Randomized controlled trial of cyclosporine for treatment of perianal fistulas in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy of cyclosporine for treatment of perianal fistulas in dogs. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. ANIMALS: 20 German Shepherd Dogs with naturally developing perianal fistulas. PROCEDURE: 10 dogs were treated with cyclosporine; the other 10 dogs were given a placebo. Overall improvement and change in total surface area of involvement and depth of the deepest fistula were determined after 4 weeks. Thereafter, cyclosporine-group dogs were treated for an additional 12 weeks and control-group dogs were treated with cyclosporine for 16 weeks. RESULTS: All cyclosporine-group dogs, but none of the control-group dogs, were subjectively improved after 4 weeks. Mean total surface area and mean fistula depth decreased 78 and 62%, respectively, in the cyclosporine-group dogs but increased 29 and 11%, respectively, in the control-group dogs. After 16 weeks of cyclosporine treatment, fistulas had healed in 17 (85%) dogs. However, fistulas recurred in 7 of 17 dogs, and additional cyclosporine treatment or anal sacculectomy and surgical excision of fistulas was necessary. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Cyclosporine appeared to be effective in dogs with perianal fistulas. Even in dogs in which fistulas were not completely healed, cyclosporine administration appeared to be beneficial, because the surgical procedures that were required were less extensive than those that would have been necessary if cyclosporine had not been given.

Ex vivo biomechanical comparison of pin fixation techniques for canine distal femoral physeal fractures.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the biomechanical properties of five intramedullary (IM) pin fixation techniques for Salter-Harris type I fractures of the distal femur in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, one-way factorial design composed of five treatment groups: (1) single IM pin, (2) dynamic IM crossed pins, (3) paired convergent pins, (4) crossed pins, and (5) crossed polyglycolic acid (PGA) rods. SAMPLE POPULATION: Forty pairs of cadaver canine femurs. MATERIALS: One femur of each pair was manually fractured and subsequently repaired; the contralateral intact femur served as its control. Each femur was loaded in torsion until-failure occurred and load-deformation curves were generated. RESULTS: The crossed-pin technique sustained the greatest load to failure (116.8%) followed by the paired convergent pins (104.8%), dynamic IM pins (90.6%), single IM pin (72.1%), and crossed PGA rods (71.9%). Statistically significant differences in strength at failure were detected between the crossed-pin and single IM pin and the crossed-pin and crossed PGA rod techniques. All fixation techniques underwent greater deformation (1.5 times as much) and had a lower stiffness (66% to 75%) compared with the intact controls; however, there was no significant difference between techniques. Failure in the paired convergent and crossed-pin techniques occurred by fracture of the bone; failure in the other techniques occurred by distraction at the fracture site. CONCLUSION: The rotational stability of any of the fixation techniques appears to be primarily determined by the ability to prevent distraction and maintain interdigitation of the physis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: When choosing a particular fixation technique for repair of a distal femoral physeal fracture, consideration should be given to the technique's relative biomechanical merits.

Cyclosporin treatment of perianal fistulas in dogs.

The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the efficacy of cyclosporin in treating perianal fistulas (PAF) in dogs. Based on resolution of all fistulas in all dogs with remission times up to > 18 months, we conclude that cyclosporin therapy is the treatment of choice for PAF in dogs.

Intervertebral disk disease in dogs with signs of back pain alone: 25 cases (1986-1993).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the population characteristics, historical, clinical, and diagnostic findings; and treatment outcome of dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) whose only clinical signs were those of back pain. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: Dogs with IVDD and clinical signs of back pain only, without neurologic deficits, in which survey radiography of the vertebral column and diagnostic myelographic studies were performed. PROCEDURE: Review of the medical record, evaluation of survey radiographs of the vertebral column, evaluation of myelograms and estimation of apparent extent of spinal cord compression, and follow-up information provided by telephone contact with owners. RESULTS: Spinal cord compression was detected on myelography in 20 of 25 (80%) dogs. Treatment included decompressive surgery in 18 of 25 (72%) dogs and all dogs underwent intervertebral disk fenestration. The condition was improved in 24 of 25 (96%) dogs after surgery. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Dogs with thoracolumbar IVDD that have clinical signs of back pain alone, without neurologic deficits, may have substantial compression of the spinal cord.