Do Dogs with Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus need Surgery Immediately, or Can it Wait until the Next Morning?
A French research group from the large emergency hospital CHV des Cordeliers recently published an interesting study in Veterinary Surgery. They examined the difference between two groups that were operated on for gastric dilatation-volvulus directly after a standardized stabilization protocol lasting 90 minutes, versus a group that was operated on the morning after presentation, still […]
Can Pelvic Osteotomy also be Effective for Dogs Older than 9 Months with Hip Dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia can be treated with more than one method. In adult dogs with painful hips, hip joint replacement is a good option. However, if hip dysplasia is detected early there are more options that can be considered, all of which do not require a prosthesis. A surgeon can perform an osteotomy of the pelvis […]
High-grade Mast Cell Tumors – should the Lymph Node be Removed?
Mast cell tumors (MCT) are histopathologically graded in two ways; using either the Patnaik or Kiupel grading systems, and often with both. The first system consists of three levels where grade 1 is considered a well-differentiated tumor, grade 2 as intermediate, and grade 3 as an undifferentiated tumor, thus the most aggressive. Kiupel has only […]
“Split” Staphylectomy – an Alternative for Brachycephalic Breeds with Thickened Soft Palate?
As a surgeon, one unfortunately sees many dogs with BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome). Of these, the vast majority (87 – 94% in various studies) present with a presumed elongated soft palate. However, it’s not uncommon that when we get a close-up view of the problem, we wonder if the palate is significantly thickened rather […]
Perineal Hernia – Can We Make it Easier for Ourselves by Positioning the Patient in Dorsal Recumbency?
Perineal hernia is a lengthy affair for us surgeons. Not only are we often dealing with a large dog, but the hernia is also of corresponding size. The operation can take time even in experienced hands, and before we get that far, we should castrate the dog first. Sometimes the bladder or other organs have […]
What is the Optimal Duration of Cold Therapy after Surgery?
I routinely prescribe cold therapy (cryotherapy) approximately every four hours for patients hospitalized after TPLO surgery. I am actually unsure of the rationale behind this specific time interval, which is why I was immediately interested when a colleague sent me a publication from Frontiers in Veterinary Science. The study describes the skin temperature around the […]