Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To determine the signalment and musculoskeletal morphology of small-breed dogs affected by medial patellar luxation (MPL) grade IV based on the age of the CT scan.
ANIMALS
40 small-breed dogs (54 limbs) with MPL grade IV.
PROCEDURES
Dogs that had undergone corrective surgery for MPL grade IV and had performed CT of the hind limb before surgery were included. Signalment (age, body weight, sex, laterality, and breed) and concomitant cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CrCLR) were recorded. Femoral inclination angle, anatomical lateral distal femoral angle (aLDFA), femoral torsion angle, quadriceps muscle length to femoral length ratio (QML/FL), and patellar ligament length to patellar length were obtained by CT images. The dogs were categorized into 2 groups based on their age at the time of the CT scan, the skeletally immature group and the skeletally matured group. Signalment and group were included in the multiple regression analysis to determine the factors associated with each measurement parameter. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the risk of CrCL concomitant with age.
RESULTS
The multiple regression model demonstrated that the group was associated with the value of aLDFA and QML/FL. aLDFA was higher, and QML/FL was lower in group SI than in group SM. CrCLR was present in 5/54 limbs (9.2%), with a mean age of 70.8 months and it was associated with increasing age.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
In Singleton’s classification, dogs classified as grade IV can be categorized into 2 groups based on musculoskeletal morphology and pathophysiology: the skeletally immature and skeletally matured types.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To determine ideal insufflation pressures during transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) in canine cadavers for rectal submucosal transection and incisional closure.
ANIMALS
16 canine cadavers.
PROCEDURES
Cadavers were placed in lateral recumbency. Urinary catheters were placed to measure intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). A single access port was placed to establish a pneumorectum. Cadavers were placed in insufflation groups of 6 mmHg to 8 mmHg (group 1), 10 mmHg to 12 mmHg (group 2), or 14 mmHg to 16 mmHg (group 3). Defects in the rectal submucosa were created and closed with a unidirectional barbed suture. Duration for each procedure and subjective ease of identifying the transection plane and performing incisional closure were assessed.
RESULTS
The single access port was successfully placed in dogs weighing 22.7 kg to 48 kg. The ease of each step of the procedure was not influenced by the insufflation pressure. The median surgical duration for group 1 was 740 seconds (range = 564 to 951 seconds), 879 seconds (range = 678 to 991 seconds) for group 2, and 749 seconds (range = 630 to 1,244 seconds) for group 3 (P = .650). The insufflation pressure increased the IAP (P = .007). Perforation of the rectum happened in 2 cadavers in group 3.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
The duration of each step of the procedure was not significantly influenced by insufflation pressure. Defining the dissection plane and performing resection was more challenging in the highest-pressure group. Rectal perforation occurred only with the 14 mmHg to 16 mmHg insufflation pressure. Single access port usage with TAMIS may provide a readily available, minimally invasive approach for the resection of rectal tumors in dogs.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Determine the effect of sample holding time and single sample reuse on viscoelastic coagulation parameters when using fresh equine native whole blood.
ANIMALS
8 healthy adult horses from a university teaching herd.
PROCEDURES
Blood collected by direct jugular venipuncture (18 ga needle, 3 mL syringe) was held at 37 °C for 2, 4, 6, or 8 minutes according to 1 of 2 protocols. Syringes were gently inverted twice, a small amount of blood was expressed, testing cartridges were filled, and placed within the VCM-Vet™ device (Entegrion Inc). Protocol A: samples were processed from a single syringe. Protocol B: 4 syringes were drawn through a single needle. VCM-Vet™ measures assessed included clot time (CT), clot formation time (CFT), alpha angle (AA), amplitude at 10/20 minutes (A10/A20), maximal clot firmness (MCF), and lysis index at 30/45 minutes (LI30/LI45). Differences over time were examined using the Friedman test and post hoc Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test with Bonferroni correction, P ≤ .05.
RESULTS
Following Protocol A, there was a significant effect of holding time for CT (P = .02), CFT (P = .04), and AA (P = .05). CT and AA decreased over time, while CFT increased. Samples handled by Protocol B showed no significant difference over time for any of the VCM-Vet™ parameters.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Sample holding time and handling protocol impact VCM-Vet™ testing results of fresh equine native whole blood. Viscoelastic coagulation samples tested using the VCM-Vet™ may be held unagitated for up to 8 minutes after collection while warm, but should not be reused.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To assess the agreement between measurements of total protein (TP) concentrations in canine serum samples between a commercially available veterinary digital refractometer (DR), an analog handheld refractometer (AR), and a laboratory-based chemistry analyzer (LAB). An additional objective was to assess the effects of various potential interferents (ie, hyperbilirubinemia, increased BUN, hyperglycemia, hemolysis, and lipemia) on DR measurements.
SAMPLE
108 canine serum samples.
PROCEDURES
Serum samples were measured in duplicate on the DR, which reported TP concentration, assessed via optical reflectance and critical angle measurement. These serum samples were also assessed on the AR and LAB for comparison. Serum samples with grossly visible lipemia, hemolysis, and icterus were noted. Medical records were retrospectively assessed to determine concentrations of BUN, glucose, and bilirubin.
RESULTS
Method comparisons among the various data generated by the analyzers were completed using linear regression, Bland Altman, and calculation of intraclass coefficients. Mean bias between DRTP and LABTP in samples without potential interferents was 0.54 g/dL with 95% limits of agreement of –0.17 to 1.27 g/dL. One-third of DRTP samples without potential interferents had > 10% difference from their LABTP comparison. Interferents, particularly marked hyperglycemia, can result in inaccurate measurements on the DR.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
There was a statistically significant difference between DRTP and LABTP measurements. TP measurements in samples with any potential interferent, particularly hyperglycemia, should be assessed cautiously on DR and AR.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To describe the novel PCR diagnosis and outcome of intestinal Echinococcus multilocularis in a dog.
ANIMAL
A 13-month-old female intact dog with naturally occurring intestinal E multilocularis.
CLINICAL PRESENTATION, PROGRESSION, AND PROCEDURES
The 13-month-old dog initially presented with a reduced appetite and weight loss and then developed hematochezia. The clinical history included a lack of endoparasite preventive care (fecal testing, deworming), exposure to coyotes, fox, sheep, and rodents and the dog had intermittently been fed a raw food diet. Physical examination revealed a thin dog, with a 2/9 body condition score, that was otherwise clinically unremarkable. A fecal sample was submitted for screening for gastrointestinal parasites as part of an infectious disease assessment. The fecal PCR test reported detection of E multilocularis. This result was sequenced as the European haplotype E3/E4. Centrifugal flotation (same sample) did not detect taeniid eggs.
TREATMENT AND OUTCOME
The dog was treated with metronidazole, maropitant, and milbemycin oxime/praziquantel. Clinical improvement was noted within 48 hours. No DNA of E multilocularis was detected in a fecal sample collected approximately 10 days after treatment. The dog’s owner was advised to provide monthly deworming (praziquantel) for all dogs on the property and to contact their human health-care provider due to potential zoonotic exposure risk.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Increasing detection of E multilocularis is occurring in dogs in Canada and the US. Alveolar echinococcosis can cause severe disease in dogs and humans. Fecal PCR detection and surveillance may alert practitioners to canine intestinal cases and allow dogs to serve as sentinels for human exposure risk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To compare outcomes and short-term complications of dogs with laryngeal paralysis treated with unilateral arytenoid lateralization performed on an outpatient versus inpatient basis.
ANIMALS
44 client-owned dogs.
PROCEDURES
Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify dogs that underwent unilateral arytenoid lateralization for the treatment of laryngeal paralysis between 2018 and 2022. Signalment, surgical technique, anesthesia time, comorbidities, laryngeal examination, concurrent procedures, use of prokinetics and sedatives, episodes of vomiting, episodes of regurgitation, duration of hospitalization, postoperative complications, anxiety scores, and pain scores were recorded. Variables were compared between dogs and grouped by outpatient or inpatient management.
RESULTS
The overall complication rate was 22.7% (10/44), with 35% (7/20) being in the inpatient group and 12.5% (3/24) being in the outpatient group. The overall mortality rate was 6.8% (3/44). The overall morbidity for hospitalized patients versus those undergoing and outpatient procedure was 5% (1/20) and 4.2% (1/24), respectively. There was no significant difference between overall rate of complications and mortality rates between the inpatient and outpatient groups.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Results suggested that outpatient management of dogs with laryngeal paralysis treated with elective unilateral arytenoid lateralization is an appropriate method of postoperative management with no difference in complication or mortality rates. Further prospective studies with standardized surgical, sedative, and antiemetic protocols are warranted to evaluate more definitely.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To report the complication rate of dogs undergoing oral oncological surgery when using a bone-cutting piezoelectric unit for osteotomies.
CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND PROCEDURES
Retrospective cohort evaluation of medical records from 2012 through 2022 for canine patients that underwent mandibulectomy or maxillectomy for the treatment of oral neoplasia at the Companion Animal Hospital at Cornell University. Cases were included if osteotomy was performed using a piezoelectric unit. Medical records were then reviewed for documentation of intraoperative hemorrhage and administration of blood products.
RESULTS
41 maxillectomies and 57 mandibulectomies met the inclusion criteria (98 in total). Only 1 (1.02%) case was associated with excessive surgical bleeding requiring administration of blood products.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Results of this study show that intraoperative hemorrhage requiring the use of blood products during or immediately after a mandibulectomy or maxillectomy is rare when using a piezoelectric unit to perform osteotomies, and is substantially lower than that previously reported when using oscillating saws or other bone-cutting devices for maxillectomies.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To describe the etiologies, clinicopathologic findings, diagnostic modalities employed, treatments, and outcome associated with cases of septic bicipital bursitis.
ANIMALS
9 horses.
CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND PROCEDURES
Medical records of horses diagnosed with septic bicipital bursitis between 2000 and 2021 were reviewed. Horses were included if synoviocentesis of the bicipital bursa revealed a total nucleated cell count of ≥ 20,000 cells/µL with a neutrophil proportion of ≥ 80%, a total protein concentration of ≥ 4.0 g/dL, and/or the presence of bacteria on cytology, or positive culture of the synovial fluid. Information retrieved from medical records included signalment, history, clinicopathologic variables, diagnostic imaging findings, treatment, and outcome.
RESULTS
Trauma was the most common inciting cause (n = 6). Synoviocentesis using ultrasonographic guidance was performed in all cases and showed alterations consistent with septic synovitis. Radiography identified pathology in 5 horses, whereas ultrasonography identified pathology in all horses. Treatment consisted of bursoscopy (n = 6) of the bicipital bursa of which 1 was performed under standing sedation, through-and-through needle lavage (3), bursotomy (2), or medical management alone (2). Five (55.6%) horses survived to discharge. Long-term follow-up was available for 3 horses and all were serviceably sound, with 2 in training as pleasure horses and 1 case continuing retirement.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Ultrasonography was the most informative imaging modality and paramount in obtaining synovial fluid samples for definitive diagnosis of septic bicipital bursitis. Bursoscopy performed under standing sedation is a feasible treatment option. Horses treated for bicipital septic bursitis have a fair prognosis for survival and may return to some level of athletic performance.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate short- and long-term outcomes for dogs undergoing anal sacculectomy for massive (> 5 cm) apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma (AGASACA).
ANIMALS
28 client-owned dogs with massive AGASACA.
PROCEDURES
A retrospective multi-institutional study was performed. Pre-, intra-, and post-operative data was collected, and variables were statistically analyzed for associations with progression-free interval (PFI) and overall survival (OS).
RESULTS
At the time of anal sacculectomy, 19 (68%) dogs underwent concurrent iliosacral lymph node extirpation, including 17 of 18 (94%) dogs with suspected nodal metastasis preoperatively. Five (18%) dogs experienced grade 2 intraoperative complications. Ten (36%) dogs experienced postoperative complications, including 1 grade 3 and 1 grade 4 complication. No dogs had permanent fecal incontinence, tenesmus, or anal stenosis. Nineteen dogs received adjuvant chemotherapy, radiation, or both. Local recurrence occurred in 37% of dogs. Dogs with lymph node metastasis at surgery were more likely than dogs without metastasis to develop new/progressive lymph node metastasis (10/17 [59%] vs 0/10 [0%]; P = .003) and distant metastasis (7/17 [41%] vs 0/10 [0%]; P = .026). Median PFI was 204 days (95% CI, 145 to 392). Median OS was 671 days (95% CI, 225 to upper limit not reached). Nodal metastasis at the time of surgery was associated with shorter PFI (P = .017) but not OS (P = .26). Adjuvant therapy was not associated with outcome.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Dogs with massive AGASACA experienced prolonged survival following anal sacculectomy despite a high incidence of local recurrence and metastasis. Lymph node metastasis at the time of surgery was a negative prognostic indicator for PFI but not OS.
