Bacterial Isolates from Blood Cultures of Dogs Undergoing Dentistry

Bacteria in blood cultures in 30 dogs undergoing high-speed dental scaling and tooth extraction were examined. One or more positive blood cultures were identified in 9 of 30 (30%) dogs. Pasteurella spp. were most frequently (5 dogs) isolated and were sensitive to ampicillin, penicillin, cephalothin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, and sul-famethoxazole with trimethoprim. Twg groups of 15 dogs each, anesthetized or sedated but not undergoing dental procedures, served as non-dentistry controls. There were no significant (p < .05) differences between the number of positive cultures in dentistry and non-dentistry groups. In healthy dogs undergoing high-speed dental scaling and tooth extraction, the occurrence of bacteria in blood cultures was much lower than previously reported. The clinical significance of positive blood cultures was uncertain.     

Effect of Fixation Pin Insertion on the Bone-Pin Interface

Smooth and partially threaded 3.12 mm (1/8 inch) trochar-tipped Steinmann pins were inserted transversely through both diaphyseal cortices of eight mature canine tibias using five methods. Angular velocity (revolutions per minute) during insertion and temperature elevation due to friction during penetration of the second cortex were recorded. The force required for extraction of the pins from the bone and the histologic appearance of the bone-pin interface were determined for one-half of the pins 2 days after insertion and for one-half of the pins 56 days after insertion. The increase in temperature was similar for all methods of insertion except high speed power, which was significantly greater (p < 0.05). The force required for axial pin extraction was similar for pins inserted by hand chuck, predrilled, and low speed power methods after both 2 and 56 days. Pins inserted by high speed power and hand drill required force similar to the others for extraction after 2 days but significantly less force (p < 0.05) for extraction after 56 days. The partially threaded pins required significantly greater force (p < 0.01) extraction after both 2 and 56 days. Histologic examination revealed increased mechanical bone damage surrounding hand chuck inserted pins, increased bone necrosis surrounding high speed power inserted pins, and increased inflammatory changes surrounding hand drill inserted pins.     

Cryosurgical Epiphysiodesis in the Dog

Transphyseal freezing of the canine distal femur was evaluated to determine its effect on physeal growth and closure. A specially designed cryoprobe was used to freeze the distal right femoral physis in 17 immature dogs. The left distal femoral physis was sham operated to serve as a control. Dogs were radiographed weekly and euthanized from 2 days to 8 weeks following surgery. The rate of long bone growth decreased in all dogs, and the physis was closed at 6 to 8 weeks.
Histologic studies on the distal femoral physes revealed that immediately after freezing, there was extensive hemorrhage in the epiphysis and metaphysis with disruption of the physis. Inflammation and death of the physeal cartilage followed. Blood vessels invaded the physis, and eventually bone was formed between the epiphysis and metaphysis, resulting in complete and premature physeal closure.     

Caudal Approach to the Shoulder Joint in the Dog

A caudal approach to the scapulohumeral joint for treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral head was performed in seven dogs. By 14 days after surgery, three of the seven dogs were walking normally. At 6 weeks after surgery, all dogs were considered sound. Visualization was adequate for curettage of the osteochondritis dissecans lesions. Access to the medial joint compartment also was afforded.     

Retroversion of the Epiglottis as a Complication of Endotracheal Intubation in the Horse A Pilot Study

As part of a study of possible causes of postoperative pulmonary complications of general anesthesia in the horse, lateral cervical radiographs were taken after endotracheal intubation in nine randomly selected horses. The epiglottis was found to be retroverted in three. Subsequently, the effects of epiglottic retroversion during anesthesia on postoperative laryngeal function were investigated experimentally in three horses by fluoroscopy. No untoward sequelae were observed. Prophylaxis and potential adverse effects of this previously unreported complication of endotracheal intubation in the horse are discussed.     

Maple syrup urine disease in calves: a clinical, pathological and biochemical study

The clinical, pathological and biochemical findings of a study of 30 Poll Hereford, Hereford, Poll Hereford cross or Hereford cross calves affected with branched chain ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKAD) complex deficiency or maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) are presented. In breeding studies, 6 of 21 calves from obligate heterozygote matings were affected with MSUD, suggesting the disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Calves were clinically affected from birth, but there were variations in the subsequent course of progressive deterioration of central nervous system function. Concentrations of the branched chain amino acids and keto acids were elevated in pre-suckle plasma and cerebellar water content was higher in affected calves. Activity of BCKAD complex was minimal in fibroblasts cultured from an affected calf. Spongiform encephalopathy and elevated ratios of the branched to straight chain amino acids in formalin fixed cerebral tissue were found in a stillborn foetus and a 3-month-old Hereford calf. These findings suggest the disease occurs prenatally and that a delayed form may exist.     

Mid-metacarpal Deep Digital Flexor Tenotomy in the Management of Refractory Laminitis in Horses

Deep digital flexor tendon transection at the mid-metacarpus was performed in 20 horses with severe acute or chronic laminitis that was not responsive to conventional treatment. Sixteen horses improved within 72 hours, one horse worsened, and two horses were unaffected by the surgery. Eleven horses survived less than 1 month after surgery and six horses survived longer than 6 months. Three horses surviving longer than 6 months have remained lame and no horse has returned to athletic performance. Transection of the deep digital flexor tendon at the mid-metacarpus may decrease the pain associated with the acute refractory stage of laminitis and may be useful as an immediate salvage procedure; however, despite the early clinical improvement observed after tenotomy, the survival rate of affected horses may not be altered.     

Double-Outlet Right Ventricle for Relief of Pulmonic Stenosis in Dogs An Experimental Study

Relief of right ventricular outflow obstruction with a valveless Dacron conduit from the right ventricle to pulmonary artery was accomplished in 12 normal dogs. The procedure involved the development of a surgical technique without cardiopulmonary bypass, hypothermia, and/or venous occlusion; the development of a ventricular coring instrument; the fabrication of a wire supported Dacron conduit; the development of a basketed insert cannula; and the creation of an experimental model of pulmonic stenosis. Of the 12 dogs operated, two died intraoperatively, three died postoperatively, and seven were electively euthanized postoperatively. Relief of the right ventricular outflow obstruction was documented in all cases by a reduction in mean peak right ventricular pressure, improvement of mean arterial pressure, decrease in mean right atrial pressure, and an increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure. The pulmonary insufficiency created was considered a tolerable although not benign condition. The technique would be of particular value in dogs with severe right ventricular hypertrophy.     

The Reliability of Endoscopic Examination in Assessment of Arytenoid Cartilage Movement in Horses Part I: Subjective and Objective Laryngeal Evaluation

Videorecordings of the laryngeal activity of 108 unsedated horses were obtained at rest by passing a flexible videoendoscope into the nasopharynx through the right ventral meatus. All videotaped images were reviewed once, and 72 were reviewed twice, by three veterinarians. Laryngeal cartilage movement was assessed subjectively with a five-tier grading system. The mean intraobserver agreement was 83.3% (range, 75.0%-90.2%) with a kappa statistic of .65 to .98. The mean interobserver agreement was 79.0% (range, 70.4%-80.6%) with a kappa statistic of .51 to .90. A computer program was developed to measure the left:right ratio of the rima glottidis. The mean left:right ratio for horses assigned a median laryngeal grade of I was 0.84 (range, 0.55-1.03); for grade II, 0.82 (0.50-1.12); for grade III, 0.59 (0.39-0.91); and for grade IV, 0.24 (0.07-0.35).     

Craniolateral Approach to the Humerus with Transection of the Brachialis Muscle

Six fractures of the midshaft or distal third of the humerus were repaired through a modified craniolateral approach in which the brachialis muscle was transected rather than retracted to improve exposure of the bone. The approach simplified fracture reduction and fixation. Normal fracture healing and excellent limb function resulted in each case.