Dr. Robert S. Gilley On: The Use Of Arthroscopy In Small Animal Orthopedics
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Robert S. Gilley, DVM, PhD
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The following information is from a presentation given last month by Robert S. Gilley, DVM, PhD, DACVS, the newest member of the surgical team at Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists.
Arthroscopy was first used in humans in the early 1900s, but routine use did not occur until the 1970s. The first use of arthroscopy in veterinary medicine occurred in the 1970s. However, it was not widely used in small animal specialty practices until the mid-1990s.
As technology developed in the human field, application for use in the joints of small animals became more practical. With the rise in public awareness of the availability and advantages of arthroscopic techniques, there has been an increased demand for application in veterinary orthopedics.
Arthroscopy is useful for diagnosis of joint conditions, as well as treatment of the identified condition. There are several advantages of arthroscopy over arthotomy. Arthroscopy is minimally invasive with less periarticular tissue destruction compared to arthotomy, resulting in faster recovery and earlier return to function. Since it is less painful, multiple joints can be treated at the same time. There is increased visualization within the joint using an arthroscope. The magnification and light source enhances the image allowing pathology of cartilage or ligaments to be easily seen, which would be difficult on direct visualization.
The technique has been especially helpful for ligamentous injuries that are difficult to identify with other imaging modalities. These injuries previously required arthrotomies to diagnose the condition. The video monitor allows multiple people to observe making it an excellent teaching tool.
Disadvantages of arthroscopy include the cost of equipment ($40,000-$100,000) and the difficulty in learning the techniques which are related to small joint spaces and learning to manipulate the equipment inside the joint without direct visualization. The equipment is delicate and can break easily. Care must be taken not to iatrogenically damage articular cartilage when entering the joints with the equipment. Joints with advanced disease are difficult to dilate with fluid and thus difficult to explore. Other causes for decreased visualization include hyperplastic synovium and excessive hemorrhage within the joint.
Complications include ...
Dr. Kramer To Speak At ACVIM
Cardiology Specialty Symposium
Dr. George Kramer, DACVIM (Cardiology) is scheduled to speak at the ACVIM Cardiology Specialty Symposium on the topic of “Bronchial Stenting In Dogs With Chronic Valvular Heart Disease And
Bronchial Collapse.”
The Specialty Symposium is being held on Wednesday, June 3 as a prelude to the 2009 ACVIM Forum which runs from Wednesday, June 3 to Saturday, June 6 in Montreal, Canada. |
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You're Invited: Lecture By Dr. Kramer & Dinner
All veterinarians and their staff are cordially invited to attend a lecture by George A. Kramer, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (Cardiology), on "Thromboembolic Disease In Cats."
The lecture by Dr. Kramer will take place on Thursday, July 16 at 8 PM at Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists, 3250 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Bohemia, NY. It will be preceded by dinner at 7 PM.
The lecture is worth two CE credits with NYSVMS.
Kindly RSVP by Thursday, July 9 to 631-285-7780.
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Vets At High Risk For Viral, Bacterial Infections
The recent H1N1 influenza epidemic has raised many questions about how animal viruses move to human populations. One potential route is through veterinarians, who, according to a new report, are at markedly increased risk of infection with zoonotic pathogens -- the viruses and bacteria that can infect both animals and humans.
While there is no evidence that veterinarians played a direct role in the current H1N1 epidemic, the review found that they can serve as a "bridging population," spreading pathogens to their families, their communities, and the various groups of animals for which they provide care.
While conducting previous occupational research studies, the study's authors, Whitney Baker, a doctoral student in epidemiology at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, and Gregory Gray, M.D., University of Iowa professor of epidemiology and director of the University of Iowa Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, observed that veterinarians often have evidence of zoonotic influenza virus infection. To better understand this finding, Baker and Gray conducted a review of medical literature published between 1966 and 2007 and identified 66 journal articles that specifically addressed veterinarians and zoonotic infections.
"Our review of the literature found that veterinarians' risk of zoonotic infections is often higher than that of other occupational groups with extensive exposure to animals, such as farm workers," Baker said. "This is remarkable since veterinarians have professional training in how to protect themselves from zoonotic infections."
Nutro Recalls Cat Foods Due To Wrong Mineral Levels
Nutro Products voluntarily pulled its pet food from store shelves after incorrect concentrations of zinc and potassium were found in 10 versions of the firm's dry cat food formulations, seven of which are sold in the U.S.
Officials did not expand on the size and breadth of the recall in terms of numbers of bags or cost, except to say that affected product was distributed to retail customers in all 50 states as well as customers in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Israel.
While Nutro has received no consumer complaints to date, customers who have purchased affected product are advised to immediately discontinue its use. Owners with pregnant cats or cats experiencing health issues are asked to contact their veterinarian.
"We do know that not having the right mineral levels can have some health impacts on cats," spokeswoman Monica Barrett says. "That's why we've taken these precautionary measures."
A full list of affected product is available. Veterinarians and concerned owners can call the company at 1-800-833-5330 or visit its Web site for more information.
Guide Helps Veterinarians Counsel Clients With Ill Pets
The Argus Institute is offering veterinarians a new resource to help clients making tough decisions about their sick pet.
"What Now? Support For You And Your Companion Animal" is a comprehensive guide written by the Argus Institute, which is part of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. Argus is a teaching, research, and service organization devoted to counseling pet owners through loss and to improving veterinarian-to-client communication.
"What Now?" helps veterinarians support their clients when their animal is sick, when the clients are facing an end-of-life decision for their pet, and when coping with the loss of a companion animal. Each section includes recommendations to clients for understanding the emotional process they'll go through, techniques for decision-making, approaches for talking to family members, and self-care tips for dealing with grief.
"What Now?" is designed to care for clients of both small- and large-animal veterinary clinics. To order "What Now?" or request a sample, contact the Argus Institute at 1-970-297-4143 or visit its Web site.
Study Underway On Idiopathic Epilepsy In Dogs
A clinical trial is underway to evaluate a new medication for the treatment of canine idiopathic epilepsy. It's expected to run through the end of 2009.
Qualifying patients will receive free medical evaluations, as well as diagnostic tests, such as a CAT scan or MRI. If enrolled in the treatment phase of the study, dogs will also receive free medication and monthly exams.
Criteria include that patients must be at least four months of age, have not been previously treated with anti-seizure medication, weigh at least 11 lbs., have no previous history of seizure clusters or status epilepticus, and not be pregnant or suspected to be pregnant. In addition, candidates must be seen by the clinical investigator within seven days of the most recent seizure.
The trial, which is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is said to be the largest known clinical trial of its kind, according to Visionaire Research & Education, a Raleigh, N.C.-based company that supports veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturers in their recruitment efforts for clinical trials.
Veterinarians interested in referring dogs to the trial can call 1-888-598-7125. Veterinarians get financial rewards for referring qualified dogs for screening, and additional rewards if the dogs are enrolled into treatment. A consumer Web site has been launched.
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Funny
Bones
What Won't They Think Of Next?
Anyone want to wager on who built this contraption? Could it have been this one very happy pooch? |
Events Calendar (June-Sept.)
Wednesday, June 3
Dr. George Kramer, DACVIM on
“Bronchial Stenting In Dogs
With Chronic Valvular Heart Disease
And Bronchial Collapse”
ACVIM Cardiology Specialty Symposium
Montreal, Canada
Thursday, June 11
LIVMA monthly meeting
Holiday Inn Plainview
Click here for other state, national, and global veterinary events in June.
Thursday, July 16
George A. Kramer, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (Cardiology), on
"Thromboembolic Disease In Cats"
Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists
[7 PM, dinner; 8 PM, lecture]
Click here for more information.
No LIVMA Monthly Meeting in July
Click here for
other state, national, and global veterinary events in July.
No LIVMA Monthly Meeting in August
Click here for
other state, national, and global veterinary events in August.
Thursday, September 10
LIVMA Monthly Meeting
Click here for
other state, national, and global veterinary events in September.
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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