FACIAL FIBROSARCOMA IN TWO COWS

Fibrosarcoma is a common tumor affecting bone, but is uncommon in cows, Reported here are two bovine cases of facial fibrosarcoma that were very invasive.     

A Comparison of Methods for Proximal Palmar Metacarpal Analgesia in Horses

Three techniques for inducing analgesia of the proximal metacarpal region were evaluated for the frequency of inadvertent injection into the middle carpal and carpometacarpal joints. Using methylene blue solution as a marker dye and 30 fresh cadaver specimens each, three clinicians performed either 30 infiltrations at the origin of the suspensory ligament (method A), 30 palmar and palmar metacarpal nerve blocks at the proximal end of the metacarpus (method B), or 30 palmar and palmar metacarpal nerve blocks at the distal aspect of the accessory carpal bone (method C). The frequency of inadvertent injection into the distal carpal joints was 37, 17, and 0% for methods A, B, and C, respectively. The association between method and injection into the joints was significant (p less than 0.01). Infiltration of the distal carpal joints occurred with injection distances from the carpometacarpal joint of 1.5 to 4.5 cm. Although there was no joint injection with method C, the carpal synovial sheath was inadvertently infiltrated in 68% of the specimens. Injection into the distal carpal joints can occur when deep injections are made into the proximal palmar aspect of the metacarpus because of the distopalmar outpouchings of the carpometacarpal joint between the axial surfaces of the second and fourth metacarpal bones and the abaxial surface of the suspensory ligament.     

Long-Term Follow-up of Partial Limb Amputation in 13 Horses

Thirteen cases of partial limb amputation in horses were reviewed. Nine horses (69%) survived 18 to 111 months (mean, 41 months). Four unsuccessfully treated horses were euthanatized within 21 days of surgery. The horses' ages at amputation were 4 to 13 years (mean, 7.3 years). There was no predilection for the left or right limb nor for fore or hind limb involvement. Osteomyelitis in six horses (46%) was the most common cause for amputation. Severe, open, comminuted fractures of the third metacarpal bone that were impossible to stabilize by any currently available technique in four horses (31%) were the second most common cause for amputation. One gelding was salvaged because of his sentimental value, two horses were used as breeding stallions, and six were broodmares. One stallion lived 30 months, completed two breeding seasons, and started a third. The other stallion began breeding, but became sterile. Three of the mares have produced five foals. One mare died while in foal. One mare aborted near-term twin fetuses and died of uterine hemorrhage. One mare aborted twice before the femoral head ligament on the contralateral limb ruptured, and she was euthanatized.     

Treatment of Trochanteric Ulcers with Cranial Sartorius and Rectus Femoris Muscle Flaps

Five dogs with pressure ulcers over the greater trochanter were treated by debridement and transposition of the cranial part of the sartorius or the rectus femoris muscle. Both muscles had vascular anatomy that allowed transposition based on a major vascular pedicle. All wounds healed promptly by primary intention and no ulcer recurred. The cranial sartorius flap technique was easier to perform than the rectus femoris technique.     

Long-term Outcome of Tooth Repulsion in Horses A Retrospective Study of 61 Cases

The records of 61 horses undergoing tooth repulsion for treatment of alveolar periostitis were reviewed. Seventeen of 36 horses (47%) in which maxillary teeth were removed had serious postoperative complications, such as infection of a second tooth, bone sequestration, chronic sinusitis, draining tracts, retained dental packing, feed impaction of the alveolus or sinus, suture-line dehiscence, or skin-flap sloughs. Eight horses required at least one additional surgical procedure. Eight of 25 horses (32%) in which mandibular teeth were removed had serious postoperative complications, and four horses required an additional surgical procedure. Hospitalization lasted 2 to 61 days (median, 22 days) for maxillary teeth and 3 to 35 days (median, 8 days) for mandibular teeth. Long-term follow-up (at least 5 months) was possible in 47 horses. Twenty-four of 30 horses (80%) with maxillary tooth repulsion healed without further problems; six horses had persistent nasal discharge. Fourteen of 17 horses (82%) with mandibular tooth repulsion healed with no further problems or with only minor complications; three horses had a chronic draining tract.