Comparison of the nonionic contrast agents, iopromide and iotrolan, for positive-contrast arthrography of the scapulohumeral joint in dogs.

Arthrographic quality and synovial inflammatory response were examined to compare the use of iopromide with that of iotrolan for arthrography of the scapulohumeral joint in 6 dogs. Radiographs obtained 1 and 3 minutes after injection of either nonionic compound were of similar quality, but radiographs obtained 5 minutes after injection of iotrolan were significantly (P less than 0.05) better than those obtained after injection of iopromide. Results of analysis of synovial fluid samples obtained at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after injection of contrast media were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Histologic examination of synovium and articular cartilage 2 weeks after injection of iopromide or iotrolan revealed minimal inflammatory response for both contrast agents. Injection of iopromide and iotrolan into the scapulohumeral joints of dogs had less effect on synovial fluid than that reported after injection of ionic compounds.     

Successful arthroscopic treatment of shoulder osteochondrosis in the dog

Fourteen shoulder joints in 12 dogs were treated arthroscopically for osteochondrosis. The arthroscopic procedure included removal of all osteochondral flaps and curettage of the edges of the subchondral defect. Histological examination of biopsy samples from eight joints revealed synovitis in all cases. Arthroscopic surgery of shoulder osteochondrosis in the dog proved to be a less time consuming procedure than arthrotomy with minimal soft tissue trauma and allowed a rapid return to function of the patients.     

Autogenous osteochondral grafting for treatment of stifle osteochondrosis in dogs

Objective— To develop and assess clinical outcomes for osteochondral autografting for treatment of stifle osteochondrosis (OC) in dogs. Study Design— Retrospective case series. Animals— Dogs with stifle OC (n=10). Methods— Osteochondral autografting was developed and optimized in canine cadavers and purpose‐bred research dogs using the Osteochondral Autograft Transfer System (OATS). Dogs with stifle OC (n=10 dogs, 12 stifles) were then treated using the OATS system. Outcomes were assessed by radiography (n=12), magnetic resonance imaging (1), second‐look arthroscopy (9), lameness scoring (12), and telephone survey of owners (10 clients, 12 stifles) 6–15 months after surgery. Results— Complications were documented in 4 of the 12 stifles treated and included peri‐incisional seromas (3) and marked stifle effusion (1). Subjective assessment of follow‐up radiographs revealed evidence of integration of the grafts with maintenance of subchondral bone surface architecture. Subjective assessment of follow‐up MRI in 1 stifle revealed evidence for incorporation of grafts with restoration of articular surface contour. Second‐look arthroscopy 6–30 weeks after surgery revealed maintenance of articular cartilage at the graft site. Dogs were significantly (P<.001) less lame at follow‐up compared with preoperative scores. Based on follow‐up owner surveys, only 2 dogs had no pain or lameness; the other dogs were judged to have mild pain and/or lameness. All owners noticed improvement in the dogs' quality of life after surgery. Conclusion— Osteochondral autografting deserves consideration and further evaluation as a primary treatment option for stifle OC in dogs. Clinical Relevance— Osteochondral autografting for treatment of lateral femoral condylar OC lesions in dogs using OATS instrumentation is safe and results in improved function and quality of life based on owners' perception 6–15 months after treatment.     

In vitro characterization of chondrocytes isolated from naturally occurring osteochondrosis lesions of the humeral head of dogs

OBJECTIVE: To characterize chondrocytes from naturally occurring osteochondrosis (OC) lesions of the humeral head of dogs. SAMPLE POPULATION: 15 cartilage specimens from 13 client-owned dogs with humeral head OC and 10 specimens from the humeral head of healthy dogs (controls). PROCEDURE: Chondrocytes were isolated and cultured in a 3-dimensional system. On days 7, 10, 15, 20, and 25, glycosaminoglycan and hydroxyproline content and cytologic characteristics were evaluated. Expression of collagen types I, II, and X was assessed by use of immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Chondrocytes from OC lesions were less viable, compared with control chondrocytes. Glycosaminoglycan content in the OC group was significantly less than in the control group on all days except day 20. Hydroxyproline content was also significantly less in the OC group on days 10, 20, and 25. Expression of collagen type II was significantly less in the OC group, compared with the control group on all days, whereas expression of collagen type I was significantly greater in the OC group on days 20 and 25. Expression of collagen type X was significantly less in the OC group on all days except day 25. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Chondrocytes from naturally occurring OC lesions of the humeral head of dogs cultured in a 3-dimensional system were less viable and less capable of producing appropriate extracellular matrix molecules than chondrocytes from unaffected dogs. Alterations in the synthetic capabilities of chondrocytes from OC-affected cartilage may be a cause or an effect of the disease process.     

Arthroscopic removal and curettage of osteochondrosis lesions on the lateral and medial trochlear ridges of the talus in two dogs

Osteochondrosis lesions in the tibiotarsal joint were treated arthroscopically in two dogs. One dog had unilateral osteochondrosis of the dorsal aspect of the lateral trochlear ridge of the talus. The second dog had bilateral osteochondrosis of the plantar aspect of the medial trochlear ridge of the talus. Removal of all osteochondral fragments (i.e., joint mice) and debridement and curettage of the remaining talar defects were accomplished arthroscopically. Both dogs had excellent short-term outcomes.     

The prognostic value of the modified Glasgow Coma Scale in head trauma in dogs

A clinical coma scale modified from the Glasgow Coma Scale used for humans has been suggested as a useful predictor of outcome in the head trauma patient. The objective of this study was to correlate the modified Glasgow Coma Scale (MGCS) score of dogs with head trauma with their probability of survival. Thirty-eight dogs with head trauma were selected and retrospectively evaluated. The information retrieved from the medical record of each dog included signalment, body weight, cause of head trauma, MGCS, presence of concurrent neck pain, and outcome (dead or alive) after 48 hours. Logistic regression was used to model survival in the 1st 48 hours as a function of MGCS, gender, weight, and calvarial fractures. The MGCS ranged from 5 to 18. Seven dogs died within 48 hours of the head trauma. The MGCS could predict the probability of survival in the 1st 48 hrs after head trauma with 50% probability in a patient with a score of 8. Gender, weight, and presence of skull fractures did not predict survival. In conclusion, the MGCS is a useful index for prediction of outcome in dogs with head trauma.     

Evaluation of partial cranial cruciate ligament rupture with positive contrast computed tomographic arthrography in dogs

Computed tomographic arthrography (CTA) of four cadaveric canine stifles was performed before and after partial cranial cruciate ligament rupture in order to verify the usefulness of CTA examination for the diagnosis of partial cranial cruciate ligament rupture. To obtain the sequential true transverse image of a cranial cruciate ligament, the computed tomography gantry was angled such that the scanning plane was parallel to the fibula. True transverse images of cranial cruciate ligaments were identified on every sequential image, beginning just proximal to the origin of the cranial cruciate ligament distal to the tibial attachment, after the administration of iodinated contrast medium. A significant decrease in the area of the cranial cruciate ligament was identified on CTA imaging after partial surgical rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament. This finding implies that CTA can be used for assessing partial cranial cruciate ligament ruptures in dogs.     

Early lesions of articular osteochondrosis in the distal femur of foals

Failure of the cartilage canal blood supply to epiphyseal growth cartilage has been implicated in the pathogenesis of articular osteochondrosis in horses and other animal species. In a previous study of the developmental pattern of the blood supply in the tarsus of foals, early lesions of osteochondrosis were consistently found in regions where the cartilage canal vessels traversed the chondro-osseous junction. The developmental pattern of blood vessels has also been described in the distal femoral epiphysis; however, the group of foals examined in that study did not have lesions of osteochondrosis in this location. Therefore, the relationship between the occurrence of early lesions of osteochondrosis and the developmental pattern of the blood supply to epiphyseal growth cartilage in this site in foals has not been examined. Distal femora were collected from 30 fetuses and foals (up to 11 months old) submitted for postmortem examination. Sections from the lateral trochlear ridge and medial femoral condyle of both hind limbs were examined histologically. Sixteen cartilage lesions were found in 7 of the 30 fetuses and foals. All lesions contained evidence of cartilage canal necrosis and ischemic chondronecrosis. The lesions were located in regions where cartilage canal vessels traversed the chondro-osseous junction, as previously observed in the tarsus. The location and morphology of lesions indicated that a subclinical stage of ischemic chondronecrosis existed that preceded and predisposed to the development of osteochondrosis dissecans and subchondral bone cysts.     

Evaluation of the learning curve for natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery: bilateral ovariectomy in dogs

Objective: Study the learning curve for canine Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) ovariectomy by evaluating operative times and complications. Study Design: Preclinical research study. Animals: Adult female dogs (n=20). Methods: NOTES ovariectomy procedures were performed as follows: Feasibility Group 1 (n=5), Feasibility Group 2 (n=5), and Early Clinical Group 3 (n=10). Six steps of the procedure were identified, timed separately, and the overall time was recorded from introduction to removal of the endoscope. Complications were recorded. Repeated measures analysis of variance using ranked data compared the effect of group (3 levels) on the time for each step. Nonlinear regression using an exponential model with nonzero asymptote was used to model the operative time–procedure number relationship. Results: Overall median operative time was significantly longer for Group 1 (195 minutes; range, 160–265 minutes) than Group 2 (108 minutes; range, 81–148 minutes; P=.048) and Group 3 (77 minutes; range, 41–136 minutes; P=.0008). The estimated asymptotic operative time was 71 minutes (95% confidence interval, 41–100 minutes); this time was reached after 10 procedures. Gastric cleansing and removing the left ovary took significantly longer in Group 1 than in Group 2 or 3. Operative complications included incomplete ovarian excision, dropping an ovary during retrieval, and conversion to an open procedure. No intraoperative complications occurred in Group 3. Conclusion: NOTES procedures result in longer operative times in the early part of the learning curve and require considerable experience before reaching proficiency.     

Evaluation of serum NT-pCNP as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for sepsis in dogs

Background: There is a need for diagnostic biomarkers that can rapidly differentiate dogs with sepsis from dogs with noninfectious forms of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (NSIRS). Objectives: To compare serum NT‐pCNP concentrations among dogs with various forms of sepsis, NSIRS, and healthy controls and to evaluate the use of serum NT‐pCNP for the diagnosis of various forms of sepsis in dogs. Animals: One hundred and twelve dogs including 63 critically ill dogs (sepsis n = 29; NSIRS n = 34) and 49 healthy control dogs. Methods: Prospective clinical investigation. Serum samples were collected for NT‐pCNP measurement from dogs with sepsis or NSIRS within 24 hours of intensive care unit admission or at the time of presentation for healthy dogs. Dogs with sepsis were subclassified based on the anatomic region of infection. Serum NT‐pCNP concentrations were compared among sepsis, NSIRS and healthy groups as well as among sepsis subgroups. The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity for identifying dogs with sepsis were determined. Results: Using a cut‐off value of 10.1 pmol/L, AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of NT‐pCNP for differentiating dogs with sepsis from dogs with NSIRS or healthy control dogs were 0.71 (95% CI, 0.58–0.85), 65.5% (45.7–82.1%), and 89.2% (80.4–94.9%), respectively. Serum NT‐pCNP had poor sensitivity for peritoneal sources of sepsis; AUC [0.92 (0.81–1.0)], sensitivity [94% (71–100%)], and specificity [89% (80–95%)] improved when these dogs were excluded. Serum NT‐pCNP concentration was not associated with survival in the sepsis group. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Serum NT‐pCNP is a promising diagnostic biomarker for sepsis but is a poor indicator of septic peritonitis.     

Use of a radiographic scoring technique for the assessment of dogs with elbow osteochondrosis

A retrospective study was made of 335 dogs with elbow osteochondrosis that had been seen at the Royal Veterinary College in 1977 to 1987. The most commonly affected breeds were the labrador, retriever and rottweiler. Males were affected more often than females. The condition was bilateral in 50 per cent of cases and the peak age for the onset of lameness was four to six months. In rottweilers, the lesions found at exploratory arthrotomy were predominantly abnormalities of the coronoid process, while in retrievers and labradors lesions most commonly affected the medial humeral condyle or the coronoid process. A scoring system for grading the standard projection (lateral and postero-anterior) radiographs was devised and the score was correlated with the lesion found at surgery. Some cases were reviewed radiographically and any alteration in the degree of periarticular arthrosis, seen as an increase in radiographic score, was noted. The exact extent of the lesion found at surgery was recorded diagrammatically in 65 cases. It did not prove possible to predict from the radiographic score the nature and extent of the lesion and no correlation could be found between the radiographic score [and clinical degree of lameness. The scoring system did have some merit for reviewing cases because an increase in score indicated the extent to which joint changes had advanced.     

Evaluation of bilateral maxillary nerve block in dogs undergoing surgery for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome

This retrospective study assessed the effect of an intraoral bilateral maxillary nerve block in dogs undergoing surgery for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). Records of dogs that underwent BOAS surgery were retrieved. Cases were assigned to Group B or C if a preoperative bilateral maxillary nerve block was performed or not. Type and dose of local anesthetic, inhalant anesthetic minimum alveolar concentration multiples, intraoperative fentanyl and injectable anesthetic use, prevalence of intraoperative hypotension or bradycardia, and postoperative opioids administration, were compared between groups. Sixty-seven cases met the inclusion criteria: 33 were assigned to Group B and 34 to Group C. In Group C, 18 dogs required intraoperative fentanyl (P = 0.005), and 12 needed injectable anesthetic top-ups (P = 0.006). Hypotension, or bradycardia, were not different between groups. Bilateral maxillary nerve block reduces intraoperative fentanyl and injectable anesthetic requirement in dogs undergoing BOAS surgery.     

Evaluation of papillomaviruses associated with cyclosporine-induced hyperplastic verrucous lesions in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether cyclosporine A-induced hyperplastic skin lesions of dogs were associated with papillomavirus infections. ANIMALS: 9 dogs that were treated with cyclosporine A and developed hyperplastic skin lesions. PROCEDURE: History and clinical and histopathologic data were collected. Paraffin-embedded skin biopsy specimens from hyperplastic skin lesions were immunostained for common papillomavirus genus-specific structural antigens by use of a polyclonal rabbit anti-bovine papillomavirus type 1 antiserum. Sections from each tissue block underwent DNA extraction, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were performed with several sets of primers to amplify a wide range of papillomavirus DNA from humans and other animals. RESULTS: In 7 of 9 dogs, there were more than 10 hyperplastic skin lesions that microscopically resembled those of psoriasiform lichenoid dermatosis. In those dogs, results of testing for papillomavirus via immunohistochemical analyses and PCR assays were negative. In the other 2 dogs, there were only 1 and 3 verrucous lesions, and in those dogs, histologic evaluation revealed koilocytes and nuclear viral inclusions that were immunoreactive for papillomavirus antigens. Papillomavirus DNA was amplified from both dogs. One of the sequences was characteristic for the canine oral papillomavirus, whereas the other had similarities with the recently described canine papillomavirus 2. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In dogs, hyperplastic skin lesions occasionally develop during treatment with cyclosporine A. Most of the lesions resemble those of psoriasiform lichenoid dermatosis, although papillomavirus can be detected in some instances.     

Subchondral cystic lesions (osteochondrosis) of the femoral heads in a horse

Bilateral subchondral cystic lesions of the femoral head in a horse resulted in lameness. The lesions had resulted in degenerative disease in the left coxofemoral joint. The cause of lameness was confirmed by use of intra-articular anesthesia, joint fluid analysis, and radiography. Subchondral cystic lesions involving the femoral head should be considered in the differential diagnosis of equine lameness localized in the upper portion of the hind limb.     

Clinico-pathological aspects of osteoarthritis of the shoulder in dogs

Osteoarthritis of the shoulder was discovered in twelve canine cadavers during an extensive survey that was primarily conducted to study stifle arthritis. Clinical, radiographic and pathological aspects of the shoulder arthropathies are described. The significance of these lesions in the aetiology of shoulder lameness and difficulties associated with their diagnosis are discussed. Résumé. On a observé une ostéoarthrite de l'épaule chex douze cadavres canins pendant une étude poussée qui était en principe menée pur étudier l'arthrite du grasset. On décrit les aspects cliniques, radiographiques et pathologiques de l'arthropathie de l'épaule. On discute de la signification de ces lésions dans l'aetiologie du rhumatisme de l'épaule et des difficultés associées avec leur diagnostic. Zusammenfassung. Osteoarthritis der Schulter fand man in zwǒlf Hundekadavern wàhrend eines umfassenden ǔberlicks der hauptsàchlich ausgefùhrt wurde, um Kniescheibenarthritis zu studieren. Klinische, radiographische und pathologische Ansichten uber Schulter-Arthrosis-deformans sing beschrieben. Die Bedeutung dieser Làsionen in der ǎtiologie von Schulterlahmheit und Schwierigkeiten, die mit ihrer Diagnose verbun den sind, werden diskutiert.     

Osteochondrosis of the shoulder and elbow joints in dogs

Osteochondrosis, a failure of normal endochondral ossification, represents a significant cause of forelimb lameness in medium to large dogs. This paper describes a series of 58 cases of osteochondrosis of the shoulder and elbow diagnosed at a referral centre over a 30-month period. Affected joints which were persistently painful were treated surgically while the non-painful joints were treated conservatively. Details of the radiographic findings are recorded and a grading system is described to enable comparison between the surgically and conservatively treated joints. The progress of the cases was followed over a minimum period of 6 months and the majority of the dogs were re-examined clinically and radiographically.