Multicentric osseous lymphoma with spinal extradural involvement in a dog.

Multicentric osseous lymphoma involving the ribs and multiple vertebrae was observed in a 7-year-old Siberian Husky. Extradural spinal cord compression was treated by surgical decompressive hemilaminectomy of L1-2 without noticeable improvement of signs neurologic dysfunction. However, palliation of signs of pain was noticed after irradiation in conjunction with chemotherapy and surgical decompression.

Corrective osteotomy for pes varus in the dachshund.

Five dachshunds were treated for a distal varus deformity of one tibia. Angulations of 20 degrees to 30 degrees resulted from shortening of the medial tibial length with the maximum curvature at the distal metaphysis. Comparison with the contralateral limbs was required to determine the amount of correction necessary for functional and cosmetic results. Open wedge osteotomies stabilized with a modified type II external fixator resulted in correction of the deformities, early return of limb function, and healing of the osteotomies.

Mechanical evaluation of two canine iliac fracture fixation systems.

Twenty-three canine pelves were tested bilaterally to determine the stiffness and strength of intact ilium and stabilized oblique iliac osteotomies that simulated a common clinical fracture. Fixation systems tested were three 4.0 mm cancellous screws inserted ventral to dorsal across the osteotomy site and one laterally placed five hole 3.5 mm dynamic compression plate. Specimens were mechanically tested to failure under torsional, axial, or axial plus bending loads. Lag screw fixation was stiffer and stronger than plate fixation in all testing modes. The differences were statistically significant (p less than .05) in the torsional and axial plus bending loading modes. Fatigue testing was performed on implanted specimens with low-level cyclic loading under axial plus bending loading conditions. Physiologic loading conditions failed to produce mechanical failure of either fixation system after 100,000 cycles.

Disc-associated wobbler syndrome in the Doberman pinscher.

Disc-associated wobbler syndrome is a subset of the diverse canine wobbler complex. Disc-associated wobbler disease can occur in many large-breed dogs but the vast majority are middle-aged Doberman Pinschers. Dorsal annulus hypertrophy and protrusion is the hallmark lesion with variable association of dorsal ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and bony malformations. Chronic caudal cervical spinal cord compression results in the clinical signs. Instability, primary disc degeneration, and conformational etiologies have been incriminated. The clinical course usually entails chronic progressive paraparesis to tetraparesis with insidious onset. Acute onset or exacerbations are less common. Diagnosis is based upon history, neurologic examination, and radiography/myelography. Long-term conservative therapy is only palliative and usually leads to the demise of the animal. Surgical therapy offers the potential of a cure but at significant risk of morbidity and mortality. Surgical treatment consists primarily of decompressive techniques with or without stabilization. The numerous surgical techniques utilized highlight the variability of the lesions and the lack of universal acceptance of any one technique. Decompression is accomplished by surgical access to the vertebral canal to physically remove the abnormal ligament and/or bony material. Alternatively, distraction combined with fusion of the vertebrae adjacent to the offending disc may reduce the hypertrophied/prolapsed dorsal annulus. Regardless of the procedure, postoperative management may be fraught with complications that require special considerations.