Evaluation of joint stabilization for treatment of shearing injuries of the tarsus in 20 dogs

Medical records of 20 dogs with 23 shearing injuries of the tarsus leading to joint instability were reviewed. A transarticular external skeletal fixation device or prosthetic ligament was used to stabilize the joints. The most common complications were fixator failure and implant infection. The median times for wound healing and maximal joint function were 10 and 12 weeks, respectively. Clinical outcome was excellent in 22%, good in 56%, and poor in 22%. Comparison of the two stabilization methods showed no statistically significant differences in healing time, time to regain function, or clinical outcome.

Respiration and osmoregulation of the estuarine crab, Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould): effects of the herbicide, alachlor

1. The effects of a sudden decrease in salinity and exposure to sublethal concentrations of the herbicide, alachlor, on osmoregulation and respiration of the crab, Rithropanopeus harrisii, were studied. 2. Crabs were hyperosmotic regulators at salinities below 24 ppt and became hypoosmotic at higher salinities. Upon a salinity decrease from 20 to 1 ppt, crabs adjusted their haemolymph osmolality to a stable hyperosmotic level in 8 hr. Alachlor concentrations to 50 ppm did not affect this adjustment. 3. A salinity decrease from 10 to 0 ppt elevated VO2 and the critical oxygen tension. This response was unaffected by alachlor concentrations as high as 25 ppm.