The scapulohumeral joint is a common site of forelimb lameness in the dog. Establishing a definitive diagnosis may be difficult because of the limitations of orthopedic examination and radiographs and the inherent elusiveness of the associated conditions.

The intent of this review is to present, in a single reference, the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of reported causes of lameness intrinsically associated with the shoulder. Part One of this series discusses conditions associated with cartilage and bone maturation disorders and joint instability, while Part Two reviews tendon diseases, muscle disorders, synovial diseases, and soft-tissue mineralization disorders.

The scapulohumeral joint is a common site of forelimb lameness in the dog. Establishing a definitive diagnosis may be difficult because of the limitations of orthopedic examination and radiographs and the inherent elusiveness of the associated conditions.

The intent of this review is to present, in a single reference, the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of reported causes of lameness intrinsically associated with the shoulder. Part One of this series discusses conditions associated with cartilage and bone maturation disorders and joint instability, while Part Two reviews tendon diseases, muscle disorders, synovial diseases, and soft-tissue mineralization disorders.

Thirty-six dogs were diagnosed with pancreatic abscess by the presence of purulent exudate within the parenchyma of the pancreas during exploratory laparotomy. Data regarding history, physical examination findings, clinicopathological data, diagnostic imaging findings, bacteriological culture results, abdominal drainage technique, and perioperative treatment were evaluated for factors predictive of survival. Elevated blood urea nitrogen, serum alkaline phosphatase activity, and rising bicarbonate ion concentration were each found to have statistically significant (P<0.05) influences on survival to discharge. Twenty-two (71%) of 36 dogs died or were euthanized prior to discharge from the hospital.

Linear-circular hybrid fixators were used to stabilize humeral and femoral fractures in 21 dogs and five cats. Twenty-two of 24 fractures with sufficient follow-up radiographic evaluation obtained union. Time to radiographic union ranged from 25 to 280 days (mean ± standard deviation [SD] 110±69 days; median 98 days). Eleven animals developed minor and two dogs developed major pin and/or wire tract inflammation. Functional outcome was rated as excellent (n=16), good (n=5), and fair (n=3) at the time of final long-term assessment (range 4.5 to 60.0 months; mean ± SD 28.4±15.4 months; median 28.5 months). Follow-up information was unavailable for two animals. Hybrid fixators were useful constructs for stabilization of humeral and femoral fractures, particularly fractures with short, juxta-articular fracture segments.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the feasibility of using the end-to-end anastomosis (EEA) stapling device transrectally for managing distal colonic disease in clinical veterinary cases. Ten animals met the criteria of having distal colonic or rectal resection and anastomosis with the EEA stapling device. The only complications seen after discharge from the hospital were colonic stricture at the anastomosis site in two animals and transient colitis in two animals. The stapled anastomosis has good success when properly applied, and the incidences of stricture formation, leakage, and other potential complications can be kept to a minimum.

A 3-year-old, spayed female, mixed-breed dog was evaluated for acute, progressive neurological disease. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed neutrophilic pleocytosis. The dog later developed liver disease, thrombocytopenia, and anemia that were presumably secondary to ceftriaxone administration. Bacterial cultures of blood, urine, and CSF were negative. However, a universal bacterial polymerase chain reaction assay of CSF identified deoxyribonucleic acid from Streptococcus spp. The dog recovered with therapy for streptococcal encephalitis.

A 5-year-old, spayed female cat was referred because of a mass in the cranial mediastinum noted on thoracic radiographs. A thymoma was diagnosed following ultrasound and biopsy of the mass. Treatment was initiated with coarse-fraction radiation therapy using external-beam therapy (four fractions of 5 Gy). The mass responded, but granulocytopenia developed. Bone marrow examination showed a myeloid to erythroid ratio of approximately 1:1, with a left shift within the myeloid line. These findings, as well as the lack of toxic changes within the peripheral blood neutrophils, suggested immune-mediated destruction of peripheral granulocytes. Immune suppression with prednisone and cyclosporine was instituted. After 7 weeks, the neutrophil count returned to normal. The tumor was removed, and cyclosporine was reduced and eventually discontinued 3 weeks postsurgery.

Microvascular free muscle transfer utilizing the rectus abdominis muscle, in combination with a mesh skin graft and transarticular external fixator, were used following the surgical excision of an elbow hygroma in a Newfoundland dog. Postoperatively, the dog did well with minimal complications and has yet to have a recurrence 10 months following surgery. This report describes the utility and successful use of the rectus abdominis free tissue transfer in the surgical correction of a difficult elbow hygroma in the dog.