Placement of a subcutaneous ureteral bypass in a Miniature Pinscher with presumed xanthine urolithiasis as a result of allopurinol treatment

INTRODUCTION

This case report describes the long-term success of a subcutaneous ureteral bypass device in a dog for treatment of a ureteral obstruction. The suspected xanthine urolithiasis was secondary to treatment with allopurinol for leishmaniasis. The dog presented initially with lethargy, anuria and abdominal pain. Mild azotemia was found on biochemical analysis and abdominal ultrasound revealed bilateral ureteral obstruction. A subcutaneous ureteral bypass was subsequently placed using a standard surgical technique. The dog recovered uneventfully and the azotemia resolved within days. Follow-up examinations were performed every trimester for over three years and no complications like obstruction of the bypass tubes, urinary tract infection or azotemia were recognized during this follow-up period. Allopurinol was replaced with domperidone as long-term treatment against Leishmaniasis which resulted in a mild increase of the leishmania serum antibody titer. The subcutaneous ureteral bypass placement was successful and safe in this dog and is a valuable alternative in cases of ureteral obstruction also in dogs.

Evaluation of different techniques for percutaneous needle biopsy of synovial membrane in the dog

Four different needles were evaluated for percutaneous needle biopsy (PNB) of the synovial membrane (SM) in six different joints (carpus, tarsus, elbow, shoulder, stifle, hip) from eight dog cadavers. Needle biopsies were retrieved with the Parker-Pearson (PP), a novel modified Parker-Pearson (PPM), the Tru-Cut (TC), and the Franklin-Silverman (FS) needles. The success rate of PNB to produce biopsies, of adequate histological quality, was assessed for each needle type and joint. The joints were subsequently surgically opened and standard open SM biopsies were harvested from an adjacent area. The articular cartilage was inspected and graded for damage caused by PNB sampling. The length of the intact synovial lining cell layer (SLCL) and the histological quality of the needle biopsies were compared to the open surgical biopsies. Success rates for the different needles were 49.2% (PPM), 37.5% (PP), 26.7% (TC), and 1.7% (FS). The highest success rates were achieved in the carpus and stifle; the lowest success rate was found in the hip joint. The intact SLCL from the PNB samples was an average of 3.4 times shorter than that of the surgical biopsies. The proportion of the samples with adequate histological quality was 81% for open surgical biopsies and 62% for PNB samples. The FS was found to produce the highest incidence of articular cartilage damage. The application of PNB for SM sampling is a valuable alternative to the open surgical biopsy in dogs. Modifications of the Parker Pearson needle by Arassy and Schumacher and novel modifications introduced by the authors, offer encouraging results, and merit further clinical and research investigations.

Mechanical Evaluation of Soft Cast (Scotchcast, 3M) and Conventional Rigid and Semi-rigid Coaptation Methods

A clinically relevant model was created to mechanically evaluate different rigid and semi-rigid coaptation methods. Modulus of elasticity, yield stress, resilience and stiffness was measured to describe material strength and structure stiffness. Rigid Vetcast Plus, 3 M (VCP), new semi-rigid Softcast Scotchcast, 3 M (SC), conventional semi-rigid fibreglass slab reinforced modified Rober t Jone s (SMRJ ) bandages, and modified Robert Jones (MRJ ) bandages were tested with different thicknesses or configurations. Rigid (VCP) was the strongest and stiffest coaptation method. The reason for this was a strong bond between fibres and resin and between layers. New semi-rigid (SC) was the strongest of the semi-rigid coaptation methods followed by (SMRJ ) bandages and (MRJ ) bandages. With semi-rigid (SC) imperfections and voids in bond allowed some shear movement between fibres and resin and between layers giving cylindrical structures some resilience. Stiffness of semi-rigid (SMRJ ) was influenced by the position of the slab relative to the bending plane. Compressed cotton with semi-rigid (MRJ ) had very limited resistance to a bending force.

New semi-rigid Softcast Scotch-cat, 3M (SC) was mechanically evaluated in an in vitro external coaptation model and compared to rigid Vetcast Plus, 3M (VCP), semi-rigid fibreglass slab reinforced modified Robert Jones (SMRJ) bandages, and modified Robert Jones (MRJ) bandages. Vetcast Plus (VCP) was overall the strongest, Scotchcast (SC) was the strongest of the semi-rigid coaptation methods.

Effects of Acceleration on Ground Reaction Forces Collected in Healthy Dogs at a Trot

The aim of this study was to assess, whether or not, visual grading of changes in subject acceleration during force plate collection within a fixed, measured velocity range was adequate to control acceleration/deceleration. A second question was, whether or not, visual grading of the trials was adequate to prevent significant changes in ground reaction forces within a controlled velocity range. Eight healthy, non-chondrodysplastic dogs, of varying breeds, were used in the study. Each dog was tested in four different protocols. The order in which the dogs completed the different protocols was determined randomly. During all of the protocols, the dogs trotted across the measured testing area within a velocity range of 1.6 to 1.9 m/s. The protocols varied in the amount of acceleration or deceleration allowed in the testing area and the methods of evaluating the acceleration or deceleration. Significant differences in ground reaction force measurements were found, with variations in the acceleration and deceleration. The majority of changes were found in the craniocaudal axis during acceleration and deceleration. Vertical axis measurements were only altered in the rear limbs. Significant differences were not found in any measurement (except the stance phase duration in the rear limb) between the mechanically controlled minimal acceleration/deceleration variation protocol and the visually controlled acceleration/deceleration variation protocol. While visual observation was unable to consistently differentiate acceleration, or deceleration, changes through the testing area, it was able to eliminate enough variation in ground reaction force measurements so that differences were not found between the mechanically controlled minimal acceleration/ deceleration variation protocol nor the visually controlled acceleration/deceleration variation protocol. These results suggest that either method of collection may be acceptable for data collection depending upon the type of study being performed.

The effects of acceleration variation were examined in dogs undergoing force plate gait analysis. Significant differences in ground reaction force measurements were found, with variations in the acceleration and deceleration. The majority of changes were found in the craniocaudal axis, during acceleration and deceleration. Visual observation was unable to consistently differentiate variations in acceleration through the testing area.

Magnetic resonance imaging and arthroscopy of a discoid lateral meniscus in a dog

For the first time in veterinary literature, magnetic resonance and arthroscopic features of a discoid lateral meniscus in a dog are described. A 15-monthold Labrador Retriever with a history of mild intermittent left hindlimb lameness was referred to our clinic. Physical examination revealed mild joint effusion of the left stifle and absence of a cranial drawer motion and tibial compression test. Survey radiographs demonstrated mild joint effusion and peri-articular new bone formation. Low-field magnetic resonance tomography of the left stifle joint demonstrated injury of the cranial cruciate ligament and a discoid lateral meniscus. Two weeks later, arthroscopy revealed a partial tear of the cranial cruciate ligament with mild synovitis. Furthermore, some fibres inserted abnormally cranial to the inter-meniscal and cranial tibial ligament of the medial meniscus. The lateral meniscus was discoid in shape. Subsequent arthrotomy confirmed the diagnoses. Discoid meniscus is a rare finding in the dog with unknown clinical relevance whereas it is well known in humans.

A 15-month-old Labrador Retriever with mild left hindlimb lameness, mild joint effusion of the left stifle but without signs of stifle instability is presented in this report. Low-field magnetic resonance tomography demonstrated injury of the cranial cruciate ligament and a discoid lateral meniscus. Subsequent arthroscopy and arthrotomy confirmed these findings. A literature review on discoid meniscus in humans and in dogs is presented.

Tibial plateau angles with and without cranial cruciate ligament rupture

The tibial plateau angles (TPA) of dogs with and without cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) injuries were evaluated and further compared to the TPAs of dogs from a previous population and of wolves. Similar TPA measurements were found in all groups, suggesting that any possible changes in breeding practises, breed preferences, nutrition or other factors have not significantly influenced the TPA over time. Moreover, a difference was not found in the TPA between any group and the group affected with CrCL injury, suggesting that the TPA is not a clinically relevant predisposing factor in the development of canine CrCL rupture.

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.

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.

Evaluation of different techniques for percutaneous needle biopsy of synovial membrane in the dog

Four different needles were evaluated for percutaneous needle biopsy (PNB) of the synovial membrane (SM) in six different joints (carpus, tarsus, elbow, shoulder, stifle, hip) from eight dog cadavers. Needle biopsies were retrieved with the Parker-Pearson (PP), a novel modified Parker-Pearson (PPM), the Tru-Cut (TC), and the Franklin-Silverman (FS) needles. The success rate of PNB to produce biopsies, of adequate histological quality, was assessed for each needle type and joint. The joints were subsequently surgically opened and standard open SM biopsies were harvested from an adjacent area. The articular cartilage was inspected and graded for damage caused by PNB sampling. The length of the intact synovial lining cell layer (SLCL) and the histological quality of the needle biopsies were compared to the open surgical biopsies. Success rates for the different needles were 49.2% (PPM), 37.5% (PP), 26.7% (TC), and 1.7% (FS). The highest success rates were achieved in the carpus and stifle; the lowest success rate was found in the hip joint. The intact SLCL from the PNB samples was an average of 3.4 times shorter than that of the surgical biopsies. The proportion of the samples with adequate histological quality was 81% for open surgical biopsies and 62% for PNB samples. The FS was found to produce the highest incidence of articular cartilage damage. The application of PNB for SM sampling is a valuable alternative to the open surgical biopsy in dogs. Modifications of the Parker Pearson needle by Arassy and Schumacher and novel modifications introduced by the authors, offer encouraging results, and merit further clinical and research investigations.

Treatment of temporary upward fixation of the patella in an alpaca by abrasion trochleoplasty and imbrication of the medial retinacular fascia

A two-year-old female alpaca suddenly became lame on its right hindlimb. Eight days later clinical and radiographic examinations showed that the patella had become temporarily fixed within the supratrochlear notch of the femur. Under general anaesthesia an abrasion trochleoplasty followed by fascial imbrication was carried out. After two weeks in supporting slings, the animal put full weight on the leg, and six months after the surgery it showed no signs of lameness or recurrence of the upward fixation.

Urethral entrapment following pelvic fracture fixation in a dog

An 18-month-old female crossbred dog was presented with a unilateral sacroiliac luxation and separation of the pelvic symphysis. Surgical correction of the luxation with screw fixation led to entrapment of the urethra between the symphyseal parts of the two hemipelves.

Spontaneous lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion in cats: literature review and case presentations

Reports on intervertebral disc disease in cats are rare in the veterinary literature. It has been postulated that intervertebral disc protrusion is a frequent finding during necropsy in cats, without having any clinical relevance (King and Smith 1958, King & Smith 1960a, King & Smith 1960b). However, a total of six cases with disc protrusions and clinically significant neurological deficits have been reported over the past decade. (Heavner 1971, Seim & Nafe 1981, Gilmore 1983, Littlewood et al 1984, Sparkes & Skerry 1990, Bagley et al 1995). As in dogs, there are also two types of intervertebral disc disease in cats: Hansen's type I (extrusion), and type II (herniation). Cervical spinal cord involvement was more commonly recognised in cats than the lumbar or the thoraco lumbar area. Cats over 15 years were mainly affected (King & Smith 1958, King & Smith 1960a, King & Smith 1960b). We describe two cats with lumbar intervertebral disc protrusions. Emphasis is placed on differential diagnoses, treatment and follow-up.

[Bilateral idiopathic femur head epiphyseolysis ("slipped epiphysis") in cats: literature review and case description]

One case of a bilateral idiopathic slipped capital femoral epiphysis--"slipped epiphysis"--in a cat is described. The similarities and the differences between the cases in human and small animal medicine concerning the incidence, the hypotheses of the pathogenesis and the treatment options are discussed.