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Objectives: Second intention wound healing may be impaired by wound and host factors and thus more advanced therapies are required for a fast and satisfactory outcome. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), rich in growth factors and cytokines essential for tissue repair, could improve wound healing. The purpose of this experimental study was to evaluate the effect of locally injected autologous PRP on second intention healing of acute full-thickness skin defects in dogs., Methods: Three 2 x 2 cm full-thickness skin defects were created bilaterally on the dorsolateral area of the trunk of six Beagle dogs. The wounds of one randomly selected side received PRP treatment, whereas the contralateral wounds were left untreated (controls). Wound healing was evaluated by planimetry, laser-Doppler flowmetry measurements of tissue perfusion, and histologically., Results: The rate of wound healing did not differ significantly between the two groups. Tissue perfusion was significantly higher in the PRP-treated group (p = 0.008) compared to controls on day 10. Histological evaluation revealed a trend towards greater collagen production and a significantly better collagen orientation (p = 0.019) in PRP-treated wounds on day 20., Clinical Significance: Locally injected autologous PRP does not accelerate the healing process, but increases tissue perfusion and may promote the formation of organized collagen bundles in acute full-thickness skin defects in dogs.

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of titanium mesh on guided bone regeneration when used, either alone or in combination with autogenous bone block graft, in a canine ulnar model., Methods: Thirty-two, purpose bred, adult, castrated male Beagles were used, divided into four equal-size groups. A unilateral mid-diaphyseal ulnar critical-size defect was created in each dog. The ulnar segments were stabilized with a stainless-steel plate and screws. Each defect was managed by: no further treatment (Group A) or by placement of a bone block graft taken from the ipsilateral iliac crest (Group B), or titanium mesh wrapped around the ulna (Group C), or a bone block graft and titanium mesh (Group D). After six months, bone block biopsies were performed and the samples were scanned using micro-computed tomography. Qualitative histological evaluation was performed on two non-decalcified longitudinal sections from each block., Results: No significant differences in terms of mineralized bone volume were detected between the grafted sites (Groups B and D) or between the non-grafted ones (Groups A and C). The histological evaluation indicated good integration of the bone blocks irrespective of the use of titanium mesh., Clinical Significance: The use of titanium mesh does not influence the amount of bone formation. The canine ulnar critical-size defect model seems to be a reliable model to use in experimental studies.

Objectives: Distal flap necrosis remains a major complication in subdermal plexus (random) skin flaps. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been shown to improve the survival of ischemic random skin flaps in rats. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of locally injected autologous PRP on the survival of long (5:1 length-to-width ratio) subdermal plexus skin flaps in dogs., Methods: A 2x10 cm subdermal plexus skin flap was created bilaterally on the abdominal wall of six Beagle dogs. One randomly selected side received 2.5 ml of fresh auto-logous PRP injected evenly between sutures underneath the flap, whereas the other side was left untreated (control). Skin flap survival was evaluated macroscopically, histologically and by laser-Doppler flowmetry measurements of tissue perfusion., Results: Flap percentage survival on day 10 (96.3% versus 74.5%; p = 0.046) and tissue perfusion (p <0.036) were significantly higher in PRP-treated flaps compared with controls. Histologically, there was less oedema in PRP-treated flaps compared to controls (p = 0.01), whereas collagen production and angiogenesis did not differ significantly between the two groups., Clinical Significance: The use of locally injected autologous PRP increases tissue perfusion and improves the survival of long subdermal plexus skin flaps in dogs.

Objectives: To report results of surgical excision and Penrose drainage for the treatment of elbow hygromas in dogs. Materials and Methods: Retrospective review of the clinical records of 19 dogs with elbow hygromas treated with Penrose drainage or surgical excision between 1997 and 2014. The data retrieved from the records included breed, gender, age, duration of clinical signs, weight, historical data, complete blood count and serum biochemistry, physical examination findings, diameter of the hygroma, cytology of needle aspirates, method of treatment, histological findings, postsurgical complications and their management and outcome. Results: Twenty‐one hygromas were treated in 19 dogs. Eleven were right‐sided, six were left‐sided and four were bilateral. First‐line treatment was Penrose drain placement in 12 and complete surgical excision in nine. Bilateral hygromas were addressed simultaneously. Four of the 12 hygromas managed with Penrose drain recurred and one developed ulceration over the olecranon. Recurrent hygromas were treated by surgical excision. The ulceration was surgically excised and reconstructed with a thoracodorsal axial pattern flap. No further complications developed. All the dogs were clinically healthy after a median follow‐up of 16 months. Clinical Significance: Surgical excision of canine elbow hygroma is an effective technique that appears to have fewer postoperative complications than Penrose drain placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 3-year-old spayed female dog was admitted with a history of episodes of dyspnoea and coughing. Severe tracheal stenosis was found on radiography. The dog died during an episode of refractory dyspnoea. Necropsy revealed an obstruction of the thoracic part of the trachea because of a chronic granulomatous inflammation protruding into the tracheal lumen. Histological examination revealed nematodes, which were identified asOnchocercasp. according to their morphological characteristics. In contrast to the common ocular manifestation in dogs, obstructive tracheitis caused byOnchocercainfection has not been reported before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]