Screw placement to a depth of 60% of the width of the feline sacrum is recommended.

Thirteen feline humeral fractures were stabilized using external skeletal fixation alone or in combination with supplementary devices. Eleven of the 13 fractures healed. Pins placed in the distal humerus should be angled to avoid the supracondylar foramen and radial nerve. An intramedullary pin in combination with external skeletal fixation is indicated for mildly comminuted reconstructable fractures. For severely comminuted humeral fractures, closed application of an external skeletal fixator may be preferable to open reduction and internal fixation to provide healing and is recommended as an alternative to amputation.

ObjectiveTo determine whether use of colored indicator gloves affects perforation detection rate and to identify risk factors for glove perforation during veterinary orthopedic surgery.Study DesignProspective randomized controlled trial.Sample Population574 double pairs of gloves worn during 300 orthopedic surgical procedures (2,296 gloves).MethodsPrimary and assistant surgeons double‐gloved for all orthopedic surgical procedures. Type of inner glove (standard or colored indicator) was randomized for the first 360 double pairs of gloves worn by surgeons during 180 procedures. Perforations detected by surgeons were recorded and gloves changed if requested. For a further 120 procedures, indicator gloves were used exclusively. All gloves were leak‐tested after surgery to identify perforations. Association between potential risk factors and perforation was explored using multivariate logistical regression analysis.ResultsGlove perforations occurred during 43% of surgeries with a mean of 2.3 holes/surgery. Inner gloves were intact in 63% of glove pairs where an outer perforation occurred. Intraoperative perforation detection was improved when colored indicator gloves were worn (83% sensitivity) vs. standard gloves (34% sensitivity; P<.001). Independent risk factors for perforation were placement of plates and/or screws (P=.001; OR=2.4; 95% CI, 1.4–4.0), placement of an external skeletal fixator (P=.002; OR=7.0; 95% CI, 2.1–23.8), use of orthopedic wire (P=.011; OR=2.4; 95% CI, 1.2–4.7), and primary surgeon being board‐certified (P=.016; OR=1.9; 95% CI, 1.1–3.1).ConclusionIncreased surgeon recognition of glove perforations through use of colored indicator gloves enables prompt change of gloves if perforation occurs and may reduce potential contamination of the surgical site.

This report describes the presenting signs, biochemical abnormalities, and radiographic changes in a 4-month-old kitten with vitamin D-dependent rickets type 2. Details of therapy are described and possible reasons for treatment failure are discussed.

Results from this study indicate that transarticular pinning for stabilisation of coxofemoral luxation in cats can provide a good long-term outcome without sacrificing the integrity of the coxofemoral joint.

An eight-month-old female German shepherd dog had pathological fractures affecting the distal radius and ulna and ribs. Radiographically, there were bilaterally symmetrical osteolytic lesions affecting the metaphyses of multiple long bones, ribs and skull and the dog had splenomegaly. Histologically, the spleen, thymus and bones were infiltrated with large lymphoblastic cells with a high mitotic rate; the diagnosis was lymphoma. Lymphoma primarily affecting bone is an uncommon diagnosis in the dog but it should be considered in young animals with osteolytic lesions affecting multiple bones.

Most patellar fractures are seen in young female and male cats aged between 1–3 years. Many affected cats have a history of persistent or retained deciduous teeth, and in some cats their permanent teeth also do not erupt properly. The patellar fractures are usually unilateral at first presentation but become bilateral within 3–9 months. Pin and tension band wire fixation is associated with a high complication rate and often results in further fragmentation of the patella. A technique that does not involve inserting an implant into the sclerotic patella, such as circumferential wiring, tension band without a pin, or a tibial quadriceps repair may be beneficial, but conservative treatment can yield equally good results and is inevitably associated with a lower complication rate. Further work is needed before definitive statements can be made regarding the best treatment for this condition, as there are too low numbers or too many variables in the published retrospective studies. Many affected cats will fracture other bones as they age. An underlying bone or connective tissue disease is suspected in cats with patellar fractures and persistent deciduous teeth, and for ease of discussion and case recruitment the disease has been termed knees and teeth syndrome or KaTS.

SummaryFeline combined diaphyseal radial and ulnar fractures were reviewed in a retrospective study of cases that were admitted to two university teaching hospitals. A high incidence of complications was noted, with 6/26 (23.1%) of cases requiring revision surgery. Open fractures were significantly more likely to require revision surgery. The two main repair methods were external skeletal fixation (ESF) or radial plating. The success rate was greater for radial plating, with only 1/10 (10%) cases requiring revision versus 4/14 (28.6%) for ESF. However, ESF tended to be applied to the more complicated fractures. Stabilisation of both bones proved to be an effective repair strategy with only 1/8 cases (12.5%) requiring revision versus 5/18 cases (27.8%) where only one bone was stabilised. Synostoses and radiohumeral luxation were noted as complications associated with the fractures stabilised by ESF. Final limb function following recovery was assessed as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ in 93.3% of cases.