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Francesco Di Dona, Giovanni Della Valle, Gerardo Fatone Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Napoli “Federico II”, Naples, Italy Abstract: Patellar luxation is a common orthopedic problem in dogs. Medial luxation is more common than lateral luxation and is usually diagnosed in dogs of small breed. Diagnosis is based on clinical evidence of patellar instability; however, diagnostic imaging is required to assess the amount of skeletal deformity and then the most appropriate method of treatment. Surgical options include both soft tissue and osseous techniques, however, in most of the cases, a combination of more procedures is used to achieve the correction of the luxation. Complication rate is generally low and the most common complications include reluxation and implant-associated complications. Prognosis is generally favorable, with most of the dogs returning to normal limb function. This article describes patellar luxation features in dogs, including clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options available. Keywords: medial patellar luxation, lateral patellar luxation, stifle, pelvic limb, dog, small breeds, canine

Objective: To evaluate outcomes after percutaneous application of transilial pinning in dogs with seventh lumbar vertebral body fracture with concurrent lumbosacral luxation. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of dogs with seventh lumbar vertebral body fracture stabilized with percutaneous transilial pinning that were treated at our hospital between January 2000 and March 2014. Radiographic measurements were used for comparing craniocaudal and ventrodorsal displacement pre- and postoperatively. Results: Seventeen dogs met the inclusion criteria. The neurological status of the majority of treated dogs improved quickly, with immediate pain reduction after surgery. Implants were well tolerated throughout the application period and were removed at a mean time of 54.4 +/- 9.2 days. One dog experienced a major complication (implant failure) and required surgical revision a week after the initial procedure. Minor complications included pin-tract inflammation, signs of back pain lasting five weeks and acute lameness after implant removal. Postoperative radiographic measurements showed shortening of the vertebral body and residual dorsoventral dislocation. Otherwise, functional recovery was good (5 of 17 dogs) to excellent (10 of 17 dogs) in the majority of the patients. Clinical relevance: The use of two percutaneous transilial pins can be considered as treatment for the management of seventh lumbar fracture-luxation in dogs. Our modified stabilization technique is relatively easy to perform; less invasive on the soft tissues; and uses implants that are versatile, modifiable, and easily removable.

INTRODUCTION: In canine eyelids surgery, intraoperative bleeding may obscure the surgical field and lead to increased swelling, bruising and pain. Therapies for the canine lids and nictitating membrane tumors include surgical excision, cryosurgery, or carbon dioxide laser ablation (Stades and Van der Woerdt, 2013). Potential disadvantages of cryosurgery are severe postoperative swelling, depigmentation and the unwanted loss of normal tissue. Laser requires safety precautions, including wavelength-specific eye wear and the hazard of beam scatter and or reflection. OBJECTIVE:to evaluate the efficacy of high-frequency radiowave surgery in treating tumors of eyelids and third eyelid in dogs. MATERIALS & METHODS: Seven dogs (7 eyes) referred with eyelids tumors and 3 dogs with third eyelid tumors were enrolled in the study over a 12-month period. Ablation was performed using high-frequency radiowave surgical unit (Ellman Surgitron FFPF) at a power setting on 2.5 (4 cases) or 5.0 (6 cases) with “needle electrode” (TA2B, TA3B, TA8B) or “empire microincision electrode (TEE305) in the Cut/Coag mode (5 cases: 2 eyelid papilloma and 3 third eyelid tumors) or cut mode (5 eyelid tumors). RESULTS: In all cases surgery was performed in a very short time with the advantage of an excellent haemostasis and minimum onset of oedema using both modes (cut or cut/coag). Surgical incisions were extremely precise and accurate. Two dogs with papilloma on the upper eyelid, treated with a needle electrode and a power setting on 3.0 2,5 showed dehiscence of the surgical wound one week postoperatively. One dog with melanocitoma of the third eyelid showed transient depigmentation of the inferior eyelid which resolved after two months. In all other cases (2 meibomian gland carcinomas, 2 adenomas and 3 2 epitheliomas) no notable complications were observed and the results of the scar was judged as good by surgeons and dog's owners. Follow-up (up to 1 year) showed no recurrence in any case. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: To the authors’ knowledge, treatment of eyelid and third eyelid tumors with high-frequency radiowave surgery is not wide described in dogs and there are not published clinical studies. Results of this study demonstrated that it may be a simple, safe and effective surgical treatment for eyelids and third eyelids tumors in dogs. Dehiscence of surgical wound after the excision of an eyelid papilloma in two cases could be due to the use of low power setting in cut/coag mode. At this setting, a less precise incision and a slower passage through the tissue were achieved, increasing tissue damage and delaying healing. In the same way, needle electrodes with cut/coag mode, used for third eyelid excision in a dog, could have caused a minimal amounts of lateral heat, responsible of depigmentation of the inferior eyelid margin. The “empire microincision electrodes” produce a high concentration of energy with the least amount of thermal damage to adjacent tissue. Therefore, they are the optimal electrodes for eyelid surgery. This technique offers potential advantages over some others in use, like CO2 laser, including minimal safety precautions, self cleansing and relatively low cost. Choosing optimal power settings and the correct electrode will prevent increased tissue damage.

The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical outcome of 2 surgical procedures performed to stabilze the traumatic luxation of the lumbosacral joint (LSJ) in 3 dogs thre paraplegic dogs with LSJ traumatic dislocation were included in the study. After premedication with Acepromazine at the dose of 20 µg/kg and Morphine at the dose of 0.3 mg/kg IM, anesthesia was induced by Propofol (4 mg/kg IV) and maintained with Isoflurane in 10% O2. Case 1: a 30 kg female mixbred, was treated with external skeletal fixation (ESF) utilzing 2 transilal pins, externaly locked with 2 clamps. Case 2 and 3: males of 15 and 30 kg respectively, were treating performing lumbosacral fixation utilzing 6 pins. Two pins were inserted, acros articular proces L7/S1, into the body of the sacrum; two pins were inserted into the L6 and L7 pedicle and body respectively. Al pins were cut and bent to achieve maximum overlap. Cerclage wire and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was aplied to bond fre ends of pins Case 1: the ESF was removed 50 days after surgery although it has become lose 30 days before. By 7 months there was a marked improvement and the dog was able to walk and run with a slight neurological deficit. Case 2: the dog was able to stand and walk within 48 h after surgery. 90 days after surgery the dog stil had mild urinary and faecal incontinence. Case 3: the dog was able to stand and walk 24 h after surgery without presenting neurological alterations To the authors??? knowledge, diferent techniques have ben described to stabilze fracture or fracture/luxation of L7: nevertheles single traumatic LSJ dislocation and its treatment are not widely described in dogs1. In our experience the ESF is able to stabilze L7 fractures because the bone healing via calus formation neded a shorter time, while the healing via fibrosis requested for L7 luxation lasted longer. On the other hand ESF shows several advantages, including limited disection of soft tisues, adjustabilty after aplication and removal after repair. The stabilzation technique with pins and PMMA provides a relatively rigid construct to reduction of L7 luxation and have several advantages such as excelent strength and stabilty, minimal ned of postoperative care and short recovery time. Disadvantages can include soft tisues disection, relatively long time of surgery with higher risk of infections that we controled by using strict aseptic technique and antibiotic administration. In our experience the stabilzation with pin and PMMA shows beter clinical outcome with a short recovery time and mild complications, while ESF sems to not stabilze completely a LSJ luxation because of the early implant losening and the high risk of infections

In veterinary medicine, computed tomography (CT) is one of the most commonly used methods for imaging the spine because it provides a detailed examination of the spinal cord and surrounding tissues. The aim of this study was to assess thoracolumbar lesions in a number of dogs studied during the year 2011. There were retrospectively evaluated CT studies from 30 dogs of different breeds (mean age= 6.23 years) presented at the Interdepartmental Center of Radiology in the period January - December 2011, with suspected thoracolumbar vertebral or spinal cord lesions. The CT studies were performed without contrast medium in 27 patients, with contrast medium in subarachnoid space (CT- myelography) in two dogs, and in two patients before and after i.v. administration of contrast medium (Iopamidol 370mgl/ml). In one dog both intravenous and subarachnoid administration of contrast medium were used. There were found 46 disc herniations, 10 degenerative spondylopathies, 5 vertebral malformations, 4 vertebral neoplasia, 4 disc degenerations (mineralization and/or vacuum phenomenon), 4 subdural and epidural hemorrhages, 2 spinal cord degenerations (degenerative myelopathy), 2 radicular neoplasia and 2 discospondylitis. In our sample, there was a prevalence of intervertebral disc herniation and in many cases the same dog showed multiple localizations. Usually, disc herniations were clearly visible without contrast medium, causing different degrees of spinal cord compression. In conclusion, CT demonstrated to be a valuable diagnostic tool for detection and characterization of thoracolumbar spinal lesions in dogs.

Records of 100 dogs that were affected by prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid and surgically treated with fixation of prolapsed nictitans glands were reviewed. Eyes surgically treated were 132: in 35 eyes the gland was anchored to the periosteum of the ventral orbital rim (group A),in 36 eyes the gland was buried in a pocket within the conjunctiva of the nictitans (group P), and in 61 eyes gland was buried in a conjunctival pocket after the resection of the conjunctival tissue that covers the prolapsed gland (group C). Group P and C had a statistically lower reprolapse rate. In all groups there was a significant reduction of Shirmer tear test values at 14 days after surgery, although values were always in physiological range. All procedures resulted in good cosmetic effects 1 month after surgery.

Gli Autori descrivono il trattamento di una contrattura del quadricipite femorale, occorsa in un gatto, a seguito di una frattura medio-diafisaria di femore, curata mediante applicazione di un bendaggio rigido. In corso d'intervento chirurgico si è praticato lo sbrigliamento delle aderenze tra il quadricipite femorale ed il callo osseo ed è stato poi applicato un impianto dinamico di fissazione esterna, molto semplificato, strutturato in modo da consentire la completa e libera flessione del ginocchio. si è osservato un pieno recupero funzionale dell'arto già a sette giorni dalla chirurgia. il follow-up a tre anni ha confermato la piena riuscita del trattamento praticato

Introduction/Purpose: Diagnostic Imaging techniques are used to assess osteoarthritic changes for setting prognosis and treatment in cases of CCL rupture. MRI is considered the “gold standard” to visualize damages of ligaments, menisci and cartilages1. Radiography is a well-defined technique used for planning correctional surgery but it has a lower sensitivity in demonstrating early osteoarthritic changes2. Ultrasonography is reported as a valuable tool to visualize osteophytes, intra-articular effusion, lesions of menisci and ligaments3, but it permits only a limited visualization of these structures. CT is superior to radiography and ultrasonography in assessing the stifle joint OA, since the lack of superimpositions and the higher contrast resolution. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess osteoarthritic changes CT in case of CCL rupture. Material and Methods: 19 dogs of various breeds, 7 male and 12 females, mean age 5,7 years (range: 8 mt – 12 y), with clinical signs of unilateral (12 cases) or bilateral (7 cases) CCL rupture underwent CT studies of the stifle joints. In all dogs, the diagnosis of CCL rupture was confirmed at surgery. The duration of clinical signs varied from 5 days to 6 months with a mean chronicity of 1,2 months. CT studies were performed with a third generation scanner (GE Pace Plus) on dogs in dorsal recumbency with hind limbs caudally extended. 1mm thickness contiguous slices from suprapatellar recess to proximal tibial epiphysis were made. CT studies evaluation was made on transverse slices and on multiplanar reconstructions (MPR) using both bone (WW 1600, WL 400) and soft tissue (WW 500, WL 0) windows. Results: The most frequent CT findings visible on transverse images were: condylar and trochlear osteophytes (100%); capsular thickenings (88,9%); enthesiophytes of the tibial extensor muscle groove (83,3%); caudal dislocation of popliteal sesamoid (72,2%); intra-articular effusion (68,7%); subchondral sclerosis of femoral and tibial condyles (30%); synovial cysts (11,1%). MPR permits visualization of caudal cruciate ligament in all the stifle joints while CCL was visible only when it was intact. Medial meniscus damages, i.e. protrusion and/or tears, were visible in 21% of cases. Discussion/Conclusion: CT demonstrated to be an accurate technique that permits a good visualization of many of the ostheoartrosic changes secondary to CCL rupture. More of these changes, i.e. small enthesiophytes or osteophytes, capsular fluid distension or thickening, synovial cysts and caudal dislocation of popliteal sesamoid, are difficult to visualize on radiographs. On MPR images, cruciate ligaments appear as tape-shaped structures, relatively hyperdense compared to the surrounding hypodense fat and synovial fluid. Caudal cruciate ligament is visualized in the sagittal plane while CCL in an oblique parasagittal plane. The menisci are difficult to visualize also on MPR images. Our results demonstrate that, when MRI is not available, CT could be a valuable choice for the assessment of the osteoarthritic changes secondary to CCL rupture in dogs.

la diagnostica per immagini svolge un ruolo fondamentale per il trattamento dei piccoli animali affetti da parziale o completa occlusione intestinale da corpo estraneo. diversi studi hanno descritto la sensibilità e la specificità degli esami addominali radiografici ed ecografici, ma è attualmente sottovalutata l'incidenza di questa sindrome e gli aspetti radiografici ed ecografici che la contraddistinguono. pertanto, lo scopo di questo studio è stato quello di valutare l'incidenza delle occlusioni intestinali e i quadri radiografici ed ecografici specifici nei piccoli animali. il nostro studio evidenzia che, in caso di sospetto di occlusione intestinale da corpo estraneo l'esame ecografico può essere più affidabile dell'esame radiografico. inoltre, il nostro studio evidenzia che le occlusioni da corpo estraneo presentano una bassa incidenza presso il nostro bacino di utenza e che l'incidenza è maggiore nei cani maschi e nei gatti sterilizzati.

La lussazione rotulea è un'affezione di comune riscontro nei cani di piccola taglia. Il malallineamento del meccanismo estensore del ginocchio si rende responsabile di differenti segni clinici classificati da Singleton in 4 gruppi. La Trasposizione della Tuberosità Tibiale (TTT) rappresenta uno dei diversi trattamenti chirurgici della lussazione rotulea. Lo scopo di questo studio clinico è di valutare l'efficacia della TTT ed identificare una possibile correlazione tra il grado di lussazione e la soddisfazione dei proprietari relativamente all'utilizzo dell'arto nell'immediato postoperatorio e nel follow-up successivo

Scopo del lavoro è stato la validazione statistica del metodo di valutazione della maturità scheletrica dei cavalli sportivi mediante l'esame radiografico della sommità del calcaneo e della fisi distale del radio. Partendo da 18 mesi di età, sono stati effettuati studi radiografici della fisi calcaneale e di quella distale del radio a distanza di 2 mesi l'uno dall'altro fino alla chiusura. La classificazione radiografica è stat fatta in 5 classi: C, fisi completamente aperta; B-, fisi con segni di iniziale chiusura centrale; B, fisi con segni di chiusura centrale; B+, fisi completamente chiusa centralmente; A: fisi completamente chiusa. Sulla base di questa classificazione i soggetti sono stati classificati come: immaturi (C, B- e B) o maturi (B+ e A). La lettura dei radiogrammi è stata eseguita da 3 lettori con differente grado di esperienza, in maniera random e cieca, in due sessioni eseguite a distanza di 1 mese. Il grado di accordo tra i lettori è stato valutato mediante la statistica k. La valutazione dell'incidenza delle lesioni nei gruppi di cavalli maturi o immaturi è stata valutata mediante il test del X2. L'età media della chiusura della fisi calcaneale è stata 24.1 mesi mentre per la fisi distale del radio è stata di 28.2 mesi senza differenze significative tra maschi e femmine. Il grado di accordo tra i lettori era basso per il lettore meno esperto mentre era buono per i due lettori esperti. Il grado di accordo aumentava se le classi radiografiche venivano ridotte a 3 (C, B e A). Non sono state evidenziate correlazioni statisticamente significative tra maturità scheletrica radiograficamente stabilita e incidenza di lesioni ortopediche.