A putative clostridial myositis in a dog

A clinical case of possible clostridial myositis in a dog and its treatment is described. This condition is rare in carnivores and bacteriological examination was not made in this case. Tests revealed neutrophilia, together with increased levels of aspartate aminotransferase and creatine phosphokinase (CPK). One month after the onset of the disease, all these parameters were again normal apart from CPK which did not regain a normal level until five months later, by which time cicatrisation of the lesion by second intention was complete.     

Suspected clostridial myositis in a domestic cat

Extract

Sir:- A long-haired domestic cat. aged two years, appeared normal when fed by the owner, at 9.00am. At 3.00pm the cat arrived home walking on three legs. The other leg appeared very painful. The owner brought the cat to the clinic immediately as she thought it has been hit by a car.     

Double intussusception fatally complicated by clostridial infection in a dog (a case report)

A 10-month-old Alsation dog with history of anorexia, diarrhoea, dehydration and vomition developed a double intussusception which affected the distal jejunum and proximal ileum. Necropsy revealed the intussusception to be swollen and congested with fibrinous adhesions between the intussusceptum and intussuscepiens. Two pieces of bone believed to be the inciting cause were found within the intussusceptum. Clostridium welchii and Clostridium bifermentans were isolated from the lesions.     

Management of a complicated maxillary fourth premolar crown-root fracture in a dog

A five-year-old spayed/female Border Collie was presented with a crown-root fracture of the maxillary left fourth premolar. Surgical endodontic, and restorative techniques were performed to maintain the tooth. Re-examination 18-months following therapy indicated a successful outcome with no radiographic signs of periapical pathology.     

Intramuscular injection techniques and the development of clostridial myositis or cellulitis in horses

A survey of 584 veterinarians in equine practice was performed to determine their intramuscular injection techniques and the influence of those techniques on the development of clostridial myositis or cellulitis. Usable responses were obtained from 439 veterinarians (75.2%). Of these, 414 used a new needle and syringe for each injection, 241 swabbed the site with a cleansing/disinfectant agent, and 242 swabbed the top of multidose injection bottles with a similar solution. Only 2 clipped the hair at the injection site. Twenty eight of the respondents reported that at least 1 horse developed a clostridial infection at the injection site following 1 of their injections. None of the various injection techniques had a significant influence on the development of clostridial infection at the injection site.     

Femoral fracture repair complicated by vascular injury in a foal

A comminuted, mid-diaphyseal femoral fracture was diagnosed radiographically in a 4-month-old Quarter Horse colt. Disruption of the distal blood supply was suspected, as evidenced by coolness and diminished pulses of the distal portion of the limb. The fracture was repaired by compression plating but the foal's condition continued to deteriorate. A femoral arteriogram of the affected limb was obtained. Positive contrast agent was visible only as far as the mid-shaft of the femur. The foal was euthanatized and the postmortem examination revealed a transected popliteal artery accounting for ischemic necrosis of the distal limb.     

Allo-implant reconstruction of a femoral fracture following osteomyelitis

A complicated, segmented fracture of the femoral diaphysis in a dog is presented. Complications arose from multiple surgeries and subsequent osteomyelitis. Repair was staged by firstly removing all implants, secondly treating the osteomyelitis with appropriate antibiotics while spanning the cortical-deficient fracture site with a Kirschner external fixator, and finally rigid fixation of the fracture with incorporation of an ethylene oxide-sterilised intercalary cortical allo-implant. Principles of bone grafting are reviewed.     

Spontaneous capital femoral physeal fracture in a cat

A young neutered male cat was presented with a 1-week history of left hind limb lameness. Pain and crepitus were identified on manipulation of the left coxofemoral joint. Radiographic evaluation led to the diagnosis of physeal dysplasia with slipped capital femoral epiphysis of the left femur, which did not respond to conservative management.     

Surgical repair of a comminuted femoral gunshot fracture in a dog

A three-year-old beagle was presented with a hindlimb lameness following a gunshot wound. Radiographs revealed a grade II open, femoral fracture with severe comminution. Repair was made with an intercalary composite graft stabilised by a double hook plate.     

Pathological femoral fracture due to rhabdomyosarcoma in a cat

An eight-year-old neutered male domestic shorthaired cat was presented with non-weightbearing lameness of the right hindlimb. On radiography, a pathological, metaphyseal femoral fracture was apparent, with areas of bony lysis directly surrounding the fracture site. The cat underwent amputation of the limb. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of a tumour of mesenchymal cells with cytoplasm-containing vacuoles which stained positive with the periodic acid-schiff reaction, indicative of glycogen granules that may be found in rhabdomyosarcoma cells. In addition, the tumour cells stained positive for vimentin and desmin on immunohistochemical examination, thus confirming the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma. In spite of the radical surgery performed, the cat was euthanased due to a recurrence at the amputation site four and a half months later.     

Condylar buttress plate fixation of femoral fracture in a colt

A Salter-Harris type-II fracture of the distal portion of the femur in a 1-year-old Pony of America was repaired by use of lateral plating combined with interfragmentary compression. The configuration of the fracture and the method of internal fixation with a condylar buttress plate were unique and resulted in primary bone healing, seen at the 5-month follow-up examination.     

Stabilization of a proximal femoral physeal fracture in a filly by use of cancellous bone screws.

A Salter-Harris type-II fracture of the proximal portion of the right femur in a 2-month-old filly was reduced and stabilized with three 6.5-mm-diameter, 100-mm-long cancellous bone screws through a dorsal approach to the right coxofemoral joint. The screws were removed after 11 months because the filly became lame in the affected limb. The surgical wounds dehisced despite preventive measures, most likely because of tightness of skin in the coxal region. Seven years after the original injury, the horse could perform vigorous paddock exercise without any disability. Early internal fixation of proximal femoral physeal fractures in foals can provide a good long-term prognosis.     

Plating and grafting for nonunion of a subtrochanteric femoral fracture in a dog

Healing problems following pin and wire reduction of an unstable subtrochanteric femoral fracture are described. A nonunion was treated in a two year old spayed Springer Spaniel by plating and autogenous bone grafting.