Long-term palliation of right-sided congestive heart failure after stenting a recurrent cor triatriatum dexter in a 10½-year-old pug

A 10½-year-old, male neutered, pug presented with increasing ascites over two months. Echocardiography revealed cor triatriatum dexter with no concurrent cardiovascular anomalies, subsequently confirmed by computed tomography angiography. Balloon dilation of the perforated intra-atrial membrane under fluoroscopic guidance resulted in the transient resolution of all clinical abnormalities, but six months later stenosis and ascites recurred. After repeated balloon dilation, a stent was placed across the membrane. The dog remains asymptomatic fourteen months after the second procedure. One noteworthy feature of this case is the onset of congestive heart failure due to a congenital defect only at more than 10 years of age

Intracranial lesion detection and artifact characterization: comparative study of susceptibility and T2*-weighted imaging in dogs and cats

Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), an MRI sequence for the detection of hemorrhage, allows differentiation of paramagnetic and diamagnetic substances based on tissue magnetic susceptibility differences. The three aims of this retrospective study included a comparison of the number of areas of signal void (ASV) between SWI and T2$^{*}$-weighted imaging (T2$^{*}$WI), differentiation of hemorrhage and calcification, and investigation of image deterioration by artifacts. Two hundred twelve brain MRIs, 160 dogs and 52 cats, were included. The sequences were randomized and evaluated for presence/absence and numbers of ASV and extent of artifacts causing image deterioration by a single, blinded observer. In cases with a CT scan differentiation of paramagnetic (hemorrhagic) and diamagnetic (calcification) lesions was made, SWI was performed to test correct assignment using the Hounsfield Units. Non-parametric tests were performed to compare both sequences regarding detection of ASV and the effect of artifacts on image quality. The presence of ASV was found in 37 SWI sequences and 34 T2$^{*}$WI sequences with a significant increase in ASV only in dogs >5 and ≤ 15 kg in SWI. The remaining weight categories showed no significance. CT examination was available in 11 cases in which 81 ASV were found. With the use of phase images, 77 were classified as paramagnetic and none as diamagnetic. A classification was not possible in four cases. At the level of the frontal sinus, significantly more severe artifacts occurred in cats and dogs (dogs, p < 0.001; cats, p = 0.001) in SWI. The frontal sinus artifact was significantly less severe in brachycephalic than non-brachycephalic dogs in both sequences (SWI, p < 0.001; T2$^{*}$WI, p < 0.001). In conclusion, with the advantages of better detection of ASV in SWI compared with T2$^{*}$WI and the opportunity to differentiate between paramagnetic and diamagnetic origin in most cases, SWI is generally recommended for dogs. Frontal sinus conformation appears to be a limiting factor in image interpretation

Outcome and Complications following Stabilization of Coxofemoral Luxations in Cats Using a Modified Hip Toggle Stabilization—A Retrospective Multicentre Study

Objectives: The main aim of this study was to report the surgical technique, the complications and the clinical outcomes of the mini-Tight Rope system (mini-TR) for a modified hip toggle stabilization of coxofemoral luxation in cats. Study Design: A multicentre retrospective study. Animals: Thirty-two client-owned cats. Methods: Medical records (2009–2017) of cats, which underwent stabilization of a coxofemoral luxation with the mini-TR and had at least a 3-month follow-up, were reviewed. The femoral tunnel diameter, the use of one or two FiberWire loops, perioperative complications and clinical outcomes were recorded. Follow-up information was obtained through clinical and radiographic examinations and an owner questionnaire. Results: Thirty-two cats met the inclusion criteria. Concurrent injuries were present in 16 cats. A single or double loop mini-TR was used in 21 and 12 cats respectively. One double loop (1/12 cats) and four single loop (4/16 cats) sutures failed. Moderate-to-severe coxofemoral osteoarthritis developed in 14/27 cats. Owner questionnaires revealed excellent clinical outcomes. Clinical Significance: Mini-TR with a double-stranded implant is recommended to decrease the risk of suture failure. Osteoarthritis is common after open reduction of hip luxations

Vascular supply of the femoral head in sheep-Implications for the ovine femoroacetabular impingement model.

Sheep hips have a natural non-spherical head similar to a cam-type deformity in human beings. By performing an intertrochanteric varus osteotomy, cam-type femoroacetabular impingement can be induced experimentally. In sheep, the aspherical portion is located superiorly-exactly matching the region where the superior retinacular vessels enter the femoral head-neck junction in human beings. In order to fully exploit the potential of this experimental FAI model, a safe osteochondroplasty of the superior asphericity would need to be done without the risk of avascular necrosis. The aim of this study was to describe the vascular anatomy of the femoral head in sheep from the aorta to the retinacular vessels in order to perform safe femoral osteochondroplasty of the superior femoral asphericity in sheep. Sixty-two ovine hips were analyzed using CT angiography (30 hips), post mortem intravascular latex injection (6 hips), vascular corrosion casting (6 hips), and analysis of the distribution of vascular foramina around the femoral head-neck junction in macerated ovine femora (20 hips). The ovine femoral head receives its blood supply from anterior retinacular arteries from the lateral femoral circumflex artery, and from posterior retinacular arteries from the medial femoral circumflex artery. The superior aspherical portion is free of vessels. Detailed knowledge about vascular anatomy of sheep hips is of clinical significance since it allows to perform osteochondroplasty of the superior aspherical portion in the experimental ovine FAI model safely without the risk of osteonecrosis. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:2340-2348, 2018