Summary A retrospective case series study was done to determine the long-term outcome of operations upon dogs treated for canine hip dysplasia by means of a triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO). Twentyfour dogs with bilateral hip dysplasia, that received a unilateral TPO between January 1988 and June 1995, were re-examined at the Ontario Veterinary College. The assessment included physical, orthopedic and lameness examinations, standard blood work, pelvic radiographs and force plate gait analysis. They were compared to bilaterally dysplastic dogs that had not been treated, and also to normal dogs. Force plate data analysis demonstrated a significant increase in peak vertical force (PVF) and mean vertical force over stance (MVF) in the limb that underwent surgical correction by means of a TPO, when compared to the unoperated hip. It was determined that performing a unilateral TPO on a young dysplastic dog resulted in greater forces and weight bearing being projected through the TPO corrected limb when compared to the unoperated limb. Dogs with bilateral hip dysplasia treated with a unilateral triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) were assessed by force plate gait analysis, radiographs and orthopedic examination. There was a significant increase in hip Norberg angles over time, although degenerative changes did progress. Limbs that had been operated upon had significantly greater peak and mean ground reaction forces than limbs that had not received an operation.

Common traumatic thoracic lesions include chest wall injury, pneumothorax, hemothorax, diaphragmatic hernia, and damage to the heart, lung parenchyma and mediastinum. A review of the diagnosis and treatment of these injuries is presented, and an approach to triage of the patient with thoracic trauma is described.

The AO wire passer can be used as an effective guide for passage of obstetrical saw wire for osteotomy. Use of the wire saw and passer reduces soft tissue trauma by minimizing tissue dissection, and promoting positioning of the saw in close contact with the bone.

Magnetically elicited transcranial motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were studied in 37 dogs with type 1 intervertebral disc (IVD) disease. The waveforms were recorded from both cranial tibial muscles before and after surgery. The latencies and amplitudes obtained were compared to those of a control population (n = 14). MEPs were recordable in all dogs with mild or no neurologic deficits, but they were recordable in only 50% of ambulatory dogs that were severely ataxic. MEPs could not be elicited from nonambulatory dogs. There was a significant attenuation of the amplitudes in all clinical cases, even if the dogs demonstrated back pain alone. Significantly prolonged latencies were associated with neurologic deficits. MEPs were not good predictors of neurologic recovery. The responses obtained from the side where the disc material was found were not different from those recorded from the opposite side. MEPs were very sensitive to lesions of the spinal cord, as indicated by the significant changes in the waves in patients with mild or no neurologic deficits and in the loss of response in dogs that still demonstrated purposeful movement. Neurologic exams provided more accurate diagnoses and prognoses than did MEPs in dogs with IVD disease.

The hemodynamic effects of 1.5 minimal alveolar concentration of halothane alone (1.6% end-tidal) and 1.5 minimal alveolar concentration of halothane (1.1% end-tidal concentration) combined with epidurally administered morphine were compared during controlled ventilation in 10 dogs used on 2 occasions and randomly allocated to 2 groups. Arterial blood pressure, cardiac index, stroke volume, left ventricular work, and pulmonary arterial pressure were significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in dogs of the morphine-treated group before administration of morphine. After epidural administration of morphine (0.1 mg/kg of body weight diluted in 0.26 ml of saline solution/kg), hemodynamic changes were not observed, and the aforementioned variables remained significantly (P less than 0.05) higher than values in dogs of the halothane only group. Compared with halothane (1.6%) alone, the reduction in halothane end-tidal concentration (1.1%) associated with epidurally administered morphine is beneficial in maintaining hemodynamic function.

The ability of a pulsing magnetic field to accelerate wound healing was tested in rats. Full‐thickness skin defects were created surgically in rats. A magnetoelectric coil applicator was used to deliver two 15 minute episodes of pulsing magnetic treatment daily to the rats at a level of 80 Gauss and 60 Hr. Healing was evaluated grossly and by light microscopy 7, 14, 22, 29, 42, and 56 days following wound creation.No significant change in rate of wound contracture or epithelialization was seen nor was there any microscopic evidence of enhanced collagen formation or cellular organization as compared with untreated wounds.

A dorsal surgical approach to the perineal area and rectum was made on 10 healthy, adult dogs. The rectococcygeal muscle was incised and the levator ani and external sphincter muscles were separated to the level of the caudal rectal nerve. All dogs were clinically normal throughout a 3 week postoperative observation period.