Australian Veterinary Journal最新文献

Aim: To determine the optimal first proximal screw position which permits proximal tibial fragment rotation adjustment while minimising osteotomy gap formation when a manual reduction technique is used for TPLO in dogs.

Methods: TPLOs were performed on bone models using Synthes 3.5-mm TPLO implants with a jig but without the use of an anti-rotational pin. The osteotomy was held in manual reduction with pointed reduction forceps placed across the proximal tibial fragment while the first three screws were applied. The first two screws were placed in the non-locking holes of the distal stem of the plate as per manufacturer's screw placement order guidelines. The third screw was placed in one of the three locking screw positions in the head of the plate, denoted as the 'cranial', 'proximal' and 'caudal' screw positions. After the first three screws were placed, the range of possible proximal tibial fragment rotation change (up to 6 mm in each direction) and the resultant cranial and caudal osteotomy gaps were measured.

Results: The proximal screw position minimises cranial osteotomy gap formation with negative rotation changes to the proximal tibial fragment. The caudal screw position minimises caudal osteotomy gap formation with positive rotation changes to the proximal tibial fragment. Rotation change had a greater effect on cranial osteotomy gaps compared to caudal osteotomy gaps. The cranial screw position had the most limited osteotomy rotation change.

Conclusion: The proximal screw position should be placed first in the head of the plate to allow proximal tibial fragment rotation adjustment while minimising osteotomy gap formation when using a manual reduction technique when performing a TPLO.

Leptospira species are found worldwide, favouring tropical regions, and infect a wide range of animal species. Although renal persistence in infected individuals and excretion in urine is thought to be the primary mechanism of disease transmission, recent reports have suggested that persistence in the reproductive tract may be a feature in certain species, including the horse. The aim of this study was to investigate leptospiral infection, particularly within the reproductive tract, in healthy, non-breeding mares. Serum and endometrial swab samples were collected from 50 mares from the James Cook University Teaching Animal Herd, as well as, where possible, free-catch urine (n = 19). Sera were screened for antibodies to 24 Leptospira serovars, using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Endometrial and urine samples underwent real-time PCR testing, targeting the leptospiral rrs gene. Overall, the seroprevalence of leptospirosis was 48% (95% CI: 34%–62%), with serovars Arborea, Bratislava and Australis detected most frequently. PCR positive results were obtained from 1 of 50 (2%) endometrial swabs and 2 of 19 (11%) urine samples. This is the first report of serovar Bratislava in horses in Australia.

Systemic fungal pathogens typically gain entry through a single portal and disseminate to affect multiple body systems. Infections caused by fungal Penicillium species are rare in dogs, and these cases have a poor prognosis. An unknown Penicillium species was isolated from the right eye of a middle-aged Border Collie without evidence of systemic disease. Due to financial limitations, an extensive diagnostic evaluation could not be performed. Histopathology alone failed to identify the specific causative agent; however, fungal culture on aqueous humor provided the definitive diagnosis. This case highlights the advantage of collecting ocular fluids after enucleation to diagnose atypical fungal infections.

Objective: The aim of this study was to ascertain whether patient age was a significant factor for the accurate identification of compressive intervertebral disc extrusions (IVDE) in Dachshunds using non-contrast computed tomography (CT).

Methods: This retrospective analysis encompassed 150 Dachshunds evaluated for suspected IVDE at a referral hospital in south-eastern Queensland, Australia. Each case underwent diagnostic evaluation by CT, either with or without myelography, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), followed by surgical intervention for an intervertebral disc extrusion.

Results: In the <9-year dog cohort, 94.7% (71/75) were diagnosed with IVDE via non-contrast CT and proceeded to surgery. In contrast, the ≥9-year dog cohort, only 56% (42/75) were diagnosed via non-contrast CT, with the remaining 44% (33/75) necessitating CT myelography or MRI for diagnosis. The odds of requiring CT myelography or MRI increased 13.95-fold (95% CI, 4.62-42.13) in Dachshunds aged 9 years or older. Furthermore, each additional year of age was associated with a 0.60 increase in the odds of undergoing these advanced imaging modalities (CT myelography or MRI) (95% CI, 0.49-0.74).

Conclusions: Age significantly affected the efficacy of non-contrast CT in diagnosing IVDE in Dachshunds. Dogs aged 9 years and above were substantially more likely to require CT myelography or MRI due to the reduced visibility of disc extrusions on non-contrast CT. Veterinarians performing advanced imaging on older Dachshunds for suspected IVDE should be aware of the limitations of non-contrast CT in obtaining an accurate diagnosis and localisation of IVDE, and be prepared to perform either CT myelography or MRI if required.

Aikawa T, Miyazaki Y, Kihara S, Muyama H, Nishimura M. Cervical intervertebral disc disease in 307 small-breed dogs (2000–2021): Breed-characteristic features and disc-associated vertebral instability. Aust Vet J 2024;102:274–281. https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.13320.

In the paragraph “Distribution of affected sites and stabilized sites” in the “Results” section, the text “…French Bulldog (2, 26), Beagle (9, 17), Shih Tzu (2, 21), Toy Poodle (4, 17), Pekingese (7, 10), Chihuahua (19, 20), Yorkshire Terrier (4, 11), Miniature Pinscher (9), Pomeranian (2, 13), Maltese (3, 6) and the others (9, 21).” was incorrect. This should have read “…French Bulldog (26, 2), Beagle (17, 9), Shih Tzu (21, 2), Toy Poodle (17, 4), Pekingese (10, 7), Chihuahua (20, 19), Yorkshire Terrier (11, 4), Miniature Pinscher (9, 9), Pomeranian (13, 2), Maltese (6, 3) and others (21, 9).”

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