Normal and collapsed trachea in the dog: scanning electron microscopy study

Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine canine tracheal cartilage and to determine the relationship between the fibrous and amorphous matrix in this tissue. Collapsed tracheal (CT) cartilage was hypocellular, compared with normal tracheal cartilage. The amorphous matrix of CT cartilage had a porous, fissured texture and did not have the homogeneous appearance of normal tracheal cartilage. Capillaries were seen to pass through CT cartilage. Randomly distributed connective tissue fibers, evident in CT cartilage matrix, were frequently attached to irregular shapes and sizes of amorphous matrix.     

Comparison of the width of the intervertebral disk space and radiographic changes before and after intervertebral disk fenestration in dogs

Intervertebral disk space widths were measured on lateral radiographs of 73 anesthetized dogs. Weight was found to have a significant (P less than 0.01) effect on disk space width. Using weight-adjusted disk space width measurements for all subsequent studies, older (7- to 16-year-old) dogs and males had consistently, but not significantly, wider, disk spaces than did alternative groups. Cervical and lumbar intervertebral disk spaces tended to be wider than those in the caudal thoracic region. The widest cervical intervertebral disk spaces were C4-5 and C5-6 and the narrowest was C2-3. In the lumbar region, L2-3 was the widest disk space and L4-5 was the narrowest. Dachshunds generally had greater mean intervertebral disk space width than did other breeds of dogs. Cervical (n = 6 dogs) and thoracolumbar (n = 6 dogs) disk fenestration resulted in narrow intervertebral disk spaces, regardless of breed. When a ventral approach was used in thoracolumbar fenestration, the mean intervertebral disk space was narrower than that resulting from use of a dorsolateral approach. Spondylosis was found radiographically 1 to 4 years after intervertebral disk fenestration in 3 of 6 dogs that had cervical fenestrations and in 5 of 6 dogs that underwent thoracolumbar fenestration.     

Histochemical study of normal and collapsed tracheas in dogs

Tracheas from 15 toy breed dogs with normal tracheas and 6 dogs with collapsed tracheas were examined histologically and histochemically. Tracheal cartilage was analyzed for chondroitin sulfate by means of alcian blue (CEC method) and for calcium with alizarin red S. Cartilage arcs from dogs with collapsed tracheas had areas that were apparently hypocellular, and some had other areas that appeared like fibrocartilage or fibrous tissue. Histochemically, collapsed tracheal cartilage had less chondroitin sulfate and calcium than did normal tracheal cartilage. Cartilage arcs from the collapsed tracheas were not uniformly affected to the same degree, and parts of a given tracheal arc appeared normal, whereas other parts had an abnormal histologic appearance.     

Esophageal obstruction as a sequela to ruptured esophagus in a goat

Granulation tissue as a sequela to ruptured esophagus was diagnosed as the cause of esophageal obstruction and regurgitation in a 3.5-year-old Toggenburg buck. Thoracic radiography was useful in localization of the problem. The condition was successfully treated by removal of the granulation tissue through left-sided thoracotomy.     

Structural considerations in tracheal disease

Examinations were made of three sections of trachea obtained from eight dogs. The sections examined were at the regions of the second ring caudal to the larynx, the thoracic inlet, and the origin of the brachiocephalic trunk. Measurements were made of the lateral and ventrodorsal diameters, the lumen area of the trachea, the width and thickness of the tracheal cartilages, and the thickness of the trachealis muscle. Cell counts-per-square-micrometer of the cartilage and trachealis muscle were made. The results of these measurements were subjected to statistical analyses by means of one-way and two-way analyses of variance. The tracheal diameters, cartialge thickness, muscle thickness, and tracheal lumen area had significantly different measurements among the areas compared with both statistical methods. Ventrodorsal tracheal diameter and lumen area were not found to have significantly different measurements between the levels of the thoracic inlet and the brachiocephalic trunk. The cell counts did not have significantly different values among the areas considered when body weight was not a factor, but the values were significant when weight was a factor.     

Primary spinal cord lymphosarcoma in a dog

Primary lymphosarcoma of the spinal cord has been infrequently reported. This tumor was classified as intramedullary, the least common type of spinal cord tumor. The dog had rapid onset of paresis and paralysis, with no sign of spinal pain.     

Disseminated aspergillosis in a dog with diskospondylitis and neurologic deficits.

A German shepherd dog was treated initially for signs of urinary tract infection; subsequently, signs of spinal pain and neurologic deficits developed. Fungal hyphae were found in the urine sediment, and spinal radiography revealed changes in the vertebrae and intervertebral disks at the levels of T3 to T8, T12 to T13, L3-4, and L5-6, consistent with diskospondylitis. Fungal cultures of urine and specimens from spinal lesions yielded Aspergillus terreus. Itraconazole (5 mg/kg of body weight, PO, q 24 h) was used to treat this infection, and locomotion improved. Sudden death occurred 4 weeks after treatment was initiated; this was attributed to exsanguination associated with a weakened renal artery. This dog was raised in Florida and resided in central Virginia. The disseminated aspergillosis found in this dog was not limited to the hot arid climates that some reports suggest are optimal conditions for growth.     

Equine femoral fracture repair: A case report

A case report of successful femoral fracture repair in a foal is presented. The repair utilized a single DCP plate (Dynamic Compression Plate) and two additional screws placed in lag fashion.     

Rectovaginal fistula with atresia ani in three kittens.

Rectovaginal fistula with atresia ani was diagnosed in 3 kittens. Physical abnormalities included abdominal distension, bulging of the perineum, and lack of an anal opening. Vaginography was helpful in determining the type of malformation present in 2 cases. In each kitten attempts were made to surgically correct the anatomic malformations. Various post-operative complications such as fecal incontinence, would dehiscence, constipation, and excessive scar tissue formation occurred and are discussed.