Sex and season predict wounds in zoo-housed Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata): A multi-institutional study.

Japanese macaque societies are characterized by frequent intragroup conflict both in free-ranging and zoo-housed conditions. In zoos, understanding the factors that contribute to wounding is of interest because this knowledge can aid in proactive husbandry and management planning that can minimize the negative impacts wounding can have on individual welfare. This study sought to determine whether the variables sex, season and age predicted wounding rates. Data were collected for 24 months on 119 Japanese macaques living in 10 zoos, and we analyzed the contribution of variables using generalized linear mixed models. A total of 1,007 wounds were reported, and the best model included the interaction between sex and season. Follow-up analyses revealed that females incurred more wounds than males, and this sex difference was more pronounced during the breeding compared to the nonbreeding season. On average, individuals received 4.67 (±SEM: 0.55) wounds per year and 77.31% of the population incurred at least one wound in the study period. The majority of wounds were superficial and did not require veterinary intervention. Wound locations were not randomly distributed across body regions and were most often reported on the face. Finally, macaques living in larger social groups experienced more wounds, on average. This study represents the first quantification of wounding in this species and may provide insight to help inform husbandry and management strategies in zoos.

Location and distribution of craniomaxillofacial fractures in 45 cats presented for the treatment of head trauma.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the location and distribution of craniomaxillofacial (CMF) fractures in 45 cats presented to a veterinary referral centre between 2012 and 2017. METHODS: Cats with a history of head trauma, one or more CMF fractures and a pretreatment CT scan of the CMF region were included in this study. For the purpose of the study, the CMF skeleton was divided into 15 functional anatomical regions and the fracture sites were allocated to one of these functional regions. Statistical analysis was performed using R. RESULTS: Skull fractures were evident in 80.0% of cats, and mandibular fractures in 86.7% of cats in this study. The median number of anatomical functional regions affected was eight and there was evidence of moderate or strong correlation between fractures of different regions of the mid-face. Where fractures were recorded in the nasopharynx and orbit they were bilateral in 93.5% and 89.7%, respectively. Twenty-six (57.8%) of the cats had fractures affecting one or both temporomandibular joints, which included fractures of the mandibular fossa, condylar neck and condyle. Twenty-nine cats (64.4%) had tooth fractures and seven cats (15.6%) had significant eye injuries. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Cats presenting with a single symphyseal separation or parasymphyseal fracture are very likely to have further fractures at other locations. Fractures in the nasopharynx, orbit, nose, upper jaw, intermaxillary suture and zygomatic arch regions (the 'mid-face') are likely to occur together. The pattern of distribution of mandibular fractures is not as predictable as that for maxillary fractures. CT imaging is required to achieve a complete diagnosis of the location and distribution of skull fractures in cats after head trauma.

Craniofacial trauma as a clinical marker of seizures in a baboon colony.

Baboons provide a natural model of epilepsy. However, spontaneous seizures are usually sporadic, brief, and may not be observed. We hypothesized that various types of craniofacial trauma (CFT) may serve as reliable markers for epilepsy. We evaluated the type, demographics, and clinical significance of CFT in a large baboon colony. CFT was categorized according to somatotopic location, propensity to recur, and association with witnessed seizures or abnormal EEG findings. We divided the baboons with CFT into 2 groups: those with known histories of seizures (CFT+Sz, n = 176) and those without seizure histories (CFTonly; n = 515). In CFT+Sz baboons, the 568 injuries identified included periorbital (57%), scalp (27%), muzzle (12%), and facial (4%) injuries; multiple somatotopic locations or body parts were affected in 21 baboons. The most common CFT injuries associated with seizures were periorbital and scalp lesions (43% for each region). Compared with those in CFTonly animals, EEG abnormalities, including interictal epileptic discharges (IED) and photosensitivity were more prevalent in the CFT+Sz group, particularly among baboons with periorbital or scalp injuries. Compared with CFT+Sz animals, CFTonly baboons tended to have later onset and less frequent recurrence of CFT but higher prevalence of muzzle and tooth injuries. IED and photosensitivity were less prevalent in the CFTonly than the CFT+Sz group, with periorbital injuries carrying the highest and muzzle injuries the lowest association with IED or photosensitivity in both groups. Therefore, CFT in general and periorbital injuries in particular may be markers for seizures in baboons.

Use of a hard palate mucoperiosteal flap for rostral muzzle reconstruction in a dog after a traumatic premaxillary degloving injury.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a technique for reconstruction of the rostral aspect of the muzzle of a dog after traumatic amputation. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical report. ANIMALS: Adult female dog. METHODS: A 6-year-old, intact, female, mixed-breed dog was admitted for facial reconstructive surgery after traumatic amputation of the rostral aspect of the muzzle. The nasal planum and the rostral portion of the upper lips were missing. A hard palate mucoperiosteal flap and lateral labial advancement flaps were used to reconstruct the nasal philtrum and borders of the nares. RESULTS: This reconstructive technique resulted in adequate nostril function and an acceptable cosmetic outcome. One naris developed partial obstruction with granulation tissue that may have occurred because of a lack of circumferential nasal mucosa to appose the skin on that side. CONCLUSION: The mucoperiosteum of the hard palate can be used to reconstruct the rostral aspect of the muzzle after traumatic amputation, resulting in an acceptable cosmetic outcome.

Facial lesions in piglets with intact or grinded teeth.

BACKGROUND: Piglets are born with eight sharp teeth that during nursing can cause facial lesions on littermates and teat lesions on the sow. Teeth grinding in piglets is therefore often practiced to reduce these lesions. The aim of this study was to assess the consequences of grinding piglet teeth in regard to the occurrence of lesions.In this study the piglets' teeth were grinded in 28 litters, and in 36 litters the piglets' teeth were kept intact. Twice, one time during the first week and one time during the second week after birth facial lesions of the piglets were scored and the teats of the sows were examined for lesions. The facial lesion score accounted for the amount and severity of lesions. The individual observations on piglets in the litter were synthesized in a litter facial lesion score. FINDINGS: 69.8% and 43.5% of the piglets had facial lesions in week 1 and week 2 respectively. The effect of treatment was not significant on litter facial lesion score. The litter facial lesion score was higher in week 1 than in week 2 (p < 0.001) and higher in large litters (p = 0.003) than in small litters. Mortality between week 1 and week 2 was higher in litters with intact teeth (p = 0.02). Sow teat lesions only occurred if litters had intact teeth. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results teeth grinding is only justifiable in large litters.

Head and facial wounds in dogs and cats.

Injuries to the head and facial area are common in small animal surgery. Although many of the injuries at first may seem formidable, most can be repaired using basic reconstructive surgery procedures. The excel-lent blood supply in this area and the availability of local tissues provide many options for repairing most wounds. This article describes the indications and techniques for reconstructing wounds in this area.

Management of neck and head injuries.

The horse, a flight animal that is used extensively by man, frequently receives injuries to its neck or head that result mostly from its management and handling. Better facilities, training of the horse, and horsemanship skills of the handler could prevent many of these injuries. Because many body systems can be involved, with potentially major consequences regarding health, performance, and appearance, early recognition of trauma and competent treatment are crucial. Progress has been made in the treatment of some tracheal and esophageal injuries. Severe tracheal trauma and rupture of the esophagus still represent major challenges for the attending veterinarian, however. Lacerations of the head generally heal well, likely because of an abundant blood supply. Thorough yet conservative debridement is necessary, as is accurate reconstruction of the tissues to maintain normal function and an acceptable cosmetic appearance. Fractures of the facial bones can result in complications, such as sequestrum formation, sinusitis, nasolacrimal duct injury,facial deformity, and injury to or entrapment of the globe. An awareness of the treatment methods available can help to diminish the complication rate and to restore a normal or acceptable appearance.

Nasal and facial reconstruction in a dog following severe trauma.

Successful reconstruction of the nasomaxillary region requires closure of oronasal communication and maintenance of a patent upper airway. A dog with traumatic amputation of the nasomaxillary region was presented for reconstructive surgery. Staged surgical procedures were performed with the goal of closing the oronasal fistula, reapposing facial tissues, forming a granulation bed in each nasal passage, and harvesting and placing mucosal grafts in the nasal passages. A novel technique for developing a granulation tissue bed for mucosal grafts using silicone rubber tubing was employed. The end result of the reconstructive surgeries was a relatively cosmetic appearance with patent nasal openings.

Displacement of maxillary premolar teeth in a filly.

Abnormalities of dental development such as hypoplasia of cementum, oligodontia, polydontia, enamel hypoplasia, brachygnathia, and prognathia are quite common in the horse. Abnormalities of eruption are less common and often associated with trauma. This case report describes the diagnosis and therapy for pre-eruption displacement of the maxillary left third and fourth premolar teeth resulting from previous facial trauma in a 1.5-year-old filly.

Reconstruction of a facial defect using the ear pinna as a composite flap.

A four-month-old, female pit bull was evaluated for multiple, resolving, second- and third-degree burn wounds. The convex surface of the left pinna was severely burned and distorted. Contraction of a large (6 cm by 4 cm), facial cutaneous defect had resulted in contracture of surrounding normal skin and dorsal displacement of both upper eyelids. Decreased ability to blink predisposed the puppy to exposure keratitis. The cutaneous facial defect was repaired using the left pinna as a composite skin flap. Surgery resulted in a successful repair of the defect and immediate return of normal eyelid function.

Use of a caudal auricular axial pattern flap in cats.

A caudal auricular axial pattern flap was used in 3 cats to successfully reconstruct large cutaneous defects of the head that were a result of trauma or surgical excision of neoplasms. The technique was a convenient, practical, one-stage procedure for closure of the defects, and flaps up to 7.0 x 12.0 cm were developed. All flaps healed without complications. Anatomic landmarks and surgical guidelines for developing the flap were determined through anatomic dissections and angiographic studies of the cutaneous vasculature of the head and neck in feline cadavers. This report confirms findings of a previous study describing a platysma myocutaneous flap.

Management of facial injuries.

Because of the excellent blood supply to the head region, superficial lacerations to the soft tissue structures of the head generally heal rapidly without treatment. Lacerations of the equine tongue frequently go unnoticed because difficulty in eating usually is not apparent. The majority of lacerations heal if left untreated, with no loss in function. Surgical repair is indicated to promote healing and prevent deformity, to amputate a severely compromised apex, and to alter a scar or defect that is unacceptable to the owner. Surgical principles to be adhered to include thorough debridement and copious lavage, multiple layer closure, and placement of tension sutures away from the primary suture line and tied on the dorsum of the tongue. Full-thickness lip lacerations should be repaired using multiple-layer closure and tension sutures tied on the skin surface away from the primary suture line. Reconstructive techniques have been described for extensive lip lacerations when primary repair was inadequate or tissue loss was severe. Thorough evaluation of the equine lid, adnexa, and orbit is essential in determining severity of injury and appropriate treatment methods as well as for establishment of a prognosis. The injury may be minor or more severe, leading to blindness, disfigurement, or loss of the eye itself. Depression fractures involving the frontal, maxillary, or nasal bones are frequently open fractures. Skin abrasions, epistaxis, facial deformity, crepitus, and pain are clinical signs seen with this type of injury. Bone and soft tissue reconstruction should be performed to minimize potential complications. Facial fractures left untreated can result in facial deformity, sequestration, sinusitis, and osteomyelitis.

Use of a facemask to protect the intra-oral area in cynomolgus monkeys.

A custom fiberglass facemask was designed for cynomolgus monkeys to protect an orthodontic appliance. The mask was constructed from impressions and models made of the animal's head. It prevented the fingers from entering the mouth to dislodge the intra-oral appliances. The facemask permitted normal physical activity, eating, and drinking.

Harderian gland involvement in facial lesions in the Mongolian gerbil.

Fourteen Mongolian gerbils with naturally occurring facial lesions were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 groups. The Harderian gland was removed surgically from the animals in group 1; a sham operation left the Harderian gland intact in animals in group 2; and animals in group 3 were housed on a sand substrate rather than the usual pine shavings. The progress of this disease state was monitored over a 2-month period. Animals in groups 1 and 3 recovered or improved, whereas the condition of the control animals worsened. It was concluded that the facial lesions are associated with an accumulation of the Harderian gland secretions around the external nares and that laboratory ambient temperatures and cage bedding may modify the development of the condition.