A case of transverse patellar fracture in a cat with preserved patellar ligament integrity and no history of traumatic injury is described. The patient is presented with grade 3 weight-bearing lameness and pain after palpation. Osteosynthesis with two Kirschner wires and figure-of-eight wiring was performed. The postoperative period was without complications. Three months post surgery, radiography demonstrated relatively good bone bridging at the fracture site and a very good clinical result.

Summary The present report describes the first clinically manifested and serologically proven case of Dirofilaria immitis infection in a cat in Bulgaria. A 10-year-old intact male cat was referred to the Small Animal Clinic, Trakia University with a history of anorexia, weight loss, intermittent coughing and itching skin lesions on the head and neck. Physical examination revealed abnormal heart sounds and respiration, cyanosis of the mucous membranes, and generalized enlargement of the lymph nodes. Mild infestation with hard ticks and fleas was also detected during the initial skin inspection. In addition, adult Otodectes cynotis mites were observed in the skin lesions. The fecal sample was positive for larvae of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and eggs of Toxocara cati. Blood serology revealed antigens of D. immitis as well as antibodies against both feline immunodeficiency virus and D. immitis. Thoracic radiographic findings included a pronounced generalized reticular interstitial pattern; alveolar and bronchial shades with multiple nodular thickenings throughout the lungs. Electrocardiography demonstrated a sinus tachycardia, a peaked P-wave (P-pulmonale) and an abnormally low ST-segment. The clinical signs disappeared after treatment with selamectin, doxycycline and corticosteroids. Despite the improvement in general health condition, the cat suddenly died several months later.

The aim of the present study was to provide radiological measures of pelvic limb deformity in dogs from small breeds with medial patellar luxation (MPL) of various grades by means of some anatomical and mechanical angles of the femur and the tibia. The study was performed with 87 dogs (174 joints) from four small breeds: Mini-Pinscher, Chi-hua-hua, Yorkshire Terrier and Pomeranian. Out of them, 53 dogs were diagnosed with various grades of MPL and the other served as healthy controls. Six femoral angles, eight tibial angles and quadriceps angle were measured in dogs affected by grades I–III MPL and in healthy controls. On the basis of the studied dogs from small breeds, it was found out that as MPL grade increased, distal anatomical and mechanical femoral angles increased proportionally with significant difference vs angles in dogs non-affected by MPL. Proximal femoral angles did not change with MPL grade. Tibial angles showed significant changes, characterised with increase in proximal angles as MPL advanced, while distal tibial angles showed a negative relationship with MPL grade. On the basis of our results, we suggest that angles with clinical relevance for evaluation of canine patients with medial luxation of the patella are the anatomical and mechanical lateral distal femoral angles (aLDFA, mLDFA), the femoral anteversion angle (FVA) and the mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (mMPTA).

The aim of the study was to investigate the changes in some rapid, indicative clinical laboratory parameters – white blood cells (WBC), leukogram, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), total protein (TP), albumin (A), globulins (G), albumin/globulin ratio (A/G) during experimental Pseudomonas aeruginosa skin infection in dogs and to determine their ability to provide information for evaluating such type of infection. Suspension of P.aeruginosa (1×10 cfu/mL) was inoculated at a dose 0.3 mL/kg body weight, in five clinically healthy, dogs, 2–5 years old, weighing 24.3 ± 1.8 kg. The control group (n=5) was injected with the same dose of normal saline. The blood samples were taken in the following dynamics: before infection (0 h) and on 4, 24, 48, 72 hour and on 7, 10 and 14 day after infection. The data presented clearly suggest that ESR was the most sensitive haematological parameter increasing significantly 4 hours after infection (P<0.01), with values remaining high (P<0.001) till the end of experimental period (day 14). WBC increased significantly on hour 72 (P<0.001). The changes in the leukogram demonstrated increase in band neutrophils on hour 48 and 72 (P<0.01), which is indicative for left shift. Eosinopenia was found on hour 24 and 72 (P<0.01). Analysis of biochemical parameters demonstrated that the period within 24 to 72 hour was crucial in progress of P. aeruginosa skin infection. This statement is supported by the significant decrease of albumin concentration (P<0.001), decrease in A/G ratio and hyperglobulinaemia (P<0.001) within this period. These alterations in protein profile did not affect total protein concentration, which remained unchanged during the whole experimental period. The matched analysis of both haematological and biochemical parameters is more accurate and indicative for the progression of bacterial skin infections in dogs. Albumin and globulins concentrations and A/G ratio are sensitive, consistent and reliable parameters, which can be useful for evaluating skin P. aeruginosa infection in dogs.

Experimental tibial osteotomy was performed in 24 dogs, fixed by either intramedullary (IMO; n = 12) or plate and screw osteosynthesis (PLO; n = 12). Six dogs with IMO and another six with PLO were subjected to daily therapeutic ultrasound therapy at the site of osteotomy for 10 days, starting from the first post-operative day. The other dogs served as controls. Radiological studies were performed immediately after surgery, by week 2 and months 1, 2 and 3. Blood markers of bone formation (bone alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin) and bone resorption (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and C-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I) were assayed before surgery, by post-operative weeks 1 and 2 and months 1, 2 and 3. Therapeutic ultrasound had a beneficial effect on bone formation, bone union and bone resorption. Blood bone alkaline phosphatase exhibited a very high activity as early as weeks 1 and 2, statistically significant compared to controls. Osteocalcin levels were also significantly higher in periods of bone callus mineralization (month 1). From bone resorption markers, only acid phosphatase was increased in the IMO group treated with ultrasound, while C-terminal telopeptide concentrations did not change over the experimental period. It could be concluded that therapeutic ultrasound could be used as a physical adjunct to assist and stimulate early post-operative healing after osteosynthesis of long bones in dogs.