Treatment of tibial shaft fractures in sheep using interlocking nails, Schanz screws and type I external fixators

This paper presents the results of a study of the treatment of transverse tibial shaft fractures in six sheep with the use of interlocking nails and type I extemal fixators. During surgery, tibial osteotomy was performed to induce an experimental fracture which was stabilized using a type I extemal fixator. Osteosynthesis was monitored for nine weeks by performing clinical tests, observing the degree of lameness and subjecting the patients to weekly radiological examinations. After nine weeks, the animals were euthanized, and samples of bone callus were sampled for histopathological analyses. Weight bearing on the fractured limb began on day 2 to 4 after treatment. Limb function was fully restored around five weeks after surgery. Radiograms taken during the observation period revealed gradual hyperplasia and progressing mineralization of bone callus at different stages of healing. The histopathological picture of the bone callus was characteristic of the phase of bone turnover and remodeling

Laparoscopic procedures in dogs and cats

Laparoscopic procedures are gaining wider application in veterinary medicine. The fnollowing article contains description of indispensable equipment for performing surgical procedures with use of laparoscopic technique and reviews some laparoscopic procedures which found application in veterinary medicine

Treatment of comminuted tibial shaft fractures in four dogs with the use of interlocking nail connected with type I external fixator

The treatment of comminuted tibial shaft fractures in canine patients is burdened by significant risk which involves bone healing complications, such as delayed bone union. Complications may result from iatrogenic damage to blood vessels during fracture stabilization. To minimize this risk, treatment methods increasingly often rely on the concept of biological osteosynthesis. One of such methods involves the treatment of fractures with the use of new hybrid fixator consisted of an interlocking nail connected with type I external fixator. Connection of the nail with external fixator has been recently developed to maximize treatment efficiency. This manner of stabilization increases bone-fixator construct strength on forces acting in the place of fracture. It also enables fracture fixation with minimal damage of the blood supply of bone fragments. This article describes surgical procedure of stabilization of comminuted tibial bone fractures in four dogs by the use of interlocking nail connected with external fixator type I, discusses and evaluates the results of clinical treatment with the involvement of the said fixator. To control bone consolidation process the radiograms were taken in 6 and 8 week of healing. In all cases, the reviewed methods of clinical treatment were successful in producing bone union after eight week of healing. During the whole period of observations no complication was observed. In all cases the intramedullary nail were left in the medullary canal after the healing process was finished. The fixator supported quick restoration of limb function after treatment

Most commonly used sequences and clinical protocols for brain and spine magnetic resonance imaging allowing better identification of pathological changes in dogs

Magnetic resonance imaging is the best imaging modality for the brain and spine. Quality of the received images depends on many technical factors. The most significant factors are: positioning the patient, proper coil selection, selection of appropriate sequences and image planes. The present contrast between different tissues provides an opportunity to diagnose various lesions. In many clinics magnetic resonance imaging has replaced myelography because of its noninvasive modality and because it provides excellent anatomic detail. There are many different combinations of sequences possible for spinal and brain MR imaging. Most frequently used are: T2-weighted fast spin echo (FSE), T1- and T2-weighted turbo spin echo, Fluid Attenuation Inversion Recovery (FLAIR), T1-weighted gradient echo (GE) and spin echo (SE), high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) sequences, fat-suppressing short tau inversion recovery (STIR) and half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE). Magnetic resonance imaging reveals neurologic lesions which were previously hard to diagnose antemortem

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) in animals

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a modern technique of performing surgical procedures developed worldwide. In the last few years, series of NOTES operations were performed in animals and humans. This article describes some surgical procedures performed in animals with use of this new technique

Desmopathy of the collateral ligaments of the equine distal interphalangeal joint – a prevalence in Poland between 2016-2019

Desmopathy of the collateral ligaments of the equine interphalangeal joint is caused by a combination of factors, including hoof shape, excessive loading and ground surface. This complex problem poses a diagnostic challenge due to the non-specificity of perineural analgesia and the limitations associated with the most popular imaging methods such as radiography and ultrasonography. The aim of this study was to retrospectively determine the prevalence of desmopathy of the collateral ligaments of the equine distal interphalangeal joint in Poland between 2016 and 2019, and to establish the frequency and type of the associated pathologies. Desmopathy of the collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint was diagnosed in 14% of 152 horses examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In 64% of the cases, other changes were observed in the equine digit, and in 36% of the cases, desmopathy was the only diagnosed problem. Desmopathy of the collateral ligaments is not a frequently reported pathology in the distal part of the equine limb. The diagnostic difficulties described in this article suggest that considerable caution should be exercised when formulating the final diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options

Magnetic resonance imaging assisted with fine needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of fibrosarcomas of the skull in dogs

Five canine patients were directed to low-field magnetic resonance imaging due to different neurological defects. In each case there were heterogeneous extraaxial masses covering left or right dorsal parietal and occipital lobes that were isointense to the brain on T1-weighted Spin Echo images, isointense to hypointense to the brain on T2-weighted Fast Spin Echo sequences and hypointense to the brain on Flair sequence. After MRI study fine needle aspiration biopsy of the tumors was performed. On the basis of the cytological examination fibrosarcomas with of moderate malignancy were diagnosed

Comparison of High Resolution Gradient Echo,XBONE T1, XBONE T2, Spin Echo T1 and 3D SST1 magnetic resonance imaging sequences for imagining the canine elbow

Twenty canine elbows were examined by low-field MRI. The objective of this study was to compare five magnetic resonance sequences: High Resolution Gradient Echo in the sagittal plane, XBONE T2 in the sagittal plane, Spin Echo T1 in the sagittal plane, Spin Echo T1 in the dorsal plane and 3D SST1 and XBONE T1 in the transverse plane, and to determine which sequences have the highest diagnostic value in imagining the canine elbow. High Resolution Gradient Echo, XBONE T2 and Spin Echo T1 sequences in the sagittal plane proved to be very useful in evaluations of osseous structures such as the medial coronoid process, the anconeal process of the ulna and joint surfaces. The above sequences facilitate evaluations of radial extensor muscle of the wrist, biceps brachii muscle, triceps brachii muscle and the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle. 3D SST1 and XBONE T1 sequences in the transverse plane produce high-quality images of the medial humeral condyle and surfaces of the elbow joint. Those sequences are also useful for evaluating the surrounding muscles: extensor digitorum communis muscle, extensor carpi radialis muscle, deltoid muscle, biceps brachii muscle, pronator teres muscle and flexor carpi ulnaris muscle. The Spin Echo T1 sequence in the dorsal plane facilitates assessments of joint surfaces, medial humeral condyle, superficial digital flexor muscle, deep digital flexor muscle, triceps brachii muscle and extensor digitorum lateralis muscle. The Spin Echo T1 sequence in the sagittal plane has a short scan time, but it produces images of lower quality than High Resolution Gradient Echo and XBONE T2 sequences in the sagittal plane

Magnetic resonance protocols in equine lameness examination, used sequences, and interpretation

Magnetic resonance is a great diagnostic tool in equine lameness examination. Its value is most significantly visible in evaluating distal extremities. Problems with podotrochlear apparatus, laminitis or distal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis are the most common disorders diagnosed in equine patients. Without using magnetic resonance it was impossible to clearly assess which structures are involved in each of these diseases. One of the most important things in MRI is the choice of sequence. Most commonly used are T1 GE, T2 FSE, STIR and T2* GE, in sagittal, transverse and dorsal planes. To make a reliable diagnosis it is important to compare findings in all these sequences

Effect of shoeing horses with eggbar shoes and shoes with wedge pads on blood flow parameters in the lateral digital artery in the Doppler ultrasound

A sound knowledge of horseshoe impact on blood flow parameters is required for making shoeing decisions and selecting the most appropriate types of shoes. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of horse shoeing with egg bar shoes and shoes with wedge pads on blood flow parameters in the lateral palmar digital artery measured by Doppler ultrasound. The study was conducted on 16 horses divided into two groups. Horses from group 1 were shod with egg bar shoes. Horses from group 2 were shod with shoes with wedge pads. Doppler ultrasound parameters of the lateral palmar digital artery at the level of the metacarpophalangeal joint were evaluated. Doppler tests were performed before and after shoeing within a monthly interval. The results of the study indicate that egg bar shoes have a greater impact on blood circulation in the distal part of the equine limb than shoes with wedge pads. However, the only parameters to have changed substantially after shoeing with egg bar shoes were end-diastolic velocity (EDV) and mean velocity (Vmn) in the lateral palmar digital artery. A low-resistance blood flow pattern was noted before shoeing. After shoeing in group 1, it remained unchanged in 5 horses, whereas a high-resistance pattern was observed in 3 animals. A low-resistance blood flow pattern was noted in all group 2 horses after shoeing. The difference between the analyzed shoeing techniques could be attributed to increased pressure in the heel bulb area in horses shod with egg bar shoes. Wedge pads shift the load away from the heel bulbs, which might reduce the pressure on the palmar digital vessels and exert a smaller influence on the parameters measured in the Doppler ultrasound test