Physiotherapy in small animal medicine

The benefits of physiotherapy have been extensively demonstrated in human medicine. Although physiotherapy has been performed in veterinary medicine for already several decades, it is only very recently that scientific research on this subject is increasing. The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of the different veterinary physiotherapeutic assessment and treatment techniques and possibilities, and correlate them to the data in the veterinary literature

Therapeutic ultrasound as an aid in tibial fracture management in a dog

A six-year-old, male, neutered Bernese mountain dog was presented with acute left hind limb lameness. Based on the symptoms, orthopedic examination and radiographic evaluation, a cranial cruciate ligament rupture was diagnosed. Surgical treatment with TTA Rapid was performed with good result. At two weeks postoperatively, the dog developed a fracture of the proximal tibia, due to excessive activity. Conservative treatment consisting of a splint and rest was advised. Physiotherapeutic ultrasonography and exercises were started to stimulate bone healing. After eight sessions, the dog was clinically much better, and radiographs showed a good evolution with a clear callus. Follow-up controls confirmed the progressive evolution

Dysplastic elbow diseases in dogs

Elbow dysplasia (ED) is a term used to describe the most common causes of elbow lameness. The term refers to ununited anconeal process (UAP), fragmented coronoid process (FCP), osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) and elbow incongruity, according to the International Elbow Working Group (IEWG). All conditions are polygenetic and multifactorial diseases that often occur in young, popular breeds. Elbow incongruity has been suggested as a causative factor in most of these pathologies. The aim of this review was to describe the etiology and clinical appearance on radiography, computed tomography (CT) and arthroscopy, together with their treatment options and prognosis.Elleboogdysplasie is een term die de meest voorkomende oorzaken van elleboogmanken groepeert. Volgens de International Elbow Working Group (IEWG) omvat deze groep losse processus anconeus (LPA), losse processus coronoideus (LPC), osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) en elleboogincongruentie. Iedere aandoening is polygenetisch en multifactorieel en komt vaak voor bij jonge, populaire hondenrassen. Elleboogincongruentie wordt bovendien genoemd als een oorzakelijke factor bij de meeste van deze aandoeningen. Het doel van dit artikel is een overzicht te geven van de etiologie, van het klinisch beeld op radiografie, computer tomografie (CT) en artroscopie, en van de behandelingsopties en de prognose na de behandeling van de verschillende aandoeningen

Medial compartment disease in a young Large Munsterlander

Medial compartment disease (MCD) is a recently recognized elbow disorder in dogs and refers to extensive cartilage erosions of the medial compartment of the elbow joint. This report describes a case of MCD in a 10-month-old Large Munsterlander that was presented with right frontleg lameness. Based on signalement, history and radiographic examination, there was a strong suspicion of a fragmented coronoid process (FCP) of the right elbow. However, arthroscopic examination revealed extensive cartilage erosions of the medial part of the humeral condyle and the medial coronoid process in addition to a small coronoid fragment (FCP) and a small OCD-like lesion. After the arthroscopic treatment, the dog did not improve. Neither did additional treatment with autologous conditioned plasma (Arthrex ACP (R)) lead to a substantial improvement. Finally, the dog was euthanized because of persistent lameness

The use of intra-articular aneshesia as a diagnostic tool in canine lameness

Lameness in dogs may be difficult to localize because of mild pathologic changes or inconclusive clinical findings. Intra-articular anesthesia is proposed as a diagnostic method to localize the source of lameness. After a description of the preparation, technique and puncture sites, an overview is given of a series of patients admitted for different joint problems. Intra-articular anesthesia proved to be applicable in any joint, provided that the clinician was experienced and the dog was under sedation. In 87% of the cases, intra-articular anesthesia was positive. Medial coronoid disease of the elbow joint was the most frequent indication for intra-articular anesthesia

Validation and Improvement of High Nature Value Farmland Identification - National Approach in the Walloon Region in Belgium and in the Czech Republic

The concept of High Nature Value (HNV) farmland has been evolving over the last fifteen years in Europe. In the European Union this has been closely linked to the aim of integrating environmental concerns in the Common Agricultural Policy. The idea that nature values, environmental qualities, even cultural heritage are linked to or dependent on farming, also underlies and supports the concept of a multifunctional 'European model of farming which provides benefits beyond food production. The objective of this study is to better identify and characterise HNV farmland at national level (the Walloon Region in Belgium) with a Farm System Approach based on FSS statistical data and specific national surveys, taking into account the whole farm with the total agricultural area and its characteristics. The methodology is built on two different approaches: the natural zones approach and the farm system approach. The natural zones approach uses spatial data to define agricultural zones with a verified high biodiversity interest, based on a reference biodiversity layer for the Walloon Region (WR) called the principal ecological structure (SEP). The farm system approach analyses the farm structure and farming practices on the basis of data available in the WR agricultural database. In the first step relevant variables have been selected to calculate the HNV indicators for the farm system approach at NUTS 5 level: 1) crop diversity and grassland presence, 2) extensive practices, and 3) landscape elements. In the second step the three indicators were combined to calculate the HNV score. In the third step the areas delimited through the farm system approach were overlaid with a map resulting form the natural zones approach. In the last step HNV farmland was analysed with regard to prevailing trends in farming practices and production types with the aim of identification of farming systems which might be associated with HNV farmland occurrence in the WR in Belgium. The analysis of spatial distribution of HNV farmland delimited in the study shows that 91% of the HNV farm system zone identified in the study is located in Ardenne, Fagne and Fammenne. The dominant farming system types are grazing livestock system specialised in milk or meat production, depending on the region. The average livestock density is less than 2.0 LU/ha. Over 60% of UAA is used as permanent grassland. The strength of the Farm System Approach methodology is the possibility of producing a map at the NUTS 5 level with an accurate description of the farm systems. The methodology can be improved by crosschecking the results with regional experts and getting feedback on the thresholds and the weighting of the indicators. The weaknesses of the Farm System Approach methodology are mainly due to the way agricultural practices are modelled. The lack of comprehensive and reliable data on landscape elements and grassland management hampers further validation of HNV farmland identification results. A development of additional relevant surveys is therefore recommended. An attempt at assessing the applicability of the FSA for HNV farmland identification was undertaken for the Czech Republic. Statistical data on farming practices are still incomplete and insufficient to build the methodology similar to the Walloon Region FSA. Conversely, biodiversity and habitat data are abundant and of high quality and currently are the best datasets for HNV farmland identification in the Czech Republic.JRC.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource

Spectrum of arthroscopic findings in 84 canine elbow joints diagnosed with medial compartment erosion

Elbow dysplasia is an important cause of forelimb lameness in large breed dogs. The aim of this study was to report on the arthroscopic findings associated with medial compartment erosion (MCE) of the canine elbow joint. Retrospectively, records of 84 elbow joints from 66 dogs diagnosed arthroscopically with MCE were retrieved from a medical records database (2008 - 2012). The radiographic degree of osteoarthritis was determined. Arthroscopic images and videos were evaluated in detail. In nine joints (10.7%), MCE was the only pathological finding (= group 1). Group 2 (n = 50, 59.5%) consisted of elbows with MCE concomitant with medial coronoid process (MCP) pathology. In group 3 (n = 25 joints, 29.8%), MCE was diagnosed during a second-look arthroscopy in dogs presented with lameness after arthroscopic treatment for medial coronoid disease. There was a significant age difference (p < 0.001) between the groups, with dogs in group 1 being the oldest. Complete erosion of the medial compartment was most commonly found in group 1, whereas focal cartilage erosion was mostly identified in group 2. Overall, additional cartilage pathology of the lateral part of the humeral condyle and/or the radial head was recognized in 58.3% of the joints (49/84)