Modified Knowles toggle pin technique with nylon monofilament suture material for treatment of two caudoventral hip luxation cases.

The coxofemoral joint is the most commonly luxated joint in dogs and cats. Coxofemoral luxations are generally craniodorsal; caudoventral coxofemoral luxations are relatively rare occurrences and may be accompanied by fracture of the greater trochanter. The aim of our study was to report the results of a modified Knowles toggle pin application in two caudoventral hip luxations for which closed reduction had not been achieved. Medical records of dogs and cats, which had been presented at our institution between September 1999 and October 2007, were reviewed for cases of coxofemoral luxation. In total, the case records of 67 cats and 147 dogs were found. Of these cases, there was one cat and one dog with caudoventral coxofemoral luxation. For both cases, the toggle pin technique was the method of treatment. The cat had a good clinical recovery within three days after surgery. The dog, which also had a cruciate ligament rupture in the same limb and medial patellar luxation in the contralateral limb, was presented with severe lameness and pain approximately two and a half months after surgery, at which time fracture of the femoral head was diagnosed. Functional recovery was achieved after a femoral head and neck ostectomy had been performed.

Ultrastructural evaluation of urine alkalinization versus hydration on colistin-induced nephrotoxicity.

OBJECTIVES: Colistin is a vital antibiotic used in multidrug-resistant infections. Its most important side effect is nephrotoxicity. Colistin is a weak acid. This study aims to evaluate whether urine alkalinization is protective in the nephrotoxicity of colistin. METHODS: Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups. Group I (n = 4) was injected with intramuscular distilled water twice a day for 7 days. Group II (n = 8) was injected with 750,000 IU/kg/day colistin for 7 days. Group III (n = 8) was injected with the same dose of colistin after their urinary pH was ≥7 through the addition of bicarbonate in their drinking water. Group IV (n = 8) was injected with the same dose of colistin after their urine density fell below 1010 through the addition of NaCl molds in their food and 12.6 mg/L NaCl in their drinking water. RESULTS: According to tubular degenerations (scored 0-5), group I scored 0, group II scored 4.25, group III scored 2, and group IV scored 1.5. In groups III and IV, protection was achieved (p = 0.001). The bicarbonate group was not superior to the NaCl group (p = 0.789). In transmission electron microscopy, group III had more microvilli integrity and autophagic vacuoles compared to group IV. Group IV had mitochondrial swelling and cristae lysis. A lower urine density was related to lower tubular scores (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Colistin was highly nephrotoxic without protection. Light microscopy findings revealed that urinary alkalinization and NaCl hydration were similarly protective. Urine alkalinization further prevents ultrastructural changes as revealed by electron microscopy.

Carpal laxity syndrome in forty-three puppies.

Forty-three dogs with carpal laxity syndrome were included in the study. The cases were assessed with clinical and radiographical examinations. The case histories were obtained from patient owners. We recommended exercise and commercially available balanced diets for the treatment. In all cases, the clinical recovery period varied between one to four weeks. Healing occurred by the second week in the majority of cases (65.11%). The deformity was observed more frequently in male dogs (n = 30) than in female dogs (n = 13), and in six- to eight-week-old dogs. Carpal Laxity Syndrome is a more general term, used for both hyperextension and hyperflexion deformity. Malnutrition or over-nutrition of rapidly growing large breed puppies causes weakness and irregular tension between extensor and flexor muscle groups, which leads to laxity of the carpal joint. Exercise and commercially available balanced diets without any other treatment is usually enough to achieve physical and functional recovery.

Temporomandibular joint injuries and ankylosis in the cat.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cause, location, treatment, and the clinical outcome of traumatic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) lesions and TMJ ankylosis in cats. METHODS: Cats with TMJ injuries were included in this study. Lesions were classified as luxations, fractures of the condylar process, and intra-articular temporal bone fractures. Signalment, cause and type of injuries, treatment methods, clinical outcome, complications and joint ankylosis were assessed and evaluated statistically. RESULTS: Temporomandibular joint lesions were observed in 82 of 161 cats with maxillofacial injuries. One hundred forty-nine TMJ lesions were determined in 112 joints. Falling was the most common cause and fractures of the condylar process were the most common types of injuries. Isolated TMJ injuries and caudal TMJ luxations were mainly caused by falling. Condylectomy was used in ankylosis, chronic luxation, reluxation and in two cases with multiple TMJ lesions. Ankylosis was observed in 10.97% of cases and was generally observed in fracture combinations of condylar process and mandibular fossa (χ² = 8.52; p <0.05). No significant relationship between age and development of ankylosis (χ² = 3.995; p >0.05) was found. CONCLUSION: In contrast to previous studies, traumatic TMJ lesions were observed in a considerable amount of cats with maxillofacial injuries, and fractures of the condylar process were the most common type. Lesions caused by falling were mostly simple, whereas vehicular trauma caused more complicated lesions. Ankylosis did not appear as a rare condition. Any cat with TMJ injury is susceptible to the development of ankylosis.