Femoral Head and Neck Fractures in the Dog and Cat: A Review of 115 Cases

Case histories of 115 dogs and cats with fractures of the femoral head or neck, were reviewed; these animals had been presented to the Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital between 1969 and 1976. Signalment, fracture type by anatomic location, fracture to fixation interval, surgical approaches used, methods of surgical repair, surgical complications, and final results of surgical repair were examined. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head was not a clinically significant problem following internal fixation in this study. Most animals had very good to excellent limb function following fracture repair.     

Clinical Nutrition in Gerontology: Chronic Renal Disorders of the Dog and Cat

The recent advances in the nutrition of companion animals has resulted in a longer possible life-span for dogs and cats and an improvement in their quality of life. Numerous studies about geriatric animals show that an aging dog or cat requires a specific nutritional formulation that considers the metabolic changes associated with age. A correct diet plays an important role in the treatment of some chronic pathologies in aging animals, particularly those for which the aging process modifies the organ function. A correct diet can provide therapeutic support to the administration of drugs that can sometimes compromise organ function. In the present study, we identify key aspects of the clinical nutrition during chronic renal disorders of dogs and cats, diseases with an elevated incidence and a major cause of mortality in geriatric animals. The aim of nutritional treatment for dogs and cats affected by chronic renal disorders is to improve the quality and length of life, assuring an adequate amount of energy and slowing the progression of renal failure. To improve treatment efficacy it is necessary to prepare different dietary rations during the various stages of disease, on the basis of clinical signs and laboratory data.

     

Clinical Nutrition in Gerontology: Chronic Renal Disorders of the Dog and Cat

The recent advances in the nutrition of companion animals has resulted in a longer possible life-span for dogs and cats and an improvement in their quality of life. Numerous studies about geriatric animals show that an aging dog or cat requires a specific nutritional formulation that considers the metabolic changes associated with age. A correct diet plays an important role in the treatment of some chronic pathologies in aging animals, particularly those for which the aging process modifies the organ function. A correct diet can provide therapeutic support to the administration of drugs that can sometimes compromise organ function. In the present study, we identify key aspects of the clinical nutrition during chronic renal disorders of dogs and cats, diseases with an elevated incidence and a major cause of mortality in geriatric animals. The aim of nutritional treatment for dogs and cats affected by chronic renal disorders is to improve the quality and length of life, assuring an adequate amount of energy and slowing the progression of renal failure. To improve treatment efficacy it is necessary to prepare different dietary rations during the various stages of disease, on the basis of clinical signs and laboratory data.     

Feline Onychectomy at a Teaching Institution: A Retrospective Study of 163 Cases

One hundred sixty-three cats underwent onychectomy from January 1985 to November 1992. Onychectomy was performed with guillotine-type nail shears (62%), surgical blade (24.5%), or both (8.6%), and wound closure consisted of bandages alone (61.3%), bandages after suture closure (26.4%), or tissue adhesive application (9.2%). The duration of surgery was significantly longer when onychectomy was performed with a blade or when suture closure was used instead of bandages alone ( P < .05). Fifty percent of the cats had one or more complications immediately after surgery. Early postoperative complications included pain (38.1%), hemorrhage (31.9%), lameness (26.9%), swelling (6.3%), or non-weight-bearing (5.6%), and were observed more frequently after blade onychectomy ( P < .001). Follow-up was available in 121 cats; 19.8% developed complications after release. Late postoperative complications included infection (11.6%), regrowth (7.4%), P2 protrusion (1.7%), palmagrade stance (1.7%), and prolonged, intermittent lameness (0.8%). Late postoperative complications were observed more frequently after shears onychectomy ( P = .018). Use of tissue adhesive was associated with more postoperative lameness ( P < .02) and, when used after shears onychectomy, with more infections ( P = .049).     

Tonometry in the Dog and Cat

Abstract— A review is presented of the methods, procedure and value of the use of tonometry in the dog and cat.
Résumé— L'auteur passe en revue les méthodes, les techniques et la valeur de l'emploi de la tonométric chez le chien et le chat.
Zusammenfassung— Es wird eine Übersicht über die Methoden, das Verfahren und die Bedeutung der Tonometrie bie Hund und Katze gegeben.     

Total Ear Canal Ablation Clinical Results in the Dog and Cat

The clinical results of 39 consecutive ear ablations (in 28 dogs and three cats) performed over a 15-year period were reviewed. Indications for ear canal ablation included hyperplastic tissue stenosis of the horizontal ear canal (23), failed lateral ear resections (13), and horizontal ear canal neoplasms (3). Ear ablation was successful in alleviating persistent signs of otitis in eight of 15 dogs with horizontal ear canal stenosis due to hyperplastic tissue, seven of 10 dogs with unsuccessful lateral ear resections, and two of five animals (three cats and two dogs) with horizontal ear canal neoplasms (follow-up time periods greater than 5 months). Surgical complications occurred following 82% of the ablations; wound infections (41%) and facial nerve damage (36%) were most common. Local wound and antibiotic therapy successfully treated prolonged drainage following ablation in five of nine dogs. Bulla osteotomy and drainage were successful in the treatment of three dogs (four ears) that were unresponsive to medical therapy with postoperative ear fistula following ablation, one of two dogs with prolonged ear drainage following ablation for failed lateral ear resection, and one dog with recurrence of signs of inner ear disease following ablation (follow-up period, 1 month to 4 years; mean, 3.4 years). Facial nerve damage caused by ablation was transient in nine of 14 ears, with most deficits returning to normal within 2 weeks.     

Preliminary Results of Clinical Renal Allograft Transplantation in the Dog and Cat

Renal allograft transplantation was performed as treatment for terminal renal failure in six veterinary patients. Three patients failed to survive the postsurgical period, one patient died due to acute allograft rejection, one patient died subsequent to complications of previous parenteral hyperalimentation and infection, and one patient was euthanatized due to the inability of the clients to maintain the effort necessary to manage a transplant recipient. Further clinical studies are necessary to determine if renal transplantation with cyclosporine (cyclosporin A)/prednisolone immunosuppression has the potential to provide practical treatment of terminal renal disease in clinical veterinary medicine. Pharmacologic and immunologic monitoring of transplant recipients with individualized immunosuppression is imperative. Careful surveillance is necessary to identify and eliminate nosocomial sources of infection. Candidates for transplantation cannot be critically ill or malnourished prior to surgery, and pet owners must be prepared for the financial and time commitments associated with caring for a renal allograft recipient.     

Ventral Rhinotomy in the Dog and Cat

The nasal cavities of 14 dogs and three cats were explored surgically using a ventral rhinotomy. The exposure achieved through this approach was considered to be equal to a dorsal rhinotomy. One animal died during the immediate postoperative period from perforation of a gastric ulcer. The other animals recovered well and had no significant complications. The long-term survival of the animals was consistent with previous reports for their diseases. Ventral rhinotomy is no more difficult than dorsal rhinotomy, has less patient morbidity and fewer postoperative complications, and is more cosmetically acceptable.     

Pancarpal Arthrodesis in the Dog: A Review of Forty-five Cases

This report describes an open surgical technique for pancarpal arthrodesis and its efficacy in 45 canine cases. Indications for carpal arthrodesis include hyperextension injuries, severe fracture/luxations, end-stage arthritis, and selected neurologic deficits. Chronic joint instability was the major indication for surgery (76%). Degenerative joint disease (18%) and neurologic deficits (6%) accounted for the other cases. In a subjective owner survey, 97% of the owners reported that their animals' gait improved following arthrodesis, and 74% stated that their animals walked and ran normally.     

Coxofemoral Luxation in the Dog and Cat

The medical records from 95 cases of coxofemoral luxation in dogs and cats were reviewed. Unilateral craniodorsal luxation was most common, (78.1% of dogs, 72.7% of cats). Trauma from being struck by an automobile was the most frequent cause (59.0%). Treatment was closed (manual) or open (surgical) reduction. The failure rate following single closed reduction was 64.8%. The surgical reduction procedure included capsular repair (capsulorrhaphy) via a craniolateral approach to the hip or via trochanteric osteotomy or gluteal tenotomy. The success rate following reduction via the craniolateral approach was 82%; no failure was recorded with trochanteric transposition, but reluxa-tion followed the single gluteal tenotomy. The Ehmer sling was the most common external fixation and was kept in place an average of 12.5 days. Thirty-three animals were available for follow-up, and no difference was recorded in limb function between the two groups of animals treated by closed vs surgical reduction. Patients with degenerative joint disease at the time of luxation were less likely to be successfully reduced; 64.3% of these animals were eventually treated by femoral head and neck excision. Thirty-eight patients had associated major injuries. Long-term follow-up results were better in those patients with concomitant orthopedic injuries than in those without other injuries.