This study was designed to examine the association of spontaneous lesions of osteochondrosis with vascular supply to epiphyseal cartilage, and to determine whether similar lesions could be experimentally reproduced by selective interruption of cartilage canal blood supply. The vascular supply to the articular-epiphyseal cartilage complex of the distal end of the femur was studied in 27 microfil- or barium-injected and cleared specimens and 24 serially sectioned microangiographic specimens from 27 clinically normal female swine (3.6 to 71.0 kg). Blood vessels supplying the articular-epiphyseal cartilage complex were consistently restricted to the epiphyseal region and the number of vessels decreased as the pigs increased in weight (p less than 0.001). Spontaneous lesions of osteochondrosis (i.e., cartilage necrosis) were initially seen in the first areas of epiphyseal cartilage to become avascular and were associated with necrotic blood vessels. The number and size of foci of necrotic cartilage increased as the pigs increased in weight (p less than 0.001). Blood supply to epiphyseal cartilage from cartilage canal vessels was surgically interrupted in a highly vascular area of the medial femoral condyle in eight additional 23-kg female swine. This procedure resulted in necrosis of blood vessels within cartilage canals followed by necrosis of surrounding cartilage, lesions that appeared to be identical to early spontaneous lesions of osteochondrosis. These results suggest that the viability of epiphyseal cartilage in the articular-epiphyseal cartilage complex is highly dependent on an adequate blood supply from cartilage canal vessels, and strongly implicates a defect in blood supply in the pathogenesis of osteochondrosis.

Ingestion of the test food raised blood concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids and appeared to improve the arthritic condition in pet dogs with osteoarthritis.

Forty-five mixed breed dogs were evaluated for the presence and extent of periodontal disease. Histopathology was performed on samples of lung, myocardium, liver, kidney, tonsil, spleen, submandibular lymph node and tracheobronchial lymph node. Mitral valves were evaluated grossly. Statistical analysis was used to determine if there was a relationship between the extent of periodontal disease and histopathologic changes in the tissues examined. In the forty-five dogs studied, an association was found between periodontal disease and histopathologic changes in kidney, myocardium (papillary muscle), and liver.

At least in the short term, dietary supplementation with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids resulted in an improvement in weight bearing in dogs with osteoarthritis.

Factors contributing to subsidence were analyzed by radiographic evaluation and mechanical testing of 36 canine cadaver femora during and after insertion of an uncemented porous-coated femoral stem and by radiographic evaluation of 35 canine total hip arthroplasties. Mean percentage of canal fill in immediate postoperative radiographs, and percentage of canal fill at midimplant and distal implant locations, were accurate predictors of subsidence. Force required to implant the femoral stem was strongly correlated with force required for implant subsidence. Femoral morphology and percentage of canal fill at the middle and distal sites were accurate predictors of subsidence. Implants in femora with a stovepipe morphology (canal flare index less than or equal to 1.8) were six times more likely to subside than implants in femora that had a normal appearance (canal flare index 1.8 to 2.5), and 72 times more likely to subside than implants in champagne-fluted femora (canal flare index greater than or equal to 2.5). Femora with more than 85% mean, middle, or distal canal fill were less likely to subside.