Search Results

Abstract

Objective—To identify characteristics of chondrodystrophoid and nonchondrodystrophoid small-breed dogs with cervical intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH).

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—187 small-breed (≤ 15 kg [33 lb]) dogs that underwent surgery because of cervical IVDH.

Procedures—Medical records were reviewed for information on breed, sex, age, weight, location of affected intervertebral disks, duration and severity of neurologic signs, and recovery time.

Results—55 of the 187 (29.4%) dogs were Beagles. The most frequently affected intervertebral disk was C2–3 (81/253 [32.0%]), and this was the more frequently affected intervertebral disk in dogs of several chondrodystrophoid breeds, including Beagles (29/66 [43.9%]), Dachshunds (13/37 [35.1%]), Shih Tzus (16/41 [39.0%]), and Pekingese (3/10 [30.0%]). However, caudal disks (C5–6 or C6–7) were more frequently affected in Yorkshire Terriers (13/24 [54.2%]) and Chihuahuas (9/13 [69%]). Shih Tzus and Yorkshire Terriers were significantly older at the time of surgery (mean ± SD age, 9.6 ± 2.3 years and 9.5 ± 2.5 years, respectively) than were Pomeranians (6.2 ± 2.3 years), and Yorkshire Terriers had a significantly higher number of affected disks (2.0 ± 0.9) than did Dachshunds (1.1 ± 0.3). Mean recovery time was significantly longer in Yorkshire Terriers (36.7 ± 13.0 days) than in Beagles (16.5 ± 17.1 days), Shih Tzus (17.8 ± 14.5 days), or Chihuahuas (12.2 ± 7. 2 days).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that there may be breed-specific differences in the characteristics of cervical IVDH in small-breed dogs.

Abstract

Objective—To determine the effects of intestinal ischemia and reperfusion on the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 mRNAs in the jejunum, liver, and lungs of dogs.

Animals—8 healthy adult Beagles.

Procedures—In each dog, the cranial mesenteric artery was occluded for 0 (control group; n = 4) or 60 (I-R group; 4) minutes, followed by reperfusion for 480 minutes; serum TNF-α and IL-6 activities and expression levels of TNF-α and IL-6 mRNAs in jejunal, hepatic, and lung tissues were measured before and at the end of the ischemic period and at intervals during reperfusion. For each variable, values were compared between the control and I-R groups at each time point.

Results—Compared with the control group, serum IL-6 activity increased significantly after 180 minutes of reperfusion in the I-R group; also, jejunal TNF-α mRNA expression increased significantly after 60 (peak) and 180 minutes of reperfusion. In the I-R group, expressions of IL-6 mRNA in the liver and TNF-α and IL-6 mRNAs in the lungs increased significantly at 480 minutes of reperfusion, compared with the control group. Serum TNF-α activity, expression of IL-6 mRNA in the jejunum, and expression of TNF-α mRNA in the liver in the control and I-R groups did not differ.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that the liver, lungs, and jejunum contributed to the production of TNF-α and IL-6 after intestinal ischemia and reperfusion in dogs, suggesting that intestinal ischemia and reperfusion induce a systemic proinflammatory cytokine response in dogs.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To assess effects of vertebral distraction-fusion techniques at a treated segment (C5-C6) and an adjacent segment (C4-C5) of canine cervical vertebrae.

SAMPLE Cervical vertebrae harvested from cadavers of 10 skeletally mature Beagles.

PROCEDURES Three models (intact, titanium plate, and polymethylmethacrylate [PM MA]) for stabilization of the caudal region of the cervical vertebrae (C4 through C7) were applied to the C5-C6 vertebral segment sequentially on the same specimens. Biomechanical assessments with flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotational tests were conducted after each procedure. Range of motion (ROM) for a torque load applied with a 6-axis material tester was measured at C4-5 and C5-6 and calculated by use of a 3-D video measurement system.

RESULTS In both the plate and PMMA models, ROM significantly increased at C4-5 and significantly decreased at C5-6, compared with results for the intact model. The ROM at C5-6 was significantly lower for the plate model versus the PMMA model in lateral bending and for the PMMA model versus the plate model in axial rotation. Conversely, ROM at C4-5 was significantly higher in axial rotation for the PMMA model versus the plate model. No significant differences were identified in flexion-extension between the PMMA and plate models at either site.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results of this study suggested that vertebral distraction and fusion of canine vertebrae can change the mechanical environment at, and may cause disorders in, the adjacent segment. Additionally, findings suggested that effects on the adjacent segment differed on the basis of the fusion method used.

Abstract

Objective—To evaluate effects of long-term administration of carprofen on healing of a tibial osteotomy in dogs.

Animals—12 healthy female Beagles.

Procedures—A mid-diaphyseal transverse osteotomy (stabilized with an intramedullary pin) of the right tibia was performed in each dog. The carprofen group (n = 6 dogs) received carprofen (2.2 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h) for 120 days; the control group (6) received no treatment. Bone healing and change in callus area were assessed radiographically over time. Dogs were euthanized 120 days after surgery, and tibiae were evaluated biomechanically and histologically.

Results—The osteotomy line was not evident in the control group on radiographs obtained 120 days after surgery. In contrast, the osteotomy line was still evident in the carprofen group. Callus area was significantly less in the carprofen group, compared with the area in the control group, at 20, 30, and 60 days after surgery. At 120 days after surgery, stiffness, elastic modulus, and flexural rigidity in the carprofen group were significantly lower than corresponding values in the control group. Furthermore, histologic evaluation revealed that the cartilage area within the callus in the carprofen group was significantly greater than that in the control group.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Long-term administration of carprofen appeared to inhibit bone healing in dogs that underwent tibial osteotomy. We recommend caution for carprofen administration when treating fractures that have delays in healing associated with a reduction in osteogenesis as well as fractures associated with diseases that predispose animals to delays of osseous repair.

Abstract

Objective—To evaluate the role of the semitendinosus muscle in stabilization of the canine stifle joint.

Sample—Left stifle joints collected from cadavers of 8 healthy Beagles.

Procedures—Left hind limbs, including the pelvis, were collected. To mimic the tensile force of the quadriceps, gastrocnemius, and semitendinosus muscles, wires were placed under strain between the ends of each muscle. A sensor was used to measure the tensile force in each wire. Specimens were tested in the following sequence: cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) intact, CrCL transected, released (tensile force of semitendinosus muscle was released in the CrCL-transected stifle joint), and readjusted (tensile force of semitendinosus muscle was reapplied in the CrCL-transected stifle joint). Specimens were loaded at 65.3% of body weight, and tensile force in the wires as well as the cranial tibial displacement were measured.

Results—Tensile force for the CrCL-transected condition increased significantly, compared with that for the CrCL-intact condition. Mean ± SD cranial tibial displacement for the CrCL-transected condition was 2.1 ± 1.3 mm, which increased to 7.2 ± 2.3 mm after release of the tensile force in the semitendinosus muscle.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results supported the contention that the semitendinosus muscle is an agonist of the CrCL in the stifle joint of dogs. Moreover, the quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles may be antagonists of the CrCL. These findings suggested that the risk of CrCL rupture may be increased by diseases (such as cauda equina syndrome) associated with a decrease in activity of the semitendinosus muscle.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To determine whether thioredoxin (TRX)-1 can be used as a valid biomarker for oxidative stress in dogs.

ANIMALS AND SAMPLES 10 Beagles and Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

PROCEDURES Madin-Darby canine kidney cells were used to verify antigen cross-reactivity between human and canine anti–TRX-antibodies. Dogs were assigned to receive 21% or 100% O₂ (5 dogs/group) via an artificial respirator during a 3-hour period of isoflurane anesthesia (starting at 0 hours). Blood and urine samples were collected before (baseline) and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after commencement of inhalation anesthesia. Concentrations of TRX-1 and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in plasma and urine samples were analyzed; urine concentrations were reported as ratios against urine creatinine concentration.

RESULTS Canine TRX-1 was recognized by monoclonal human anti-TRX-1 antibodies (clones of adult T-cell leukemia-derived factor [ADF]-11 and ADF21) by western blot analysis. Results of an ELISA indicated that plasma TRX-1 concentration and urine TRX-1-to-creatinine concentration ratio increased rapidly after the 3-hour period of hyperoxia with maximal peaks at 12 and 6 hours, respectively. Urine 8-OHdG-to-creatinine concentration ratio also increased significantly after hyperoxia induction. However, unlike the rapid increase in urine TRX-1-to-creatinine concentration ratio, maximal urine 8-OHdG-to-creatinine concentration ratio was attained at 48 hours after hyperoxia induction. These variables remained unchanged from baseline in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that human anti-TRX monoclonal antibodies cross-reacted with canine TRX, and plasma TRX-1 concentrations were rapidly increased in dogs following an oxidative stress challenge. Thus, TRX may be a valuable clinical biomarker for detecting oxidative stress more rapidly than 8-OHdG in dogs.