Multimodality imaging of an azygous continuation of the caudal vena cava in a dog with pulmonary thromboembolic disease.

A 5-year-old spayed female English Bulldog was evaluated for acute anorexia, lethargy, respiratory distress, and syncope. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed the vascular malformation of azygous continuation of the caudal vena cava with extensive thrombus formation and pulmonary arterial thromboembolic disease. The patient was hospitalized for supportive treatment and was prescribed long-term clopidogrel therapy. The patient survived to discharge and at last follow-up remained clinically stable. While this vascular malformation has been reported in canines, to the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of pulmonary thromboembolic disease in a canine concurrent with this condition.

Comparison of tibial plateau angle changes after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy fixation with conventional or locking screw technology.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of locking and conventional screws on postoperative tibial plateau angle (TPA), osteotomy healing, and complication rate after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in dogs treated for naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. STUDY POPULATION: Dogs (n=118) with CCL rupture. METHODS: Dogs (> or =20 kg) with unilateral CCL rupture and sufficient bone stock for TPLO and use of a 3.5-mm-broad or -narrow TPLO plate were sequentially allocated to have plate fixation with locking or conventional screws. Data analyzed included breed, age, sex, body weight, body condition score, limb operated, implants used, meniscal status, operative time, and days to recheck. Preoperative, immediate postoperative, and 8-week recheck mediolateral radiographs were reviewed, and TPA, complications, and healing status were evaluated. RESULTS: Stifles in the locking screw group had significantly less change in postoperative TPA than stifles in the conventional screw group. Locking screw fixation also had significantly higher grades of osteotomy healing, assessed on a mediolateral radiographic view. CONCLUSIONS: TPLO plates secured with locking screws are acceptable when compared with those secured with conventional screws; osteotomy healing is improved and TPA better conserved when using locking screws. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Locking screw fixation serves to increase stabilization of TPA during TPLO healing and provides improved radiographic evidence of osteotomy healing.