Surgical resection of retrobulbar infiltrative lipomas in two dogs

Two dogs were presented for referral with nonpainful exophthalmia due to a retrobulbar mass. Incisional biopsies confirmed a histological diagnosis of infiltrative lipoma in both cases. Infiltrative lipomas are rare tumours of soft tissues and are invasive to adjacent tissue. Wide surgical resection is required to prevent local recurrence of the disease. Computed tomography of the head was performed in both cases to evaluate the extent of the masses and to plan surgical resection. Both dogs underwent a partial orbitectomy and were disease free 24 and 21 months later. The cosmetic appearance was good and both dogs maintained vision in the affected eyes.

Treatment of canine osteosarcoma with surgery, carboplatin, doxorubicin and piroxicam

Thirteen dogs with histologically confirmed osteosarcoma were treated with surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. None of the dogs had evidence of metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. The chemotherapy protocol consisted of four cycles of doxorubicin (15mg/m(2)) and carboplatin (150-220mg/m(2)) intravenously every three weeks. Both cytotoxic agents were administered concurrently. Oral piroxicam was administered at a dose of 0.3mg/kg once daily for the duration of the protocol. The treatment protocol was well tolerated. Only four patients developed mild neutropaenia or self-limiting gastrointestinal signs. Median disease free interval and survival time were 210 days and 450 days respectively.

Soft tissue sarcomas in dogs: A study assessing surgical margin, tumour grade and clinical outcome

The purpose of this prospective clinical study was to quantify the surgical margin necessary to maximise local disease control for canine soft tissue sarcoma of various grades. This was achieved via gross and histopathologic studies. Fourteen dogs underwent surgical treatment for 15 localised, measurable, subcutaneous sarcomas. Surgery and histopathologic evaluation were performed to standardised protocols. Regular examinations for local recurrence and distant metastases were performed for at least 12 months postoperatively. One hundred percent local disease control was achieved with deep margins >10mm and 93% one year disease-free survival with wide margins (i.e. >10mm laterally and one fascial plane or >10mm in depth). There was one case of recurrence. Fascial planes appear to act as biological barriers to local tumour invasion but this protective effect may be overcome with high-grade lesions.

Effects of early intensive postoperative physiotherapy on limb function after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs with deficiency of the cranial cruciate ligament

Objective-To determine effects of early intensive postoperative physiotherapy on limb function in dogs after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) for deficiency of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). Animals-8 adult dogs with CCL deficiency. Procedure-After TPLO, dogs underwent a physiotherapy program 3 times/wk (physiotherapy group; n = 4) or a walking program (home-exercise group; 4). All dogs were evaluated before surgery, 1 and 10 days after surgery, and 3 and 6 weeks after surgery. Thigh circumference (TC), stifle joint flexion and extension range of motion (ROM), lameness, and weight-bearing scores were recorded. Results-Before surgery, CCL-deficient limbs had significantly reduced TC and reduced flexion and extension ROMs, compared with values for the contralateral control limb. Six weeks after TPLO, the physiotherapy group had significantly larger TC than the home-exercise group, with the difference no longer evident between the affected and nonaffected limbs. Extension and flexion ROMs were significantly greater in the physiotherapy group, compared with values for the home-exercise group, 3 and 6 weeks after surgery. Six weeks after surgery, the difference in flexion and extension ROMs was no longer evident between the affected and nonaffected limbs in the physiotherapy group. Both groups had improvements for lameness and weight-bearing scores over time, but no difference was found between the 2 groups. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-After TPLO in CCL-deficient dogs, early physiotherapy intervention should be considered as part of the postoperative management to prevent muscle atrophy, build muscle mass and strength, and increase stifle joint flexion and extension ROMs.