OBJECTIVE: To measure the effects of transection of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor (SDF) muscle (superior check desmotomy) on flexor tendon and suspensory ligament (SL) strain in vitro. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro experimental biomechanical investigation. ANIMALS USED: Ten equine cadaver forelimbs. METHODS: The effects of superior check desmotomy were determined using equine cadaver forelimbs secured in a servocontrolled hydraulic testing machine. Strain sensors were used to measure strain on the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons and SL, and a goniometer was used to measure joint angles when the limb was loaded at 890 N and 3,115 N before desmotomy, and at 3,115 N after desmotomy. RESULTS: Superior check desmotomy was associated with significantly increased strains on the SDF tendon and SL, and significant alterations in the angles of the metacarpophalangeal and carpal joints. CONCLUSIONS: The superior check ligament has an important role in maintaining joint angles and load distribution in the forelimb. Lengthening of the SDF musculotendinous unit after superior check desmotomy may be associated with increased strain on the SL. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Transection of the accessory ligament of the SDF muscle may predispose horses to SL desmitis postoperatively.

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The detection of pigs carrying Streptococcus suis type 2.

An indirect fluorescent antibody test (I.F.A.T.) was performed on tonsillar swabs collected at slaughter and on nasal swabs from electrically stunned pigs prior to exsanguination. The identification of carriers of Streptococcus suis type 2 using the I.F.A.T. was compared with bacteriological isolation. If it is assumed that 100% of pigs were carrying the bacterium, 76% of 89 carriers were detected when the I.F.A.T. was performed on the bacterial growth from blood agar cultures of tonsillar swabs, compared with only 15% detected using cultural techniques. Similarly, I.F.A.T. on nasal swabs increased the sensitivity of the detection of carriers. Nasal swabbing, although of lower sensitivity than tonsillar swabbing, allows for the detection of S. suis type 2 carriers in the live animal.

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Echocardiographic parameters in training compared with non-training greyhounds.

Echocardiographic parameters were compared between training and non-training greyhound dogs. When indexed to body weight there was a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) in the interventricular septal thickness (systole) and when indexed to body surface area there were increased interventricular septal (systole) and left ventricular free wall measurements (systole) in training compared with non-training greyhounds. When each gender was analyzed separately and echocardiographic parameters were indexed to body size, both genders had an increase in the interventricular septal thickness (diastolic in the female, systolic in the male) in the training compared with non-training greyhounds. In male training greyhounds there was additionally an increase in the left ventricular internal dimension (systole) and free wall thickness (systole) when echocardiographic parameters were indexed to body surface area compared with non-training greyhounds (p < 0.05). The results indicate that certain training greyhound echocardiographic parameters are larger than non-training greyhound echocardiographic parameters. The potential effects of training, body size and gender should be considered when interpreting echocardiographic parameters in populations of greyhounds.

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Radiographic diagnosis-polyostotic lymphoma in a 5 month old dog.

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Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical skills and knowledge used by veterinary graduates during their first year in small animal practice.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical skills and areas of knowledge used by veterinarians in small animal practice during their first year after graduation and the degree of assistance and supervision they received while developing these skills. DESIGN: A postal survey was sent in December 1999 to 59 veterinarians who completed their training at Murdoch University in December 1998. PROCEDURE: The first part of the survey asked for information on veterinary work patterns since leaving university. The second part consisted of a list of diagnostic and therapeutic skills of varying complexity and the graduates were asked to indicate whether they had used these skills in practice and whether they had been assisted or supervised while doing them. The respondents were also asked if they had had the opportunity to practise these skills as undergraduates at university or during extramural experience. In the third part the areas of knowledge used in practice were assessed by analysis of a series of consecutive cases. RESULTS: Forty replies were received but since three graduates had done no small animal work the analysis of the skills section is based on 37 responses. Thirty graduates supplied information on 994 canine cases and 308 feline cases. The distribution of the mean work time was dogs and cats 69%, horses 13%, farm animals 11%, birds 3% and others 4%. Skills used by over 90% of graduates included general anaesthesia, examination of the tympanic membrane, taking and interpreting an abdominal radiograph, catheterising a male cat, fine needle aspiration of a mass, neutering dogs and cats, tooth scaling and extraction and treating an aural haematoma. The survey also identified the opportunities for undergraduates to practise some of these skills during extramural experence and the extent of assistance given to new graduates during their first year in practice. The areas of knowledge used in over 10% of the cases included vaccination, anaesthesia/sedation, skin/coat problems, general advice on pet health, neutering and musculoskeletal diseases. CONCLUSION: Veterinarians, in their first year after graduation, use a wide range of complex diagnostic and therapeutic skills. Although many of these skills are acquired during the undergraduate training, a significant contribution is made by extramural practical work undertaken during the clinical years of the undergraduate course and in the first year following graduation. Practising veterinarians play an important role in providing opportunities and supervision for clinical training.

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