Objectives This study aimed to compare outcomes between the tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) procedure and a modified tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA Rapid) in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Materials and Methods Twenty-six dogs were prospectively randomized into two groups: a TPLO group (n = 13) and a TTA Rapid group (n = 13). A lameness score evaluation, gait analysis and radiographical examination were performed before surgery, the 3 days after surgery, and then at 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Finally, owners were asked to subjectively rate their level of satisfaction. Results The duration of surgery was significantly shorter for the TTA Rapid procedure (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of complications between groups. Lameness scores were significantly higher during the first 3 days after surgery for the TPLO group (p = 0.01 at day 1, p = 0.01 at day 2 and p = 0.003 at day 3). One month after surgery, the symmetry index between healthy and affected limbs for the relative stance time during the gait cycle (symmetry index/%) was significantly higher for the TTA Rapid group (p < 0.01). No gait parameters were significantly different between the two groups 6 months after surgery. All of the owners of dogs in the TPLO group were completely satisfied, whereas only 11/13 owners of dogs in the TTA rapid group were completely satisfied. Clinical Significance Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy and TTA Rapid were associated with high long-term success rates in dogs. The immediate postoperative recovery seemed faster with TTA Rapid, but thereafter there was no difference.

Background The objective of the study was to report the incidence and risk factors associated with positive urine bacterial cultures as well as long-term outcome in cats with subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) devices. Results Medical records of cats that underwent SUB device placement were retrospectively reviewed. Signalment of the cat, laterality of the ureteral obstruction, surgery, anesthesia and hospitalization duration, bacterial culture results and follow-up data were retrieved. Thirty-two cats met the inclusion criteria. Four cats (12.5%) had a positive intraoperative culture, with two of them being treated successfully. Ten cats out of 28 (35.7%) were documented with a positive urine culture during follow-up period, with a median time between discharge and identification of the first positive urine culture of 159 days (range 8–703 days). Bacteriuria resolved in 60% of cats (6/10). Escherichia coli was the most common organism, isolated in 4 out of 10 postoperative urine cultures. Overall, subclinical bacteriura was documented for 6 of 32 (18.8%) cats and 5 of 32 (15.6%) cats displayed clinicals signs suggestive of persistent UTI. One cat had subclinical bacteriuria. Three cats died during the follow-up period. There was a significant difference between negative and positive urine bacterial culture groups in median hospitalization duration (5 days versus 6 days, P = 0.022) and in median body condition score (5/9 versus 4/9, P = 0.03). Cats with a longer hospital stay and with a lower body condition score were more likely to have a positive urine culture during follow-up period. Conclusions SUB device placement surgery is associated with complications such as chronic bacteriuria. Bacteriuria in our study resolved with appropriate antibiotic treatment in more than half of cats. Risk factors identified for positive urine culture were a longer hospitalization duration and a decreased body condition score.

This study showed the applicability of DoE for the investigation of spray-dried powders. The knowledge of the interplay between process parameters and quality attributes will enable rational process design to achieve a desired outcome.