Bilateral Iliopsoas Muscle Contracture and Spinous Process Impingement in a German Shepherd Dog

Objective— To report diagnosis and treatment of bilateral iliopsoas muscle contracture in a dog with spinous process impingement. Study design— Case report. Animals— German Shepherd dog. Methods— A dog with chronic progressive lameness, flexion contracture of the coxofemoral joints, severe pain, and decreased femoral reflexes had severe spondylosis bridging the vertebral bodies from L1 to L4 and enlarged dorsal spinous processes from T8 to L6 with impingement and bony proliferation. Ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were consistent with fibrosis, mineralization, and atrophy of the iliopsoas muscles bilaterally which was treated by staged tenectomy of the insertions of the iliopsoas muscles. Results— Because of severe perivascular fibrosis, the femoral vessels required ligation. Bilateral iliopsoas muscle tenectomy improved gait and provided pain relief. Histologic findings were consistent with fibrotic myopathy. Conclusions— Slow progression of severe clinical signs observed bilaterally in this dog differs from previous reports of iliopsoas myopathy. Findings were similar to the fibrotic myopathy of the gracilis or semitendinosus muscles described in dogs. Clinical Relevance— Iliopsoas muscle abnormalities should be considered in dogs with limited hip extension and pain. MRI is useful for diagnosing muscle fibrosis. Iliopsoas tenectomy may improve clinical function in dogs with fibrotic myopathy.     

Biodegradable Drug Delivery Systems for Gentamicin Release and Treatment of Synovial Membrane Infection

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated two biodegradable drug delivery systems (BDDS) for elution of gentamicin and elimination of synovial membrane infection. STUDY DESIGN: The effect of BDDS on control and infected synovial explants was determined. ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Synovial explants from four adult equine cadavers. METHODS: First, BDDS were placed in phosphate buffered saline for 14 days. Eluent was tested for gentamicin concentration (G) and bioactivity. Second, synovial explants were divided into four groups (n = 14/group): Group 1 (control); Group 2 (infected control) 405 cfu Staphylococcus aureus added at 6 hours; Group 3 (antibiotic BDDS [Ab-BDDS]) Ab-BDDS added at 24 hours; Group 4 (infected Ab-BDDS) 405 cfu S. aureus added at 6 hours, Ab-BDDS added at 24 hours. Both types of Ab-BDDS were used (n = 7/type/group). Explants were incubated in standard medium for 4 days. Medium was cultured and analyzed for (G) and hyaluronic acid concentration (HA). Explants were analyzed for viability and morphologic changes. RESULTS: The Ab-BDDS released >500 microg/mL of active gentamicin for 10 days. In Group 3, infection was eliminated within 24 hours, but histologic scores did not return to normal. Viability was significantly reduced by infection, but if eliminated, viability tended to return to normal. In Group 3, the Ab-BDDS had no significant effect on viability or (HA). Histopathologic scores were significantly higher for infected synovium. Infection, even if treated, significantly reduced (HA). CONCLUSIONS: Both Ab-BDDS eliminated infection within 24 hours. However, synovial morphology, viability and function did not return to normal. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The Ab-BDDS may be useful for treatment of synovial membrane infection.     

Partial or Total Hemipelvectomy in the Management of Sarcomas in Nine Dogs and Two Cats

The functional results of partial or total hemipelvectomy in seven dogs and two cats with sarcomas involving the pelvis were excellent, and the cosmetic outcome was acceptable to all owners. Tumors in two dogs were inoperable. Locally recurrent cancer occurred in two animals and metastases occurred in three animals. Three dogs survived longer than 2.5 years and the overall and disease-free survival at 12 months was 62%. It appears that osteosarcoma of the pelvis is at least as aggressive as osteosarcoma of limbs and, unless effective adjuvant therapy is used, poorer survival results are likely in dogs with osteosarcoma than with other sarcomas of the pelvis. Hemipelvectomy is an aggressive surgical procedure that can be used successfully in selected dogs and cats with cancer involving the pelvis.     

Reverse Saphenous Conduit Flap in Cats: An Anatomic Study

The vascular anatomy of the reverse saphenous conduit flap in cats was denned by contrast radiography of both hindlimbs of 18 feline cadaver specimens. In all 36 flaps, flow of contrast medium from the femoral artery to the distal end of the flap was documented. Direct anastomosis of the superficial branch of the cranial tibial artery with the cranial branch of the saphenous artery and communication of the caudal branch of the saphenous artery with the perforating metatarsal artery, via the medial and lateral plantar arteries, was documented. The cranial branch of the medial saphenous vein was shown to anastomose with the cranial branch of the lateral saphenous vein. The presence of these anastomoses support the feasibility of the reverse saphenous conduit flap as an option for reconstruction of wounds of the metatarsus in cats.