Laryngeal paralysis in dogs is an emergency disease that worsens upper respiratory distress and causes life-threatening illness. Until now surgical arytenoid lateralization is a typical treatment method. In two recent papers [1,2], laryngeal silicone stent placement has been shown very effective in treating laryngeal paralysis. The procedure is simple and economical.In humans, laryngeal silicon stents are very effective in managing upper airway obstruction for short and long-term periods. Théron and Lahuerta-Smith report that dogs survived for up to 13 months after laryngeal silicone stent installation [1]. The authors expect a longer survival record and more clinical applications in the future. In considering that laryngeal paralysis is common in small animals [3], laryngeal silicone stenting can be a valuable approach for small animal surgeons in treating laryngeal paralysis in dogs and cats. Full details of this study are available in this issue of the Journal.

Background: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) technique of sacroiliac luxation in toy breed dogs using cannulated screws has not been described. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pelvic canal recovery, the reproducibility of successful surgery outcomes, and the acceptable difficulty of the procedure in MIS of sacroiliac luxation in toy breed dogs. Methods: MIS using 2.3-mm cannulated screws was demonstrated in 12 toy breed dog cadavers with sacroiliac luxation artificially induced. Pre and postoperative radiographs were used to evaluate the pelvic canal diameter ratio (PCDR), hemipelvic canal width ratio (HCWR), and reduction rate. Dorsoventral angle (DVA) and craniocaudal angle (CCA) of the inserted screw were obtained postoperative computed tomographic scan. Results: The statistically significant difference between the mean pre and postoperative PCDR was found (1.10 ± 0.12 and 1.26 ± 0.11, respectively; p = 0.002), and the mean HCWR close to 1.0 meaning symmetric pelvis also was obtained (0.97 ± 0.07). The mean DVA and CCA were 2.26° ± 1.33° and 2.60° ± 1.86°, respectively. Conclusions MIS of sacroiliac luxation using 2.3-mm cannulated screws is applicable to toy breed dogs with acceptable difficulty.

Background: An inappropriate Q angle may affect the biomechanics of the canine patellofemoral joint. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of changes in quadriceps angle (Q angle) on patellofemoral joint pressure distribution in dogs. Methods: Eight stifles were positioned at 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, and 120° of flexion in vitro, and 30% body weight was applied through the quadriceps. Patellofemoral contact pressure distribution was mapped and quantified using pressure-sensitive film. For the pressure area, mean pressure, peak pressure, medial peak pressure, and lateral peak pressure, differences between groups according to conditions for changing the Q angle were statistically compared. Results: Increases of 10° of the Q angle result in increases in the pressure area (P = 0.04), mean pressure (P = 0.003), peak pressure, and medial peak pressure (P ≤ 0.01). Increasing the Q angle by 20° increases the pressure area (P = 0.021), mean pressure (P≤ 0.001), peak pressure (P ≤ 0.01), and medial peak pressure (P ≤ 0.01) significantly, and shows higher mean (P ≤ 0.001) and peak pressures than increasing by 10°. Decreasing the Q angle increases the mean pressure (P = 0.013), peak pressure, and lateral peak pressure (P ≤ 0.001). Conclusions Both increases and decreases in the Q angle were associated with increased peak patellofemoral pressure, which could contribute to the overloading of the cartilage.Therefore, the abnormal Q angle should be corrected to the physiologically normal value during patellar luxation repair and overcorrection should be avoided

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Thrombectomy within 24 hours can improve outcomes in selected patients with a clinical-infarct mismatch. We devised an easy-to-use visual estimation tool that allows infarct volume estimation in centers with limited resources. METHODS: We identified 1,031 patients with cardioembolic or large-artery atherosclerosis infarction on diffusion-weighted images (DWIs) obtained before recanalization therapy and within 24 hours of onset, and occlusion of the internal carotid or middle cerebral artery. Acute DWIs were mapped onto a standard template and used to create visual reference maps with known lesion volumes, which were then used in a validation study (with 130 cases) against software estimates of infarct volume. RESULTS: The DWI reference map chart comprises 144 maps corresponding to 12 different infarct volumes (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19 mL) in each of 12 template slices (Montreal Neurological Institute z-axis –15 to 51 mm). Infarct volume in a patient is estimated by selecting a slice with a similar infarct size at the corresponding z-axis level on the reference maps and then adding up over all slices. The method yielded good correlations to software volumetrics and was easily learned by both experienced and junior physicians, with approximately 1 to 2 minutes spent per case. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for detecting threshold infarct volumes ( < 21, < 31, and < 51 mL) were very high (all about >90%). CONCLUSIONS: We developed easy-to-use reference maps that allow prompt and reliable visual estimation of infarct volumes for triaging patients to thrombectomy in acute stroke.
Atherosclerosis ; Cerebral Infarction ; Decision Making ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Humans ; Infarction ; Medical Staff, Hospital ; Methods ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stroke ; Thrombectomy

A 6-year-old female domestic short hair cat presented with acute onset of vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, and tachypnea. The cat was apparently healthy prior to presentation without history of trauma. On diagnostic imagings, the entire stomach and spleen were detected in the thoracic cavity. An emergent celiotomy was performed, and a type-4 hiatal hernia was confirmed; the stomach, spleen, pancreas, and duodenum were herniated through the esophageal hiatus. It was corrected using phrenicoplasty, esophagopexy, and left-sided gastropexy and there was no recurrence 16 months after surgery. This is the first case report of an idiopathic type-4 hiatal hernia in a cat.
Animals ; Anorexia ; Cats ; Child ; Duodenum ; Female ; Gastropexy ; Hair ; Hernia, Hiatal ; Humans ; Lethargy ; Pancreas ; Recurrence ; Spleen ; Stomach ; Tachypnea ; Thoracic Cavity ; Vomiting

A 6-year-old female domestic short hair cat presented with acute onset of vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, and tachypnea. The cat was apparently healthy prior to presentation without history of trauma. On diagnostic imagings, the entire stomach and spleen were detected in the thoracic cavity. An emergent celiotomy was performed, and a type-4 hiatal hernia was confirmed; the stomach, spleen, pancreas, and duodenum were herniated through the esophageal hiatus. It was corrected using phrenicoplasty, esophagopexy, and left-sided gastropexy and there was no recurrence 16 months after surgery. This is the first case report of an idiopathic type-4 hiatal hernia in a cat.

Ginseng gintonin is an exogenous ligand of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors. Accumulating evidence shows LPA helps in rapid recovery of corneal damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of gintonin in a rabbit model of corneal damage. We investigated the signal transduction pathway of gintonin in human corneal epithelium (HCE) cells to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism. We next evaluated the therapeutic effects of gintonin, using a rabbit model of corneal damage, by undertaking histochemical analysis. Treatment of gintonin to HCE cells induced transient increases of [Ca²⁺](i) in concentration-dependent and reversible manners. Gintonin-mediated mobilization of [Ca²⁺](i) was attenuated by LPA1/3 receptor antagonist Ki16425, phospholipase C inhibitor U73122, inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor antagonist 2-APB, and intracellular Ca²⁺ chelator BAPTA-AM. Gintonin facilitated in vitro wound healing in a concentration-dependent manner. When applied as an eye-drop to rabbits with corneal damage, gintonin rapidly promoted recovery. Histochemical analysis showed gintonin decreased corneal apoptosis and increased corneal cell proliferation. We demonstrated that LPA receptor activation by gintonin is linked to in vitro and in vivo therapeutic effects against corneal damage. Gintonin can be applied as a clinical agent for the rapid healing of corneal damage.
Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Corneal Injuries ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate ; Mortuary Practice ; Panax ; Rabbits ; Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid ; Signal Transduction ; Therapeutic Uses ; Type C Phospholipases ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*

Medical records of 139 tumors from 114 dogs that underwent surgery from May 2010 through March 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Among 114 dogs, females (64.9%) were significantly more common than males (35.1%) (p<0.05). Dogs aged 6 to 10 years were more presented than non-tumor patients, however, there was no significant difference. The mean age (±SD) was 10.3±3.0 years. Although we found no significant difference of breed predisposition, the most common breed was Maltese (19.3%), followed by Shih-Tzu (14.0%), and Yorkshire terrier (13.2%). Proportional morbidity ratios (PMRs) of mammary gland, oral cavity, and skin tumors were high in Poodles, Yorkshire terriers, and Golden retrievers, respectively. Mammary gland (36.0%) was the most common site, followed by skin and soft tissues (12.2%), oral cavity (10.8%), and digestive organs (8.6%), but there was no significant difference. The objectives of surgery were curative surgery (86.2%), biopsy (4.9%), and palliative surgery (6.5%). In this study, 123 of 139 tumors had histopathological diagnoses. Adenocarcinoma was the most common type (n=24), followed by adenoma (n=17), soft tissue sarcoma (n=13), benign mixed tumor (n=5), and others (n=64). Recurrence or suspected metastasis was identified in 26 dogs. Median survival times of malignant mammary gland tumors, skin and subcutaneous tumors, and splenic tumors were 1,563.0±1,201.7, 469, and 128 days, respectively.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenoma ; Animals ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Dogs* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mammary Glands, Human ; Medical Records ; Mouth ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Palliative Care ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sarcoma ; Skin

The levels of pain, duration of approaching and closure, and surgical exposure associated with intercostal thoracotomy were compared between muscle-sparing and traditional techniques in 20 dogs. Postoperative pain was assessed based on numerical pain scores using behavioral observation, heart rate, respiratory rate, and wound palpation. Time for approaching and closure were measured, and the extent of intrathoracic organ exposure for the surgical procedures was described for each technique. There were significant differences in numerical pain scores at 2 h as well as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 days after surgery between the two groups (p < 0.0001). There was no significant (p = 0.725) difference in times for approaching and closure between the two groups. Compared to the traditional method, the muscle-sparing technique also achieved the desired exposure without compromising exposure of the target organs. Our results suggest that the muscle-sparing technique is more effective than the traditional method for providing a less painful recovery during the first 7 days after intercostal thoracotomy. Additionally, the muscle-sparing technique is as effective as the traditional modality for providing an appropriate time for approaching and closure during intercostal thoracotomy as well as adequate organ exposure for the surgical procedures.
Animals ; Dog Diseases/*etiology ; Dogs ; Pain Measurement/veterinary ; Pain, Postoperative/etiology/*veterinary ; Thoracotomy/adverse effects/methods/*veterinary

The patellar ligament angle (PLA) was assessed in 105 normal stifle joints of 79 dogs and 33 stifle joints of 26 dogs with a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL). The PLA of stifles with complete CrCL rupture was significantly lower than that of normal stifles, particularly at a flexion angle of 60~80degrees in both plain and stress views. If the PLA was <90.55degrees on the stress view with a 60~80degrees flexion angle, the dog was diagnosed with a complete rupture of the CrCL with a sensitivity of 83.9% and specificity of 100%. In conclusion, measuring the PLA is a quantitative method for diagnosing complete CrCL rupture in canines.
Animals ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament/*injuries/radiography ; Dogs/*injuries ; Patellar Ligament/physiology/*radiography ; Radiography/*veterinary ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture/veterinary