There is an important morbidity associated with parotidectomy. The most commonly reported permanent complication is facial nerve injury. Methylene blue staining has been used as an intra-operative tool to improve tissue visualisation and preserve facial nerve integrity. objectIves: To describe the functionality and feasibility of the use of methylene blue for parotidectomy in dogs. MaterIals and Methods: Retrospective study included seven client-owned dogs that underwent parotidectomy after injection of methylene blue from 2016 to 2019 in a referral centre. Cross-sectional imaging was used to confirm parotid gland surgical disease and for staging purposes. All dogs underwent parotid resection and removal of the parotid duct after injection of methylene blue. Methylene blue was either administered via cannulation of the parotid duct or directly injected into the abnormal gland. results: In all cases, the gland stained dark blue within seconds without any evident leakage. Complete parotid gland resection and removal of the parotid duct was achieved successfully in all dogs with a mean surgical time of 97 minutes. Subjectively, the staining was useful to identify innervation outside the coloured gland and facilitated dissection. No complications, including facial nerve injury, were recorded. clInIcal sIgnIfIcance: Methylene blue staining for complete parotidectomy was feasible, rapid and easy in these dogs. It can be used as an indirect facial nerve identification technique, and can therefore facilitate dissection and possibly reduce the incidence of post-operative facial nerve paralysis.

Objective The aim of this study was to describe the clinical presentation, advanced imaging findings and outcomes of arthroscopic treatment of a bacterial septic shoulder arthritis caused by the penetration of a migrating plant awn in a dog. Case Report A 10-month-old, 11 kg, sexually intact male Cocker Spaniel was diagnosed with septic arthritis of the right scapulohumeral joint. Computed tomography revealed marked articular effusion and thickening of the capsule of the right shoulder joint. Ultrasound of the shoulder identified a bilinear hyperechoic structure located within the joint consistent with a plant (grass) awn. Arthroscopy was used for foreign body removal. Antibiotic treatment was prescribed according to bacteriologic sensitivity tests. Treatment was successful: the dog completely recovered and under high levels of activity showed neither clinical signs nor recurrence of lameness on follow-up at 6 and 24 weeks after surgery. Conclusion Migrating plant awn can be the cause of septic arthritis in a dog. The combination of advanced imaging techniques and arthroscopy allowed accurate diagnosis, reduced the risk of surgical complications and shortened recovery time in this patient. Considering the benefits of minimally invasive techniques, arthroscopy represents an excellent option for the treatment of dogs with similar intra-articular foreign bodies.

ObjectivesTo report early results of uniportal video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery in dogs using a single‐incision subxiphoid approach.Materials and MethodsRetrospective study of 10 client‐owned dogs with: pyothorax (n=5), pericardial effusion (n=2), bilateral pneumothorax (n=1), retained surgical swab (n=1), cranial mediastinal mass (n=1). With the dog in dorsal recumbency a 3‐4 cm incision was made over the xiphoid process. After resection of the xiphoid process, a tunnel was created towards the pleura and open access maintained with an Alexis™ wound retractor. The pleural cavity was explored with a 10 mm 30° or 5 mm 0° telescope and straight laparoscopic instruments.ResultsMedian surgical time was 75 minutes. The SISA technique was performed successfully in five of 10 cases and allowed easy and adequate inspection of the intra‐thoracic structures. One case was converted to lateral thoracotomy after laceration of the vena cava and one converted to median sternotomy because of adhesions. An additional port was placed in three cases to facilitate triangulation and surgical manipulation. No other intra‐operative complications were encountered.Clinical SignificanceIn this initial report of uniportal thoracic approach in dogs, this technique allowed excellent access and treatment of mediastinal structures. Further cases are required to assess its suitability for pulmonary surgery.

ObjectivesThis study aims to describe a perioperative protocol for dogs recovered from anaesthesia with the owners and discharged from the hospital on the same day after surgical management of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome and to determine whether implementation of this protocol was associated with reduced incidence of complications compared with standard anaesthesia recovery and 24 hours hospitalisation.Materials and MethodsMedical records of dogs that underwent brachycephalic obstructive airway surgery over two consecutive years (June 2017 to May 2019) were reviewed retrospectively. Signalment, clinical signs, diagnostic findings, surgical procedures and postoperative respiratory complications were recorded. Data were compared using the chi‐squared or Fisher's exact tests.ResultsSixty‐three dogs met the inclusion criteria for the study. Forty‐two dogs underwent owner‐assisted recovery and 21 dogs standard recovery. No statistical difference was found between groups in age, breed, gender, severity of respiratory or gastrointestinal clinical signs and surgical techniques employed. The incidence of postoperative complications was higher in dogs that received standard recovery (28%) compared to dogs recovered with the owners (2%). None of the dogs recovered with the owners and discharged the same day required veterinary assistance after discharge from the hospital.Clinical SignificanceCorrective surgery for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome was associated with lower postoperative respiratory complications when dogs were discharged on the same day after recovery with the owners. Owner‐assisted recovery and early discharge are possible and safe and may decrease the incidence of postoperative complications. However, other unmeasured factors may have contributed to the lower complication rate in dogs recovered with the owners during the course of this study.