Autogenous osteochondral grafting for treatment of stifle osteochondrosis in dogs

Objective— To develop and assess clinical outcomes for osteochondral autografting for treatment of stifle osteochondrosis (OC) in dogs. Study Design— Retrospective case series. Animals— Dogs with stifle OC (n=10). Methods— Osteochondral autografting was developed and optimized in canine cadavers and purpose‐bred research dogs using the Osteochondral Autograft Transfer System (OATS). Dogs with stifle OC (n=10 dogs, 12 stifles) were then treated using the OATS system. Outcomes were assessed by radiography (n=12), magnetic resonance imaging (1), second‐look arthroscopy (9), lameness scoring (12), and telephone survey of owners (10 clients, 12 stifles) 6–15 months after surgery. Results— Complications were documented in 4 of the 12 stifles treated and included peri‐incisional seromas (3) and marked stifle effusion (1). Subjective assessment of follow‐up radiographs revealed evidence of integration of the grafts with maintenance of subchondral bone surface architecture. Subjective assessment of follow‐up MRI in 1 stifle revealed evidence for incorporation of grafts with restoration of articular surface contour. Second‐look arthroscopy 6–30 weeks after surgery revealed maintenance of articular cartilage at the graft site. Dogs were significantly (P<.001) less lame at follow‐up compared with preoperative scores. Based on follow‐up owner surveys, only 2 dogs had no pain or lameness; the other dogs were judged to have mild pain and/or lameness. All owners noticed improvement in the dogs' quality of life after surgery. Conclusion— Osteochondral autografting deserves consideration and further evaluation as a primary treatment option for stifle OC in dogs. Clinical Relevance— Osteochondral autografting for treatment of lateral femoral condylar OC lesions in dogs using OATS instrumentation is safe and results in improved function and quality of life based on owners' perception 6–15 months after treatment.     

An update on equine post‐operative ileus: Definitions,pathophysiology and management

Post‐operative ileus (POI) is a serious condition which any horse undergoing abdominal surgery is at risk of developing, leading to increased hospitalisation time and resulting costs. Advances in the understanding of the development of equine POI are mainly based on human and rodent literature, where manipulation‐induced inflammation has been identified as a trigger, with activation of resident muscularis externa macrophages playing a crucial role in the pathophysiology. Despite many pharmacological trials in all species, there is no single completely successful treatment for POI, highlighting that the condition is multifactorial in cause and requires a multimodal approach to minimise its incidence.     

Superovulation and embryo recovery in goats treated with Ovagen and Folltropin

The purpose of the present study was to examine ovulation rates and embryo numbers and quality in goats of feral origin following treatment with either Folltropin (Vetrepharm Inc., Ontario, Canada) or Ovagen (Immuno-Chemical Products Ltd., Auckland). The mean +/- s.e.m. numbers of corpora lutea (CL) and embryos recovered after Ovagen treatment (N = 17 animals) were 16.2 +/- 2.1 and 12.6 +/- 1.9 respectively whereas after Folltropin treatment (N = 18 animals), the respective numbers were 16.3 +/- 1.8 and 10.2 +/- 1.6. The mean +/- s.e.m. numbers of good (i.e. transferable) embryos were 11.1 +/- 1.8 in the Ovagen group and 7.9 +/- 1.4 in the Folltropin group. AII the above values for each of the treatment groups were not significantly different from one another. There was a significant linear relationship between the number of CL and number of embryos (p<0.01; R = 0.925) after Ovagen treatment whereas there was no significant relationship after FolItropin treatment (p>0.05; R = 0.461). The proportions of animals producing more than five recoverable embryos after Ovagen (i.e. 76%) or Folltropin treatment (i.e. 72%) were similar although 22% of the Folltropin treated animals produced abnormal or prematurely regressing CL whereas no such CL were found after Ovagen treatment.     

Multiple congenital urogenital abnormalities in a Tennessee Walking Horse colt

A 9-month-old, Tennessee Walking Horse colt was examined for urinary incontinence. Cystoscopy revealed a single identifiable ureter that appeared abnormal, and sabulous urolithiasis. Only the left kidney, which appeared lobulated and hydronephrotic, could be located using ultrasound. Results of serum chemistries were consistent with renal failure. Necropsy revealed unilateral agenesis of the right kidney and ureter with severe left ureterolithiasis, bilateral cryptorchidism and segmental aplasia of the ductus deferens. Histopathological examination revealed cystitis and diffuse interstitial fibrosis of the left kidney. Congenital malformations should be included as differential diagnoses for urinary incontinence and urogenital disease. Ultrasonography and cystoscopy can be useful to diagnose suspected agenesis of the urinary system in adult horses.