Hydrated Nucleus Pulposus Extrusion in Dogs: Thoracolumbar Compared to Cervical Cases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to review and describe cases of thoracolumbar (TL) hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion (HNPE) diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging and surgery, and compare them to cases of cervical (C) HNPE. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, single-center study. RESULTS: Thirty-six dogs met the inclusion criteria. Fifteen cases were C and 21 TL. Thirteen dogs were chondrodystrophic breeds, mean body weight was 13 kg, median age was 7.5 years, and 30/36 were male. Fewer dogs were chondrodystrophic in the C group compared with the TL group (p = 0.022). More than 90% had an acute onset, and strong activity was more often reported in the TL group. TL HNPE was more often painful, and extruded disc material more often lateralized (p = 0.017). Median Modified Frankel Score at presentation was 3 and 72.2% were non-ambulatory. More TL HNPE (11/21) were treated surgically compared with C HNPE (4/15). Treatment choice was correlated with spinal cord compression (p = 0.0075). Median Modified Frankel Score improved during hospitalization (p = 0.002) and there was no difference in outcome between C and TL HNPE or conservative and surgical treatment. Mean follow-up time was 33 days. All patients were ambulatory at follow-up. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the HNPE is not limited to the C vertebral column of dogs and can occur in the TL vertebral column as well. Dogs with TL HNPE show spinal hyperesthesia more often and extruded nucleus material is more often lateralized. Outcome is similar to what has previously been described for C HNPE.

Infection rate treating radial and ulnar fractures using bone plate fixation without antibiotic prophylaxis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness and complication rate of a 1.5- and 2.0-mm titanium locking plate for the treatment of radial and ulnar fractures in small dog breeds and cats without peri-operative antibiotic prophylaxis in a prospective case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records and radiographs of closed radial and ulnar fractures treated using internal fixation with a 1.5- or 2.0-mm titanium locking plate without antibiotic prophylaxis were collected prospectively. Patients were clinically followed up until radiographical fracture healing was complete. RESULTS: Thirty-two fractures in small breed dogs and cats with an average bodyweight of 3.9 kg met the inclusion criteria. The follow-up time radiographically and clinically was 4-35 weeks. All fractures showed radiographical fracture union, and all patients had a good clinical outcome. The superficial infection rate in this case series was 0%; the deep infection rate involving the implant/bone was 3.1%. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The novel 1.5- and 2.0-mm titanium locking plate system was successfully used to treat simple closed radial and ulnar fractures in small breed dogs and cats without peri-operative antibiotic prophylaxis, resulting in good clinical outcome and a low infection rate.

Tibial tuberosity advancement in small-breed dogs using TTA Rapid implants: complications and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the perioperative complications and the outcome when treating small-breed dogs with cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency with tibial tuberosity advancement using the TTA Rapid implant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 40 dogs (48 stifles) with cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency and body weight of 15 kg or less. Diagnosis was confirmed by arthroscopy or arthrotomy, followed by tibial tuberosity advancement surgery. Six weeks after surgery, the dogs were re-evaluated with clinical examination and radiography. Mid- to long-term outcome was assessed using client questionnaire. RESULTS: Intraoperative complications consisted of four osteotomy-related fissures through the cranial cortex; two complete fissures were stabilised with a screw, the others healed without intervention. After surgery there were two tibial fractures and two incisional complications. Six weeks postoperatively, limb function was good to excellent in 43 dogs (94%). Two late meniscal injuries occurred. The overall major complication rate was 7/48 14·6%). Mid- to long-term follow-up information was available for 43 stifles: 34 stifles (79%) were free of lameness at a median of 72 weeks postoperatively. The outcome was rated excellent by 88% of the clients and good by 7%. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The use of TTA Rapid implants is an alternative for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency in small-breed dogs, with complication rates comparable to those recorded in larger breeds and to other techniques, and with a high degree of owner satisfaction.

Treatment of tibial fractures with plates using minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis in dogs and cats.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the here described case series was to develop and evaluate the minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis for the plate fixation of tibial fractures in dogs and cats. METHODS: Six dogs and four cats with shaft fractures of the tibia were treated using minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis. Follow-up radiographs four to six weeks after fracture fixation were evaluated for fracture healing. For the long-term follow-up (minimum 2.4 years), owners were contacted by phone to complete a questionnaire. RESULTS: All fractures healed without the need for a second procedure. Follow-up radiographs obtained after four to six weeks in seven cases showed advanced bony healing with callus formation and filling of the fracture gaps with calcified tissue in all seven. All the patients had a good to excellent long-term result with full limb function. The time needed for regaining full limb use was two to three months. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis seems to be a useful technique for the treatment of tibial shaft fractures in dogs and cats.

Measurements of C-reactive protein in serum and lactate dehydrogenase in serum and synovial fluid of patients with osteoarthritis.

Diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA) is based upon the clinical orthopaedic examination and the radiographic assessment, both of which can be non-specific and insensitive in early joint disease. The aim of our study was to investigate if there is an increase in serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in degenerative joint disease (DJD) and if CRP could be used to help diagnose OA. We also wished to investigate whether it was possible to distinguish a joint with clinically and radiographically confirmed OA from a healthy joint by comparing lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels within the synovial fluid and the serum. We have shown a difference in synovial LDH levels between diseased and healthy joints (P<0.0001). There was also a significant difference between LDH in arthritic synovial fluid and serum, with no correlation between the values. Despite the fact that the values of our clinical patients tended to be higher than the values of our control group (P=0.05) all measured values were within the normal limits of previous publications. From these data, we conclude that single measurements of serum CRP do not permit detection of OA in clinical patients and that serum LDH is not a reliable marker for osteoarthritis. LDH levels in the synovial fluid could be of diagnostic value for identifying osteoarthritis.

Treatment of large distal extremity skin wounds with autogenous full-thickness mesh skin grafts in 5 cats.

Five cats with large, distal extremity abrasion wounds were treated with an autogenous, full-thickness, mesh skin graft. Survival of the mesh grafts in all five cats was considered between 90 and 100%. Successful grafting requires asepsis, an adequately prepared recipient bed consisting of healthy granulation tissue, proper harvesting and preparation of the graft, meticulous surgical technique and strict postoperative care. Factors that are essential for the survival of skin grafts include good contact between the graft and the recipient bed, normal tension on the sutured graft, strict immobilization after grafting and prevention of accumulation of blood or serum under the graft. Meshing the graft provides more graft flexibility over uneven surfaces and allows adequate drainage. In contrast to previous proposals, the authors recommend no bandage change before the fourth day after grafting. Full-thickness mesh skin grafting can be used to successfully treat large distal skin wounds in cats.

Dietary support with Boswellia resin in canine inflammatory joint and spinal disease.

An open multi-centre veterinary clinical trial, comparing conditions before and after treatment with a herbal dietary supplement consisting of a natural resin extract of Boswellia serrata, was conducted by 10 practicing veterinarians in Switzerland. This traditional plant-based supplement is known for its anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory properties. 29 dogs with manifestations of chronic joint and spinal disease were enrolled. Osteoarthritis and degenerative conditions were confirmed radiologically in 25 of 29 cases. The resin extract (BSB108, product of Bogar AG) was administered with the regular food at a dose of 400 mg/10 kg body weight once daily for 6 weeks. Already after two weeks of treatment, an overall efficacy of the dietary supplement was evident in 71% of 24 eligible dogs. A statistically significant reduction of severity and resolution of typical clinical signs in individual animals, such as intermittent lameness, local pain and stiff gait, were reported after 6 weeks. Effects of external factors that aggravate lameness, such as "lameness when moving" and "lameness after a long rest" diminished gradually. In 5 dogs, reversible brief episodes of diarrhea and flatulence occurred, but only once was a relationship to the study preparation suspected. Because quality and stability of the resin extract were ensured, these data suggest that a standardized preparation can be recommended as a herbal dietary supplement providing symptomatic support in canine osteoarthritic disease.

Healing of dorsal pancarpal arthrodesis in the dog.

The purpose of this study was to assess radiographically the healing process in dogs which had undergone dorsal pancarpal arthrodesis with autologous cancellous bone grafting. The medical records of 17 dogs that had undergone dorsal pancarpal arthrodesis with complication-free dynamic compression plate fixation were reviewed. Postoperative healing was evaluated radiographically. It started five weeks after surgery and progressed for six to 12 weeks in all dogs. After this time period no further progression of healing was observed. Between weeks 6 and 8, bony fusion progressed significantly more rapidly in the intercarpal joint than in the radiocarpal joint. The following criteria had no influence on healing time: gender, age, bodyweight, and immediate versus delayed surgery after trauma. The major difficulties noted with respect to the interpretation of postoperative radiographs were irregular bony bridging, mainly caused by inadequate palmar curettage, and oblique projection of articular surfaces resulting in superimposition of joint spaces and solid bone.

[Salter-II fracture of the proximal tibia with avulsion of the tuberositas tibiae in the dog]. / Salter-II-Fraktur der proximalen Tibia mit Avulsion der Tuberositas tibiae beim Hund.

The combination of a fracture of the proximal tibia (Salter-Harris type II) with an avulsion of the tibial tuberosity is a rare injury in the growing dog. Internal fixation of the tibial plateau with K-wires, in some cases combined with a tension band wire for the avulsed tuberosity, resulted in complete healing. There is the possibility of developing growing deformities, therefore control radiographs should routinely be taken in 10 days intervals.