• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.276-282
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• 2023

Immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) is an inflammatory, noninfectious disease that affects two or more joints in dogs. Immunosuppressive doses of prednisolone are considered the initial treatment choice for dogs with IMPA. However, few reports have described the combination of mycophenolate mofetil and prednisolone for treating dogs with IMPA. In this report, we described the cases of three dogs treated with a combination of mycophenolate mofetil and prednisolone. The clinical signs were alleviated in all cases, and C-reactive protein levels were reduced after treatment. Our results show that combination therapy of mycophenolate mofetil and prednisolone is effective in managing IMPA. However, careful monitoring of the potential adverse effects, including sporadic infections and metabolic diseases, is necessary. In addition, screening tests and appropriate treatments are necessary for proteinuria, a common complication in dogs with IMPA.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.373-377
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• 2022

Hypercoagulability is the most common coagulopathy seen in dogs with neoplasia, whereas a hypocoagulable state is relatively rare. A 16-year-old spayed female miniature Schnauzer presented with bilateral epistaxis, bilateral hindlimb swelling, and lameness. Previously, the dog was diagnosed with intermediate grade solid carcinoma after mastectomy, and then showed generalized ecchymoses on the abdomen and bilateral hindlimbs on presentation. Laboratory tests revealed a hypocoagulable state, including thrombocytopenia, hypofibrinogenemia, and delayed prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin time. Thromboelastography demonstrated a prolonged K time with a decreased alpha angle and low maximal amplitude, reflecting a decrease in clot strength. The hypocoagulable state of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy was speculated based on the presence of an underlying tumor, clinical symptoms, and laboratory results of the hypocoagulable state. This case shows the incidence of hemostatic dysfunction as a paraneoplastic syndrome in a dog with mammary gland carcinoma.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.390-394
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• 2022

A 6-year-old, 36.5 kg castrated male Golden Retriever presented for revision surgery for left total hip replacement. The patient underwent removal of the cup and head implants due to unmanageable prosthetic hip dislocation, despite revision surgery. On physical examination, the dog showed persistent weight-bearing lameness after exercise of the left hindlimb with mild muscle atrophy. Radiographic examination revealed dorsolateral displacement of the femur with a remnant stem and bony proliferation around the cranial and caudal acetabulum rims. The surgical plan was to apply the dual mobility cup to increase the range of motion and jump distance to correct soft tissue elongation and laxity caused by a prolonged period of craniodorsal dislocation of the femur. The preparation of the acetabulum for cup fixation was performed with a 29-mm reamer, and the 29.5-mm outer shell was fixed with five 2.4-mm cortical screws. The head and medium neck of the dual-mobility system were placed on the cup, and the hip joint was reduced between the neck and stem. The dog exhibited slight weight bearing on a controlled leash walk the day after surgery. The patient was discharged 2 weeks postoperatively without any complications. Six months postoperatively, osseointegration and a well-positioned cup implant were observed, and the dog showed excellent limb function without hip dislocation until 18 months of phone call follow-up.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.175-179
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• 2023

This study was conducted to find out the compensation strategy through kinetic gait analysis by comparing dog with congenital luxation of the shoulder joint and normal dog. Ground reaction forces were recorded for all limbs while normal poodle dog and poodle dog with shoulder joint luxation was allowed to walk on an instrumented platform. The dogs were evaluated for maximal vertical force (MVF), body load distribution (BLD), and symmetry index (SI). The MVF was increased in the contralateral forelimb of luxated shoulder joint. The SI was also increased in a dog with dislocated shoulder joints in the forelimbs. For BLD, the maximum load distribution increased centrally, but the total load distribution decreased in the ipsilateral forelimb paw. In contrast, total load distribution was increased in the contralateral forelimb paw. During forelimb lameness, changes in weight-bearing load showed compensatory load redistribution. These biomechanical changes may lead to changes in the musculoskeletal system in a dog with luxated shoulder.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.133-138
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• 2024

An 8-year-old, spayed female Persian cat weighing 3.6 kg presented with a lumbosacral mass and bilateral weight bearing hindlimb lameness. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a dumbbell-shaped heterogeneous mass extending through the internal surface of the ileum and surrounding the lumbosacral junction. CT also revealed extensive osteoproliferation and bone lysis of the sacrum, but no evidence of any pulmonary metastasis. Furthermore, MRI revealed a focal area in the spinal cord showing connection with the adjacent tumor, suggesting tumor invasion into the spinal cord. Low-grade myxoid chondrosarcoma was histopathologically diagnosed. This is the first report describing CT and MRI findings of spinal cord chondrosarcoma in veterinary medicine. This study suggests that combining CT with MRI is a more sensitive tool for evaluating spinal tumors than using CT or MRI alone.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2024

A 5-year-old spayed female mixed-breed dog, previously receiving 7 months of immunosuppressive therapy for pemphigus foliaceus, presented to our referral hospital with a history of dog bites on the right forelimb, chest, and flank 4 days prior to presentation. Physical examination revealed a rectal temperature of 38.6℃; heart rate of 130 beats per minute; panting; systolic blood pressure of 60 mmHg; and swelling, purulent discharge, warmth, pain, and lameness in the right forelimb. The laboratory investigation revealed neutropenia and elevated C-reactive protein levels. Suppurative neutrophilic infiltration with bacterial infection was detected by impression cytology of the pus on the right forelimb. Based on the results of the clinical examinations and laboratory tests, the dog was diagnosed with dog bite-induced sepsis with pemphigus. Meropenem and metronidazole were prescribed. Clinical signs, neutropenia, and C-reactive protein levels markedly improved after 5 days. Subsequently, pemphigus foliaceus relapsed in the dog, and it is currently undergoing re-administration of immunosuppressive medications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of successful management of dog bite-induced sepsis in a dog undergoing long-term immunosuppressive therapy.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.163-167
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• 2020

A 13-month-old, 3.3 kg castrated male Shih-tzu presented with right hindlimb lameness. The physical examination revealed atrophy of the right thigh muscles, hyperextension of the stifle joint and external torsion of the tibia. On the radiographic examination, patella alta and genu recurvatum were observed. A biapical deformity of the tibia and external torsion of the distal tibia were detected by computed tomography (CT). A three-dimensional (3D) printed bone model was designed and constructed for the preoperative plan prior to surgery. Rectus femoris muscle transposition, femoral shortening ostectomy and open wedge osteotomy of the distal tibia were performed using hybrid external skele/t0al fixation (hybrid-ESF). A dynamic stifle flexion apparatus was used to prevent recurrence of a quadriceps contracture (QC). Intense physiotherapy was administered postoperatively. The dog began to use the affected limb one week after surgery. Functional improvement in the affected limb was observed, and full weight-bearing was possible at 3 months after surgery. Union of the osteotomy lines was observed at 3 months, and the stifle joint was fully movable at 7 months after surgery. Regarding the treatments for QC, these methods may be excellent candidates, as they do not lead to severe damage to the limb or amputation.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.135-140
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of distal femoral osteotomy for distal femoral varus and medial patellar luxation (MPL) grade 4 in small-breed dogs. Radiographs and medical records were reviewed to collect data and plan the surgery in small-breed dogs with MPL grade 4. Computed tomography (CT) imaging was also performed in cases of severe bone deformities. Signalment, weight, medial patellar luxation and lameness grade, radiographic bone union, complications, pre- and postoperative femoral varus angle, passive range of motion, static weight bearing distribution and visual analogue scale scores were recorded. Thirteen corrective distal femoral osteotomies were performed with ancillary and additional procedures in 9 dogs; 4 dogs had staged bilateral procedures; and four stifles were suspected to have partial or complete rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament. One stifle underwent patellar groove replacement. The mean ± SD pre- and postoperative femoral varus angles were 109.15°± 3.71° and 96.30°± 2.97°, respectively. Significant improvements in passive range of motion, thigh circumference and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were observed. There was no reluxation of the patella. This study suggests that distal femoral osteotomy with traditional and additional procedures provided satisfactory outcomes in patient healing and functional recovery in small-breed dogs with excessive femoral varus angles.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.145-148
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• 2020

A 9-years old spayed female Maltese was referred for the treatment of mass on the right 1^st mammary gland and acute weight bearing lameness of right hindlimb. It was diagnosed as malignant mammary tumor and cranial cruciate ligament rupture of right stifle joint. Right upper regional mastectomy followed by cranial closing wedge osteotomy (CCWO) of the right tibia were planned for the present problems. Preanesthetic work-up did not show any remarkable abnormalities. Forty-five minutes after induction of anesthesia dobutamine was administered at a rate of 5 ㎍/kg/min by constant rate infusion due to gradual decrease of blood pressure below MAP 60 mmHg during surgical procedure. Despite of the increase of dobutamine infusion rate up to 20 ㎍/kg/min, blood pressure didn't recover. At the end of regional mastectomy generalized skin redness and eyelid edema were identified. Anesthesia was stopped and CCWO procedure was cancelled. To recover from the anaphylactic reactions dexamethasone and diphenhydramine were administered. After about one hour, the patient completely recovered from hypotension and anaphylactic reactions. After 4 weeks, intradermal skin test (IDST) was performed for all the drugs used during anesthesia. Only dobutamine showed positive reaction in IDST. Therefore, dobutamine was considered as the causative agent of anaphylaxis in this patient during the anesthesia. In case of perioperative anaphylactic reaction, postoperative investigation should be performed to identify causative agent and to provide safe recommendations for future anesthetic procedure.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.198-201
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• 2010

This case report describes capture myopathy in an 8-month-old female red-necked wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus) that died after a 14-day history of depression, lameness and astasia following a bathing protocol for dermatitis. In a blood test performed the day after the wallaby fell down, serum chemistry showed a normal rangeof LDH but elevated CK, ALT and AST. Upon histopathologic examination after the animal's death, we found degeneration and necrosis of myofibers in skeletal muscle and myocardium. According to history that the wallaby was pressed by other individuals, suspected vitamin E insufficiency in the diet, physical stress during bathing as well as results of a blood test and microscopic examination, we diagnosed this case as capture myopathy. Although capture myopathy is a common problem in marsupials, this is the first reported case in Korea and understanding this case will help to manage future cases of capture myopathy in captive settings in Korea.