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Objective: To evaluate the biomechanical properties of the mandibles of cats with experimentally created osteotomies simulating oblique ramus fractures, which were stabilized with malleable L-miniplates with either locking screws [locking construct (LC)] or nonlocking screws [nonlocking construct (NLC)], compared with those for intact mandibles., Samples: 20 mandibles from 10 adult cat cadavers., Procedures: A block study design was adopted to allocate the mandibles of each cadaver to 2 of the 3 test groups (LC, NLC, or intact mandible). Mandibles within each cadaver were allocated systematically to a test group. For mandibles assigned to an LC and an NLC, a complete oblique osteotomy was performed from the mid rostral aspect of the ramus in a caudoventral direction. All mandibles were loaded in a single-load-to-failure test through cantilever bending. Load and actuator displacement were recorded simultaneously. Mode of failure and radiographic evidence of damage to tooth roots and the mandibular canal were evaluated. Biomechanical properties were compared among the groups., Results: No iatrogenic tooth root damage was evident, but all mandibles with an LC and an NLC had evidence of screw invasion into the mandibular canal. Plated mandibles had significantly less stiffness and bending moment than intact mandibles. Stiffness was not significantly different between the LC and the NLC; the NLC had a greater bending moment at failure than the LC. The pre-yield stiffness of plated mandibles decreased when the number of screw holes overlapping the mandibular canal increased., Clinical Relevance: The use of a malleable L-miniplate in a caudal mandibular fracture model is feasible. Both the LC and the NLC were inferior mechanically to intact mandibles. Type of construct used did not affect the construct stiffness significantly in tested mandibles.

The concept of a one-health approach in regenerative medicine has gained tremendous momentum in the scientific and public communities in recent years. Knowledge derived from this approach informs innovative biomedical research, clinical trials, and practice. The ultimate goal is to translate regenerative strategies for curing diseases and improving the quality of life in animals and people. Building and fostering strong and enthusiastic interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration between teams with a wide range of expertise and backgrounds is the cornerstone to the success of the one-health approach and translational sciences. The veterinarian's role in conducting clinical trials in client-owned animals with naturally occurring diseases is critical and unique as it may potentially inform human clinical trials. The veterinary regenerative medicine and surgery field is on a steep trajectory of discoveries and innovations. This manuscript focuses on oromaxillofacial-region regeneration to exemplify how the concept of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration and the one-health approach influenced the authors' work experience at the University of California-Davis.

Objective: To evaluate the radiographic outcome of root canal treatment (RCT) in dogs and compare outcomes with those reported for a previous study performed at the same institution in 2002., Animals: 204 dogs representing 281 teeth that underwent RCT., Procedures: The medical record database of a veterinary teaching hospital was searched to identify dogs that underwent RCT between 2001 and 2018. Only dogs that had undergone at least 1 radiographic recheck appointment a minimum of 50 days after RCT were included in the study. Dental radiographs were reviewed. Treatment was considered successful if the periapical periodontal ligament space was within reference limits and preexisting external inflammatory root resorption (EIRR), if present, had stabilized. Treatment was considered to show no evidence of failure (NEF) if preoperative EIRR had stabilized and any preoperative periapical lucency (PAL) remained the same or had decreased in size but had not completely resolved. Treatment was considered to have failed if EIRR or a PAL developed after RCT, if a preoperative PAL increased in size, or if preexisting EIRR progressed., Results: Follow-up time ranged from 52 to 3,245 days (mean, 437 days). RCT was classified as successful for 199 (71%) teeth, NEF for 71 (25%) teeth, and failed for 11 (4%) teeth., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Results showed that almost 2 decades after RCT outcome in dogs was first evaluated, during which time numerous advances in dental materials and techniques had been made, the success rate of RCT was virtually unchanged.

Objectives: The aim of this pilot study was to determine the safety, efficacy and immunomodulatory function of systemically administered adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) in cats affected by feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) prior to full-mouth tooth extractions., Methods: Five client-owned cats affected with FCGS that did not undergo full-mouth tooth extractions for FCGS treatment received two intravenous injections of 20 million fresh, allogeneic or autologous ASCs. An oral examination with photographs, a complete blood count, blood immune cell phenotyping and a biochemical profile were completed at 0 and 6 months after treatment., Results: Four cats completed the study and one cat exited the study 3 months after treatment. While the treatment was determined to be clinically safe, no positive clinical response was observed in three cats and a mild response was noted in two cats. Furthermore, none of the cats exhibited immune modulation, as evidenced by no alteration in circulating CD8 + T cells, normalization of the CD4:CD8 ratio or neutrophil counts., Conclusions and Relevance: Unlike the reported efficacy of ASCs in treating cats with non-responsive FCGS after full-mouth tooth extraction, the systemic administration of ASCs prior to full-mouth tooth extraction lacks substantial clinical efficacy and is not recommended at this time.

Spatial visualization ability is defined as the ability to mentally rotate two- and three-dimensional figures. Visual reasoning is the ability to manipulate mental images of an object to reach a certain conclusion and has been linked to spatial ability. There is currently limited information about how entry-level spatial and visual reasoning abilities may be enhanced with progression through the rigorous veterinary medical curriculum. The present study made use of two tests that measure spatial ability and one test that measures non-verbal general reasoning ability in female veterinary students: Guay's Visualization of Views Test, Adapted Version (VVT), Mental Rotations Test (MRT), and Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices Test, short form (APMT). Tests were given immediately before commencing the integrated veterinary medical curriculum (T0), at week 32 (T1), and at week 64 (T2) into the program. Results showed improved spatial visualization ability as measured by VVT and MRT and improved non-verbal general reasoning ability as measured by APMT at both 32 and 64 weeks. The spatial ability scores measured by VVT and MRT showed a positive correlation with non-verbal general reasoning ability scores (APMT), supporting the idea that these abilities are linked.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of dental radiography (DR) and 3 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) methods for the identification of predefined anatomic structures in cats. For 5 feline cadaver heads and 22 client-owned cats admitted for evaluation and treatment of dental disease, a total of 22 predefined anatomic structures were evaluated separately by use of the DR method and 3 CBCT software modules [multiplanar reconstructions (MPR), tridimensional (3-D) rendering, and reconstructed panoramic views (Pano)]. A semi quantitative scoring system was used, and mean scores were calculated for each anatomic structure and imaging method. The Friedman test was used to evaluate values for significant differences in diagnostic yield. For values that were significant the Wilcoxon signed rank test was used with the Bonferroni-Holm multiple comparison adjustment to determine significant differences among each of the possible pairs of diagnostic methods. Differences of diagnostic yield among the DR and 3 CBCT methods were significant for 17 of 22 anatomic structures. For these structures, DR scores were significantly higher than scores for Pano views for 2 of 17 structures, but DR scores were significantly lower than scores for Pano views for 6 anatomic structures, tridimensional rendering for 10 anatomic structures, and MPR for 17 anatomic structures. In conclusion, it was found that CBCT methods were better suited than DR for the identification of anatomic structures in cats. Results of this study can serve as a basis for CBCT evaluation of dentoalveolar and other maxillofacial bony lesions in cats.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of dental radiography (DR) and 3 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) software modules for the identification of 32 pre-defined dentoalveolar lesions in cats. For 5 feline cadaver heads and 22 client-owned cats admitted for evaluation and treatment of dental disease, 32 predefined dentoalveolar lesions were evaluated separately and scored by use of dental radiography and 3 CBCT software modules [multiplanar reconstructions (MPR), tridimensional (3-D) rendering, and reconstructed panoramic views]. A qualitative scoring system was used. Dentoalveolar lesions were grouped into 14 categories for statistical analysis. Point of reference for presence or absence of a dentoalveolar lesion was determined as the method that could be used to clearly identify the disorder as being present. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated with the McNemar χ 2 test of marginal homogeneity of paired data. When all 3 CBCT software modules were used in combination, the diagnostic yield of CBCT was significantly higher than that of dental radiography for 4 of 14 categories (missing teeth, horizontal bone loss, loss of tooth integrity, feline resorptive lesions), and higher, although not significantly so, for 9 categories (supernumerary teeth, supernumerary roots, abnormally shaped roots, vertical bone loss, buccal bone expansion, periapical disease, inflammatory root resorption, and external replacement root resorption). In conclusion, we found that CBCT provided more clinically relevant detailed information as compared to dental radiography. Therefore, CBCT should be considered better suited for use in diagnosing dentoalveolar lesions in cats.