<div>Background: Fracture of long bones is a common orthopaedic condition noticed in dogs and its primary goal is to completely restore the function of the injured limb as early as possible. Osteo-conductivity of hydroxyapatite can be improved further by decreasing the particle size to nanometre range and incorporation of inorganic materials in hydroxyapatite can enhance osteoblast cell material interactions. Strontium, Zinc, Silver and Fluorine are known to play an important role in the bone formation and also affect bone material characteristics such as crystallinity, degradation behaviour and mechanical properties. When doped with plasma spray nanohydroxyapatite, these multi-ions cause no harm to the physical environment during the degradation process of hydroxyapatite as these are nontoxic and play significant role in bone metabolism, growth and nourishment. Bone markers have tremendous potential as a rapid and sensitive method for assessing the response of the skeleton to medical or surgical interventions providing valuable information regarding bone turn over in animals. Hence, the current study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of multi-ion doped nano-hydroxyapatite coated intramedullary titanium implants in long bone fracture repair in dogs compared to the conventional intramedullary titanium implants through radiographical studies and evaluation of bone markers.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Radiographical evaluation, Sandwich ELISA kits developed by Bioassay technology laboratory. 
 
Result: Plasma spray nano-hydroxyapatite coated titanium intramedullary implants have shown excellent osteo-conductivity when doped with multi-ions of Strontium, Zinc, Silver and Fluorine facilitating rapid osteoblastic activity and rapid bone turnover at the fracture site and complete fracture healing by 3rd week post-operatively as evidenced by radiographic scores and a peak BALP (Canine Bone Alkaline Phosphatase) values and early limb usage. Bone reabsorption and bone tissue remodelling due to osteoclastic action at the fracture site was quicker when the multi-ion doped nano-hydroxyapatite coated titanium intramedullary implants were used which is evidenced by the radiographic scores and highest CTX (Canine C-telopeptide of Type 1 Collagen) values indicating completion of fracture healing and near completion of bone tissue remodelling by 9th post-operative week in long bone fracture repair in dogs.</div>

​Efficacy of Multi-ion Doped Plasma Spray Nano-hydroxyapatite Coated Titanium Implants in Long Bone Fracture Repair in Dogs- Radiographical and Bone Markers Evaluation

<div>Radiographic evaluation plays a crucial role in the prediction and diagnosis of cardiac disease. Vertebral heart score (VHS) and cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) provide an objective measure to evaluate cardiac size. The aim of the present study was to establish the normal reference values of VHS and CTR in 25 clinically normal Zaraibi goats with homogenous age and body weight. Complete clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and radiographic examinations were included. The VHS and CTR were calculated from right lateral inspiratory radiographs. The VHS ranged from 7.3 to 8.8 (mean&plusmn;SD 8.0&plusmn;0.4) vertebrae and the CTR ranged from 17.1 to 24.6 (mean&plusmn;SD 20.1&plusmn;2.2)%. Significant weak correlation was recorded between VHS and CTR. Vertebral heart score and cardiothoracic ratio are clinically useful tool to evaluate cardiac size in Zaraibi goats.</div>

<div>Objective radiographic evaluation of cardiac size in clinically normal Zaraibi goats</div>

Background: This study aimed to present information regarding the technique and results regarding the figure-of-eight cerclage wire application in the treatment of salter-harris type I and II fractures of the distal femoral physis in cats. This study included 30 cats with femoral fractures in one extremity. 
 
Methods: The evaluated data included animal characteristics (species, age and sex), fracture characteristics (etiology, duration, salter-harris classification, preoperative and postoperative displacement), surgical information (cerclage wire diameter and duration of surgery) and outcome assessment information (functional results, radiographic results and complications). Bone healing was observed between 6-8 weeks on postoperative radiographic evaluation in all cases. Long-term outcome assessments revealed complete functional results in most animals (96.6%, n=28). The overall complication rate was 26.6% (n=8) and all complications were classified as minor. Radiographs of the affected and contralateral extremities indicated shortening in 27 cats, but this finding was not statistically significant, either clinically or radiographically, considering the functional results. Preoperative fracture displacement was 3rd&nbsp;degree in most patients (70%, n=21), in which figure-of-eight cerclage wire techniques were assessed. 
 
Result: Postoperative evaluation revealed 85% anatomical reduction or minimal malreduction. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that figure-of-eight cerclage wire application could be preferred as an alternative technique for the treatment of salter-harris type I and II fractures of the distal femoral physis in cats.

Evaluation of Figure-of-eight Cerclage Wire Technique for Distal Femoral Physis Fractures (Salter-Harris Type I and Type II) in Cats

<div>Background: Fracture repair is one of most common procedure carried out by veterinary clinicians. Fracture healing most of the time associated with delayed union, non-union and mal-uinon. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical, haemato-biochemical and radiological outcome in patients after implantation of &beta;-tricalcium phosphate as a bone graft substitute to promote the fracture healing. 
 
Methods: Eight clinical cases brought to the clinics with femur fracture were divided into two groups viz. A and B, with four animals in each group. Femur fractures were stabilized with intramedullary pinning and &beta;-TCP biomaterial and intramedullary pinning and &beta;-TCP plus autologous bone marrow aspirate (BMA) composite in group A and B respectively. The efficacy of fixation was studied on the basis of clinical evaluation, haemato-biochemical and radiographical parameters on day 0 and on 7th, 15th, 30th, 45th and 60th post-operative day.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Excellent weight bearing was noticed in group B. The overall functional outcome in group B was better in comparison to group A animals. Haematological parameters viz. haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total leukocyte count and differential leukocyte count did not differ significantly within and between the groups. The biochemical parameters viz. serum calcium increased significantly (P&lt;0.05) on 7th and 15th post-operative day. A significant reduction in serum alkaline phosphatase level observed on successive post-operative days in both groups. Radiographs of fractures treated in both the groups showed good reduction and fracture fixation, early signs of fracture healing in group B than group A animals. The size of callus formation was more in group A than group B. No any graft related complications observed during the study period. The &beta;-tricalcium phosphate facilitated fracture healing and early ambulation of affected limb.</div>

<div>Evaluation of &beta;-Tricalcium Phosphate Biomaterial in Femur Fracture Repair in Dogs</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">In this study, four lactation curve models viz. Gamma-type function (GF), Mixed log function (MLF), Exponential function (EF) and Polynomial regression function (PRF) were fitted to predict the weekly test-day milk yields pertaining to 961 Murrah buffaloes progeny of 101 sires spread over a period of 36 years (1977-2012) maintained at ICAR-NDRI, Karnal. The PRF was the best fit with highest R2 (99.3%) and lowest RMSE (0.3%) which was used subsequently to estimate the first lactation 305-day or less milk yield (FL305DMY) from weekly test-day milk yields. The sires were evaluated using four linear models viz. Least Squares(LSQ), Simple Regressed Least Squares (SRLS), Sire (BLUP-SM) and animal (BLUP-AM) models from actual as well as PRF predicted FL305DMYs. BLUP-AM was the most efficient, among the sire evaluation models, in predicting the breeding values. Sire evaluation on the basis of predicted data (using PRF) was similar to that on the basis of actual data indicating that the best fitted lactation curve function can be used as an alternative for early animal evaluation and reduction of generation interval.</div>

Modeling lactation curve for genetic evaluation of Murrah buffaloes

Background: Femur fractures from multifactorial etiologies are a common occurrence in young and growing dogs. Various methods of internal fixation are available to repair young femur fractures but titanium elastic nails (TENs) are superior in stabilizing such fractures. Micromotion at the fracture site by these nails limits stress shielding and stimulates for early callus formation. TENs nails have been used in children but fewer studies are conducted in immature dogs in the recent years. The objective of this study was the clinical evaluation of TENs technique in femur fracture fixation among young dogs. 
 
Methods: This study included 16 clinical cases of young (&lt;2 months) dogs (12 male and 4 female) with mean &plusmn; SD age of 5.19&plusmn;2.83 month, body weight 7.46&plusmn;5.07 Kg injured since 2.93&plusmn;2.14 days and associated with vehicular accident, fall from height, hit injury with stick and unknown injury with femur fractures. TENs technique was applied in all the classes and postoperative clinical evaluation was done. 
 
Result: All the cases resulted in satisfactory functional outcome based on radiographically visible early bridging callus&nbsp; with mean radiographic fracture healing score of 2.43&plusmn;0.18, better fracture union (bone union score: 1.37&plusmn;0.24 and bone formation score: 2.25&plusmn;0.19), early weight bearing (standing: 2.43&plusmn;0.28 days, walking: 4.93&plusmn;0.39 days, pain perception score (1.62&plusmn;0.12) and ambulation with weight bearing score: 2.5&plusmn;0.12 (standing) and 3.00&plusmn;0.22 (walking), respectively on 15th&nbsp;postoperative day, in affected dogs with no major complications. Therefore, TENs technique provides an adequate repair of diaphyseal and supracondylar femur fractures in young dogs with better postoperative outcome. 
&nbsp;

Evaluation of Titanium Elastic Nails for Femoral Fractures in Young Dogs: A Clinical Study

Background: Canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the commonly diagnosed acquired myocardial disease in dogs characterized by hypokinesis, eccentric myocardial hypertrophy. Activation of neurohumoral system (i.e., sympathetic and RAAS) is crucial in the pathogenesis of DCM with deteriorative effect on the failing heart. In current protocol, ACE inhibitors are being employed to counter RAAS through blocking of ACE pathway, however aldosterone breakthrough due to alternate tissue pathway render the treatment less effective. The natriuretic peptides (viz., ANP, BNP) produced in response to cardiac wall stress have beneficial natriuretic, diuretic and suppressed cardiac sympathetic effects, however, will be cleaved by the enzyme neprilysin limiting their activity. With this background, this study was aimed to study the effect of Sacubitril-Valsartan, an ARNi drug in management of canine heart failure due to DCM, evaluating its effects on clinical, echocardiographic parameters as well as on RAAS and natriuretic peptides. 
 
Methods: Dogs with confirmed DCM on echocardiography were randomly divided into two treatment groups, one with conventional protocol having ACEI (Group II) and another group with ARNi replacing ACEI in the protocol (Group III). Clinical signs, ECG, echocardiographic evaluation was done at monthly interval till 90th&nbsp;day of therapy. Radiographic evaluation as well as effect on RAAS by assessing plasma natriuretic peptides and urine aldosterone-creatinine ratio was done on 0th&nbsp;day and 90th&nbsp;days of therapy. Data was analysed using ANOVA and independent &lsquo;t&rsquo; test followed by LSD using IBM SPSS version 2.0. 
 
Result: In the study, group III dogs showed early resolution of clinical signs compared to group II. Group III showed a significant decrease in left atrial diameter and LA/Ao ratio earlier by 30th&nbsp;day of therapy, while in Group II, the same was noticed on the 60th day. Cardiac internal diameters were found to be significantly decreased in group III while group II showed a non-significant decrease. Systolic function was found to be significantly increased by 30th&nbsp;day in group III while group III has a non significant increase in ejection fraction. Significant decline of Uald:cre ratio was noticed in group III indicating its effective inhibition of RAAS. In the study dogs treated with sacubitril-valsartan was found to have faster resolution of clinical signs, greater reduction in cardiac dimensions and improvement in systolic function compared to ACEI treated dogs. 
&nbsp;

Therapeutic Evaluation of Sacubitril-valsartan (Arni) in Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy

<div>Background: Intramedullary pinning (IMP) is the most commonly used internal skeletal fixation technique. Threaded pins (also called Schanz Screws) provide a comparatively better holding strength than non-threaded tipped intramedullary pins. The present study was planned to evaluate and compare the efficacy of positive and negative profile end threaded intramedullary pins in the management of long bone fractures in dogs.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Eleven clients owned dog suffering from fracture of long bones were randomly divided in to two groups. Animals of group I (n=5) and group II (n=6) were treated with end threaded positive and negative profile intra medullary pin, respectively. The intramedullary pinning was done using 3 to 5.5 mm diameter pins under general anesthesia, the time taken for surgery, size of end threaded intramedullary pin used in each case was noted down. Radiographs were taken preoperatively, immediately after fixation and then at regular intervals till signs of radiographic healing were evident.&nbsp; 
 
Result: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of time taken for fixation/surgery and in healing time, with a gradual improvement in weight bearing postoperatively in both the groups. There was mild periosteal callus formation in all the cases when observed radiographically and the pins were removed after radiographic healing was evident in an anticlockwise manner using Jacob&rsquo;s chuck and key, under mild sedation. There was no complication like implant failure or pin tract sepsis or pin migration or pin breakage in any of the cases of two groups. However, passing the positive profile end threaded intramedullary pin in distal fragment is comparatively smoother and easier as compared to negative profile end threaded intra medullary pin.</div>

Evaluation of End-threaded Positive and Negative Profile Intramedullary Pins for Management of Long Bone Fractures in Dogs

Background: Six dogs irrespective of age, breed and sex affected with long bone fractures were subjected to clinical evaluation.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Locking compression bone plating was done for stabilization of fracture and bio glass putty was used as gap filler in interfragmentary spaces. The clinical, radiographic, hemato-biochemical evaluation was done pre-operatively and post-operatively at periodic intervals.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The study concluded that bio glass could be used as space filler for repair of long bone fractures in conjugation with primary stabilization with locking compression plate.

Clinical Evaluation of Bioglass for Long Bone Fracture Repair in Dog

Background: Gastrointestinal disorders are the most encountered preliminary ailments in a clinical establishment especially pertaining to gastroenteritis and foreign body obstruction in dogs. A persistent diagnostic protocol in these conditions helps in the future therapeutic decision-making process. The present study was conducted to evaluate the role of radiographic findings and ratio of maximum small intestinal diameter to the L5 mid-vertebral diameter as a quantitative diagnostic aid in gastrointestinal disorders i.e., gastroenteritis and foreign body syndrome in dogs.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In this study a total of 86 dogs were divided into 3 groups viz. group 1 (n=12) included apparently healthy dogs, group 2 (n=61) included dogs suffering with gastroenteritis and group 3 (n=13) included dogs with foreign body syndrome. 
 
Result: Radiographically foreign body was visible in 4 out of 13 cases and presence of diffuse and segmental dilation was noted in dogs suffering with gastroenteritis and foreign body syndrome respectively. A significant increase (p&lt;0.05) in Max SI/L5 of dogs suffering with foreign body syndrome (2.93&plusmn;0.12) was seen as compared to dogs with gastroenteritis (1.68&plusmn;0.09) and apparently healthy dogs (0.71&plusmn;0.04). Also, there was significant increase(p&lt;0.05) of Max SI/L5 in dogs suffering with gastroenteritis (1.68&plusmn;0.09) and those which were apparently healthy (0.71&plusmn;0.04). The following study concluded that radiographic findings such as pattern of dilation and Max SI/L5 ratio can be used as a diagnostic aid in gastrointestinal ailments and value of Max SI/L5 ratio &gt;1.6 is indicative of obstruction in dogs. 
&nbsp;

Efficacy of Multi-ion Doped Plasma Spray Nano-hydroxyapatite Coated Titanium Implants in Long Bone Fracture Repair in Dogs- Radiographical and Bone Markers Evaluation

Objective radiographic evaluation of cardiac size in clinically normal Zaraibi goats