Traumatic coccygeal luxation and distal amputation of the tail of an Appaloosa mare

A 17‐year‐old Appaloosa mare presented to the emergency service for acute, traumatic, partial amputation of the tail at the level of the ninth coccygeal vertebra. The patient did not have tail or anal tone and did not respond to sharp stimulation of skin in the perineal region. Two grade 1 rectal tears were found during rectal palpation. Radiographs revealed dislocation of the second (Cd2) and third (Cd3) caudal vertebrae. The patient was treated with antibiotics, an anti‐inflammatory drug and stall confinement. The ninth caudal vertebra was surgically removed to facilitate closure of skin over the wound. When the mare was discharged after 7 days of hospitalisation, she had regained partial sensation of the perineum and partial function of the internal and external anal sphincters. At re‐evaluation one year following injury, the mare was able to move her tail laterally and had regained sensation of her perineum and tail; however, she still was unable to lift her tail.     

Surgical and oncologic outcomes in dogs with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours arising from the brachial or lumbosacral plexus

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNST) of a plexus nerve or nerve root cause significant morbidity and present a treatment challenge. The surgical approach can be complex and information is lacking on outcomes. The objective of this study was to describe surgical complication rates and oncologic outcomes for canine MPNST of the brachial or lumbosacral plexus. Dogs treated for a naïve MPNST with amputation/hemipelvectomy with or without a laminectomy were retrospectively analysed. Oncologic outcomes were disease free interval (DFI), overall survival (OS), and 1- and 2-year survival rates. Thirty dogs were included. The surgery performed was amputation alone in 17 cases (57%), and amputation/hemipelvectomy with laminectomy in 13 cases (43%). Four dogs (13%) had an intraoperative complication, while 11 dogs (37%) had postoperative complications. Histologic margins were reported as R0 in 12 dogs (40%), R1 in 12 dogs (40%), and R2 in five dogs (17%). No association was found between histologic grade and margin nor extent of surgical approach and margin. Thirteen dogs (46%) had recurrence. The median DFI was 511 days (95% CI: 140–882 days). The median disease specific OST was 570 days (95% CI: 467–673 days) with 1- and 2-year survival rates of 82% and 22% respectively. No variables were significantly associated with recurrence, DFI, or disease specific OST. These data show surgical treatment of plexus MPNST was associated with a high intra- and postoperative complication rate but relatively good disease outcomes. This information can guide clinicians in surgical risk management and owner communication regarding realistic outcomes and complications.     

Psoas compartment and sacral plexus block via electrostimulation for pelvic limb amputation in dogs

Objective

To assess the efficacy of psoas compartment and sacral plexus block for pelvic limb amputation in dogs.

A modified surgical technique for penile amputation and preputial ablation in the horse

The aim of this study was to describe a modified surgical technique for treatment of severe penile pathology, and the long‐term outcome. The surgery consisted of subischial urethrostomy and penile amputation with preputial ablation, with the horse in dorsal recumbency. A redundant section of the penis root and body was left in situ, rather than being retroflexed as described elsewhere. Follow‐up was obtained using a structured owner telephone questionnaire. The 15 cases included: 11 squamous cell carcinomas (73.3%); 2 melanomas; one chronic preputial discharge with no associated neoplasia; and one paraphimosis following routine sedation. Length of survival ranged from 0.9 to 74.6 months (median 25.1 months). From the 14 horses with follow‐up, 9 survived >18 months (64.3%) [Correction added on 17 August 2015, after first online publication: The percentage in the preceding sentence was wrong and has been corrected to '64.3%' from '69.2%']. Four euthanasias were due to presenting or post operative complications, while 2 were unrelated to the procedure. This procedure presents a simplified, viable option for treatment of extensive mixed penile lesions; reducing surgical complexity and time in comparison to previously described techniques requiring retroversion.     

Carboplatin versus alternating carboplatin and doxorubicin for the adjuvant treatment of canine appendicular osteosarcoma: a randomized,phase III trial

Despite numerous published studies describing adjuvant chemotherapy for canine appendicular osteosarcoma, there is no consensus as to the optimal chemotherapy protocol. The purpose of this study was to determine whether either of two protocols would be associated with longer disease‐free interval (DFI) in dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma following amputation. Dogs with histologically confirmed appendicular osteosarcoma that were free of gross metastases and underwent amputation were eligible for enrollment. Dogs were randomized to receive either six doses of carboplatin or three doses each of carboplatin and doxorubicin on an alternating schedule. Fifty dogs were included. Dogs receiving carboplatin alone had a significantly longer DFI (425 versus 135 days) than dogs receiving alternating carboplatin and doxorubicin (P = 0.04). Toxicity was similar between groups. These results suggest that six doses of carboplatin may be associated superior DFI when compared to six total doses of carboplatin and doxorubicin.     

The clinical presentation of a mid‐tail melanocytoma with sudden malignant transformation in a bay Irish Draught gelding

Equine melanocytic tumours may be either a benign or malignant skin disease. They commonly involve the skin of grey horses. There are no reports of mid‐tail melanocytoma with sudden malignant transformation. Partial tail amputation was used to resect a melanocytic tumour mass from the mid‐tail of a 16‐year‐old bay Irish Draught (ID) horse. There was no evidence of significant re‐growth or complications at a 6‐month post operative examination.     

截肢拯救大熊猫

大熊猫的截肢手术未见报道.笔者在四川农业大学兽医院为一只被野兽咬伤后发生左后肢伤口严重化脓感染、胫骨远端脱位、腓骨全骨折的大熊猫;用眠乃宁麻醉后施行了截肢手术.经过37d的精心治疗和日夜监护,手术创口及全身其他所有化脓伤口全部愈合.     

Comparison of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin‐Based Chemotherapy Protocols in 470 Dogs after Amputation for Treatment of Appendicular Osteosarcoma

Background

Many chemotherapy protocols have been reported for treatment of canine appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA), but outcome comparisons in a single population are lacking.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of protocol and dose intensity (DI) on treatment outcomes for carboplatin and doxorubicin‐based chemotherapy protocols.

Animals

Four hundred and seventy dogs with appendicular OSA.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed comprising consecutive dogs treated (1997–2012) with amputation followed by 1 of 5 chemotherapy protocols: carboplatin 300 mg/m² IV q21d for 4 or 6 cycles (CARBO6), doxorubicin 30 mg/m² IV q14d or q21d for 5 cycles, and alternating carboplatin 300 mg/m² IV and doxorubicin 30 mg/m² IV q21d for 3 cycles. Adverse events (AE) and DI were evaluated. Kaplan–Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to compare disease‐free interval (DFI) and survival time (ST) among protocols.

Results

The overall median DFI and ST were 291 days and 284 days, respectively. A lower proportion of dogs prescribed CARBO6 experienced AEs compared to other protocols (48.4% versus 60.8–75.8%; P = .001). DI was not associated with development of metastases or death. After adjustment for baseline characteristics and prognostic factors, none of the protocols provided a significant reduction in risk of development of metastases or death.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Although choice of protocol did not result in significant differences in DFI or ST, the CARBO6 protocol resulted in a lower proportion of dogs experiencing AEs, which could be advantageous in maintaining high quality of life during treatment. DI was not a prognostic indicator in this study.     

Survival analysis of one versus two treatments of local delivery cisplatin in a biodegradable polymer for canine osteosarcoma

The purpose of this study was to evaluate one versus two doses of local delivery cisplatin in a biodegradable polymer (OPLA‐Pt) for the treatment of osteosarcoma (OSA) after amputation in dogs. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively, and 105 dogs were included in the study; 39% of dogs received one treatment (surgical implantation) of OPLA‐Pt and 61% of dogs received two treatments of OPLA‐Pt after amputation. Administration of two doses of OPLA‐Pt did not have a significant effect on disease‐free interval or survival time compared to one dose. The anatomic site of the tumour was identified as a prognostic factor, and dogs with proximal humeral OSA had the shortest disease‐free interval and survival times. There was no advantage to giving a second dose of local delivery cisplatin following amputation for the treatment of OSA in dogs.     

Long-term outcome of treatment of a squamous cell carcinoma of the foot by amputation of the distal limb in a pony

This report describes a rare case of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in a 10-year-old Shetland pony. The pony was presented for evaluation of a chronic, ulcerating mass of the foot associated with a nonweightbearing lameness of the right forelimb. Foot radiographs revealed an aggressive bone lesion with severe osteolysis of the distal phalanx. Amputation of the digit was performed under general anaesthesia at the level of the metacarpophalangeal joint using a palmar flap technique and a transfixation cast for protection of the stump. Avascular necrosis, infection and dehiscence of the stump occurred 3 weeks later and a second amputation was performed at the level of the proximal third of the third metacarpal bone. Histopathology revealed a squamous cell carcinoma. After healing of the stump, a prosthesis was fitted to the limb for improved ambulation of the pony. Two years after the amputation, telephone follow-up with the referring veterinarian and the owner, revealed that the pony was healthy and able to go out daily in a paddock with its prosthesis. SCC represents an unusual indication for limb amputation. Successful outcome is rarely reported in horses.     

Metastatic synovial cell sarcoma in two cats

Synovial cell sarcoma (SCS) with metastasis to the regional lymph node was diagnosed in two cats. Synovial cell sarcomas are rare in cats and metastatic SCS has not previously been reported. In both cases, treatment consisted of limb amputation and adjuvant doxorubicin. Local tumour recurrence and pulmonary metastases were diagnosed in one cat 316 days postoperatively. This cat died of chronic renal failure 444 days after limb amputation. The second cat died of an acute pulmonary thromboembolism 41 days postoperatively without evidence of local tumour recurrence or metastatic disease.     

The Canine Postamputation Pain (CAMPPAIN) initiative: a retrospective study and development of a diagnostic scale

ObjectiveTo develop a scale to diagnose and assess the severity of postamputation pain (PAP) in dogs.Study designSingle-center retrospective study.AnimalsA total of 66 dogs that underwent thoracic or pelvic limb amputation and 139 dogs that underwent tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) at a veterinary teaching hospital.MethodsAn online survey regarding postoperative behavioral changes was sent to owners. Categorical, multiple-choice responses were entered into a univariable logistic regression model and tested for association with amputation using the Wald test. If p < 0.2, variables were forwarded to a multivariable logistic regression model for manual build. Model simplicity and predictive ability were optimized using the area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) characteristic, and model calibration was assessed using the Hosmer–Lemeshow test. The selected model was converted to an integer scale (0–10), the Canine Postamputation Pain (CAMPPAIN) scale. Univariable logistic regression related each dog’s calculated score to the probability of PAP.ResultsMultivariable logistic regression identified four independent predictors of PAP (p < 0.05): 1) restlessness or difficulty sleeping, 2) episodes of panic or anxiety, 3) sudden vocalization, and 4) compulsive grooming of the residual limb. Score AUROC was 0.70 (95% confidence interval = 0.63–0.78) with good calibration (Hosmer–Lemeshow statistic p = 0.82). A score of 2 corresponded to a risk probability of 0.5. Taking a score ≥ 2 to indicate PAP, score specificity and sensitivity were 92.1% and 36.4%, respectively. When this score was used to diagnose PAP, prevalence was 36.4% (24/66) and 7.9% (11/139) in the amputation and TPLO groups, respectively.Conclusions and clinical relevancePostamputation pain is characterized by specific postoperative behaviors and appears to affect approximately one-third of canine amputees. The CAMPPAIN scale generated from these data could facilitate diagnosis, treatment and further study of PAP but requires external validation.     

Effects of tail amputation and treatment with an albendazole controlled-release capsule on the health and productivity of prime lambs

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of tail amputation and treatment with albendazole controlled-release capsule (CRC) on the health and productivity of prime lambs. DESIGN: Field trials on three farms. ANIMALS: About 551 Coopworth-Poll Dorset cross, 588 Border Leicester-Merino-Poll Dorset cross and 575 Corriedale-Poll Dorset cross lambs. PROCEDURE: On three farms, lambs with amputated tails were compared with an equal number of lambs with tails left entire. In both of these groups half the lambs were treated with an albendazole CRC 13 weeks after the start of lambing. Faecal soiling of the breech and flystrike of the breech were recorded. Lambs were weighed and body condition scored at each visit and carcase weights and fat score of each lamb at slaughter. Procedures on the slaughter chain were monitored to determine whether the retention of the tail caused any problems. RESULTS: There were no observed benefits of treatment with an albendazole CRC on the farms in the study. There was no strong evidence that tail amputation had any long-term effect on the growth rate of lambs or carcase traits. No detrimental effects were observed during processing of lambs with long tails in the abattoir. Lambs with entire tails had significantly greater mean dag scores than lambs with amputated tails. On one farm lambs with entire tails were at about twice the risk of requiring crutching and on another farm were at three times the risk of breech strike compared with lambs with amputated tails. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that amputating the tail is not an absolute requirement to maintain the health and welfare of prime lambs, but leaving the tail of prime lambs entire is likely to increase chemical usage to control flystrike, and to increase the frequency of crutching.     

Analgesic management of an eight-year-old Springer Spaniel after amputation of a thoracic limb

Analgesic agents were administered perioperatively to an eight-year-old Springer Spaniel undergoing amputation of its right thoracic limb. The amputation was carried out due to a painful, infiltrative and poorly differentiated sarcoma involving the nerves of the brachial plexus. A combination of pre-emptive and multimodal perioperative analgesic strategies was used; including intravenous (IV) infusions of fentanyl, morphine, lidocaine and ketamine.     

马的咽气癖及其防制措施研究进展

在动物的异常行为中以刻板行为最为常见,而咽气癖又是马最常见的口部刻板行为之一。作者就咽气癖在生理方面和心智方面对马体产生的影响、行为基础、诱因的研究进展及常见的防治措施进行综述。     

奶牛肢蹄病及其防治

简介常见奶牛肢蹄病种类及其症状,从日粮营养、运动场地面结构、环境卫生、饲养管理、遗传育种、疾病管理等方面简析奶牛肢蹄病的病因,并提出相应的预防措施。