ABSTRACT
Two small-breed dogs and two cats, with an average body weight of 4.88 kg (range: 4.3–5.5 kg), suffered hindlimb lameness due to luxation with or without fractures of the tarsocrural joint. These patients underwent tarsocrural arthrodesis with epoxy putty external skeletal fixator. The animals’ skins were incised minimally, and the articular cartilage of the tarsocrural joint was removed, followed by autogenous cancellous bone grafting. Epoxy putty and positive Centerface®, pins with diameters 1.2 mm and 2.0 mm, were used for connecting bar and as a full pin fixation, respectively. All the patients regained the ability to bear weight on the affected limb within 3–7 days and resumed a normal gait within 9–15 weeks. The external skeletal fixator frame was removed within 13–17 weeks without major complications. Tarsocrural arthrodesis using epoxy putty external skeletal fixator resulted in excellent outcomes without severe postoperative complications in this study. Epoxy putty external skeletal fixator can be a valuable surgical option for tarsocrural arthrodesis in patients weighing less than 5.5 kg.
ABSTRACT
Two small-breed dogs and two cats, with an average body weight of 4.88 kg (range: 4.3–5.5 kg), suffered hindlimb lameness due to luxation with or without fractures of the tarsocrural joint. These patients underwent tarsocrural arthrodesis with epoxy putty external skeletal fixator. The animals’ skins were incised minimally, and the articular cartilage of the tarsocrural joint was removed, followed by autogenous cancellous bone grafting. Epoxy putty and positive Centerface®, pins with diameters 1.2 mm and 2.0 mm, were used for connecting bar and as a full pin fixation, respectively. All the patients regained the ability to bear weight on the affected limb within 3–7 days and resumed a normal gait within 9–15 weeks. The external skeletal fixator frame was removed within 13–17 weeks without major complications. Tarsocrural arthrodesis using epoxy putty external skeletal fixator resulted in excellent outcomes without severe postoperative complications in this study. Epoxy putty external skeletal fixator can be a valuable surgical option for tarsocrural arthrodesis in patients weighing less than 5.5 kg.
ABSTRACT
Electroretinography (ERG) is a reliable diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of retinal disease. It measures electric potentials occurring in the retina in response to light stimulation. In this study, we examined the normal electroretinogram using the Handheld Multispecies ERG (HMsERG) in Shih Tzu dogs. ERG recordings were performed in twelve eyes of six healthy Shih Tzu dogs. Dogs were anesthetized with a combination of medetomidine and ketamine. Proparacaine eye drops were also applied as a topical anesthetic. Tropicamide eye drops were applied for mydriasis. After 20 min of dark adaptation, we recorded the amplitudes and implicit times of the b-waves of the rod, standard rod and cone (Std R&C), high-intensity rod and cone (Hi-int R&C), and cone systems, and responses of the cones and inner retina by flicker light stimulation (cone flicker). Results showed that mean the amplitudes of a-waves of Std R&C, Hi-int R&C, and the cone responses were 141.25 microV, 173.00 microV, and 12.92 microV, respectively. The b-waves of the rod responses ranged from 141.58 to 155.25 microV; the Std R&C was 314.75 microV, the Hi-int R&C was 329.42 microV, the cones were 37.75 microV, and the flicker responses were 64.08 microV. The b/a ratios for the Std R&C, Hi-int R&C, and the cone response were 2.29, 1.94, and 3.71, respectively. Mean implicit time of the a-wave of the Std R&C was 15.12 ms, of Hi-int R&C was 13.42 ms, and of the cone response was 7.22 ms. The b-wave of the rod responses ranged from 68.12 to 72.68 ms, of Std R&C were 37.28 ms, of Hi-int R&C were 41.90, of the cone responses were 38.12 ms, and of the cone flicker responses were 22.80 ms. We believe that these parameters can be used as reference "normal" ERGs ranges for Shih Tzu dogs using the HMsERG under medetomidine and ketamine anesthesia.