OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of postoperative photobiomodulation therapy and physical rehabilitation on early recovery variables for dogs after hemilaminectomy for treatment of intervertebral disk disease. ANIMALS 32 nonambulatory client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES Dogs received standard postoperative care with photobiomodulation therapy (n = 11), physical rehabilitation with sham photobiomodulation treatment (11), or sham photobiomodulation treatment only (10) after surgery. Neurologic status at admission, diagnostic and surgical variables, duration of postoperative IV analgesic administration, and recovery grades (over 10 days after surgery) were assessed. Time to reach recovery grades B (able to support weight with some help), C (initial limb movements present), and D (ambulatory [≥ 3 steps unassisted]) was compared among groups. Factors associated with ability to ambulate on day 10 or at last follow-up were assessed. RESULTS Time to reach recovery grades B, C, and D and duration of postoperative IV opioid administration did not differ among groups. Neurologic score at admission and surgeon experience were negatively associated with the dogs' ability to ambulate on day 10. The number of disk herniations identified by diagnostic imaging before surgery was negatively associated with ambulatory status at last follow-up. No other significant associations and no adverse treatment-related events were identified. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE This study found no difference in recovery-related variables among dogs that received photobiomodulation therapy, physical rehabilitation with sham photobiomodulation treatment, or sham photobiomodulation treatment only. Larger studies are needed to better evaluate effects of these postoperative treatments on dogs treated surgically for intervertebral disk disease.

Background: The ‘case-crossover’ design is a strategy fitted to studying transient effects of intermittent exposure on acute-onset disease occurring shortly after exposure. It has the important advantage of eliminating most confounding variables, allowing a stronger causality inference. Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the relationships between emergency room (ER) visits for asthma attacks and gaseous air pollution changes. Methods: The study included 549 individuals, 3–49 years old, visiting the ER during 1 year. Exposure to gaseous air pollutants (SO₂, NO₂, O₃) on the same day and up to 4 days before was computed according to the patient’s address. The statistical analysis included meteorological data as potential confounding variables. Results: No association could be shown between ER visits and SO₂ or NO₂ levels. In contrast, there was a statistically significant association between ER visits and mean O₃ levels, on the day of admission and also on D –2 and D –3. For an increase of 10 µg/m³, the risk of requiring an ER admission increased by 6–10%. Conclusions: Using this new strategy, we confirmed that ozone changes lead to a moderate increase in risk of requiring an ER admission in asthmatic subjects.

Based on these results, preventive measures against tibial damage associated with MMT should include: a thickness of cortical hinge based on the equation related to the BW; a length of osteotomy adjusted to the amount of TTA with an osteotomy angle below 10°; and slow advancement of the tibial tuberosity.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of the transobturator vaginal tape inside out (TVT-O) in female dogs with urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI). Study design: Retrospective study. Animals: Incontinent spayed female dogs (n = 12). Methods: TVT-O tape was inserted in 12 incontinent bitches diagnosed with USMI. Follow-up information was evaluated by a telephone questionnaire, and a continence score was attributed. Results: One year after surgery, 7 of 12 (58%) dogs were completely continent. Two dogs were removed from the long-term analysis (1 dead and 1 lost). At a median follow-up time of 85 months (range, 28-95), 4 of 10 dogs were completely continent without medical treatment. Incontinence recurred in 6 dogs at a median time of 2 months after surgery (range 1-20). Among these 6 dogs, 4 regained continence, and 2 had sporadic episodes of incontinence with additional medical treatment. No postoperative complications were encountered. Conclusion: TVT-O alone was successful in maintaining long-term continence in 40% of the dogs. Additional postoperative medical treatment was effective in restoring continence in another 40% of the dogs. Clinical significance: TVT-O provides an alternative treatment of USMI in female dogs that is safe and less invasive than standard surgical techniques.

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Case summary A 12-year-old neutered female domestic shorthair cat was presented with bilateral progressive forelimb lameness that was unresponsive to anti-inflammatory drugs. Bilateral carpal flexural deformity with hyperflexion of multiple toes of the right forelimb was observed. In the absence of abnormalities detected on radiographs and ultrasound, a bilateral contracture of the carpal and digital flexor muscles was diagnosed. Treatment consisted of single-session bilateral selective tenectomies (5 mm) of the flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor carpi radialis and superficial digital flexor muscle tendons on the left forelimb and tendons of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle, and branches of the third and fourth digit of the deep digital flexor muscle on the right forelimb. Two months postoperatively, selective tenectomies (10 mm) were performed due to contracture recurrence on the left forelimb. The subjective outcome was rated as good 6 months postoperatively. Relevance and novel information Digital and/or carpal contractures are rarely described in (feline) veterinary medicine and are limited to a few case reports. The exact aetiology remains unknown. A traumatic/iatrogenic origin seems to be the most likely cause. Surgery is indicated, consisting of selective tenectomy and/or tenotomy, and is associated with minor complications and an excellent outcome. This case report describes the presence, treatment and successful outcome of a cat with bilateral carpal and digital flexor muscle contractures resulting in carpal flexural deformity with valgus deviation treated with selective tenectomies.

Objective The aim of this study was to describe the use of epiphysiodesis by the means of a screw to treat a proximal tibial Salter–Harris II fracture associated with a tibial tuberosity avulsion in a 4.5-month-old Airedale Terrier. Study design A healing proximal tibial epiphyseal fracture was observed after a 10-day period. Tibial plateau angle was 40°. The fracture was treated by the insertion of a fluoroscopy-guided 3.5-mm cancellous screw. Results Successful healing of fractures and levelling of tibia plateau were obtained. Final tibial plateau angle was 8°. At long-term follow-up (18 months), owners reported sustained and full functional recovery. Conclusion Prior to ossification of the proximal tibial physis, epiphysiodesis with a screw can be used as a treatment of sub-acute, moderately displaced, Salter–Harris I or II fractures.