小型观赏犬产后痉挛的诊断与治疗

根据临床病例治疗经验,论文对小型观赏犬产后痉挛的病因、临床症状、诊断和治疗进行了阐述,为该病在兽医临床中的诊疗提供参考依据.     

Segmental hemiatrophy in a dog

Congenital asymmetric development, resulting in a small right thoracic limb, was diagnosed in a dog. The limb was anatomically normal. The lesion closely resembled hemiatrophy. Congenital asymmetric development should be considered in the differential diagnosis of limb length discrepancies. Treatment is required only in cases of extreme discrepancy between the normal and affected limb.     

Prolonged, continuous distal limb cryotherapy in the horse

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: The recommended duration of cryotherapy in horses is currently extrapolated from human medicine. Prolonged, continuous cryotherapy (days rather than minutes) may be of therapeutic value if it is safe and well tolerated. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of prolonged, continuous application of ice and water to the equine distal limb. METHODS: A slurry of ice and water was applied to the right forelimb of 4 Standardbred horses for 48 h. Hoof temperature, ambient temperature and ice boot temperature were logged continuously and clinical observations recorded every 2 h. Lameness examinations were performed prior to application and 1 week, 6 months and 1 year after removal of the ice boot. RESULTS: Continuous cryotherapy was well tolerated and resulted in marked cooling of the treated foot. No significant variation in clinical parameters was noted, and no lameness or gross pathology noted in the treated limbs at any examination period. CONCLUSIONS: The continuous application of ice and water is a safe and effective means of cooling the equine distal limb. The extremely low, constant temperatures achieved may be of benefit in the management of various distal limb conditions. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Providing clinicians and research workers with a potent therapeutic/prophylactic modality for disorders of the equine distal limb.     

Kinematic analysis of the pelvic limbs of healthy dogs during stair and decline slope walking

Objectives : To evaluate range of motion (ROM) of the pelvic limb in healthy dogs descending stairs compared with decline slope walking. Methods : Reflective spheres were placed on the skin over the joints of the right pelvic limb of seven adult, hound-type dogs with no clinical signs of orthopaedic or neurologic disease. Five trials of stair and ramp descent of each dog were recorded using four 60 Hz digital infrared cameras. Two-dimensional kinematic data were collected as dogs walked down stairs and on a continuous decline of equivalent slope. Maximum and minimum joint angles and ROM were calculated for the coxofemoral, femorotibial and tibiotarsal joints. Results : Stair descent resulted in significantly greater femorotibial flexion and tibiotarsal flexion and extension compared with continuous slope descent. Significantly greater ROM was achieved in the coxofemoral, femorotibial and tibiotarsal joints during stair descent. Clinical Significance : Compared with a continuous slope, stair descent achieves greater ROM in the pelvic limbs of dogs. Stair descent may be a useful therapeutic exercise to improve ROM in dogs with musculoskeletal disease of the pelvic limb, and ramp descent may be easier for dogs with limited motion of pelvic limb joints.     

Nonselective computed tomography angiography for detecting arterial blood flow to the distal limb following trauma in two small equids

Two equids weighing <250 kg were examined several days after suffering severe mid‐diaphyseal dorsal metatarsal lacerations. Distal limb vascular disruption was suspected in both cases. Nonselective computed tomography angiography with contrast medium injected peripherally via the jugular veins was used to evaluate the vascular supply to the distal limb. The use of this imaging technique demonstrated either intact or disrupted distal limb vasculature. The imaging results were verified with a positive long‐term outcome in the case with a diagnosis of an intact vasculature and with histological findings of avascular necrosis in the case with a diagnosis of disrupted vasculature.     

Malignant melanoma of the pelvis as a possible cause of pelvic limb lameness in two gray mares

Two grey mares, a 12-year-old Arabian and a 13-year-old Lippizaner cross, were referred for chronic pelvic limb lameness and abduction of the limb during the non supporting phase of the stride. The clinical examination revealed melanomas under the tail and on the perineum, and oedema of the proximal lame limb. A mass in the pelvic area was detected on rectal palpation. Laparoscopy was performed and the provisional diagnosis of malignant melanoma was made. Histological examination of the biopsy taken under laparoscopic control from the mass in the pelvis confirmed the diagnosis of malignant melanoma. In the postmortem examination a large black mass in the pelvis and metastases in several organs were diagnosed. The process under the tail showed microscopically the characteristics of dermal melanomatosis. The metastases showed the appearance of a malignant melanoma. The lameness and abduction during the non supporting phase of the stride were possibly caused by a combination of pain, a mechanical limitation, and paresis/paralysis. When an older grey horse with melanomas on the predilection sites is submitted with pelvic limb lameness and abduction of the limb during the non supporting phase of the stride, a malignant melanoma in the pelvis is one of the differential diagnoses and a rectal examination should be performed. Diagnostic laparoscopy in the standing horse can be useful to confirm the provisional diagnosis.     

Radiographic examination of the canine spine

Radiography plays an essential part in the diagnosis of spinal disease in the dog. Careful positioning of the patient and attention to technique are important in obtaining diagnostic films and sedation or general anaesthesia is usually required, especially if the animal is in pain or muscle spasm. Additional information may be obtained by myelography, a technique in which a water-soluble iodine-containing contrast medium is injected into the subarachnoid space via the cisterna magna, under general anaesthesia. The advent of two new contrast media, iopamidol and iohexol, has rendered this a relatively safe procedure which may be carried out in practice. The radiological features of a variety of canine spinal conditions are discussed, including congenital and developmental abnormalities, infective, nutritional and degenerative conditions and trauma and neoplasia.     

三例马属动物肠痉挛的诊疗体会

肠痉挛是马属动物的一种常见病,张掖市畜牧兽医技术服务中心兽医站收治3例骡病例,通过问诊、叩诊、听诊、触诊等诊疗方法对肠痉挛进行诊断,确定其病的性质,进行用药治疗。病例1、2的骡,病情轻微,发现较早,治疗及时,所以快速治愈。病例3的病情较重,治疗不及时,用药适中,也得到了治愈。在治疗方面,主要运用中药进行治疗为主,在治疗的三例病症都得到治愈。     

犬产后惊厥的诊断和治疗

犬产后惊厥是小动物临床经常发生的产科疾病。该病表现为体温升高、呼吸急促、全身痉挛,容易误诊,治疗不及时甚至造成死亡。在小动物临床上要注意该病的诊断、治疗和预防。     

MRI FINDINGS IN 232 HORSES WITH LAMENESS LOCALIZED TO THE METACARPO(TARSO)PHALANGEAL REGION AND WITHOUT A RADIOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS

Two hundred and thirty‐two horses with lameness localized to the metacarpo(tarso)phalangeal (MCP/MTP) region without a radiographic diagnosis were evaluated. All horses had high‐field magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the MCP/MTP region performed for the lame limb and the contralateral limb for comparison. There were 46 horses that had bilateral abnormalities in the forelimbs; 27 of these horses were not lame in the contralateral limb at the time of examination. Bilateral hind limb abnormalities were observed in 37 horses; 22 horses were not lame in the contralateral limb. Soft tissue abnormalities alone were observed in 218 limbs (162 horses). Subchondral bone and articular cartilage abnormalities alone were observed in 43 limbs (34 horses). A combination of soft tissue, subchondral bone, and cartilage abnormalities were observed in 64 limbs (36 horses). The distribution of primary abnormalities was as follows; oblique distal sesamoidean ligament desmitis (73 limbs in 56 horses), straight distal sesamoidean ligament desmitis (44 limbs in 38 horses), chronic subchondral bone injuries (15 limbs in 12 horses), suspensory ligament branch desmitis (14 limbs in 12 horses), collateral ligament desmitis (12 limbs in 12 horses), tendonitis of the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons (10 limbs in 10 horses), osteochondral defects greater than 1 cm (nine limbs in six horses), osteochondral defects less than 1 cm (eight limbs in seven horses), bone marrow lesions (six limbs in five horses), intersesamoidean ligament desmitis (five limbs in four horses). MR imaging is useful in diagnosing bone and soft tissue injuries when radiographs and ultrasound fail to yield a diagnosis.     

Associations between physiotherapy findings and subsequent diagnosis of pelvic or hindlimb fracture in racing Thoroughbreds

Reasons for performing study: Physiotherapists who work in racehorse training yards routinely treat horses' backs and hindquarters and may be able to recognise signs that indicate the presence of (impending) pelvic or hindlimb fracture before it becomes catastrophic. Objective: To establish whether physiotherapy assessment findings in Thoroughbred racehorses referred for routine physiotherapy could be predictive of subsequent (within 30 days) pelvic or hindlimb fracture diagnosis. Methods: Retrospective veterinary and physiotherapy data from a cohort of Newmarket (UK) Thoroughbred racehorses, were used. A case‐control study compared physiotherapy assessment findings of racehorses with and without a subsequently diagnosed pelvic or hindlimb fracture. Uni‐ and multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate and quantify the strength of association between physiotherapy findings and subsequent fracture diagnosis. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results: A total of 513 horses provided 14 fracture cases for analysis. Presence of pelvic bony asymmetry, muscle atrophy of the quarters, reduced reflex movements of dorsi‐ and/or ventroflexion and spasm or tenderness on palpation of the gluteal muscles were significantly associated with subsequent fracture diagnosis in univariable analysis. Multivariable analysis indicated that horses subsequently diagnosed with pelvic or hindlimb fracture were 11.1 times more likely to show pelvic bony asymmetry, 4.7 times more likely to display muscle atrophy of the quarters and 6.6 times more likely to have spasm or tenderness on palpation of the gluteal muscles than those that were not. Conclusions: Racehorses presented for physiotherapy that show pelvic bony asymmetry, muscle atrophy of the quarters and/or spasm or tenderness on palpation of the gluteal muscles should alert the physiotherapist to the potential presence of (impending) pelvic or hindlimb fracture. Potential relevance: Earlier detection of (impending) pelvic or hindlimb fracture in racing Thoroughbreds could reduce the incidence of catastrophic fractures.     

Congenital myotonia in related kittens

Four closely related domestic shorthair kittens were investigated following the detection of abnormalities in their gait, difficulty opening their mouths and muscle hypertrophy. They walked with a stiff, stilted gait, with the stiffness reducing during exercise. Startling of the kittens resulted in hyperextension of the limbs and falling to lateral recumbency, or spasm of the orbicularis oculi muscle, prolonged prolapse of the nictitating membranes and flattening of the ears. One kitten was intermittently dysphonic. Endotracheal intubation of the anaesthetised kittens was difficult due to an inability to open the mouth to a wide angle, and narrowing of the glottis due to muscle spasm. A diagnosis of congenital myotonia was made based on the clinical signs, the kittens' ages, typical myotonic discharges on electromyography, and the histopathological and histochemical findings in muscle. This is the first report of congenital myotonia in this species.     

Physeal dysplasia with slipped capital femoral epiphysis in a cat

A 14-month-old, intact male cat presented with acute onset, severe right hind limb lameness. Pelvic radiographs, excision of the femoral head, and histopathologic examination resulted in a diagnosis of physeal dysplasia with slipped capital femoral epiphysis. The cat rapidly regained use of the affected limb.     

Unilateral limb enlargement in a dog with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor

A 3- to 4-month-old female Golden Retriever dog presented with right hind limb enlargement. Physical examination of the limb and radiographic findings initially included soft tissue swelling with elongation, bowing, and cortical irregularity of the femur and tibia. During a period of approximately 7 months, pathology in the limb progressed to include tarsal laxity, muscle atrophy, avulsion of the gastrocnemius muscle, and luxation of the patella. During surgical intervention to shorten the limb and repair the patellar luxation, a large soft tissue cyst was identified along the caudal aspect of the femur and stifle. The limb was later amputated, and a final diagnosis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath (PNS) tumor of the sciatic nerve and surrounding soft tissues was made. The unilateral limb enlargement in this dog appears to have been because of the development and progression of a malignant PNS tumor. The presentation and associated pathologic changes in the limb are unusual for canine PNS tumor but have similarities with neurofibromatosis in the limbs of humans.     

Clinical and neurological characteristics of aortic thromboembolism in dogs

OBJECTIVES: To characterise the clinical presentation and neurological abnormalities in dogs affected by aortic thromboembolism. METHODS: The medical records of 13 dogs diagnosed with aortic thromboembolism as the cause of the clinical signs, and where a complete neurological examination was performed, were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The onset was acute in only four dogs, chronic in five dogs (with all of these presenting as exercise intolerance) or chronic with acute deterioration in four dogs. Dogs with an acute onset of clinical signs were more severely affected exhibiting neurological deficits, while dogs with a chronic onset of disease predominantly presented with the exercise intolerance and minimal deficits. The locomotor deficits included exercise intolerance with pelvic limb weakness (five of 13), pelvic limb ataxia (one of 13), monoparesis (two of 13), paraparesis (two of 13), non-ambulatory paraparesis (two of 13) and paraplegia (one of 13). There was an apparent male predisposition and the cavalier King charles spaniel was overrepresented. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The rate of onset of clinical signs appears to segregate dogs affected by aortic thromboembolism into two groups, with different clinical characteristics and outcomes. Dogs with an acute onset of the clinical signs tend to be more severely affected, while dogs with a chronic onset predominantly present with exercise intolerance. It is therefore important to consider aortic thromboembolism as a differential diagnosis in dogs with an acute onset of pelvic limb neurological deficits and in dogs with longer standing exercise intolerance.     

Bacterial infective arthritis following a penetrating stick injury of the stifle joint in a dog

An eight-year old, Rottweiler was presented with a chronic non-weight bearing right pelvic limb -lameness and a discharging sinus at the right stifle joint. Fifteen weeks previously a diagnosis of bacterial infective arthritis had been made, presumed attributable to haematogenous spread. Failure to respond to appropriate surgical and medical management resulted in severe joint dysfunction. The poor prognosis for restoration of limb function resulted in limb amputation. Subsequent exploration of the sinus tract and the stifle joint revealed a stick within the craniolateral aspect of the joint. This penetrating stick injury had been responsible for the persistent bacterial infective arthritis.     

Surgical treatment of coxofemoral luxation in two cattle

A three-week-old Holstein Friesian calf and a 20-month-old Jersey heifer were referred to the Department of Farm Animals, University of Zurich, because of coxofemoral luxation. Both animals were moderately lame on the affected hind limb, which was swollen in the hip region and appeared to be adducted and shorter than the contralateral normal hind limb. Radiographs of the affected hips confirmed craniodorsal displacement of the femur. In both animals, traction and open reduction was carried out under general anaesthesia. The joint capsule, which was severely torn, was repaired using suture material or a non absorbable mesh. In the calf, two 4.5-mm screws and washers were placed in the dorsal rim of the acetabulum. Strong non-absorbable suture material of USP 6 in size was placed around each screw and through a pre-drilled hole in the femoral neck and back to the screw in a figure-8 pattern. The sutures were tied and the screws tightened. In the heifer, a non-absorbable mesh was attached to the dorsal acetabular rim using three 4.5-mm cortical screws.The mesh was sutured to the joint capsule at the femoral neck using strong non-absorbable suture material in a simple continuous pattern. Complications were not encountered during the postoperative period. Six months after discharge, both animals were in good general health, although the heifer had mild lameness and muscle atrophy in the operated limb.     

Clinical and biochemical findings in bovine cerebrocortical necrosis produced by oral administration of amprolium

Purposing to get some hints on cause and early diagnosis for cerebrocortical necrosis (CCN), CCN was produced in three healthy calves by the oral administration of amprolium. All three calves showed central nervous signs characterized by ataxic gait, clonic spasm, astasia and opisthotonus, from 24 to 49 days after the start of daily administration of 321-418 mg/kg amprolium. They showed bradycardia from about 20 days before the appearance of the nervous signs, which was supposed to be a finding of primary change and to be useful for early diagnosis of CCN. At necropsy of the two calves, large necrotic lesion was found in the cerebral cortex, and tissue thiamine levels decreased significantly, especially in cerebrum and cerebellum. In the other calf, injection with 25 mg thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide (TTFD) was proved to be effective for the recovery of clinical signs. No significant changes in thiamine level were recorded in the whole blood, but those in erythrocytes decreased slightly at about a week before the appearance of the clinical signs. No significant alteration of thiamine excretion was observed in urine. Those findings suggest that CCN in calves is caused by thiamine deficiency and that the blood thiamine levels cannot be used for diagnosis of CCN.     

Development of a technique for continuous perineural blockade of the palmar nerves in the distal equine thoracic limb

Objective To develop a technique for placing continuous peripheral nerve block (CPNB) catheters adjacent to palmar nerves in horses and to evaluate the effect of low‐volume local anesthetic (LA) infusion on nociception in the distal equine thoracic limb. Study design In vitro and in vivo laboratory investigation. Study material and animals Forty‐two thoracic limbs from 22 equine cadavers and five horses. Methods Thoracic limb specimens were dissected to find landmarks for catheter insertion adjacent to medial and lateral palmar nerves. Based on the anatomy of the proximal metacarpus, a technique for placing palmar CPNB catheters was developed and the potential for catheter dislodgement studied in vitro by fluoroscopic visualization during passive carpal flexion and dye injection following simulated limb motion. The feasibility of CPNB catheter instrumentation in standing, sedated horses was tested in five animals, with ultrasound control. Electrical and mechanical stimulation thresholds and response latencies for hoof withdrawal responses (HWR) were determined following saline or LA infusion. Results Medial and lateral CPNB catheters were inserted percutaneously 2 and 4–5 cm, respectively, distal to the accessory carpal bone and advanced for ～7 and 10 cm, respectively, to place the tip just proximal to the communicating branch of the nerves. Catheters were placed correctly in 88% and 85% of cadaver limbs. In the standing horses, LA infusion not only increased HWR thresholds and latencies to noxious mechanical or electrical stimulation but also caused vasodilation and limb swelling over time. Conclusion The technique, developed in vitro, for placing and maintaining palmar CPNB catheters in the equine thoracic limb was successfully applied in vivo. Catheters were well tolerated but LA infusion may cause limb swelling, suggesting a need for further exploration of drug and infusion regimens. Clinical relevance Continuous perineural LA infusion along palmar nerves may develop into an effective analgesic technique in horses suffering from lower limb pain.     

Localised tetanus in two cats after ovariohysterectomy

Localised tetanus was diagnosed in two cats 14 and 21 days after ovariohysterectomy by a left flank surgical approach. The diagnosis in each case was based on their history, clinical signs and diagnostic investigations which excluded other possible diagnoses. Both cats showed scoliosis of the lumbar spine and left hind limb spasticity. One cat's clinical signs were exacerbated after the administration of corticosteroids. One cat was treated with oral amoxycillin and diazepam, and the second cat received penicillin, tetanus antitoxin, methocarbarnol and diazepam. Both cats improved after treatment but recovery was prolonged and the spasticity did not resolve until 12 weeks after diagnosis in one cat. The second cat was lost to follow up after 8 weeks.