Patient of the Week poll for week February 22 thru February 26

Last week's voting was fun to watch!  Brie closed up the win with 156 votes.  Congratulations, Brie!!
Vote over to the right for this week's babies~~>>>

CASE STUDY:
Olive is a Boston Terrier weighing 32# and is 2yrs old. She was sent to us by Dr. Amy Hawley of North Hills Animal Clinic. She had a history of intermittent left rear lameness. Dr. Hawley identified bilateral MPL (medial patellar luxation).
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a medial approach for Olive’s surgery, and used 0.062 divergent pins to hold her patellas in place. Post-surgically, her patellas were central and Dr. Dew observed good hardware placement. Olive’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.


CASE STUDY:
Sweetie is a 10 mo old 29# English Bulldog. She was HBC the previous 3 days previous, and was referred to us by Dr. John Davis of Davis Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Davis identified and bandaged a fracture of the left humerus. Dr. Dew discussed the articular nature of the fracture, gave a good prognosis for open reduction, and emphasized the critical nature of exercise restriction during healing. The owners wished to proceed with surgical stabilization surgery.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a lateral approach with an olecranon osteotomy. The condyle fracture was stabilized with 1-0.62 enhanced thread wire, 2 full cerclage wires (18 & 20 guage), 1-1/8 enhanced threaded transcondylar pin, and 2-5/64 IM pins. Sweetie’s olecranon was stabilized with a 20ga tension band and a 5/64 IM pin. Post-surgery, Dr. Dew observed good reduction, alignment and hardware placement. Range of motion was also good. The prognosis for this baby is good for normal osseous healing. Exercise restrictions must be followed to maximize the prognosis for uncomplicated healing.

CASE STUDY:
Coco is a Brussels Griffon. This baby weighs 11# and is 5yrs old. Dr. Martin with Reynolds Little Rock Veterinary Clinic was the referring veterinarian. Coco was brought in for a left CCL augmentation utilizing an EFS (external fascial strip) technique.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a lateral with lateral arthrotomy approach for Coco ’s surgery. The meniscus was intact. The prognosis is good for healing, improved function. Due to the severity of degenerative joint disease (arthritis) in both the hips and the operated knee the return to weight bearing may be delayed. 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. We have just recieved great news: there are now hip implants that would allow Dr. Dew to perform total hip replacement for Coco in the future if it is required.


CASE STUDY:
Lexie is a 54# 9mo old Lab. She was referred to us by Dr. Bob Hale at Briarwood Animal Hospital . She has had a history of intermittent left rear lameness, stretching left rear out behind. Dr. Hale identified bilateral hip dysplasia. Upon examination, Dr. Dew noted that Lexie was ambulatory, no pain is noted on hip extension, and she exhibited bilateral grade III MPL. Radiographs from Dr. Hale demonstrated marked DJD (degenerative joint disease) on right hip, and moderate DJD on left. Dr. Dew discussed hip and stifle issues with her owner. As there is no pain evident on hip extension, he suggested correcting stifles first, and then using BioScaffold implants in both hips.
TREATMENT:
For the MPL surgeries, Dr. Dew used a medal with medial release approach. He used divergent 0.062 pins to stabilize Lexie’s patellas. For the BioScaffold technique, 0.5ml was injected into each hip joint. 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. The BioScaffold should provide a significant improvement in hip function and comfort for 12-24 months, at that time the hips can be re-assessed.


CASE STUDY:
Millie is a 53# 2yr and 2mo old Mix breed. Dr Greg Hartman of Hartman Animal Hospital , LLC is her referring physician. Millie has exhibited chronic right rear lameness and MPL after lateral suture technique. Upon exam, she is toe touching lame on right rear. Diagnosed with Grade III MPL with positive anterior drawerm, Dr. Dew discussed the use of TTA (tibial tuberosity advancement) surgery for simultaneous correction/augmentation of both conditions.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew use a medial with medial arthrotomy approach for the TTA. He used Kyon implants consisting of a 9x22mm basket, 5 hole plate & fork combination, and 4 titanium screws. A cancellous bone graft was placed to promote good bone healing. 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 STUDY:
Willa Mae is a 1yr 10 mo old 95 Lab sent to us by Dr. Jon Southerland from Kiehl Avenue Animal Clinic. She has had intermittent left rear lameness for a year. Dr. Southerland identified a left CCL injury. Dr. Dew discussed CCL injury, EFS and TTA procedures. Her owner elected to proceed with the EFS (extermal fascial strip) and weight reduction with Slentrol.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a lateral with lateral arthrotomy approach for Willa Mae’s surgery. 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. The Slentrol weight therapy will be discussed at length and prescribed at Willa Mae’s 2-week checkup.


CASE STUDY:
Lulu is a Pug. She is 2yrs old and weighs 12#. She was referred to us by Dr. Loyd Nall of Animal Medical Clinic. Lulu was HBC and presented with a diaphragmatic hernia.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a ventral celiotomy approach for Lulu’s surgery. He observed a tear at the crus of her diaphragm on her liver. He identified hernia margins, closed hernia, placed a chest tube, and through incisions: negative pressure on 6 aspirations. Her prognosis is good for healing of hernia and incisions. Exercise restriction will play an important role in avoiding complications.