• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.483-489
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• 2014

This study describes a surgical technique and evaluates the clinical outcomes in small breed dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) treated with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Seven skeletally mature dogs weighing less than 15 kg underwent unilateral TPLO to stabilize the stifle joint with CCLR. Clinical evaluation was performed via visual lameness score, range of motion (ROM), and thigh girth circumference (TC). Postoperative complications were recorded. All patients reached a grade 1 score at 1 week and grade 0 at 8 weeks postoperatively. The mean operated limb extension angle was 98.11%, 99.07%, and 98.73% of the mean extension angle of the contralateral limb at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks postoperatively, respectively. The mean operated limb flexion angle was 98.07%, 95.88%, and 96.35% of the mean flexion angle of the contralateral limb at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks postoperatively, respectively. The mean TC of the operated limb was 92.95%, 93.68%, and 95.44% of the mean TC of the normal limb at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks postoperatively, respectively. Our outcomes for TPLO in small breed dogs are not worse than those previously reported for large breed dogs. Based on the result in the present study, CCLR in small dogs can be successfully managed with TPLO, as done in large breed dogs.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.453-455
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• 2013

Heartworm infection is a fatal disease causing heart failure and pulmonary diseases in dogs. This heartworm infection can also occur in wild carnivores including Raccoon dogs. Recent study found that relatively high prevalence rate in wild Raccoon dog population. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the prevalence rate of D. immitis in free-roaming Raccoon dogs and the recovery rate of microfilariae in infected Raccoon dogs in Korea. Overall prevalence rate of D. immitis in Korean Raccoon dogs was 17.8%. Prevalence rate in male Raccoon dogs was 21.8%, while that in female Raccoon dogs was 12.8%. Microfilariae were not detected in 17 Raccoon dogs having positive in heartworm antigen test. Our study result suggested that the prevalence rate of D. immitis in Korea is twice higher than that of Japan. In addition, microfilaremia is rare in Raccoon dogs as commonly noticed in cats.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2009

Pimobendan is a recently developed cardiac drug which is useful to control moderate to severe congestive heart failure (CHF) from chronic mitral valvular diseases (CMVI). Because of controversy related to the efficacy and safety of pimobendan in dogs, the optimal efficacy and safety of pimobendan was assessed in 20 dogs with CMVI in this study. Scores for quality of life, respiratory failure, circulatory failure and heart failure were evaluated along with radiographical and echocardiographical assessments for about 2 months period after the addition of pimobendan into the regular cardiac medications. This study proved clear evidence that pimobendan had beneficial therapeutic effects in dogs with advanced CMVI, without particular adverse effects. However, further studies are warranted to address the drug interaction with other cardiac therapeutics and to assess therapeutic effects in CHF from other type of heart diseases in dogs and other animals.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.318-324
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• 2017

The objective of this study was to establish kinematic reference ranges for the femorotibial (FT) joint and the patellofemoral (PF) joint in healthy small-breed dogs by measuring 3D kinematics at the walk. Single-plane fluoroscopy was used to image the stifle joints of five healthy beagle dogs while the dogs were walking. 3D bone models of the femur, patella, and tibia were reconstructed by computed tomography scanning of the beagle dogs' hind limbs. The shape-matching technique was used to measure kinematic data from the fluoroscopic images and the 3D bone models. The cranial translation of the tibia during walking was inversely proportional to the FT joint flexion. There were significant correlations between the patellar motion and the tibial motion. The FT joint flexion had a strong correlation with the patellar proximodistal translation and flexion. Additionally, the tibial mediolateral translation had a strong correlation with the patellar shift and tilt. In this study, normal in vivo 3D FT joint and PF joint kinematics were demonstrated, and the average kinematic parameters were determined in walking beagle dogs.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.102-104
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to document the histology of canine acupoints. Acupunctural needles were inserted by 0.5 to 1 cm depth into acupoints Nei-guan (Inner pass, PC06), Gan-shu (Liver Association Point, BL18), Shen-shu (Kidney Association Point, BL23) and Pangguang-shu (Bladder Association Point, BL28) in 4 dogs, and the tissues around the acupoints were examined. Light microscopy was used to observe the surrounding structures of each point. Nerve fibres, small vessels and muscle spindles were found around the tip of the needle in every case, although they occurred not so often at nonacupoint in nearby region or nonacupoint in the areas, such as skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle. Therefore, it is suggested that nerve fibres, small vessels and muscle spindles may be potential acupoint receptors.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.288-291
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• 2013

The purpose of the retrospectivestudy was to describe the clinical findings and treatment of intracorneal hemorrhage (ICH) in canine small breeds. The medical records of 6 dogs with ICH (January 2007 to November 2011) were examined to obtain the breed, age, gender, affected eye, cornea area, treatment, and follow-up. A total of 12 corneal areas in 8 eyes were identified in 6 dogs (4 Yorkshire terriers, 1 Poodle, and 1 Maltese). The mean age ${\pm}SD$ at the first presentation was $12.3{\pm}2.8$years, and 5 of 6 dogs were over 12 years old. ICH caused by corneal neovascularization was the most common in the nasal area of cornea (nasal 6/12, superior 4/12, and inferior 2/12) and recurred in different area of same or other cornea in 3 dogs. There were no concomitant corneal diseases at the initial presentation. All dogs affected were treated with combination of topical antibiotics and steroids and subconjuctival injection of steroids. The results showed that ICH can be treated with long-term medical therapies. In addition, further study would be needed to identify specific causes for the intracorneal hemorrhage.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.21-24
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• 2016

Four dogs and two cats received laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted biopsy of abdominal organs for definite diagnosis of illness. Patients were presented with a chief complaint of acute or chronic vomiting excluding case 5 (seizure). Two patients needed the liver biopsy (case 1 and 5), and others did stomach and small intestine biopsy excluding case 2 (small intestine biopsy only). Surgical procedure was performed with modified standard methods. All patients recovered uneventfully and did not require any hospitalization without complications. Laparoscopic and laparoscopic-assisted biopsy could offer benefits of reduced incision length and rapid postoperative recovery.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.189-192
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• 2017

Thirteen dogs were diagnosed as congenital extrahepatic single PSS by intraoperative mesenteric portovenography or computed tomographic examination, repair surgery was performed by using an ameroid constrictor. Hepatic size was measured from the right lateral view using liver length/T11 length ratio. This measurement was performed on follow-up check of PSS ligation patients. Hepatic size parameter of pre-operative PSS patients is $4.13{\pm}0.13$ (range, 3.11-4.83). After surgery, hepatic size parameter of post-operative PSS patients is $4.79{\pm}0.19$ (range, 3.78- 5.93). Although follow-up periods varied 2 and 26 weeks, all patients showed increased liver size compared to that on pre-operative radiographs (P < 0.01). The increase rate was 1.01-1.46 times than those of preoperative radiographs. But in 5 patients, post hepatic liver size was small compared to the others, which showed low increase rate of body weight, total protein, albumin, and glucose level. It was thought that small value of hepatic size parameter was due to delay of hepatic regeneration. In conclusion, radiographic hepatic size parameter of pre- and post-operative patients is considered an effective evaluation for restoring after PSS surgery.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.440-444
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• 2010

A 7-year-old neutered male Shih Tzu dog weighing 5.2 kg was presented because of severe neurological signs (paddling, unconsciousness, blindness, seizure). ECG revealed accelerated idioventricular rhythm (AIVR) with ~140 bpm ventricular rate. Based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, the neurological condition was tentatively diagnosed as disseminated granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis (GME). The neurological signs were managed with steroids, anticonvulsive drugs, diuretics and antibiotics with 20% mannitol infusion. The rhythm disturbance (AIVR) was managed with oral medication of mexiletine. Because the heart rhythms were unstable without anti-arrhythmic therapy in spite of improvement of clinical signs after emergency treatment for neurological problems, the anti-arrhythmic therapy was maintained till the neurological signs were abolished.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.203-213
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• 1985

The in situ posture of anterior body of Metagonimus yokogawai was observed in experimental metagonimiasis of dog. The metacercariae were collected from naturally infected sweetfish by peptic digestion; a total of 8 dogs was orally infected with 10,000 metacercariae respectively. Two dogs were killed on 3 days, 9 days, 4 weeks and 10 weeks after the infection. The postures of worms in histological section of small intestine and of whole worms collected from the fixed intestinal mucosa were examined by light and scanning electron microscope. The results were summarized as follows: 1. The recovery rates of worms were 42.6% on 3 days, 55.0% on 9 days, 33.2% on 4 weeks and 9. 8% on 10 weeks after the infection respectively. 2. In histological sections of small intestine, most of worms were found at intervillous spaces as ovoid sections of posterior body. However, many worms, especially in 3 day-old worms, revealed protruded anterior body in glandular lumens of crypt. Some sections of anterior body were bifurcated or sacculated. 3. The worms collected from fixed intestinal mucosa under dissecting microscope exhibited a variety of postures. Many worms showed flat shapes with a concavity or curvatures. However, in many worms, the anterior body made a single or multiple protrusions. 4. By SEM observation of protruded anterior body, a longitudinal groove was found. 5. The frequency of worms with protruded anterior body decreased in 9 days, 4 weeks and 10 weeks than in 3 day-old worms. The above findings indicated that the anterior body of juvenile and adult M. yokogawai protruded to lumens of glandular crypt by folding their lateral portions to make a reversible tubelike structure. Frequent multiple protrusions were considered to be made to adapt the microniche of glandular crypts of dog intestine.