The bacterial populations of open-treated wounds differed markedly from the bite wounds. The high incidence of multi-drug-resistant strains in open wounds highlights the need for alternatives to antibiotics.

BackgroundWhether compressive cervical myelopathy caused by hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion (HNPE) in dogs should be treated surgically or conservatively has been debated. Only 1 recent study has contradicted the former predominant reports of surgical treatment for HNPE.Hypothesis and methodSingle center retrospective study to compare the outcome of client‐owned dogs with HNPE after decompressive surgery or conservative treatment.AnimalsThirty‐six dogs diagnosed with HNPE confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).ResultsEighteen of 36 dogs underwent surgery whereas 18 dogs were managed conservatively including cage rest and physiotherapy. The most common affected intervertebral disc space was C4‐5. In 3 dogs, HNPE was diagnosed at the level of T13‐L1. Median time to regain ambulation was 6.6 days (range, 0‐28 days) after surgery and 5.9 days (range, 0‐15 days) with conservative management (P = .37).Only the length of a potential intramedullary lesion in cervical HNPE detected by MRI had an influence on the prognosis to gain ambulatory status in a time period of ≤9 days (P = .0035) and on short‐term survival (P = .0011).Conclusions and clinical importanceConservative management of HNPE in the cervical as well as in the thoracolumbar region represents a reasonable alternative to surgery, showing similar favorable outcome.

ObjectivesPost-traumatic intramedullary myelopathies and cavitations are well described lesions following spinal cord injury (SCI) in humans and have been described in histopathological evaluations in dogs. Human intramedullary myelopathies/cavitations are associated with severe initial SCI and deterioration of clinical signs. Canine intervertebral disc extrusions share similarities with SCI in humans. In this descriptive study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in spinal cords of dogs suffering from chronic post-traumatic myelopathies, including cavitations, are elucidated. An additional aim of the study was to compare diagnostic imaging and histopathological findings and identify similarities between human and canine chronic post-traumatic spinal cord lesions.MethodsThirty-seven dogs with thoracolumbar SCI and one or more 3Tesla MRI investigations more than 3 weeks after SCI were included. Extent of intramedullary lesions and particularly cavitations were evaluated and measured in sagittal and transverse MRI planes. These data were compared with clinical data.ResultsA total of 91.9% of study patients developed chronic intramedullary lesions, and 86.5% developed intramedullary cavitations. Paraplegia without deep pain perception at initial examination was significantly associated with longer chronic myelopathies/cavitations (P = 0.002/P = 0.008), and with larger maximal cross-sectional area (mCSA) of the lesions (P = 0.041/0.005). In addition, a non-ambulatory status after decompressive surgery was also associated with the development of longer intramedullary lesions/cavitations (P<0.001) and larger lesion mCSA (P<0.001/P = 0.012). All dogs with negative outcome developed myelopathies/cavitations. In the group of 21 dogs with positive outcome, 3 did not develop any myelopathies, and 5 did not develop cavitations.ConclusionsDevelopment of chronic intramedullary lesions/cavitations are common findings in canine SCI. Extensive chronic intramedullary lesions/cavitations reflect a severe initial SCI and negative clinical outcome. This supports the hypothesis that chronic spinal cord changes following SCI in humans share similarities with canine chronic spinal cord changes after spontaneous intervertebral disc extrusion.

A 4-year-old, neutered male European shorthair was presented for evaluation of right hind limb lameness. Radiographs revealed bilateral femoral capital physeal fractures, widened vertebral growth plates and constipation. Physical findings included lethargy, mental dullness, mild hypothermia, retarded growth, pharyngeal stridor, moderate muscle atrophy of pelvic limbs, hair coat abnormalities, and lack of defecation and urination. A thyroid panel revealed thyroid hormone values below detection limits and high thyroid stimulation hormone values. A presumptive diagnosis of congenital primary hypothyroidism was made, however also an early onset acquired primary hypothyroidism could not be ruled out. Results of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and the parathyroid hormone as well as an adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulating test were normal. A bilateral femoral head and neck excision was performed. Levothyroxine supplementation was started at a dosage of 50 µg (11 µg/kg) BID and later adjusted to 100 µg (22 µg/kg) BID based on total thyroxine concentrations. The tomcat showed full clinical recovery and normal clinical behaviour. The case shows that primary hypothyroidism may be considered in cats presented with femoral capital physeal fractures.

This study shows that time to healing was halved in NPWT treated patients compared to foam dressing treated patients, which in turn healed faster than patients treated with conventional bandage, underlining the value of NPWT therapy for the treatment of complicated wounds.