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Objective: To describe the presenting signs, concurrent conditions, treatment and outcome of dogs with metaphyseal osteopathy. Materials and Methods: Multi‐centre retrospective review of medical records from January 2009 to September 2018 at four referral centres to identify dogs with a radiographic diagnosis of metaphyseal osteopathy. Results: Thirty‐nine dogs were identified. The median age at onset was 14 weeks old (range, 8 to 32 weeks old). There was a higher proportion of male dogs (29 of 39 male entire, nine of 39 female entire, one of 39 female neutered and no male neutered dogs). Where information was available, median time from the most recent vaccination was 20 days (range, 2 to 144 days). The most commonly recorded clinical signs were pyrexia (34 of 39), lethargy (32 of 39), pain (30 of 39), and being non‐ambulatory (17 of 39). Thirty‐five dogs required hospitalisation for analgesia and supportive care, 19 of 39 were discharged on prednisolone (median dose 2.0 mg/kg/day; range, 0.9 to 2.6 mg/kg/day), 18 of 39 were discharged on non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatories, two of 39 did not receive NSAIDs or prednisolone at any time point. The median duration of hospitalisation for those admitted was 5 days (range, 1 to 21 days). Where follow‐up was available, relapse occurred in eight of 25 cases before reaching skeletal maturity. At the time of metaphyseal osteopathy diagnosis, five of 39 cases had concurrent conditions. Where follow‐up was available, four of 25 developed future immune‐mediated conditions. Clinical Significance: Metaphyseal osteopathy should be considered in non‐ambulatory painful young dogs. Some dogs developed future immune‐mediated conditions, which may support the hypothesis that metaphyseal osteopathy is an autoinflammatory bone disorder. Further studies with a larger cohort are required to determine the clinical significance of this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To report sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and accuracy of a client questionnaire at diagnosing surgical site infections (SSIs) and describe the impact of active surveillance on SSI detection., Study Design: Prospective, cohort study., Animals: Dogs and cats undergoing soft tissue or orthopedic surgery over a 12-month period at a referral hospital., Methods: Clients were emailed a questionnaire 30 days postoperatively, or 90 days where an implant was used. Three algorithms were developed to diagnose SSIs using one or both of two criteria: (1) presence of any wound healing problems; (2) wound dehiscence or antibiotic prescription, and either purulent discharge or two or more clinical signs (redness, pain, heat, swelling, discharge). Algorithmic diagnoses were compared to gold standard diagnoses made by veterinarians., Results: Of 754 surgical procedures, 309 responses were completed with 173 corresponding gold standard diagnoses. The most accurate algorithm determined "SSI" or "No SSI" from 90.2% of responses with 95.5% (92.4-98.6) accuracy, 82.6% (77-88.3) sensitivity, 97.7% (95.5-100) specificity, 86.4% (81.2-91.5) positive predictive value, and 97% (94.5-99.6) negative predictive value. "No SSI" was diagnosed in responses not meeting criterion 1, and "SSI" in responses meeting criteria 1 and 2. "Inconclusive" responses, comprising 9.8% of responses, met criterion 1 but not 2. Overall SSI rate was 62/754 (8.2%) and 12/62 (19.4%) SSIs were detected by active surveillance only., Conclusion: Use of this client questionnaire accurately diagnosed SSIs; active surveillance increased SSI detection., Clinical Significance: Surveillance of SSIs should be active and can be simplified by using a client questionnaire and algorithmic diagnoses, allowing automated distribution, data collection and analysis., (© 2023 The Authors. Veterinary Surgery published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

Background: Drilling accuracy is essential in the correct positioning of implants and avoidance of iatrogenic damage to surrounding tissues. The use of augmented drilling methods has been documented as an approach to improving the accuracy of drilling. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of two augmented drilling methods (fluoroscopically guided and aiming device) to freehand (FH) drilling., Methods: Three experienced specialist surgeons and three veterinary surgeons without primary orthopaedic experience drilled into synthetic bone towards a target using the three different methods at three different angles (0°, 10° and 20°). The duration of drilling was recorded, and the accuracy of drilling was measured using photographs before and after drilling., Results: The two augmented methods were more accurate than FH drilling in synthetic bone, with the aiming device producing the greatest accuracy. Increased angulation of drilling decreased the drilling accuracy. Surgeon experience did not impact on drilling accuracy. Surgeon inexperience and augmented drilling methods both increased the time taken to drill., Conclusion: The use of augmented drilling methods improved the accuracy of drilling, and surgeons should consider their use when drilling in anatomical regions where the margin of error is small., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© British Veterinary Association 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Signalment, clinical features, fixation techniques, complications, and outcome for dogs presenting with distal diaphyseal and supracondylar femoral fractures were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 45 dogs with unilateral femoral fractures were included. Supracondylar femoral plates were the most popular method of fixation. However, various fixation techniques resulted in favorable outcomes in most dogs with 19/45 cases achieving full function and 22/45 achieving acceptable function. Degree of fracture comminution did not appear to affect complication rate or be a surrogate for worse clinical outcome., (Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.)