Multiple squamous cell carcinoma of the digits in two cats

This paper describes the clinical and pathological features of two cats with squamous cell carcinoma affecting several digits. Similar lesions have been described in dogs and humans.     

In Vitro Biomechanical Comparison of Solid and Tubular Interlocking Nails in Neonatal Bovine Femurs

This study biomechanically evaluates solid and tubular interlocking nails in bovine neonatal femurs. Paired femurs from 40 neonatal dairy calves were obtained for mechanical testing. Intact femurs and four combinations of experimentally manipulated femurs (intact or ostectomized femurs with either a solid or tubular interlocking nail) were tested in craniocaudal and lateromedial bending, eccentric axial compression, and external torsion to evaluate composite rigidity, local/gap stiffness, and load to failure (compression and torsion only). In torsional composite rigidity, femurs with tubular interlocking nails were more compliant than intact femurs or intact femurs with solid interlocking nails (P <.001). Ostectomized femurs with solid interlocking nails were similar to intact femurs with tubular interlocking nails. Within femurs with tubular interlocking nails, ostectomized femurs were more compliant than intact femurs (P <.0001). In craniocaudal and lateromedial bending rigidity, ostectomized femurs were more compliant than intact femurs, regardless of interlocking nail type (P <.001). Within ostectomized femurs, tubular interlocking nails were more compliant than solid interlocking nails in craniocaudal bending (P <.05) and there was a similar trend in lateromedial bending (P=.06). In eccentric axial compression, local/ gap stiffness was significantly greater in intact femurs compared with intact femurs with solid (48% of intact bone) or tubular (45% of intact bone) interlocking nails and ostectomized femurs with solid (18% of intact bone) or tubular (11 % of intact bone) interlocking nails (P <.0001). In torsional testing, local/gap stiffness was not significantly different between intact femurs and intact femurs with interlocking nails, but was significantly lower in ostectomized femurs with solid (2% of intact bone) and tubular (0.2% of intact bone) interlocking nails (P <.0001). In torsional and compressive failure testing, plastic deformation of the tubular interlocking nail occurred at the unoccupied screw hole at the ostectomy site before bone failure. Interlocking nails should be considered as an optional repair method for neonatal bovine femoral fractures. Until the actual physiological loading characteristics of neonatal calf femurs are measured, it is uncertain whether solid or tubular interlocking nails tested in this study will provide sufficient strength and stiffness to stabilize neonatal bovine femoral fractures and facilitate healing.     

RADIOGRAPHICALLY VISUALIZED SKELETAL CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDOSIS VI IN CATS

The radiographic skeletal form and structure of all cats with mucopolysaccharidosis VI is described. Common manifestations included epiphyseal dysplasia, generalized osteoporosis, abnormal nasal turbinate development, his subluxation, impaired development of skeletal growth, pectus excavatum, hyoid hypoplasia, aplasia, hypoplasia and fragmentation or abnormal ossification of the dens, and aplasia or hypoplasia of frontal and sphenoid sinuses. The skeletal measurements of two affected cats were compared with those of normal, sex-matched littermates, and the measurements of two affected female cats were compared with those of a normal male littermate.     

Combination of a Corticai Allograft With a Cancellous Autograft in the Canine Tibia

This study was undertaken to determine what difference, if any, occurred when autogenous cancellous bone was placed in the medullary canal of a fresh, 4-cm cortical allograft compared to a fresh cortical allograft alone. Twelve mature dogs were used. A tubular cortical graft was placed in the midshaft of both tibias. The right tibia received the combination graft while the left tibia received a fresh cortical allograft only. Study periods ranged from one week to 17 weeks. The progress of the grafts was assessed by technetium-99m radionuclide bone scans, radiographs, gross and histological examination, and tetracycline labeling. Results indicate that autogenous cancellous bone placed in the medullary canal of a fresh cortical allograft was beneficial to the ingrowth of new blood vessels and incorporation of the cortical graft.     

The effect of training on equine metacarpal bone breaking strength

Right third metacarpal bones (n=24) from Thoroughbreds, 24 to 48 months old and in race training, were tested to failure in 3 point bending. The neutral load axis was estimated and the distance from the axis to the outer dorsal cortical surface measured. Mid-diaphyseal dorsopalmar and lateromedial outer cortical and medullary diameters were measured. Breaking strength, cortical area and area moment of inertia were also calculated. Significant correlations were demonstrated between months in training and dorsopalmar bone diameter, cortical area and area moment of inertia. Significant linear models were illustrated between the same 3 variables and number of months in training. It was concluded that increased duration of training significantly enlarges dorsopalmar bone diameter, cortical area and area moment of inertia. Training did not affect metacarpal bone breaking strength as determined by 3 point bending.     

The effect of dietary lipid and lecithin levels on the growth, survival, feeding efficiency, production and carcass composition of post-larval Penaeus monodon Fabricius

Abstract. Eight semi-purified diets were formulated to investigate the effects of dietary lipid and lecithin levels on the performance and carcass composition of post-larval Penaeus monodon Fabricius.
Supplementary soyabean lecithin levels from 0 to 9% and total dietary lipid (cod liver oil:soyabean oil at a ratio of 3:1) levels from 3·5 to 12·5% at 3% increments were tested in diets that were isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. The diets were fed for 50 days to triplicate groups of post-larval P. monodon held in a laboratory marine recirculated water system.
Despite poor overall performance due to the purified dietary ingredients, the absence of basal lipids and/or lecithin was found to result in the poorest performance. Optimum production was obtained with a diet containing 3% basal lipid and 3% lecithin at a total lipid level of 6·5%. The addition of dietary lecithin (particulariy at 46·63% of the total lipid) at up to 3% in terms of growth, feeding efficiency and production or 6% in terms of survival significantly ( P < 0·05) increased shrimp production. Lecithin was therefore probably acting as a growth, survival and/or phago-stimulant in P. monodon.
The total lipid requirements are consistent with those reported by other workers for penaeid shrimp, and are probably a result of the requirement for essential fatty acids, the stimulant properties of lecithin and the calorigenic effects of high dietary lipid levels.     

The Effect of Trans-Stifle External Skeletal Fixation and Hyaluronic Acid Therapy on Articular Cartilage in the Dog

Transarticular external skeletal (TES) fixators were applied unilaterally to the stifle joints of 10 young adult dogs. After 4 weeks, the fixators were removed from all dogs. Two dogs were not allowed a remobilization period, whereas 8 dogs were provided with 4 additional weeks of weight-bearing activity in a kennel run. Four dogs were given high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid by intra-articular injection weekly during the remobilization period. Clinical gait evaluations and range of motion were determined during the remobilization period. Articular cartilage samples from both stifle joints of all dogs were evaluated histologically and histochemically. No significant differences in gait scores or range of motion were noted between treated and untreated dogs. Articular cartilage proteoglycan content was reduced after 4 weeks of trans-stifle external skeletal fixation as determined by loss of alcian blue (AB) histochemical staining. Improved homogeneity of histochemical staining was observed after remobilization. However, remobilization was associated with histological damage to the surface and tangential layers of articular cartilage. Remobilization combined with hyaluronic acid (HA) therapy improved histochemical staining and reduced structural damage to articular cartilage when compared with remobilization alone.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—SPINAL CORD CHONDROSARCOMA ASSOCIATED WITH SPIROCERCOSIS IN A DOG

A 7‐year‐old neutered female Boerboel cross was examined for progressive left pelvic limb lameness. There was no left patellar reflex but the remaining pelvic limb reflexes were hyperreflexic. Radiographically, there was a poorly mineralized opacity occupying the intervertebral foramen at L4–L5. On computed tomography images there was a hyperattenuating intramedullary lesion at L4–L5 that continued caudally, lateralized to the left and became extramedullary, terminating at L5–L6. In addition, well marginated, hyperattenuating lesions were noted at two muscular sites. The dog underwent euthanasia and a caudal esophageal mass was found at post mortem examination. The tumors in the spinal cord, the esophagus, and the skeletal muscles were diagnosed histologically as low‐grade chondrosarcoma undergoing endochondral ossification. Spirocerca lupi‐induced esophageal chondrosarcoma was believed to be the primary site from which the other, presumably metastatic, lesions originated.