The medical records of 65 dogs that underwent complete or partial ligation of a single congenital portosystemic shunt (CPSS) were reviewed to determine the long-term clinical clinical results. Information retrieved from the records included age at surgery, preligation (baseline) portal pressure, postligation portal pressure, change in portal pressure from baseline, complete or partial occlusion of the shunting vessel and fasting, and 2-hour postprandial bile acids from the preoperative, early postoperative (PO), and greater than 1 year PO time periods. A clinical rating score derived from a follow-up examination greater than 1 year PO was assigned to each dog. Of the 56 dogs that survived the perioperative period, 29 (52%) had complete and 27 (48%) had partial ligations. Age at surgery, pre- and postligation portal pressure, change in portal pressure from baseline and serum bile acid concentrations were not related to long-term clinical outcome. Clinical rating scores were significantly greater for dogs with partial CPSS ligations compared with dogs with complete ligations, indicating a less favorable clinical outcome for partial ligations. Fasting and 2-hour postprandial bile acid values at both PO time intervals were significantly greater in partial versus complete ligation groups. Follow-up information for more than 1 year was available on 18 of 29 dogs (62%) with complete ligations. All were clinically normal. Of 27 dogs with partial ligations, 11 dogs (41%) developed recurrence of clinical signs resulting in presentation to the university or referring veterinarian for additional surgery, medical management, or euthanasia. Only three dogs with partial CPSS ligation (11%) were clinically normal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy may prevent cranial translation during weight bearing in dogs with CCL rupture by converting axial load into caudal tibial thrust. The amount of caudal tibial thrust seems to be proportional to the amount of weight bearing.

Summary Reasons for performing study: Endoscopic scoring of airway mucus quantity and quality has not been critically assessed. Objectives: To evaluate mucus scores for 1) observer‐ and horse‐related variance and 2) association with inflammation, mucus viscoelasticity and measured volume. Methods: Variance of scoring within and between observers and over time within horses were determined for airway mucus accumulation, apparent viscosity, localisation and colour, and correlations of mucus accumulation scores with neutrophil ratios in secretions. The relationship of accumulation score to measured volumes of ‘artificial mucus’ was investigated. Correlations of mucus accumulation, apparent viscosity and colour scores with measured viscoelasticity were tested. Viscoelasticity was compared between tracheal secretion samples collected ventrally and dorsally. Results: Mucus accumulation scoring showed excellent interobserver agreement and moderate horse‐related variance, was related to measured volumes of ‘artificial mucus’, and correlated well with neutrophilic airway inflammation. Scores of mucus viscosity, colour and localisation showed high observer‐related variance. Mucus accumulation, apparent viscosity and colour scores did not correlate with measured tracheal mucus viscoelasticity, but dorsally‐localised mucus showed 2‐fold higher measured viscoelasticity than ventrally‐localised samples. Conclusions: Mucus accumulation scores are a reproducible measure of mucus volumes in the trachea. Potential relevance: Endoscopic scoring of mucus accumulation is a reliable clinical and research tool. In contrast, apparent viscosity, localisation and colour scores should be interpreted with caution.

Plasma lactate concentration may help predict colonic viability and horse survival after ascending colon volvulus in horses.

Esophagrams and neurologic examinations should be performed on all dogs with ILP.