Sixteen normal 20 to 30 kg dogs had standard femoral head and neck excision (8 dogs) or femoral head and neck excision with interposition of a biceps muscle flap (8 dogs). Lameness lessened at week 6, and did not differ between groups; neither group returned to a completely normal gait. Weightbearing decreased on the operated pelvic limb compared to controls (forceplate analysis). Weightbearing force of the muscle flap dogs was significantly less at weeks 6 and 16 than that of the standard femoral head and neck excision dogs. The operated limb of both groups was shortened; shortening was significantly greater for the muscle flap group. Hip extension was limited in both groups. Both groups had decreased (more acute) hip, stifle, and hock angles measured in standing position. Thigh muscle atrophy was more pronounced in the muscle flap group at week 6. More soft tissue was interposed in the muscle flap group at necropsy compared to the group with standard femoral head and neck excision, but the difference was not statistically significant. Skeletal muscle fibers were present in the interposed fibrous connective tissue of the muscle flap group, and the healed surfaces were smoother than those of the standard femoral head and neck excision group.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Endogenous lipid (cholesterol) pneumonia associated with bronchogenic carcinoma in a cat.

An 11-year-old, female domestic longhair was presented for dyspnea, vomiting, and left forelimb lameness. A mass in the left caudal lung lobe was seen on thoracic radiographs. The mass was resected during thoracotomy, and histopathology confirmed a diagnosis of endogenous lipid pneumonia. The cat recovered slowly from surgery and was euthanized 11 days following discharge because of persistent respiratory difficulties. Necropsy findings included lipid pneumonia and bronchogenic carcinoma, with probable tumor metastasis to the small intestine, spleen, kidney, and left triceps muscle.

Animals↗