Repair of pectus excavatum by percutaneous suturing and temporary external coaptation in a kitten

Severe pectus excavatum sternal deformity in a 3-month-old kitten was repaired by use of percutaneous circumcostal and circumsternal sutures to coapt the sternal deformity to an external splint made from thermoplastic material. One year after treatment, the kitten remained free of clinical signs of the disease or complications from the repair. The technique represents a conservative method of repair of pectus excavatum deformities in immature animals.     

Laparoscopic removal of gastric foreign bodies in dogs--comparison of manual suturing and stapling viscerosynthesis

This study was an attempt to evaluate the application of various laparoscopic techniques of removing foreign bodies from the stomach in dogs in comparison to conventional laparotomy. The research was conducted on two groups of 10 dogs each with clinically confirmed foreign bodies in the stomach. In case of all patients, a laparoscopic instrument, EndoBag, was used for the removal of the foreign body from the stomach and the abdominal cavity. Manual suturing with the use of Szabo-Berci suturing kit was used for the gastrotomy wound closure in group I. In group II, linear staplers were used for viscerosynthesis. All patients were subjected to radiological assessment of tightness of anastomosis. No significant differences between the quality of the performed stomach anastomosis were shown. Therefore, the competitiveness of an economical manual suturing in comparison with the very expensive mechanical suturing preferred in human surgery was confirmed. The described procedures of laparoscopic gastrotomy seem to be applicable for removing foreign bodies from the stomach in a clinical veterinary practice.     

Complications following the use of the closed suturing technique for correction of left abomasal displacement in cows

The closed suturing technique has been introduced as a quick, easy and cheap method of surgical correction of left sided abomasal displacement in cows. It is questionable if good reposition and fixation are always achieved using this technique. The closed suturing technique in four cases of left sided abomasal displacement was investigated. Additionally, six cases treated this way in general practice were investigated. It is concluded that from a surgical point of view the closed suturing technique should be rejected because it is unknown which abdominal structures are being sutured.     

Give a dog a genome

In 2004 the dog became only the fifth mammal to have its entire genome fully sequenced. The canine genome was sequenced in the hope that it would help scientists understand the complex evolutionary mechanisms that shape genes and genomes and provide a powerful tool for identifying genetic factors that contribute to human health and disease. It is expected that over the coming years the genome of man's best friend will help in the understanding of the genetic cause of many inherited diseases that humans and dogs have in common. Not only of obvious benefit to humans, these studies will enable the development of DNA diagnostic tests that breeders can use to identify which of their dogs carry mutations that put them at risk of developing particular conditions and thus, over time, eliminate those diseases from the breed.     

Leiomyoma of a kidney in a dog: a rare diagnosis

A five-year-old, neutered male, Bernese Mountain Dog was referred because of a two-week history of hematuria and a one-week history of polydipsia and polyuria. Palpation of the dorsomedial mesogastrium revealed a mass on the left side, which was seen via radiography and ultrasonography to be attached to the left kidney. The left kidney and the attached mass were excised surgically, and the dog had an uneventful recovery. Histological examination of the mass revealed a dense proliferation of non-polymorphic spindle cells, which stained positive for smooth muscle actin via immunohistochemistry. Leiomyoma of the kidney was diagnosed. Postoperatively, there was mild azotaemia, which did not affect the general condition of the dog and was still present 15 months after surgery. Leiomyoma of the kidney is a benign tumor, and hematuria may be the only clinical sign.     

Building a practice with a computer

It should be emphasized that the primary function of the computer is information-handling and communication. It remembers who and when and why, organizes the information, and then communicates by reminders, letters, labels, word processing, and statements. The computer becomes a faithful employee, not altogether immune from physical illness but generally ready to work at the flip of a switch. Best of all, the computer never asks for overtime or a percentage of the profits.