To evaluate the rate of establishment of cortical continuity and union of large bone defects with the use of recombinant bone morphogenetic protein (rh-BMP-2)/hydroxyapatite implants. Six adult male dogs were used to evaluate the effect of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) in filling large cortical defects. A 1.5cm cortical ulnar defect was created in two groups of dogs. First group had 1.5cm BMP implant in a carrier of hydroxyapatite in the cortical defect; the control (group 2) defect was left intact. Evaluation was through serial radiographic determination of mean fracture gaps. There was progressive filling of osseous defects in group 1, which was total at the 16th week post-surgical (PS); group 2 dogs had radiographic non-union at the 16th PS week. It was concluded that BMP implanted with a hydroxyapatite carrier significantly enhanced the rate of cortical restoration of massive bone defects in dogs.

Four adult (two males and two females) dogs were used to comparatively evaluate the effectiveness of pin-infiberglass cast with Kirschner-Ehmer type I external skeletal fixative in the management of surgically created radius-ulna fractures in dogs. These dogs were assigned to two groups (A and B) with each group made up of two dogs. The radius-ulna fracture was created in all the dogs under general anaesthesia as follows: Group A, pin-in-fiberglass casting; and Group B, Kirschner-Ehmer type I external fixation. Post-operatively, minimal increase in vital parameters were observed, but were not significant (P>0.05) when compared with preoperative values in both groups. The haematological indices were within acceptable normal limits for both group (P>0.05). Dogs in both groups bore weight on the operated limb and could walk within 24 hours postoperative. Radiographic evaluation revealed minimal soft tissue swelling and minimal periosteal tissue reaction in both groups. The Kirschner-Ehmer external fixative group attained the faster fracture healing time (7 weeks) compared to the pin-in-fiberglass group (8 weeks). Functional and cosmetic appearances were graded as excellent for both groups. Complications associated with the two techniques were cast sores in the pin-infiberglass group while pin loosening and serous pin tract drainage were observed in the Kirschner-Ehmer external fixative group. Thus, it was concluded that pin-in-fiberglass cast could be used as a satisfactory substitute to Kirschner-Ehmer type I external fixative in the management of simple radius-ulna fractures in dogs.

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The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between ultrasonographic kidney volume and modified body mass index through evaluating the kidney architectural appearance, variations between right and left kidney dimensions and correlation between ultrasonographic kidney volumes and modified body mass index in clinically healthy Nigerian indigenous dogs. The ultrasonography was performed to obtain the kidney dimensions in centimeter for the length (bipolar length), width and height of the kidney for both right and left kidneys to compute for the kidney volume in centimeter cube using the formula for the volume of an ellipsoid (L X W X H X 0.523), while the modified body mass index for dogs was obtained by taking the body weight in kilogram of each dog against the squared length of the trunk. The serum creatinine and urea parameters are within normal limits in dogs used for this study. This research revealed normal kidney architecture with hyperechoic renal capsules, hypoechoic renal cortex, anechoic medullary pyramids and hyperechoic renal pelvis. Left kidneys are significantly larger than the right kidneys and there was a weak positive correlation between right (r 2 = 0.21) and left (r 2 = 0.18) kidney volumes with modified body mass index in clinically healthy in Nigerian indigenous dogs. In conclusion, the left kidney appeared larger than the right kidney and there is a positive but weak relationship between ultrasonographic kidney volume and modified body mass index in healthy Nigerian indigenous dogs.