The effects of surgical and nonsurgical therapy on the development of osteoarthritis were compared in 12 dogs with bilateral medial patellar luxation and unilateral surgical repair. Evaluations included severity of lameness and patellar luxation, ligamentous stability, range of motion, and radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis before surgery and at a mean of 33 months after surgery. Stifles without surgical treatment served as controls for the contralateral stifles with surgery. All stifles treated surgically had reduced patellofemoral joints, normal range of motion, and improved limb use. Osteoarthritis progressed significantly and comparably in both groups of stifles. Progression of osteoarthritis was not correlated with luxation grade, body weight, or interval from surgery to follow-up. Age at surgery was correlated positively with severity of osteoarthritis in the stifles treated surgically.

The clinicopathological features of cervical fractures in 56 dogs were reviewed. "Hit by car" (HBC) was the most common inciting cause, and the axis and atlas were the vertebrae most frequently affected. Surgical treatment was associated with high (36%) perioperative mortality. However, all dogs that survived the perioperative period achieved functional recovery. Functional recovery was achieved in 25 (89%) of 28 nonsurgically treated dogs with adequate follow-up. Overall, severity of neurological deficits (nonambulatory status) and prolonged interval (five days or longer) from trauma to referral were associated with poorer outcome. Nonsurgical treatment is a viable therapeutic approach for many dogs with cervical fractures. Early neck immobilization and prompt referral are recommended, because delay in referral decreases the likelihood of functional recovery.

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