Incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle is present in Rottweilers and may coexist with fragmentation of the medial coronoid process in that breed. The radiographic diagnosis may be difficult because precise positioning is required to see the area of incomplete ossification. Computed tomography may be required to confirm the presence of incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle. Drilling holes across the humeral condyle does not appear to lead to union of the area of incomplete ossification.

Circular external fixation can effectively treat antebrachial and crural fractures in dogs, even geometrically complex fractures. Minor complications are frequent but easily managed in most instances. Healing time is comparable to that of other external fixation methods.

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Postoperative radiographic evaluation of screw position at 10 days after TPO is recommended to detect loose screws. Retightening loose screws should be considered as an alternative to TPO revision or confinement, especially in immature dogs.

To our knowledge, the double transport technique has not been previously described in the veterinary literature. In this dog, this technique decreased the duration of treatment compared with a conventional single-segment transport technique.

A six-year-old intact male Pomeranian was examined because of right eye discomfort. An iris neoplasm was suspected and the eye was enucleated. A uveal melanoma with malignant features was diagnosed. The dog recovered uneventfully from surgery. A general physical examination was performed at 3-month intervals afterwards without any detectable problem, but 18 months after the first presentation the dog suffered a rapid, progressive paraplegia. Radiographic examination and myelography revealed a spinal cord compression at the level of the 8th thoracic (T8) vertebral body. Surgical exploration of the area revealed a potential vertebral neoplasm: histopathology confirmed a melanoma which was suspected to have resulted from metastasis from the previously diagnosed uveal melanoma.

BackgroundHybrid external fixation (HEF) is an emerging technique for fracture stabilization in veterinary orthopedics, but its use has been reported in few papers in the veterinary literature. The linear and circular elements that form hybrid fixators can be connected in a very high number of combinations, and for this reason just referring to HEF without any classification is often misleading about the actual frame structure. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate fracture stabilization by HEF in 58 client-owned dogs and 8 cats, and to extend the already existing classification for hybrid constructs to include all frame configurations used in this study and potentially applicable in clinical settings. Animal signalment, fracture classification, surgical procedure and frame configuration were recorded. Complications, radiographic, functional and cosmetic results were evaluated at the time of fixator removal.ResultsSixty-eight fractures in 58 dogs and eight cats were evaluated. Two dogs had bilateral fractures. Fifty-one percent were radio-ulna, 34% tibial, 9% humeral, 3% femoral and 3% scapular fractures. One ring combined with one or two linear elements was the most widely employed configuration in this case series. Radiographic results at the time of frame removal were excellent in 59% of the cases, good in 38% and fair in 3%, while functional and cosmetic results were excellent in 69% of the cases, good in 27% and fair in 4%.ConclusionsHEF is a useful option for fracture treatment in dogs and cats, particularly for peri and juxta-articular fractures. It can be applied with a minimally invasive approach, allows adjustments during the postoperative period and is a versatile system because of the large variety of combinations that can fit with the specific fracture features. The classification used enables to determine the number of linear and circular elements used in the frame.

The use of hemispheric washers had minor effects on the biomechanical performance of fixator frames tested in this study when used to angle a ring in relation to connecting rods for circular external fixators.