Bilateral phalangeal fillet technique for metacarpal pad reconstruction in a dog

Loss of the metacarpal or metatarsal pad requires reconstruction with other pad tissue to allow functional weight-bearing on the limb. This report describes the use of a bilateral phalangeal fillet technique to reconstruct a weight-bearing surface in a dog following complete excision of its right metacarpal pad for malignant melanoma. This resulted in a functional weight-bearing limb.     

Spontaneous healing of a trophic ulcer of the metatarsal pad in a dog

A two-year-old whippet cross presented with a large ulcer of the right metatarsal pad. Laceration of the plantar aspect of the metatarsal region involving the flexor tendons had occurred 10 days prior to ulcer formation. Pain sensation was absent distal to the wound, indicating tibial nerve damage. A presumptive diagnosis of trophic ulceration of the metatarsal pad secondary to tibial nerve injury was made. Sensory nerve function returned within 14 weeks and the trophic ulcer subsequently healed. Spontaneous resolution of trophic ulceration has been reported in humans but, to the authors' knowledge, not in dogs.     

Arteriovenous fistula in the metatarsal pad of a dog: a case report

An arteriovenous fistula in the metatarsal pad of a young dog is described. The lesion was apparently acquired traumatically when the dog was nine months of age, and was characterized by periodic episodes of bleeding from the pad during the next 21 months. The nature of the lesion was diagnosed by physical, radiographical and histological examination, and it was treated successfully by surgical excision.     

Mesh skin graft and digital pad transfer to reconstruct the weight-bearing surface in a dog

A 2-month-old dog was presented with injuries involving both hind paws. Only the 5th digit and its digital pad were present on the right paw. Following a full-thickness skin graft, the 5th digital pad was transferred distal to the metatarsal bones. The transferred pad permitted weight-bearing on the limb.     

Distal metacarpal sequestration in a bison.

A 2-year-old 400-kg female American bison was admitted for evaluation and treatment of an open fracture of the right metacarpal bones 3 and 4. Radiography revealed osteolysis of the distal metaphysis and epiphysis, with extensive bony callus formation along the dorsoproximal and proximomedial aspects extending distally to the proximomedial aspect of the proximal phalanx. Evidence of periosteal or bony proliferation at the fracture site or along the distal segment of the third and fourth metacarpal bones was not visible, suggesting that the distal fracture fragment was becoming a sequestrum. Treatment consisted of soft tissue debridement and placement of the limb in a full-limb cast. The cast was changed every 4 weeks until the sequestrum was removed and the bone healed. It is rare for the distal half of a long bone to sequester following fracture. Additionally, it is remarkable that the sequestrum served as a buttress, which prevented collapse of the bone until the sequestrum was replaced by functional bony callus.     

Aplasia of the gallbladder in a dog

A young, female Maltese dog was presented with intermittent vomiting of bile. Biochemical evidence of persistent mild hepatopathy had been present for 11 months. Exploratory celiotomy was performed. Absence of the gallbladder with malformation of the quadrate lobe of the liver was identified. There was histological evidence of bile duct proliferation and portal fibrosis.     

Repair of a delayed-union stress fracture of the dorsal cortex of a metacarpal bone in a horse

A delayed union metacarpal stress fracture was repaired in a horse, using lag-screw fixation in conjunction with dc electrical stimulation. Twelve weeks after surgery, radiographic and scintigraphic evaluations revealed that the fracture line was not discernible and that there was a decrease in radiopharmaceutic uptake, as compared with that in previous bone imaging studies. In this horse, DC stimulation of a delayed union stress fracture in a bone resulted in a healing pattern similar to that in human beings with delayed union fractures when treated with electrical stimulation.     

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the tongue in a dog

A lingual rhabdomyosarcoma was diagnosed in a six-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier with clinical signs of dysphagia. The unsuccessful response to initial chemotherapy, to surgical resection and subsequent surgical resection and radiation therapy is documented. The accurate diagnosis and prognosis of such tumours is also discussed. Lingual rhabdomarcoma has not previously been reported in the dog.     

Osteosarcoma of the patella in a dog

Osteosarcoma of the patella was diagnosed by biopsy in a 9-year-old, male dog of mixed breeding. The dog was originally examined because of intermittent lameness of the left hindlimb; there were minimal palpable abnormalities of the stifle. After the diagnosis, the owner refused further treatment for the dog. The dog was reexamined 13 months later because of a marked swelling of the stifle. The dog was euthanatized and necropsy findings confirmed the diagnosis.     

Leiomyosarcoma of the kidney in a dog

A leiomyosarcoma that occurred in the right kidney of a dog (7-year-old female Labrador retriever) was studied pathologically. On histological examination, tumour cells were spindle-shaped, the cell density was high, and complex fasciculated tumour cells showing longitudinal and transverse cross-sections were observed. Both ends of the nuclei were rounded, the nucleoli were clear and many images of nuclear division were observed. Immunohistochemically, tumour cells reacted intensely with anti-vimentin antibody and anti-actin smooth muscle antibody, and mildly with anti-desmin antibody. On electron microscopy, the nuclei of tumour cells were rounded at both ends and elongated elliptically, and a large number of microfibrils with focal density and dense patches were observed in the cytoplasm. This is a case report of a very rare leiomyosarcoma of the dog kidney.     

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the urethra in a dog

This paper describes the clinical and pathological features of a case where a rhabdomyosarcoma developed in the pelvic urethra of a 12-month-old German Shepherd. The literature on rhabdomyosarcoma involving the canine urinary tract is reviewed.