Effect of use of different landmark methods on determining stifle angle and on calculated tibial tuberosity advancement.

OBJECTIVES: Firstly, to investigate the effect that using different landmarks has on the measured stifle angle. Secondly, to determine whether any differences in measured stifle angle would lead to variations in the required extent of tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA). METHODS: Three greyhound stifles were positioned in a total of 66 different angles. Radiographic exposures of each stifle angle were made. For each radiograph i) the stifle angle was measured using each of three sets of landmarks and ii) the extent of TTA required to obtain a patella tendon angle of 90° was measured. Each radiograph was plotted graphically according to the stifle angle and the extent of TTA required. Linear regression analysis was used to calculate the TTA required for a stifle angle of 135° measured using each of the three landmark sets. RESULTS: On average, the stifle angle determined by the Long Axes method differed by 18° from the stifle angle determined with the Kinematic method. The stifle angle determined using the Eminence method differed from that determined using the Kinematic method by three degrees. The use of the Long Axes of the tibia and femur as landmarks to determine a stifle angle resulted in 5 mm and 4 mm over-advancement of the tibial tuberosity compared to the use of Kinematic or Eminence landmark methods respectively. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The method used to measure the stifle joint angle can influence the value of the required TTA advancement. This is an additional variable that should be considered during TTA planning and when comparing in vivo and in vitro studies.

Repair of a transverse ilial fracture in a cat using an intramedullary pin.

OBJECTIVE: This case report describes the novel use of an intramedullary pin in an eight-month-old cat to repair malunion of a right transverse ilial fracture that was causing pelvic canal diameter narrowing and constipation. METHOD: A routine, right femoral head and neck ostectomy was performed due to the presence of a femoral head fracture with apparent femoral neck necrosis. Significant callus formation around the ilial fracture was removed in order to achieve satisfactory fracture reduction. A 2 mm Steinmann pin was passed in a retrograde fashion from the acetabular fracture towards the ischial tuberosity, and following removal of the trochar tip and reduction of the fracture, was driven normograde to end in the cranial ilial wing. The pin was bent at the ischium following cutting in an attempt to prevent cranial migration. RESULTS: Radiographic examination showed good fracture alignment and increased pelvic diameter by 31% The cat regained normal limb function and the constipation resolved. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A transilial pin was utilised successfully in a cat to realign and stabilise a simple transverse ilial fracture following femoral head and neck ostectomy. This technique has the potential to be useful for stabilisation of feline caudal ilial body fractures, but should not be used where there is articular surface involvement unless the coxofemoral joint is not preserved. Further studies are required to assess this technique.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal sacs in three dogs.

Anal sac squamous cell carcinoma is rare in dogs. Five cases have been previously reported, treatment of which involved surgery alone. This report describes three further cases of canine anal sac squamous cell carcinoma which underwent medical (meloxicam) management alone, resulting in survival of up to seven months. No metastases were identified. Squamous cell carcinoma, although extremely uncommon, should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis when a dog is presented for investigation of an anal sac mass.

Carbimazole-associated hypersensitivity vasculitis in a cat.

Feline hyperthyroidism can be treated medically, surgically or with radioactive iodine. Carbimazole inhibits both triiodothyronine and thyroxine synthesis in the thyroid gland and reported side effects include mild eosinophilia, leucopenia and lymphocytosis, thrombocytopenia, elevated liver enzyme activities, gastrointestinal signs and skin abnormalities. This case report describes a cat with carbimazole-associated apparent hypersensitivity vasculitis causing digital and tail necrosis, with multiple renal infarcts. Withdrawal of carbimazole resulted in stable disease.

UK owner preferences for treatment of feline injection site sarcomas.

OBJECTIVES: Feline injection site sarcomas are therapeutically challenging because of their locally invasive nature. Several protocols recommend that the two perceived high-risk adjuvanted vaccines should be administered into distinct anatomical sites ("left hind leg leukaemia, right hind leg rabies"), which should aid surgical resection. This has resulted in a change in tumour distribution with an increased proportion situated caudal to the diaphragm when such a policy is adopted. The aim of this study was to determine UK cat owners' attitudes towards surgical treatments of different anatomical regions. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of an anonymous convenience sample of UK cat owners was conducted from September to December, 2012 using an internet-based survey. RESULTS: There were a total of 208 respondents: 39% would pursue surgery regardless of tumour site. One percent would not pursue surgery. Of the remainder, respondents would not allow amputation of the forelimb (20%), hindlimb (15%) or tail (15%). Twenty-six, 32 and 27% would not have surgical treatment of the inter-scapular region, chest or abdomen, respectively. The majority of respondents were willing to travel up to 100 miles for radiotherapy or chemotherapy (66 and 69%, respectively). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The current feline vaccine site recommendations may not be appropriate for UK cat owners.

Prospective study to investigate the use of fine needle aspiration techniques in UK veterinary practice.

OBJECTIVES: To document the fine needle aspiration methods used by UK veterinary practitioners for the assessment of cutaneous masses and relate this to the achievement of a representative sample. METHODS: An internet-based questionnaire was designed and publicised in the UK national veterinary press, at a national surgical meeting, and in letters to veterinary surgeons. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy respondents replied to the questionnaire: 58 · 2% sampled cutaneous masses on the basis of appearance or behaviour; 41 · 3% sampled every cutaneous mass. Practitioners with a greater oncological caseload or who graduated more recently were more likely to recommend fine needle aspiration for every cutaneous mass (P = 0 · 019 and P = 0 · 0002 respectively); 66 · 5% of respondents applied suction during fine needle aspiration; 89% of all respondents used a 2 or 5 mL syringe in combination with a 21 or 23 G needle. There was no statistically significant association between achievement of a representative sample and syringe (P = 0 · 64) or needle size (P = 0 · 63). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Fine needle aspiration is widely used in UK practice, but may be underutilised in practices with lower oncological caseloads. Survey participants reported a high rate of representative samples obtained using all the commonly used techniques. Further work is required to confirm these observations.

Intranasal epidermoid cyst causing upper airway obstruction in three brachycephalic dogs.

This case report describes three brachycephalic dogs with intranasal epidermoid cysts that were causing additional upper airway obstruction. Although epidermoid cysts have been described in several locations in dogs, to the authors' knowledge intranasal epidermoid cysts have not been previously reported. All dogs had mucopurulent to haemorrhagic nasal discharge. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head revealed the presence of unilateral or bilateral intranasal cystic lesions obstructing the nasal cavities partially or completely, with atrophy of the ipsilateral nasal turbinates. The cystic lesions were surgically excised in all dogs using a modified lateral alveolar mucosal approach to the affected nasal cavity. Aerobic, anaerobic and fungal culture of the cystic contents were negative and histology of the excised tissue was consistent with a benign intranasal epidermoid cyst in each dog. Upper airway obstruction was clinically improved in two dogs.

Imaging diagnosis and minimally-invasive management of necrotizing fasciitis in a dog.

Necrotising fasciitis is a rapidly progressive, aggressive bacterial infection of the subcutis associated with significant morbidity and mortality in both man and domestic animals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first veterinary report of magnetic resonance imaging findings in necrotising fasciitis, and the first reported case in a dog to be successfully treated with minimally invasive surgical intervention.

Temporally separated bilateral anal sac gland carcinomas in four dogs.

Anal sac gland carcinoma arising from the apocrine secretory epithelium in the anal sac wall, is locally invasive and highly metastatic. The majority of anal sac gland carcinomas are unilateral on presentation, but bilateral tumours have been identified. This case series presents the outcome of four unique cases of unilateral anal sac gland carcinoma which subsequently developed contralateral anal sac gland carcinoma 50 to 390 days after removal of the initial tumour. Median survival was 1035 days after initial diagnosis and 807 days after diagnosis of the second anal sac gland carcinoma.

Domesticated cats with active mycobacteria infections have low serum vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations.

Vitamin D insufficiency is regularly observed in human patients with tuberculosis but it is unknown if spontaneous mycobacteria infections in other species are associated with suboptimal vitamin D status. Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were significantly lower in cats with mycobacteriosis than in healthy cats (P < 0.001).

Evaluation of the expectations, learning and competencies of surgical skills by undergraduate veterinary students performing canine ovariohysterectomies.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the development of surgical skills of veterinary undergraduates and determine the number of canine ovariohysterectomies required to achieve competency and reduce levels of student concern. This was compared to student expectations and that of employers regarding surgical ability and provision of support to new graduates. METHODS: A questionnaire regarding surgical concerns was sent to final year veterinary students enrolled within the University of Bristol, UK. A questionnaire was also sent to 200 UK veterinary practices regarding their impressions of surgical competence of new graduates and their provision of supervision. The responses were compared. Eleven additional final year students performed five canine ovariohysterectomies and graded their concerns. The number of supervised canine ovariohysterectomies required until competency was determined. RESULTS: 80·4% of final year veterinary undergraduates replied that the surgical procedure which they were most concerned about their ability to perform was canine ovariohysterectomy. Students and veterinary practitioners differed in their opinions regarding whether they considered canine ovariohysterectomy to be a "day one skill" and what were desirable levels of supervision. Completing a minimum of four canine ovariohysterectomies led to 81·8% of students being assessed as competent. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: An unrealistically high expectation of competency by students may be a source of stress and concern. Employers should aim to provide hands-on support whilst new graduates complete at least four canine ovariohysterectomies. Postoperative haemorrhage is uncommon but is the main concern for students.