Effect of Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy on Femorotibial Contact Mechanics and Stifle Kinematics

Objective— To evaluate the effects of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) on femorotibial contact mechanics and 3-dimensional (3D) kinematics in cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient stifles of dogs.
Study Design— In vitro biomechanical study.
Animals— Unpaired pelvic limbs from 8 dogs, weighing 28–35 kg.
Methods— Digital pressure sensors placed subjacent to the menisci were used to measure femorotibial contact force, contact area, peak and mean contact pressure, and peak pressure location with the limb under an axial load of 30% body weight and a stifle angle of 135°. Three-dimensional static poses of the stifle were obtained using a Microscribe digitizing arm. Each specimen was tested under normal, CrCL-deficient, and TPLO-treated conditions. Repeated measures analysis of variance with a Tukey post hoc test ( P <.05) was used for statistical comparison.
Results— Significant disturbances to all measured contact mechanical variables were evident after CrCL transection, which corresponded to marked cranial tibial subluxation and increased internal tibial rotation in the CrCL-deficient stifle. No significant differences in 3D femorotibial alignment were observed between normal and TPLO-treated stifles; however, femorotibial contact area remained significantly smaller and peak contact pressures in both medial and lateral stifle compartments were positioned more caudally on the tibial plateau, when compared with normal.
Conclusion— Whereas TPLO eliminates craniocaudal stifle instability during simulated weight bearing, the procedure fails to concurrently restore femorotibial contact mechanics to normal.
Clinical Relevance— Progression of stifle osteoarthritis in dogs treated with TPLO may be partly the result of abnormal stifle contact mechanics induced by altering the orientation of the proximal tibial articulating surface.     

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.     

RADIOGRAPHIC ANATOMY OF THE CRIBRIFORM PLATE (LAMINA CRIBROSA)

The radiographic appearance of the cribriform plate was investigated in 16 canine cadaver heads. The cribriform plate appeared as a "V"-shaped multilinear bone-opaque stripe in the caudal nasal region in projections perpendicular to the hard palate in 6 dogs with a skull index between 50.00 and 54.00. In 9 dogs with a skull index between 55.40 and 74.40, the cribriform plate had a more "C"-shaped and sharp appearance. In vertically oblique projections with an obliquity greater than 20 degrees, the cribriform plate lost its sharp outline and finally (40 degrees) disappeared. In lateral projections the cribriform plate appeared as a "C"-shaped interrupted bone-opaque stripe in all 16 dogs. In more brachycephalic dogs frontal bone structures superimposed on the cribriform plate on ventrodorsal and dorsoventral views and accentuated the radiographic appearance of the plate. Vertically oblique views separated both structures to produce two lines.     

Effects of Nylon and Polyglactin 910 Suture Material on Perilimbal Corneal Wound Healing in the Dog

The effects of fine suture materials on corneal wound healing in the dog were studied. In 20 dogs, standardized perforating perilimbal clear corneal wounds were made and closed with either monofilament Polyglactin 910 or nylon. Five dogs each were euthanized 8,12,16, and 21 days postoperatively. Results of gross, biomicroscopic, and histologic examinations at 8,12,16, and 21 days showed nylon and Polyglactin 910 to cause similar inflammatory responses. Epithelialization and suppuration around the suture tracts were observed more frequently when Polyglactin 910 was used. Both materials were associated with a foreign body (granulomatous) response. There was no loss of wound integrity with either material. Strengths of the incised corneal tissues with and without the sutures intact were determined. At day 16 postsurgery, there was a statistically significant difference in tissue strengths between cases in which sutures were and were not intact. This difference was not apparent at 21 days postsurgery, which suggested that the suture dependent phase ends between the 16th and 21st postsurgical days. In addition, at day 16 there was no statistical difference between the tissue strength of wounds sutured with nylon or Polyglactin 910. Corneal suture materials studied should remain in place for at least 16 days, and absorbable material is only appropriate if it retains tensile strength for 16 days.     

Growth and feed utilization by yearling horses fed added dietary fat

Twenty-four yearlings were used to evaluate the efficacy of feeding feed-grade fat to growing horses. All horses were started on trial at 13-months-of-age and were fed for 112 days. The experimental diets, containing similar nutrient-to-calorie ratios, were: 1) control (no added fat; 2) 5% added fat and; 3) 10% added fat. There was a trend for yearlings fed the 10% added fat diet to grow faster and eat less feed than those on the control diet. Data from this study indicate that feed-grade fat can be safely fed to growing horses. Feeding fat to yearlings stimulated growth and efficiency of feed utilization initially, but these effects were not maintained as the yearlings grew toward maturity.     

Influence of Changes in Body Weight on Peak Vertical Force in Osteoarthritic Dogs: A Possible Bias in Study Outcome

Objective— Force platform gait analysis is a recognized clinical evaluation tool that captures and documents the in vivo pathomechanics of osteoarthritis (OA). In a clinical trial designed to evaluate the impact of 2 specific diets, an increase in body weight (BW) was observed in lame client-owned dogs. Covariance analysis was used to evaluate the interference of BW changes toward the evolution of peak vertical force (PVF) values. These secondary findings are reported in this study.
Study Design— Prospective study.
Animals— Lame dogs (n=26).
Methods— Dogs with radiographic evidence of OA and low PVF values were fed with 2 specific diets for 30 and 60 days. PVF and BW were recorded at baseline, day 30 (D30), and D90.
Results— Mean (±SD) PVF values (%BW) did not differ significantly over time (D0: 63.9±17.2; D30: 65.5±17.4; and D90: 66.5±20.1). In contrast, BW (kg) was significantly higher at D90 (41.3±7.9) when compared with D30 (39.9±8.4) and D0 (40.0±8.7). Upon covariance analyses, BW changes interfere significantly with PVF values already normalized in %BW ( P =.013). Values of PVF adjusted using BW as a covariate were then 63.4±17.1 (D0), 65.0±17.3 (D30), and 67.6±20.5 (D90), whereas D90 was significantly higher than D0.
Conclusion— These findings highlighted the interference of changes in BW toward locomotor function of OA dogs when using PVF values normalized in %BW. Exacerbation of lameness when a gain in BW occurred was also sustained, raising a possible bias in clinical study outcomes.
Clinical Relevance— A BW increase in dogs with OA could exacerbate a preexisting lameness and induce a bias in clinical trials.     

Morphologic Effects of Experimental Distention of Equine Small Intestine

The morphologic effects of induced intraluminal hydrostatic pressures (IHPs) of 0, 9, and 18 cm H₂O were evaluated in 33 isolated equine jejunal segments. Fifteen segments were distended with Tyrode's solution for 1 hour and nine segments for 4 hours. Tyrode's solution was added as needed to maintain the prescribed pressures. Nine other segments were left undisturbed for 4 hours after the initial distention period. On decompression of the intestinal segments, progressive peristaltic contractions resumed in all segments. Evaluation of intestinal sections by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed edema of the villi and submucosa and separation of the epithelial cells adjacent to the basement membrane in all segments. The epithelial cell necrosis found in ischemic intestine was not seen. This study indicates that the necrosis found at the villous tips in distended sections of small intestine remote from the site of obstruction cannot be reproduced by IHP increases of 4 hours duration.