Occlusal fissures of the equine cheek tooth: Prevalence,location and association with disease in 91 horses referred for dental investigation

Reason for performing study: Fissures of the occlusal surface of the equine cheek tooth are poorly understood and their association with dental disease is unknown. Objective: To describe the prevalence and location of occlusal fissures in the cheek teeth (CT) of a group of horses referred for dental investigation/treatment, and determine association with intercurrent dental disease. Methods: Digital video recordings of oral endoscopic examinations for all horses referred to the Rossdales Equine Hospital for dental investigation from November 2006 to June 2009 were reviewed. Location of occlusal fissures in relation to both Triadan tooth position and pulpar secondary dentine was recorded; direction of fissure and concurrent involvement of enamel was also documented. The CT location considered at the time of examination to be the primary site/s of disease was correlated with presence of fissures on these teeth. Results: 91 cases meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. Occlusal fissures were documented in 58.2% (53/91) cases, with a total of 227 CT being affected. Fissures were most prevalent mid‐arcade. The majority (92.1%) of fissures in maxillary CT were associated with the caudal palatal pulp horn. Fissures in mandibular CT were predominantly associated with the buccal pulp horns (95.7%). There was no significant difference in the median number of CT with fissures in relation to gender. There was no correlation between age (r²= 0.01) of horse and number of CT with fissures. A significantly greater number of CT with multiple occlusal fissures was found in mandibular compared to maxillary arcades. No correlation was found between presence of fissures and location of individual CT considered to be primarily responsible for presentation. Conclusions: Occlusal fissures in this group of animals were common and not correlated to primary site of dental disease. Potential relevance: In horses subjected to dental investigation, occlusal fissures of the cheek teeth should not be considered an indicator of tooth compromise. Location and direction of fissure propagation in most cases is inconsistent with occlusal fissures being causally implicated in slab fractures of cheek teeth, although site predilection may indicate a possible association with masticatory forces.     

A Combined Tension Band and Lag Screw Technique for Fixation of Olecranon Osteotomies

A combined tension band and lag screw technique for fixation of olecranon osteotomies was used in six canine clinical patients weighing 4.5 to 19 kg. After the proximal part of the ulnar shaft was exposed, a screw hole was drilled and tapped just cranial to the caudal cortex of the olecranon. An osteotomy was performed and the hole in the olecranon fragment was overdrilled to form a gliding hole. For reconstruction, the olecranon was reduced anatomically and compressed with a screw placed in lag fashion. With the trochlear notch exposed, a Kirschner wire was inserted cranial to the screw, using care not to enter the elbow joint. A double-twist figure-eight tension band wire was placed around the Kirschner wire in five dogs and around the screw in one dog. In this dog, a spiked washer was used with the screw because a small olecranon fragment had been produced by incorrect osteotomy position. A painful soft tissue swelling over the prominent washer, which resolved after implant removal, was the only complication attributed to the technique. The combined tension band wire and lag screw technique was a rapid and reliable method for fixation of olecranon osteotomies.     

Force Plate Analysis of Triple Pelvic Osteotomy for the Treatment of Canine Hip Dysplasia

Triple pelvic osteotomy was performed in 15 dogs with bilateral hip dysplasia. Ten dogs were treated bilaterally and five dogs were treated unilaterally. Ten untreated dogs with normal hips served as controls. Force plate analysis, lameness evaluation, and radiography were performed before surgery and at weeks 5, 10, 15, and 28. Three dogs treated unilaterally were euthanatized and the hips were examined grossly and microscopically. Force plate data indicated that young dysplastic dogs transmitted significantly less vertical force through the hip joints than normal dogs. The force transmitted through treated hips reached or approached control levels by week 28 and was significantly greater than the force transmitted through untreated hips. Clinical lameness resolved in 92% of limbs and progression of radiographically detectable degenerative joint disease was minimal. Gross and microscopic degenerative changes in the articular cartilage were similar in the treated and untreated hips. The synovial membrane was less reactive in treated hips.     

Spinal cord degeneration in hound ataxia

An ataxia is described in seven Foxhounds, seven Harrier hounds and two Beagle hounds, aged from 2 to 7 years. Weakness and incoordination occurred in the hind-legs; there was no loss of deep reflexes or of conscious pain sensation. The panniculus reflex was abnormal in 75 per cent of animals examined. Pathologically, Wallerian degeneration was present in the spinal cord, especially in the cervical and thoracic levels, but the dorsal and lateral columns were largely spared. Secondary degeneration occurred in ascending tracts in the brainstem. All the animals were kept under hunt conditions and were usually fed a diet of paunch and occasional knacker meat. The cause of the condition was not established but it may be related to nutritional deficiency or to neurotoxicity.     

Subclinical ultrasonographic abnormalities of the suspensory ligament branch of the athletic horse: A survey of 60 Thoroughbred racehorses

Reasons for performing study: Ultrasonographic (US) abnormalities of the suspensory ligament branch (SLB) have been poorly investigated but can have considerable impact on market value and career path when encountered in athletic horses. There is a need for determination of the prevalence and relationship to clinical injury of these US abnormalities in the Thoroughbred (TB) racehorse. Objectives: To establish the prevalence of, and the repeatability of an US grading system for, subclinical US abnormalities of the forelimb SLB in a population of UK TB flat racehorses. Methods: Ultrasonographic assessment of the forelimb SLBs of 60 TB racehorses free from history and clinical indication of SLB desmopathy in a single UK training yard was performed. Images were viewed independently by 2 blinded observers and graded for US abnormality. Interobserver agreement was assessed using Cohen's kappa statistic with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: Prevalence of horses with subclinical US abnormality of the forelimb SLB of moderate severity was 6.7%. Medial branches were overrepresented. Inter observer agreement was substantial for US grade (kappa = 0.743; 95% CI 0.652–0.834) and almost perfect for appearance of sesamoid bone at ligament insertion (kappa = 0.817; 95% CI 0.66–0.98). Conclusions: The study reveals that a proportion of TB racehorses in flat training free from history or clinical signs of SLB injury have US abnormalities that could negatively impact on market value and career path. Potential relevance: Clinicians should be aware that US abnormalities of the SLB may not always be related to clinical desmopathy. Further longitudinal studies are required to determine whether such findings are predictive for future injury.     

Cryptococcal infection of the central nervous system of a dog in the United Kingdom

Cryptococcal infection of the C.N.S. is described in a two-year-old Borzoi dog. The animal showed limb weakness progressing over a period of five months to spastic paraplegia with head tremor, stiffness of the neck and nystagmus. On post-mortem examination there was severe hydrocephalus and granulomatous ependymitis. Cryptococci were found in the lesions and were identified on the basis of morphology and reaction to specific fluorescent antibody. This is believed to be the first case of canine cryptococcosis reported in the United Kingdom.     

Mortality of Diplodus annularis and Lithognathus mormyrus released by recreational anglers: implications for recreational fisheries management

Abstract  The factors affecting mortality in Diplodus annularis (L.) and Lithognathus mormyrus (L.) caught and released in a recreational fishery in the Balearic Islands (NW Mediterranean) were examined. A total of 194 and 214 specimens of each species, respectively, were caught and individually monitored in containment tanks for 10 days. The circumstances of the catch, such as capture depth, water temperature, fish size, hook type, hook location, bleeding, unhooking time and cutting the hook line were tested with a logistic regression model. Diplodus annularis experienced moderate rates of mortality (15%), and only deep-hooking was a significant predictor of death. The incidence of undersized fish for this species was 48%. By contrast, L. mormyrus exhibited higher mortality rates (33%) with over 90% of the catch under the minimum legal size. Deep-hooking was the strongest predictor of mortality. When circle hooks were used, or if the line was cut when the fish were deep-hooked, mortality was considerably reduced. Strategies, such as promoting the use of more selective gears that reduce the capture of undersized fish and implementing gentler release techniques, should be considered in managing these species.