The use of skin expansion to repair cosmetic defects in animals

Skin expansion was used in three horses, one heifer, and one dog to aid in the repair of cosmetic defects. Skin expansion was produced by inserting an expandable silicone device subcutaneously and gradually inflating the device with saline. Skin expansion allowed skin to be mobilized and sutured over cosmetic defects without excessive tension. A successful outcome was achieved in four of the five cases reported here. In one animal, two attempts to create a pocket for a silicone prosthesis failed because the expanders ruptured. Complications included implant failure, wound dehiscence, and exposure of an expander. Skin expansion can be used to enable closure of skin defects in areas where skin tension usually precludes repair by local transposition.

Perineal hernia repair in the dog by transposition of the internal obturator muscle. II. Complications and results in 100 patients

A modified technique for transposition of the internal obturator muscle was used to repair perineal hernias in 100 dogs. Complications and long-term results are described. The most important complications were wound infection (45%), faecal incontinence (15%), and perineal fistula (7%). These complications often occurred in combination. The recurrence rate of perineal hernia was 5%. Nine of the 15 patients with faecal incontinence had paresis of the external anal sphincter or faecal incontinence before surgery. We suggest that in numerous patients, faecal incontinence is a complication of the condition rather than a complication of treatment. The owner's assessment of the surgical result was good in 71% and moderate in 18% of the cases.

Fistulous withers in horses: 14 cases (1978-1987)

Over an 8-year period, 14 horses were admitted to the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine for evaluation of fistulous withers. Of the 14 horses, 11 were treated surgically and 3 were not treated. Surgical techniques involved radical excision of the affected soft tissue and spinous processes of affected vertebrae. Recurrence rate was 30%, and these horses required additional surgery to resolve the problem.

[Surgical treatment of a case of chronic endometritis in cattle]

An adhesion localised between the uterus and bladder was removed by surgery in a four-year-old cow with chronic endometritis. This adhesion was found to contain a fistula, through which urine could enter the uterus.

Sodium chloride depletion in a cat with fistulated meningomyelocele

Decreased serum and CSF chloride concentrations were documented in a 5-year-old Manx cat referred for evaluation of anorexia. Inadequate chloride intake coupled with chloride loss through a fistulated meningomyelocele probably caused chloride deficiency. The inciting cause of anorexia was not determined. The cat was treated with 0.9% NaCl solution. Normal serum and CSF chloride concentrations were restored. Lumbar myelography was performed to delineate the meningocutaneous tract, which then was dissected surgically and was ligated. The cat's body attempted to maintain normal CSF chloride concentration even though the serum chloride concentration was decreased markedly. Calculations made on the basis of rate of CSF production, CSF chloride concentration, and duration of anorexia provided supportive evidence for an active transport system for chloride from plasma to CSF.

Abomasal fistulas in dairy cows

Abomasal fistulas were corrected surgically in 9 adult Holstein cows. Six cows had a history of right paramedian abomasopexy (RPA), and 2 cows had had a percutaneous abomasopexy using the blind-stitch technique (BSA). Fistulas developed from 2 weeks to 12 months after the RPA or BSA. In 1 cow, history was not available beyond 2 years, and no surgery had been performed in that time. All fistulas were in the right paramedian area and were draining blood and/or ingesta from necrotic abomasal tissue (8 cows) or ruminal tissue (1 cow). Surgery was performed immediately in cows with consistent hemorrhage from the fistulated tissue (4 cows). Surgery was delayed to reduce rumen contents if bleeding was absent or considered negligible (4 cows) or to stabilize the patient (1 cow). General anesthesia was used in 7 cows, local anesthesia in 2 cows. Outcome following the fistula resection was successful in the 7 cows discharged from the clinic. The occurrence of abomasal fistulation is probably related to nonabsorbable sutures penetrating the abomasal lumen during the abomasopexy procedure resulting in infection of the incision or body wall.

Repair of a traumatically induced oronasal fistula in a cat with a rostral tongue flap

Repair of an extensive oronasal fistula in a cat was accomplished by the use of a tongue flap. The dorsal surface of the tongue was debrided of mucosa and the edges were trimmed to produce a bleeding surface. Rotation of the tongue 180 degrees upon its long axis allowed the debrided surface to be sutured in apposition with the palatine mucosa. The mouth was wired closed and the cat was fed blenderized canned cat food for 4 weeks through a pharyngostomy tube. The tongue pedicle was amputated in successive stages to stimulate collateral circulation. Complications included a partial dehiscence along one edge of the suture line, which was corrected by resuturing.

Oral surgery. Basic techniques

Some of the clinical problems most frequently seen in veterinary dentistry and their surgical solutions are discussed. Extraction of teeth, surgical repositioning of teeth, tooth transplant, oral abscesses of tooth origin, impaction of teeth, repair of maxillary canine oronasal fistula, and simple techniques for oral wiring are among the issues considered.

Complications from a testicular prosthesis in a stallion

A testicular prosthesis was removed from the scrotum of a 3-year-old Quarter Horse stallion. The prosthesis had been placed in the left side of the scrotum 10 months earlier, after an unsuccessful attempt to reposition the retained left testis. Because of a persistent draining fistula on the scrotum, first noted 5 months after placement of the prosthesis, surgery was performed to remove the prosthesis. At surgery, the left testis was found in a fibrous mass surrounding the prosthesis. The left testis had descended after placement of the prosthesis, and its involvement in the fibrous tissue surrounding the infected prosthesis necessitated its removal. Had the prosthesis not been placed, descent of the left testis probably would have resulted in an essentially normal stallion.

Ultrasonographic detection of fistulous tracts and foreign objects in muscles of horses

The results from water-bath studies on equine muscle in which foreign material had been inserted and then scanned ultrasonographically were compared with the results from scanning of the muscles of horses hospitalized for diagnosis of suspected foreign objects embedded in muscle. The water-bath studies showed that bone, wood, and large tendons all will demonstrate acoustic shadowing, but that subtle differences in the characteristics of the relative hyperechogenicity and acoustic shadows facilitate elimination of certain considerations in the differential diagnosis. Ultrasonography was effective in locating fistulous tracts and bone sequestra. A protocol for diagnosis of suspected foreign objects imbedded in muscle was proposed.

Paralaryngeal abscess with laryngeal hemiplegia and fistulation in a horse

A three year old Thoroughbred filly was examined because of bilateral nasal discharge and external swelling of the left laryngeal area. Endoscopy revealed an enlarged left arytenoid cartilage, left laryngeal hemiplegia and drainage of purulent material into the lumen of the larynx. Radiographs showed a large fluid and gas filled cavity overlying the caudal larynx and cranial trachea. Surgical drainage and debridement of the abscess led to complete healing by secondary intention. Laryngeal ventriculectomy was performed as a treatment for left laryngeal hemiplegia, but a grave prognosis for respiratory soundness was given due to the extensive laryngeal fibrosis. The etiology of the Staphylococcus aureus abscess is unknown but may have originated from oral trauma to the larynx.

[Inflammatory lesions caudal to the costal arch following ovariohysterectomy in dogs (author's transl)]

Over a period of thirty months, twenty-two dogs showing inflammatory lesions caudal to the costal arch following ovariohysterectomy were submitted for examination. Seventeen patients showed fistulae, four showed painful swellings and one patient showed a fistula on one and a swelling on another side. After the findings on physical examination, the results of bacteriological haematological and radiological studies are reported. Surgical procedures consisted in laparotomy through the median line and/or local exploration of the region of the flanks, which led to laparotomy in some cases. The prognosis was bad in these cases; of eighteen patients with fistulae, only six, and of four patients showing swellings two recovered. The findings in six dogs submitted for post-mortem examination are reported.

Internal fixation of a fractured humerus in a dog and late osteosarcoma development

Five years after an intramedullary nailing of a fractured humerus a fistula developed in a dog. The nail was removed and a gross swelling developed 11 weeks later. Osteosarcoma was diagnosed.

Method for repeated or prolonged rumen infusion without establishing an open fistula

A method was developed for repeated or prolonged infusion of substances into the rumen. A blind rumen fistula was surgically formed so that the unopened rumen compartment was easily accessible immediately beneath the skin. A cardiac catheter was inserted into the rumen and was tied to a canvas patch cemented to the animal's coat. This method has been used in cattle and sheep for continuous infusion periods of one to six weeks. This surgical preparation also has been used to put plant material directly into the rumen and to obtain rumen contents. Thus, a large number of fistulated animals can be maintained over long periods without the disadvantages of maintenance required for animals each having an open fistula fitted with a closure device.

A case of carpal intersynovial fistula in a horse

A tentative diagnosis of a fistula between the tendon sheaths of the right extensor carpi radialis and the intercarpal joint was confirmed by positive contrast radiography following injection of sodium diatrizoate into the joint. Surgical removal of a tag of synovial membrane and repair of the fistula was carried out. Post surgical treatment included mild exercise to prevent adhesions within the sheath. A month following discharge, contrast radiography revealed no communication between joint and tendon sheath. At this time mild distension of the sheath was relieved by aspiration and it did not recur when the horse returned to work following a further month of rest.

Fistula channel from the ear to the frontal region in 2 guinea-pigs having streptococcal empyema of the middle and inner ear

2 cases of a frontal fistula in guinea-pigs as a consequence of purulent streptococcal otitis interna and media are described and illustrated.

[What is your diagnosis? (author's transl)]

The clinical and radiographic findings, surgical treatment and post-operative course in a dog with a recurrent fistula in the neck are reported. Although a foreign body was discernible on a survey radiograph, pre-operative contrast radiography was carried out using a watersoluble contrast medium, the advantages of which are discussed. The foreign body, a piece of treebark, was removed at surgery. The fistula did not recur during a post-operative period of ten months.

Otognathia with complete pharyngeal fistulae in an Angus calif

An Angus calf affected with bilateral otognathia and complete pharyngeal fistulae is described. The cause could not be determined.

Cervical abscess and pharyngeal fistula in a horse

A weanling Quarter Horse filly developed ventral swelling of the lower cervical area after difficult passage of a stomach tube for deworming. Intermittent bilateral nasal discharge developed. Radiography revealed fluid and gas density dorsal to the trachea and esophagus. Surgical incision with drainage and debridement of the abscess and fistulous tract, facilitated by use of drains, led to complete recovery. Contrast medium injected after surgery demonstrated a communication between the abscess and the pharyngeal region.

Runyon group III atypical mycobacteria as a cause of tuberculosis in a rhesus monkey

Bilateral draining fistulas which communicated with the cheek pouches were noted in the threat region of an adult femal Macaca mulatta receiving isoniazid for tuberculosis prophylaxis. Necrospy findings included enlargedregional lymph nodes and ulceration of cheek pouch mucous membranes. Acid-fast bacilli were demonstrated in tissue section. Cultures of the regional lymph nodes and cheek pouch mucous membrane yielded Runyon Group III mycobacteria. Intrapalpebral tuberculin tests with homologous mycobacterial antigen (Battery strain PPD) and Kochs Old Tuberculin were performed in an unsuccessful attempt to identify additional infected monkeys. This case is considered significant because of the unusual manifestation of mycobacterial disease and its occurrence in an animal receiving isoniazid at levels considered sufficient for the prevention of tuberculosis.

Intersynovial fistula in the carpus of a horse

Soft tissue lesions are often secondary to equine carpal injury. The clinical and pathological nature of soft tissue changes following carpal trauma are varied. This report describes a case of intersynovial fistula between the radial carpal joint and the common digital extensor tendon sheath. The differential diagnosis and pathological features of equine soft tissue carpal injuries are discussed.