Surgery

Metallic implants placed in the body should be corrosion-resistant, biocompatible, and must have adequate strength to withstand functional stress. Corrosion of metal occurs because of the electrochemical ions in body fluid. Most metal implants currently used in veterinary surgery are of 316L stainless steel.

Similar to dogs, joint disorders of the cat are common. Despite this fact, the reported treatment options for cats with joint disease are limited. The object of this presentation is to describe the clinical findings, surgical / arthroscopic findings and post-operative management of cats with joint disorders including elbow osteoarthritis and medial compartment disease, shoulder osteoarthritis and medial shoulder instability, and cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency.

Careful consideration of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management techniques will assist in preventing complications related to anesthesia and surgery in patients with urinary tract surgical disease. Hospital acquired renal insufficiency is common in humans, seemingly less so in animals but caution is advised. Hypotension of any cause is a potential predisposing cause to renal failure.

Diagnosing and treating forelimb conditions in dogs can be very challenging. Many dogs present with a similar history including minimal responsive to rest and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and increased lameness following exercise and heavy activity. It can be difficult to localize the lesion on palpation as many dogs may show increased sensitivity in the shoulder and elbow from referred pain and compensation.

A working definition of antimicrobial prophylaxis in surgery is the administration of an antimicrobial drug to a patient, in the absence of infection, prior to surgery. The history of the use of these agents during surgery is interesting and reveals many of the problems which occur with their use.

A systematic approach can help ensure safety.

Four studies on treating joint disease.

A roundtable discussion of joint health and disease in dogs and cats.

Owners and veterinarians often seek additional therapies for dogs with osteoarthritis that are safe and effective.

Tube drainage of the thorax is indicated to drain free air or fluid in the pleural space. This is not an absolute indication as small amounts of air within the thorax do not require a thoracostomy tube. Similarly, the presence of blood within the pleural space is not usually an indication for thoracic drainage.

Surgical fenestration of the intervertebral space provides a means of prophylaxis on disk disease. If protrusion exists, surgical removal of the nucleus remaining in the intervertebral area will eliminate the pressure causing the protrusion.

The advantages of the tightrope repair technique.

When we use a circulating warm-water blanket under a surgical patient, we lay a clean towel under the blanket.

When suturing after a wedge resection from an eyelid margin, it can be challenging to keep the suture ends from irritating the eye.

The primary advantage staples provide over sutures is rapid closure.

Important interventions to help you improve a patient's chances of survival.

In this presentation, Dr. Theresa J. Fossum discusses what's new regarding risk factors for this deadly disease, what to tell your clients who have high risk pets, whether prophylactic gastropexy is indicated, what you can do to reduce mortality, how quickly you need to operate and the best gastropexy techniques to use. (1 CE credit)

Dr. Allyson Berent of New York's Animal Medical Center takes a look at the indications for interventional radiology in veterinary patients.

Dr. Chick Weisse discusses using interventional radiology to administer chemotherapeutic drugs and other oncology treatments.

A word of caution about maxillectomies.

What are the signs of this condition in puppies and kittens?

When assisting with anesthesia and surgery, our technician sets her cell phone, which is in her pocket, to vibrate every five minutes.

A reader tip for catching the drainage that results from ear hematoma surgery.

Many patients with aural hematomas have concurrent ear infections.

Check out these three options for optimal joint care and comfort.

What are the benefits of this surgical method?

What are the advantages of this treatment for canine hip dysplasia?

A variety of treatments can get patients back comfortably on all fours.

After clipping a short-haired dog for a surgical procedure, we use a sticky-paper lint roller to remove all the small hairs from its skin.

Cranial cruciate ligament injuries are some of the most common orthopedic conditions seen in small animal practice. Even so, the optimal treatment modality is hotly debated within the profession. Each new surgery is introduced with great fanfare but, in most clinical studies, the fabellar suture technique in one iteration or another has been found to be superior or equal to other methods.