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Plant material foreign bodies may cause vague clinical signs at the time of initial presentation but can progress to cause persistent or recurrent abscessation, sinus tract formation and debilitating disease, due to migration of the foreign body, severe tissue reaction and secondary infection. Ultrasonography is a non-invasive technique that can be used to identify precisely the presence, location and size of radiolucent foreign bodies. Early identification of foreign bodies using ultrasonography facilitates surgical retrieval before further migration and tissue injury occur. This paper reviews the ultrasonographic findings and outcome in 17 dogs with non-enteric, radiolucent, plant material foreign bodies.

Plant material foreign bodies may cause vague clinical signs at the time of initial presentation but can progress to cause persistent or recurrent abscessation, sinus tract formation and debilitating disease, due to migration of the foreign body, severe tissue reaction and secondary infection. Ultrasonography is a non-invasive technique that can be used to identify precisely the presence, location and size of radiolucent foreign bodies. Early identification of foreign bodies using ultrasonography facilitates surgical retrieval before further migration and tissue injury occur. This paper reviews the ultrasonographic findings and outcome in 17 dogs with non-enteric, radiolucent, plant material foreign bodies.

Forty dogs diagnosed as having chronic osteoarthritis took part in a double-blind clinical dose-response study using the antiarthritic agent pentosan polysulphate (PPS). After complete physical examination to ensure good general health, dogs received four subcutaneous injections at intervals of one week of 0, 1, 3 or 5 mg/kg PPS from code-numbered bottles. At weekly intervals and four weeks after the last injection, weakness, stiffness, pain on joint manipulation, willingness to exercise, body condition and overall response were scored. There were no differences between groups in baseline data, but dogs receiving PPS had a favourable response compared to dogs receiving a placebo for lameness, body condition, pain on joint manipulation and willingness to exercise. The 3 mg/kg dose rate gave the best improvement, the 1 mg/kg dose was partially effective and the 5 mg/kg group was least effective. The use of PPS at a dose rate of 3 mg/kg for the treatment of clinical osteoarthritis in dogs is indicated by our study.

A 10-month-old Alaskan malamute presented with cervical pain and hindlimb proprioceptive deficits. Plain and myelographic radiographic studies of the cervical spine demonstrated extradural compression of the spinal cord at the level of C7 and C5. Computed tomography assisted presurgical characterisation of the lesions as osteochondromatosis. Laminectomy permitted successful removal of the lesions.

Forty dogs diagnosed as having chronic osteoarthritis took part in a double-blind clinical dose-response study using the antiarthritic agent pentosan polysulphate (PPS). After complete physical examination to ensure good general health, dogs received four subcutaneous injections at intervals of one week of 0, 1, 3 or 5 mg/kg PPS from code-numbered bottles. At weekly intervals and four weeks after the last injection, weakness, stiffness, pain on joint manipulation, willingness to exercise, body condition and overall response were scored. There were no differences between groups in baseline data, but dogs receiving PPS had a favourable response compared to dogs receiving a placebo for lameness, body condition, pain on joint manipulation and willingness to exercise. The 3 mg/kg dose rate gave the best improvement, the 1 mg/kg dose was partially effective and the 5 mg/kg group was least effective. The use of PPS at a dose rate of 3 mg/kg for the treatment of clinical osteoarthritis in dogs is indicated by our study.

A 10-month-old Alaskan malamute presented with cervical pain and hindlimb proprioceptive deficits. Plain and myelographic radiographic studies of the cervical spine demonstrated extradural compression of the spinal cord at the level of C7 and C5. Computed tomography assisted presurgical characterisation of the lesions as osteochondromatosis. Laminectomy permitted successful removal of the lesions.

The results of a combined retrospective and prospective study of 130 cases of fragmented coronoid process (FCP) in 109 dogs are presented. Sixty‐eight cases were treated surgically by medial elbow arthrotomy and 62 were treated medically (rest and anti‐inflammatories). Case records were searched with the emphasis on the severity of lameness, physical abnormalities and in surgical cases, the appearance of the coronoid process lesion. Long term follow‐up was obtained by a telephone survey. Analysis of case histories and physical data revealed no correlation between severity of lameness before treatment, severity of radiographic changes in the elbow joint and the type of lesion found at surgery. Surgical treatment did not decrease the incidence of post treatment lameness, but the surgically treated dogs were more active and less severely lame than those treated without surgery. It was concluded that young dogs with mild lameness due to FCP in the elbow probably do not benefit from surgical treatment but dogs with chronic, moderate to severe lameness have a better prognosis if treated surgically.

The results of a combined retrospective and prospective study of 130 cases of fragmented coronoid process (FCP) in 109 dogs are presented. Sixty‐eight cases were treated surgically by medial elbow arthrotomy and 62 were treated medically (rest and anti‐inflammatories). Case records were searched with the emphasis on the severity of lameness, physical abnormalities and in surgical cases, the appearance of the coronoid process lesion. Long term follow‐up was obtained by a telephone survey. Analysis of case histories and physical data revealed no correlation between severity of lameness before treatment, severity of radiographic changes in the elbow joint and the type of lesion found at surgery. Surgical treatment did not decrease the incidence of post treatment lameness, but the surgically treated dogs were more active and less severely lame than those treated without surgery. It was concluded that young dogs with mild lameness due to FCP in the elbow probably do not benefit from surgical treatment but dogs with chronic, moderate to severe lameness have a better prognosis if treated surgically.