Unilateral medial patellar luxation was diagnosed in 10, and bilateral medial patellar luxation in six, large and giant-breed dogs (22 stifles). Lameness occurred in five dogs after trauma or surgery, and 11 dogs had no known predisposing history. The mean age at presentation was 25 months, and the mean time from initial onset of clinical signs to diagnosis was 13 weeks. All traumatic or iatrogenic luxations (five dogs) were unilateral. Luxations presumed to be congenital were unilateral in five dogs and bilateral in six. The grades of medial patellar luxation were I (1 stifle), II (11 stifles), III (9 stifles), and IV (1 stifle). Preoperative function was good (1 dog), fair (9 dogs), and poor (6 dogs). Surgical correction was performed in dogs with grades II, III, and IV luxations (21 stifles). Complications included one wound dehiscence and trochlear wedge migration, one pin loosening, and one persistent lameness caused by lymphoplasmacytic synovitis. Long-term follow-up was available in 13 dogs (18 stifles). Function was judged by owners to be excellent in seven dogs, good in five dogs, and poor in one dog. Surgical treatment of grades II and III luxations yielded good (8 stifles) and excellent (9 stifles) results, while one grade IV luxation had a poor long-term outcome.

Results suggest that preoperative administration of ketoprofen does not reduce anesthetic requirements in dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy but may reduce signs of pain after surgery. Results also suggest that the objective behavioral score may be a more sensitive measure of acute postoperative pain than traditional numerical pain scores.

Preoperative administration of ketoprofen inhibited platelet aggre gation but did not alter bleeding time. Ketoprofen can be given before surgery to healthy dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy, provided that dogs are screened for potential bleeding problems before surgery and monitored closely after surgery.

A 6.5-year-old German Shepherd Dog underwent decompressive surgery for cauda equina syndrome. On the basis of intraoperative findings, the dorsal laminectomy was extended from L6 to S2. Partial dorsal annulectomies were also performed on the L6-7 and L7-S1 intervertebral disks. Two weeks following discharge, the dog had an acute onset of signs of pain and worsening of the neurologic status. Radiography and surgical exploration revealed bilateral fractures of the vertebral pedicles and caudal articular facets of L7. Vertebral stabilization was achieved with intramedullary pins and methylmethacrylate. The dog fully recovered. Although the destabilizing effect of various procedures on the vertebral column has been documented in vitro, vertebral fractures associated with instability have not been reported. Our description of a vertebral fracture following a cauda equina decompressive procedure in a dog emphasizes the need for caution when performing multi-level dorsal laminectomy and diskectomy.

The use of TPLO Y-shaped plates for supracotyloid ilial fractures allows good fracture reduction and fixation with a minimal approach and few postoperative complications.