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Abstract

Objective—To determine and correlate subchondral bone mineral density and overlying cartilage structure and tensile integrity in mature healthy equine stifle (low magnitude loading) and metacarpophalangeal (high magnitude loading) joints.

Animals—8 healthy horses, 2 to 3 years of age.

Procedure—Osteochondral samples were acquired from the medial femoral condyle (FC) and medial trochlear ridge (TR) of the stifle joint and from the dorsal (MC3D) and palmar (MC3P) aspects of the distal medial third metacarpal condyles of the metacarpophalangeal joint. Articular cartilage surface fibrillation (evaluated via India ink staining) and tensile biomechanical properties were determined. The volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) of the underlying subchondral plate was assessed via dualenergy x-ray absorptiometry.

Results—Cartilage staining (fibrillation), tensile moduli, tensile strength, and vBMD were greater in the MC3D and MC3P locations, compared with the FC and TR locations, whereas tensile strain at failure was less in MC3D and MC3P locations than FC and TR locations. Cartilage tensile moduli correlated positively with vBMD, whereas cartilage staining and tensile strain at failure correlated negatively with vBMD.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In areas of high joint loading, the subchondral bone had high vBMD and the articular cartilage surface layer had high tensile stiffness but signs of structural wear (fibrillation and low failure strain). The site-dependent variations and relationships in this study support the concept that articular cartilage and subchondral bone normally adapt to physiologic loading in a coordinated way. (Am J Vet Res 2005;66:1823–1829)

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To develop an orthotopic model of canine osteosarcoma in athymic rats as a model for evaluating the effects of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) on osteosarcoma cells.

Animals—26 athymic nude rats.

Procedures—3 experiments were performed. In the first 2 experiments, rats were injected with 1 × 106 Abrams canine osteosarcoma cells into the proximal aspect of the tibia (n = 12) or distal aspect of the femur (6). Tumor engraftment and progression were monitored weekly via radiography, luciferase imaging, and measurement of urine pyridinoline concentration for 5 weeks and histologic evaluation after euthanasia. In the third experiment, 8 rats underwent canine osteosarcoma cell injection into the distal aspect of the femur and SRT was administered to the affected area in three 12-Gy fractions delivered on consecutive days (total radiation dose, 36 Gy). Percentage tumor necrosis and urinary pyridinoline concentrations were used to assess local tumor control. The short-term effect of SRT on skin was also evaluated.

Results—Tumors developed in 10 of 12 tibial sites and all 14 femoral sites. Administration of SRT to rats with femoral osteosarcoma was feasible and successful. Mean tumor necrosis of 95% was achieved histologically, and minimal adverse skin effects were observed.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The orthotopic model of canine osteosarcoma in rats developed in this study was suitable for evaluating the effects of local tumor control and can be used in future studies to evaluate optimization of SRT duration, dose, and fractionation schemes. The model could also allow evaluation of other treatments in combination with SRT, such as chemotherapy or bisphosphonate, radioprotectant, or parathyroid hormone treatment.

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in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective

To determine scintigraphic, sonographic, and histologic changes associated with renal autotransplantation in cats.

Animals

7 adult specific-pathogen-free cats: 5 males, 2 females, 1 to 9 years old.

Procedure

Renal autotransplantation was performed by moving a kidney (5 left, 2 right) to the left iliac fossa. Before and at multiple times after surgery, for a total of 28 days, cats were evaluated by B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography, scintigraphy, and renal biopsy.

Results

By 24 hours after surgery, a significant decrease (42%) in mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and an increase in mean renal size (81% increase in cross-sectional area) were evident in the transplanted kidney, compared with preoperative values. By postsurgery day 28, reduction in GFR was 23%. Significant changes in renal blood flow velocity were identified in both kidneys. Consistent changes in resistive index or pulsatility index for either kidney could not be identified. When all postoperative histologic data were combined, the histologic score, indicating degree and numbers of abnormalities detected, for the transplanted kidney was significantly higher than that for the control kidney.

Conclusions

Significant changes in renal function, size, and histologic abnormalities develop secondary to acute tubular necrosis in cats after uncomplicated renal autotransplantation.

Clinical Relevance

Evaluation of renal size and function may be of benefit for clinical evaluation of feline renal transplant patients, whereas measurement of the resistive index may be of little clinical value. (Am J Vet Res 1999;60:775–779)

Free access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

As efforts to reduce the overpopulation and euthanasia of unwanted and unowned dogs and cats have increased, greater attention has been focused on spay-neuter programs throughout the United States. Because of the wide range of geographic and demographic needs, a wide variety of programs have been developed to increase delivery of spay-neuter services to targeted populations of animals, including stationary and mobile clinics, MASH-style operations, shelter services, feral cat programs, and services provided through private practitioners. In an effort to ensure a consistent level of care, the Association of Shelter Veterinarians convened a task force of veterinarians to develop veterinary medical care guidelines for spay-neuter programs. The guidelines consist of recommendations for preoperative care (eg, patient transport and housing, patient selection, client communication, record keeping, and medical considerations), anesthetic management (eg, equipment, monitoring, perioperative considerations, anesthetic protocols, and emergency preparedness), surgical care (eg, operating-area environment; surgical-pack preparation; patient preparation; surgeon preparation; surgical procedures for pediatric, juvenile, and adult patients; and identification of neutered animals), and postoperative care (eg, analgesia, recovery, and release). These guidelines are based on current principles of anesthesiology, critical care medicine, microbiology, and surgical practice, as determined from published evidence and expert opinion. They represent acceptable practices that are attainable in spay-neuter programs.

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Objective

To identify correlations between ultrasonographic findings and specific hepatic diseases in cats.

Design

Retrospective study.

Sample Population

Medical records of 72 cats with a histopathologic diagnosis of hepatic disease and diagnostic-quality abdominal ultrasonograms between 1985 and 1997.

Procedure

Abdominal ultrasonographic findings in 72 cats with histologically confirmed hepatic disease (hepatic lipidosis excluded) were reviewed. Rather than attempt to combine individual ultrasonographic findings with specific hepatic diseases, 2 classification trees were created as models to correlate certain groups of abnormalities with specific hepatic diseases or with malignant and benign lesions of the liver. Sensitivity and specificity of classification trees were calculated.

Results

Use of a classification tree resulted in correct classification of malignant versus benign hepatic lesions in 88.9% of cats that had hepatic disease (sensitivity, 90.7%; specificity, 86.1 %). Use of a classification tree to distinguish individual types of hepatic diseases resulted in mostly accurate classification of hepatic lymphosarcoma (sensitivity, 70.5%; specificity, 98.2%), cholangitis-cholangiohepatitis syndrome (sensitivity, 87%; specificity, 90%), and benign lesions of the liver (sensitivity, 84.6%; specificity, 86.4%). Criteria that helped most in differentiating among various hepatic diseases were abnormalities within other organs (spleen, lymph nodes) and appearance of the hepatic portal system. A correlation was not found between focal or multifocal appearance of hepatic lesions and specific hepatic diseases.

Clinical Implications

Use of classification trees to distinguish among specific hepatic diseases or between malignant and benign hepatic lesions provides potentially useful algorithms for ultrasonographic evaluation of cats with hepatic disease. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1998;213:94-98)

Free access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Abstract

Objective—To evaluate owners' perceptions of the outcomes of dogs that have undergone total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Design—Survey.

Sample Population—Owners of 145 dogs that had undergone THA.

Procedure—Surveys were mailed to owners of 353 dogs that underwent THA between 1982 and 1996. Owners were asked to answer multiple-choice questions and provide written comments.

Results—The response rate was 41%. For owners who responded to the survey, time from surgery to completion of the questionnaire ranged from 6 months to 11 years. Overall, 122 respondents (84.1%) rated results of THA in their dog as excellent or good.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—Results suggest that owners are generally satisfied with the results of THA in their dogs. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000;217:1010–1012)

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association