Transfer of Free Vascular Cutaneous Flaps by Microvascular Anastomosis Results in Six Dogs

Skin defects on the distal extremities of six dogs were reconstructed with free vascular cutaneous transfers by microvascular anastomosis. The donor flaps were based on the superficial cervical artery and vein. In five of the dogs, bone was exposed and skin was lost from half of the circumference of the limb. Two had infected fractures with sequestra and three had acute shearing injuries. The sixth dog had sensory denervation of the left antebrachium and a carpal acral lick granuloma. Before surgery, the patency of potential recipient vessels was confirmed with arteriography in five dogs and an ultrasonic doppler in one dog. Microvascular technique was used to reestablish circulation to the flaps after they were transferred to the recipient site. Total ischemic time of the flaps averaged 100 minutes. All flaps survived. Successful reconstruction of the cutaneous defects was achieved in these six cases.     

HYDROMYELIA IN THE DOG

Hydromyelia is a dilation of the spinal cord central canal. In man this may be due to congenital malformations such as Dandy-Walker syndrome and Chiari malformations or may be acquired as result of infection, trauma or neoplasia. In dogs hydromyelia may be accidentally diagnosed during routine cisterna magna myelography. Hydromyelia, and its possible etiology, may be confirmed by means of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Three dogs with hydromyelia due to differing etiologies are described.     

ARACHNOID CYST IN CEREBELLAR PONTINE AREA OF A CAT-DIAGNOSIS BY MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

A male Persian cat with epileptiform convulsions was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. A space occupying lesion filled with cerebrospinal fluid, believed to be a caudal fossa arachnoid cyst, was found. This condition, which has not been previously described in the cat, was thought to be an incidental finding in the subject of this report.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF OTITIS MEDIA IN A DOG

Otitis media/interna was diagnosed in a 20-month-old German shepherd with the assistance of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The MR images were acquired primarily to exclude a brain lesion responsible for vestibular signs. No brain lesion was detected, but obvious signs of chronic changes in the left bulla and external ear canal were confirmed. Thickening of the epithelium and soft tissue surrounding the external ear canal and a laminated appearance of high and low T2 intensities in the tympanic bulla's mucosa were present. The hypointense lines were suspected to be fibrous tissue, indicating chronic changes. This report suggests that MR imaging may serve as a useful imaging tool for otitis media and that it supplies information not obtained with radiography or computed tomography.     

DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN THE NORMAL DOG: PART II

Doppler echocardiography was used to determine blood flow velocities in the normal canine heart. The areas examined were the mitral valve, left atrium, tricuspid valve, right atrium, aortic valve, left ventricular outflow tract, pulmonic valve and right ventricular outflow tract. This study then statistically evaluated the influence of breed, age, sex, heart rate, mass and various interactions of these factors on the cardiac flow values determined. Mass and heart rate had the most significant effect on the various determinations with decreasing mass and increasing heart rates generally resulting in increasing peak and mean velocities. The pulmonary artery was statistically judged as being the flow area most susceptible to such influences. Comparisons were made between pulsed and continuous wave Doppler for peak velocities over the four valve areas with only aortic flow, as measured from the left caudal view, showing a significant difference between the two techniques. Mitral flow as compared to tricuspid flow showed a statistically significant difference between peak late diastolic velocities only. The ratio of early mitral diastolic flow to late mitral diastolic flow was always greater than one. Pulmonary flow showed a number of statistically significant differences when compared to aortic flow.