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Objective: Various facultative pathogenic bacteria have been detected in the dog's prepuce. To prevent the transmission of these bacteria, some breeders flush the prepuce of their stud dogs before mating. The purpose of this study is to find out whether preputial flushing is medically useful before mating., Material and Methods: 20 male dogs participated in the study. Their prepuce was flushed with physiological saline and minimum 4 weeks later with Caniprevent. The effect of the different solutions was compared using microbiological examinations of swab samples taken before and after flushing., Results: The most frequently identified bacterial species were Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus pseudintermedius , Streptococcus canis and mycoplasma. There was no significant difference in the number of bacteria detected in dogs with and without preputial discharge (p=0.878). After the flushing there was a significant decrease in bacterial growth. The bacterial reduction after preputial flushing with Caniprevent was 20.8% (p<0.001) and in that more pronounced than after flushing with NaCl (p=0.004)., Conclusion: Although a reduction in bacteria through preputial flushing could be detected in this study, the medical benefits of prophylactic flushing cannot yet be assessed., Clinical Relevance: With regard to preputial discharge and preputial flushing solutions, further research is needed in order to be able to better inform and advice pet owners., Competing Interests: Es liegt kein Interessenkonflikt vor., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the treatment success of dogs with medial coronoid disease (here: Fragmented Coronoid Process [FCP]) following arthroscopically performed subtotal coronoidectomy by the use of subjective and objective gait analysis and the evaluation of osteoarthritis progression in addition to their correlation with the findings from postoperative computed tomography. In particular, the clinical relevance of residual particles remaining postoperatively was to be evaluated., Material and Methods: Thirty elbows from 24 dogs of different breeds were examined clinically, orthopedically, using gait analysis as well as radiographically at least 6 months after unilateral or bilateral subtotal coronoidectomy. The results were compared with the preoperative findings of the corresponding examinations and postoperative computed tomography., Results: 79.2% (19/24) of the patients improved by at least one degree of lameness in the orthopedic examination, 66.7% (16/24) were free of lameness. 60% (18/30 joints) showed an increase in the degree of arthrosis. Postoperative computed tomography revealed small residual bone particles (<1 mm) in the joint space or soft tissue in 56.7% (17/30) of the joints. No significant association was evident between residual lameness and residual particles remaining within the joint postoperatively. An association between persistent lameness and progression of arthrosis was also not be demonstrable., Conclusion: No evidence was apparent supporting a link between residues of small bone particles after arthroscopic subtotal coronoidectomy and postoperative lameness. The progression of osteoarthritis could not be interrupted despite the surgical intervention., Clinical Relevance: When small residual particles (<1 mm) remain after subtotal coronoidectomy, these do not appear to have any influence on the clinical outcome., Competing Interests: Die Autoren bestätigen, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objectives:  The aim of the study was to investigate the contact mechanics and kinematic changes in the stifle in different standing angles., Study Design:  We performed a biomechanical ex vivo study using pairs of canine cadaver hindlimbs. Motion sensors were fixed to the tibia and the femur for kinematic data acquisition. Pressure mapping sensors were placed between the femur and both menisci. Thirty percent bodyweight was applied to the limbs with the stifle in 125, 135, or 145 degrees of extension., Results:  Stifle flexion angle influences femoromeniscal contact mechanics significantly. The load on both menisci was significantly higher for 125 and 135 degrees in comparison to 145 degrees. Additionally, the center of force was located significantly more caudal when comparing 125 to 145 degrees in the medial meniscus as well as in both menisci combined., Conclusion:  The angle of knee flexion significantly impacts the contact mechanics between the femur and the meniscus. As the knee flexes, the load on both menisci increases., Competing Interests: None declared., (The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).)

Objective:  Canine hip dysplasia is a common orthopaedic disease in dogs. The Norberg angle value is a measure of hip joint laxity. The aim of this study was to quantify the degree of rotation necessary to consider the radiograph as inadequately positioned and to determine the influence of rotation on the Norberg angle., Study Design:  Three sets of radiographs with different positioning and projections were acquired using 10 canine cadavers. Rotation of the pelvis was simulated by rotating the X-ray tube without changing the position of the patient., Results:  In dorsoventral projections, the Norberg angle value is increased by 3.2 to 5.8%. Due to rotation along the long axis, the Norberg angle increases on one side and decreases on the contralateral side by approximately the same value. Rotation of greater than 2 degrees in a lateral direction is visually perceived by the observer as tilted. Rotation of the projection in the caudoventral to craniodorsal direction causes mild increase of the Norberg angle (≤1%), while rotation of the projection in a cranioventral to caudodorsal direction causes moderate (≤2%) decrease of the Norberg angle. Rotation of less than -10 degrees (caudoventral to craniodorsal) or greater than 10 degrees (cranioventral to caudodorsal) is visually perceived as tilted., Conclusion:  Tilted images that are subjectively perceived evaluable have only little effect on the Norberg angle and are therefore probably acceptable. Dorsoventral projections can be recognized based on the proximal position of the patella and should be excluded from evaluation, as the Norberg angle value can be falsely increased., Competing Interests: None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to investigate the kinetic and kinematic changes in the stifle after a modified tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) with 9 and 12 mm cranialization of the tibial tuberosity in different standing angles., Study Design:  Biomechanical ex vivo study using seven unpaired canine cadaver hindlimbs. Sham TTA surgery was performed. Motion sensors were fixed to the tibia and the femur for kinematic data acquisition. Pressure mapping sensors were placed between femur and both menisci. Thirty percent body weight was applied to the limbs with the stifle in 135 or 145 degrees of extension. Each knee was tested in 135 degrees with intact cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) and deficient CCL with 12 mm cranialization of the tibial tuberosity in 135 and 145 degrees of extension. The last two tests were repeated with 9 mm., Results:  Transection of the CCL altered kinematics and kinetics. Tibial tuberosity advancement with 12 mm cranialization sufficiently restored stifle kinematics in 135 and 145 degrees but 9 mm TTA failed to do so in 135 degrees. The same effects were seen for internal rotation of the tibia. After TTA, a significant reduction in the force acting on both menisci was detected., Conclusion:  Tibial tuberosity advancement could restore stifle kinematics and meniscal kinetics after transection of the CCL ex vivo in the present study. Tibial tuberosity advancement reduced the contact force ratio on both menisci significantly. No changes of peak pressure and peak pressure location occurred following TTA under any of the tested experimental settings. Increased stifle extension (145 degrees) might lead to more stability, contradictory to biomechanical theory., Competing Interests: None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study aims to compare the Modified Maquet Procedure (MMP) with the Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) using long-term follow-up examinations over the period of more than one year (∅ 3,15 years) by clinical examination, radiographic assessment of osteoarthritis progression, and gait analysis by treadmill examination. Additional aim is to review the influence of surgeons' experience in TPLO technique., Material and Methods: This clinical study included 67 stifle joints of 50 dogs of different breeds between 20 and 40 kilograms body weight that were treated by TPLO (n = 48) or MMP (n = 19) following the rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament. The TPLO group was further divided into a group operated by two experienced surgeons (TPLO1, n = 25) and a second group operated by several surgeons with different experience (TPLO2, n = 23). Following a post-operative time period of more than one year in the least (mean, 3.15 ± 1.21 years) orthopedic and radiographic examinations as well as separate unilateral and bilateral gait analyses were conducted. In addition, gait analysis data were compared with an orthopedically healthy control group., Results: No significant and clinically relevant differences were observed between the 3 groups in the results of their orthopedic examination.Osteoarthritis progression showed similar values in all 3 surgical groups. On average per year this feature was slightly but statistically significantly lower in the TPLO2 group in comparison to the TPLO1 and MMP groups.Gait analysis during walking exhibited significant differences in bilateral ruptures at the Peak Vertical Force and the Vertical Impulse, especially when compared to the healthy control group. Stance phase duration did not show any significant differences. At trot, no significant differences were found between the 3 surgical groups., Conclusion: Both surgical techniques achieved good clinical, radiological, and gait analysis results in the 3 groups at long-term follow-up, even when compared with a healthy control group., Clinical Relevance: MMP can be considered a rapid feasible alternative to the established TPLO method also bearing satisfactory results in dogs. The degree of the surgeon's experience does not seem to influence the outcome., Competing Interests: Es besteht kein Interessenkonflikt der Autoren., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Aim of the study was to collect data concerning the use of antibiotics (AB) in dogs and cats in veterinary practices and clinics in Bavaria, Germany. It was evaluated, whether changes in the use of AB since the amendment of the Verordnung über Tierärztliche Hausapotheken (TÄHAV, German Regulation on the Veterinary In-house Pharmacy) in March 2018 could be documented., Material and Methods: Using 2 anonymous online surveys in 2017 and 2020, veterinarians treating dogs and cats in Bavaria were questioned about their usage of AB and their assessment of the current antimicrobial resistance situation. The results of both surveys were evaluated statistically and compared with each other., Results: While in 2017 a total of 238 questionaries were evaluated, 160 could be included in 2020. The three most commonly used antibiotics for systemic therapy were Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid (74.8 % of veterinarians), Enrofloxacin (56.7 %) and Amoxicillin (53.4 %) in 2017; and Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid (88.8 %), Amoxicillin (67.5 %) and Metronidazole (33.8 %) in 2020, respectively. The participating veterinarians stated that their overall use of 3 rd and 4th generations cephalosporins (from 20.2 % of veterinarians in 2017 to 9.4 % in 2020, p = 0,005) as well as fluoroquinolones (from 80.3 % to 33.1 %, p < 0.001) had significantly declined. In 2020, the choice of AB in veterinarians was affected by legal requirements (83.8 %), tolerability (81.3 %), way of application (76.9 %), acceptance by the patient (70.0 %), and frequency of application (64.4 %), with the last parameter being significantly more important to veterinarians working in a practice (83.8 %, p = 0.004) than to veterinarians in a clinic., Conclusion: Veterinarians report a significantly reduced usage of fluoroquinolones and 3 rd and 4th generation cephalosporines in dogs and cats compared to 2017. These changes in prescribing practice could be a consequence of the amendment of the TÄHAV, which dictates a prohibition of rededication as well as an obligation for microbial sensitivity testing for these AB classes., Clinical Relevance: Legal restrictions could have a positive influence on the amount and type of antibiotics used and therefore help to prevent antimicrobial resistance., Competing Interests: Die Autoren bestätigen, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the awareness for the breed-related brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) and the occurrence of other breed-typical diseases within the framework of an online survey for pug owners., Material and Methods: A digital questionnaire for owners was created, distributed via social media and subsequently evaluated., Results: The questionnaire was completed by 1220 pug owners. According to the owners, 32 % (344/1073) of the animals that did not undergo airway dilatation surgery show slight and 3 % (34/1073) show distinct breathing sounds when at rest. 86 % (326/378) of the owners perceive these breathing sounds as "normal, breed-specific" and 14 % (51/378) consider them as sign of "disease". 20 % (210/1073) of the animals are considered "somewhat" and 5 % (57/1073) "frequently tired and quickly short of breath" after a small amount of time. 24 % (245/1220) of all animals suffer from ocular diseases, 10 % (122/1220) from skin diseases and 11 % (134/1220) from spinal diseases, among others., Conclusion: The survey shows that with 67 % (814/1220) more than half of the pug owners perceive clinical signs of BOAS and/or other breed-specific diseases in their animals, however, a large proportion consider these as being non-problematic., Clinical Relevance: The present study reveals that the animals' clinical limitations associated with brachycephaly are oftentimes not perceived as being pathologic and are hence underestimated by the owners., Competing Interests: Die Autoren bestätigen, dass kein Interessenskonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To collect kinetic and kinematic data on the back movement in healthy dogs in comparison to chondrodystrophic dogs following hemilaminectomy while walking and trotting., Material and Methods: Gait analysis on the back movement was obtained from 19 healthy dogs and 21 chondrodystrophic dogs following hemilaminectomy procedure in consequence to disc herniation in the thoracic or lumbar region., Results: In transverse and sagittal planes the group of surgically treated dogs showed a higher range of motion (ROM) throughout the spine while walking and trotting. The difference in back movement depended on the region of the hemilaminectomy (thoracic, thoracolumbar, or lumbar). Operated dogs showed a significantly higher weight distribution towards their front limbs. When comparing the weight distribution among the hind limbs, there was a decreased Peak Vertical Force (PVF) and Vertical Impulse (VI) on the side corresponding to the hemilaminectomy., Conclusions: Following hemilaminectomy, dogs displayed increased instability within their spine, which - depending on the region and side of the hemilaminectomy - affected the back movement in different ways. Weight bearing was generally shifted away from the hind limb of the affected side, and towards the front limbs., Clinical Relevance: Even though hemilaminectomy has an effect on the back movement of dogs, it seems not to have relevant influence of quality of life., Competing Interests: Die Autoren bestätigen, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objective:  The aim of this study was to investigate whether small- to medium-sized dogs with a naturally occurring unilateral hindlimb lameness show the same compensatory changes in ground reaction forces as large-breed dogs and how the changes are displayed compared with healthy small- to medium-sized dogs., Study Design:  Small- to medium-sized dogs ( n  = 15) and large-breed dogs ( n  = 16) with unilateral rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament were examined. The kinetic parameters peak vertical force and vertical impulse of the two groups were compared with each other and compared with healthy Beagles ( n  = 15) and with healthy Labrador Retrievers ( n  = 17), respectively., Results:  The healthy Beagle group showed a significantly higher weight loading on the forelimbs compared with the healthy Labrador group. The affected groups in comparison with the corresponding healthy groups showed a higher load on the non-affected body half and a significant lower weight bearing on the affected limb. Comparing the two affected groups, no significant difference could be found., Conclusion:  Despite a substantially different initial situation regarding weight distribution of the examined small- to medium-sized dogs and large dogs, a unilateral hindlimb lameness leads to the same compensatory changes (cranial and lateral shift of the body mass centre)., Competing Interests: None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objective:  The aim of the study was to investigate the kinetic and kinematic changes in the stifle after a tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) with a postoperative tibia plateau angle (TPA) of either 6 or 1 degrees., Study Design:  Biomechanical ex vivo study using seven unpaired canine cadaver hindlimbs from adult Retrievers.Hinge plates were applied and a sham TPLO surgery was performed. Motion sensors were fixed to the tibia and the femur for kinematic data acquisition. Pressure mapping sensors were placed between femur and both menisci. Thirty per cent bodyweight was applied to the limbs with the stifle in 135 degrees of extension. Each knee was tested with intact cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), deficient CCL, 6 degrees TPLO and 1degree TPLO., Results:  Transection of the CCL altered kinematics and kinetics. However, comparing the intact with both TPLO set-ups, no changes in kinematics were detected. After 1 degree TPLO, a significant reduction in the force acting on both menisci was detected ( p  = 0.006)., Conclusion:  Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy restores stifle kinematics and meniscal kinetics after transection of the CCL ex vivo . The contact force on both menisci is reduced significantly after TPLO with a TPA of 1 degree. Increased stifle flexion might lead to caudal tibial motion., Competing Interests: None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objective:  Magnification error is always present in radiography and calibration is necessary, if high accuracy is required in pre-surgical planning. The goal of this study was to verify the use of self-made markers and calibration techniques and to establish guidelines for magnification correction., Study Design:  We evaluated and compared spherical and linear markers of different sizes with focus on practicability, accuracy and precision. Markers were placed on foam pads or attached to flexible arms., Results:  Vertical marker deviation of 1 cm from the anatomical reference point corresponded to ∼1% of magnification error in our setting. Marker placement along the horizontal plane showed no significant magnification in the periphery of the radiograph. All markers showed good accuracy and the commercial spherical marker with a flexible segment arm had the best results regarding practicability., Conclusion:  Our study suggests that marker type is not solely responsible for usability and accuracy but also the type of fixation. In the absence of a calibration marker, calculation of the magnification factor using a measurement tape during radiography is equally reliable. Use of a fixed averaged calculated calibration factor showed poor agreement compared with the marker calibration, probably due to variability in size of the animals. In conclusion, if precision matters, use of a calibration marker, which could be purchased or self-made, is advised., Competing Interests: None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Survey concerning the situation of small animal anesthesia in Europe and assessment of the compliance with the guidelines of the AVA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) and the DVG specialty group VAINS (Veterinary Anesthesia, Intensive Care, Emergency Medicine, and Pain Management)., Material and Methods: A link to an online survey with questions concerning anesthesia management (topics include demographics, equipment, monitoring, thermal management, pre-anesthetic examination, anesthetic protocol, and others) was sent to small animal practitioners in several countries., Results: A total of 767 evaluable questionnaires came from Germany (n = 343), Austria (n = 216), Switzerland (n = 83), the United Kingdom (n = 38), France (n = 25), Hungary (n = 25), Scandinavia (n = 23), and "other countries" (n = 11). On average, 91 % of respondents complied with the AVA guideline and 58 % complied with the VAINS specialty group guideline even before its publication. Practices/clinics with higher staff possessed superior equipment, and practices/clinics performing higher numbers of anesthesias per week were more likely to implement "good preliminary examination.", Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: Although the guidelines were found to be implemented to a certain degree, the presented study reveals a potential for optimization of the anesthesia regime in many practices/clinics, e. g. by improving the equipment or allowing for better use of present apparatus., Competing Interests: Die Autoren bestätigen, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Two female intact Labrador Retriever dogs (6 and 3 months of age, respectively) presented with a history of urinary incontinence. In both dogs, abdominal ultrasound revealed evidence of a unilateral ectopic ureterocele. Diagnosis of ureteral ectopia was established urethrocystoscopically by visualization of the ureteral orifice in the urethra, and an intramural course was confirmed via retrograde contrast fluoroscopy. Ectopic ureteral orifices were stenotic in both dogs. Cystoscopic- and fluoroscopic-guided laser ablation of the ectopic ureter were performed with a Hol:YAG laser. Following the procedure, both dogs were fully continent without any medical treatment. Cystoscopic- guided laser ablation of ureteroceles was effective and safe in these 2 dogs. Thus, this minimally invasive technique for the treatment of ectopic ureteroceles provides an alternative to surgical intervention., Competing Interests: Die Autoren bestätigen, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

An 8-year-old primiparous Labrador Retriever bitch was presented to the clinic 46 hours following the delivery of 2 vital and one stillborn puppy due to an increase of vaginal discharge. At the veterinary clinic, the dog spontaneously delivered an additional healthy puppy without any obstetric support. The findings of the general and gynaecological examinations as well as results of blood analyses were within normal limits. This case shows that extremely prolonged whelping process may be a rare but possible phenomenon in bitches. However, it is recommended to re-evaluate dam and fetuses regularly in case the inter-whelping interval exceeds the normal time span in order to recognize further signs of dystocia and induce obstetric support when clinically indicated., Competing Interests: Die Autoren bestätigen, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Radiographic hip scoring according to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and PennHIP (Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program) method was performed with the purpose to compare the PennHIP and FCI results as well as coxofemoral joint laxity by correlation of Norberg angle and distraction index measurements., Materials and Methods: A total of 167 dogs of various breeds presented for official screening examination in a veterinary teaching hospital in Germany were included. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, the best Norberg angle and distraction index cut-off values to distinguish between dysplastic and non-dysplastic groups based on FCI grades and to distinguish between lax and tight hip joints according to the PennHIP proposal were calculated., Results: More than one third (38.2 %) of dogs that passed the breeding criterions according to FCI (grades A and B) were in the half of the population with lax hip joints and should not be used for breeding according to the PennHIP proposal. A cut-off value for the distraction index of 0.44 with sensitivity of 82.7 % and specificity of 84.2 % was superior to the best cut-off value for the Norberg angle at 101.8° with sensitivity of 82.7 % and specificity of 71.9 % to discriminate between non-dysplastic joints (A, B) and dysplastic joints (C, D, E)., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Our results show a limited impact of laxity on the FCI grading. Breeding selection processes that are based on the FCI method could profit by an additional and complementary use of the distraction index., Competing Interests: The authors confirm that they do not have any conflict of interest., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Objective:  The main purpose of the study was to compare reliability of measurements for the evaluation of hip joint laxity in 59 dogs., Materials and Methods:  Measurement of the distraction index (DI) of the PennHIP method and the Norberg angle (NA) of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) scoring scheme as well as scoring according to the FCI scheme and the Swiss scoring scheme were performed by three observers at different level of experience. For each dog, two radiographs were acquired with each method by the same operator to evaluate intraoperator-reliability., Results:  Intraoperator-reliability was slightly better for the NA compared with the DI with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.962 and 0.892 respectively. The ICC showed excellent results in intraobserver-reliability and interobserver-reliability for both the NA (ICC 0.975; 0.969) and the DI (ICC 0.986; 0.972). Thus, the NA as well as the DI can be considered as reliable measurements. The FCI scheme and the Swiss scoring scheme provide similar reliability. While the FCI scheme seems to be slightly more reliable in experienced observers (Kappa FCI 0.687; Kappa Swiss 0.681), the Swiss scoring scheme had a noticeable better reliability for the unexperienced observer (Kappa FCI 0.465; Kappa Swiss 0.514)., Clinical Significance:  The Swiss scoring scheme provides a structured guideline for the interpretation of hip radiographs and can thus be recommended to unexperienced observers., Competing Interests: The authors report a grants from the Gesellschaft zur Förderung Kynologischer Forschung e.V. (GKF), during the conduct of the study., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Objective:  The aim of this study was to compare outcomes after tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) and modified Maquet procedure (MMP) for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) in dogs using clinical and radiographic evaluation and treadmill-based force plate gait analysis., Study Design:  This study was a prospective, randomized, controlled study., Materials and Methods:  Sixty-one dogs (76 joints) with CCLR were treated with TPLO ( n  = 30 dogs, 41 joints) or MMP ( n  = 31 dogs, 35 joints) and compared with a control group of 16 healthy Labrador Retrievers. Outcomes after surgery were compared by clinical orthopaedic assessment, radiographic evaluation and force plate gait analysis performed preoperatively, and then at 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. For objective comparison of ground reaction forces, the data were compared with the control group. Major complications were reported., Results:  A significant improvement in ground reaction forces was reached in all surgically treated dogs. No significant difference was found between the surgical methods at any postoperative re-examination. With regard to peak vertical force (PVF), there were significantly more patients with TPLO within the reference range of healthy dogs at the 3 months re-examination than dogs with MMP. There was no significant difference in mean value comparisons between TPLO and control groups 6 months postoperatively. Compared with the control group, mean values of 93.9% (PVF) and 85.9% (vertical impulse [VI]) were reached by the TPLO group and 89.4% (PVF) and 79.9% (VI) by the MMP group, 6 months postoperatively.No significant differences were found regarding major complications or progression of osteoarthritis., Conclusions:  Although no significant differences were found between the surgical methods, TPLO patients showed superiority with regard to clinical outcome., Competing Interests: Dr. Reese reports grants from Gesellschaft zur Förderung Kynologischer Forschung e.V. (GKF), during the conduct of the study., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Objective: Evaluation the development of perioperative body temperature while administrating a combination of acepromazine and metamizol (AM) versus anesthesia with acepromazine (A) alone., Material and Methods: In this prospective, quasi-randomized controlled study 20 dogs undergoing standardized tibial plateau leveling osteotomy were alternatingly assigned to group A or group AM (n = 10 each). The patients' body temperature values were recorded from the time of premedication up to its post-surgical return to reference values., Results: Body temperature decreases during anesthesia in both groups were comparable (p = 0.12). Postoperatively on the other hand, temperature development differed significantly between the two groups (p = 0.0455). In 6 dogs of the group AM, body temperature continued to decrease following extubation prior to returning to normothermic values., Conclusion: Intraoperatively, all patients developed hypothermia, regardless of the investigated anesthetic medication administered. Postoperatively, patients not receiving metamizol reached normothermia more rapidly., Competing Interests: Die Autoren bestätigen, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are multipotent cells, which are able to differentiate into various cell types of the body, as for example in osteogenic, chondrogenic, adipogenic and myogenic directions. In human medicine, the application of stem cells represents a well-established clinical procedure already applied for several decades. Addition-ally, in veterinary medicine, the stem-cell field is a rapidly growing sector for clinical use, particularly in horses. Recently, this treatment moda lity has also been commonly applied in dogs. The main field of application are diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Furthermore MSC are predominantly used for the treatment of lameness because of osteoarthritic changes of the large joints. In veterinary medicine, MSC are mainly isolated from bone marrow or adipose tissue. This artic le provides an overview of the removal site, isolation, characterisation and application of MSC. Moreover, studies available in the litera ture concerning the therapy of orthopaedic diseases in the dog using MSC are presented., Competing Interests: Die Autoren bestätigen, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Objective: The aim of the first part of the present study was to specify risk factors for the development of adventitious bursae on the limbs of weaning and finishing pigs., Material and Methods: In total, 192 pigs were examined weekly, recording the following parameters: general condition, number, size and localization of adventitious bursae on the limbs and sternum, gait and claws., Results: Adventitious bursae can occur at 13 positions on the limbs or sternum. These adventitious bursae were already evident when pigs were moved to the nursery. The prevalence of adventitious bursae increased constantly from weaning to slaughter. At the age of 24 weeks, 97.8 % of all investigated pigs displayed adventitious bursae (aged 4 weeks: 25.5 %; aged 12 weeks: 67.6 %). Heavier pigs had significantly more and larger adventitious bursae than lighter pigs of the same age. Furthermore, heavier pigs retrieved feed from the automatic feeder less frequently but ate larger amounts each time. In addition, pigs with poorer gait displayed significantly more adventitious bursae. In 95.6 % of all investigated pigs, claw lesions were evident at slaughter. The general condition was unaffected by adventitious bursae., Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: Referring to the results of the present study and the general function of bursae protecting underlying structure against pressure, there is no indication that adventitious bursae affect the animal welfare in terms of the sensation of pain. Influenced by various factors, adventitious bursae develop with high prevalence and number per animal over the course of the life of pigs and can be described as a technopathy. Because of the exposure of adventitious bursae, there is a risk to become an ulcerated bursa of degree three in relation to injuries., Competing Interests: Die Autoren bestätigen, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Objectives:  To evaluate negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for treatment of complicated wounds in dogs., Study Type:  Prospective randomized clinical study MATERIALS AND METHODS:  Dogs ( n  = 26) undergoing open-wound treatment were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group A ( n  = 13) NPWT; Group B ( n  = 13) silver-coated foam dressing. Pairs of patients were matched based on wound conformation, localization, and underlying cause and compared in terms of duration of previous treatment, development of wound size (wound planimetry), time to closure, bacterial bio-burden and complications. Wound dressing changes were performed every 3 days during the first 9 days of therapy for both groups. Statistical analysis was performed., Results:  Pre-treatment signalment and bacterial status were comparable between groups. Total time to closure was significantly ( p  = 0.018) shorter in Group A (14.2 days) compared with Group B (28.6 days), and wound planimetry on days 3, 6 and 9 showed significant greater reduction in total wound area for Group A at all-time points ( p  < 0.05). Furthermore, wounds in Group A showed less progression of local infection than did wounds in Group B ( p  = 0.01)., Conclusion:  NPWT-treated wounds showed faster closure, improved macro-deformation and less local signs of infection., Competing Interests: None., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Objective: To evaluate the bacterial contamination rate and to compare the efficacy of polyhexanide, cold argon plasma and saline at reducing bacterial bio-burden in dog bite wounds., Material and Methods: Dogs with bite-wound injuries were included when surgical debridement was pursued with subsequent treatment using either polyhexanide-biguanide lavage (A), cold argon plasma treatment (B) or saline lavage (C). Culture swabs were taken after debridement as well as after lavageor argon treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test., Results: A total of 40 dogs were enrolled in the study (A: n = 12; B: n = 10; C: n = 18). The majority of injuries were minor and 87.5% of patients had positive bacterial culture results pre-lavage, with 19.8% of isolates classified as multidrug resistant. A reduction in wound bioburden was achieved in 8/12 patients in group A, 5/10 patients in group B and 14/18 patients in group C. Complete decontamination was achieved in 5/12 patients in group A, 2/10 in group B and 9/18 in group C. None of these differences were statistically significant nor associated with the development of complications., Conclusion: No statistically significant differences were detected between the treatment groups; however, the cold argon plasma treatment provided the least effective decontamination., Clinical Relevance: Bite wounds yield a high rate of bacterial contamination, with increasing multidrug-resistance rates. Based on these preliminary results, no superior effect was detected for lavage using polyhexanidebiguanide or cold argon plasma., Competing Interests: Die Autoren bestätigen, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Schattauer GmbH.)

Background: Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a radiation free technique which takes advantage of the different electrical conductivities of different tissues. Its main field of application is lung ventilation monitoring. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the feasibility of collecting EIT information on a sample of dogs with different thoracic shapes under clinical conditions by connecting an electrode belt without fur clipping., Material and Methods: Fifteen pulmonary healthy dogs were anaesthetized, positioned in sternal recumbency and ventilated in a pressure-controlled mode at three different positive end-expiratory pressure levels (PEEP) of 0, 5 and 10 cmH 2 O for five breaths each, with a peak inspiratory pressure of 15 cmH 2 O. The impedance changes were recorded with a commercial EIT device applied around the thorax. Subsequently, the ventilation regime was repeated and a computed tomography scan (CT) of the same thoracic segment was performed for each PEEP level. The tidal volume (V t ) was recorded. For the collection of EIT data the sum of regional impedance changes was recorded. The impedance value of the entire lung (global) was recorded and the ventilated area was quartered into four regions of interest (ROI). In a CT image with the fewest adjacent organs, lung tissue was selected to obtain the mean value of lung radiodensitiy in Hounsfield-Units (HU) for the entire lung and for the four ROIs., Results: EIT recordings via the electrode belt were possible without clipping. There was a significant correlation for the parameters of aeration as measured by EIT and CT for both the entire ventilated lung and the corresponding ROIs. The increasing PEEP resulted in a proportional increase of the impedance, and there was a negative correlation between EIT and V t . The better ventilated dorsal ROIs could be identified using both EIT and CT. An intra-assay coefficient of variation showed a good reproducibility for lung ventilation in anaesthetized dogs in the EIT., Discussion: The results show that EIT is a reliable method for evaluating the ventilation of dogs in a clinical setting. The accuracy of EIT might be improved by using a mesh corresponding to the different thoracic shapes of the dogs.