analysis.

BACKGROUND: Finite element analysis was used to compare fixation methods for double pelvic osteotomy (DPO). Using 3D scanning a stereolithography (stl) image was produced of a canine pelvis and this was subsequently refined in computer aided design (CAD). Using the CAD files, the images were imported in MSC Marc software to produce a working finite element (FE) model with 3 dimensional tetrahedral elements with linear shaped functions. The dimensions of a precontoured pelvic osteotomy plate with eight screws and a twisted seven screw straight plate were used to build the 2 fixations implants for the FE models. An equivalent load of 300 N was applied progressively on all FE models in order to facilitate its convergence. The load was applied in a distributed manner on the femur-hip joint contact area in order to simulate the actual behavior of the joint. The aim of the present study was to analyze the difference in stiffness and behavior under loading between a lateral vs ventral plate fixation, with unlocked screws and different gap scenarios, for stabilization of a pelvic osteotomy using finite element analysis. RESULTS: From both configurations the maximum displacement of the ventral plate with 7 screws without gap had a value of 1.988 mm, while in the DPO plate had a maximum displacement of 2.191 mm. The load applied for each of the different configurations studied when a gap of 1° was considered and also when a condition of no gap was considered. The ventral plate was stiffer than the lateral plate when a gap was not present. When the gap was closed in the ventral plate, the stiffness increased until a point that remained constant. CONCLUSIONS: Ventral plate fixation can be as or more stiff as lateral plate fixation and provides flexible fixation. This behavior should reduce screw loosening. Using ventral plate fixation is recommended to reduce screw loosening or failure.

Vaginal prolapse with urinary bladder incarceration and consecutive irreducible rectal prolapse in a dog.

BACKGROUND: True vaginal prolapse is a rare condition in dogs and it is occasionally observed in animals with constipation, dystocia, or forced separation during breeding. If a true prolapse occurs, the bladder, the uterine body and/or distal part of the colon, may be present in the prolapse. CASE PRESENTATION: A 2-year-old intact non pregnant Central Asian Shepherd dog in moderate condition, was presented for a true vaginal and rectal prolapse. The prolapses were confirmed by physical examination and ultrasonography. Herniation of the urinary bladder was identified within the vaginal prolapse. The necrotic vaginal wall was resected, the urinary bladder was reduced surgically and fixed to the right abdominal wall to prevent recurrence. Rectal resection and anastomosis was necessary to correct the rectal prolapse. Recurrence of the prolapses was not observed and the dog recovered completely after the surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In our opinion, extreme tenesmus arising from constipation may have predisposed to the vaginal prolapse with bladder incarceration and secondarily to rectal prolapse. In the young female dog, true vaginal prolapse with secondary involvement of the urinary bladder and irreducible rectal prolapse is an exceptionally rare condition.

An unusual case of a mature teratoma on the left perineal region of a young cat: surgical treatment and pathological description.

A 10-month-old intact male cat with a clinical history of a large mass in the left perineal region was submitted to the surgery department. The mass had reportedly been present as a small swelling after birth. Cytological evaluation using a fine-needle aspirate showed eosinophilic keratinaceous debris, and was not convincing for the definitive diagnosis. Complete surgical excision was performed. Postoperative function and aesthetics were excellent. Based on gross and histological features the definitive diagnosis of the tumor was mature teratoma with ectodermal and endodermal components. After a follow-up period of 4 months, no signs of recurrence were evident. Surgical excision of the teratoma in our case was considered curative. A perineal location has not been previously reported in the cat and should be considered a rare condition in this species.