Canine Cruciate Disease, Meniscal Tears
& Surgical Treatment
By Karyn K. Maxworthy (Briggs), DVM, MS,
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons;
Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists
Cranial cruciate disease is one of the most prevalent orthopedic injuries in dogs today. It affects both small and large breed dogs, males and females, and young and old. Although some tears are believed to be purely traumatic in origin, the majority of cases are the result of a chronic degenerative process.
The exact cause of ligament degeneration in these patients remains a mystery. However, conformational abnormalities, endocrine disease, weight, reproductive status, and poor physical conditioning may all play a role.
Patients with cruciate disease present with a hind limb lameness that may be mild to non-weight bearing, unilateral or bilateral. Acute traumatic tears are generally severely lame initially and less lame as times go on. Chronic degeneration of the ligament may result in a waxing and waning lameness that worsens with exercise and improves with rest. Dogs with concurrent meniscal tears are typically severely lame and may have an audible click on stifle range of motion.
Diagnosis of a cruciate tear is accomplished primarily from .
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New Canine Vaccine Could Offer Longer Protection
A study is under way at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine to determine how long a new, more potent rabies vaccine protects dogs from the virus. The Rabies Challenge Fund study will determine if the vaccine provides immunity for as long as seven years. The two-phase study should be completed in 2013 and 2015. Currently, pet owners are required to vaccinate their dogs every three years in most states. But that could be too often some experts say. The most common vaccine reactions — seizures, rashes, tumors at the injection site, and even death — could be reduced with a longer-lasting vaccine, according to veterinarians working on the study.
Tufts Study Predicts Worsening
Veterinarian Shortage By 2014
A new study released predicts a continued shortage of veterinarians in New England. The study, which was conducted by UMass Donahue Institute and commissioned by Tufts University’s veterinary school, measured the economic impact of veterinary profession in the region and estimated DVM population trends. The results? By 2014, the region is believed to have 1,036 vacancies for veterinarians through new jobs and attrition through retirement. Veterinarians working with food-animals are believed to accrue the biggest losses. For example, food-animal veterinarians will be retiring at a rate twice as fast as their counterparts in companion-animal medicine, the study reports. Contributing close to $3.3 billion to the New England economy, the profession has a significant impact on the regional economy, reports Tufts Dean Deborah T. Kochevar.
New Web Site Provides Free Medication Reminders
Making sure patients get the full course of any take-home medications always is a concern. Now, a free new online tool can assist veterinary practices and their clients so pets get their medications on time. RemindMyPet.com allows veterinarians to place a link to the site on their Web page, or direct clients to the RemindMyPet.com Web site to fill out a simple registration. Clients can register each of their pets, enter medication information, then sit back and wait for e-mail reminders of when it’s time to administer or refill medications. Clients even can choose to receive notifications by text message, according to RemindMyPet.com. The service is free and unlimited in how many pets can be registered or how many medication notifications can be issued for each pet.
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QUIZ : What’s Your Diagnosis?
Signalment: "Cassie," 9 yr old F/S lab mix, 36 kg (80 pounds).
Clinical Complaint & History: "Cassie" has been lame on the left hind leg intermittently for four months. She has been on Rimadyl in the past and her clinical signs improve with NSAIDs and rest. She has been progressively more lame in the last few weeks. She is otherwise doing well. There is no vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, etc. The right hind leg appears normal to the owner.
CHALLENGE #1: Given the signalment of the dog and the history alone, what would your list of differential diagnoses be for this pet?
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Funny Bone
Try Me: I Do Tricks!
You’re not going to believe this! Turn up your speakers, click here, and then type in a command, like “sit” or “roll over” or “sing.” And when you’re done, be sure to type “kiss.” Don’t you wish ALL your patients could be this obedient? :-)
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Events Calendar
July 19-22
145th Annual AVMA Convention
New Orleans, Louisiana
Click here for other state, national, and global veterinary events in July.
Click here for other state, national, and global veterinary events in August.
Thursday, September 11
Long Island Veterinary Medical Association (LIVMA)
Monthly Meeting
http://livma.org/
September 18-21
Intl. Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Symposium 2008 (IVECCS)
Phoenix, Arizona
Dr. Kramer on:
9/18, 8 AM “Cardiac Imaging In The ICU”
9/18, 9:15 AM “New Cardiac Drugs”
9/18, 11 AM “Arterial Thromboembolism In Cats”
9/20, 1:30 PM “Diagnosis & Treatment Of Arrhythmias In The ICU”
Click here for other state, national, and global veterinary events in September.
October 2-5
NYSVMS Veterinary Conference
www.nysvms.org/
Thursday, October 16
Long Island Veterinary Medical Association (LIVMA)
Monthly Meeting
http://livma.org/
Click here for other state, national, and global veterinary events in October.
Thursday, November 13
Long Island Veterinary Medical Association (LIVMA)
Monthly Meeting
http://livma.org/
Click here for other state, national, and global veterinary events in November.
Thursday, December 4
Long Island Veterinary Medical Association (LIVMA)
Monthly Meeting
http://livma.org/
Click here for other state, national, and global veterinary events in December.
About Atlantic Coast
Veterinary Specialists
At Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists, our commitment is to provide you — the referring veterinarian — and your clients, the best and the latest in modern veterinary medicine.
Whether it is through our mobile ultrasound service or through our referral and emergency services available, Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists is here to work with you as a partner on those difficult and challenging cases. We look forward to hearing from you.
Please feel free to call any member
of our Board Certified staff for help and assistance.
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