Correction of pes varus deformity in a Miniature Dachshund by true spherical osteotomy with a dome saw blade

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 6-month-old male Miniature Dachshund was referred for examination and correction of a unilateral pes varus deformity.

CLINICAL FINDINGS

Clinical examination and diagnostic imaging revealed varus, procurvatum, and internal torsion of the distal aspect of the left tibia causing intermittent lameness.

TREATMENT AND OUTCOME

True spherical osteotomy performed with a dome-shaped saw allowed correction of the deformity in 3-D, and orthogonal internal plate fixation provided stabilization. No intraoperative or immediate postoperative complications developed. Outcome as judged by the clinician and the owners was satisfactory 2 weeks after surgery and excellent at each subsequent assessment. The patient remained free of clinical signs at the last follow-up 30 months after surgery.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

To the authors' knowledge, this case represented the first time a true spherical osteotomy was used to correct a pes varus deformity in a canine patient.

Hemipelvic and proximal femoral limb salvage endoprosthesis with tendon ongrowth in a dog

OBJECTIVE

To report the clinical application of a hemipelvic and proximal femoral endoprosthesis for limb salvage.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case report.

ANIMAL

One 5-year-old, neutered female, flat coated retriever with a malignant neoplasia of the left coxofemoral joint.

METHODS

An invasive soft tissue mass (histiocytic sarcoma) with bone lysis of the femoral head and acetabulum was noted on radiographs, computed tomography (CT), and MRI. Custom-designed hemipelvic and proximal femoral endoprostheses were produced from CT images and manufactured with hydroxyapatite coated surfaces to allow tissue integration. The proximal femoral implant allowed tendon ongrowth and muscle attachment. The pelvic implant was anchored to the ilium and ischium with screws, and the femoral implant was cemented. Chemotherapy consisted of lomustine (CCNU).

RESULTS

No evidence of implant loosening or local/thoracic metastases was noted on radiographs or CT at 6 weeks and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after surgery. A neurapraxia resolved 14 weeks postoperatively. Intensive rehabilitation was performed. At 12 months, activity was unrestricted with minimal residual lameness. The dog was euthanized at 14 months for metastatic disease.

CONCLUSION

Limb salvage with a hemipelvic and proximal femoral endoprosthesis resulted in limb function and survival for 14 months.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Neoplasia involving the bones of the coxofemoral joint traditionally requires hemipelvic resection and pelvic limb amputation. This report provides evidence that limb salvage can result in satisfactory levels of activity.

Global positioning system derived performance measures are responsive indicators of physical activity, disease and the success of clinical treatments in domestic dogs

Objective

To assess the use of Global Positioning System receiver (GPS) derived performance measures for differentiating between: 1) different outdoor activities in healthy dogs; 2) healthy dogs and those with osteoarthritis; 3) osteoarthritic dogs before and after treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesia.

Design

Prospective study.

Animals

Ten healthy dogs and seven dogs with osteoarthritis of the elbow joint (OA dogs).

Procedure

Healthy dogs were walked on a standard route on-lead, off-lead and subjected to playing activity (chasing a ball) whilst wearing a GPS collar. Each dog was walked for five consecutive days. Dogs with OA were subjected to a single off-lead walk whilst wearing a GPS collar, and then administered oral Carprofen analgesia daily for two weeks. OA dogs were then subjected to the same walk, again wearing a GPS collar.

Results

GPS derived measures of physical performance could differentiate between on-lead activity, off-lead activity and playing activity in healthy dogs, and between healthy dogs and OA dogs. Variation in the performance measures analysed was greater between individual dogs than for individual dogs on different days. Performance measures could differentiate healthy dogs from OA dogs. OA Dogs treated with Carprofen analgesia showed improvements in their physical performance, which returned to values indistinguishable from those of healthy dogs on nearly all the measures assessed.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

GPS derived measures of physical performance in dogs are objective, easy to quantify, and can be used to gauge the effects of disease and success of clinical treatments. Specific stimuli can be used to modulate physical performance beyond the self-governed boundaries that dogs will naturally express when allowed to exercise freely without stimulation.

Effect of signalment on the presentation of canine patients suffering from cranial cruciate ligament disease

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of signalment on the incidence and presentation of patients suffering from cranial cruciate ligament disease.

METHODS

Data relating to 426 dogs (44 breeds) that met specific selection criteria were obtained from the hospital archive (2002 to 2008). Cases were followed up for 2 years.

RESULTS

The breeds most commonly presented with cranial cruciate ligament disease were Labrador retriever (16%), Rottweiler (15%), golden retriever (12%) and boxer (9%). Rottweilers were significantly more likely (69%; P=0·05) to develop and present with (50%; P=0·03) bilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease. Rottweilers presenting with cranial cruciate ligament disease were significantly younger (median 977 days; P<0·0001) than other breeds; golden retrievers being significantly older at presentation (median 1994 days; P=0·004). Neither sex nor neutered status significantly affected the incidence of developing (P=0·77 and P=0·30, respectively) or presenting with (P=0·62 and P=0·35, respectively) bilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease. Entire dogs were significantly younger than neutered dogs at presentation (P=0·0004). Entire female dogs presented significantly younger than neutered females (P=0·0002), entire males (P=0·01) and neutered males (P=0·0001).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Breed affects the incidence of developing and presenting with bilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease. Breed and sex both affect the age that patients present with cranial cruciate ligament disease.

School finance: fifty years of expansion

Since 1949-50, per-pupil expenditures in public elementary and secondary schools have more than quadrupled, even after adjusting for inflation. This article discusses some of the reasons. A significant share of the increase is the result of an 86% inflation-adjusted increase in teachers' salaries between 1949-50 and 1971-72, although teachers' salaries have changed little in the following 25 years. The ratio of students to school employees has dropped by half since 1949-50 as a result of declining class sizes and the hiring of more nonteaching school employees, which significantly affects costs. Even maintaining class size at a constant level will cause school budgets to grow at a rate greater than that of inflation because schools must compete in a labor market against other employers who are able to produce more with fewer employees. A substantial part of the increase in per-pupil spending is a result of expansions in services provided by the schools. More expensive, specialized classes for high school students, compensatory education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, special education and related services for students with disabilities, and desegregation efforts all contribute to higher costs. Efforts to improve funding equity have led to increased expenditures: rather than take funding from wealthier districts, most states prefer to raise the funding available to schools at the bottom and the middle of the scale, increasing total spending. Finally, a share of the total increase must be attributed to the workings of the political system governing schools.

Parasites and selected diseases of collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) in the trans-pecos region of Texas

Fifty-five collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) were collected from October 1988 through April 1991 from five counties within the Trans-Pecos region of Texas (USA) to monitor for diseases and parasites. No endoparasites were recovered on gross examination. Antibody to Borrelia burgdorferi was documented in one (2%) of 55 specimens. Three (6%) of 54 collared peccaries were positive for Yersinia pestis antibodies. All collared peccaries were negative for antibodies against Brucella spp., Francisella tularensis, Rickettsia rickettsii, and Rickettsia typhi. This is the first report of Borrelia sp. and Yersinia sp. pathogens in collared peccaries from this region of Texas.

An investigation of the chemical contact lens problem

An evaluation of the "chemical trapping premise" was made to determine if, in fact, chemicals do accumulate behind a contact lens if a wearer encounters chemical splash. Photographs were taken to document the effect of chemical splashes. A photograph of a normal eye, Fig 7, taken prior to the insertion of a contact lens is included for purposes of comparison. Under the conditions investigated, it was demonstrated that, for liquid irritant exposures, eyes are afforded more protection when wearing contact lenses than when not. Test results suggest the contact lens acts as a barrier to the irritant on the cornea. The investigators postulate that lid spasm occurs, causing the lens to tighten against the cornea, thereby effectively sealing off the area under the lens. Since the "barrier" effect appears to be a function of time, more testing of this variable is warranted. Moreover, further investigation is indicated using a broader spectrum of irritants and an extended environmental exposure to dust and vapors.