Mechanical Testing and Evaluation of Eight Synthetic Casting Materials

Eight synthetic casting materials were evaluated with respect to tensile and fatigue strengths, exothermicity (evolution of heat during polymerization), permeability (porosity), radiolucency, and cost. Strength determination for a five-layer sample included measurement of the ultimate load at which a material failed, the ability to absorb energy, and the stiffness a material possessed after application of a cyclic stress. Results indicated that Vet Cast was superior with respect to tensile and fatigue strengths. The exothermic reaction associated with the "curing" or polymerization process was evaluated and not considered excessive although Ultra Cast attained a temperature of 48.0°C and was uncomfortable to handle during application. Permeability was determined. Delta Lite and Hexcelite NS were the most permeable materials and dried more rapidly and thoroughly after immersion than the other casting materials. Hexcelite NS was considered the least radiolucent material and was the most expensive material studied. Each of the synthetic casting materials demonstrated superiority in one or more of the categories tested. No one product demonstrated consistent superiority in criteria appropriate for clinical application.     

Bacterial Isolates From Plaque and From Blood During and After Routine Dental Procedures in Dogs

Objective — This study evaluates the association between dental procedures and bacteremia in dogs, including a comparison of bacteria isolated from plaque and blood, severity of the bacteremia versus the severity of dental disease, and the longevity of bacteremia.
Study Design — Bacteria cultured from the blood over time were compared with those isolated from the plaque and crevicular fluid and in relation to severity of dental disease.
Animals or Sample Population — Twenty adult greyhounds.
Methods — Blood samples were collected for culture before induction of general anesthesia, immediately after intubation, 20 minutes after initiation of the dental procedure, and at 10-minute intervals until 10 minutes after the dental procedure was completed. Samples of plaque were taken for microbiological culture.
Results — Sixty to ninety percent of the bacterial genera isolated from the plaque were present in the blood. Dogs classified according to severity of dental disease showed no difference in the total number of different species or number of different Gram-negative, Gram-positive, or anaerobic bacteria isolated from plaque or blood (P <.05). Bacteremia was present in all of the dogs studied, within 40 minutes from the initiation of the dental procedure, regardless of the severity of oral disease.
Conclusions — Gram-negative, Gram-positive, and anaerobic bacteria are present in blood during dental procedures; the bacteremia can persist beyond the dental procedure, and is not associated with the severity of dental disease.
Clinical Relevance — The nature and extent of bacteremia occuring during routine dental procedures is important in understanding a potential risk to dogs.     

Correlation Between Serum Creatine Kinase Activities And Anorexia in Cats

There are no available biochemical analyses that will reliably identify malnourished cats or enable monitoring them during supportive alimentation. Studies in people indicate that creatine kinase (CK) activity is high in malnourished patients and may decrease in response to nutritional intervention. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of quantifying serum CK activities in anorectic cats and to assess the usefulness of this test in monitoring nutritional support in these patients. Serum CK activity was evaluated in nonanorectic cats (Group 1, n = 25), and in hospitalized, anorectic cats that received nutritional support through a nasoesophageal tube (Group 2, n = 25). Anorectic cats had a significantly higher serum CK activity (median = 2,529 U/L, range 88 to 153,000 U/L) than the control group (median = 175 U/L, range 81 to 363 U/L, P < .001). There were significant positive correlations between serum CK and both aspartate transaminase (AST) ( P < .05; r = .59) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (P < .05; r = .41) activities. Serum CK activity was significantly lower in anorectic cats after 48 hours of nutritional support than at time 0 ( P < .001) and eventually returned to normal with continued support. Serum CK activity may serve as a useful marker in assessing and monitoring nutritional status in cats.     

Holding Power of Orthopedic Screws in Equine Third Metacarpal and Metatarsal Bones: Part II. Adult Horse Bone

Comparison was made of the holding power of 5.5 and 4.5 mm cortical orthopedic screws inserted into third metacarpal and metatarsal cadaver bones from 3- and 8-year-old horses. The tensile strength of these screws was tested mechanically. In nine comparative trials of these screws, 5.5 mm screws pulled out of bone in five trials at an average of 116.0 kg tensile force and broke in four trials at an average of 1383.2 kg. A 4.5 mm screw pulled out of bone at 834.5 kg in one trial, and screws broke at an average of 849.2 kg in eight trials. The larger 5.5 mm screw required a significantly greater (p = 0.022) pullout force than the mean force at 4.5 mm screw breakage. Fixation failure was due to screw breakage or bone shear, with 5.5 mm screws occasionally creating bone fragmentation during pullout. The average tensile breaking strengths of the 5.5 mm screws (1391.4 kg) and 4.5 mm screws (832.7 kg) determined mechanically were similar to forces at screw breakage during pullout testing in bone. Since the 5.5 mm screws have greater holding power and tensile strength than 4.5 mm screws, the use of the 5.5 mm screw in fracture repair in adult horses is recommended.     

Placement of Multiple Full Pins for External Fixation Technique and Results in Four Dogs

A technique using a third bar and guide clamp was developed to permit reduction and stabilization of distal limb fractures with full pins and two connecting bars, one on each side of the bone. The system uses only single Kirschner clamps. Four distal limb fractures were stabilized using this technique. Closed reduction was used in three dogs to avoid devitalization of fragments and avoid contamination of a closed fracture. The fracture site stability achieved with this configuration allowed early return to weight bearing and rapid bone healing.     

RADIOGRAPHY OF THE CANINE HEAD

Through the use of a purebred dog skull collection, specific positioning recommendations were established for radiography for the three skull types. It is suggested that the central ray of the beam be maintained at the following mean angles relative to the hard palate for the rostrodorsal-to-caudoventral oblique projection of the foramen magnum: dolicocephalic, 30° mesaticephalic, 20° and brachycephalic, 10°. It is recommended that the head be axially rotated as follows to radiographically separate the roots of the superior canine teeth: dolicocephalic, 48° mesaticephalic, 43° and brachycephalic, 35°. If only the cheek teeth require evaluation, the head should be rotated as follows: dolicocephalic, 37° mesaticephalic, 34° and brachycephalic, 25°. For evaluation of the inferior cheek teeth, it is recommended that the head be rotated as follows: dolicocephalic, 46° mesaticephalic, 44° and brachycephalic, 28°. It is recommended that radiographs of the temporo-mandibular joint be made with the skull axially rotated 10° and longitudinally obliqued as follows: dolicocephalic, 10° mesaticephalic, 14° and brachycephalic, 27°. Suggestions for open-mouth projections for evaluation of the tympanic bullae are that the central ray maintain the following angles relative to the hard palate: dolicocephalic, 4° mesaticephalic, 9° and brachycephalic, 21°. It is recommended that a caudoventral-rostrodorsal oblique projection of the nasal cavity made at 30° to the hard palate replace the open-mouth ventrodorsal in brachycephalic breeds.     

SMALL INTESTINAL EMPTYING TIME IN NORMAL BEAGLE DOGS

Gastric emptying time and small intestinal transit time in dogs are frequently discussed. However, it is often of interest to the radiologist to know what normal small intestinal emptying times should be. A total of 15 upper gastrointestinal studies was performed on five internal parasite-free, normal, standard Beagle dogs with three studies on each dog, 6 days apart. The ages and weights of the dogs ranged from 2–8 years and from 12.4–13.7 kg, respectively. Following 24-hour fasting, a dose of 10 ml/kg bw of 60% wt/vol barium sulfate suspension was administered through a stomach tube. Then, sequential radiographs were made at 30-minute intervals until the entire contrast medium column was in the colon and cecum. The mean, standard deviation, and range of gastric emptying time, small intestinal transit time, and small intestinal emptying time were 76 ± 16.7 (30–120), 73 ± 16.4 (30–120), and 214 ± 25.1 (180–300) minutes, respectively. This study offers the possibility that small intestinal emptying time may be used to further evaluate patients with suspected small intestinal partial obstruction, pseudo-obstruction, ischemia, or lymphangiectasia.     

OSTEOCHONDROSIS IN THE LATERAL FEMORAL CONDYLES OF A HORSE

Osteochondrosis of the lateral femoral condyles was diagnosed radiographically in an 8-month-old, female Arabian horse, which had been presented with a hindlimb lameness. The diagnosis was confirmed by gross and microscopic pathology. The location of the lesions was considered unusual for osteochondrosis in the horse.