Healing of Cortical Bone Grafts in the Dog The Role of Azathioprine

Sixteen unrelated beagles, randomly divided into groups of four, were used in evaluating the role of therapeutic immunosuppression in the healing of fresh cortical bone allografts over a 16-week period. The four groups included: nontreated allograft, treated allograft, nontreated autograft, and treated autograft. A 2.7-cm tibial cortical graft was fixed orthotopically using a dynamic compression plate. Healing was evaluated by radiography and by gross and histologic studies at 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks after surgery. The treated dogs were immunosuppressed with azathioprine for eight weeks postsurgery. The conclusions were that: temporary immunosuppression did not significantly alter healing of fresh cortical bone autografts; healing of fresh cortical bone allografts in immunosuppressed dogs was similar to healing of fresh cortical bone autografts; slight differences were observed in the healing of bone grafts in all groups after eight weeks; and cellular reaction typical of graft rejection was found in nontreated allografts, but healing still occurred.     

INVESTIGATIONS OF THE LAMENESS IN DOGS IN THE YEARS 1980–1985

The causes of lameness in dogs were analyzed on the basis of radiologic examinations performed in the years 1980–1985. From 1982, there was an increase in the frequency of secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism and eosinophilic panosteitis and a decrease in frequency of osteochondrosis. The pathogenesis of these diseases is discussed in relation to alternations in diet during this time.     

ECTRODACTYLY (SPLIT-HAND DEFORMITY) IN THE DOG

Radiographs of 14 dogs with ectrodactyly of the forelimb were evaluated and the defect classified according to the site of division of the longitudinal axis of the paw. The majority of separations occurred between metacarpal bones one and two, although separations were also noted between metacarpal bones two and three, two and four, and three and four. Other lesions noted in affected limbs included digit contracture, digit aplasia, metacarpal hypoplasia and metacarpal fusions. Bilateral involvement was noted in only one of 14 cases. No breed or sex predisposition was found and there was equal involvement of the left and right limbs.     

酶可促进家禽生长、改善饲料利用率

酶在动物饲料中的应用已有多年的历史,并已证明能帮助家禽取得良好的生产性能。本文作者将讨论酶在家禽营养中的相关事实和数值,以及其被添加入玉米的哪些替代饲料中是有效的。     

Cystourethropexy to Correct Refractory Urinary Incontinence Due to Urethral Sphincter Mechanism Incompetence Preliminary Results in Ten Bitches

Cystourethropexy was performed in 10 bitches with refractory urinary incontinence due to urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence. All animals had an abnormally shaped vesico-urethral junction. The bladder neck was located in the pelvic canal in nine dogs (pelvic bladder). Surgery alone restored urinary continence in two cases and markedly improved incontinence in two cases. Surgery combined with medical therapy (phenylpropanolamine, 1.5 mg/kg orally once or twice a day, using a sustained-action preparation) restored urinary continence in four cases and markedly improved continence in one case. Surgery, with medical therapy, was completely ineffective in one case. No major complications were encountered in any dogs. In four cases, histopathologic evaluation of the dorsal bladder wall and neck revealed the presence of a single, perinuclear, clear vacuole in the cytoplasm of smooth muscle fibers. Electron microscopic examination showed that the vacuoles represented a dilatation of normal membrane organelles. Such abnormalities have the potential to alter the smooth muscle motility. This study indicates that cystourethropexy alone restored urinary continence only temporarily in the majority of the patients. The significance and frequency of the histopathologic findings requires further investigation.     

News from the Scientific Organising Committee Learning new tricks to treat old dogs

Treating elderly pets and maximising your practice returns will be in focus at this year's AVA Annual Conference. The Scientific Organising Committee is delighted that such distinguished international and local speakers have agreed to give presentations in the Small Animal (Geriatric Medicine and Surgery) and Practice Management streams at the conference.
The AVA Conference will be at Hobart's Wrest Point Conference Centre from May 21–26, 2006. To see the full program and to register online visit www.ava.com.au/avaconference.     

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