Surgical Correction of Periocular Fat Pad Hypertrophy in Pot-Bellied Pigs

OBJECTIVE: To report surgical correction of hypertrophic periocular fat pads that cause loss of vision and behavioral changes in pot-bellied pigs. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Nine Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs. METHODS: Medical records of nine pot-bellied pigs admitted between 1994 and 1997 for loss of vision associated with hypertrophied periocular fat accumulations were reviewed. Outcome was assessed by contacting owners 4 months to 5 years after surgery. RESULTS: The most common clinical signs were related to impaired vision and included periocular dermatitis, lethargy, and aggressive behavior. Surgical removal of redundant periorbital fat and skin resulted in marked improvement in vision and behavior in all pigs. Overall client satisfaction was excellent.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF NORMAL CANINE CARPAL LIGAMENTS

Magnetic resonance imaging was conducted on previously frozen left carpi from six normal dogs using a 1.5 Tesla magnet in combination with a transmit/receive wrist coil. Three-millimeter thick T1-weighted spin-echo images and 1-mm thick T2*-weighted gradient-recalled 3-D images were obtained in dorsal and sagittal planes. Carpi were embedded, sectioned, and stained. Anatomic structures on the histologic sections were correlated with the MR images. All of the carpal ligaments plus the radioulnar articular disc and the palmar fibrocartilage were identified on MR images. The accessorio-quartile ligament, which had not been well described previously in dogs, was also identified. It originated on the accessory carpal bone and inserted on the fourth carpal bone. The T2*-weighted gradient echo imaging technique provided better images than T1-weighted technique, largely because thinner slices were possible (1 mm vs. 3 mm), resulting in less volume averaging of thin ligaments with surrounding structures. Although MRI is currently the imaging modality of choice to identify ligamentous injury in humans, further studies are needed to determine if abnormalities can be detected in canine carpal ligaments using MRI.     

The Importance of Egg Protein in Reduced Protein Diets Designed for Dogs With Renal Failure

The effects of two reduced-protein diets and a canine maintenance diet on renal function, nutrition, serum and urine acid-base and electrolyte values, and divalent ion metabolism were compared in Beagle dogs with induced chronic renal failure. Two reduced-protein (18%) diets differed in their protein sources. One 18% protein diet was formulated using egg protein as the only protein source. The other 18% protein diet was formulated using a mixture of animal and vegetable proteins. The 42% protein diet contained a mixture of animal and vegetable protein sources. Results of this study indicate that the egg-based and mixed protein-based diets had similar effects on most clinical and laboratory evaluations in dogs with chronic renal failure. However, the egg protein diet appeared to promote hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. Both reduced-protein diets were beneficial in reducing azotemia, polyuria, hypermagnesemia, and fractional excretion of phosphorus compared with the 42% protein diet.     

Arthroscopic Removal of an Osteochondral Fragment from the Middle Phalanx of a Horse

An intraarticular osteochondral chip fracture of the distal dorsolateral aspect of the right hind middle phalanx in a 4-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding was removed arthroscopically. Accessibility and visibility of the fragment were excellent, and there was minimal soft tissue trauma.     

THE FIRST TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND

The veterinary literature of 1966–1986 was searched for articles and books related to the use of diagnostic ultrasound in animals. There were 492 references, categorized as follows: general, 30; small animal applications, 169; large animal applications, 248; blood pressure measurement, 23; ultrasound-guided biopsy, 4; miscellaneous, 18.     

CORRECTION OF ANGULAR DEFORMITY BY ASYMMETRIC PHYSEAL GROWTH AND BONE REMODELLING

Angular deformities of 25 or 37 degrees valgus were created by transverse wedge osteotomies in the diaphysis of the radius in 3-month-old Cocker Spaniels. Spontaneous correction was judged from radiographs until skeletal maturity. The magnitude of correction was estimated, using the opposite normal leg as a control. Asymmetrical physeal growth corrected the induced angulation between the proximal and distal radial joint plane surfaces (joint plane angle). The average correction of the joint plane angle was 80% in the 25 degree group, and 72% in the 37 degree group. Bone remodeling of the radial shaft corrected the induced diaphyseal angulation by 50% in both groups during the study.     

Acid-base status and electrolyte alterations associated with diarrhea in non-suckling horses

A retrospective search of medical records of 56 adult horses with diarrhea of variable duration disclosed a variety of blood gas and electrolyte abnormalities at the time of admission. The acid-base and electrolyte disturbances were analyzed and classified according to the duration of diarrhea. In horses with acute diarrhea (duration <6 days) the most common disorder was combined anion gap metabolic acidosis and metabolic alkalosis (72%)characterized by significant hyponatremia, hypochloridemia, and hyperkalemia. The most severe acidemia was found in horses with diarrheas of intermediate duration (1–2 weeks). In this group hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis was commonly found (43%). In horses with diarrhea of long duration (>4 weeks) blood gas and electrolyte values were usually within normal limits. Although the above findings suggest differing therapeutic approaches might be based on the duration of the diarrhea, many cases differed markedly from the mean with respect to their underlying disturbances and, therefore, optimal fluid therapy should be based on the patient's blood gas and electrolyte status.