🔍 Key Findings

• 2.4 mm LCP with a 1.6 mm IM pin had the highest axial stiffness and yield strength among the tested constructs.
• Axial stiffness was significantly higher in the 2.4 mm LCP + 1.6 mm IM pin group compared to 2.7 mm LCP alone (p = .013).
• No significant difference in torsional stiffness was found among groups.
• 2.4 mm LCP + 1.0 mm pin had the lowest stiffness and failure load, underperforming both other constructs.
• All constructs failed via valgus bending, consistent with clinical observations in feline tibial fractures.
• A 1.6 mm pin (~50% canal fill) resulted in superior construct performance vs. 1.0 mm (~30% fill).
• Group 2 (2.4 LCP + 1.6 mm pin) outperformed the 2.7 mm LCP alone in stiffness, despite using a smaller plate.
• Plate–rod constructs may better preserve periosteal blood supply and support minimally invasive stabilization strategies.

🔍 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

Subject: 7-year-old Labrador underwent cementless total knee replacement (TKR) due to severe stifle OA.

Clinical function:

• Improved ROM from 90° pre-op to 120° post-op.
• Weight-bearing increased from toe-touching to 70% bodyweight by 6 weeks post-op.
• No visible lameness by 14 weeks.

Implant performance:

• No complications at any follow-up points.
• No osteolysis, loosening, or metallosis at 6-year necropsy.

Wear evaluation:

• Mild UHMWPE insert wear, localized to caudal edges.

Histologic findings:

• Robust osseointegration at implant-bone interface.
• Fibrous tissue only in areas lacking porous coating.

Conclusion:

• Cementless TKR demonstrated excellent 6-year survival and functional outcomes.
• Support for considering early surgical intervention in severe stifle OA.

🔍 Key Findings

• Arthroscopically assisted stabilization with an IAD was feasible in cadaveric canine shoulders using both bone anchor and suture-toggle techniques.
• Suture-toggle repair was successfully performed in all specimens, while bone anchors could not be deployed in 3/10 shoulders, indicating lower feasibility.
• Median surgical time was shorter for the suture-toggle group (25.5 min) compared to the anchor group (37.3 min).
• Postoperative abduction angles returned to baseline in the anchor group, while the suture-toggle group had slightly reduced angles, suggesting possible overtightening.
• Violation of the articular surface occurred in 2 anchor specimens and 1 suture-toggle specimen, but none were considered likely to be clinically significant.
• Overall targeting accuracy using the IAD was 88%, supporting its utility in guiding tunnel/anchor placement.
• CT measurements showed acceptable bone stock and insertion angles, but anchor insertion angles were lower than optimal for mechanical pullout strength.
• Suture-toggle technique was considered simpler and more consistent, with fewer complications and faster execution than anchor placement.

🔍 Key Findings

• Combined intramedullary (IM) pin and rhBMP-2 use resulted in a low complication rate (7.4%) after proximal ulnar osteotomy (PUO).
• Major complications occurred in 5.3% of cases (4 infections, 1 pin breakage with ulnar tilt requiring revision).
• Minor complications occurred in 2.1% of cases (seroma, delayed union).
• No cases of non-union were observed; 98.9% of limbs achieved radiographic healing by 6 weeks.
• IM pin breakage was noted in 11.8% of limbs but did not affect healing outcomes.
• Chondrodystrophic breeds made up 64.8% of the cohort and tolerated the procedure well.
• Compared to prior studies, complication rates were substantially reduced with this technique (prior major: 13.9%; this study: 5.3%).
• The use of rhBMP-2 likely enhanced early bone healing and provided biologic support, particularly important in breeds at higher risk of complications.

🔍 Key Findings

• 15 dogs underwent minimally invasive tarsal arthrodesis (MITA); 10 partial, 5 pantarsal.
• Mean time to radiographic union: 1.8 ± 0.5 months.
• Mean time to clinical union: 3.7 ± 0.8 months.
• Complete osseous union: 46%; the rest achieved ≥50% with functional weightbearing.
• Complication rate: 26% major (mostly implant-related); no catastrophic complications or plantar necrosis.
• Functional outcomes: 6 full, 8 acceptable, 1 unacceptable (not due to MITA).
• MITA may lower soft tissue complications vs open approaches and enable faster healing.

🔍 Key Findings Summary

• Sample: 124 dogs (64 S, 60 FFP); French Bulldogs most common (54/124)
• Pre-op clinical signs: Exercise intolerance (34/124), stertor (22), regurgitation (7), vomiting (12)
• Operative time (no concurrent procedure): Longer in FFP (75 vs 51 min, p = .02)
• Anesthetic time: Longer in FFP (111 vs 80 min, p = .02)
• Anesthetic complications: Similar rates (FFP 50, S 49; p = .30)
• Post-op regurgitation: 27/124 (S: 17, FFP: 10; p = .18)
• Post-op aspiration pneumonia: Rare (S: 4, FFP: 5)
• Major complications: Rare (5/124); 2 dogs euthanized post-op (1 per group)
• Revision surgery: Needed in 7/124 (3 S, 4 FFP)

🔍 Key Findings

• C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) levels remained low at 3 and 6 months after uncomplicated THA in dogs.
• No significant differences were observed in CRP or SAA between preoperative, 3-month, and 6-month time points.
• Mean CRP values were 3.8 mg/L pre-op, 0.8 mg/L at 3 months, and 1.4 mg/L at 6 months.
• Mean SAA values were 13.9 mg/L pre-op, 14.1 mg/L at 3 months, and 18.4 mg/L at 6 months.
• All dogs recovered normally with no complications or persistent signs of inflammation at follow-up.
• Study establishes baseline CRP and SAA levels for dogs post-THA, useful for comparison in suspected PJI.
• These markers may help differentiate periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) if values deviate from baseline post-THA.
• NSAID therapy was discontinued by 6 months in all dogs, possibly reflecting decreased inflammation.

🔍 Key Findings

• Arthroscopically assisted stabilization with an IAD was feasible in cadaveric canine shoulders using both bone anchor and suture-toggle techniques.
• Suture-toggle repair was successfully performed in all specimens, while bone anchors could not be deployed in 3/10 shoulders, indicating lower feasibility.
• Median surgical time was shorter for the suture-toggle group (25.5 min) compared to the anchor group (37.3 min).
• Postoperative abduction angles returned to baseline in the anchor group, while the suture-toggle group had slightly reduced angles, suggesting possible overtightening.
• Violation of the articular surface occurred in 2 anchor specimens and 1 suture-toggle specimen, but none were considered likely to be clinically significant.
• Overall targeting accuracy using the IAD was 88%, supporting its utility in guiding tunnel/anchor placement.
• CT measurements showed acceptable bone stock and insertion angles, but anchor insertion angles were lower than optimal for mechanical pullout strength.
• Suture-toggle technique was considered simpler and more consistent, with fewer complications and faster execution than anchor placement.

🔍 Key Findings Summary

• Cadaveric study using 3 miniature breed dogs (6 hemipelves) to assess spinal neuronavigation accuracy for lumbar plate fixation
• 20 screws placed using CBCT-based navigation with real-time tracking
• 85% (17/20) of screws were safely and accurately placed
• Median deviation of screw entry points from plan: 1.8 mm
• All 3 misplaced screws occurred in a single cadaver, attributed to inexperienced drill handling
• Custom 3D-printed lightweight tracking array was necessary due to small spinous processes in miniature dogs
• No iatrogenic canal perforations or vertebral damage in any specimen
• Concludes neuronavigation offers precise, safe placement of spinal implants in small dogs, with minimal anatomic disruption