Inflammatory pattern of the infrapatellar fat pad in dogs with canine cruciate ligament disease.

Background: Despite the importance of inflammation during the pathogenesis of cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) in dogs and despite the latest knowledge suggesting a significant role of adipose tissue in osteoarthritis, the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) was up to now mostly disregarded in veterinary investigations. In the present study, the inflammatory activity of the IFP, the main adipose structure within the stifle joint, was thoroughly investigated to evaluate its potential impact in the pathogenesis of this common disease of our canine companions. Samples of IFP, subcutaneous adipose tissue (ScAT) of the thigh and synovial fluid in both diseased (n = 36) and healthy control (n = 23) dogs were tested for their immune cell composition but also for interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10), degradative enzymes (MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, TIMP-2, iNOS) and adipokines (leptin and adiponectin).

Inflammatory Processes Associated with Canine Intervertebral Disc Herniation.

Intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) is an important pathology in humans and also in dogs. While the molecular disease mechanisms are well investigated in humans, little is known about the inflammatory mediators in naturally occurring canine IVDH. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the involved proinflammatory cytokines in human IVDH are also key cytokines in canine IVDH and thus to elucidate the suitability of the dog as a model for human trials.

Evaluation of surface blood flow in intact and ruptured canine cruciate ligaments using laser Doppler flowmetry.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) to measure surface blood flow in canine cruciate ligaments, compare measurements in different sites of intact and partially ruptured canine cranial cruciate ligaments (CrCL) and intact caudal cruciate ligaments (CaCL), and investigate any association between surface blood flow in partially ruptured CrCL and synovitis or duration of clinical signs.

Study Design: Case-controlled clinical study.

Animals: Sixteen dogs with partially ruptured CrCL and five dogs with intact CrCL.

Clinical presentation, diagnosis, therapy and outcome of alveolar echinococcosis in dogs.

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE), a parasitic disease primarily of the liver caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis, is highly endemic in Switzerland. In contrast to well-established management protocols in people, little is known with regard to optimal treatment strategies in dogs. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical signs and diagnostic procedures in dogs with AE and to evaluate outcome following medical treatment alone or surgery and medical treatment.

Engraftment of autologous bone marrow cells into the injured cranial cruciate ligament in dogs.

Current research indicates that exogenous stem cells may accelerate reparative processes in joint disease but, no previous studies have evaluated whether bone marrow cells (BMCs) target the injured cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in dogs. The objective of this study was to investigate engraftment of BMCs following intra-articular injection in dogs with spontaneous CCL injury. Autologous PKH26-labelled BMCs were injected into the stifle joint of eight client-owned dogs with CCL rupture.

Validation of stress magnetic resonance imaging of the canine stifle joint with and without an intact cranial cruciate ligament.

Objective: To validate use of stress MRI for evaluation of stifle joints of dogs with an intact or deficient cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL).

Sample: 10 cadaveric stifle joints from 10 dogs.

Procedures: A custom-made limb-holding device and a pulley system linked to a paw plate were used to apply axial compression across the stifle joint and induce cranial tibial translation with the joint in various degrees of flexion.

Septic peritonitis from pyloric and non-pyloric gastrointestinal perforation: prognostic factors in 44 dogs and 11 cats.

Objectives: To identify potential prognostic factors affecting outcome in septic peritonitis caused by gastrointestinal perforation in dogs and cats.

Methods: A retrospective study. Animals operated on for septic peritonitis because of gastrointestinal perforation were evaluated.

Genotypes and antibiotic resistance of canine Campylobacter jejuni isolates.

Campylobacter jejuni is the most important cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans. It is a commensal in many wild and domestic animals, including dogs. Whereas genotypes of human and chicken C.

In vitro biomechanical testing of a micro external skeletal fixator.

Objective: To biomechanically test the properties of three different Universal Micro External Fixator (UMEX™) configurations with regard to their use in very small animals (<5kg) and compare the UMEX system to the widely used IMEX External Skeletal Fixation (SK™) system in terms of stiffness, space needed for pin placement and weight.

Methods: Three different UMEX configurations (type Ia, type Ib, and type II modified) and one SK configuration type Ia were used to stabilize Delrin plastic rods in a 1 cm fracture gap model. These constructs were tested in axial compression, craniocaudal bending, mediolateral bending, and torsion.

Effect of lateral meniscectomy and osteochondral grafting of a lateral femoral condylar defect on contact mechanics: a cadaveric study in dogs.

Background: Osteochondral autograft transfer (OAT) aims at restoring normal articular cartilage surface geometry and articular contact mechanics. To date, no studies have evaluated the contact mechanics of the canine stifle following OAT. Additionally, there are no studies that evaluated the role of the meniscus in contact mechanics following OAT in human or canine femorotibial joints.

In vitro cytoprotective effects of acetylsalicylic acid, carprofen, meloxicam, or robenacoxib against apoptosis induced by sodium nitroprusside in canine cruciate ligament cells.

Objective: To determine whether incubation of cruciate ligament cells with acetylsalicylic acid, carprofen, meloxicam, or robenacoxib provides protection against apoptosis induced by sodium nitroprusside (SNP).

Sample: Explants of cranial (CCL) and caudal (CaCL) cruciate ligaments from eight 1-day-old Beagles.

Procedures: Primary cultures of CCL and CaCL cells were created via enzymatic dissociation of cruciate explants.

An indirect reduction technique for ventral stabilization of atlantoaxial instability in miniature breed dogs.

Objective: To describe an indirect reduction method for ventral fixation of atlantoaxial instability.

Study: Retrospective study.

Animals: Miniature dogs (n = 5) with atlanto-axial instability.

Nitric oxide induces cell death in canine cruciate ligament cells by activation of tyrosine kinase and reactive oxygen species.

Background: There is increasing evidence suggesting that development of progressive canine cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture involves a gradual degeneration of the CCL itself, initiated by a combination of factors, ranging from mechanical to biochemical. To date, knowledge is lacking to what extent cruciate disease results from abnormal biomechanics on a normal ligament or contrary how far preliminary alterations of the ligament due to biochemical factors provoke abnormal biomechanics. This study is focused on nitric oxide (NO), one of the potential biochemical factors.

Retrospective evaluation of postoperative nasotracheal tubes for oxygen supplementation in dogs following surgery for brachycephalic syndrome: 36 cases (2003-2007).

Objective: To assess the utility of nasotracheal tubes in postoperative oxygen supplementation in dogs following corrective surgery for brachycephalic syndrome.

Design: Retrospective study 2003-2007.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

Evaluation of respiratory parameters at presentation as clinical indicators of the respiratory localization in dogs and cats with respiratory distress.

Objective: To describe clinical respiratory parameters in cats and dogs with respiratory distress and identify associations between respiratory signs at presentation and localization of the disease with particular evaluation between the synchrony of abdominal and chest wall movements as a clinical indicators for pleural space disease. Design - Prospective observational clinical study.

Setting: Emergency service in a university veterinary teaching hospital.

Microfenestration using the CUSA Excel ultrasonic aspiration system in chondrodystrophic dogs with thoracolumbar disk extrusion: a descriptive cadaveric and clinical study.

Objective: To describe an ultrasonic surgical aspirator assisted disk fenestration technique in dogs.

Study Design: Descriptive cadaveric and prospective clinical study.

Animals: Fresh Beagle cadavers (n=5) and 10 chondrodystrophic dogs with thoracolumbar disk extrusion.

In vitro effect of different mediators of apoptosis on canine cranial and caudal cruciate ligament fibroblasts and its reversibility by pancaspase inhibitor zVAD.fmk.

Primary fibroblast cultures of canine cranial (CCL) and caudal (CaCL) cruciate ligaments were stimulated with different apoptosis inducers with or without preincubation of the pancaspase inhibitor zVAD.fmk. In contrast to CaCL fibroblasts, fibroblasts from CCL were significantly more susceptible to apoptosis inducers of the intrinsic pathway like doxorubicin, cisplatin and nitric oxide (NO)-donors and to Fas ligand (FasL), an apoptosis inducer of the death receptor pathway.

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions of robenacoxib in acute joint inflammation in dog.

The objectives of this study were to establish dose-response and blood concentration-response relationships for robenacoxib, a novel nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with selectivity for inhibition of the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 isoenzyme, in a canine model of synovitis. Acute synovitis of the stifle joint was induced by intra-articular injection of sodium urate crystals. Robenacoxib (0.

Incidence of spinal compressive lesions in chondrodystrophic dogs with abnormal recovery after hemilaminectomy for treatment of thoracolumbar disc disease: a prospective magnetic resonance imaging study.

Objective: To investigate causes of the lack of clinical improvement after thoracolumbar disc surgery.

Study Design: Case-control magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study.

Animals: Chondrodystrophic dogs with acute thoracolumbar disc disease treated by hemilaminectomy: 10 that had no short-term clinical improvement and 12 with "normal" clinical improvement.

Right ventricular rupture after lateral thoracotomy for removal of rib-associated telangiectatic osteosarcoma in a dog.

Objective: To describe a case of a focal right ventricular rupture following removal of a rib-associated telangiectatic osteosarcoma (TOS) in a dog.

Case Summary: A 2-year-old spayed female mixed-breed dog, weighing 20 kg, was presented in compensated hypovolemic shock due to active bleeding into the thoracic cavity. The dog was stabilized with appropriate fluid administration.

Laser-Doppler measurements of spinal cord blood flow changes during hemilaminectomy in chondrodystrophic dogs with disk extrusion.

Objectives: (1) To assess spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) during surgical treatment of disk extrusion in dogs and (2) to investigate associations between SCBF, clinical signs, presurgical MRI images, and 24-hour surgical outcome.

Study Design: Cohort study.

Animals: Chondrodystrophic dogs with thoracolumbar disk extrusion (n=12).

Non-selective cutaneous sensory neurectomy as an alternative treatment for auto-mutilation lesion following arthrodesis in three dogs.

Objective: To describe an alternative method for the treatment of non-responsive self-mutilation injuries in three dogs after carpal/tarsal arthrodesis.

Study Design: Case series

Animals: Two dogs with carpal injury and one dog with tarsal injury treated by arthrodesis

Methods: All dogs developed self-mutilation injuries due to licking and/or chewing of the toes within 21-52 days of surgery. Clinical signs did not resolve within one week after conservative treatment with wound debridement and protective bandages.

Selective iNOS-inhibition does not influence apoptosis in ruptured canine cranial cruciate ligaments.

Abnormal patterns of cell death, including increased apoptosis, can influence homeostasis of ligaments and could be involved in the pathogenesis of cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture. Increased nitric oxide (NO) production has been implicated as a stimulus to increased apoptosis in articular cartilage. This study investigated apoptotic cell death in ruptured canine CCL (CCL group, n = 15), in ruptured CCL of dogs treated with oral L-N6-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine (L-NIL), a selective NO-synthetase(NOS)-inhibitor, (L-NIL group, n = 15) and compared the results with normal canine CCL (control group, n = 10).

Comparative study of vertebral fractures and luxations in dogs and cats.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare patterns of vertebral fractures and luxations in 42 cats and 47 dogs, and to evaluate the impact of species-related differences on clinical outcome. Data regarding aetiology, neurological status, radiographic appearance and follow-up were compared between the groups. The thoracolumbar (Th3-L3) area was the most commonly affected location in both cats (49%) and dogs (58%).

Influence of pre-anaesthetic thoracic radiographs on ASA physical status classification and anaesthetic protocols in traumatized dogs and cats.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if pre-anaesthetic thoracic radiographs contribute to the anaesthetic management of trauma patients by comparing American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification (ASA grade) with and without information from thoracic radiography findings. Case records of 157 dogs and cats being anaesthetized with or without post-traumatic, pre-anaesthetic chest radiographs were retrospectively evaluated for clinical parameters, radiographic abnormalities and anaesthetic protocol. Animals were retrospectively assigned an ASA grade.