Surgical Treatment of Bile Peritonitis in 24 Dogs and 2 Cats: A Retrospective Study (1987–1994)

Objective — The purpose of this study was to determine the signalment, history, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, outcome, and factors affecting outcome of dogs and cats surgically treated for bile peritonitis. Study Design — Retrospective study. Animals or Sample Population — Twenty-four dogs and two cats surgically treated for bile peritonitis. Methods — The medical records of dogs and cats surgically treated for biliary effusions at the Ohio State University and Michigan State University between 1987 and 1994 were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed to compare factors affecting outcome. Results — The cause of the biliary effusion was determined in 24 animals, and resulted from disruption of the biliary tract secondary to trauma (n = 13) or necrotizing cholecystitis (n = 11). Determination of the bilirubin concentration of the abdominal effusion was the only diagnostic test that was 100% effective in diagnosing bile leakage before surgical intervention. The bilirubin concentration of the effusion was consistently at least two times higher than the serum bilirubin concentration. Bacteriologic culture and sensitivity revealed that a septic, biliary effusion was usually associated with multiple types of gram-negative bacteria. The overall survival rate was 50% (13 of 26). The peripheral white blood cell count was significantly lower in survivors (mean 20,608/uL) compared with nonsurvivors (mean 35,712/uL). The immature neutrophil count was also significantly lower in survivors (mean 686/uL) than in nonsurvivors (4,852/uL). Only 27% (3 of 11) of the animals with a septic biliary effusion survived. In contrast, 100% (6 of 6) of the animals in which no bacteria were isolated from the abdominal effusion survived. Open abdominal drainage was not a successful treatment for 7 of 9 animals with septic biliary effusions. Survival was not significantly affected by the distribution of the peritonitis, cause of biliary effusion, or duration of clinical signs before surgical intervention. Conclusions — Patients with sterile biliary effusions have a much lower mortality rate than those with septic biliary effusions. The successful treatment of sterile biliary effusions does not require open abdominal drainage, and is not affected by the duration of the effusion. Clinical Relevance — This retrospective study provides information that may aid the surgeon in the diagnosis and treatment of bile peritonitis.     

BSAVA EDUCATION COMMITTEE COMMISSIONED ARTICLE: Anaerobic bacteria: a cause of infection?

This review article considers the evidence available for a significant role of obligate anaerobes in infections of small animals. The presence of anaerobes in the normal flora and the meaning of the terms aerobe and anaerobe both in relation to the bacterial metabolism and laboratory culture is discussed. The reported findings of anaerobes in clinical veterinary conditions are reviewed. The particular importance of the non-sporing (non-clostridial) anaerobes in traumatic and endogenous infections and the mixed nature, both in terms of different anaerobes and mixed aerobes and anaerobes of such infection are considered. Some experimental evidence for the pathogenicity of obligate anaerobes and their complex role in mixed infections is given. Observations on the use of antibiotics for treatment of suspected anaerobic infections are discussed and the possible implications to laboratory procedures for antibiotic sensitivity testing.     

Interannual variability in growth of larval and juvenile walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma in the western Gulf of Alaska, 1983–91

Interannual variability in growth of larval walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma was examined from 1983 to 1991 and of juveniles from 1985 to 1990. ANCOVA was used to assess differences in population growth rates, and an alternate method was developed to examine variations between annual length-at-age data and average 'expected' values over different age groupings. For larvae, the years 1986, 1987, 1989 and 1990 had higher than average length-at-age, and 1988 and 1991 had lower than average values. Relationships between growth and SST and larval density were not clear. A tentative relationship between copepod nauplii abundance and larval length-at-age was noted. The consequence of larval growth to larval mortality, late larval abundance or recruitment was not clear. We conclude that larval mortality rates are highly variable and tend to mask effects of moderate variability in growth on later abundance. For juveniles, 1987 had significantly lower than average length-at-age and 1988 had higher than average values. Although there are few years of data, they tend to support the importance of juvenile growth in the recruitment process. Conditions for the large 1988 year class are documented and discussed, including warm SST, calm winds, relatively low larval growth rates, low abundances of potential predators on larvae, low larval mortality rates, and high juvenile growth rates.     

Descriptive Histomorphometric Ingrowth Analysis of the Zurich Cementless Canine Total Hip Acetabular Component

Objectives— To (1) determine bone contact with the outer surface and ingrowth into the perforated outer shell of the Kyon acetabular component at 2, 6, and 12 months after total hip replacement (THR) and (2) determine correlation between radiographic lucency surrounding the cup–bone interface and bone contact and ingrowth.
Study Design— Experimental study.
Animals— Large breed dogs (n=11) with and without hip dysplasia.
Methods— Force platform gait analysis was performed preoperatively and 2, 6, and 12 months after THR. Curvilinear length of lucency (CLL) was measured on pelvic radiographs. Tissue contact with the outer cup and ingrowth into the cup were determined histomorphometrically at 2, 6, and 12 months.
Results— Peak vertical force and vertical impulse of the treated and control hind limb were not significantly different at any time. Median bone contact with the outer cup surface was 77%, 48%, and 76% at 2, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Median bone ingrowth into the cup perforations was 50%, 20%, and 44% at 2, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Median bone ingrowth to the inner cup surface was minimal at any time. CLL did not correlate with bone ingrowth.
Conclusions— Bone ingrowth into cup perforations occurred in each dog and was already present 2 months after THR, but most of the inner cup space remained vacant.
Clinical Relevance— Radiographic lucency surrounding the cup–bone interface does not allow assessment of bone contact with the outer surface or bone ingrowth into the Kyon cup in dogs without clinical problems.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF COXOFEMORAL SUBLUXATION IN HORSES

The clinical and ultrasonographic features of seven horses with coxofemoral subluxation are presented. Affected horses included five adult geldings (11–20 years), one large pony (6 years) and a 3-month-old filly. All were lame at the walk except for the pony with grade 3/5 lameness. Lameness was acute in all horses, but three horses progressed after initial improvement. Crepitus, muscle atrophy, and pelvic asymmetry were inconsistent findings. Ultrasonographic diagnosis of subluxation required dynamic visualization of femoral head displacement from the acetabulum while placing weight on the affected limb and subsequent replacement into its normal position upon limb resting. Acetabular rim fractures and joint effusion were visible regardless of weight bearing status in six horses each. No fractures were identified in the pony; the only patient with a good outcome. Six horses had a poor outcome with severe chronic lameness, four of which were euthanized. Postmortem ventrodorsal radiographs obtained in two horses confirmed subluxation only on extended limb projections, but not on hip-flexed projections. Acetabular rim fractures were not visible radiographically in either horse but were confirmed at necropsy. Subluxation was due to an elongated but intact ligament of the head of the femur in both horses. Osteoarthrosis was evident ultrasonographically, radiographically, and at necropsy. Dynamic ultrasonography was readily performed in the standing horse and produced diagnostic images with a low frequency curvilinear transducer. The apparent poor prognosis for horses with subluxation and acetabular fracture illustrate the importance of this imaging technique to identify affected horses.