Summary Background Although extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a common treatment for horses with back pain, effects on mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) and multifidus muscle cross sectional area (CSA) in the spine are unknown. Objectives To evaluate effects of ESWT on spinal MNT and multifidus muscle CSA in horses with thoracolumbar pain. Study design Non‐randomised trial. Methods Thoracolumbar spines of 12 horses with thoracolumbar pain were radiographed to document existing pathology. Each horse received three ESWT treatments, 2 weeks apart (days 0, 14, 28). Palpation scores were documented (days 0, 45 and 65). Ultrasonographic CSA of left and right multifidus muscles was recorded at T12, T14, T16, T18, L3 and L5 (days 0, 45 and 65). MNT was measured at the same spinal sites every 7 days (day 0–56). Results Mechanical nociceptive threshold in 10/12 horses (83%) was greater at each time point compared with day 0 (P < 0.05). Mechanical nociceptive threshold increased at all time points at six sites in 2/12 (16%), at five sites in 3/12 (25%), at four sites in 4/12 (33%) and at one site in 1/12 (8%; P < 0.05). Mechanical nociceptive threshold average per cent  increase from day 0 to 56 was 64% for the thoracic region (T12–T18) and 29% for the lumbar region (L3–L5). There was no statistical difference in MNT from day 35 to 56 (P = 0.25). A bimodal analgesic trend was observed following ESWT. Degree of radiographic change was not associated with response to treatment. No significant change in multifidus muscle CSA was observed. Main limitations Small study size and lack of control group. Conclusions Three treatments of ESWT 2 weeks apart raised MNT over a 56‐day period in horses with back pain, but did not influence change in CSA of the multifidus muscle. While ESWT appears justifiable for analgesia, physiotherapeutic techniques may be necessary in conjunction for concurrent muscle rehabilitation.

Objective To report surgical treatment of severe otitis media in an alpaca by a modification of a subtotal ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy technique used in dogs. Study Design Case report. Animals An 11-week-old female alpaca cria. Methods The cria had a 2-week history of right otitis media, nonresponsive to medical treatment, as well as right facial nerve paralysis, and a melting corneal ulcer of the right eye. Otitis media was confirmed by computed tomography. Right subtotal ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy were performed using a modification of a technique reported in dogs. Results There were no surgical complications and the alpaca was discharged from the hospital 5 days later. At 10 months, moderate motor function had been restored to the pinna with the ear standing partially erect. The otitis had resolved, and the alpaca was reportedly well integrated into the herd. Conclusion Subtotal ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy, a technique modified from that performed in dogs, were successful in providing complete clinical resolution of otitis media in an alpaca.

In humans, high-grade gliomas may infiltrate across the corpus callosum resulting in bihemispheric lesions that may have symmetrical, winged-like appearances. This particular tumor manifestation has been coined a “butterfly” glioma (BG). While canine and human gliomas share many neuroradiological and pathological features, the BG morphology has not been previously reported in dogs. Here, we describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of BG in three dogs and review the potential differential diagnoses based on neuroimaging findings. All dogs presented for generalized seizures and interictal neurological deficits referable to multifocal or diffuse forebrain disease. MRI examinations revealed asymmetrical (2/3) or symmetrical (1/3), bihemispheric intra-axial mass lesions that predominantly affected the frontoparietal lobes that were associated with extensive perilesional edema, and involvement of the corpus callosum. The masses displayed heterogeneous T1, T2, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery signal intensities, variable contrast enhancement (2/3), and mass effect. All tumors demonstrated classical histopathological features of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), including glial cell pseudopalisading, serpentine necrosis, microvascular proliferation as well as invasion of the corpus callosum by neoplastic astrocytes. Although rare, GBM should be considered a differential diagnosis in dogs with an MRI evidence of asymmetric or symmetric bilateral, intra-axial cerebral mass lesions with signal characteristics compatible with glioma.

Objectives To assess platelet function, buccal mucosal bleeding time and plasma von Willebrand factor concentration in dogs with chronic inflammatory and/or fibrotic liver disease and to compare results with those obtained in healthy dogs. Materials and Methods Preliminary study including 18 dogs with chronic inflammatory and/or fibrotic liver disease undergoing liver biopsy and 18 healthy age‐matched control dogs. Platelet function was assessed by measuring closure time with the PFA‐100® analyser using adenosine diphosphate (ADP) as an agonist. Buccal mucosal bleeding time, closure time and plasma von Willebrand factor antigen were measured in dogs in both groups. After undergoing ultrasound‐guided needle biopsy, dogs were monitored for haemorrhage to determine if there was an association of any measurement with post‐biopsy bleeding. Results The closure time was not different between the liver disease group (median 76.3; range 53 to 118.5 seconds) and control group (72.8; 57 to 89.5 seconds). The buccal mucosal bleeding time was longer in the liver disease group (median 138; range 95 to 229 seconds) than the control group (103; 63 to 200 seconds). The plasma von Willebrand factor antigen concentration was not different between the liver disease group (median 203; range 109 to 351%) and control group (165.5; 63 to 246%). Clinical Significance In this study, dogs with chronic necroinflammatory and/or fibrotic liver disease did not have overt, clinically relevant derangements in platelet function as assessed by buccal mucosal bleeding time, closure time and von Willebrand factor analysis. In addition, none of the dogs undergoing percutaneous ultrasound‐guided biopsy in the study exhibited bleeding complications post‐biopsy procedure.

No abstract

The incidence of complications secondary to fracture stabilization, particularly osteolytic lesions and bony tumor formation, has long been difficult to evaluate. The objective of this study was to describe the long-term incidence of aggressive bony changes developing in dogs with long bone diaphyseal fractures stabilized by metallic bone plates compared to a breed-, sex-, and age-matched control group. The medical records of a tertiary referral center were retrospectively reviewed for dogs that matched each respective criterion. Signalment, history, cause of death (if applicable), and aggressive bony changes at previous fracture sites were recorded. Ninety dogs met the criteria for inclusion in the fracture group and were matched with appropriate control dogs. Four of the dogs in the fracture group developed aggressive bony changes at the site of previous fracture repairs most consistent with osseous neoplasia. One lesion was confirmed with cytology as neoplastic. The population of dogs was mixed with regard to breed and body weight, but all dogs with aggressive bony lesions were male. Incidence of aggressive bony lesion formation in the fracture group was 4 (4.4%) and was 0 (0%) in the control group; three (75%) of the affected dogs in the fracture group included cerclage as a component of their primary fracture stabilizations. Incidence of aggressive bony lesions in the fracture group compared to the control group was determined to be statistically significant (p = 0.0455), as was the incidence of cerclage among dogs affected by aggressive bony lesions compared to the rest of the fracture group (p = 0.0499). Development of aggressive bony lesions is an uncommon complication of fracture fixation. Additional research is needed to further identify and elucidate the long-term effects of metallic implants in dogs.

A 12-YEAR-OLD, male Labrador Retriever had a distended abdomen for approximately 4 weeks. The patient was thin and a large, firm abdominal mass was present. Clinical laboratory data were within normal limits.

There were no significant differences in the osteotomy gap density at eight weeks after surgery regardless of the treatment modality used. The combination of autogenous cancellous bone graft and extracorporeal shock wave therapy may lead to increased radiographic density of the osteotomy gap in the first four weeks after surgery. Densitometry using an aluminium step wedge is a feasible method for comparison of bone density after TTA in dogs.