Primary bronchotomy for removal of an intrabronchial foreign body in a dog.

An 8-year-old, spayed female toy poodle presented with wounds sustained from a dog fight. The multiple orthopedic injuries present were managed surgically. Months later, a chronic cough developed secondary to an aspirated canine tooth in the mainstem bronchus of the right cranial lung that was nonresponsive to medical management. A thoracotomy and primary bronchotomy were performed to remove the aspirated tooth, resulting in complete resolution of clinical signs. Bronchial foreign bodies are rarely diagnosed in companion animals. Primary bronchotomy is an alternative to bronchoscopy or lung lobectomy in cases that do not respond to medical management.

Luxation of the superficial digital flexor tendon in a cat.

Superficial digital flexor luxation has been described in dogs, horses, and cattle. To the authors' knowledge, it has not been reported in cats. In the case of this report, monofilament nonabsorbable suture material was used to repair a laterally luxating superficial digital flexor tendon in a cat. The repair was similar to that which has been described in dogs. Whereas many etiologies of superficial tendon luxation have been proposed in dogs, trauma was believed to have contributed to the tendon luxation in this cat.

Potential central nervous system complications of von Willebrand's disease.

Three Doberman pinschers were presented on emergency referral for progressive neurological deficits. All three dogs had a similar onset of clinical signs associated with an apparently minor traumatic event. Each dog progressed to significant neurological dysfunction including paraplegia, tetraplegia, and/or loss of deep pain sensation. None of the animals was apparently affected by cervical vertebral instability ("Wobbler's Syndrome"). All were confirmed to have von Willebrand's disease. In all cases, significant epidural hemorrhage was identified. The etiology of each hemorrhage, however, was different for each animal. The cases presented here demonstrate a potential relationship between neurological deficits and the patient's ability to effectively coagulate blood. Hemostatic abnormalities, such as von Willebrand's disease, should be included as possible differential diagnoses or contributing factors in animals demonstrating neurological deficits. These abnormalities should especially be considered following trauma, intervertebral disk extrusion, or spinal surgery.

Clinical features of trigeminal nerve-sheath tumor in 10 dogs.

Nerve-sheath tumor was diagnosed in 10 dogs with clinical signs of unilateral trigeminal nerve dysfunction. Unilateral temporalis and masseter muscle atrophy were present in all cases. An enlarged foramen and distorted rostral petrous temporal bone were seen with computed tomography imaging in one case. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to identify the lesion accurately in seven cases. Surgery was performed for biopsy and lesion removal in three cases. Cases not treated had a progressive course eventually resulting in euthanasia or death. Of the cases treated surgically, one case is alive without disease progression 27 months after surgery. Survival times of the nontreated cases ranged from five to 21 months.

Radiographic, densitometric, and biomechanical effects of recombinant canine somatotropin in an unstable ostectomy gap model of bone healing in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of recombinant canine somatotropin (STH) on radiographic, densitometric, and biomechanical aspects of bone healing using an unstable ostectomy gap model. STUDY DESIGN: After an ostectomy of the midshaft radius, bone healing was evaluated over an 8-week period in control dogs (n = 4) and dogs receiving recombinant canine STH (n = 4). ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Eight sexually intact female Beagle dogs, 4 to 5 years old. METHODS: Bone healing was evaluated by qualitative and quantitative evaluation of serial radiographs every 2 weeks. Terminal dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and three-point bending biomechanical testing were also performed. RESULTS: Dogs receiving STH had more advanced radiographic healing of ostectomy sites. Bone area, bone mineral content, and bone density were two to five times greater at the ostectomy sites of treated dogs. Ultimate load at failure and stiffness were three and five times greater in dogs receiving STH. CONCLUSIONS: Using the ostectomy gap model, recombinant canine STH enhanced the radiographic, densitometric, and biomechanical aspects of bone healing in dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dogs at risk for delayed healing of fractures may benefit from treatment with recombinant canine STH.

Metabolic and histologic effects of recombinant canine somatotropin on bone healing in dogs, using an unstable ostectomy gap model.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of recombinant canine somatotropin (STH) on the metabolic and histologic aspects of bone healing in dogs, using an unstable ostectomy gap model. ANIMALS: 8 mature dogs. PROCEDURE: A 3-mm ostectomy of the mid portion of the radius was performed in all dogs. Implants designed to release STH at a rate of 4 mg/d were placed SC in 4 dogs (treated group [STHG]), and another 4 dogs received no implants (control group [CG]). Serum concentrations of STH, insulin-like growth factor I, and osteocalcin were determined before surgery, and weekly for 8 weeks. Scintigraphic evaluation of the ostectomy sites was performed before surgery, and at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8 after surgery. Histologic evaluation ofthe ostectomy sites was performed at the conclusion of the study at week 8. RESULTS: Significant (P < 0.05) increases in serum STH, insulin-like growth factor I, and osteocalcin concentrations were observed in dogs of the STHG during the 8-week study period. Scintigraphic activity of the ostectomy sites was increased in dogs of both groups, but dogs of the STHG had significantly (P < 0.05) greater activity, compared with dogs of the CG. Coalescence of nuclear activity across the ostectomy site was observed in dogs of the STHG, whereas dogs of the CG maintained 2 distinct areas of metabolic activity. Histologically, dogs of the STHG had bridging calluses with areas of endochondral ossification and ongoing osteogenic activity, whereas dogs of the CG had nonossified fibrocartilage typical of nonunion fractures. CONCLUSION: Using the ostectomy gap model, recombinant canine STH enhanced the metabolic and histologic aspects of bone healing in dogs.