Guided bone regeneration with beta-tricalcium phosphate and poly L-lactide-co-glycolide-co-epsilon-caprolactone membrane in partial defects of canine humerus

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of beta-tricalcium phosphate and poly L-lactide-co-glycolide-co-epsilon-caprolactone (TCP/PLGC) membrane in the repair of partial bone defects in canine proximal humerus. Three adult mixed-breed dogs were used during the experimental period. The length of the defect was quarter of the full length of humerus, and width of the defect was quarter of middle diameter of the lateral aspect of humerus. The humeri of each dog were divided into treatment (TCP/PLGC) and control groups. The defect was covered with TCP/PLGC membrane in treatment group. To evaluate regeneration of the bone, computerized tomography (CT) and histopathologic examination were performed. The radiopaque lines were appeared at the original defect sites in TCP/PLGC group but below the original site in control at 4th week. Radiopacity and thickness of the defect sites, and radiopaque lines were more increased at 8th week than those of 4th week. Histopathologic findings revealed fibrous connective tissue migration into the defect and the migration inhibited the structure of new cortex to be placed in the original level in control whereas new cortex growth was found in the level of original line in TCP/PLGC group. However, the new cortical bone in the TCP/PLGC group was thinner and less organized than the adjacent intact cortex, and the amount of new cancellous bones were also scanty. The result suggested that TCP/PLGC membrane is a good guided bone regeneration material to restore the original morphology of humerus in partial defect.     

Realignment of the radius in canine antebrachial growth deformities treated with corrective osteotomy and bilateral (type II) external fixation

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors affecting radial alignment after oblique corrective osteotomy stabilized with a type II external fixator and to evaluate the results of this treatment for antebrachial growth deformities. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study SAMPLE POPULATION: Twenty-eight dogs with unilateral antebrachial growth deformities treated with acute corrective osteotomy stabilized with a type II external fixator. METHODS: Medical records and preoperative and postoperative radiographs of the affected and contralateral limb were reviewed. Cause of deformity, age, weight, and gender were recorded. Radial length, varus/valgus angulation, and cranial/caudal angulation were measured from radiographs of the treated and contralateral limbs. Preoperative and postoperative angulation and length discrepancy were compared between affected and contralateral limbs. RESULTS: Correction of varus/valgus angle discrepancy was achieved by using acute corrective osteotomy stabilized with type II external skeletal fixation. No significant change was noted for correction of cranial/caudal angle discrepancy or length discrepancy between the affected and control limb. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Varus/valgus angle deformities can be treated successfully with type III external fixation after oblique corrective osteotomy. Patients with significant length or cranial/caudal angle discrepancies or both that negatively impact function may require the use of hinged circular fixators or other dynamic techniques to achieve adequate correction.     

Long-term outcome of distal femoral osteotomy for treatment of combined distal femoral varus and medial patellar luxation: 12 cases (1999-2004)

OBJECTIVE: To determine long-term outcome of distal femoral osteotomy as a component of treatment for distal femoral varus and medial patellar luxation in large-breed dogs. DESIGN:Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 12 dogs (16 stifle joints). PROCEDURES: Medical records and radiographs were reviewed to identify large-breed dogs with medial patellar luxation (grade > or = 2) and femoral varus angle > or = 12 degrees treated with distal femoral osteotomy, with a minimum follow-up (by a veterinarian) of 18 months. Signalment, weight, medial patellar luxation and lameness grade, pre- and postoperative femoral varus angle, surgical technique, time to radiographic bone union, and complications were recorded. Follow-up with owners via questionnaire was performed > 18 months after surgery. RESULTS: 16 corrective distal femoral osteotomies were performed with ancillary medial patellar luxation procedures in 12 dogs; 4 dogs had staged bilateral procedures. Mean +/- SD preoperative and postoperative femoral varus angles were 16.3 +/- 4.3 degrees and 3.9 +/- 2.5 degrees , respectively. Mean +/- SD time to radiographic union of the distal femoral osteotomy was 52.6 +/- 13 days. One dog had Kirschner wire migration from the tibial tuberosity. Patellar luxation was not detected after surgery in any dog. Mean +/- SD follow-up by a veterinarian was 1,335 +/- 410 days and by use of an owner questionnaire was 1,497 +/- 464 days. All 10 variables of owner-observed patient comfort and function were significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Distal femoral osteotomy in combination with traditional treatment provided predictable osteotomy healing, patellar stabilization, and long-term improvement in patient comfort and function when used to treat combined distal femoral varus and medial patellar luxation in large-breed dogs.     

Successful treatment of a metastatic,gastrointestinal stromal tumour in a dog with toceranib phosphate (Palladia)

A ten‐year‐old, female‐entire English springer spaniel presented with a large intra‐abdominal mass but no other clinical signs. Gastrointestinal stromal tumour of the caecum with widespread abdominal metastasis was confirmed. Treatment with toceranib phosphate resulted in complete response, despite the absence of exon‐8 or exon‐11 c‐kit mutation. There was no clinical evidence of tumour recurrence nine months after diagnosis.     

Surgical correction of periocular fat pads and entropion in a potbellied pig (Sus scrofa)

A 16-year-old Vietnamese potbellied pig was examined because of recurrent ocular discharge and reduced visual ability. Bilateral upper eyelid entropion and impaired vision secondary to periocular fat deposition were diagnosed. Surgical correction with excision of subdermal fat and redundant skin was performed to address both issues. Surgery restored vision and resolved ocular irritation. More than 1 year following surgical therapy the pig is visual and comfortable with no evidence of recurrent fat deposition or entropion.     

Species-specific serodiagnosis of equine piroplasma infections by means of complement fixation test (CFT), immunofluorescence (IIF), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

The increasing horse trade requires a reliable immunodiagnosis of equine piroplasma infections due to import restrictions imposed by various countries, including the United States of America. It was the aim of our investigations to establish the suitability of serological tests for the detection of parasite carriers and, eventually, to differentiate between Babesia caballi and B. equi infections. The investigations were carried out on 11 ponies with experimentally-induced B. caballi and/or B. equi infection. The infections were confirmed by the demonstration of parasites in blood smears 2-13 days post infection (PI). The complement fixation test (CFT), the indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were employed for the demonstration of antibodies, and different antigen preparations were tested for their suitability. Antibodies could be demonstrated by all three tests. Complement-fixing antibodies disappear after 2-3 months PI in B. caballi-infected horses, while the IIF and ELISA gave positive results during latent infection. A reliable serodiagnosis thus requires the use of the CFT and IIF, since parasite carriers may appear seronegative by the CFT. Serological differentiation between B. caballi and B. equi was possible by CFT and, to a certain extent, by IIF during early infection, but not by ELISA. The successful treatment of B. caballi infections with Berenil could only be confirmed serologically by IIF.     

Results of single-session bilateral triple pelvic osteotomy with an eight-hole iliac bone plate in dogs: 95 cases (1996-1999)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate feasibility of single-session bilateral triple pelvic osteotomy with 8-hole iliac bone plates in dogs with bilateral hip dysplasia. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 95 dogs with bilateral hip dysplasia. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed, and information was obtained on signalment; body weight; angles of subluxation and reduction prior to surgery; durations of surgery and hospitalization; postoperative mobility; severity of lameness, radiographic grade of hip dysplasia, Norberg angle, and femoral head coverage before and after surgery; time required for radiographic evidence of iliac healing; change in pelvic diameter; implant integrity; and complications. RESULTS: Mean age at the time of surgery was 10.8 months, and mean weight was 35.2 kg (77.4 lb). Prior to surgery, mean angles of subluxation were 2.2 degrees on the right and 2.6 degrees on the left; mean angles of reduction were 25.9 degrees on the right and 27.3 degrees on the left. Mean surgical time was 95 minutes. All but 1 dog were able to walk on their own by the fourth day after surgery. Mean hospitalization time was 7.5 days. Clinical signs of lameness and radiographic grade of hip dysplasia were significantly improved during follow-up examinations. Mean time for radiographic iliac healing was 8 weeks. None of the plates and only 7 of the 1,520 (0.5%) screws loosened after surgery. Nineteen dogs had complications, but all complications were minor. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that single-session bilateral triple pelvic osteotomy with 8-hole iliac bone plates is effective for treatment of dogs with bilateral hip dysplasia.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the primary diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease. Characterization and comparison with complement fixation

A sandwich type ELISA for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus types O, A and C was established, using a combination of rabbit anti-146 S and guinea pig hyperimmune antibodies. This method was found to be highly efficient for the detection of both 146 S particles and 12 S subunits. The ELISA was approximately 500 times more sensitive than complement fixation (CF) when examining epithelial samples of FMD vesicles. An early primary diagnosis of FMD was obtained by both CF and ELISA in 19 out of 21 confirmed cases. The remaining 2 cases were initially negative in CF but positive in ELISA.     

Comparison of complement fixation test,competitive ELISA and LppQ ELISA with post-mortem findings in the diagnosis of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP)

The complement fixation test (CFT), the c-ELISA and an indirect LppQ ELISA were compared to post-mortem (PM) inspection for the diagnosis of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP). Sera from 797 cattle in the CBPP affected area of Kazungula, Zambia and 202 sera from Lusaka, Zambia, a CBPP-free area were used. The clinical history of CBPP was recorded and all the cattle from Kazungula were slaughtered and PM inspections conducted. The prevalence of CBPP in Kazungula was 67.5% (95%CI 67.2%, 70.8%), 52.6% (95%CI 49.2%, 56.2%), 59.0% (95%CI 55.5%, 62.4%) and 44.4% (95%CI 41.0%, 47.9%) using PM inspection, CFT, c-ELISA and LppQ ELISA, respectively. Three of the 202 negative control animals tested positive on the c-ELISA although they were from a known CBPP negative zone. In this study, the c-ELISA was more sensitive in detecting cattle with lesions in the chronic stage than any other test whilst the CFT detected more during the onset stage. No single serological test could detect all stages of CBPP infection, therefore the use of more than one test is advised.     

Influence of open surgical correction on intermediate-term outcome in dogs with subvalvular aortic stenosis: 44 cases (1991-1998)

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcome and intermediate-term survival for dogs undergoing open surgical correction of subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) with those for dogs with SAS that did not undergo surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 44 dogs with congenital SAS. PROCEDURE: Maximum instantaneous systolic pressure gradients were determined by use of Doppler echocardiography. Cardiopulmonary bypass and open surgical correction of SAS (membranectomy with or without septal myectomy) was performed in 22 dogs, whereas 22 dogs did not undergo surgical correction. Cumulative survival was compared between surgical and nonsurgical groups, using Kaplan-Meier nonparametric analysis and a Mantel-Cox log-rank test. RESULTS: Initial systolic pressure gradients were not significantly different for dogs undergoing surgery (128 +/- 55 mm Hg), compared with those that did not undergo surgery (117 +/- 57 mm Hg). Systolic pressure gradients were significantly decreased after surgery in dogs that underwent surgery (54 +/- 27 mm Hg). Cumulative survival was not significantly different between dogs in the surgical and nonsurgical groups. Censoring surgery-related mortality in the analysis still did not reveal a significant difference in cumulative survival between the surgical and nonsurgical groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Despite reductions in the systolic pressure gradient and possible associated improvement in exercise tolerance, a palliative benefit on survival was not documented in dogs undergoing surgery for SAS.     

Open reduction and internal fixation with a locking plate for the treatment of a femoral fracture in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

Long bone fractures in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) are usually traumatic in etiology, and the femur is commonly affected [1]. A 4-year-old, castrated male ferret was examined for acute, non-weight-bearing lameness of the left pelvic limb after presumably falling from its elevated enclosure. Clinical and radiographic evaluation showed a complete, comminuted fracture of the proximal diaphyseal third of the left femur. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of the left femoral fracture was performed with cerclage wires and a 1.5 mm locking compression plate with associated locking screws. Anatomic reconstruction was achieved, and postoperative radiographs confirmed appropriate fracture fragment apposition, limb alignment, and implant placement. At 9 weeks postoperatively, the ferret was ambulatory with no evidence of lameness, and complete radiographic union was noted. This is the first published report of the use of a bone plate for femoral fracture stabilization in a ferret. Bone plates, including locking plates, could be considered for long bone fracture stabilization in ferrets as an alternative to other methods.     

Progression of radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture: 295 cases (2001-2005)

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether radiographic signs of osteoarthritis became progressively worse and tibial slope angle (TSA) changed substantially following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 295 dogs (373 stifle joints). PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed. Radiographs obtained before and 8 weeks after surgery were used to determine the degenerative joint disease (DJD) score, calculated as the sum of individual scores (0 through 3) assigned to 30 radiographic factors. Radiographs obtained immediately and 8 weeks after surgery were used to measureTSA. For dogs that underwent bilateral surgery, data for the first joint treated were used in analyses. Data for the second joint treated in dogs that underwent bilateral surgery were analyzed separately. RESULTS: A small, but significant, increase was found in mean DJD score 8 weeks after surgery, compared with mean preoperative score. An inverse relationship was found between preoperative DJD score and the difference between postoperative and preoperative DJD scores. Mean TSA 8 weeks after surgery was significantly higher than mean TSA immediately after surgery. Analysis of data for the second stifle joints in the 78 dogs that underwent bilateral surgery yielded similar results. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that there was a small, but measurable, increase in the severity of radiographic changes attributed to osteoarthritis in the stifle joints of dogs that underwent tibial plateau leveling osteotomy because of cranial cruciate ligament rupture.     

植物生长促生菌浸种对高寒地区燕麦生长及固氮的效应

将燕麦Avena sativa种子用植物生长促生菌(PGPR)悬浮液浸泡处理后播种于栽培盆中,观测其对燕麦生长、产量及与产量形成有关的株高、根长、绿叶数、干质量等部分农艺性状的影响以及浸种后植物的固氮效率。结果表明:植物生长促生菌浸种能促进燕麦株高和根系生长,增加燕麦的叶片数,提高燕麦生物产量和固氮效率。在10个菌剂中,W6增加干质量和叶片数最明显;O3,T1,W6和W5促进株高效果较好;W6和M处理对促进根系的生长效果最好。     

Surgical correction of a coxofemoral luxation in a European Honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) by incorporating a toggle-pin technique: A case report

A 2-year-old female European Honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) was diagnosed with a coxofemoral luxation (craniodorsal) of the right leg. Modified toggle pin technique was performed to replace the ruptured ligament of head of femur with an artificial ligament. An anchor was tied to a monofilament-type nonabsorbable suture and placed into the buzzard's acetabular hole through the drilled femoral canal. The buzzard gradually regained full activity by 13 weeks following surgery, displaying a slight lameness but otherwise a completely normal range of motion without relapse or complication. In this specific case, the procedure was uneventful and the buzzard recovered over several months without relapse or complications. Further clinical reports including a larger number of animals are needed in order to determine whether this technique is safe and which surgical technique is more effective in birds with coxofemoral luxation.     

A comparative study of the preventive use of tilmicosin phosphate (Pulmotil premix) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccination in a pig herd with chronic respiratory disease

This study was conducted to compare the effects of a preventive in-feed medication programme using tilmicosin (Pulmotil 200 premix, Elanco Animal Health) at 200 p.p.m. with those of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mh) vaccination programme (Stellamune Mycoplasma, Pfizer Animal Health). A pig herd with chronic respiratory disease in which infection with Mh played an important role was selected, and a total of 204 piglets were randomly allocated to either the medication (P) or the vaccination (V) group. Pigs in the P group received medicated feed for 3 weeks after weaning (days 34-55), and for 2 weeks late in the nursery period (days 77-98). The piglets in the V group were vaccinated twice intramuscularly, at 4 and 22 days of age. The two groups were compared on the basis of average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion rate (FCR), additional curative medication days (CMD), overall mortality (major variables), a coughing index, pneumonia lesions, and serology against Mh, influenza H1N1 and influenza H3N2 viruses, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) and porcine reproductive and respirator, syndrome virus (PRRSV) (minor variables). No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed for ADG (555 g/day in P group; 567 g/day in V group), FCR (2.64 in P group; 2.41 in V group) and mortality rate (11% in P group; 7% in V group). The average number of additional curative medication days (CMD) per pig was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the P group (1.5) than in the V group (0.58). At slaughter age, the serological results and the prevalence of macroscopic lung lesions were comparable in the two groups (P > 0.05). With the exception of CMD, the preventive use of tilmicosin at this swine farm was found to confer similar beneficial effects to Mh vaccination.