Frequencies of antimicrobial resistance were determined amongst 14,555 clinical Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) isolates from UK dogs and cats to estimate resistance trends and quantify the occurrence of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP). Reports from two diagnostic laboratories (13,313 general submissions, 1242 referral centre only submissions) were analysed retrospectively (2003/2006-2012). MRSP were defined by phenotypic resistance to meticillin and concurrent broad β-lactam resistance; a subset was confirmed genetically (SIG-specific nuc and mecA). Trends were analysed by Cochran-Armitage test. Resistance remained below 10 per cent for cefalexin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and the fluoroquinolones. Increasing resistance trends were seen in both laboratories for ampicillin/amoxicillin (both P<0.001), cefovecin (both P<0.046) and enrofloxacin (both P<0.02). Resistance to cefalexin increased over time in referral hospital isolates (P<0.001) to clindamycin (P=0.01) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (P=0.001) amongst general laboratory submissions. Overall, 106 MRSP were isolated (0.7 per cent of submissions) including 32 (2.6 per cent of submissions, all genetically confirmed) from the referral centre population (inter-laboratory difference P<0.001). Against a background of widely susceptible SIG isolates, a new trend of increasing resistance to important antimicrobials was identified overtime and the emergence of MRSP from UK clinical cases was confirmed. Attention to responsible use of antibacterial therapy in small animal practice is urgently needed.

Objectives: Evaluate outcome and complications following surgical stabilisation of canine tarsocrural luxations. 4Methods: Medical records were reviewed. Surgical technique, complications and long-term outcome (questionnaire and 5Canine Brief Pain Inventory) were assessed. 7Results: Twenty-four dogs (26 joints) were included. All injuries were traumatic. All joints had associated fractures; malleolar in 8 21/26 limbs (13/26 medial). Eight joints had internal fracture fixation and transarticular external skeletal fixator, six had fixator 9 alone, four had prosthetic ligaments with fixator, and four had prosthetic ligaments with external coaptation. Two joints had

The aims of this observational, analytical, retrospective study were to (i) obtain computed tomographic (CT) cricoid dimensions (height, width, and transverse-sectional area), (ii) compare the cricoid dimensions between brachycephalic and mesaticephalic breeds, and (iii) compare cricoid cartilage dimensions between dogs without and affected with brachycephalic airway syndrome. The study is important to help to further evaluate and understand the anatomical components of brachycephalic airway syndrome. Measurements were performed in 147 brachycephalic and 59 mesaticephalic dogs. The cricoid cartilage was found to be significantly more oval in Pugs and French Bulldogs compared to mesaticephalic breeds. The cricoid cartilage transverse-sectional area was smallest for the Pug and, after adjusting for weight, significantly smaller for Pugs (P < 0.001), Boston Terriers (P = 0.001), and French Bulldogs (P < 0.001) compared to Jack Russell Terriers. The tracheal transverse-sectional area at C4 of English Bulldogs was significantly smaller than for Jack Russell Terriers (P = 0.005) and Labradors (P < 0.001). The cricoid cartilage transverse-sectional area:weight ratio was significantly lower in brachycephalic breeds compared to mesaticephalic breeds (P < 0.001). The cricoid cartilage:trachea at C4 transverse-sectional area for brachycephalic dogs was significantly larger than for mesaticephalic dogs (<0.001), demonstrating that the trachea was the narrowest part of the airway. No significant differences were found for cricoid dimensions between dogs affected with and without brachycephalic airway syndrome. However, large individual variation was found among the brachycephalic breeds and further studies investigating the relationship between cricoid cartilage size, laryngeal collapse, concurrent tracheal hypoplasia, and/or severity of brachycephalic airway syndrome are warranted.

(300 words max): 227 Objectives:The objective was to quantify external skeletal fixator (ESF) associated complications in cats and to identify potential risk factors. Methods:A retrospective review of medical records and radiographs following ESF placement was performed. Results:Case records of 140 cats were reviewed; fixator associated complications (FAC), occurred in 19% of cats. The region of ESF placement was significantly associated with complication development.Complications developed most frequently in the femur (50%), tarsus (35%) and radius/ulna (33%). Conclusions and relevance:Complication development is not uncommon in cats following ESF placement. The higher complication rate in the femur, tarsus and radius/ulna should be considered when reviewing options for fracture management; however cats appear to have a lower rate of pin tract infections than that reported in dogs.

Three West Highland white terriers were presented for investigation of left-sided para-aural abscessation. CT revealed chronic otitis media with extensive osseous proliferation surrounding the horizontal and vertical ear canals contiguous with the expanded temporal bone, consistent with a unilateral variant of craniomandibular osteopathy. A left total ear canal ablation with lateral bulla osteotomy was performed in all dogs. An ultrasonic bone curette (Sonopet; Stryker) proved useful when removing the osseous proliferation in two dogs. Histopathological examination of the ear canals was consistent with craniomandibular osteopathy and the treatment led to resolution of the presenting clinical signs in all dogs. To our knowledge, this is the first report of craniomandibular osteopathy engulfing the external ear canal, presumably leading to chronic otitis media and para-aural abscess formation. This is also the first reported use of an ultrasonic bone curette in canine otic surgery.

Objectives To quantify and evaluate risks of complications attributable to external skeletal fixator (ESF) usage in dogs. Methods A retrospective review of medical records following ESF placement. Results Case records of 97 dogs were reviewed; fixator-associated complications occurred in 79/97 dogs. Region of ESF placement was significantly associated with complication development (p = 0.005), not complication type (p = 0.086). Complications developed most frequently in the tarsus (9/10), manus (8/9) and humerus (8/9). Superficial pin-tract infection and implant failure occurred in 38/97 and 17/97 dogs, respectively. Superficial pin-tract infection occurred frequently in the femur, humerus, radius and ulna and the pes, with implant failure frequent in the tarsus and deep pin-tract infection in the manus and tibia. Transarticular frames were significantly more likely to develop a complication (p = 0.028). Age was significantly associated with complication development (p = 0.029). No associations between breed, sex, weight, fracture type (open or closed), ESF classification and the incidence or type of complications were identified. No associations between, breed, age, sex, weight, fracture type (open or closed), ESF classification and the time to complication development were identified. Clinical Significance Fixator-associated complications are common in dogs, with the majority of complications related to implant infection. Region and placement of transarticular frames should be carefully considered when selecting stabilization method.

Materials and MethOds: Clinical records from 10 referral hospitals in United Kingdom were reviewed.Data collected included signalment, clinicopathological data and management techniques. Serum albumin, glucose, lactate and ionised calcium concentration; presence of intraoperative hypotension and correct empirical antibiosis were analysed via logistic regression for association with survival. results: Ninety-five cats were included. The overall survival rate was 66%. Lethargy (89%) and anorexia (75%) were the most common clinical signs, with abdominal pain and vomiting in 44% and 27% of cases, respectively. Gastro-intestinal leakage was the most common source of contamination. The presence of an abdominal mass on clinical examination was not strongly predictive of the presence of neoplasia on histology and did not confer a worse prognosis. Cats presenting with dehiscence of a previous enterotomy/enterectomy did not have a worse prognosis than those presenting with other aetologies. Intraoperative hypotension (adjusted odds ratio 0.173, 95% confidence intervals 0.034 to 0.866, P=0.033) was associated with non-survival. Cats that survived beyond 1 day postoperatively had an improved likelihood of survival (87.5%). All cats that survived beyond 6 days were successfully discharged.clinical significance: This study describes the largest group of cats with septic peritonitis with an overall survival rate of 66%. The presence of an abdominal mass on clinical examination or having dehiscence of a previous gastrointestinal surgery did not confer a worse prognosis.

Objective To determine the influence of extreme brachycephalic conformation on presenting signs, imaging findings, intraoperative and perioperative complications following total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy (TECA‐LBO). Study design Cross‐sectional retrospective study. Animals A total of 306 (n = 242 dogs) TECA‐LBOs (extreme brachycephalic breeds [EBB] = 81, other breeds [OB] = 225). Methods Medical records of patients undergoing TECA‐LBO at a single referral institution (2010–2022) were evaluated. Results Extreme brachycephalic breeds most commonly presented acutely, at a younger age with oto‐neurological signs (46/81, 56.8%). Chronic otitis externa without neurological signs (171/225, 76.0%) was most common in OBs. Extreme brachycephalic breeds preoperatively presented more frequently with facial nerve paresis (p = .001), vestibular syndrome (p = .001), and Horner's syndrome (p = .002) compared to OBs. On diagnostic imaging, bilateral changes (p = .038), aural masses (p = .045), para‐aural abscesses (p = .011), otitis interna (p = .001), and brainstem changes (p = .001) were more common in EBBs. The apparent difference in intraoperative complication rate between EBBs (9/81, 11.1%) and OBs (12/225, 5.3%) did not reach statistical significance (p = .078). Perioperative complications occurred in 85/306 (27.8%) of TECA‐LBOs with no difference in perioperative complication rate between EBBs (19/81, 23.5%) and OBs (66/225, 29.3%) (p = .586). Conclusion Extreme brachycephalic breeds are more likely to present for TECA‐LBO acutely, with neurological signs and more advanced diagnostic imaging abnormalities. Intra‐ and perioperative complication rates did not differ between EBBs and OBs. Clinical significance Despite being subjectively more technically challenging, TECA‐LBO did not result in more surgical complications in EBBs. Reported data are useful for effectively informing clients of the specific risks of TECA‐LBO surgery.