Evaluation of a modification of the McKinnon technique to correct urine pooling in mares

The urethral fold of 30 mares was split transversely into dorsal and ventral shelves, and the ventral shelf was used to help create a urethral extension. The dorsal shelf was stretched caudally and sutured to the roof of the extension so that it covered at least the cranial half of the extension. For 20 mares, a relaxing, vaginal incision was created cranial to the external urethral orifice to enable the dorsal shelf to be retracted further caudally. Ten of the 30 mares (33.3 per cent) developed a defect, but none developed a defect in that portion covered by the dorsal shelf of the urethral fold. Two of the 30 mares (6.7 per cent) developed a defect so small that the defect could be detected only by inserting a dye, under pressure, into the tunnel. The total number of mares that developed only a grossly visible and palpable defect was eight of 30 (26.6 per cent). Four of the 10 mares that did not receive the relief incision and six of 20 mares that did receive the relief incision developed a defect in the extension. Modifying the McKinnon technique by transversely splitting the urethral fold and retracting the dorsal half helps prevent a defect from forming in the cranial portion of the extension. The dorsal shelf can be retracted further caudally by creating a relief incision on the floor of the vagina.     

Udder edema in cattle: effect of furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, acetazolamide, or 50% dextrose on venous blood pressure

Before injection of diuretic drugs, blood pressures were determined in the cranial superficial epigastric veins (milk vein) and jugular veins of 15 Holstein cows with udder edema at parturition and of 15 healthy (control) cows at parturition. Cows with udder edema had a significant (P less than or equal to 0.05) mean increase in cranial superficial epigastric venous pressure at parturition, compared with that of control cows. After IV administration of 500 mg of furosemide in cows with udder edema, the mean cranial superficial epigastric venous blood pressure significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) decreased within 5 minutes, remained at the decreased pressure for 90 minutes, and then returned to near pretreatment pressures by 210 minutes after furosemide injection; however, furosemide did not significantly affect the jugular venous blood pressure of these cows. Furosemide injection did not significantly affect the cranial superficial epigastric or jugular venous blood pressure in the control cows. After IV administration of hydrochlorothiazide (250 mg), acetazolamide (500 mg), or 50% dextrose (500 g), the cranial superficial epigastric and jugular venous blood pressures in cows with udder edema at parturition were not significantly different from those in cows without udder edema at parturition during the 210-minute evaluation period after injection of the drugs.     

Urethral conformation and position in relation to urinary incontinence in the bitch.

The conformation of the urethra, the position of the bladder neck and the distance between the external urethral orifice and the cranial pubic brim were compared in 30 continent and 30 incontinent bitches with incompetence of the urethral sphincter mechanism, using the measurements made from vagino-urethrograms. The bladder neck was significantly (P less than 0.001) further caudal in incontinent dogs than in continent dogs. Its position was not affected by neutering and could not be explained by the degree of urethral curvature. The distance from the external urethral orifice to the cranial pubic brim was correlated (P less than 0.001) with bodyweight but was not significantly different in the continent and incontinent bitches. In neutered animals, the distance between the cranial pubic brim and the external urethral orifice was significantly (P less than 0.05) shorter than in entire animals.     

Blood flow parameters associated with udder oedema in Jersey cattle affected with rectovaginal constriction

Udder oedema was studied in eight Jersey cows with rectovaginal constriction (RVC) and three normal Jersey cows. A complete physical examination was performed at least two weeks before parturition, at parturition and two weeks after parturition. Jersey cows with RVC developed udder oedema as early as 14 days before parturition, and condition persisted for three to 10 days following parturition. Mammary blood flow and cranial superficial epigastric venous blood pressure were measured in three Jersey cows with RVC with udder oedema and three normal Jersey cows. The former with udder oedema had a significant decrease in mammary blood flow at parturition compared to the normal Jersey cows (P less than 0.05); there was no significant difference in mammary blood flow between Jersey cows with RVC and normal Jersey cows two weeks before parturition (P greater than 0.05). A significant mean increase in cranial superficial epigastric venous blood pressure occurred at parturition when compared to two weeks before parturition in Jersey cows with RVC (P less than 0.05), but normal Jersey cows had no significant increase in cranial superficial epigastric vein pressure during these two periods of measurement (P greater than 0.05). There was no significant increase in jugular vein blood pressure during the two periods of measurement in Jersey cows with RVC or normal Jersey cows (P greater than 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between mammary blood flow and cranial superficial epigastric pressure at parturition (r = 0.733, P less than 0.05).     

Bilateral ureterocystostomy in a 450-kg horse with ectopic ureters.

A 450-kg yearling Clydesdale filly was determined to have bilateral ectopic ureters. The resulting incontinence caused severe malodorous perineal dermatitis. Bladder capacity was measured at 800 ml. The urethral sphincter lacked tone, and the horse was seen to urinate in a normal manner only 2 or 3 times a week. A midline celiotomy was performed, and the ureters were identified by cannulation from the ectopic openings. The ureters were ligated, and the cut ends were anastomosed to the dorsal bladder surface by an extravesicular end-to-side technique. A partial thickness seromuscular layer of the bladder was sutured over the ureters in a cranial direction from the anastomosis site for 15 mm. This fixed the ureters to the dorsal surface of the bladder and protected the anastomosis site from tension. After surgery, the horse urinated n a normal manner many times a day. Urinary incontinence continued, but gradually improved. Bladder capacity increased over 13 months to 4.3 L. Surgical (urethral extension) and medical (phenylpropanolamine and estrogen) treatments were instigated to increase urethral sphincter tone. Urinary incontinence continued to improve and, at 11 months after surgery, incontinence was negligible, and the perineal dermatitis had healed.     

RADIOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF CRANIAL CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RUPTURE IN THE DAIRY COW

Case records and radiographs of 37 dairy cows presented to the University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital with a diagnosis of cranial cruciate ligament rupture were reviewed. Signalment, history, duration of lameness prior to clinical presentation, and physical examination findings were evaluated. Survey radiographs were examined and radiographic lesions were documented. Individual cows were classified into groups (A, B, C) based on the severity of radiographic lesions, with Group A cows having minimal radiographic lesions. Cows in Groups A and B had radiographic lesions similar to Class I in beef bulls reported in another study.^3,4 An attempt was made to relate the severity of radiographic lesions with age and duration of lameness. Group A animals tended to be younger cows (x?= 4.58 years) with a short duration of lameness. Group B cows were older (x?= 7.87 years) with a somewhat longer duration of lameness. Group C cows were slightly younger (x?= 7.30 years) than Group B cows; however, their duration of lameness was much longer (x?= 57.2 weeks vs 6.35 weeks for Group B and 2.54 weeks for Group A). The pathogenesis of cranial cruciate ligament rupture and its associated lameness appeared to differ in dairy cows from beef bulls. The majority of animals in this study had radiographic lesions of mild to moderate severity (Groups A and B). In contrast, based on previous work, beef bulls had a greater tendency to be similar to our Group C designation. Beef bulls became lame with cranial cruciate ligament rupture only after severe lesions of degenerative joint disease had already occurred. It has been stated that lameness associated with cranial cruciate ligament rupture in the beef bull is, therefore, secondary to degenerative joint disease. In contrast, the syndrome in dairy cows, as evidenced here, differs, since they often presented with cranial cruciate ligament rupture with little or no radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease.     

Venous blood pressure relative to the development of bovine udder edema

Cranial superficial epigastric (milk vein) and jugular venous blood pressure were measured in 8 cows with udder edema and in 3 normal control cows at least 2 weeks before parturition, at parturition, and 2 weeks after parturition. Cows with udder edema had a significant mean increase (P less than or equal to 0.05) in cranial superficial epigastric venous pressure at parturition when compared with pressures 2 weeks prepartum and 2 weeks postpartum. Unaffected control cows had an insignificant increase in cranial superficial epigastric venous pressure during these 3 periods of measurement. There was an insignificant increase in jugular venous blood pressure during the 3 periods of measurement in affected and control cows. A correlation was observed between mammary blood flow and cranial superficial epigastric blood pressure at parturition (r = -0.659, P less than or equal to 0.05).     

Reconstruction of the urethra by use of an inverse tubed bipedicled flap in a dog with hypospadias

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 1-year-old castrated male German Shepherd Dog was evaluated because of a history of hematuria and stranguria secondary to recurrent urinary tract infections. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Physical examination revealed hypospadias with penile and preputial aplasia. The urethral orifice was just ventral to the ventral aspect of the anocutaneous junction. Ascending urinary tract infections, secondary to fecal contamination of the urethral orifice, were the presumed source of recurrent bouts of cystitis that developed despite periodic antimicrobial treatment. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: A 1-cm-diameter urethral extension was constructed from the urethral mucosal remnant located along the midline of the perineum (urethral trough). Two parallel 4-cm incisions (3 cm apart) were made lateral to that urethral trough. The borders were sutured to form an inverted, epithelium-lined tube (bipedicled flap) attached to the dorsal urethral orifice. The lateral skin margins were sutured over the reconstructed urethral extension, completing the procedure. Postoperative swelling necessitated temporary catheterization of the urinary bladder. After closure of a small fistula from the reconstructed urethral segment, the dog subsequently had only 2 episodes of cystitis during a 3-year period. To minimize skin irritation secondary to urine exposure, the dog's owner regularly trimmed the hair around the new urethral orifice. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In dogs, correction of perineal (subanal) hypospadias via urethral reconstruction should be considered among treatment options. By use of an inverse tubed urethral extension, direct fecal contamination to the lower urinary tract may be effectively eliminated, dramatically reducing the incidence of ascending urinary tract infections in dogs with hypospadias.     

Experimental study of urodynamic changes after ovariectomy in 10 dogs

The urodynamic changes in 10 bitches up to 18 months after they had undergone ovariectomy were investigated. There were significant decreases in the maximum urethral closure pressure, the functional urethral length and the total integrated pressure profile 18 months after spaying, resulting in a caudal shift of the urethral profile, and a deterioration of urethral closure function. Each urethral pressure profile was divided into three equal sections; the mean cranial and middle integrated pressure decreased significantly and consistently over the 18-month observation period whereas the caudal integrated pressure increased.     

Intra-Articular Replacement of Bovine Cranial Cruciate Ligaments with an Autogenous Fascial Graft

Transected cranial cruciate ligaments in nine Holstein heifers were replaced with an autograft harvested from fascia on the medial surface of the gluteobiceps muscle and a connected segment of the lateral patellar ligament. There was minimal lameness at month 1, and all animals were sound by month 2. There was no evidence of degenerative joint disease in any stifles examined at necropsy on days 90, 120, or 365. Augmented healing of the severed cranial cruciate ligaments occurred in several animals. The mean failure strength of the cranial cruciate ligament replacements was 29.7% of the failure strength of the contralateral normal cranial cruciate ligament in four heifers. The technique was successful in eight of 13 bulls and cows with ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments. Animals treated successfully had significantly lower body weights than those with unsuccessful outcomes.     

Meniscal translocation and deformation throughout the range of motion of the equine stifle joint: an in vitro cadaveric study

Reason for performing study: By study of the translocation and deformation of equine menisci throughout the range of motion, it may be possible to identify potential mechanical factors in the pathogenesis of injury to the cranial horn of the medial meniscus. Objective: To quantitatively document meniscal translocation and deformation using radiographic and MR imaging, and to evaluate for potential variation between the medial and lateral menisci. Methods: Radiographic markers were embedded in the periphery of the menisci in 6 cadaver stifles. Proximal‐distal radiographs were taken at 15° intervals ranging from full flexion (30°) to full extension (160°). Magnetic resonance imaging sequences of 3 additional cadaver stifles were obtained in axial and sagittal planes at the predetermined stifle angles. Results: A significantly greater overall mean cranial‐caudal translocation (1.6 times) of the lateral meniscus relative to the medial was seen from full extension to full flexion (P = 0.002). The cranial horn of the medial meniscus was the least mobile of the 4 horns, yet a significant cranial displacement relative to the cranial horn of the lateral meniscus was seen in the terminal 10° of extension. MRI images revealed a significantly greater axial compressive strain in the cranial horn of the medial meniscus relative to the cranial horn of the lateral meniscus in the terminal 10° of extension (P = 0.017). Conclusion: The equine menisci exhibit a cranial‐caudal translocation over the tibia throughout the range of motion. While the cranial horn of the medial meniscus is the least mobile of the 4 horns, it undergoes significant cranial translocation and axial compression in the terminal 10° of extension. Potential relevance: Hyperextension of the stifle may place the cranial horn of the medial meniscus at risk of injury and thus explain the higher prevalence of meniscal tears at this location.     

Incidence of motion loss of the stifle joint in dogs with naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament rupture surgically treated with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy: longitudinal clinical study of 412 cases

OBJECTIVE: To report the incidence of loss of stifle extension or flexion and its relationship with clinical lameness after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal study. ANIMALS: Dogs (n=280) with CCL rupture (n=412). METHODS: TPLO was performed without meniscal release or arthrotomy. Angles of extension and flexion of the stifle were measured by goniometry to determine range of motion. Based upon motion loss, stifles were divided in 3 groups: no loss of extension or flexion (n=322), <10 degrees loss of extension or flexion (n=78), > or =10 degrees loss of extension or flexion (n=12). RESULTS: Loss of extension or flexion > or =10 degrees was associated with significantly (P=.001) higher clinical lameness scores in comparison with no loss, or loss of extension or flexion <10 degrees. Osteoarthrosis in the cranial femorotibial joint was significantly correlated (P<.005, r(2)=0.55) with loss of extension. Loss of extension > or =10 degrees was less tolerable and less amenable to physical rehabilitation than flexion loss. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of extension or flexion > or =10 degrees was responsible for higher clinical lameness scores. Osteoarthrosis in the cranial femorotibial joint led to extension loss. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Loss of extension or flexion should be assessed in dogs with persistent clinical lameness after TPLO so that early intervention can occur. Our study provides guidelines to define clinically relevant loss of extension or flexion of stifle joint after TPLO.     

Ultrasonographic examination of the omasum, liver, and small and large intestines in cows with right displacement of the abomasum and abomasal volvulus

OBJECTIVE: To describe ultrasonographic appearance of the liver, small and large intestines, and omasum in cows with right displacement of the abomasum (RDA) and with abomasal volvulus (AV) and to determine whether RDA and AV can be differentiated on the basis of ultrasonographic findings. ANIMALS: 17 cows with RDA, 9 cows with AV, and 10 healthy control cows. PROCEDURES: A linear transducer was used to examine the abomasum, liver, omasum, and small and large intestines from the right side. Results-The liver was imaged less frequently in cows with RDA or AV, compared with control cows. In 9 cows with RDA or AV, the liver could not be imaged. The small intestine was imaged less frequently in cows with RDA or AV than in control cows; in cows with AV, the small intestine could not be imaged in the 8th, 9th, or 10th intercostal space. The large intestine was imaged less frequently in the 11th and 12th intercostal spaces and the cranial region of the flank in cows with RDA or AV. The omasum was also imaged less frequently in the 8th and 9th intercostal spaces in cows with RDA or AV. Cows with RDA or AV could not be differentiated on the basis of ultrasonographic findings. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Compared with control cows, cows with RDA and AV had changes in positioning and therefore extent of ultrasonographic imaging of the liver, omasum, and small and large intestines; however, these findings were not useful in differentiating between cows with RDA and AV.     

Estimating prevalence of endometritis in smallholder zero-grazed dairy cows in Rwanda

Endometritis is a postpartum uterine disease of cows that interrupts reproductive cycles resulting in suboptimal fertility, reduced performance and profitability of the dairy herd. The objective of the study was to estimate the perceived and observed prevalence of endometritis among zero-grazed dairy cows in smallholder farms in Rwanda. A snowball sampling method was applied in cross-sectional survey to obtain data from 370 farms on 466 cows within their 21–60 days postpartum (dpp). The survey, conducted from September 2018 to March 2019, simultaneously examined cows using the Metricheck Device (MED) to determine the presence and type of vaginal mucus (VMC) based on a score scale of 0 to 3. Cows scoring VMC ≥ 1 were recorded as clinical endometritis (CLE)–positive. Cytotape (CYT) was used to determine the percentages of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) in endometrial cytology sample. Cows with ≥ 5% PMN were recorded subclinical endometritis (SCLE)–positive, whereas cows with VMC-0 and < 5% PMN were considered healthy cows. At cow-level, endometritis prevalence was 70.2% with 67.2% CLE and 31.8% SCLE while at the herd-level, prevalence was 71.1% with 68.1% CLE and 34.4% SCLE. The differences between the diagnostic performance of the MED and CYT were significant (p < 0.001). Perceived prevalence by farmers was much lower (3.2%) and without agreement with the observed prevalence (kappa = − 0.02, p > 0.05). The highly observed prevalence and farmer underestimation of endometritis prevalence indicate knowledge gaps about endometritis. The extension service therefore needs to increase awareness and education among smallholder farmers about detection and management of endometritis.

     

Ultrasonographic findings in cows with right displacement of the abomasum and abomasal volvulus

Seventeen cows with right displacement of the abomasum (rda) without abomasal volvulus, nine cows with abomasal volvulus and 10 clinically healthy cows were examined ultrasonographically. A 5.0 MHz transducer was used to scan the eighth to 12th intercostal spaces and the cranial and caudal aspects of the flank on the right side. The position, size and dorsal and ventral margins of the abomasum were determined at each imaging position. In both groups of diseased cows, the ventral abomasum contained fluid ingesta, which appeared hypoechogenic with diffuse echogenic stippling. The abomasal folds could be seen clearly as echogenic sickle-shaped structures within the ingesta. The dorsal abomasal gas cap varied in size and was characterised by reverberation artefacts, which appeared as echogenic lines running parallel to the body surface. Compared with the healthy cows, the abomasum was larger and located significantly closer to the midline of the dorsum in both groups of cows. Compared with the cows with rda, the abomasum in the cows with abomasal volvulus was significantly smaller in the eighth intercostal space and significantly larger in the 11th intercostal space. It was not possible to differentiate between rda and abomasal volvulus on the basis of the ultrasonographic findings.     

Arterial and venous supply to the bovine jejunum and proximal part of the ileum

The blood vasculature of the bovine jejunum and proximal part of the ileum was studied in 20 mature dairy cows at slaughter. The cranial mesenteric artery and vein supplied the jejunum and ileum, and their major branches were present in all specimens and supplied similar regions of the intestinal tract. Proximal branches of the cranial mesenteric artery were pancreatic arteries, caudal pancreaticoduodenal artery, middle colic artery, and ileocolic artery. A large collateral branch arose from the proximal segment of the cranial mesenteric artery, anastomosing with the continuation of the cranial mesenteric artery distally along the jejunum. Jejunal arteries arose from the continuation of the cranial mesenteric artery, forming a series of anastomosing arches. Straight vessels arising from these arches did not branch or anastomose before entering the serosal layer of the intestine. The proximal part of the ileum was supplied by branches from the continuation of the cranial mesenteric artery; these branches anastomosed with the mesenteric ileal (ilei mesenterialis) artery, a branch of the ileocolic artery. The venous supply paralleled the arterial supply in all specimens.     

Extraction of urethral calculi by transabdominal cystoscopy and urethroscopy in nine dogs

Objectives : To describe a minimally invasive technique for treating urethral obstructions in male dogs and to review the postoperative results. Methods : All dogs (n=9) had urethral obstruction due to calculi. Obstructions were verified by radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations. Dogs with impaired kidney function were not included in the study. A 5‐mm diameter trocar and cannula were placed in the ventral midline, 2 cm cranial to the umbilicus, allowing placement of a 10‐mm diameter cannula under visual guidance, adjacent to the apex of the bladder. The bladder was then partially exteriorised and sutured to the skin. A 5‐mm diameter cystoscopy sheath was introduced into the bladder lumen and advanced into the urethra. Continuous retrograde flushing was used to dislodge the calculi from the site of obstruction and collect them upstream. Results : The nine dogs were followed up for a minimum of 6 months. No major postoperative complications were identified. One dog exhibited transient macroscopic haematuria (for 3 weeks postoperatively). All urethral calculi were removed in the nine dogs. No recurrence was found during the follow‐up period. Clinical Significance : A minimally invasive approach is used to treat urethral obstructions resulting from calculi in the male dogs.     

Thoracotomy in adult dairy cattle: 14 cases (1979-1991).

Fourteen cows were subjected to thoracotomy as an aid in the treatment of either septic pericarditis (n = 7) or unilateral pleuritis (fibrous or purulent; n = 7). Thoracic lesions were primary in 4 cows, secondary to traumatic reticuloperitonitis in 9 cows, and secondary to extension of a liver abscess in 1 cow. Thoracotomy was performed on 9 cows under local anesthesia. Surgery was performed on 5 cows under general anesthesia; 2 died during anesthesia, and 2 others were euthanatized. Of the 10 cows allowed to recover from surgery, 4 had pericarditis and 6 had pleuritis. Four cows with pleuritis had thoracic abscesses. All but 1 cow with pericarditis died or were euthanatized, and 5 of the 6 cows with pleuritis were discharged from the hospital. A year after surgery, 1 cow was culled because of infertility, and the other 5 cows were returned to production.     

Life-threatening injuries of the subcutaneous ventral abdominal veins in dairy cows

Injuries of the superficial veins on the ventral abdomen of dairy cows can result in life-threatening haemorrhage. Treatment of these injuries can be difficult because of the characteristics of the veins. Five cows aged 6.5 to 12 years were referred to the Animal Hospitale Zurich, because of intermittent haemorrhage from a ventral abdominal vein. Four of the cows were near term and one had calved two weeks before referral. Intermittent bleeding was seen from the highly convoluted and dilated subcutaneous tributaries to the cranial superficial epigastric vein (milk vein). The haematocrit of 2 cows was markedly lower than normal. Emergency slaughter of one of the cows was carried out because of advanced age. The other 4 cows were sedated and after application of local anaesthetic, the wounds were debrided and sutured. Two of the cows required a blood transfusion before being operated. There were no postoperative complications. This type of injury seems to occur predominantly in pluriparous dairy cows close to term, in which the tributaries to the milk vein have undergone varicose changes. Treatment should consist of surgical resection of the injured tissue and suturing of the venous wall, subcutaneous tissues and skin.