No abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of extracorporeal radial shock wave therapy on the hindlimb function of dogs suffering from hip osteoarthritis. Twenty-four client-owned dogs with hip osteoarthritis were investigated; 18 of them received radial shockwave therapy and six were left untreated as controls. Force plate analysis on a treadmill was used to assess the dogs' hindlimb function before treatment and four weeks after the last treatment, and the treated dogs were re-evaluated three and six months after the treatment. The parameters chosen for evaluation were peak vertical force and vertical impulse, and the calculated symmetry indices. In the treated dogs, differences between the ground reaction forces exerted by the right and left hindlegs disappeared four weeks after the treatment, whereas in the control dogs only the peak vertical force distribution changed significantly. The significant improvement in the treated dogs was confirmed by changes in the symmetry indices. Significant improvements in vertical impulse and peak vertical force were observed three months after the treatment.

Use of a patellar groove replacement prosthesis has the potential to decrease the lameness associated with severe femoro-patellar arthritis, to improve patellar stability, and to correct the alignment of the extensor mechanism.

Traumatic avulsion of the triceps tendon was diagnosed in a 15-month-old, male, neutered European shorthair cat. Diagnosis was established clinically by palpation of a transverse groove proximal to the olecranon and by radiography. The avulsed end of the tendon was surgically reapposed using a modified three-loop pulley suture and horizontal mattress sutures. Postoperatively, elbow flexion was limited for three weeks with the aid of a spica splint and by exercise restriction for six weeks. The cat showed no lameness after bandage removal up to the time of writing (seven months). Although rare, triceps tendon injuries can occur after a blunt trauma and should be included in the differential diagnosis of foreleg lameness in the cat. The modified three-loop pulley suture in combination with subsequent immobilisation of the limb with a splinted bandage resulted in a successful outcome in this cat with a triceps tendon avulsion.

A 6-year-old neutered female domestic shorthair cat weighing 3.1 kg was referred to the clinic owing to a 2 day history of anorexia. On physical examination, a pectus excavatum (PE) was apparent, and a cranial abdominal mass was palpated. Serum biochemical analysis showed severely elevated liver enzymes. On radiography, the PE was graded as moderate, and a 5 × 3 cm soft tissue density mass was detected in the cranial abdomen. Using duplex ultrasonography, the mass was identified as an enlarged liver lobe with vascular thrombosis. The diagnosis of liver lobe torsion (LLT) was confirmed surgically, and the affected left lateral lobe was resected. On follow-up, performed 1 and 6 months postoperatively, no further abnormalities were found on clinical examination or serum biochemical analysis. At follow-up examination, the PE did not appear to cause any additional clinical signs, indicating that treatment of moderate PE in older animals is not obligatory. This is the first reported case of LLT with concurrent PE, and the second feline case of LLT treated surgically. Animals with anatomical malformation of the diaphragm caused by PE may be at higher risk of developing LLT. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention of LLT can produce a good clinical outcome without further repercussions.