Ground reaction forces, temporospatial parameters, range of motion, and limb characteristics were analyzed for small and medium size sound dogs with the use of pressure sensitive walkway.

OBJECTIVE: To study ground reaction forces (GRF) and temporospatial parameters for small and medium size dogs using a pressure sensitive walkway (PSW). We hypothesized that, at a given speed, small dogs would have shorter stance time than medium dogs and that dog height (DH) would influence GRF. ANIMALS: 30 healthy, sound dogs were divided into 2 groups, small < 15 kg and medium dog group weighing 15 to 25 kg. PROCEDURES: GRFs were measured for both groups at walk and trot using PSW. Muscle mass and joint angles were measured. Data were analyzed using SAS version 9.4. Two groups were compared using 2-sample t test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and Fisher exact test. RESULTS: GRFs were successfully measured in both dog groups for walk and trot. Medium dogs had larger limb girth, more peak pressure, max force, increased stance, swing time, and larger stride length compared with small dogs. Stance time increased as DH increased at walk and trot (r = 0.854, P < .001; r = 0.876, P < .001). Stance time increased as BW (body weight) increased at walk and trot (r = 0.887, P < .001; r = 0.858 P < .001). Inconclusive data was obtained for stride acceleration and velocity. The handler side did not influence results (P > .05). Range of motion (ROM) did not differ among groups. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that PSW is a reliable device for small and medium dogs. At walk and at a trot, GRF are smaller in small dogs compared with medium dogs, suggesting that normal reference data for PSW need to take BW and DH into account.

Stifle joint osteoarthritis in small-breed and medium-breed dogs is more severe after cranial cruciate ligament injury than medial patellar luxation.

This retrospective observational study aimed to characterize the severity and distribution of OA in the stifle joints of small and medium dogs with CCL injury and/or MPL. Radiographs of the stifle joints from 218 dogs from 10 small and medium breeds were included; 127 joints had CCL injury, 76 joints had MPL, and 73 joints had CCL injury and MPL. OA was graded at 33 sites within the joint. The mean ± SD OA score was 20.3 ± 9.9. For all joints, OA was more severe in heavier than lighter dogs (P = 0.003). Joints with MPL (14.9 ± 8.2) had lower OA scores than joints with CCL injury (22.2 ± 10.0, P = 0.003) or CCL injury and MPL (22.6 ± 9.4, P < 0.001). OA scores were higher in joints with MPL for older dogs (r = 0.408, P < 0.001) but did not change with age in joints with CCL injury. The pattern of OA did not differ among joints with CCL injury or MPL. The retrospective nature of the study limited findings to associations but did not allow conclusions regarding factors causing OA or enhancing its progression. We concluded that, in small- and medium-breed dogs, the patterns of stifle OA joint after CCL injury and MPL are similar. Radiographic OA after CCL injury is more severe than MPL. An increase in age leads to an increase in OA at the time of presentation at a referral hospital in stifle joints with MPL and without CCL injury.

Evaluation of depth gauge accuracy in a canine tibial plateau leveling osteotomy model.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of six depth gauges used in three tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) plate holes. STUDY DESIGN: Ex vivo experimental study. ANIMALS AND SAMPLE POPULATION: Cadaveric canine limbs (n = 10), one 25-mm-thick wood board, and one 33.8-mm-diameter polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe. METHODS: A TPLO was performed on 10 canine cadaveric pelvic limbs. Three 3.5-mm plate holes were filled with screws. The remaining three plate holes: a compression hole, a combination compression-locking hole, and a stacked combination compression-locking hole were measured by three observers using six commercial depth gauges and using a micrometer as gold standard. The process was repeated on one wood board and one PVC pipe. RESULTS: Bone measurements collected using two depth gauges with base diameter < 5 mm were smaller than measurements collected using the four depth gauges with base diameter > 5.5 mm (p ranging from < .001 to .038). Mean depth gauge measurements were smaller than micrometer measurements by 2.20 mm for the compression hole, 0.82 mm for the combination hole, and 3.57 mm for the stacked combination hole. Measurement differences among depth gauges were also present for wood board and PVC pipe measurements. Bone measurement variability between depth gauges was less for the combination and compression holes than for the stacked combination hole. CONCLUSION: Depth gauges lacked accuracy. Measurements differed among gauges and measurement variability varied based on plate hole geometry. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Depth gauge measurement accuracy varies based on measuring devices and on 3.5-mm plate hole geometry.

Stifle joint osteoarthritis at the time of diagnosis of cranial cruciate ligament injury is higher in Boxers and in dogs weighing more than 35 kilograms.

Osteoarthritis is a ubiquitous disease in dogs. The purpose of this retrospective study was to characterize the severity and distribution of osteoarthritis (OA) within the joint and to identify differences among dog breeds in the severity of OA in the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL)-deficient stifle joint. Radiographs of 240 stifles from 51 Boxers, 66 German Shepherds, 100 Labrador Retrievers, and 23 Siberian Huskies with confirmed CCL rupture were included. Radiographs of the stifle joint were evaluated and OA severity was graded at 33 sites within and around the joint, and patella alta was graded as present or absent for a potential total stifle OA score of 100. Osteophyte size was correlated to OA severity score. Total OA scores were calculated and compared within and between breeds globally as well as at each joint site. Dogs weighing >35 kg had a higher total OA score than those weighing <35 kg. Osteoarthritis scores were highest at the apical patella, proximolateral tibia, and sesamoid bones, corresponding to the proximal, lateral, and caudal aspects of the joint, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found among the mean OA scores of various stifle joint regions. Boxer dogs had a higher total OA score than other breeds. We concluded that dogs have a consistent distribution pattern of OA within the stifle joint after CCL injury. Radiographic OA is more severe in the proximal, lateral, and caudal aspects of the joint. Boxers had more severe OA than the other breeds evaluated in the study.

Intra- and inter-observer reliability of combined segmental measurement techniques for predicting immediate post-deployment intraluminal tracheal stent length in dogs.

This study evaluated segmental measurement techniques for predicting immediate post-deployment intraluminal tracheal stent length in dogs with naturally occurring tracheal collapse. Radiographs of 12 client-owned dogs that underwent intraluminal tracheal stent placement were retrospectively reviewed. Tracheal lengths were divided into 1, 2, 3, or 4 equal segments. Stent lengths were predicted using the widest dorsoventral height of each segment, with and without the addition of 10%, and an accompanying foreshortening chart. Techniques were compared for intra- and inter-observer reliability, and post-deployment stent length predictability. There was good to high intra- and inter-observer reliability for all segmental measurements; median intra-class correlation coefficients were 0.98 and 0.92, respectively. Measuring 2 segments without the addition of 10% to the widths was significantly more accurate in predicting immediate post-deployment stent length in terms of percent (P = 0.03) and absolute difference (P = 0.02). Segmental measuring techniques are repeatable amongst observers and may help guide stent selection.

Fiabilité intra-observateur et inter-observateur des techniques de mesure de segments combinées pour la prédiction de la longueur d'une endoprothèse trachéale intraluminale immédiatement après le déploiement chez les chiens. Cette a étude a évalué les techniques de mesure de segments pour prédire la longueur des endoprothèses trachéales intraluminales immédiatement après le déploiement chez les chiens avec un collapse trachéal naturel. Des radiographies de 12 chiens, appartenant à des propriétaires, qui avaient subi le placement d'une endoprothèse trachéale intraluminale ont été examinées rétrospectivement. Les longueurs trachéales ont été divisées en 1, 2, 3, ou 4 segments égaux. Les longueurs d'endoprothèses ont été prédites en utilisant la hauteur dorsoventrale la plus large de chaque segment, avec et sans l'ajout de 10 % et le tableau d'effet de raccourcissement connexe. Les techniques ont été comparées pour la fiabilité intra-observateur et inter-observateur et la prédictibilité de la longueur de l'endoprothèse après le déploiement. Il y avait une fiabilité intra-observateur et inter-observateur de bonne à élevée pour toutes les mesures de segments; les coefficients moyens de corrélation entre les classes étaient de 0,98 et de 0,92, respectivement. La mesure de 2 segments sans l'ajout de 10 % aux largeurs était significativement plus exacte pour la prédiction de la longueur de l'endoprothèse immédiatement après le déploiement en termes de pourcentage (P = 0,03) et de différence absolue (P = 0,02). Les techniques de mesures de segments peuvent être répétées parmi les observateurs et peuvent aider à guider le choix de l'endoprothèse.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Risk factors for fibular fracture after TPLO.

OBJECTIVE: To determine (1) risk factors for fibular fracture after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) and (2) if a single postoperative radiographic measurement or measurement ratio of the proximal tibial fragment can be used as a predictor for fibular fracture. STUDY DESIGN: Multivariate retrospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Dogs (n=326) with cranial cruciate ligament rupture that had TPLO (n=355). METHODS: Medical records (January 2004-November 2007) and radiographs of dogs that had TPLO were reviewed. TPLO plate type, distance between tibial plateau and proximal screw, proximodistal tibial plateau fragment length, tibial plateau width, the presence of a fibular drill hole filled with a screw or not, and fibular fractures were recorded. RESULTS: The odds of having a fibular fracture were 10 times greater in dogs with a fibular drill hole than in dogs without a drill hole. The odds of having a fibular fracture were 1.46 times greater for every 4.5 g increase in body weight. Tibial plateau angle (TPA) at the time of reevaluation was larger than the postoperative TPA and TPA increase was larger in dogs with fibular drill holes than without (P<.01) and in dogs with fibular fractures than without (P<.01). CONCLUSION: An unfilled fibular drill hole and increased body weight are risk factors for fibular fracture.

Management of concurrent patellar luxation and cranial cruciate ligament rupture using modified tibial plateau levelling.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a novel surgery aimed at managing concurrent medial patellar luxation (MPL) and cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) ruptures in dogs weighing more than 30 kg. METHODS: Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) and femoral trochleopasty were performed. The principal tibial fragment was laterally translated by 3 to 6 mm and was externally and abaxially rotated to create a wedge measuring 1.5 to 2.5 mm at the medial and cranial aspect and 1 to 3 mm at the medial and distal aspect of the tibial plateau fragment. The fragments were stabilised with a narrow TPLO plate. RESULTS: Thirteen surgeries were performed in 12 dogs with a mean weight of 39.8 kg. The mean postoperative tibial plateau slope was 8.1 degrees. Additional surgery was required in two cases, one due to failure of fixation and another due to screw breakage. The mean lameness score was 3.5 (out of 5) before surgery, 0.7 after 8 to 12 weeks, and 0.3 at final follow-up. Median follow-up was 1115 days (range, 270 to 2040 days). No patella luxated after surgery. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: MPL and CCL ruptures may be successfully managed by performing a TPLO and simultaneously altering the relationship of the principal and tibial plateau fragments during surgery.