Surgical management of urolithiasis

A review of equine urolithiasis is presented. Special emphasis is placed on clinical diagnosis and management. Although somewhat uncommon, urolithiasis is a potentially serious condition with an apparent predilection for male horses. Although the entire urinary tract is at risk for urolith formation, the bladder and urethra are most commonly affected. The principal signs include stranguria, hematuria, and dysuria. Severe abdominal discomfort is often observed in patients suffering from distal urinary tract obstructions. If urolithiasis is promptly identified, a variety of surgical techniques may be applied to resolve and treat this condition.     

Surgical management of constipation

There are many recognised causes of constipation in the cat and the management of the condition depends on the clinician's ability to recognise the appropriate aetiology in each case. Most surgery therapies for constipation in the cat are related to the management of idiopathic megacolon, although causes such as pelvic outlet obstruction, complications of neutering surgery, perineal herniation, and malunion pelvic fractures may also require surgical intervention. Currently, the surgical management of megacolon consists of subtotal colectomy with the recommendation that the ileocolic junction be preserved. The procedure, in general, is associated with few life-threatening complications although the majority of individuals will experience a transient period of loose stool formation in the immediate post-operative period. In the majority of cases, the long-term outcome following subtotal colectomy is considered excellent.     

Surgical treatment of lameness.

Digital diseases are commonly seen in cattle. Cattle affected by digital disorders do not always respond to conservative therapy and require surgery. Surgical procedures for the common digital disorders are described, with emphasis on the different approaches to the distal interphalangeal joint.     

Surgical sterilization of free-ranging wolves

The objective of the study was to determine whether surgical sterilization of both males and females in wolf pairs alters basic wolf social and territorial behaviors. Wolves were located from the air by snow-tracking methods and were tranquilizer-darted from a helicopter. Surgeries were performed either in a tent at the capture site or in a heated building in a nearby village. Six vasectomies and seven uterine horn ligations were performed in January and February of 1996 and 1997. Two females died: one likely related to the capture procedure, the other of a peritonitis unrelated to the surgery. One wolf had a litter. None of the wolves have shown changes in behavioral patterns. Surgical sterilization can be effective, but other, less invasive, fertility control techniques should be investigated.     

Surgical management of otitis externa

The surgical management of otitis externa is discussed in conjunction with failed medical management, primary causes, and proper case selection. The techniques of lateral ear canal resection and vertical ear canal ablation are described in detail.