Background: In dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts (CPS), postligation seizures can be challenging to treat and often result in mortality. Levetiracetam (LEV) is a novel anticonvulsive drug that is commonly used in humans with seizure disorders who have hepatic comorbidity.Objectives: To compare the incidence of postoperative seizures in dogs that underwent surgical attenuation of an extrahepatic CPS and preoperatively received either LEV or no anticonvulsant medication.Animals: A total of 126 dogs undergoing attenuation of an extrahepatic CPS that preoperatively received either LEV or no anticonvulsant medication.Methods: Retrospective case review. Information obtained included signalment, duration of clinical signs, presence of neurologic abnormalities before surgery, preoperative bile acid and ammonia concentrations, diagnostic imaging modality, duration of hospitalization, postoperative complications including seizures, and discharge status. Bayesian Poisson regression was used to estimate the risk of seizures in LEV-treated dogs when compared with untreated dogs.Results: Levetiracetam was administered to 33% (42/126) of dogs. No dog treated with LEV experienced postoperative seizures, whereas 5% (4/84) of dogs not treated with LEV experienced postoperative seizures. The relative risk of seizures was significantly (P < .0002) < 1 for the LEV-treated dogs, indicating LEV protection against development of postoperative seizures. No dog that experienced postoperative seizures survived to discharge from the hospital.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Levetiracetam administered at 20 mg/kg PO q8h for a minimum of 24 hours before surgery significantly decreased the risk of postoperative seizures and death in dogs undergoing surgical attenuation of extrahepatic CPS with ameroid ring constrictors.

Both ELR and ILS are associated with high complication rates. Younger dogs and dogs without main-stem bronchial collapse had a longer survival time, regardless of treatment.

SummaryMonofilament nylon leader line (MNL) is a popular prosthetic material used by veterinary surgeons for extra-capsular cranial cruciate ligament repair. Careful examination of MNL fixation methods has been reported, but a comprehensive comparison has not been done. This study evaluated three unpublished novel methods of MNL loop fixation [Harris wire tightener (knotter), Securos® crimp clamp system, self-locking knot] to traditional methods of MNL loop fixation (clamped square knot, sliding half hitch knot). Loops (27.3 kgt and 36.4 kgt) were distracted at 500 mm/min until failure by breaking or slipping. Ultimate force, elongation and stiffness were used for comparison of loop fixation methods. All of the loops failed by breaking within 3.0 mm of knot or clamp. The Harris knotter had significantly greater elongation than all other loops, except for the self-locking knot. The self-locking knot required the most force to failure; however, it was not superior if the doublestranded configuration was considered. If the mechanical properties of the knot method is considered in light of the subjective handling characteristics, the Securos® crimp clamp system had equivalent strength measurement for the 27.3 kgt MNL loops and was stronger than traditional methods using the 36.4 kgt MNL. The Securos® system recommends use of the larger diameter MNL and it allows a surgeon to overcome potential difficult handling characteristics previously encountered with knot formation and security.

Complete or partial rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is a common injury of the canine stifle. While numerous techniques have been developed for surgical treatment, extra-articular methods with placement of a lateral suture remain a popular treatment method. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential isometry of the six suture-paired sites; two on the femur and three on the tibia. In six femoro-tibial specimens with intact passive joint restraints, femoral sites adjacent to the proximal (F1) and distal (F2) poles of the fabella, and tibial sites adjacent to the patella insertion (T1), immediately cranial to (T2) and caudal to (T3) the long digital extensor tendon, were identified. A suture from one femoral site to one tibial site was placed under 0 or 5 N of preload, and tension was measured at joint angles of 150 degrees , 130 degrees , 90 degrees and 50 degrees . The F2-T3 combination was found to be most isometric. Isometry was re-assessed in the same specimens with the suture in the F2-T3 position, and under 5 N, 10 N and 15 N of preload, and after transection of the CCL. The suture pair retained its isometric pattern in the CCL transected specimens. There was no effect of preload on isometry patterns.

Objective-To document cartilage damage associated with elbow lameness in dogs without radiographic signs. Study Design-Case series. Animals-Dogs (n ¼ 16). Methods-Medical records (November 2004-January 2006) of dogs with undiagnosed forelimb lameness localized to the elbow but without radiographic signs that had lesions identified by either computed tomography (CT) or nuclear scintigraphy and confirmed by arthroscopy were included. Signalment, duration of clinical signs before admission, surgical diagnosis, and treatment were recorded. Results-Sixteen dogs (10 left, 6 right elbows) were identified. Median age was 30.1 months and median duration of clinical signs before admission was 15.6 months. CT or scintigraphy were strongly suggestive of elbow pathology before confirmation by arthroscopy. Medial coronoid pathology was identified in every abnormal elbow and osteochondrosis dissecans in 2 elbows. Conclusions-Elbow pathology not associated with radiographic changes can be identified by CT and scintigraphy. Coronoid pathology is the most likely diagnosis. Clinical Relevance-Absence of radiographic signs in elbows with clinical signs of lameness should be evaluated with advanced imaging techniques (CT, scintigraphy) and arthroscopy to identify the cause of lameness. r