Your Candidates for POTW for the week of May 3 through May 7:

Last week, Abbigale won POTW...

Congrats, Abbi!!

Who will win this week?  See below for the eligible patients:

PATIENT SUMMARY:

Gator is a Jack Russell Terrier. He is 10yrs old and weighs 24#. He was referred to us by Dr. Amy Hawley of North Hills Animal Clinic. Gator had an acute onset of right rear lameness. Dr. Hawleyidentified a right CCL injury. Upon examination by Dr. Dew, there was positive anterior drawer and medial buttress identified. He discussed the EFS (external fascial strip) procedure, recovery and prognosis. His owner decided to proceed with a right EFS procedure.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a lateral approach with lateral arthrotomy. He observed that the meniscus was intact. He imbricated the joint EFS, used medial buttress suture #1-Maxon, and advanced the biceps. Gator’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.

PATIENT SUMMARY:
Marcie is a Chocolate Labrador Retriever. She is 13yrs old and weighs 70#. She was referred to us by Dr. Norris McGehee of McGehee Clinic for Animals. Marcie has had 5-6 months of progressive loss of respiratory function and increased respiratory effort. Upon examination by Dr. Dew, stridor and cyanosis were consistent with laryngeal paralysis. He discussed arytenoid tie-back procedure, recovery and prognosis for Marcie’s Laryngeal Paralysis condition. Her owner wished to proceed with tie-back and transported Marcie to our Russellville facility from the Memphis area.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a lateral approach for Marcie’s surgery. He identified her muscular process, and cricothyroid disarticulation. For the tie back, he used 0-nylon, and for lateralization he used two 0-nylon sutures. Marcie’s prognosis is good for an uncomplicated recovery and improved quality of life. For the first 24 hours, the chance of airway edema is present, therefore it is recommended that she be watched at a 24-hour facility.

PATIENT SUMMARY:
Dukie is a 130#, 7yr old Rottweiller/Pit mix. His referring veterinarian is Dr. Carondelet Nollner at Greene Animal Hospital. Dukie experienced an acute onset left rear lameness, and Dr. Nollner identified a CCL injury. Upon examination, Dr. Dew observed positive anterior drawer and medial buttress consistent with CCL rupture. He discussed TTA (tibial tuberosity advancement) augmentation, and his owners decided to have him transported to Russellville and a left TTA procedure completed.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a medial approach with medial arthrotomy. With the meniscus intact, he used Kyon implants consisting of a 12x25mm basket, 7 hole plate & fork, and 4 titanium screws. A bone graft was also placed to promote bone healing post procedure. Dukie’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.

PATIENT SUMMARY:
Sonny is a Chesapeake Bay Retreiver. He is 8yrs old and weighs 101#. Dr. Steven Ambrose with Cloverleaf Animal Clinic referred him to us. Dr. Ambrose identified bilateral CCL injury, and this had been confirmed by Dr. Dew at a previous appointment. His owner decided to persue a bilateral TTA (tibial tuberosity advancement) and have "Sonny" transported to our Russellville facility.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a medial approach with medial arthrotomy for Sonny’s surgery. He noted that the meniscus was intact and the hardware from Kyon used were as follows: 12x22mm basket, 7 hole plate & fork, and 4 titanium screws for each knee. A bone graft was also placed to promote bone healing post procedure. Sonny’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. Due to having both legs completed simultaneously, Sonny will benefit from assistance rising and walking for the next 1-7 days, he has been fitted for a harness for this purpose.

PATIENT SUMMARY:
Kobi is a Flat Coated Retriever. He is 5yrs old and weighs 96#. His referring veterinarian is Dr. Tammy Nixon at Osage Veterinary Clinic. Kobi had an acute onset of left rear lameness. Dr. Nixon identified a left CCL injury. Upon examination by Dr. Dew there was positive anterior drawer and medial buttress on the left stifle; the right stifle showed no drawer but did show grade I MPL. He discussed EFS (external fascial strip) and TTA (tibial tuberosity advancement) augmentation techniques. Kobi’s owner wished to proceed with left TTA.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a medial approach with medial arthrotomy. The hardware used was Kyon 12x22mm basket, 6 hole plate & fork, and 4 titanium screws. A bone graft was also placed to promote bone healing post procedure. Kobi’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. It is likely that in the next 3-16 months Kobi will suffer from right cruciate ligament rupture, continued weight loss will help decrease this likelihood.

PATIENT SUMMARY:
Sierra is an African Serval. She weighs 21# and is 18 months old. Dr. Angela Rose with Cat Clinic of Northwest Arkansas referred her to us. Unknown trauma resulted in non-weight bearing lameness of right fore. Dr. Rose identified a radius/ulna fracture. Radiographs demonstrated a mid-diaphyseal comminuted fracture of the radius and transverse fracture of the ulna at the same level. Dr. Dew discussed plate and ESF (external stabilization Fixator) for stabilization. Due to the owner’s ability to manage the cat and the quicker healing with the ESF, the ESF is the method he wished to utilize.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a closed approach for Sierra’s surgery. The fractures were stabilized with 6 pin type II composite fixator, 2 small center thread pins and 4 -0.062 smooth wires placed at divergent angles, as well as 2-1" acrylic bars. Sierra’s prognosis is good for normal osseous healing. Exercise restrictions must be followed to maximize the prognosis for uncomplicated healing.

PATIENT SUMMARY:
Jethro is a 55# 3yr old Mix Breed. His referring veterinarian was Dr. John Miller of Otter Creek Animal Hospital. Jethro had been HBC on 05/03, and treated at an AEC. Radiographs demonstrated a right coxofemoral luxation (craniodorsal) and a right femoral fracture, transverse condylar. Dr. Dew discussed the need for an open reduction and stabilization of both. He also discussed the articular nature of trauma, and progression of DJD, and the need for PT due to joint capsule contracture. Jethro’s owner has had experienced a significant stifle surgery himself and acknowledges issues associated with stabilization, recovery and function. He wished to proceed with reduction/stabilization.
TREATMENT:
Dr. Dew used a Lateral to stifle approach, a craniolateral approach to the hip, with trochanteric osteotomy. He reduced the fracture and luxation trochanteric transposition. Stabilized with divergent 3/32 IM pins and 20ga tension band, cranioventral imbrication suture 0-maxon. The longitudinal fracture in the condyle was stabilized with 2-0.062 enhanced thread pins, condyle stabilized with 2-3/32 divergent pins and 2-1/8" divergent pins. Jethro’s prognosis is good for normal bone healing and return to weight bearing function. Exercise restriction, nursing care and physical therapy instructions must be followed to maximize the prognosis for uncomplicated healing.