Marissak Kalpravidh

Radiographic measurement for femoral varus in Pomeranian dogs with and without medial patellar luxation

OBJECTIVES To measure radiographically the inclination angle (ICA), femoral varus angle (FVA), anatomical lateral distal femoral angle (aLDFA), and mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA) in Pomeranian dogs with and without medial patellar luxation (MPL). MATERIALS AND METHODS Stifles of 34 Pomeranian dogs were graded and allocated into three groups: normal, grades I-II MPL, and grade III MPL. Angle values were measured from craniocaudal radiographs of the hindlimbs by each of the three examiners on three separate occasions. RESULTS Each of the three groups consisted of 15 stifles. Means ± SD for the ICA, FVA, aLDFA and mLDFA in the normal stifles were 136.46 ± 7.12°, 5.85 ± 3.18°, 95.21 ± 3.48° and 99.46 ± 4°, respectively. No significant differences (p>0.05) in the measured values for the ICA between groups were observed. The FVA, aLDFA and mLDFA values in grade III MPL group were significantly (p<0.05) greater than those in the other two groups. Significant differences in the three angles between the normal and grades I-II MPL groups were not observed. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Significant change of distal femoral varus exists in Pomeranian dogs with grade III MPL.

Diaphragmatic hernia repair using a rectus abdominis muscle pedicle flap in three dogs

OBJECTIVE To report the clinical use of a pedicle flap from the rectus abdominis muscle to repair extensive diaphragmatic tears in dogs with diaphragmatic hernia. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three dogs with a combination of radial and circumferential diaphragmatic tears were studied. The circumferential tear was repaired by suturing the wound edge with the edge at the abdominal wall. A pedicle flap of the rectus abdominis muscle was used for repairing the radial tear. The dogs were examined radiographically for lung and diaphragm appearance and evidence of reherniation at 10 days, and at one, two, and four months after surgery, and fluoroscopically for paradoxical motion of the diaphragm at one and four months. RESULTS The rectus abdominis muscle pedicle flap was successfully used in all three dogs. The animals recovered uneventfully without evidence of reherniation during the four follow-up months. Fluoroscopic examination revealed no paradoxical motion of the diaphragm. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE A rectus abdominis muscle pedicle flap can be used for repairing large diaphragmatic defects in dogs.

Evaluation of Analgesic Drugs in Horses

Of the domesticated species of animals, horses are probably most refractory to effects of analgesic drugs. At the same time, a great need exists for effective agents that produce a sedative and analgesic effect in this species. A striking example of this occurred in 1975 when the magnificent filly, Ruffian, broke her leg in a match race at New York’s Belmont Park. She was treated by a team of four veterinarians and an orthopedic surgeon. During recovery from anesthesia she struggled desperately and destroyed the fixation device that had been applied. A decision for euthanasia was made 8 h after the race.