Michael P. Moore

Outcomes and complications associated with ventral screws, pins, and polymethyl methacrylate for atlantoaxial instability in 12 dogs.

Clinical outcomes and complications of a technique used for atlantoaxial stabilization were evaluated in a group of 12 dogs. At surgery, the atlantoaxial joint was realigned and rigidly fixated using cortical bone screws, K-wire, and polymethyl methacrylate. Results in nine dogs were graded as excellent. Results in two dogs were judged as good. One dog was euthanized 17 months after surgery for recurrent cervical pain. Eight dogs had no postoperative complications. The surgical technique described provided an adaptable method for the correction of atlantoaxial instability.

Surgical Treatments for Seizure: Adaptability for Dogs

Surgical treatments are often used for human epileptics who are refractory to more conventional anticonvulsant therapies. The goals of surgery are to decrease seizure morbidity or, ideally, bring about a cure to the seizure disorder. As a sizable subpopulation of dogs with seizures are also refractory to currently available anticonvulsant therapies, consideration has been given to evaluating alternative treatments for seizures in dogs. This article discusses the adaptability of surgical treatments used in humans for use in seizure control in affected dogs.

Complement levels in dogs with familial canine dermatomyositis

CH50, C4, C2, and C3 levels were evaluated in 7 dogs affected with dermatomyositis and in 22 control dogs. Dogs with dermatomyositis did not have clinical evidence of active disease at the time of serum collection for complement assays. No absolute complement component deficiency was identified in dermatomyositis-affected dogs in this study; however, a statistical difference in C2 was identified between control dogs of non-collie breeds and control collies, suggesting there may be a breed difference in complement levels.

Approach to the Patient with Spinal Disease

A problem-oriented approach to the patient suspected of having spinal disease is presented. This approach has advantages over pattern recognition approaches and can be used to solve a case even if the examiner has never had experience with a particular disease. Pattern recognition skills require previous experience. The neurologic examination is reviewed. Knowledge of segmental spinal cord anatomy and how to interpret the results of the neurologic examination are essential for localization.

Severe secondary amyloidosis in a dog with dermatomyositis

A male collie aged 5 years 10 months, which developed dermatomyositis at 2 months of age, died from severe secondary amyloidosis. Amyloid deposition was most severe in renal glomeruli and produced renal failure. Amyloidosis has been reported in man with immune-mediated disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and dermatomyositis. It is possible that the inflammation in this case of familial canine dermatomyositis may have predisposed to the development of amyloidosis.

Acute and Late Reactions Following Boron Neutron Capture Epithermal-Neutron Therapy in Dogs with Spontaneous Brain Tumors

Dogs have a relatively high incidence of primary tumors of the central nervous system and have proven to be good models for new therapeutic investigation.1 The pharmacokinetics of borocaptate sodium have been well documented in the dog.2 Preliminary investigations of the normal tissue tolerance to boron neutron capture therapy have been performed utilizing normal laboratory dogs. This study was an extension of the normal tissue tolerance and was designed to ensure a therapeutic margin was present for the dogs with spontaneous tumors; i.e., a measurable effect could be had on the tumor at doses considered safe for the normal tissues.

Survival after BNCT in Combination with Surgery for Dogs with Spontaneous Brain Tumors

Dogs develop spontaneous brain tumors as in humans and serve as a large animal model for evaluation of BNCT for treatment of brain tumor. In this study, 13 dogs with spontaneous brain tumors were treated surgery (SX) followed by BNCT and the median survival of was determined. The median survival was also determined for a group of dogs with spontaneous brain tumors previously treated with BNCT alone (n = 20). All dogs had histologic confirmation of tumor type either at the time of surgery or at necropsy. Of the dogs treated surgically, BNCT followed 3 to 6 weeks after surgery. Dogs of each group had various tumor types, however, the majority were meningiomas (13/20 BNCT; 9/13 SX + BNCT). Of the dogs in the surgery group, all had incomplete resections of the tumor primarily due to tumor location or infiltration of surrounding brain. In both groups, BSH or p-BPA were used for the boron agent. Peak brain dose was 10 to 12.5 Gy- equivalent.