The treatment of painful osteoarthrosis in the canine and feline patient is a challenge commonly encountered in small animal practice. Therapeutic success, namely the restoration of quality of life, is frequently not achieved by applying common therapeutic approaches such as administration of oral analgesics or nutraceuticals. The aim of this review is to provide an insight into possible surgical treatment options as well as an overview of the current state of veterinary research and literature on this subject.

Ligament sprains are often associated with joint instability. Untreated, these injuries inevitably lead to degenerative joint disease (DJD). A surgical ligament prosthesis can restore stability and minimise the progression of DJD. Similar techniques are applied in both cats and dogs, in joint specific variations. This article gives an overview of the currently used methods. It is important to know the exact anatomy in order to reconstruct a ligament in the best possible manner. Modern types of implants lead to highly stable reconstructions, which can be used without postoperative coaptation. However, perfect isometry throughout the full range of motion of a joint can never be achieved, therefore requirements on reconstructions and materials are demanding. This is a field which bears a great potential for further research.

Eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy is characterised as an eosinophilic infiltration of the airways. Currently, a hypersensitivity reaction is considered to be the underlying cause of this disease. Affected dogs show coughing, dyspnoea and exercise intolerance. Nasal discharge can occur as well in cases with additional eosinophilic rhinitis. Peripheral blood eosinophilia is seen in 6o% of the affected dogs. The most frequently described radiographic pulmonary abnormality is a broncho-interstitial lung pattern. For a firm diagnosis, it is necessary to prove the present of eosinophilic inflammation in the lower airways and to exclude other causes of eosinophilic inflammation. A bronchoalveolar lavage or a bronchial biopsy can be used to prove the presence of eosinophilic inflammation. At present, the treatment of this condition mainly consists of oral or inhaled glucocorticoids.

Tick-borne diseases in dogs have gained in significance in German veterinary practices. The widespread European tick species Ixodes ricinus represents an important vector for spirochaetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group and Rickettsiales such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The meadow or ornate dog tick (Dermacentor reticulatus) is an important vector for Babesia canis, as is the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) for Babesia vogeli in the Mediterranean region. This review covers pathogen transmission by tick vectors, including the mechanisms and the minimum intervals required, in conjunction with incubation periods and possible non-vector-borne transmission routes. Current data on prevalence and distribution in various pre-selected dog populations (symptomatic versus asymptomatic) are depicted on maps. A summary is given of methods for prophylaxis using acaricide products (collars, spot-on solutions and oral treatments), vaccination (Borrelia and Babesia vaccines) and imidocarb-based chemoprophylaxis for large Babesia.