Occurrence and pattern of long bone fractures in growing dogs with normal and osteopenic bones

Surgical interventions and outcome in a population of canine trauma patients

OBJECTIVE

To determine signalment, injury type, trauma severity score, and outcome of canine trauma patients undergoing surgical (emergency room [ER] or operating room [OR]) and nonsurgical treatment in addition to time to surgery, specialty services involved, and cost in the OR surgery population.

DESIGN

Retrospective evaluation of medical record and hospital trauma registry data on canine trauma cases.

SETTING

University teaching hospital.

ANIMALS

One thousand six hundred and thirty dogs presenting for traumatic injury between May 2017 and July 2020.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Demographics and outcome were compared for canine trauma patients undergoing OR surgery (12.8%, 208/1630), ER surgery (39.1%, 637/1630), or no surgical intervention (48.2%, 785/1630). Among the 2 surgical groups, 98.9% (836/845) survived to discharge compared with 92.2% (724/785) of the nonsurgical group (P < 0.0001). The OR surgical group had significantly higher median Animal Trauma Triage scores (2 vs 1, P < 0.0001) and median days in hospital (2 vs < 1, P < 0.0001) compared with the other groups. For the OR surgical cohort, electronic medical records were reviewed to determine the specialty surgery service involved, time to and duration of anesthesia and surgery, and visit cost. The most common surgery services involved were orthopedics (45.2%, 94/208) and general surgery (26.9%, 56/208). Neurology and general surgery cases required the longest median length of stay in hospital, and ophthalmology and dentistry cases required the shortest. The median cost of visit was highest in neurology ($10,032) and lowest in ophthalmology ($2305) and dentistry ($2404).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical intervention in canine trauma patients appears to be associated with higher survival rates, and among the surgery groups, mortality was highest in the ER and general surgery groups. OR surgical intervention, in particular general surgery and neurology, was associated with increased length of hospitalization, increased cost, and higher Animal Trauma Triage scores.

The Osteogenic Potential of Falciform Ligament-Derived Stromal Cells-A Comparative Analysis between Two Osteogenic Induction Programs

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have gained special relevance in bone tissue regenerative applications. MSCs have been isolated from different depots, with adipose tissue being acknowledged as one of the most convenient sources, given the wide availability, high cellular yield, and obtainability. Recently, the falciform ligament (FL) has been regarded as a potential depot for adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (FL-ADSCs) isolation. Nonetheless, the osteogenic capability of FL-ADSCs has not been previously characterized. Thus, the present study aimed the detailed characterization of FL-ADSCs' functionality upon osteogenic induction through a classic (dexamethasone-based-DEX) or an innovative strategy with retinoic acid (RA) in a comparative approach with ADSCs from a control visceral region. Cultures were characterized for cell proliferation, metabolic activity, cellular morphology, fluorescent cytoskeletal and mitochondrial organization, and osteogenic activity-gene expression analysis and cytochemical staining. FL-derived populations expressed significantly higher levels of osteogenic genes and cytochemical markers, particularly with DEX induction, as compared to control ADSCs that were more responsive to RA. FL-ADSCs were identified as a potential source for bone regenerative applications, given the heightened osteogenic functionality. Furthermore, data highlighted the importance of the selection of the most adequate osteogenic-inducing program concerning the specificities of the basal cell population.

Multi-ion-doped nano-hydroxyapatite-coated titanium intramedullary pins for long bone fracture repair in dogs-Clinical evaluation

Plasma spray nano-hydroxyapatite-coated titanium intramedullary implants doped either with 5% zinc, 2.5% strontium, and 2.5% fluorine ions or with 5% zinc, 5% strontium, and 2.5% silver ions were evaluated compared with plasma spray nano-hydroxyapatite-coated titanium intramedullary implant and uncoated titanium intramedullary implants for open reduction and internal immobilization in 24 clinical cases of long bone fracture repair in dogs. Fracture-healing limb outcome was evaluated clinically, that is, radiographically. Biochemical estimation of serum calcium, serum phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bone markers (bone ALP [BALP] and C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen [CTX]) was carried out on 0th day, 3rd week, 6th, and 9th week postoperatively. Multi-ion-doped plasma spray nano-hydroxyapatite-coated titanium intramedullary implants were found to be superior to plasma spray nano-hydroxyapatite-coated titanium intramedullary implants and uncoated titanium intramedullary implants in terms of all the parameters studied. Using plasma spray nano-hydroxyapatite-coated titanium implants doped with multi ions, that is, 5% zinc, 5% strontium, and 2.5% silver gave the best results in fracture repair followed by the implants doped with 5% zinc, 2.5% strontium, and 2.5% fluorine ions. Earliest and excellent limb usage with no postoperative complications was the hallmark of the use of these multi-ion-doped implants with higher serum calcium, serum phosphorus, ALP, BALP, and CTX values up to 3rd postoperative week and no lameness on the 21st day.

Diaphyseal nutrient foramina in the humerus, radius, femur, and tibia bones of mixed breed dogs

Objective:

The objective of this study was to determine the location, number, and direction of the nutrient foramen in the humerus, radius, femur, and tibia bones of mixed breed dogs.

Materials and Methods:

The humerus, radius, femur, and tibia of both (left and right) limbs of mixed breed dogs were examined in this study. The number, location, and direction of the nutrient foramina were identified. Once identified, the diameter of each nutrient foramen was measured and the site index calculated.

Results:

Only one nutrient foramen was identified in the humerus, radius, tibia, and right femur, while the foramen numbers ranged from one to three in the left femurs examinated. The nutrient foramen was localized on the caudal surface in the radii, femurs, tibias, and left humeri. Contrasting, however, 75% were located on the caudal surface of the right humeri and 25% on the lateral surface. The average diameter of the nutrient foramen of the humerus ranged from 0.88 to 1.00 mm, while it ranged from 1.13 to 1.25 mm in the radius. On the hind limb, the diameter of the nutrient foramen on the femur ranged from 1.2 to 1.3 mm and 0.75–1.25 mm on the tibia. The nutrient foramen was directed towards the corresponding joint in 100% of the humeri and tibias, 75% of the radii, and 60%–80% of the femurs examined.

Conclusion:

The anatomical data on the nutrient foramen obtained in this study will be valuable for veterinarians when diagnosing pathological bone lesions and for orthopedic surgery.

Long bone fractures in Cerdocyon thous: macroscopic and microstructural evaluation

Abstract The aim of the present study was to perform the macroscopic and microstructural morphological classification of long bone fractures of Cerdocyon thous. Eighteen cadavers of the species were necropsied, and subjected to radiographic and microscopical evaluation when long bone fractures were detected. Among the 18 cadavers, eight (44%) had fractures equally distributed (33.33%) in the femur, humerus, or tibia. More frequently (61.54%), the fractures were simple and affected the diaphysis, and in smaller proportions (23.08%) reached the physeal line. In diaphyseal and metaphyseal fractures, microscopical evaluation revealed cortical bone tissue, with longitudinal osteons that contained longitudinal and intermediate collagen fibres and lamellae with a delamination aspect. On the other hand, in epiphyseal fractures, trabecular bone tissue was more frequently observed, consisting of trabeculae with disorganised collagen fibres and absence of osteons. In both cases low activity, osteocytes, and low coverage of osteoblasts on the bone surface were noted. It was concluded that the frequency of fractures in the long bones of C. thous was 44%, with females being more predisposed. The findings support the hypothesis that fractures in such animals are caused by being run over by automobiles. The present study contributes significantly in alerting clinicians and surgeons to the types of fractures that C. thous is more predisposed to, its places of greatest occurrence, and its microstructure. Thus, there is a need for joint actions aimed at reducing the number of cases of wild animals being run over by automobiles.

Review of 166 Gunshot Injury Cases in Dogs

The study is aimed to establish predilection signalment and history data, and to investigate clinical findings and risk factors associated with a poor outcome in dogs with projectile injuries. A retrospective study was undertaken of 166 canine cases in which a projectile was found on radiograph in a university׳s diagnostic imaging center more than a 4-year period. The study included dogs with both apparent (obvious recent traumatic event) and incidental (traumatic event unknown to the owner) projectile injury. Radiographs were reviewed and data regarding projectile position according to body region, number and type of projectile(s), bone fracture(s), and wound(s) related to projectile were recorded. The dogs were divided into groups according to owner address, hunting accident vs. shooting unrelated to hunting, and projectile type found on radiographs. Overall, 160 dogs met the inclusion criteria, making 0.76% the incidence of gunshot injuries. Further, 91 dogs were received with incidental projectile injury, and 75 dogs had apparent projectile injury. Male dogs were overrepresented (74.1%). Hunting accidents were the cause of projectile injury in 12.7% of cases. Fractures were observed in 20.5% of dogs. Most of the dogs (62%) were from an urban area, and the most common projectile type was airgun projectile (62%). The risk of fatal outcome was 14.4 times higher in dogs with thoracic injuries. Projectile injuries are still a real cause of trauma, especially in urban areas and in male dogs. Most gunshot injuries do not cause fatalities, although the thoracic projectile injury was associated with a greater fatality risk.

Prediction of the mechanical response of canine humerus to three-point bending using subject-specific finite element modelling

Subject-specific finite element models could improve decision making in canine long-bone fracture repair. However, it preliminary requires that finite element models predicting the mechanical response of canine long bone are proposed and validated. We present here a combined experimental–numerical approach to test the ability of subject-specific finite element models to predict the bending response of seven pairs of canine humeri directly from medical images. Our results show that bending stiffness and yield load are predicted with a mean absolute error of 10.1% (±5.2%) for the 14 samples. This study constitutes a basis for the forthcoming optimization of canine long-bone fracture repair.

Incidência de fraturas em cães e gatos da cidade de Maputo (Moçambique) no período de 1998-2008

As fraturas representam o principal problema ortopédico na clínica de pequenos animais. O estudo de 333 casos em cães, e 37 em gatos diagnosticados nas principais unidades de atendimento veterinário da cidade de Maputo no período de 1998 a 2008 foi levado a cabo para analisar a frequência das fraturas. A maior incidência de fraturas foi registrada em animais com idade igual ou inferior a 2 anos (55,68%). Em ambas as espécies, os machos (58,38%) estiveram mais envolvidos em fraturas que as fêmeas. O esqueleto apendicular foi o mais acometido com 91,59% (cães) e 75,66% (gatos) do total de fraturas, sendo o fêmur [35,74% (cães) e 35,14% (gatos)] singularmente o mais envolvido em todas as espécies seguido pela tíbia e fíbula. Os atropelamentos por veículos motorizados foram responsáveis pela maior parte das fraturas, contudo, a frequência por agressão humana é bastante preocupante. Não há evidência da distribuição sazonal dos casos registrados.