🔍 Key Findings

40 dogs underwent splenectomy using 16 bipolar vessel sealing devices (VSDs)
Devices were reused up to 4 times after handwashing and ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization
Biologic debris was found in 100% of devices, specifically under the transection blade, even after a single use

• Mostly scant (14/16) or mild (2/16) debris

No devices or debris yielded positive aerobic culture after EtO sterilization
EtO sterilization proved microbiologically effective despite visible residue
Perioperative failure rate: 1 device (malfunctioned during first activation)

🔍 Key Findings Summary

• 86 elbows assessed: 32 Guide Dogs, 11 Border Collies
• Guide Dogs showed significantly higher HU values in:
  • MCP: min (p = 0.022), mean (p < 0.01), max (p < 0.01)
  • Humeral trochlea: mean (p < 0.01), max (p < 0.01)
• Results imply breed-associated HU variation, not necessarily pathologic sclerosis
• Relevance: Important to avoid false positives for elbow dysplasia during CT-based breeding screens
• Good interobserver agreement for mean HU values (ICC ~0.82–0.90)

🔍 Key Findings

• FGPP (fluoroscopic-guided percutaneous pinning) resulted in successful healing in 10/13 fractures, with good limb function.
• Complications occurred in 5 of 11 cases, including intra-articular implants, malunion, implant failure/nonunion, and implant migration.
• Cases with delayed surgery (>15 days) or radiographic remodeling were more likely to experience major complications.
• Most fractures (10/13) were classified as Salter-Harris type I with mild displacement.
• Median surgical time was 60 minutes, and no conversions to open surgery were needed.
• Postoperative femoral neck resorption was minimal, suggesting possible benefits of the minimally invasive approach for preserving vascular supply.
• One intra-articular pin led to progressive joint disease and required femoral head ostectomy.
• FGPP appears best suited for acute, minimally displaced fractures in young dogs (<8 months) with planned elective explant to avoid growth disturbance.

🔍 Key Findings

Study focus: Outcomes of cannulated screw fixation in unicondylar humeral condylar fractures (UHCF) in dogs.
Clinical union rate: 89%
Overall complication rate: 36%

• Major complication: Most common was screw breakage

Significant risk factor for screw breakage:

• Body weight >20 kg (statistically significant)

Breed distribution:

• Spaniels, especially English Springer Spaniels, were most common

No mention of plate augmentation as standard in this cohort

🔍 Key Findings

Study Design: Case series of 8 dogs with confirmed or suspected PJI after total hip replacement (THR)
Dogs were categorized into:

• Curative intent (CI) group (n=5): short-duration infections, implant retention attempted
• Non-curative intent (NCI) group (n=3): chronic infections, implants scheduled for removal or revision

Success Rate: 7 of 8 dogs had infection resolution, including 4 of 5 in the CI group
Sampling sensitivity:

• Arthroscopic culture success was 80% in the CI group but only 33% in the NCI group
• All explanted implants from NCI group yielded positive cultures

Common isolates: Staphylococcus pseudointermedius (including MRSP), S. epidermidis, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and E. coli
Ancillary treatments included:

• Partial synovectomy, high-volume lavage (5–10 L), biofilm-depleting lavage, and/or amikacin-impregnated calcium sulfate beads

Mean follow-up: >1 year (mean 812 days); no signs of recurrence in successfully treated cases
Conclusions: Arthroscopic management of THR infections is feasible and effective in appropriately selected dogs. Success aligns with human literature when infection type is favorable (Type 1, 3, 4). Sensitivity of arthroscopic culture is higher in early/acute infections.

🔍 Key Findings

• Refracture occurred in 5.5% of limbs, with higher incidence in the plate removal group (12.5%) vs. non-removal (3.5%).
• In the non-plate removal group, refractures occurred at the most distal screw site, linked to greater screw position change during growth (OR 1.79, p=0.04).
• Screw-to-bone diameter ratio (SBDR) >0.4 was a significant risk factor for refracture in the plate retention group.
• In the plate removal group, refractures occurred at the original fracture site, associated with lower pixel value ratio (bone mineral density) and reduced radial thickness.
• Implant-induced osteoporosis (IIO) beneath the plate likely contributed to refracture risk after plate removal.
• Younger age at fracture (<6 months) was associated with higher refracture risk due to ongoing radial growth and shifting screw position.
• No significant association was found between refracture and plate type (locking vs conventional), fixation method, or ulnar union.
• Recommendations include careful SBDR sizing, motion restriction, and cautious plate removal decisions in growing dogs.

🔍 Key Findings

Synovitis was present in 100% of canine stifles with CCL disease (n = 163).

The most frequent severity score was 3/5 (55.2%), followed by 4/5 (24.5%).

Higher synovitis scores were significantly associated with:

• Higher median cartilage scores (p = .042, OR = 2.1 per unit increase)
• Longer duration of clinical signs (p < .001, OR = 1.27 per month)

Bodyweight (p = .083) and sex (p = .17) were not statistically significant in multivariable analysis.

Bucket handle meniscal tears were not associated with synovitis severity.

Clinical implication: Earlier intervention may help reduce synovitis and slow OA progression.

🔍 Key Findings

• Postoperative Protein C (PC) activity increased in 78.7% of dogs, and was significantly higher in dogs with excellent clinical outcomes.
• Complete acute shunt occlusion resulted in higher postoperative PC activity (96.3%) and better ultimate clinical outcomes than incomplete occlusion.
• Preoperative PC was not predictive of clinical status, but postoperative PC was associated with improved outcomes.
• Standard biochemical markers (HCT, MCV, ALB, BUN) also improved postoperatively, especially in dogs with excellent clinical outcomes.
• Dogs requiring a second procedure had significantly lower postoperative PC (43.5%) than those not requiring further intervention (78.5%).
• Repeat procedures improved PC and BUN values, with PC increasing significantly after second intervention (to 69.8%).
• PC normalization (within reference interval) occurred in 87.5% of dogs with excellent clinical status, compared to only 12.5% in those with poor status.
• Clinical outcome classification (excellent/fair/poor) correlated with biochemical normalization and lack of need for diet/medications.

🔍 Key Findings

• Hybrid THR in cats showed no major complications across 17 hips in 15 cats, including 2 bilateral cases.
• Postoperative radiographs confirmed stable implant positioning with no loosening, migration, or dislocation in follow-up imaging.
• Mean owner satisfaction was high, with a mean short-form feline musculoskeletal pain index (sf-FMPI) score of 2/36 at a mean follow-up of 438 days.
• SCFE (slipped capital femoral epiphysis) was the most common indication, seen in 13/17 hips.
• Partial tenotomy of rectus femoris origin resolved intraoperative medial patella luxation in 3 cases—no cats required surgical correction later.
• A micro BFX cup allowed for increased acetabular offset, possibly reducing luxation risk even when using a +0 femoral head offset.
• Hybrid THR was successfully used as a revision for failed CFX THR due to recurrent luxation—implants remained stable post-revision.
• Use of oversized cups (12 mm) with shallow seating or medial breach still resulted in stable outcomes, suggesting good implant fixation even with reduced bone stock.