A 13.2-kg, skeletally immature German shepherd dog presented with acute onset non–weight-bearing right forelimb lameness. A mildly displaced, distal humeral Salter-Harris type II fracture was diagnosed using radiographs and CT scan which demonstrated a characteristic ‘corner’ sign. Closed reduction was achieved using ligamentotaxis techniques and stabilisation was performed via percutaneous pinning under fluoroscopic guidance. Physical examination and diagnostic imaging were repeated at 1 month postoperatively with telephone communication and Canine Brief Pain Inventory being completed 12 months postoperatively. Clinical union was documented radiographically 4 weeks postoperatively. Minimal lameness was noted clinically, reported to have resolved 2 weeks thereafter. Long-term outcome was excellent with both pain severity score and pain interference score being zero. This is the first detailed report of a distal humeral Salter-Harris type II fracture in the veterinary literature. Principles of minimally invasive osteosynthesis were applied to achieve closed reduction and stabilisation with excellent long-term clinical outcome.

Case summaryA 10-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat was evaluated because of signs of stertorous breathing and reverse sneezing of 8 months’ duration. A CT scan performed 1 week before evaluation indicated nasopharyngeal stenosis or collapse. Increased respiratory effort, stertorous breathing, coughing, reverse sneezing, bilateral black ocular discharge and mucoid left nasal discharge were noted. Rhinoscopy suggested possible nasopharyngeal stenosis. Balloon dilation was attempted but unsuccessful. Ventral rhinotomy was performed the following day using a spring-loaded mouth gag to access the surgical site. After rhinotomy, the patient had neurologic signs attributed to global cerebral ischemia that progressed to respiratory arrest, subsequently resulting in euthanasia.Relevance and novel informationWhile ischemic brain injury has been associated with the use of a spring-loaded mouth gag in cats, to our knowledge this is the first reported instance where use resulted in respiratory arrest culminating in euthanasia.