Incidence of delayed hair re-growth, pruritus, and urinary retention after epidural anaesthesia in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: Delayed hair re-growth, pruritus and urinary retention are known complications after epidural anaesthesia in dogs. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the effect of epidurally administered drugs on the occurrence of these complications in dogs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety dogs were included in this study. Eighty client-owned dogs undergoing surgery were randomly assigned to one of three epidural treatment groups: either morphine and bupivacaine (MB), bupivacaine (B), or saline solution 0.9% (S) was administered epidurally to these patients. Ten dogs were only clipped in the lumbosacral area (C). Follow-up started 4 weeks after clipping and was performed every 4-5 weeks in cases of delayed hair re-growth or pruritus. Hair re-growth in the lumbosacral area was observed and compared to hair re-growth in the surgical field and the fentanyl patch area. Cytological analysis and a trichogram were performed if hair re-growth was delayed after 6 months. Time interval to first urination postoperatively was recorded (n = 80). RESULTS: Hair re-growth was delayed in 11 dogs (12.2%; B: n = 7, S: n = 2, MB: n = 1, C: n = 1) with no differences between groups. Pruritus was evident in two dogs (2.2%; MB: n = 1, S: n = 1). After 6 months, hair had started to re-grow in all but one dog (B). After 10 months the coat of this dog had re-grown. Time to first urination did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: No direct correlation between the particular drugs injected epidurally and delayed hair re-growth, pruritus and urinary retention could be shown. Dog owners should be informed that hair re-growth after epidural anaesthesia could be markedly delayed.

Revision of an unstable HELICA endoprosthesis with a Zurich cementless total hip replacement.

A six-year-old, female, spayed Labrador Retriever was evaluated for progressive lameness of one year duration, ending in non-weight-bearing of the right hindlimb. The dog had a history of severe coxarthrosis of both hip joints, and had a HELICA hip prosthesis implanted in the right hip 18 months before. On survey radiographs, the acetabular and femoral components appeared unstable, with a large void in the proximal femur and a lacy periosteal reaction on the trochanter. Arthrocentesis was performed to rule out septic loosening. As culture samples were negative, the dog underwent surgery. We report the successful revision of an unstable HELICA screw hip prosthesis with a Zurich cementless total hip replacement. The patient had a good clinical and radiological outcome seven months postoperatively.

Fixation of a proximal femoral physeal fracture in a dog using a ventral approach and two Kirschner wires.

A Salter-Harris type I proximal femoral physeal fracture was diagnosed in a six-month-old Norfolk Terrier. The fracture was reduced using a ventromedial approach to the hip joint and fixation with two small Kirschner wires applied from the joint surface and countersunk below the cartilage. The ventromedial approach minimizes soft-tissue and vascular damage and affords direct visualization of the fracture, facilitating reduction and fixation. The two-year postoperative outcome was considered satisfactory in this case.