Rationale for hyperbaric oxygen therapy in traumatic injury and wound care in small animal veterinary practice.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is in wide use in human medicine around the world. Although hyperbaric oxygen therapy is available for veterinary use, it is still significantly underutilised. The physical principles, gas laws and physiologic mechanisms by which hyperbaric oxygen therapy is therapeutic, especially in traumatic injuries and complicated wound care, are discussed.

Suspected hepatotoxicity secondary to trazodone therapy in a dog.

Objective: To describe a case of suspected hepatotoxicity in a dog secondary to administration of trazodone.

Case Summary: A 6-year-old, neutered, mixed breed dog was evaluated for a progressive increased liver enzyme activity over a 6-week period. The patient originally presented for raisin toxicosis, and hence, was having serial blood work monitoring performed.

Systemic lime sulfur toxicosis secondary to dermal exposure in two cats.

Objective: To describe a case series of systemic lime sulfur toxicosis secondary to topical administration in 2 cats.

Case Summary: Two cats from the same household that were being previously treated for Microsporum canis were presented following topical administration of an incorrectly diluted lime sulfur dip. A 30% solution was used rather than the recommended 3% solution, resulting in a 10-fold concentration overdose.

Carpal Extension Angles in Agility Dogs Exiting the A-Frame and Hurdle Jumps.

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to determine the mean carpal extension angles in dogs participating in the A-frame and hurdle jumps, and to determine if the use of a carpal brace changed the carpal extension angle.

Study Design:  Data from 13 healthy agility dogs were included. Approximately 1 cm square adhesive tape markers placed on both forelimbs served as anatomic landmarks for carpal angle measurement.

Distraction Osteogenesis in Two Wild Raptors.

Distraction osteogenesis was used in 2 wild raptor patients for the repair of tibiotarsal fractures. The first case was a hatching year female peregrine falcon () admitted with an open oblique right distal tibiotarsal fracture. The fracture was surgically managed with the external skeletal fixator intramedullary pin tie-in technique (ESF-IM pin tie-in).

Evaluating Stiffness of Fibreglass and Thermoplastic Splint Materials and Inter-fragmentary Motion in a Canine Tibial Fracture Model.

Objectives:  Various materials are used to construct splints for mid-diaphyseal tibial fracture stabilization. The objective of this study was to compare construct stiffness and inter-fragmentary bone motion when fibreglass (FG) or thermoplastic (TP) splints are applied to either the lateral or cranial aspect of the tibia in a mid-diaphyseal fracture model.

Methods:  A coaptation bandage was applied to eight cadaveric canine pelvic limbs, with a custom-formed splint made of either FG or TP material applied to either the lateral or cranial aspect of the osteotomized tibia.

Thyrotoxicosis in a dog induced by the consumption of feces from a levothyroxine-supplemented housemate.

A 9-year-old golden retriever dog was evaluated for polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss, and elevated serum thyroxine. Targeted questioning revealed that the dog was coprophagic and routinely ingested the feces of a dog that was treated with twice-daily levothyroxine. Clinical signs resolved and serum thyroxine decreased to normal levels in the affected dog with prevention of coprophagy.

Successful therapy of vitamin D-dependant rickets in a kitten.

A 7 mo old, 2.4 kg, intact female kitten was evaluated for an inability to walk after falling out of the owner's arms. Diagnostic testing abnormalities included hypocalcemia, low ionized calcium, and elevated intact parathyroid hormone concentration.

Use of intraoperative ultrasonography in canine spinal cord lesions.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the intraoperative appearance of various spinal cord conditions, and to investigate how intraoperative ultrasonography assisted in modification of surgical and postoperative treatment plans. Intraoperative ultrasonography (B-mode, and power Doppler mode) was used in 25 dogs undergoing spinal surgery. The neurologic conditions included cervical spondylomyelopathy, intervertebral disc (IVD) protrusion, IVD extrusion, spinal tumors, nerve sheath mass, granulomatous myelitis, and discospondylitis.

Intraoperative use of ultrasonography during continuous dorsal laminectomy in two dogs with caudal cervical vertebral instability and malformation ("Wobbler syndrome").

Objective: To describe an intraoperative ultrasound imaging technique during dorsal laminectomy in 2 dogs with caudal cervical vertebral instability and malformation (CCVIM, "Wobbler syndrome").

Study Design: Clinical case report.

Sample Population: Two dogs with CCVIM.

Rabbit wound management.

In conclusion, rabbits have a variety of common disease presentations that require wound management. Anatomic and physiologic characteristics should be kept in mind, as they may have influences upon the management of wounds. Many new topical medications and dressings have been designed that are routinely used in mammalian wound management cases and are potentially useful for rabbits.

Decompressive procedures. Indications and techniques.

Hemilaminectomy and dorsal laminectomy are the surgical techniques most suited for decompression of the thoracic, thoracolumbar, lumbar, and lumbosacral spine. Hemilaminectomy is preferred for decompressing the spinal cord before applying fixation devices for fractures/luxations. Dorsal laminectomy is the method of choice for exploration of the spinal canal and for decompression of the lumbosacral region.