Client Handouts

Introduction

INTRODUCTION

The elbow is a complex joint made up of three bones, the humerus in the upper arm and the radius and ulna in the lower forearm. The top of the radius is flat and supports the humerus. This is the weight bearing bone in the forearm. The top of the ulna curves around the humerus to allow the normal movements of the elbow joint.

INTRODUCTION
The hip is a "ball and socket" type of joint. In the normal dog and cat, the head of the femur, femoral head (the "ball" portion) sits tightly into the acetabulum of the pelvis ("socket" portion).

In cases of disease, irreparable fractures, or the advanced stages of crippling osteo-arthritis (secondary to an old injury or hip dysplasia), surgical procedures may be required to salvage pain free use of the affected leg.

EXCISION ARTHROPLASTY

NORMAL EAR ANATOMY

INTRODUCTION
The prostate is located at the base of the bladder and encircles the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside. The prostate produces a milky fluid, which provides an optimum environment for sperm.

BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERTROPHY
As intact male dogs get older, the prostate can enlarge due to the presence of testosterone. In most cases this benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) does not cause problems, however, in some dogs, the enlarged prostate can put pressure on the colon. Straining to defecate may occur or your pet's stool may be ribbon-like. More than 80% of male dogs over the age of 6 have evidence of benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Castration alone is effective and thus is the treatment for benign prostatic hypertrophy. In some patients, infections, cysts, and abscesses can occur in the prostate. In these dogs more extensive surgery may be needed in addition to castration. Prostatic tumors can occur in dogs regardless if they are castrated or not, however, intact males with prostate cancer may still benefit from castration.

CYSTS
If large fluid-filled cysts or abscesses are present, the surgery required depends on their location. Sometimes the cystic structure can be sutured to the skin forming an opening for drainage to the outside. This is called marsupialization.

In some cases, the cystic structures are too small or located too high to reach the body wall. In these patients, drains may be placed from the cyst and exit through the body wall or the omentum (a special membrane like organ in the abdomen) can be sutured into the cyst to absorb the fluid. This is called omentalization.

ABSCESS
Prostatic abscess is a potentially life-threatening problem. Rupture of the abscess releases the bacterial infection into the abdomen, which will result in peritonitis. Dogs with peritonitis require emergency surgery and intensive care.

PROSTATE CANCER
Prostate cancer is a very serious problem in dogs, and can affect both neutered and un-neutered males. All or part of the prostate may need to be removed. This is called prostatectomy or partial prostatectomy. This cancer often spreads early (metastasis), so screening tests including radiographs and ultrasound are required as part of the initial work up and during follow-up progress evaluations. Adjunctive (additional) therapy consisting of radiation therapy and chemotherapy may also be recommended.

The prognosis for long-term survival with prostate cancer in dogs is not very good.

Each of these procedures has their advantages, disadvantages and potential for complications. Your surgeon would be glad to discuss these with you during your consultation.

INTRODUCTION
Portosystemic shunts (PSS) are abnormal pathways of the vascular system in which blood draining the intestines bypasses the liver and enters the main circulation. Because the liver does not have the opportunity to detoxify substances absorbed from the intestines, these accumulated substances can affect the brain and cause seizures and abnormal behavior.

DIAGNOSIS

Hernias are defects or weaknesses in the muscles that contain the abdominal contents. Perineal hernias develop on one or both sides of the anus, due to weakness in the muscles that constitute what we call the pelvic diaphragm.

Weakness of the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm resulting in perineal hernia occurs almost exclusively in male dogs. Hormones, like testosterone, are presumed to weaken the muscles and tissues that hold the different muscles of the pelvic diaphragm. An enlarged prostate gland, common in middle-aged to older male dogs, may cause straining to urinate or defecate (bowel movement) resulting in additional stress to the pelvic diaphragm.

A perineal hernia occurs spontaneously. Occasionally, intestines or the urinary bladder can become entrapped in the hernia resulting in a potentially life-threatening emergency.

Treatment requires surgery to repair and stabilize the weakened pelvic diaphragm musculature and neutering (castration) to remove the hormonal influence testosterone has on muscle weakness and prostate enlargement.

Patients are placed on stool softeners for at least 3 weeks after surgery to decrease straining.

Complications can include infection (due to the proximity of the anus), fecal incontinence, and recurrence. In cases where the hernia is on only one side, the opposite side may also herniate in the future. The recurrence rate after surgical repair is less than 10%.

INTRODUCTION
Perineal urethrostomy is a surgical procedure used to change the opening of the urethra in male cats to an area where the urethra is wider. The surgery is performed when male cats become repeatedly obstructed and cannot be treated preventatively by medicine and/or by diet, alone.

SURGERY
During the procedure, the patient is neutered if this has not already been done. In addition, the penis is removed because this is where the urethra is particularly narrow and where many of the obstructions occur.

INTRODUCTION
The stifle (knee) is essentially a hinge joint, allowing the major muscles of the upper leg to cause the normal swinging movement of the lower leg with walking or running.

The patella (knee cap) is a small bone in the patellar tendon of the quadriceps muscle that rides in a groove in the femur (upper leg) at the stifle joint, stabilizing the stifle. The patellar tendon attaches to the tibial crest below the stifle. These structures make up the quadriceps mechanism.

INTRODUCTION
Osteochondrosis is a developmental abnormality of the articular cartilage (cartilage of the surface of the joint) of puppies leading to sites where the cartilage is thicker than normal (Figure A). There is a localized separation of this abnormal articular cartilage from the underlying bone. This can lead to the formation of a cartilage flap, known as Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) (Figure B).