A 19-year-old male Siberian tiger was presented with inappetence and paralysis of hind limbs. In a computed tomography (CT) scan, intervertebral disk disease at L3–L4 was detected. Cardiac arrest occurred during the surgery. At autopsy, myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (MMVD) and eccentric hypertrophy of the left heart were noted. The diagnosis was congestive heart failure caused by MMVD. Microscopically, myocardial and pulmonary fibrosis were observed in addition to the disintegration of the fibrosa layer and accumulation of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans in the spongiosa layer of the mitral valve. This is the first case of congestive heart failure with MMVD in a Siberian tiger.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein produced by hepatocytes. The plasma concentration of CRP peaks around 48 hours following stimulation. A rapid decrease in CRP levels is observed when the stimuli end. Considering these characteristics of CRP, it is used to evaluate acute inflammatory responses in clinics. In addition, as it reflects the degree of surgical trauma, measuring the CRP concentration is an effective method of evaluating tissue damage depending upon the surgical method. As CRP is also an acute-phase protein in dogs, the purpose of the present study was to compare the factors related to acute inflammatory responses between dogs undergoing elective general surgery (GS) and orthopedic surgery (OS). A total of 44 healthy dogs were included in this study. The sex ratio of dogs that underwent OS was similar. Both groups showed increased CRP levels and white blood cell (WBC) counts on post-operative day (POD) 1-2. The CRP level in the OS group on POD 1-2 was significantly higher than that of the GS group and it was increased about 16-fold compared to the pre-operative value. No significant difference in WBC counts was observed between the two groups. Although a slight increase in the WBC count was observed on POD 1-2 in both groups, it was near the reference range during follow-up. Thus, measuring CRP levels can be more effective in evaluating acute inflammatory responses than WBC counts. Although a high level of post-operative serum CRP concentrations was observed in the OS group, it rapidly decreased to a level similar to the pre-operative value if there were no post-operative complications.

Limb amputation is a salvage surgical procedure relatively common in small animals and other species. Wild animals after forelimb amputation have many difficulties in returning to normal life because forelimbs of arboreal quadrupeds are used to carry most of their weight and hold feed. This study investigated forelimb amputation and its outcomes in two raccoon dogs. Two male raccoon dogs presented for radio-ulnar fractures. Shoulder disarticulation amputation was applied to protect the thoracic cavity and reduce surgical time. After the operation, they could run comparatively faster with three legs. As they had good body condition and regular appetite during the hospitalization period, they were released to the area from which they were captured. Six months after the release, one of the raccoon dogs represented for hair loss by mites. It showed satisfactory function of the existing three limbs. Thus, amputation of forelimb could be considered as a treatment in raccoon dogs with severe limb status.

Locomotion can be investigated using visual locomotion scoring or computer-assisted techniques such as force plates or pressure plates. Although visual locomotion scoring is inexpensive, it is subjective and depends on observers. Conversely, computer-assisted techniques are objective and more sensitive than visual assessment. Many studies of gait in large breed dogs have been conducted using these techniques; however, there have been few investigations of small to toy breed dogs. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to conduct gait analysis in small to toy breed dogs and to suggest normal reference ranges for clinical application. Twenty healthy dogs with no lameness or orthopedic pain weighing from 2 kg to 12 kg were used. The dogs were divided into two groups according to their weight, after which gait analysis was conducted using a pressure plate. The pressure force ratio between the forelimb and hindlimb was significantly lower in group 2 (mean 4.2 kg) than group 1 (mean 10.4 kg), while the stance time ratio between the forelimb and hindlimb tended to increase in group 2, but there was no significant difference. Other numerical values in group 2 tended to decrease, with some significant differences being observed. Overall, the results suggest that there are different gait features in small to toy breed dogs when compared with middle and large breed dogs.

Malassezia pachydermatis (M. pachydermatis) otitis is an important infectious disease of dogs throughout the world. In the present study, the presence, diagnosis, clinical signs and chemotherapy of M. pachydermatis were studied in clinical otitic dogs of Lahore and its suburbs. During two-year study period, a total of 200 ear cerumen samples from otitic dogs were examined microscopically. Of these, 46 (23%) were found positive for M. pachydermatis. The difference in the prevalence of infection between the pendulous ear and erected ear dogs as well as sex predilection was found nonsignificant (P>0.05). However, a significantly (P<0.05) higher prevalence (86.90%) was recorded in dogs of more than one years of age group. The animals determined positive for the M. pachydermatis were divided into two groups (A and B) and treated with Clotrimazole and Nystatin, respectively. Efficacy of both the antifungals was evaluated on the basis of reversal of clinical signs scoring and cytological examinations at 7, 14, 21-day post treatment. The overall efficacy of Clotrimazole and Nystatin was 73% and 68%, respectively. Clotrimazole showed better results as compared to Nystatin in accomplishing cure rate from mycological infection. It was concluded that M. pachydermatis is a significant cause of otitis in dogs wherein Clotrimazole proves to be a more effective drug in eliminating the infection in the affected Dogs.

Male pseudohermaphroditism is not commonly reported in veterinary medicine. Here, a 3-year-old Maltese/poodle mixed dog presented with malformed external genitalia and episodic hematuria. Inspection and palpation of the external genitals showed a malformed penis, shortened prepuce, external urethral orifice, and cryptorchidism. There was no urethral meatus at the tip of the penis. The urethral opening was situated between the prepuce and the penis. The anterior half of the prepuce was absent, and the penis was free and exposed to both trauma and licking. Plain radiographic examination showed absence of an os penis in the penis. A double-contrast cystograph showed the suspected uterus as well as the cystic calculi. A hypoechoic space was seen at the dorsal portion of the urinary bladder. The space was suspected to be the uterus. A sagital ultrasonograph showed cystic calculi in the urinary bladder. During surgery to remove cystic calculi, hypoplastic testes as well as the uterus were observed. Histological examination of the testes showed the seminiferous tubules and interstitial cells. The sertoli cells and spermatogonia were adjacent to the basement membrane. No evidence of spermatogenesis was found. Striated squamous epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells were found in the uterus. This dog had vestigial oviducts as well as a uterus with male-appearing external genitals.

Patients referred to the Veterinary Medical Center at Chungbuk National University were analyzed. This study aimed to provide information to clinicians in Korea on the factors affecting fracture incidence in patients adapted to Korean companion animal culture. Eighty cases showing- bone fractures were investigated from January, 2005 to De- cember, 2011. Fractures were mainly observed in miniature dogs such as Yorkshire terrier (12%), Poodle (12%), and Maltese (9%). Almost 50% of all cases were less than 1 year old. Total bone fractures in summer and fall constituted 62%. Fracture incidence was higher in male dogs (54%) than female dogs (46%). Hindlimb fracture (37%) was the most common. Distribution of limb fractures was higher in the femur (19), followed by the tibia/fibula (15), radius/ulna (13), humerus (11), and mandible (8). Pelvic fracture was observed in 19 cases. Simple fracture (84%) was the most common fracture type, followed by comminuted fracture (16%). Distal portion was the most common fracture site in long bones (67%), followed by middle (26%) and proxi- mal bones (7%). Fractures were mainly caused by traffic accidents (43%), whereas 28.5% of fractures were due to falling down. Plate & screw (26%) was the most common method of fracture repair, followed by intramedullary pin (24%), wire (11%), external skeletal fixation (10%), screw (9%), amputation (7%), cross pin (6%), IM pin and wire (5%), and rush pin (1%). Among 80 patients, 79%of pa- tients showed a good prognosis after surgery, whereas 13% patients did not experience a good result. This study shows that miniature dogs are prone to falling and fractures, espe- cially in the distal part of long bones.

Experiments were conducted in order to assess the healing effect of bee venom (BV) cream on full-thickness skin wounds in rabbits. BV cream was compared with silver sulfadiazine (SS) as a topical medicament against a control on experimentally created full-thickness wounds. Two wounds measuring 2 × 2 cm were created bilaterally (four wounds/rabbit) on the dorsolateral aspect of the trunk of seven New Zealand white rabbits. Wound treatments were evenly distributed on four sites, using a Latin square design. The contact layer of wounds was treated with physiological saline (control), SS cream, and BV cream over a period of 28 days. Assessment of wound healing was based on scab hardness, wound exudates, wound area, unepithelialized granulation tissue, and histopathological findings. Topical application of BV and SS creams to wounds resulted in reduced inflammation, debridement of necrotic tissue, and promoted granulation and epithelialization. Wound healing was faster, with statistical significance in BV and SS treatments, compared to the control (P<0.05). Treatment with BV evoked an anti-inflammation effect in a rabbit model. BV cream produced a wound healing effect similar to that of commercially available SS cream. Anti-inflammation effect as a topical treatment with BV cream appears to be better than that with SS cream. These results suggest that topical application of BV cream may be an alternative treatment for full-thickness skin wounds.

This study demonstrated that hyaluronic acid (HA) accelerated peripheral nerve regeneration after crush injury to the common peroneal nerve in an experimental rabbit model. Ten male New Zealand White rabbits, weighing 1.8 to 2.0 kg, were used in this study. After creating the nerve crush model in every right leg, rabbits were divided into two groups. Animals in group A received application of HA into the area surrounding the crushed nerve, and group B was the sham control. Electrophysiological assessment was performed every week. After 10 weeks, nerve histological examination, muscle weight and muscle histology were used to evaluate regeneration of the injured common peroneal nerve. No differences in electrophysiological assessment were observed between the two groups. In peripheral nerve histology, myelinated nerve fibers were observed more frequently and less connective tissue was observed in the crushed nerve of group A. Fewer muscle degenerative changes, such as fibrosis, atrophy, and centrally located myonuclei, were detected in group A than in group B. In conclusion, HA could become a potential neuroprotective agent for improvement of peripheral nerve regeneration after crush injury.

Peripheral nerve injuries are very common in clinics and often result in severe functional deficits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of treadmill running and electro-acupuncture on nerve regeneration and functional recovery of muscle activity following sciatic nerve crush injury in a rat model. A comparative study was conducted over 30 days on 60 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats grouped into sham control (C), electro-acupuncture (EA), treadmill (T), and treadmill plus electro-acupuncture (TEA). The left sciatic nerve was crushed for 30 sec using a hemostatic forceps and functional activity was evaluated with sciatic functional tests, nerve conduct velocity, muscle weight, and histology at 10, 20, and 30 days after injury. Muscle weight was significantly (P<0.05) increased between days 10 and 30 in the TEA group. In histology, the degree of damage was scored as C > TEA > T > EA, although necrosis and fibrosis of muscle was observed only in the TEA group. The EA and TEA groups showed rapid recovery with better myelinated axons on day 10. These results suggest that application of the TEA method with balanced exercise is a useful treatment option for peripheral nerve injury regeneration and muscle activity.

A nine-month-old male Pekingese weighing 5.7 kg was admitted to the Veterinary Medical Center at Chungbuk National University with a history of acute nonambulatory tetraparesis after minor trauma. A diagnosis of atlantoaxial instability with a dens axis fracture was based on examination of survey spinal radiographs and was confirmed during surgery. A modified ventral fixation technique using cortical screws was used for stabilization of the atlantoaxial joint. Serial evaluation based on radiographic and neurologic assessment was performed eight weeks after surgery. Symptoms of tetraparesis disappeared gradually, and arthrodesis of the atlantoaxial joint using a ventral fixation technique has maintained stable fixation.

A ten-year-old female Yorkshire terrier was presented to Veterinary Medical Center, Chungbuk National University with signs of anorexia and cough. Blood electrolytes, complete blood count (CBC), and hormone analysis revealed mild elevated lipase and bile acid, moderate hypercholesterolemia and severe elevated alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphate (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). Survey radiographs revealed the potbelly-shaped abdomen, generalized hepatomegaly, and round and smooth marginated mass in right upper abdomen. On ultrasonography, enlarged gallbladder with combination of kiwifruit-like and stellate pattern consistent with gallbladder mucocele was revealed. On day 113 after diagnosis of gallbladder mucocele, free fluid and the hyperechoic structure mainly in the dorsolateral region of the gallbladder was found, which was consistent with gallbladder rupture. Cholecystectomy was performed after gallbladder rupture.

A four-year-old sexually intact male dog and a seven-year-old sexually intact female dog presenting with heavy tick infestation were tentatively diagnosed with tick paralysis. Both dogs died due to respiratory failure. A number of ticks were observed in the head, ears, neck, trunk, and limbs of each dog. In these cases, a presumptive diagnosis of tick paralysis could be based on the presence of a species of tick known to cause paralysis combined with the absence of any other disease previously. Most ticks were identified as Haemaphysalis longicornis according to morphological features. Tick paralysis in dogs has rarely been reported in Korea.

A 14-year-old intact female, mixed dog was presented with hematuria and strangury. Mass in the abdominal cavity was seen on radiographs and ultrasound. On the cytological examination in the urethra, clusters of pleomorphic epithelial cell were found. Tissues of the urethra and the urinary bladder were obtained at the time laparotomy and determined the extent of the mass. Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder was found in histopathologic characteristics. Urinary diversion after removal of a complete full section of the TCC in bladder wall was performed. Piroxicam, as a medical therapy for TCC, was orally administrated. Surgical operation and chemotherapy were selected with the goal of maintaining and improving quality of life.

This study investigated the frequency and distribution of canine patellar luxation (PL) in Bucheon city during January 2003 to December 2006. The 144 dogs with PL were analyzed according to grade, breeds, sex, age, body weight, and existence of concurrent cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Small breed including Yorkshire Terrier (31.65%), Maltese (33.09%) and Poodle (12.23%) had higher distribution of PL. Especially Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese had higher population of PL compared with other breeds. Most of them were diagnosed as II-III grade PL, and only a few dogs had grade I and grade IV PL. Small breed of body weight 2-3 kg (38.88%) had higher population of PL, and most of them were intact female (46.52%) and castrated male (38.19%) dogs. This study showed that clients recognized the necessity of the operation for dogs with PL well when the dogs are 6 months and 3 year-old, and have II-III grade PL. The reason that body weight of 2-3 kg had higher percentage of PL is related to the breeds. In analysis, intact female and castrated male dog had higher distribution of PL. The occurrence of concomitant cranial cruciate ligament rupture was 11%. Patellar luxation is therefore considered having an influence on cranial cruciate ligament rupture.

A two-month-old male calf weighing 70 kg with congenital metacarpophalangeal flexural deformity was referred to the Veterinary Medical Center of Chugbuk National University. The calf could not stand and walk normally that walked with the dorsal surface of the hoof with contraction of fetlock joint. The both forelimbs had been casted two times during 45 days before presentation. Midline of the palmar surface of the feltlock joint was incised to cut superficial flexor tendon, deep flexor tendon and interosseus muscle. Both forelimbs are healed well returned to normal function after tenotomy.