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Measurement of fore and pelvic limb alignment in veterinary orthopedics is significant, as it is in human medicine. The establishment of reference ranges for alignments and comparing measured ranges in diseased animals to these reference values would allow veterinarians to specify the quantitative degree of an angular deformity, plan suitable treatments and evaluate treatment outcomes. Patellar luxation is a common orthopedic disease in small animal clinics. Severe grades of MPL may present with bone deformities or abnormal alignments; therefore, evaluation of the measurement methods of femoral and tibial alignment in dogs with different grades of patellar luxation to assess the accuracy and reliability of the measurements could be useful. In this retrospective study radiographs of 21 client-owned Chihuahuas that had been presented to the Small Animal Surgery of Vetmeduni Vienna from 2012-2016 with a diagnose of patellar luxation were selected. The measurements were performed on frontal, lateral and axial view radiographs to determine the femoral and tibial angles and to evaluate the intra- and inter-observer variabilities of the protocol. Radiographs of each dog were investigated by three observers. Intra-observer variability was based on measurements by each observer who repeated the protocol two times to evaluate repeatability. Inter-observer variability was based on the measurements between the three observers to evaluate the reproducibility of the protocol. The results of the study showed that 92.85% of inter-observer ICC (intra-class correlation coefficient) had high correlation, and the remaining 7.15% had good correlation. Intra-observer ICCs for measurements of the first observer were 28.57% high correlation and 50% good correlation. For the second observer, 100% high correlation was recorded, and for the third observer 71.42% high correlation and 14.28% good correlation was recorded. These results show that the selected methods have high correlation and could be used as a reliable method in veterinary orthopedics., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

A 7-year-old Jack Russell Terrier with a history of minor trauma was presented for lameness of the left forelimb. Radiography and computed tomography demonstrated a localized radioulnar osteolytic lesion with cortical bone loss and enthesiophytes. Based on results of diagnostic imaging and histopathological examination, the final diagnosis was radioulnar ischemic necrosis (RUIN), complicated by pathologic fracture. A rare disorder of unknown etiology, RUIN may be secondary to tearing of the interosseous ligament and potential ischemia. It should be differentiated from neoplastic or fungal disease. To the authors´ knowledge, this is the first canine case report describing RUIN., (© 2016 American College of Veterinary Radiology.)

A 3.5-y-old Whippet mixed-breed dog was presented with a history of respiratory distress, exercise intolerance, and generalized demodicosis. Hematologic alterations included marked leukocytosis and neutrophilia. Radiographic examination showed a diffuse interstitial and mild peripheral alveolar lung pattern and pneumomediastinum. Because the cytologic examination of the bronchoalveolar aspirate was not diagnostic and a persistent perforation of the upper respiratory tract could not be ruled out, the dog was submitted to thoracoscopy, and subsequently the left cranial lung lobe as well as mediastinal and sternal lymph nodes were resected. Pulmonary pneumocystosis with spread to the thoracic lymph nodes was suspected after histologic investigation of lung and lymph nodes, which was confirmed by in situ hybridization, PCR, and subsequent Sanger sequencing. We document a rare, simultaneous occurrence of severe pulmonary and thoracic lymph node pneumocystosis with spontaneous pneumomediastinum in a dog. Definitive diagnosis was achieved through the use of Grocott methenamine silver staining, in situ hybridization, and PCR.

Objective: To describe the nasopharyngeal airway dimensions of two brachycephalic breeds and to localize the area of smallest airway dimensions., Study Design: Prospective, descriptive, computed tomographic imaging study., Animals: Thirty pugs and 30 French bulldogs with brachycephalic upper airway syndrome., Methods: The thickness and length of the soft palate, cross-sectional area of the airway passage dorsal to the soft and hard palates, and cross-sectional area of the frontal sinus were measured and normalized to each dog's skull index and body weight before statistical comparison between breeds. Nasopharyngeal turbinates and surrounding airway space, and a possible relationship between the canine tooth angulation and the severity of airway obstruction were assessed., Results: Pugs had significantly smaller cross-sectional areas of the airway dorsal to the soft and hard palates than French bulldogs. In both breeds, the smallest nasopharyngeal cross-sectional areas were located dorsal to the caudal end of the soft palate. The soft palate of pugs was significantly shorter than that of French bulldogs and also significantly thinner when normalized to each dog's skull index. Pugs more commonly exhibited nasopharyngeal turbinates. Pugs had significantly smaller air-filled cavities at the location of the frontal sinus. No correlation between the nasopharyngeal dimensions and canine tooth angulation was observed., Conclusion: Computed tomographic assessment of the upper airway morphology showed the smallest nasopharyngeal cross-sectional areas were located dorsal to the caudal end of the soft palate in both breeds. Pugs had a smaller nasopharyngeal cross-sectional area despite smaller soft palate dimensions than French bulldogs., (© Copyright 2015 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

Low-field MRI (lfMRI) has become increasingly accepted as a method for diagnosing canine meniscal tears in clinical practice. However, observer effects on diagnostic accuracy have not been previously reported. In this study, 50 consecutive stifle joints with clinical and radiologic evidence of cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency were investigated by lfMRI and arthroscopy. Fifteen observers who had varying levels of experience and who were unaware of arthroscopic findings independently reviewed lfMRI studies and recorded whether lateral and medial meniscal tears were present. Diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV)) was determined for each observer and median values were calculated for all observers, using arthroscopy as the reference standard. Interrater agreement was determined based on intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis. Observer level of experience was compared with diagnostic sensitivity and specificity using correlation analysis. Based on pooled data for all observers, median sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for lfMRI diagnosis of lateral meniscal tears were 0.00, 0.94, 0.05, and 0.94, respectively. Median sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for medial meniscal tears were 0.74, 0.89, 0.83, and 0.79, respectively. Interrater agreement for all menisci was fair (0.51). Menisci were less consistently scored as having no tears (ICC = 0.13) than those scored as having tears (ICC = 0.50). No significant correlations between observer experience and diagnostic sensitivity/specificity were identified. Findings indicated that the accuracy of lfMRI for diagnosing canine meniscal tears was poor to fair and observer-dependent. Future studies are needed to develop standardized and widely accepted lfMRI criteria for diagnosing meniscal tears., (© 2012 Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound.)

Background: There is a high incidence of hereditary degenerative diseases of the central nervous system in purebred dogs., Hypothesis: Cerebellar ataxia in Malinois puppies, caused by degenerative changes that predominate in cerebellar nuclei and the granular cell layer, is a hereditary disorder that is distinct from cerebellar cortical abiotrophies., Animals: Thirteen Malinois puppies with cerebellar ataxia., Methods: Retrospective study. Records of Malinois puppies with spongy degeneration of the cerebellar nuclei were analyzed including clinical signs, histopathological changes, and pedigree data., Results: Signs of cerebellar dysfunction were observed in puppies of both sexes from 5 different litters (1995-2009) of phenotypically normal parents. Clinical signs started before the age of 2 months and resulted in euthanasia of all puppies by the age of 13 weeks. Histopathology disclosed marked bilateral spongy degeneration of the cerebellar nuclei and vacuoles in the granular cell layer and foliate white matter of the cerebellum. In some puppies, discrete vacuoles in gray and white matter were present in other parts of the brain. Furthermore, spheroids and dilated myelin sheaths were observed. Pedigree data and segregation frequency support an autosomal recessive hereditary disorder., Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Malinois suffer from a hereditary spongiform degeneration that predominates in the cerebellum and causes an early onset of clinical signs with unfavorable prognosis. Future efforts should increase awareness among veterinarians and breeders and aim to identify underlying metabolic mechanisms and the affected genes., (Copyright © 2011 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)

Computed tomography images of 120 dogs were reviewed to characterize variations in atlas morphology, and to identify breed-specific morphologic features. The neural arch of the atlas was thicker in large dogs and male dogs than in small dogs, having a layer of trabecular bone between the inner and outer layers of compact bone. The transverse processes of the atlas were relatively longer in large dogs than in small dogs. Twelve (10%) dogs had incomplete ossification of the atlas. Incomplete ossification of the atlas was associated with gun dogs. Eight dogs had atlantoaxial subluxation. All eight dogs with atlantoaxial subluxation had cervical signs, whereas none of the seven dogs with incomplete ossification of the atlas unaccompanied by atlantoaxial subluxation had clinical signs referable to that area. Of five dogs with both atlantoaxial subluxation and incomplete ossification of the atlas, four had osseous defects affecting both the intercentrum and neural arch, and one had only an osseous defect affecting the neural arch. There was a strong association between incomplete ossification of the atlas and atlantoaxial subluxation (odds ratio 35.0, 95% CI 7.0-175, P = 0.00002), which supports the hypothesis that incomplete ossification of the atlas predisposes dogs to atlantoaxial subluxation.

Osseous defects affecting the atlas were identified in computed tomography and magnetic resonance images of five dogs with cervical signs including pain, ataxia, tetraparesis, or tetraplegia. Osseous defects corresponded to normal positions of sutures between the halves of the neural arch and the intercentrum, and were compatible with incomplete ossification. Alignment between the portions of the atlas appeared relatively normal in four dogs. In these dogs the bone edges were smooth and rounded with a superficial layer of relatively compact cortical bone. Displacement compatible with unstable fracture was evident in one dog. Concurrent atlantoaxial subluxation, with dorsal displacement of the axis relative to the atlas, was evident in four dogs. Three dogs received surgical treatment and two dogs were treated conservatively. All dogs improved clinically. Incomplete ossification of the atlas, which may be associated with atlantoaxial subluxation, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of dogs with clinical signs localized to the cranial cervical region.

A 7-year-old male Belgian Shepherd dog was presented with sudden onset of lateral recumbency and tetraparesis. At the level of the third cervical vertebra, magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an intrameningeal and intramedullary mass lesion. The animal was subsequently euthanatized. A necropsy revealed a semitranslucent solid mass infiltrating dorsal and ventral dura mater and the spinal cord. Histologic examination revealed a lobulated pleomorphic mass, mainly resembling undifferentiated cartilage interspersed by spindle-shaped and polygonal cells with highly vacuolated cytoplasm (physaliphorous cells). Immunohistochemistry of the tumor cells demonstrated dual expression of vimentin and cytokeratin. Based on the histologic and immunohistochemical results, the diagnosis of a chordoma with chondromatous component was made.

This retrospective study describes the clinical and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of chronic orbital inflammation with intracranial extension in four dogs (two Dachshunds, one Labrador, one Swiss Mountain). Intracranial extension was observed through the optic canal (n=1), the orbital fissure (n=4), and the alar canal (n=1). On T1-weighted images structures within the affected skull foramina could not be clearly differentiated, but were all collectively isointense to hypointense compared with the contralateral, unaffected side, or compared with gray matter. On T2-, short tau inversion recovery (STIR)-, or fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR)-weighted images structures within the affected skull foramina appeared hyperintense compared with gray matter, and extended with increased signal into the rostral cranial fossa (n=1) and middle cranial fossa (n=4). Contrast enhancement at the level of the affected skul foramina as well as at the skull base in continuity with the orbital fissure was observed in all patients. Brain edema or definite meningeal enhancement could not be observed, but a close anatomic relationship of the abnormal tissue to the cavernous sinus was seen in two patients. Diagnosis was confirmed in three dogs (one cytology, two biopsy, one necropsy) and was presumptive in one based on clinical improvement after treatment. This study is limited by its small sample size, but provides evidence for a potential risk of intracranial extension of chronic orbital inflammation. This condition can be identified best by abnormal signal increase at the orbital fissure on transverse T2-weighted images, on dorsal STIR images, or on postcontrast transverse or dorsal images.

Gliomatosis cerebri is a rare tumourous disease of the central nervous system consisting of glial cells characterized by diffuse widespread infiltration and preservation of preformed brain structures. This report describes a case of gliomatosis cerebri in a 9-year-old, male, flat-coated retriever dog with central nervous symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated ill-defined hyperintense zones of paramedian white matter within the right cerebral hemisphere, brainstem and cerebellum. Histological examination showed a proliferation of tumour cells in the brain structures mentioned. Glial fibrillary acidic protein-immunohistochemistry revealed a lot of fibres positively stained. Based on these findings, the alteration was diagnosed as gliomatosis cerebri.

MR images provide for the exact assessment of the brain, including ventricular size. Still inter- and intrabreed comparison of ventricle size is difficult due to the varying anatomies in dogs. To compare the ventricle area of different sized breeds, 25 dogs (13 Yorkshire Terriers and 12 German Shepard dogs) were reviewed, retrospectively. Hemisphere and ventricle of each side were outlined manually three times. All measurements were averaged and their percentage (ventricle area by hemisphere area) was defined as the relative ventricle area. This value in Yorkshire Terriers (5.3) was significantly higher compared to German Shepard dogs (1.7). However, on the basis of the neurologically symptomatic sample (7 Yorkshire Terriers) in this study, threshold values of normal and abnormal relative ventricle areas could not be detected.

A 10-month-old sexually intact female German Shorthaired Pointer examined because of lethargy, episodes of fever, inappetence, and vomiting was found to have severe hypercalcemia. Results of laboratory testing, radiography, and ultrasonography excluded previously recognized causes of hypercalcemia in dogs. Instead, the dog was found to have purulent endometritis and an incompletely resorbed fetus. Treatment with fluids i.v., diuretics, and calcitonin failed to adequately reduce serum calcium concentration, but serum calcium concentration was normal within 4 days after the dog underwent an ovariohysterectomy. Retention of one or more fetuses and endometritis should be included in the differential diagnosis for dogs with hypercalcemia.

Gliomatosis cerebri is a rare tumourous disease of the central nervous system consisting of glial cells characterized by diffuse widespread infiltration and preservation of preformed brain structures. This report describes a case of gliomatosis cerebri in a 9-year-old, male, flat-coated retriever dog with central nervous symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated ill-defined hyperintense zones of paramedian white matter within the right cerebral hemisphere, brainstem and cerebellum. Histological examination showed a proliferation of tumour cells in the brain structures mentioned. Glial fibrillary acidic protein-immunohistochemistry revealed a lot of fibres positively stained. Based on these findings, the alteration was diagnosed as gliomatosis cerebri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fresh cadaveric lumbar spines of 20 adult large breed dogs were used to study the sixth and seventh lumbar spinal nerves along their course through their respective intervertebral foramen. The relationship between the periosteum lining the vertebral canal (endorhachis; peridural membrane) and the vessels inside the vertebral canal, and the relationship between the nerves and the wall of the intervertebral foramen and the extraspinal suspensory apparatus were investigated. Each intervertebral foramen contained a fibrous septum that divided it into two sub-compartments by connecting the fibrous capsule of the facet joints with the intervertebral disc and the adjoining vertebral body. The lumbar nerves and the main artery passed through the cranial sub-compartment and the main vein passed through the caudal sub-compartment. In all cases, there was a circumneural sleeve that connected the ventral branches of the lumbar nerves extraspinally with the fibrous capsule of the facet joints dorsally, the fibrous septum caudally, and the caudal vertebral notch and accessory process cranioven-trally. The deep layer of the circumneural sleeve was formed by the periosteum lining the vertebral canal pouching laterally through the intervertebral foramen; the superficial (lateral) layer was formed by the deep sheet of the thoracolumbar fascia. The deep sheet of the thoracolumbar fascia continued cranially and caudally to the circumneural sleeve to attach it to the vertebral body and the intervertebral disc. Regional and individual differences were noted in the composition and length of the circumneural sleeve. The potential biomechanical and clinical roles of these variations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]