Twenty-eight consecutive fractures of the canine radius and tibia were treated with external skeletal fixation as the primary method of stabilization. The time of fixation removal (T1) and the time to unsupported weight-bearing (T2) were correlated with: (1) bone involved; (2) communication of the fracture with the external environment; (3) severity of the fracture; (4) proximity of the fracture to the nutrient artery; (5) method of reduction; (6) diaphyseal displacement after reduction; and (7) gap between cortical fragments after reduction. The Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance was used to test the correlation with p less than .05 set as the criterion for significance. The median T1 was 10 weeks and the median T2 was 11 weeks. None of the variables correlated significantly with either of the healing times; however, there was a strong trend toward longer healing times associated with open fractures and shorter healing times associated with closed reduction. Periosteal and endosteal callus uniting the fragments were observed radiographically in comminuted fractures, with primary bone union observed in six fractures in which anatomic reduction was achieved. Complications observed in the treatment of these fractures included: bone lysis around pins (27 fractures), pin track drainage (27 fractures), pin track hemorrhage (1 fracture), periosteal reaction around pins (27 fractures), radiographic signs consistent with osteomyelitis (12 fractures), degenerative joint disease (2 dogs), and nonunion (1 fracture). Valgus or rotational malalignment resulted in 16 malunions of fractures. One external fixation device was replaced and four loose pins were removed before the fractures healed. One dog was treated with antibiotics during the postoperative period because clinical signs of osteomyelitis appeared.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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The effects of intramuscularly administered medetomidine and butorphanol (MB), and medetomidine, butorphanol, atropine (MBA) on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were determined in six dogs as measured by 99m-Tc-labeled diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) nuclear scintigraphy. Direct systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressures and heart rate were measured at regular time intervals before, during, and after GFR calculations. The mean GFR measurement following MB was significantly greater (4.44 ml/min/kg) than following MBA (3.82 ml/min/kg) or saline treatment (3.41 ml/min/kg). There was no significant difference between the mean GFR measurements following MBA injection and following saline injection. Diastolic and mean arterial pressures following MBA injection were significantly higher than the values recorded after either MB or saline alone. Heart rate following MB administration was significantly lower than that recorded for dogs receiving MBA or saline alone. The results of this study indicate that the administration of medetomidine in combination with butorphanol significantly increases total GFR in healthy dogs, while the administration of the combination of medetomidine, butorphanol, and atropine does not.

The caudal cruciate ligament (CaCL) of one stifle joint in seven dogs was transected and a 2 to 4 mm section was removed. Six months after surgery, none of the dogs were lame. Thigh muscle circumference, stifle range of motion, and internal tibial rotation in the operated limb were not significantly different from the preoperative measurements or the contralateral, unoperated limb. A caudal drawer motion was consistently present in the stifle joints with a transected CaCL. A radiographic evaluation of the operated stifle joints did not reveal osteoarthritic changes; four of seven stifle joints had an irregular fat pad 6 months after surgery. Results of a joint fluid analysis revealed a slight increase in synovial cells within treated stifle joints; inflammatory cells were not observed. The only gross morphologic change in stifle joints with a severed ligament was enlarged knobby remnants of the CaCL. Articular cartilage defects or osteophytes were not observed. Results of a histologic examination of the CaCL remnants revealed synovial cellular capping and intraligamentous fibroplasia. Based on a limited number of dogs, it was concluded that isolated transection of the CaCL produced minimal clinical and pathologic changes in the stifle joint during a 6 month period.

Awake cats that were not used to the application of a facemask did inhale substances from such a device. Aerosolization of medications may be a feasible route of administration for cats with lower airway disease.