Acute liver lobe torsion in a kitten.

CASE SUMMARY: A 10-week-old intact male domestic shorthair kitten presented for an acute onset of lethargy, vomiting and anorexia. An abdominal mass effect was palpable on presentation. Blood work, abdominal radiographs and point-of-care abdominal ultrasound showed severe anemia, decreased serosal detail and abdominal effusion, respectively. Based on the concern for an abdominal organ torsion or ruptured mass, an emergency abdominal exploratory surgery was performed. Torsion of the entire caudate liver lobe was discovered with a secondary hemoabdomen, and a liver lobectomy was performed. The kitten was stabilized and discharged 3 days after surgery. At the recheck examination, 15 days postoperatively, the patient was reported to be doing well. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: Liver lobe torsion is a rare condition previously reported in six other cats; however, this is the first peer-reviewed report in a kitten successfully treated with surgery with no identifiable underlying cause.

Analysis of platinum content in biodegradable carboplatin-impregnated beads and retrospective assessment of tolerability for intralesional use of the beads in dogs following excision of subcutaneous sarcomas: 29 cases (2011-2014).

OBJECTIVE To evaluate platinum content in biodegradable carboplatin-impregnated beads and retrospectively assess tolerability and outcome data for dogs treated by intralesional placement of such beads following surgical excision of subcutaneous sarcomas. DESIGN Evaluation study and retrospective case series. SAMPLE 9 carboplatin-impregnated beads and 29 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES Platinum content in 9 carboplatin-impregnated beads from 3 lots was measured by spectrophotometry, and calculated carboplatin content was compared with the labeled content. Medical records were searched to identify dogs with subcutaneous sarcomas for which treatment included placement of carboplatin-impregnated beads between 2011 and 2014. Signalment, tumor characteristics, surgical and histologic data, adverse events, and local recurrences were recorded. Associations between variables of interest and adverse events or local disease-free interval were analyzed. RESULTS In vitro analysis identified a mean ± SD platinum content of 5.38 ± 0.97 mg/bead. Calculated carboplatin content (10.24 ± 1.84 mg/bead) was significantly greater than the labeled amount (4.6 mg/bead). Bead weight and total platinum content differed significantly among lots, but platinum content per bead weight did not. Mild-to-moderate local adverse events were reported for 11 of 29 tumors; all resolved without additional surgery. No dogs had signs of systemic toxicosis. Overall local disease-free rates 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery were 70%, 70%, and 58%, respectively, as determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Carboplatin-impregnated beads were well tolerated; however, results of in vitro tests indicated that caution is needed because of manufacturing inconsistencies.

Observer variability of tibial plateau slope measurement in 40 dogs with cranial cruciate ligament-deficient stifle joints.

OBJECTIVE: To determine (1) the inter- and intraobserver variability in measurement of tibial plateau angle (TPA), (2) whether this inter- and intraobserver variability is related to the characteristics of the dog (age, size, and amount of degenerative joint disease [DJD]) and the experience level of the observer, and (3) the extent of any relationship between interobserver variability of TPA and the variability of the observers' selection of the specific cranial and caudal points along the tibial plateau. STUDY DESIGN: Examination of tibial radiographs of 40 dogs clinically affected with a cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient stifle joint. METHODS: Eleven different observers, divided into 3 groups based on their level of experience with the tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) technique, measured the TPA on all 40 radiographs on 5 different occasions. The degree of DJD present in the stifle joint was independently graded as an overall measure and then again as it specifically related to the cranial and caudal points along the tibial plateau. The total observed variabilities of the TPA were assessed with reference to interobserver differences, intraobserver differences, and among the groups of observers with respect to the different dog characteristics. Finally, the specific points selected on the radiographs were reexamined to determine whether any variability was present in cranial and caudal point selection. RESULTS: The interobserver standard deviation of the TPA measurements for each dog was 0.8 degrees, and the intraobserver standard deviation was 1.5 degrees. The TPA measurements obtained by the 11 observers differed significantly from each other (P <.001); however, there was no significant difference of TPA among the different groups of observers (P =.67). There was no significant correlation observed between either the inter- or intraobserver variability and the dog characteristics. Specific point data and their relationship to the various variables of dog characteristics and inter- and intraobserver TPA variability revealed significant correlations only to the amount of DJD present at the caudal point (P =.001). CONCLUSIONS: Interobserver variation, but no significant group variation, was present. Overall DJD did not appear to be related to the variability in TPA angle measurement. Most of the interobserver variability was attributable to variability in horizontal point selection at both the cranial and caudal points and vertical point selection at the caudal point. It appears that degenerative changes that specifically obscure the points on the tibial plateau, especially at the caudal point, are responsible for most of the interobserver variation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The desired postoperative TPA of 5 degrees is dependent on a precise initial measure of TPA preoperatively. This study indicates that there is statistically significant interobserver variability with measurement of TPA, which, therefore, can result in a similar amount of variability with the final tibial plateau slope obtained postoperatively.

Intertarsal and tarsometatarsal arthrodesis using 2.0/2.7-mm or 2.7/3.5-mm hybrid dynamic compression plates.

Proximal intertarsal or tarsometatarsal arthrodesis was performed in four dogs using either 2.0/2.7-mm or 2.7/3.5-mm hybrid dynamic compression plates. Mean radiographic follow-up time was 30.5 weeks (range, 15 to 60 weeks). Mean owner follow-up time was 40.5 weeks (range, 27 to 60 weeks). All cases went on to form stable, healed arthrodeses. Owners reported no noticeable lameness problems long term. Complications occurred in one case and included pressure sores and fracture of the calcaneus. Implant failure did not occur in any case.