Panniculitis, polyarthritis and osteomyelitis associated with pancreatic neoplasia in two dogs

A 12-year-old crossbred dog (case 1) and a 12-year-old Shetland sheepdog (case 2) were presented with a history of lameness and distal limb swelling. Physical examination revealed joint effusions and asymmetrical swellings of the extremities. In case 1, a diagnosis of arthritis and cellulitis was made on fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the synovium and subcutis. In case 2, bone biopsies and synovial aspirates diagnosed osteomyelitis and arthritis. A diagnosis of pancreatic disease was made on the findings of marked elevations of serum lipase concentrations and ultrasonographic identification of pancreatic masses in both cases. Both the cases were non-responsive to symptomatic management and were subsequently euthanased. Postmortem examination confirmed the diagnosis of panniculitis, arthritis and osteomyelitis in both cases. A pancreatic exocrine adenoma was identified in case 1 and a pancreatic adenocarcinoma with widespread metastases in case 2. To the authors' knowledge the association of panniculitis, polyarthritis and osteomyelitis with pancreatic disorders has not been reported previously in canine clinical cases.

Horner's syndrome associated with a mandibular symphyseal fracture and bilateral temporomandibular luxation

Interruption of the postganglionic neuron in the sympathetic pathway to the eye is reported to be a common cause of Horner's syndrome in the cat, although there are few clinical reports identifying the site and nature of the lesion responsible. A case of Horner's syndrome resulting from trauma to the periorbital structures following reduction of temporomandibular joint luxation is presented. In this case, the ophthalmic abnormalities resolved spontaneously over eight days.

Stabilization of sacroiliac luxation in 40 cats using screws inserted in lag fashion

OBJECTIVE

To (1) identify prognostic indicators for stability after stabilization of sacroiliac luxation with screws inserted in lag fashion and (2) report dorsoventral dimensions of the sacrum in cats.

STUDY DESIGN

Multicenter retrospective study.

SAMPLE POPULATION

Cats (n=40) with sacroiliac luxation.

METHODS

Case records and radiographs of cats presented at the Queen's Veterinary School Hospital Cambridge and the Royal Veterinary College Hatfield for screw fixation of sacroiliac luxation were reviewed. Dorsoventral dimensions of 15 feline cadaveric sacral bodies were measured to identify the appropriate implant size for use in fixation with screws inserted in lag fashion.

RESULTS

Of 40 cats, 13 had left, 14 right, and 13 bilateral sacroiliac luxations. Of 48 screws analyzed, 42 (87.5%) were placed within the sacral body or exited ventrally and 6 (12.5%) were considered malpositioned. Screw purchase within the sacrum was statistically different between unstable and stable repairs (P=.001). Using confidence intervals for screw length within the sacrum and effect on stability, the lowest screw depth that contained 95% of the screws that did not loosen was approximately 60% of the sacral width. Mean dorsoventral sacral dimension at its narrowest point was 5.9+/-1.14 mm. There was no significant difference in the incidence of implant loosening between those luxations that were 100% reduced and those that were <100% reduced (P=.7837).

CONCLUSIONS

Screw purchase within the feline sacrum of at least 60% of the sacral width significantly reduces the risk of loosening.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Screw placement to a depth of 60% of the width of the feline sacrum is recommended.

Radiographic assessment of the skeletons of Dolly and other clones finds no abnormal osteoarthritis

Our recent report detailing the health status of cloned sheep concluded that the animals had aged normally. This is in stark contrast to reports on Dolly (first animal cloned from adult cells) whose diagnoses of osteoarthritis (OA) at 5½ years of age led to considerable scientific concern and media debate over the possibility of early-onset age-related diseases in cloned animals. Our study included four 8-year old ewes derived from the cell line that gave rise to Dolly, yet none of our aged sheep showed clinical signs of OA, and they had radiographic evidence of only mild or, in one case, moderate OA. Given that the only formal record of OA in Dolly is a brief mention of a single joint in a conference abstract, this led us to question whether the original concerns about Dolly's OA were justified. As none of the original clinical or radiographic records were preserved, we undertook radiographic examination of the skeletons of Dolly and her contemporary clones. We report a prevalence and distribution of radiographic-OA similar to that observed in naturally conceived sheep, and our healthy aged cloned sheep. We conclude that the original concerns that cloning had caused early-onset OA in Dolly were unfounded.

Feline shoulder luxation: a cadaveric study of injury and repair using ligament prostheses

OBJECTIVES

To describe the range of motion and clinical stability of the feline shoulder following experimental injury and repair using a prosthetic suture technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen feline cadaveric thoracic limbs were randomly allocated into three groups: medial injury, lateral injury or bilateral injury. Joint range of motion and clinical stability in all directions was recorded before and after specific anatomic structures were sectioned and following surgical repair using a prosthetic suture technique. Results were compared between intact, injured and repaired limbs for each injury type.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in joint range of motion in specific limb directions between intact and injured joints and between injured and repaired joints. There was no difference in joint range of motion between intact and repaired joints. Four of six medially injured joints were deemed clinically stable and five of six laterally injured joints were deemed clinically stable. All bilaterally injured joints were deemed unstable.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The relative contributions of shoulder stabilisers to joint range of motion and clinical stability provide a reference for clinical cases with suspected shoulder instability. The prosthetic suture repair technique described was effective at returning the shoulder joint to a normal range of motion in this ex vivo model.

Management of proximal metaphyseal curvilinear tibial fractures in 25 skeletally immature dogs (2009 to 2020)

OBJECTIVES

To describe the occurrence, management and outcome of proximal metaphyseal curvilinear tibial fractures in skeletally immature dogs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A multi-centre retrospective review was conducted, searching for skeletally immature dogs presenting with proximal metaphyseal curvilinear tibial fractures between January 2009 and September 2020. Signalment, fracture description and case management data were retrieved. Outcome was assessed by retrospectively evaluating follow-up radiographs, hospital records and an owner questionnaire.

RESULTS

Twenty-five dogs met the inclusion criteria. All but one fracture was a result of minimal trauma. Twenty fractures were managed with internal fixation, two with external fixation and three conservatively. All 25 fractures healed. Eight major complications occurred in seven of 25 (28%) dogs. Twelve minor complications occurred in 10 of 25 (40%) dogs. Owner questionnaire data were available for 12 of 25 dogs; 11 of 12 were reported as having full function and one of 12 as having acceptable function at the time of questioning (median 34.5 months following presentation). At final follow-up, either by clinical examination or owner questionnaire, full function was achieved in 22 of 25 patients and acceptable function in three of 25.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This study reported a series of proximal metaphyseal tibial fractures in skeletally immature dogs. The most common fixation method was internal fixation, which frequently resulted in full limb function at final follow-up. Owners reported outcome as fully functional in all dogs that underwent surgery at first presentation and had owner follow-up available, though positive outcomes may have been affected by participation bias.