Total Ear Canal Ablation Combined with Lateral Bulla Osteotomy for End-Stage Otitis in Dogs Results in Thirty Dogs

Thirty dogs with end-stage otitis were treated by either unilateral or bilateral total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy. Otitis was considered end stage when the horizontal ear canal was collapsed, stenotic, or occluded in conjunction with chronic infection of the external and middle ear. The dogs were evaluated clinically and radiographically for 4 to 63 months. The frequency of scratching, head shaking, aural drainage, and para-aural fistulation was significantly decreased. Abnormal ear carriage and head tilt were not changed. The results in 23 dogs were graded as excellent or improved. One dog died of intraoperative hemorrhage. Complications during the period from suture removal to follow-up included para-aural fistulation (3 dogs), facial nerve paralysis (5 dogs), and head tilt (3 dogs).     

Preliminary Results of Clinical Renal Allograft Transplantation in the Dog and Cat

Renal allograft transplantation was performed as treatment for terminal renal failure in six veterinary patients. Three patients failed to survive the postsurgical period, one patient died due to acute allograft rejection, one patient died subsequent to complications of previous parenteral hyperalimentation and infection, and one patient was euthanatized due to the inability of the clients to maintain the effort necessary to manage a transplant recipient. Further clinical studies are necessary to determine if renal transplantation with cyclosporine (cyclosporin A)/prednisolone immunosuppression has the potential to provide practical treatment of terminal renal disease in clinical veterinary medicine. Pharmacologic and immunologic monitoring of transplant recipients with individualized immunosuppression is imperative. Careful surveillance is necessary to identify and eliminate nosocomial sources of infection. Candidates for transplantation cannot be critically ill or malnourished prior to surgery, and pet owners must be prepared for the financial and time commitments associated with caring for a renal allograft recipient.     

Chronic Otitis Externa and Otitis Media Treated by Total Ear Canal Ablation and Ventral Bulla Osteotomy in Thirteen Dogs

Ventral bulla osteotomy was combined with total ear canal ablation for the treatment of chronic otitis externa and otitis media in 13 dogs (14 ears) that had been refractory to medical and surgical treatments. Resolution of disease occurred in 11 dogs (12 ears). One dog with unilateral disease underwent a second operation before achieving a good result. One dog was euthanatized for persistent unilateral disease after three surgical procedures. The recurrence of disease in these two dogs (15%) was associated with remnants of ear canal integument within the osseous horizontal canal or tympanic bulla. Facial paralysis occurred in four dogs (31%) and there were no complications in eight dogs (62%). This technique shows no advantage over lateral bulla osteotomy combined with total ear canal ablation for the treatment of chronic otitis externa and otitis media.     

Tonometry in the Dog and Cat

Abstract— A review is presented of the methods, procedure and value of the use of tonometry in the dog and cat.
Résumé— L'auteur passe en revue les méthodes, les techniques et la valeur de l'emploi de la tonométric chez le chien et le chat.
Zusammenfassung— Es wird eine Übersicht über die Methoden, das Verfahren und die Bedeutung der Tonometrie bie Hund und Katze gegeben.     

Wound Healing and Brain Stem Auditory Evoked Potentials After Experimental Total Ear Canal Ablation With Lateral Tympanic Bulla Osteotomy in Dogs

Experimental total ear canal ablation with lateral tympanic bulla osteotomy (TECA-LBO) was performed in 13 normal dogs to evaluate healing and retention of brain stem auditory evoked potentials (BSAEP) after surgery. Healing was evaluated by gross and microscopic examination of the surgery sites after 1 (n = 2), 4 (n = 8), 5 (n = 1), and 6 (n = 1) weeks. One dog was eliminated from the study. Brain stem auditory evoked potentials were measured using an air-conducted sound stimulus before and after surgery and before killing. Two dogs had nearly complete obliteration of the tympanic cavity by immature fibrous connective tissue. Eight dogs responded to surgery by either complete or partial re-formation of the tympanic cavity. Retention of the tympanic membrane in three dogs promoted re-formation of the tympanic cavity and blind epithelialized pockets in the surgery site with accumulation of keratinized debris. Granulation tissue formation and extensive proliferation of new bone on the internal surface of the tympanic bulla was seen in 10 dogs. Proliferative bone completely obliterated the tympanic cavity in two of these dogs. Eleven of 13 dogs had no detectable air-conducted BSAEP after surgery. There was no change in BSAEP measurements before killing compared with postoperative measurements in any dog. Two dogs with retained tympanic membranes had measurable BSAEP after surgery. This study shows that healing after TECA-LBO may be highly variable. Retention of the tympanic membrane and small osteotomies appeared to promote reformation of tympanic cavities and prevent ingrowth of granulation tissue. New bone proliferation was frequently observed in response to curettage of the epithelium lining the tympanic bulla. Hearing, as determined by BSAEP measurements, was lost except when the tympanic membrane and ossicles were retained. Retained tympanic membranes promoted accumulation of keratinized cellular debris that could become a nidus for infection or late abscessation in some dogs. These results indicate that resection of as much of the lateral and ventral tympanic bulla as possible and removal of the tympanic membrane may provide consistently improved results after TECA-LBO.     

Ventral Rhinotomy in the Dog and Cat

The nasal cavities of 14 dogs and three cats were explored surgically using a ventral rhinotomy. The exposure achieved through this approach was considered to be equal to a dorsal rhinotomy. One animal died during the immediate postoperative period from perforation of a gastric ulcer. The other animals recovered well and had no significant complications. The long-term survival of the animals was consistent with previous reports for their diseases. Ventral rhinotomy is no more difficult than dorsal rhinotomy, has less patient morbidity and fewer postoperative complications, and is more cosmetically acceptable.     

Coxofemoral Luxation in the Dog and Cat

The medical records from 95 cases of coxofemoral luxation in dogs and cats were reviewed. Unilateral craniodorsal luxation was most common, (78.1% of dogs, 72.7% of cats). Trauma from being struck by an automobile was the most frequent cause (59.0%). Treatment was closed (manual) or open (surgical) reduction. The failure rate following single closed reduction was 64.8%. The surgical reduction procedure included capsular repair (capsulorrhaphy) via a craniolateral approach to the hip or via trochanteric osteotomy or gluteal tenotomy. The success rate following reduction via the craniolateral approach was 82%; no failure was recorded with trochanteric transposition, but reluxa-tion followed the single gluteal tenotomy. The Ehmer sling was the most common external fixation and was kept in place an average of 12.5 days. Thirty-three animals were available for follow-up, and no difference was recorded in limb function between the two groups of animals treated by closed vs surgical reduction. Patients with degenerative joint disease at the time of luxation were less likely to be successfully reduced; 64.3% of these animals were eventually treated by femoral head and neck excision. Thirty-eight patients had associated major injuries. Long-term follow-up results were better in those patients with concomitant orthopedic injuries than in those without other injuries.     

Clinical Nutrition in Gerontology: Chronic Renal Disorders of the Dog and Cat

The recent advances in the nutrition of companion animals has resulted in a longer possible life-span for dogs and cats and an improvement in their quality of life. Numerous studies about geriatric animals show that an aging dog or cat requires a specific nutritional formulation that considers the metabolic changes associated with age. A correct diet plays an important role in the treatment of some chronic pathologies in aging animals, particularly those for which the aging process modifies the organ function. A correct diet can provide therapeutic support to the administration of drugs that can sometimes compromise organ function. In the present study, we identify key aspects of the clinical nutrition during chronic renal disorders of dogs and cats, diseases with an elevated incidence and a major cause of mortality in geriatric animals. The aim of nutritional treatment for dogs and cats affected by chronic renal disorders is to improve the quality and length of life, assuring an adequate amount of energy and slowing the progression of renal failure. To improve treatment efficacy it is necessary to prepare different dietary rations during the various stages of disease, on the basis of clinical signs and laboratory data.

     

Clinical Nutrition in Gerontology: Chronic Renal Disorders of the Dog and Cat

The recent advances in the nutrition of companion animals has resulted in a longer possible life-span for dogs and cats and an improvement in their quality of life. Numerous studies about geriatric animals show that an aging dog or cat requires a specific nutritional formulation that considers the metabolic changes associated with age. A correct diet plays an important role in the treatment of some chronic pathologies in aging animals, particularly those for which the aging process modifies the organ function. A correct diet can provide therapeutic support to the administration of drugs that can sometimes compromise organ function. In the present study, we identify key aspects of the clinical nutrition during chronic renal disorders of dogs and cats, diseases with an elevated incidence and a major cause of mortality in geriatric animals. The aim of nutritional treatment for dogs and cats affected by chronic renal disorders is to improve the quality and length of life, assuring an adequate amount of energy and slowing the progression of renal failure. To improve treatment efficacy it is necessary to prepare different dietary rations during the various stages of disease, on the basis of clinical signs and laboratory data.