Owner Assessment Research Articles

Complications and Owner Assessment of Canine Total Hip Replacement: A Multicenter Internet Based Survey

To assess the variables associated with the complications of total hip replacement (THR) and report owner-assessed outcomes, through surgeon-based registration of cases via an online database, informed owner consent, and prospective outcomes assessment using a client-administered clinical metrology instrument. Prospective case series Dogs (n = 170) Entries into the British Veterinary Orthopaedic Association-Canine Hip Registry (BVOA-CHR) between January 2010 and August 2011 were reviewed. Variables evaluated included dog age, body weight, breed, and indication for THR and prosthesis. Associations between each variable and the incidence of complications were assessed using logistic regression. Additionally, an on-line, owner-administered outcomes assessment questionnaire (modified from the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD) questionnaire) was used to collect data from owners. One hundred and seventy cases met the inclusion criteria. Surgical indications included hip dysplasia and coxofemoral osteoarthritis (n = 150), Legg-Calves-Perthes disease (7), coxofemoral luxation (6), fracture (4), slipped capital physis (2), and femoral head and neck ostectomy revision (1). Surgical implants were from 4 systems. The incidence of surgeon-reported complication was 9.4%. No significant association was identified between weight, age, sex, breed, indication for THR, surgical technique and prosthesis, and the incidence of complications. In 82% of the cases, owners described their satisfaction with the outcome of THR as "very good" and a total of 20% complication rate was reported. There was a statistically significant improvement in owner-assessed questionnaire score before and after THR (P < .001). The BVOA-CHR offers a novel framework for the prospective studies on THR and on a national/international scale. Initial complication rates from the BVOA-CHR are similar to previous studies.

Owner assessment of therapeutic interventions for canine atopic dermatitis: a long‐term retrospective analysis

Canine atopic dermatitis is a frequent diagnosis in veterinary medicine; however, the long-term prognosis for canine atopic dermatitis has not been evaluated in a systematic fashion. To compare the relative efficacy of commonly used therapies for canine atopic dermatitis in two groups of dogs over 5 and 10 year time periods. Dogs were identified from the medical record database of a privately owned veterinary dermatology practice in the USA. Clients completed a four-part, 28-question, Internet-based survey. Surveys were included in the analysis if one entire section was completed. Each question was completed independently of the answers to other questions. Several respondents failed to complete all questions. Some respondents answered similar questions with contradictory answers. Each question was analysed individually. A total of 136 owner surveys were completed, 39 from the 10 year and 97 from the 5 year study dogs. Eighty-five of 135 respondents indicated that their pet was receiving some form of medical therapy for atopic dermatitis at the time of the survey. Thirty of 90 respondents (33.3%) indicated that their dog improved during a dietary trial. Five dogs met the study's definition for clinical cure. All five of these dogs had been treated with allergen-specific immunotherapy. This study revealed that clients believe antihistamines can be a useful part of multimodal therapy for canine atopic dermatitis. The results also demonstrated that a significant number of canines benefited from dietary modification. In addition, allergen-specific immunotherapy was the only treatment to induce true clinical remission of atopic dermatitis.

Owner assessment of dogs' quality of life following treatment of neoplastic haemoperitoneum

SUSPECTED neoplastic haemoperitoneum can represent a decision-making challenge. Rapid and invasive interventions may be required to prevent deterioration; however, the definitive diagnosis and prognosis is often unknown. Diagnosis typically requires...

Comparison of oral robenacoxib and ketoprofen for the treatment of acute pain and inflammation associated with musculoskeletal disorders in cats: A randomised clinical trial

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of robenacoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, for the treatment of acute pain and inflammation associated with musculoskeletal disorders in cats. The study was a prospective, multi-centre, randomised, blinded, non-inferiority design clinical trial comparing robenacoxib to ketoprofen. A total of 68 cats presenting with pain and inflammation associated with acute musculoskeletal disorders were recruited and allocated randomly to receive, orally once daily for 5-6 days, either 1.0-2.4 mg/kg robenacoxib (n=47) or 1mg/kg ketoprofen (n=21). The primary efficacy endpoint was the total clinician score, which was the sum of clinician numerical rating scale scores for pain, inflammation and mobility. Assessments were made at baseline, on day 2, and day 4 or 5. For the total clinician score, non-inferior efficacy of robenacoxib was demonstrated with a relative efficacy of 1.151 (95% confidence interval 0.872-1.494). Non-inferior efficacy of robenacoxib was also demonstrated for the secondary endpoint of the total owner score. Robenacoxib was superior (P<0.05) to ketoprofen for the owner's assessment of activity and human/animal relationship. The tolerability of both treatments was good as assessed by monitoring adverse events, clinical signs and haematology and serum biochemistry variables.

Dose Reduction of Meloxicam in Dogs with Osteoarthritis‐Associated Pain and Impaired Mobility

Progressive nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) dose reduction appears logical; however, there is no evidence-based medicine indicating that efficacy is maintained as dose is reduced. To determine if NSAID dose can be reduced and pain relief and mobility can be maintained in dogs with osteoarthritis (OA). Client-owned dogs (n = 59) with OA-associated impaired mobility and pain. Prospective, randomized, blinded study. After 14 days wash-out, dogs were randomized to reducing dose (RDG) (n = 30) or maintenance dose (MDG) (n = 29). MDG received standard dose meloxicam. RDG received a reducing dose from D28 onward, reducing to 0% of maintenance for the final 2 weeks. Assessments were at D14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98 and 112 using subjective owner assessments, accelerometry (AM), and standing percent body weight distribution (%BW). A Kaplan-Meier survival curve described how dogs dropped out because of insufficient pain control. A Log-rank test compared the groups. More dogs in RDG (13) dropped out because of owner-evaluated insufficient pain control compared with MDG (5) (P = .029; odds ratio: 3.67; median dropout time: 84 days in each group). For the dogs that did not drop out (n = 41), there were no significant differences between groups in owner assessments (P > .2 for each), %BW placed on the index limb (P = .750), or accelerometer-measured activity (P = .14). Dose reduction is a less effective means of pain control compared with maintained dosing. However, NSAID dose reduction with maintained efficacy is possible, but success appears to be individual dog dependent.

Deterring Abuse of the Copyright Takedown Regime by Taking Misrepresentation Claims Seriously

Copyright owners routinely obtain prompt removal of allegedly infringing materials from the Internet using takedown notices. The Copyright Act’s takedown procedures are an attractive and powerful tool to combat infringement because they do not require filing a federal copyright infringement complaint, nor do they involve any neutral assessment of the copyright owner’s infringement assertion. Because the takedown regime is embedded in safe harbor protections that immunize online service providers from monetary liability for copyright infringement engaged in by Internet users, the statute creates an important incentive for Internet Service Providers ('ISPs') to comply automatically with takedown requests sent by copyright owners. Unfortunately, this prompt method for obtaining removal of material from the Internet lends itself to abuse by copyright owners seeking to silence critics or to obtain a far broader protection for their works than copyright law actually affords. Congress attempted to provide a shield for lawful, noninfringing activity in the takedown regime itself: the statute permits individuals to send a counter-notice that can result in the allegedly infringing material being reposted. The practices of most online service providers, however, make the counter-notice problematic and difficult to use, reducing its effectiveness as a true shield for lawful, noninfringing activity. Congress also created a mechanism to deter abuse of the takedown regime: A federal cause of action for misrepresenting that posted material is infringing. If taken seriously, the misrepresentation claim has the potential to shape the behavior of copyright owners who wield the powerful sword of the takedown notice. To date, however, few misrepresentation claims have been brought, and the early interpretations of the provisions have limited its effectiveness in curbing abuse. Because a complete understanding of the role of the misrepresentation claim within the statutory scheme should inform any judicial interpretation of its requirements, this Article first places the misrepresentation claim in the context of the takedown regime. It then examines litigation dynamics as well as the statutory elements of a misrepresentation claim, offering suggestions on how these elements should be interpreted in light of the purpose and context of the statute. If appropriately interpreted, the misrepresentation claim holds great promise for protecting both copyright owners and lawful users of copyrighted works.

A cross sectional study of the prevalence and risk factors for owner misperception of canine body shape in first opinion practice in Glasgow

The objectives of the study were to investigate whether owners were able to assign the correct body shape to their dog and to assess the dog and owner level factors associated with incorrect owner assessment of dog body shape. Six hundred and eighty questionnaires were administered to dog owners in 5 first opinion practices around Glasgow during July 2007. At the same time, the interviewer and owner assessed the body shape of each dog. The interviewer assessment of body shape was taken as the gold standard. Incorrect owner assessment of dog body shape (misperception) was divided into two groups: underestimation and overestimation. Multinomial logistic regression and classification and regression trees (CART) were used to assess risk factors associated with each type of misperception. Misperception of dog body shape was present in 44.1% of owners with underestimation (i.e. the owner considered the animal to have a leaner body shape from the gold standard assessment) being the most common form of misperception. Risk factors identified by both multinomial logistic regression and CART were gender of owner, age of the dog and dog body shape. The classification tree appeared to have improved predictive ability when compared to the multinomial model.

Surgical time and severity of postoperative pain in dogs undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy with one, two, or three instrument cannulas

To determine whether number of instrument cannulas is associated with surgical time or severity of postoperative pain in dogs undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy. Randomized clinical trial. 18 healthy dogs. Dogs were randomly assigned to undergo laparoscopic ovariectomy with 1, 2, or 3 instrument cannulas. Surgical time and intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Severity of pain was monitored 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after surgery by means of pain scoring with a modified Melbourne Pain Scale and palpation of surgical sites with variably sized von Frey filaments. Owner-assessed postoperative comfort was also evaluated. Surgical time was significantly longer with 1 cannula (mean ± SD, 29.7 ± 5.6 minutes) than with 2 cannulas (18.2 ± 4.4 minutes) or 3 cannulas (19.3 ± 3.4 minutes). Intraoperative complications included splenic puncture (2 dogs), pedicle hemorrhage (1 dog), and SC emphysema (1 dog); complication rates were not significantly different among groups. Total pain score was significantly lower for dogs with 2 cannulas than for dogs with 3 cannulas; total pain score for dogs with 1 cannula did not differ significantly from scores for dogs with 2 cannulas or 3 cannulas. Owner assessments of postoperative comfort and number of days pain medications were administered did not differ among groups. Results suggested that laparoscopic ovariectomy with 2 instrument cannulas, rather than with 1, resulted in shorter surgical times without increasing severity of postoperative pain.

Efficacy of a 0.0584% hydrocortisone aceponate spray in presumed feline allergic dermatitis: an open label pilot study

This study evaluated the efficacy of a 0.0584% hydrocortisone aceponate (HCA) spray (Cortavance(®); Virbac SA) in 10 cats with presumed allergic dermatitis. The cats initially received two sprays/100 cm(2) of skin once daily. Clinical lesions (a Feline Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index; FeDESI), pruritus (10 cm visual analog scale with grade descriptors) and owner assessments of efficacy, tolerance and ease of use (from 1=very poor to 5=excellent) were assessed every 14 days. The frequency of treatment was reduced after day 28 in cats with a >50% reduction in FeDESI and pruritus scores. One cat was lost to follow up at day 28 and two at day 42. Intention-to-treat data were analysed. The FeDESI [mean (SD): day 0, 42.2 (15.7) and day 56, 9.9 (11.7); P<0.0001] and pruritus scores [day 0, 61.2 mm (20.1) and day 56, 14.6 mm (16.1); P<0.0001] significantly decreased throughout the trial. The owner scores for tolerance [median (range): day 14, 4 (1-5) and day 56, 4 (3-5); P=0.003] and ease of administration [day 14, 3 (2-5) and day 56, 4 (2-5); P=0.02] significantly increased during the trial, but there was no significant change in efficacy scores [day 14, 4 (3-5) and day 56, 4 (2-5); P=0.5]. There were no adverse effects attributable to the HCA spray, no significant changes in weight [mean (SD): day 0, 5.0 kg (1.4) and day 56, 5.0 kg (1.6); P=0.51] and no significant changes in haematology, biochemistry or urinalysis (n=4). Six cats required every-other-day treatment and four required daily treatment. In conclusion, HCA spray appeared to be effective and safe in these cats, although it is not licensed for use in this species.

Sex influences rat personality more than geographical origin

The Norway rat is an indispensable model organism. Behavioral studies on rats usually concentrate on a single trait without considering how different behaviors are linked to each other and whether there are differences in this respect between rat strains or sexes. This study aims to describe the personality structure of the Norway rat, and investigate if the structure of personality varies between sexes or populations, using owner assessments of pet rats. Rat owners from three countries filled out a questionnaire which was analyzed using structural equation modeling. The data were divided between the sexes and populations, resulting in six groups. Preliminary exploratory factor analysis was first conducted on the most numerous group to form a hypothesis about the personality structure, after which confirmatory factor analysis was used to discover differences between groups. A three factor model consisting of the components activity, tameness and anxiousness fit all groups. Both quantitative and qualitative differences were found between sexes, especially with respect to the trait activity. If neglected, the sex differences compromise the generality and reliability of behavioral research on rats. Population differences were negligible. The results underline the importance of considering the sex of the animal as well as its individual characteristics when assessing its wellbeing, behavioral requirements or suitability for a certain task or research experiment. Using a method adopted from human personality research produced meaningful results consistent with previous reports on rodent personality.

Owner assessment in judging the efficacy of airway disease treatment

Efficacy of medications for recurrent airway obstruction is typically tested using clinical, cytological and lung function examinations of severely affected animals. These trials are technically challenging and may not adequately reflect the spectrum of disease and owner complaints encountered in clinical practice. To determine if owners of horses with chronic airway disease are better able to detect drug efficacy than a veterinarian who clinically examines horses infrequently. In a double-blinded randomised controlled trial, owners and a veterinarian compared the efficacy of dexamethasone (0.1 mg/kg bwt per os, q. 24 h, for 3 weeks; n = 9) to placebo (n = 8) in horses with chronic airway disease. Before and after treatment, owners scored performance, breathing effort, coughing and nasal discharge using a visual analogue scale (VAS). The clinician recorded vital parameters, respiratory distress, auscultation findings, cough and nasal discharge, airway mucus score, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology and arterial blood gases. The VAS score improved significantly in dexamethasone- but not placebo-treated horses. In contrast, the clinician failed to differentiate between dexamethasone- and placebo-treated animals based on clinical observations, BALF cytology or endoscopic mucus score. Respiratory rate (RR) and arterial oxygen pressure (PaO(2)) improved with dexamethasone but not placebo. In the design of clinical trials of airway disease treatments, more emphasis should be placed on owner-assessed VAS than on clinical, cytological and endoscopic observations made during brief examinations by a veterinarian. Quantifiable indicators reflecting lung function such as RR and PaO(2) provide a good assessment of drug efficacy.

The use of clonidine in the treatment of fear-based behavior problems in dogs: An open trial

Abstract Behavioral medications may be used to augment behavioral treatments for fear-based problems in dogs, particularly when the signs are severe or the feared stimulus is impossible to control. In some cases, a single pharmacologic treatment may not completely manage fear and thus multiple medications may be required. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of an alpha-2 agonist clonidine for PRN (pro re nata) treatment of fear-based behavior problems in dogs that are hyporesponsive to other pharmacologic strategies. A total of 22 dogs of various breeds, age, and both genders determined to have fear-based behavior problems were divided into 2 groups, A and B, on the basis of their primary behavioral diagnosis. In group A, the primary diagnoses were separation anxiety, noise phobia, storm phobia, or a combination of these conditions. In group B, the primary diagnoses were fear aggression or a combination of fear and fear-based territorial aggression. Dogs in both groups were treated with PRN dose schedule of clonidine as well as behavior modification. In group A, the clinical outcome was compared with previous pharmacologic treatments according to owner assessments. Similarly, in group B, the clinical outcome was compared with previous treatments. In both groups, the most effective PRN dose of clonidine and any adverse effects were noted. According to global assessment by owners, 7 of the 10 owners (70%) in group A reported that clonidine was more effective as compared with the previously given medications. Of the 12 owners (92%) in group B, 11 reported that clonidine reduced the intensity of aggressive response of the dogs during the drug's active phase. Only one adverse effect was reported and that involved a noise phobic dog displaying increased sound sensitivity. The results suggest that PRN use of clonidine may be useful in addition to being well tolerated for the treatment of fear-based behavior problems in dogs. Further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of clonidine in dogs.

Renovate for profit: New Zealand residential case study

PurposeThe primary purpose of this paper is to test an appropriate methodology for quantifying a return to residential property homeowners who were committed to make improvements to their homes prior to placing on the market for sale.Design/methodology/approachThis is a pilot study where empirical data were collected via two survey instruments from nine homeowners within the Horowhenua/Manawatu region of New Zealand. Market values of the properties before and after home improvement were assessed using a variety of market value measures including a valuation by a registered valuer, property owner's assessment and sale price.FindingsThe findings reveal that both the registered valuations and the property owner's assessment of expected sale price was within the range ±8 per cent of the final sale price. Seven of the nine houses included in this pilot study showed a positive return on time and money invested in minor home improvements.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations relate to the dated data, small sample size and geographical spread of the sample. The time and cost required to gather home improvement activity data is another limitation.Practical implicationsPotential exists for the model developed in this paper to be replicated internationally. This paper supports the view that homeowners who are actively involved in the real estate market have an accurate assessment of the value of their own homes. Improvements increase the quality and condition of existing residential housing stocks. Minor improvements are often overlooked due to the cost of gathering data. This paper encourages further studies of minor improvement expenditure on residential property.Originality/valueThis paper adds to the body of renovation literature as the data collection was conducted at the time improvements were being made, thus reducing response errors. The inclusion of comprehensive valuation reports by registered valuers increased the reliability of market value assessments. Research in this area is useful to provide greater understanding of the benefits of minor improvement expenditure.

Self‐awareness of mastery and improvability of entrepreneurial competence in small businesses in the agrifood sector

AbstractAn important assumption of entrepreneurial competence is that (at least part of) it can be learned and developed. However, human resources development (HRD) practices aimed at further strengthening and developing small‐business owner–managers' entrepreneurial competence are complex and underdeveloped. A multisource assessment of owner–managers' entrepreneurial competence in a well‐defined sector was conducted to provide an answer to the research question: How do self‐assessments about mastery and improvability of entrepreneurial competence made by owner–managers relate to the same assessments made by significant others in the small‐business work environment? The data show that owner–managers rate their own mastery of entrepreneurial competence significantly lower than internal assessors in their work environment do. Furthermore, the assessors indicate many possible areas for improvement of owner–managers' entrepreneurial competence. Nonetheless, mastery and improvability patterns differ considerably between the assessors. Multisource assessments as adopted in this study can help owner–managers raise their self‐awareness, and consequently help them bypass some of their often costly trial‐and‐error learning.

Evaluation of a Therapeutic Diet for Feline Degenerative Joint Disease

Feline degenerative joint disease (DJD) is common and there are no approved therapies for the alleviation of the associated pain. To test a diet high in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content and supplemented with green-lipped mussel extract and glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate (test-diet) for its pain-relieving and activity-enhancing effects in cats with painful, mobility-impairing DJD over a 9-week period. Forty client-owned cats. Randomized, controlled, blinded, parallel group, prospective clinical study. Cats with no detectable systemic disease, and with at least 1 appendicular joint with radiographic evidence of DJD where manipulation elicited an aversive response were included. Cats were randomly allocated to the test-diet or control diet (C-diet). Outcome measures were subjective owner and veterinarian assessments, and objective activity monitoring (accelerometry). Nonparametric statistics were used to evaluate changes within and between groups for both subjective and objective data, and locally weighted scatterplot smoothing regression analysis was used to predict activity changes. The primary objective outcome measures indicated that activity declined significantly (P < .001) in the C-diet group, significantly increased (P < .001) in the test-diet group and there was a significant difference between the groups (P < .001). A diet high in EPA and DHA and supplemented with green-lipped mussel extract and glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate improved objective measures of mobility. Dietary modulation might be 1 method to use to improve mobility in cats with DJD-associated pain.

A multicenter study of the effect of dietary supplementation with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on carprofen dosage in dogs with osteoarthritis

To determine the effects of feeding a diet supplemented with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on carprofen dosage in dogs with osteoarthritis. Randomized, controlled, multisite clinical trial. 131 client-owned dogs with stable chronic osteoarthritis examined at 33 privately owned veterinary hospitals in the United States. In all dogs, the dosage of carprofen was standardized over a 3-week period to approximately 4.4 mg/kg/d (2 mg/lb/d), PO. Dogs were then randomly assigned to receive a food supplemented with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids or a control food with low omega-3 fatty acid content, and 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks later, investigators made decisions regarding increasing or decreasing the carprofen dosage on the basis of investigator assessments of 5 clinical signs and owner assessments of 15 signs. Linear regression analysis indicated that over the 12-week study period, carprofen dosage decreased significantly faster among dogs fed the supplemented diet than among dogs fed the control diet. The distribution of changes in carprofen dosage for dogs in the control group was significantly different from the distribution of changes in carprofen dosage for dogs in the test group. Results suggested that in dogs with chronic osteoarthritis receiving carprofen because of signs of pain, feeding a diet supplemented with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids may allow for a reduction in carprofen dosage.

A study of owner observed behavioural and lifestyle changes in cats with musculoskeletal disease before and after analgesic therapy.

This study describes the use of a simple questionnaire-based tool to identify behavioural/lifestyle changes that are associated with chronic pain in the cat. These changes were grouped into four behavioural domains (mobility, activity, grooming and temperament). Twenty-three cats with chronic musculoskeletal pain as determined by clinical examination were included. The owners of these cats were asked to complete a questionnaire before and 28 days after the start of analgesic treatment (meloxicam). This included a global assessment of changes in behaviour and assessment of the degree of behavioural change observed within each of the defined domains. The attending veterinary surgeon was independently asked to provide a global score before and after treatment. Both owners and veterinary surgeons reported significant changes in behaviour/lifestyle after analgesic therapy. There was no difference between the owners and veterinary surgeons global assessments at baseline but there was at day 28 (P=0.02). The owners' scores decreased from a median of 5 at baseline to 3 at 28 days (P=0.0004) while the median veterinary surgeon scores decreased from 5 to 2 at 28 days (P<0.0001). There was a statistically significant reduction in the owners' scores for each of the four domains with the greatest reduction occurring in the activity category (P=0.0001). This study shows that owner assessment of changes in their cat's behaviour/lifestyle is an important method of identifying chronic pain in their pets.

Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Male Scent Marks in the Polygynous Greater Sac-Winged Bat

Scent marks are relatively long-lived signals that can be perceived by conspecifics when the producer is absent. Therefore, it is often not obvious to whom the signal is directed. In daytime roosts of the polygynous greater sac-winged bat, males scent mark territories with facial gland secretions. Territories are a valuable resource for males, as they offer exclusive courtship opportunities, which results in increased male reproductive success and, consequently, increased male-male competition over territories. The information encoded in male scent marks could, therefore, be either directed at females as part of an olfactory courtship display or at male competitors as part of territorial behaviour. We expected territorial males to scent mark in the morning, shortly before females return to the territory and close to female roosting sites, if scent marks are directed at females as part of the courtship display. And we expected harem males to scent mark at the territory boundaries, where male-male encounters are most likely to occur, if scent marks are directed at male competitors. We found that males marked more frequently in the afternoon, at a time when all females have already left the territory, and harem males marked at the territory boundaries and not inside their territory in the area where females roost. At boundaries males fan volatiles from specialised wing sacs towards competitors outside the territory. Scent marking of male Saccopteryx bilineata might therefore be congruent with the assessment-hypothesis, which states that scent marks offer intruders the possibility to make an olfactory assessment of the territory owner without direct physical interaction. Thus, scent marks of male S. bilineata are most likely influenced by male-male competition and not by female choice.

Techniques of Application and Initial Clinical Experience with Sliding Humeral Osteotomy for Treatment of Medial Compartment Disease of the Canine Elbow

To determine medium-term clinical efficacy of sliding humeral osteotomy (SHO) for treatment of lameness and elbow pain associated with clinically diagnosed elbow disease featuring cartilage eburnation of the medial elbow compartment (medial compartment disease--MCD). Case series. Dogs (n=49) with severe or persistent lameness attributable to MCD. Signalment, lameness history, and preoperative imaging findings were recorded. A custom, locking, stepped SHO plate was applied to the medial aspect of the humerus, stabilizing a mid-diaphyseal transverse osteotomy, medially translating the distal segment relative to the proximal segment. Three variants of technique of application were used and outcomes compared between respective patient groups. Outcome measures included lameness scoring, anatomic measures, VAS scoring of elbow pain, and owner assessment of function. Measures recorded preoperatively, 12, and 26 weeks postoperatively were compared. Of 59 limbs that had SHO, 39 had preoperative focal treatment of the diseased medial aspect of the coronoid process. Mean +/- SD dog age was 45.5 +/- 37.48 months and body weight ranged from 13.6 to 46.7 kg. Mean preoperative duration of lameness was 14.7 +/- 18.50 months. Lameness improved for all limbs by 26 weeks, and resolved in 21/32 limbs. Significant improvements in postoperative elbow pain scores and most owner assessments of function were observed. Incidence of major complications requiring surgical intervention was 17.2%, 22.2%, and 4.8% for each of the 3 technique variants described. Histologic examination of 2 elbows at >12 months revealed fibrocartilage cover of medial aspect of humeral condyle. Canine SHO with or without focal treatment of the diseased medial aspect of the coronoid process ameliorates lameness and pain associated with MCD at medium-term follow-up. Application technique is critical to minimizing morbidity. SHO is appropriate for clinical management of pain and lameness in select cases of canine MCD.

Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy in an alpaca

In this report, a case of cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture treated by tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO), in a 36-month-old male breeding alpaca, is described. The alpaca was presented with the complaint of acute onset of right pelvic limb lameness. The findings of our clinical and radiographic examinations were consistent with CrCL insufficiency of the right stifle joint. The right tibial plateau angle measured prior to surgery was 19 degrees . A TPLO was performed and this eliminated cranial tibial thrust. Culture of a swab taken from the surgical site prior to wound closure was positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Enrofloxacin was administered parenterally for two weeks postoperatively. There were not any clinical signs of infection noted. Outcome assessments included veterinary examination (two and six weeks) and owner assessment (28 months). At two weeks the animal walked with a grade 2/5 lameness, and at six weeks radiographic examination showed progression of bone healing at the site of tibial osteotomy. A return to full breeding fitness occurred by eight weeks after the surgery. The alpaca remained free from lameness 28 months later, according to the owner.