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Simple Summary: Platelet concentrates have become increasingly popular in both animal and human medicine. These concentrates mainly consist of higher-than-normal levels of platelets and therefore contain a high concentration of growth factors which are stored within platelet α-granules. One specific type of platelet concentrate, known as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), is notable for its low-density fibrin. Recent research has focused on how PCs can benefit cattle, and PRP has shown promise in treating various reproductive issues, assisting in the production of bovine embryos, and addressing problems like sole ulcers and udder diseases. In this report, we aim to review the existing literature on the use of PRP in bovine veterinary practice. We followed strict guidelines to identify relevant studies. After searching extensively through databases, we found a total of 1196 papers, but only six met our criteria for inclusion. Out of these six papers, two discussed the use of PRP for mastitis, two for uterine dysfunction, and two for ovarian dysfunction in cattle. PRP emerged as a cost-effective and readily available treatment option, showing positive results in these cases. However, due to the diversity of conditions and definitions involved, more research is needed to fully understand its potential in clinical practice for cattle. Platelet concentrates (PCs) have become widely used in veterinary and human medicine. The PCs consist mainly of supraphysiological concentrations of platelets and, therefore, growth factors (GFs) which are stored within platelet α-granules. Among PCs, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is characterised by low-density fibrin. Research on the effect of PCs in cattle has surged in recent years; in particular, evidence has shown the positive use of PRP for treating reproductive problems, in vitro production of bovine embryos, sole ulcers and udder diseases. The aim of this report is to critically review, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, the available literature reporting clinical application in the bovine practice of PRP. Three bibliographic databases PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were used for a broad search of "platelet concentrates" OR "PRP" OR "platelet-rich plasma" OR "PRF" OR "platelet-rich fibrin" AND "cows" OR "cattle". From 1196 papers, only six met the inclusion criteria. Two papers described the use of PRP in mastitis, two papers in uterine dysfunction and two papers in ovarian dysfunction. PRP offered a low-cost, easily obtained therapeutic option and showed positive results for these patients. However, given the different pathologies and definitions involved, further studies are necessary to assess its full clinical potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The goal of preoperative planning techniques for advancement of the tibial tuberosity is to determine the amount of advancement required to achieve a postoperative patellar tendon angle of 90° and to select the optimal wedge size to achieve this target. Material and methods: Three radiographic methods for determining the advancement distance for the tibial tuberosity were evaluated for comparability and interobserver reliability. Among the methods developed, we decided to include the common tangent method, the tibial anatomy-based method, and the Bielecki method. For all techniques, radiographs were taken in mediolateral projection with the knee joint flexed at 135°. Three observers with different levels of experience independently evaluated and scored the degree of osteoarthritis for each stifle, as previously described, and performed measurements of the amount of advancement of the tibial tuberosity on 33 stifles using common tangent method, tibial anatomy-based method, and Bielecki method. Results: According to the results, the overall score for osteoarthritis in the mediolateral view was influenced by the experience of the observers, which contradicts the results from a previous study. Regarding the measurement methods used to assess advancement, poor interobserver reliability was found for common tangent method and Bielecki method, while only a slightly moderate interobserver agreement was found for tibial anatomy-based method. Discussion: These results are inconsistent with data collected by Bielecki and colleagues. Moreover, measurements from common tangent method and tibial anatomy-based method were overlapping, as confirmed previously. Conversely, Bielecki method showed no agreement with the other methods included in the present study, with a significantly higher mean rank, probably due to its correction formula. Based on the results of the present study, tibial anatomy-based method has better interobserver reliability and is easier to perform according to the observers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In dogs, the current techniques for the preoperative planning of tibial tuberosity advancement do not appear to restore joint stability due to under-advancement after surgery. This cadaveric study compared the tibial-anatomy-based method and the common tangent method for measuring tibial tuberosity advancement. The postoperative patellar tendon angle was not significantly different between the two methods. However, the tibial-anatomy-based method yielded advancement similar to the sizes of commercially available wedges. Both techniques yielded a tibial tuberosity advancement within the suggested range. However, TAM resulted in a mean value of the postoperative patellar tendon angle corresponding to 90°. This study paves the way for developing intraoperative methods capable of achieving a patellar tendon angle that may not be influenced by preoperative variables. Previous studies have suggested that the preoperative methods used to plan tibial tuberosity advancement in dogs may result in under-advancement. Therefore, this cadaveric study compared the effectiveness of the common tangent method and the tibial-anatomy-based method for achieving a target patellar tendon angle (PTA) of 90° after the modified Maquet procedure. Twenty stifle joints of mesomorphic dogs were randomly assigned to the two measurement methods. Radiographs taken in the mediolateral projection were used to measure tibial tuberosity advancement, and the wedge size was selected accordingly. For each surgical procedure, a custom-made three-dimensional wedge matched to an OrthoFoam wedge was used as a spacer. Postoperative radiographs were used to measure the PTA and to evaluate the position of the wedge. The measured advancement was not significantly different between the two methods. For 60% of the cases, the advancement measured using the common tangent method was <5.3 mm and the wedge size was increased to match that of commercially available wedges. Consequently, there was a significant difference between the measurements and wedges selected between the two procedures. The postoperative PTA did not differ significantly between the two methods and was 90° ± 5° in 80% of the stifles. The position of the wedge relative to the osteotomy was not significantly different between the methods. In conclusion, the advancement determined using the tibial-anatomy-based method was generally consistent with the size of commercially available wedges, and the method yielded a mean postoperative PTA of 90°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The aim of this manuscript is to report and critically review the currently available literature about so-called "new generation Tibial Tuberosity Advancement Techniques". According to PRISMA guidelines, the authors investigated and reported data about preoperative planning, surgical procedure, outcome, and complications of these different techniques. The main problems addressed were the lack of prospective studies with a large study population and univocal data collection about preoperative planning and outcome. (1) Background: Several surgical techniques were described for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs. This report aims to critically review the available literature focused on preoperative planning, surgical procedure, follow-up, and complications of cranial cruciate ligament rupture treated by tibial tuberosity advancement techniques; (2) Methods: three bibliographic databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus were used for a board search of TTAT (canine OR dog). Five GRADE recommendations according to Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation and Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists were applied to the studies included. Data regarding preoperative planning (a measure of advancement), meniscal disease (meniscectomy, meniscal release, and late meniscal tears), and postoperative patellar tendon angle were recorded. Time frame, outcome, and complications were classified according to Cook's guidelines; (3) Results: from 471 reports yielded, only 30 met the inclusion criteria. The common tangent method was the most commonly reported measurement technique for preoperative planning. The 40.21% of stifles presented meniscal tears at surgery, while 4.28% suffered late meniscal tears. In short-, mid-and long-term follow-ups examined showed a full/acceptable function was shown in >90% of cases. Among all new generation techniques, minor complications were reported in 33.5% of cases and major complications in 10.67%; (4) Conclusions: Compared to traditional TTA, new generation TTAT resulted effective in the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament failure, showing a lower rate of late meniscal injury but a higher rate of minor complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple summary: The force plate gait analysis is considered the gold standard for the objective assessment of limb function in dogs. Force plate analysis has been employed in several studies using a cohort of healthy dogs as a control group. However, these studies do not consider the subject variability within the same breed. Moreover, the lack of a rigorous analysis of morphometric variabilities in the same breed makes these evaluations poorly reliable. This prospective study aims to investigate the relationship between the ground reaction forces obtained by the force plate gait analysis and the morphometric measures in two different domestic dogs' morphotypes. Our results highlighted how the ground reaction forces are influenced by morphometric measures not so much as a single contribution, but through the interaction between them. Indeed, the interaction between body weight, withers height, and velocity significantly influenced ground reaction forces with a greater unit increase for mesomorphs. Statistical models used in the available literature only partially explain the influence of morphometric measures on ground reaction forces, and the comparison between dogs should be made not referring to the breeds but the canine morphotype. Force plate analysis assesses gait symmetry and limb loading. However, as previously described, individual and breed variability (body size and conformation) is related to breeding, body conformation, and size. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the influence of morphometric measures on the speed (V), peak of vertical force (PVF), vertical impulse (VI), and stance time (ST) in healthy dolichomorph and mesomorph dogs and their combined effect on and interactions with V, PVF, VI, and ST in the same morphological types. Fifty dogs were enrolled in the current study, and specific morphometric measurements were recorded for each dog. A force platform was used to record the ground reaction forces (GFRs), including PVF and VI. Multiple linear regression models were used for the study purposes. According to our results, GFRs are influenced by morphometric measures (body weight, withers height, and speed) not so much as a single contribution, but by the interaction between them. It is not possible to compare GFRs in dogs that do not belong to the same breed. However, the subjective variabilities make this comparison difficult and poorly reliable. According to the author, the comparison should be made between canine morphological types rather than breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cranial cruciate ligament failure is one of the principal causes of canine lameness. Several surgical procedures were proposed to achieve joint stabilisation; among these, the Modified Maquet Procedure involves using a titanium foam wedge to achieve and maintain the tibial tuberosity advancement. The force-plate analysis provides to objectively assess normal and abnormal gait and the outcome of different surgical techniques. The study evaluates the outcome of limbs that underwent Modified Maquet Procedure using land-force plate analysis comparing the operated limb with its healthy contralateral one as a control. Materials and methods: Thirty-five dogs with unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture were evaluated. Outcome after surgery was assessed by orthopaedic and radiographic evaluations and force plate gait analysis performed before surgery, at 15, 30 and 90 days after surgery. For objective comparison of ground reaction forces, data of operated limb were compared to contralateral limb on each time control and Symmetry Index at 90 days was determined. Healing radiographic signs, minor and major complication were reported. Results: A significant improvement in ground reaction forces was reached in all the treated limbs between set time intervals. The median percentage increase in ground reaction forces was constant from 15 to 90 days, with a Symmetry Index >9 in 54.2% of patients suggesting a normal gait symmetry. A complete bone healing was noticed at 90 days follow-up radiographic assessment. We experienced three major (8.5%) and one minor (2.8%) complications. Conclusions: To the Authors' knowledge, this is the first study in the veterinary literature that assessed outcomes of dogs undergoing Modified Maquet Procedure for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture using force plate gait analysis and healthy contralateral limb as a control group. Our results confirm that Modified Maquet Procedure is an effective method to stabilise the stifle joint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Osteoarthritis is a progressive degenerative joint disease which is high prevalent in dogs. In the late stage of the disease, it determines chronic neuropathic pain which leads to reduced quality-of-life in affected patients. To date it has not yet been identified a specific treatment, but it has been proved that nutraceutical and dietary supplements may play an important role in controlling inflammation and pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate, by the use of force plate gait analysis, the clinical efficacy of Boswellia and Curcuvet® combined with conventional nutraceutical therapy compared with conventional nutraceutical alone in dogs affected by osteoarthritis. Materials and methods: Twenty client-owned dogs, over 12 months old and 20 kg of body-weight, with a confirmed diagnosis of Osteoarthritis, were included in this randomized, double-blinded study. The dogs were randomly divided into two groups: the first group (A) received a conventional nutraceutical (consisted in a preparation of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, fish-oil containing 80% of omega 3-fatty acid, vitamin C and E, saccharomyces Cerevisiae) with a combination of acid boswellic and Curcuvet®, while the second group (B) received a conventional nutraceutical. All the enrolled dogs underwent a washout period before starting the treatment with nutraceuticals products which were the only admitted treatment over the study period. A full orthopaedic and neurologic examination, and force plate gait analysis were performed before starting the treatment, at 45, 90, and 60 days post-treatment. Ground reaction forces were recorded and analyzed. Results: Twenty dogs were enrolled in the study. In both groups there was an increasing values of ground reaction forces. These results might indicate that both nutraceutical products determined a better condition in terms of pain feeling but that effect is much more visible after 60 days from the end of the administration in treated group. Discussion: In conclusion Curcuvet in combination with Boswellic acid could be considered a valid aid in a multimodal treatment for canine osteoarthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The aim of this paper is to review the available literature about canine seventh vertebra lumbar fracture. According to PRISMA guidelines, the authors detected data about the clinical presentation, surgical techniques, and the outcome of this rare traumatic injury that is poorly reported and described. The major problem addressed was the lack of prospective studies with a large study population and univocal data collection about complications, outcome, and post-surgical treatment. (1) Background: Lumbosacral traumatic injuries are reported as 39% of canine vertebral lesions. This area is prone to fracture and luxation. Several surgical techniques were described from 1975 to 2021 to stabilize the traumatic injuries of the lumbosacral junction. This report aims to critically review the available literature focused on clinical presentation, surgical techniques, and follow-up of the lumbar vertebra fracture. (2) Methods: Three bibliographic databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus were used with a board search of Lumbosacral junction fracture AND, of L7 fracture AND (canine OR dog). The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for case reports and case series was applied for the studies included. (3) Results: A total of 432 reports yielded only nine that met the inclusion criteria. Non-ambulatory paraparesis/plegia, sciatic nerve involvement, faecal/urinary incontinence, and severe back lumbar pain were the most reported signs. Survey radiographs were the most reported technique to confirm the diagnoses. The surgical treatment was reported in all reports examined with a good long-term prognosis. (4) Conclusions: The seventh lumbar vertebra fracture, despite the different surgical techniques performed, had a favourable prognosis for long-term outcome and neurological recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]