Pet of the Week candidates for the week of January 25th through January 29th:

Last week's vote ended with Joey as the winner of POTW with 27 votes. Who will be the winner of this week's vote? Remember, the Pet of the Week with the most votes wins an awesome Azzore Pet of the Month Prize Package!  Vote here~~~~~>>>>

CASE HISTORY:
Bailey is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who weighs 24# and is 2yrs old. She was sent to us by Dr. Greg House at Rodney Parham Animal Clinic. Bailey had demonstrated intermittent rear limb lameness for the past several months. Her owner
believes the most discomfort originates from the right side. Dr. House has identified through his radiographs a malunion of the left distal femur, right coxofemoral subluxation and right MPL (medial patellar luxation). Upon Dr. Dew's
examination, he discussed all abnormalities with Bailey's owner. He suggested addressing the patella correction, as no surgical treatment may be required for the coxofemoral joints or the left stifle.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a medial approach for Bailey's TTT surgery. Her leg was repaird using a combination of wires, pins and bone transfer. The implants have been designed to maximize the opportunity for successful bone healing and return to function. Her prognosis is good for healing, improved function and decreased progression of degene rative joint disease (arthritis). Nursing care, physical therapy, exercise restriction and the use of Glycoflex will play critical roles in an uncomplicated recovery and optimization of long term function.

CASE HISTORY:
Jazz is a Labrador Retriever weighing 95# and is 6yr and 7mo old. She saw Dr. Dew back in June of 2008 for EFS (External Fascial Strip) and MPL (Medial Patellar Luxation). Dr. Laura Mehaffy at Pinnacle Valley Animal Hospital has now referred her for her Left knee. Dr. Mehaffy has identified a left CCL injury.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a medial approach to perform Jazz's Left TTA (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement) surgery today. His meniscus was intact. The hardware used in the surgery was a 9x19mm basket, 5 hole plate/fork, and 4 titanium screws from Kyon. Post-operatively, Dr. Dew observed good hardware placement The prognosis is good for healing, improved function and decreased progression of degenerative joint disease (arthritis). With the TTA procedure, it is not uncommon to see some bruising and edema around the hock (ankle) and on the inside of the leg below the incision. These changes are not painful and will resolve without treatment in 3-10 days.

CASE HISTORY:
Gabe is a 121#, 5yr old Golden Retriever. Dr. Brett Ziegenbalg with Ozark Animal Medical Center referred him to us. Gabe had an acute onset of left rear lameness, and Dr. Ziegenbalg has identified a left CCL injury. The TTA procedure, recovery and prognosis were discussed with Gabe's owners, in addition to the surgical excision of a lick granuloma and a soft tissue mass excision. His owners decided to proceed with all three procedures.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a medial approach for Gabe's Left TTA (tibial tuberosity advancement). His meniscus was intact. The hardware from Kyon used for the TTA were as follows: 12x22mm basket, 6 hole plate and 6 hole fork, and 4 titanium screws. The lick granuloma was removed, and the soft tissue mass was excised with 2cm borders, on exam of transverse section does not appear consistent with lipoma and was thus submitted to AR-State lab. Results, when obtained, will be discussed with Gabe's owners.

CASE HISTORY:
Bojangles, a Cocker Spaniel at 39# and 9yrs old, was sent to us by Dr. Lisa Godfrey of State Line Animal Clinic. Bo had a history of chronic, recurrent otitis (ear infections). Upon examination, Dr. Dew noted that his ear canals were filled with hypertrophied tissue and have significant discharge, severe hypertrophy of cartilage, and calcification. The Bilateral TECA procedure was discussed with Bojangles' owner, and they decided on transport from the Memphis area to our Russellville facility.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a lateral approach for Bo's TECA surgery. His facial nerve was visualized and protected. Dr. Dew noted severe cartilage hypertrophy and mineralization, severe bulla thickening, and the bulla was occluded with inflammatory tissues. Bojangles should recover well from surgery and resolution of the ear disease should be the end result. Facial nerve palsy can be noted after surgery. This is normally transient, resolving in 3-14 days. The chance of complications will be drastically reduced by following discharge instructions and maintaining the E-collar.

CASE HISTORY:
Callie is a 10# Dachshund sent to us by Dr. Carolyn McCutcheon with Park Avenue Animal Hospital. She had a history of arched back and intermittent yelping and turning to stifles. Dr. McCutcheon has identified a bilateral MPL luxation. Dr. Dew concurred with Dr. McCutchen and identified a Grade III bilateral MPL. Callie's owners decided on transport to Russellville facility for Bilateral TTT (Tibial Tuberosity Transposition) surgery.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a medial approach for Callie's surgeries. Hardware used were 0.062 and 0.045 divergent pins. Her prognosis is good for healing, improved function and decreased progression of degenerative joint disease (arthritis). Nursing care, physical therapy, exercise restriction and the use of Glycoflex will play critical roles in an uncomplicated recovery and optimization of long term function.

CASE HISTORY:
Sam is an 11yr old 76# Border Collie referred to us by Dr. Dorothy Shipley Preston with Best Friends Pet Clinic. Dr. Preston had identified multiple soft tissue growths that may need to be addressed, most notable was an 18cm in diameter mass on his left elbow which has a draining wound and limits left fore function. Other masses include a rectal mass, and also a mass in his proximal left jugular area. Upon exam, Dr. Dew notes bilateral rectal masses, notes the elbow mass, and plans to explore the jugular mass.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew notes that the jugular mass appeared to be a lipoma. Upon elbow mass excision, it appeared fatty. It infiltrated the fascia and muscle and neurovascular bundles, and there were no distinct deep margins to be seen. The perirectal (anal) masses both involved Sam's anal glands; therefore they were removed. All of his masses have infiltration into adjacent tissues that can not be resected. The pathology report of removed tissues will help define the long term prognosis. The prognosis for uncomplicated healing is good, the use of the e-collar and bandage care will play important roles in facilitating uncomplicated healing.

CASE HISTORY:
Hoss, a 95# 2.5yr old Samoyed. He was sent to us by Dr. Richard Hittner of Arkansas Veterinary Clinic. Hoss had an acute onset of left rear lameness 6 months ago. He was diagnosed with a CCL injury, and his owners wished to proceed with a Left TTA.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a medial approach for his TTA (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement) surgery. Kyon implants used include a 12x22mm basket, 6 hole plate/fork, and 4 titanium screws. Hoss's prognosis is good for healing, improved function and decreased progression of degenerative joint disease (arthritis). Nursing care, physical therapy, exercise restriction and the use of Glycoflex will play critical roles in an uncomplicated recovery and optimization of long term function. With the TTA procedure, it is not uncommon to see some bruising and edema around the hock (ankle) and on the inside of the leg below the incision. These changes are not painful and will resolve without treatment in 3-10 days.

CASE HISTORY:

Tate is a Labrador Retriever who is 80# and 3yrs old. Dr. Jerry Bridges from Banfield Pet Hospital sent him to us. Tate was hit by a car 4 weeks previous. Dr. Dr. Bridges identified a left coxofemoral luxation. Radiographs demonstrated adequate hip conformation for a good prognosis after completing open reduction.

TREATMENT:

Dr. Dew used a cranoilateral approach for Tate's open coxofemoral luxation reduction surgery. Hardware used for stabilization were divergent 5/64 pins and 20 guage band. Dr. Dew observed post-operatively good hardware placement and femoral head seating. The prognosis is good for normal bone healing, improved function and decreased progression of arthritis. Exercise restriction, nursing care and physical therapy instructions must be followed to maximize the prognosis for uncomplicated healing.

CASE HISTORY:
Major is a Maltese. He weighs 9.5# and is 3yrs and 3mo old. Dr. Blair Willman of North Hills Animal Clinic was his referring veterinarian. Major's left forelimb got hooked in crate 4 weeks previous, and Dr. Willman identified and splinted a short oblique fracture of the distal radius and ulna. At the last splint change and radiographic exam, there was continued instability and malalignment of the foot. Dr. Dew discussed open reduction and IM pin stabilization, good prognosis for uncomplicated healing and return to function.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a cranial approach for open reduction of Major's fracture. It was stabilized with IM pins, 1 size 0.45 and 1 size 0.35. The prognosis is good for normal osseous healing. Exercise restriction and bandage care recommendations must be followed to maximize the prognosis for uncomplicated healing.