A retrospective study between 1995 and 2004 of fracture repair in cats (n = 46) using interlocking nails (ILN) was made. Only the cases in which clinical and radiographic examination of bone healing were available are included. Five humeral and twenty eight femoral fractures were reviewed. Multiple-hole interlocking nails (MH-ILN) were used in 22 fractures, with the four-hole model (FH-ILN) in the remaining cases. In three of the cases, the FH-ILN was transformed to a three-hole model by cutting the nail between the two most distal holes. The average length of humeral ILN was 78.8 mm, and the femoral ILN was 97.2 mm. Static fixation was performed in 27 cases, with dynamic fixation in the remaining. The medullary canal filling was 100% in both radiographic views in 16 cases. Intra-operative complications were encountered in two cases. A total number of 76 screws were inserted, with 5.26% of them being malpositioned. Malunion, in a deformed femur, and partial unscrewing of one screw were the only radiographic complications observed at the time of follow-up. The clinical outcome, as well as fracture healing, were excellent in all of the cases. The results of this study indicate that the 4.0 and 5.0 mm MH-ILN and FH-ILN can be used to repair simple or comminuted humeral and femoral fractures in cats.

Perioperative administration of meloxicam or preoperative placement of a transdermal fentanyl patch provided effective and similar postoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing orthopedic surgery. However, because of its anti-inflammatory effects, treatment with meloxicam reduced the degree of lameness and resulted in rapid functional recovery of the limb.

ILN locked with a type I ESF is seemingly a feasible method for repair of mid-shaft femoral fractures and may decrease risk of nail failure.

A five-year-old male boxer, previously diagnosed with leishmaniasis and hypothyroidism, had gradually become unable to bear weight on its left hindlimb. Physical examination revealed a left popliteal lymphadenopathy, mild crepitus, and severe swelling of the left tarsal joint, a radiographic examination of which revealed severe bone destruction of the talus and a periosteal reaction of the calcaneus. Laboratory findings and serological tests suggested an active leishmanial infection, and a Leishmania species was identified by direct cytology of a sample from the osteolytic area and by indirect immunohistochemistry of a bone biopsy. The dog's condition improved when it was treated with meglumine antimonate and allopurinol. Because of the large osteolytic area and the increased use of the affected leg, a partial tarsal arthrodesis was performed to prevent a fracture. Five months after the surgery, the osteolytic area had healed completely and the calcaneus periosteal reaction had disappeared.