• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.330-335
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• 2023

Platelet function evaluation by PFA-100 or -200 has been known to be objective and sensitive for assessing platelet function and dysfunction of Von Willebrand Factor in humans and dogs. However, using the C/EPI cartridge in dogs is controversial. This study aimed to establish a reference range for PFA closure time in healthy small breed dogs (body weight < 10 kg) and to evaluate the effectiveness of both C/ADP and C/EPI cartridges for these dogs. Citrated blood samples were collected from 50 clinically healthy small breed dogs that were admitted for presurgical procedures or health checkups, and closure times were measured using the PFA-200. Reference ranges were determined as 42-144 s (median 67 s, mean 71.2 s, SD ± 21.2 s, 95% RI 43-140 s) , for CT-C/ADP and 41-200 s (median 87, mean 91.2 s, SD ± 31.8 s, 95% RI 44-195 s) for CT-C/EPI. The present study demonstrated that the reference ranges for PFA closure times in small breed dogs are in line with existing reference ranges. The utilization of C/ADP cartridges is the preferred choice for evaluating platelet function in small breed dogs. However, due to variable responses of epinephrine to platelet aggregation in dogs, caution should be exercised when using C/EPI cartridges.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.182-188
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• 2023

Sarcopenia and myosteatosis can increase the risk of adverse effects in dogs and humans. However, such imaging study results for evaluating sarcopenia and myosteatosis in small dogs have not yet been available. The objective of this study was to assess age-related changes according to the breed in epaxial muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and fat infiltration using CT to evaluate sarcopenia and age-related myosteatosis in small breed dogs. In 144 dogs (92 Maltese dogs, 27 Poodle dogs, and 25 Shih Tzu dogs), Hounsfield Unit (HU) values and CSA of left epaxial muscle were measured at the thirteenth thoracic vertebral level on non-contrast transverse CT images. Differences in HU values and CSA according to age and breed were analyzed. The geriatric group (≥12 years) had significantly lower HU values of epaxial muscle than mature adult group (2 to 6 years) of all breeds. The geriatric group had significantly lower CSA of epaxial muscle than mature adult and senior groups (7 to 11 years) of Maltese dogs. HU values of epaxial muscle were not significantly different among all age groups of all breeds. Maltese dogs had significantly lower CSA of epaxial muscle than Poodle and Shih Tzu dogs in all age groups. Results of this study showed that as age increased in small breed dogs, muscle mass and density decreased.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.297-300
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• 2020

Lameness is a variation of normal gait in an animal, and it means that one or more limbs cannot be used correctly to allow the animal to walk. In the usual context, the incidence of hindlimb lameness in dogs is most likely the result of trauma, joint diseases, and/or congenital diseases. Generally speaking, the factors influencing hindlimb lameness include the animal's specific breed, size, weight, and whether it engages in frequent or strenuous activities. Many studies have investigated the incidence of lameness of large breed dogs, as compared to small breed dogs. Considering that many domestic dogs are small breeds, the lameness of small breed dogs with a high population in Korea was evaluated. The major causes of hindlimb lameness were found to be joint, musculoskeletal, and neurological abnormalities and the most were identified as joint diseases. Among the joint diseases, it was noted that a patellar luxation was the most common, of which the grade 3 medial patellar luxation was the highest rated type of joint disease noted.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2020

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of autoligation techniques for castrating healthy male small breed dogs. Forty dogs were divided into four groups, with 10 in each group, based on maturity and the surgical technique used: 1) immature dogs aged less than 1 year, with autoligation of the spermatic cord via a scrotal approach (SAL) as the surgical technique (SAL-IM); 2) mature dogs aged 1 year or older, with the same SAL surgical technique (SAL-M); 3) immature dogs aged less than 1 year, with double ligation of the spermatic cord with an absorbable suture via a prescrotal approach (PDL) as the surgical technique (PDL-IM); and 4) mature dogs aged 1 year or older, with the same PDL surgical technique (PDL-M). The effectiveness of the surgical technique was evaluated by comparing the operating time and complications between these four groups. The significant decreases in operating times were found in SAL-IM and SAL-M compared with those of PDL-IM and PDL-M (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01). Regardless of maturity, the SAL surgical technique reduced operating time by approximately 69.5% compared with the PDL surgical technique. When the complication severities were scored, the results showed no significant differences among the four group. The autoligation technique for castration in healthy male small breed dogs is considered to be effective because the operating time consuming is less than conventional techniques.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.840-845
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to propose a standard for differentiation between normal dogs and patients with hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) by measuring skin thickness via ultrasonography in small breed dogs. Significant changes in skin thickness of patients treated with prednisolone (PDS) or patients with HAC treated with trilostane were evaluated. Skin thickness was retrospectively measured on three abdominal digital images obtained from small breed dogs weighing < 15 kg that underwent abdominal ultrasonography. Mean skin thickness of normal dogs was $1.03{\pm}0.25mm$ (mean ${\pm}$ SD). Both the HAC and PDS groups showed significantly thinner skin than that in the normal group. Seven of the 10 HAC patients treated with trilostane had increased skin thickness. The area under the curve value of 0.807 was based on the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve for differentiating normal dogs from HAC patients. Sensitivity was 76% and specificity was 73% when skin thickness was less than the 0.83 mm cutoff value. In conclusion, measurement of skin thickness in small breed dogs by using ultrasonography is likely to provide clinical information useful in differentiating HAC patients from normal dogs. However, exposure to PDS, trilostane, and other conditions may have a significant effect on skin thickness.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.61-65
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• 2014

The study aimed at determining the feasibility of three portal totally Laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy in small breed dogs. Four right sided and one left sided abdomen retained testicles in five dogs weighing 2.2~8.7 kg were retrieved successfully. Pampiniform plexus and vas deference were ligated and transected with Hem-o-lock/monopolar electrocauterization (1/5), or ultrasonic scalpel (4/5) and the latter provided more easy, quick and safe hemostasis and transection. The resected testis was easily removed through a insertion site. Mean surgical time was $19.9{\pm}15.2$ minutes and when the abdominal cavity was explored again, there were no major complications. The patient recovered favorably without unwilling events. This is the case report of laparoscopic cryptorchidectomies in small breed dogs weigh less than 10 kg. Laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy could be considered as an alternative in small animal surgery.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.44-47
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• 2001

Semen were collected from 9 male dogs and frozen by liquid nitrogengas. Frozen semen were thawed at 7$0^{\circ}C$ for 8 seconds. About $2{\timss}10^8$ sperm per insemination were inseminated to 10 bitches (3 Retrievers, 4 Chihuahuas, 1 Yorkshire Terriers, 1 Maltese, and 1 Poodle) at three and six days after the estimated peak of luteinizing hormone. For small breed dogs, uretero-renoscope (Kahl Storz, Germany, 12.5 Fr) was used for trans-cervical insemination, whereas cystoscope(Kahl Storz, Germany, 22Fr) was used for large breeds (Retrievers). Pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasonography at 30 days after insemination. All of 3 Retrievers (100.0%) and 3 bitches of 7 small breed dogs (42.9%) were conceived (60.0% in total). This result indicated that trans-cervical insemination using endoscope is an effective method for AI with frozen semen not only for large breed dogs such as Retriever but also for small breeds.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.26.1-26.5
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• 2023

Syringobulbia is a rare neurological disorder characterized by a fluid-filled cavity in the brainstem. In this study, clinical signs, features on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the diseases present concurrently with syringobulbia were investigated in 33 small breed dogs. Most dogs (97%) had concurrent syringomyelia, and some dogs (24%) presented with vestibular or cranial nerve symptoms associated with the medulla oblongata. MRIs revealed slit-like, bulbous, and vertical linear shapes of the cavities on T2-weighted hyperintense and T1-weighted hypointense signals similar to the cerebrospinal fluid. Chiari-like malformations were identified in all dogs. This study highlights the association of syringobulbia with syringomyelia and Chiari-like malformations in small breed dogs with or without brainstem-associated clinical signs.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.294-301
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• 2022

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technique has been widely used for accurate screw and pin placement in orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery. However, there are few reports comparing the accuracy between the patient-specific guides and freehand Kirschner wire (K-wire) placement in toy, small and medium breed dogs. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of 3D printed patient-specific guides (PSGs) in pin insertion in the thoracolumbar vertebrae of toy breed dogs and compare the outcomes between novice and experienced surgeons. The experiment was conducted on the thoracolumbar vertebrae of 21 euthanized toy breed dogs (median weight, 5.95 kg). The optimal insertion angle placement was determined and patient-specific guides for K-wire insertion were designed and 3D printed using computed tomography (CT) and a 3D computer-aided design program of three vertebrae (Thoracic 12-Lumbar 1). K-wire tracts were made by experienced and novice surgeons and compared to assess the accuracy based on postoperative CT. Based on postoperative CT, in the experienced group, 61 out of 63 pins (96.8%) were fully contained inside the vertebral body and lamina, whereas two pins (3.2%) had perforated the vertebral canal (grade 3, 2-4 mm breach). However, all the pins in the novice group were fully contained. The use of 3D printed PSGs for pin insertion in the thoracolumbar region is an accurate and safe alternative to freehand screw placement by novice surgeons in toy, small and medium breed dogs. Operations with 3D printed PSGs allow novice surgeons to achieve better or similar outcomes in accurate placement of pin/screws in vertebrae.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2018

Hematological and serum biochemical analyses are routinely used to screen dogs for disease and monitor their clinical progression. These values in dogs may be affected by internal factors, such as breed and age, and external factors like environment, diet, and lifestyle. Apparently, subclinical breed-related variations in hematologic and serum biochemical results have been characterized for Bernese Mountain dogs, Alaskan Malamutes, English Setters, and Golden Retrievers. It is possible that some breed-related differences in clinical pathology analyses may reflect evidence of underlying disease and impact clinical decision plan. In this study, we estimated hematologic and serum biochemical parameters in small breed dogs and compared among four different breed dogs. Blood samples were collected from 38 domestic dogs that were 10 Beagles, 9 Malteses, 10 Poodles, and 9 Miniature Schnauzers. In terms of RBC count, Beagle ($7.2{\pm}0.24{\times}10^3cells/{\mu}L$) showed significantly (P<0.05) higher count than other breeds (Maltese, $6.51{\pm}0.25{\times}10^3cells/{\mu}L$; Poodle, $6.35{\pm}0.24{\times}10^3cells/{\mu}L$; and Miniature Schnauzer, $6.35{\pm}0.25{\times}10^3cells/{\mu}L$). For MCV, Miniature Schnauzer ($67.05{\pm}0.84fl$) results were significantly (P<0.05) higher than Beagle with $64.33{\pm}0.8fl$. For cholesterol value, Beagle ($163.3{\pm}9.15mg/dl$) had significantly (P<0.05) higher values than Miniature Schnauzer with $119.12{\pm}9.64mg/dl$. There was no statistically difference among breeds in terms of enzyme markers of liver diseases. In conclusion, data obtained from this study may be valuable as breed-related variability for interpretation of the results in hematologic and serum biochemical analysis among four small breed dogs.