Journal of Small Animal Practice最新文献

Atlantoaxial instability is a common condition in toy breed dogs, sometimes associated with occipital dysplasia. Surgical stabilisation is challenging due to the small bone size and proximity to the spinal cord. This case report describes three dogs treated with a custom 3D-printed dorsal plate for atlantoaxial instability, considering the presence of atlanto-occipital overlap. Each patient underwent pre- and postoperative computed tomography, and follow-up was obtained via telephone for the surviving dogs. The use of a dorsal 3D-printed plate appears to offer a feasible and clinically acceptable option for managing atlantoaxial instability associated with atlanto-occipital overlap, with generally favourable short-term outcomes.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum canine prostate-specific esterase concentrations and ultrasonographic prostatic dimensions in male dogs, considering the influence of reproductive status, age and body weight.

Materials and methods: Seventy-four male dogs were included and categorised according to reproductive condition (entire or neutered), age group and body weight. All animals underwent clinical examination, transabdominal ultrasonography to assess prostatic dimensions (length, height, width and perimeter) and blood sampling for quantification of serum canine prostate-specific esterase concentrations. Statistical analyses assessed associations between prostatic esterase levels, prostate size and individual variables.

Results: Serum canine prostate-specific esterase concentrations were significantly higher in entire and large-breed dogs. No significant correlation was observed with age. Moderate correlations were found between serum esterase levels and both prostatic height and perimeter. A concentration threshold of 47.95 ng/mL demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance (area under the curve = 1.00) for identifying dogs with prostatic enlargement.

Clinical significance: Serum canine prostate-specific esterase concentration is a promising non-invasive biomarker for evaluating prostatic status in male dogs. However, interpretation must consider body size and reproductive status. Its integration into routine screening could improve early detection and monitoring of prostatic changes, particularly in high-risk groups.

Objectives: To compare the complications and outcomes of screw/plate and screw/pin fixation of humeral condylar fractures in French bulldogs.

Materials and methods: Retrospective single-centre case series. Medical records (2018 to 2023) were reviewed for French bulldogs with humeral condylar fractures treated surgically. Bicondylar fractures were excluded. Data collected included signalment, fracture configuration, method and technique of fixation, outcome and postoperative complications. Long-term outcome was assessed via owner-assessed questionnaire.

Results: Forty-two dogs (43 fractures) met the inclusion criteria. Of the 43 fractures, 37 (86.0%) were lateral and six (14.0%) were medial. The screw/plate group comprised 15 fractures (34.9%) and the screw/pin group 28 fractures (65.1%). Perioperative follow-up was available for 40 fractures; there were four (10%) minor complications and four (10%) major I complications. In the screw/plate group, minor complications were reported in 3 of 14 (21.4%) and major in 1 of 14 (7.1%). In the screw/pin group, 1 of 26 (3.8%) dogs were associated with minor complications and 3 of 26 (11.5%) with major I complications. Function at perioperative follow-up was acceptable for 80% of dogs and the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs score at long-term follow-up was mild.

Clinical significance: This study found no evidence to suggest that either plate or pin epicondylar fixation is superior in French bulldogs. This indicates that both methods can be considered viable options for treating unilateral humeral condylar fractures in French bulldogs, with similar outcomes.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency and potential clinical relevance of preoperative haematological and biochemical abnormalities in clinically healthy cats classified as ASA Physical Status I.

Materials and methods: This retrospective study included 414 client-owned cats categorised as ASA I based on physical examination and medical history. Haematological and biochemical profiles were reviewed, and abnormalities were identified using established feline reference intervals. The prevalence and pattern of out-of-range values were assessed, and potential associations with age (≥7 years) and breed type (brachycephalic vs. non-brachycephalic) were analysed using logistic regression.

Results: Only 15.9% of cats had entirely normal laboratory values, whereas 84.1% had at least one abnormal parameter. A total of 12.3% had two or more abnormalities suggestive of possible systemic involvement. The most frequent abnormality was elevated blood urea nitrogen in 55.1% of cats, though most were mild and likely subclinical. Cats aged ≥7 years had significantly increased odds of leukocytosis (OR = 4.02), while brachycephalic cats were more likely to have elevated blood urea nitrogen (OR = 1.61). Neither factor was significantly associated with the presence of multiple abnormalities across different organ systems.

Clinical significance: A substantial proportion of apparently healthy ASA I cats exhibited subclinical laboratory abnormalities. These findings suggest that relying solely on clinical criteria may underestimate anaesthetic risk. Routine pre-anaesthetic laboratory testing, particularly in specific populations such as brachycephalic breeds or cats older than 7 years, may improve perioperative assessment by identifying occult systemic conditions.

A 9-year-old female spayed Pug presented for marked obstructive apnoea and intermittent sneezing. On presentation, the dog had mild tachypnoea and increased inspiratory effort when sleeping. A nasopharyngeal mass was observed during the upper airway examination. On computed tomography scan, the nasopharyngeal characteristics and Hounsfield units were most consistent with a soft tissue mass. Endoscopic-guided electrosurgical snare cauterisation was performed. Procedure time was approximately 5 minutes. The discharge from the nasopharyngeal mass was submitted for cytology, and results were consistent with a nasopharyngeal sialocele. The dog presented for a review and endoscopic examination 4 months post-procedure, which showed no recurrence. This case report provides a novel, minimally invasive approach. The technique involved utilising an electrosurgical snare. Screening for nasopharyngeal sialoceles should be performed in all brachycephalic breeds undergoing brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome surgery. In addition, computed tomography characteristics of a sialocele can be inconsistent with what has been previously reported.

Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis involves the administration of antimicrobials to reduce the risk of a surgical site infection and represents a significant proportion of all antimicrobial use in cats and dogs. This evidence-based, European Network for Optimization of Veterinary Antimicrobial Therapy guideline provides recommendations for both peri- and post-operative surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis for a wide range of soft tissue and orthopaedic procedures performed in dogs and cats. A multidisciplinary panel developed the recommendations while adhering to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. The opinions of veterinary practitioners were incorporated to ensure applicability. Ten strong recommendations against, three conditional recommendations against and five conditional recommendations for the use of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis were drafted by the panel. Strong recommendations against surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis were often informed by low- to very low-certainty evidence that treatment has no beneficial effect. However, the anticipated harmful effects of antimicrobial use are well established and offer an important counterbalance to unsubstantiated use. Conditional recommendations were made when there was a probable balance of effects in one direction, although appreciable uncertainty was present. The European Network for Optimization of Veterinary Antimicrobial Therapy guidelines initiative encourages national or regional guideline makers to use the evidence presented in this document and the supporting systematic review to draft national or local guidance documents that support rational surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis.

Objectives: (1) To report surgical repair techniques for common calcaneal tendon injuries in cats; (2) to describe both short-term and long-term complications; (3) to investigate the long-term outcome following temporary postoperative immobilisation of the tarsocrural joint; and (4) to evaluate how all three objectives, as well as patient signalment and type of tendinous injury, compared to previously reported studies.

Materials and methods: A multicentric, retrospective study reviewing cases from 11 referral veterinary centres. Data collected included patient demographics, common calcaneal tendon injuries characteristics, repair techniques employed and postoperative immobilisation methods. Based on the temporary tarsocrural joint immobilisation methods, the cases were divided into internal fixation group: calcaneo-tibial screws or plate and tibiometatarsal plate, and external immobilisation group: trans-articular external skeletal fixation or external coaptation. Complications were classified as minor, major or catastrophic. Long-term outcomes were assessed through clinical follow-up examination and owner-reported questionnaires.

Results: A total of 39 cases of common calcaneal tendon repair were analysed. The internal fixation and external immobilisation groups showed a complication rate of 13% and 54.2%, respectively. Catastrophic complications (5.2%) occurred only in the external immobilisation group. Long-term follow-up indicated that 82% of cases regained full or acceptable clinical function, with a higher rate of unacceptable outcomes observed in the external immobilisation group.

Clinical significance: This study suggested that temporary internal fixation may be a more suitable method for postoperative immobilisation of the tarsocrural joint in cats compared with temporary external immobilisation, and it can be associated with lower complication rates.

Objectives: To describe the aetiology, presentation, complications and outcome in cats with traumatic injuries of the tarsometatarsal joint treated with partial tarsal arthrodesis.

Materials and methods: Retrospective series of five client-owned cats. Medical records were retrieved for cats with traumatic injuries of the tarsometatarsal joint treated with partial tarsal arthrodesis between November 2011 and December 2024 at a veterinary teaching hospital. Sex, age at the time of surgery, presenting lameness, surgical technique used, follow-up time, complications and outcome were recorded for each cat.

Results: Five cats were included in this study; of these, four developed the injury as a result of catching their paw in a horizontal drawer handle. All cats were treated with partial tarsal arthrodesis stabilised with a bone plate, applied laterally in three cats and medially in two cats. No intra-operative complications or major post-operative complications were recorded. Four of the five cats had post-operative paw swelling on the operated limb. Clinical and radiographic follow-up assessment was performed 60 to 87 days post-operatively. At final recheck examination, four of the five cats exhibited no lameness. One cat exhibited mild weight bearing lameness, and one cat had mild iatrogenic tarsal valgus associated with incorrect plate contouring.

Clinical significance: Partial tarsal arthrodesis with bone plate fixation for management of traumatic injury of the tarsometatarsal joint in cats is associated with excellent outcomes for return to pre-injury activities. The procedure commonly results in transient paw swelling in the immediate post-operative period. Horizontal drawer handles pose an injury risk to cats jumping from heights.

Objectives: To assess topical ethyl alcohol as a novel treatment for canine superficial pyoderma and compare its effects with chlorhexidine digluconate on the relative abundance of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus schleiferi within the skin microbiome.

Materials and methods: In this prospective, randomised, blinded study, 15 client-owned dogs with bilaterally symmetric bacterial skin lesions received twice-daily topical chlorhexidine digluconate 3% (Douxo™ S3 Pyo mousse, CEVA; Libourne, France) or 70% ethyl alcohol (Purell™ Gel, GOJO Industries; Wooster, OH, USA) for 28 days. Lesions were clinically and cytologically scored at days 0, 14 and 28 using a modified split-body system to generate a global score. Next-generation DNA sequencing characterised the S. pseudintermedius and S. schleiferi loads at day 0 and 28.

Results: Both treatments significant improved global scores from baseline (chlorhexidine 18.22 ± 3.54; ethyl alcohol 17.95 ± 3.78) at 14-days (chlorhexidine 12.80 ± 2.74, p ≤ 0.001; ethyl alcohol 12.40 ± 3.06, p ≤ 0.001) and 28-days (chlorhexidine 9.24 ± 3.57, p ≤ 0.001 and ethyl alcohol 8.40 ± 4.06, p ≤ 0.001). Global scores were not significantly different between treatment groups at any time point. Both treatments also reduced the relative abundance of S. pseudintermedius (chlorhexidine -28.73% ± 42.86%; ethyl alcohol -25.66% ± 38.74%) and S. schleiferi (chlorhexidine -65.93% ± 13.03%; ethyl alcohol -79.82% ± 8.37%). No statistically significant differences were observed in the relative abundance of either species between the topical treatments (p=0.95 S. pseudintermedius; p=0.38 S. schleiferi).

Clinical significance: This study suggests topical 70% ethyl alcohol may be an effective treatment for canine superficial pyoderma.