Transpelvic urethrostomy in a female dog with congenital vestibulovaginal and urethral stenosis: A case report.

OBJECTIVE: To describe transpelvic urethrostomy (TPU) as a surgical technique for the successful treatment of vestibulovaginal and urethral stenosis in a 7 month old female spayed mixed-breed dog. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. SAMPLE POPULATION: Female spayed mixed-breed dog with obstructive vaginal tissue present on vaginal examination. METHODS: The dog presented with a history of persistent urine dribbling, stranguria, and dysuria since birth. Vaginoscopy and fluoroscopy revealed severe vestibulovaginal and urethral stenosis. An episiotomy and partial vaginectomy were performed to remove stenotic tissue. A perineal urethrostomy was attempted from a blind-ended pouch associated with the stenotic urethral tissue but was unsuccessful. The dog was repositioned in dorsal recumbency and a postpubic urethrostomy was performed. RESULTS: Six days postoperatively, incisional dehiscence occurred at the cranial aspect of the urethrostomy. The site was revised at this location using a TPU to decrease tension at the urethrostomy site. The dog recovered uneventfully with no further complications identified after surgery. Forty-two months after surgical intervention, the dog continued to show no clinical signs. CONCLUSION: Transpelvic urethrostomy may be a viable surgical alternative for dogs diagnosed with urethral stenosis.

Clinical characteristics of, prognostic factors for, and long-term outcome of dogs with multiple acquired portosystemic shunts: 72 cases (2000-2018).

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical characteristics of, prognostic factors for, and long-term outcome of dogs with multiple acquired portosystemic shunts (MAPSSs) and determine whether survival time was associated with previous portosystemic shunt attenuation. ANIMALS: 72 client-owned dogs with MAPSSs. PROCEDURES: Medical records of dogs in which MAPSSs had been diagnosed between January 2000 and August 2018 were reviewed for signalment, historic and diagnostic findings, management methods, and outcome. RESULTS: Median survival time of dogs (n = 23) that died of causes related to MAPSSs was 580 days (range, 156 to 1,363 days). Factors significantly associated with dying of MAPSS-related versus unrelated causes included body weight, albumin concentration at the first and last recheck examinations, and cholesterol, total solids, and glucose concentrations at the last recheck examination. Dogs not receiving medical management or without signs of depressed mentation at the time of initial presentation were less likely to die of causes related to MAPSSs. Patient status (alive vs dead of causes related to MAPSSs vs dead of causes unrelated to MAPSSs vs dead of unknown causes) was not significantly associated with survival time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Survival time for dogs with MAPSSs was not shortened by previous portosystemic shunt attenuation surgery and was not different when death was versus was not related to MAPSSs. Dogs with MAPSSs that had progression of biochemical changes consistent with liver dysfunction were more likely to die of causes related to MAPSSs and were unlikely to live a normal lifespan.

Observer Variability of Arthroscopic Cartilage Grading Using the Modified Outerbridge Classification System in the Dog.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the inter- and intra-observer variability of the modified Outerbridge cartilage classification system in canine joints evaluated via arthroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty arthroscopic videos of canine cartilage were scored by six observers, where three of the observers had significant arthroscopic experience and three had minimal to no experience. The kappa (κ) statistic was used to evaluate overall and individual score inter-observer variability, as well as experience variability. The weighted κ statistic was used to evaluate the overall intra-observer variability for each observer, and for individual score intra-observer variability across experience groups. Landis and Koch cut-offs were used to determine strength of agreement associated with each κ-value. RESULTS: The overall inter-and intra-observer variability of the modified Outerbridge cartilage classification system showed fair and substantial strengths of agreement, respectively. The most extreme scores of 0 and 4 had the best inter- and intra-agreement and the middle scores of 1, 2 and 3 had decreased strengths of agreement. Experience of the observer increased the strength of agreement between the scores. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The modified Outerbridge classification system is an acceptable method for the evaluation of canine cartilage. Observer agreement is improved if the observer has experience with arthroscopy and viewing cartilage changes, and if the same observer is used for subsequent cartilage evaluations.