A ventral slot is a surgery in which a hole centered on an intervertebral disc space is cut upward through the bone of two consecutive vertebral bodies to access the bottom of the spinal canal, enabling the removal of material compressing the spinal cord, such as extruded disc material, a blood clot, a cyst, an abscess, or a mass.

Gingi McLeod Age: 8 years Breed: Rottweiler Sex: F/S

1. Either a ventral slot technique or a dorsal laminectomy What is the domino effect in terms of cervical instability? If you fuse two vertebrae together to improve stability, the joints cranial and caudal to that will have more stress on them and may develop the same problems.
2. Current Techniques in Small Animal Surgery, Fifth Edition provides current information regarding surgical techniques from the perspective of clinicians who are performing specific procedures on a regular basis. It is intended to be concise, well illustrated, and reflective of the writer’s experience, both good and bad. The emphasis with this volume is technique. The pathophysiologic.
3. The standard ventral slot had a significant higher increase in ROM in extension compared with the other three techniques. The slanted slot had a significant lower increase in ROM in flexion. Discussion/Conclusion The described ventral slot techniques have similar biomechanical effects on the canine cervical vertebral column.
4. To perform the ventral slot procedure, first fenestrate the disk of interest by resecting a rectangular section of the ventral annulus, and remove this piece of annulus with Lempert rongeurs, exposing the nucleus pulposus (Fig. 40-10, A and B).

At 7 months of age, Gingi was adopted by the McLeod’s from a local shelter and had been an otherwise healthy house pet. Around 11 months ago, Gingi would intermittently cry out in pain after performing certain activities, such as climbing stairs or getting into or out of the car. Gingi also started exhibiting signs of ataxia and rear limb weakness as her signs progressed.

Gingi was referred to Bush Veterinary Neurology Service where an MRI was performed. The results of the MRI showed Gingi had a condition termed Wobbler’s Disease, which resulted in cervical disc protrusions at C4-5 and C5-6. Gingi underwent a surgery called a ventral slot at C5-6 with a fenestration at C4-5. Following surgery, Gingi was sent home on strict bed rest. The McLeod’s were to perform passive range of motion exercises on all 4 limbs and to assist her into a standing position and to go outside with the aid of a help em up harness or sling a few times daily. In her initial post-op period Gingi was not able to urinate on her own and was given medication to help with bladder expression. Gingi also received hyperbaric oxygen treatments several times in the month following her surgery.

Gingi presented to Skylos Sports Medicine to start rehab therapy within a few weeks of surgery. At this time Gingi was too weak to support herself in a standing position, but would move all 4 legs in an attempt to walk with assistance. Her owners were performing passive range of motion exercises 2-4 times daily and assisting her to stand for short periods of time. They felt Gingi had some awareness of her bladder and rectum as she would often vocalize when she had to urinate or defecate. Gingi mainly lied on her side, but was able to get herself into a sternal position if she was lying on her left side. She was unable to accomplish this on her right side. She had anal tone and was able to wag her tail. Gingi had delayed withdrawal reflexes in all 4 legs, but was able to move her legs if persuaded with treats.

At Gingi’s first rehab session we spent time getting to know her and assess what would be good ways to assist her recovery that worked with her personality and with what her owners could accomplish at home as well. Therapy for her first session included; massage and manual techniques, non-thermal class IV laser and specific exercises to promote leg movement and proprioception. One such exercise involved assisting Gingi to drape her body up and over an exercise peanut and rolling her back and forth so both her front paws and rear paws would touch the floor. This is a good exercise to promote proprioception as well as support her body while stabilizing muscles engage.

The McLeod’s were sent home with various exercises, bodywork instructions, and ongoing care parameters. It required daily dedication on her owners part to provide passive range of motion, sensory work such as brushing her in specific ways and helping her body and limbs re-pattern things like sitting up and the steps it takes to accomplish this. Multiple short sessions of standing and assisted walking were also assigned. In addition, Gingi visited Skylos for rehab twice weekly.

Week 1: Gingi had made a few small improvements. Her withdrawal reflexes were stronger in all 4 limbs, she was able to remain sternal on her right side for a few moments and she attempted to stand for a bully stick. However, Gingi was too weak to support her weight by herself when trying to stand. Therapies included; massage, laser and exercises to promote leg movement, balance and proprioception.

Week 2: Gingi continued to make improvements. When taken outside, she was able to stand for a few moments and walked a small distance with little assistance. At this time, her rear legs had more strength and when she tired, Gingi tended to collapse on her front legs. As Gingi would tire rather quickly, we would exercise for a small period of time and then rest. During the second session of the week, Gingi was able to remain in a sternal position on her right side without assistance. Gingi was now also being treated for a UTI. Once a negative urine culture was obtained, the plan was to start Gingi in the underwater treadmill. Therapies included; massage, laser and exercises to promote leg movement, strength, balance and proprioception. The McLeod’s continued a lot of home exercises and mainly concentrated an assisted standing and walking.

Week 3: I was really impressed with Gingi’s improvements. The owners were doing a wonderful job with her home exercises. Gingi was able to walk around with little assistance for around one minute before she tired and tended to collapse. She was also able to stand on her own with little assistance for 30-45 seconds. Gingi was strong enough to walk over 2 inch cavaletti rails for 3 passes. Therapies included; massage, laser and exercises to promote strength, balance and proprioception. Gingi’s urine culture came back negative, so for her second session of the week, she tried the underwater treadmill. Gingi walked for a total of 6 minutes with rests every 2 minutes. She would occasionally knuckle on the left front leg, but overall, did very well.

Ventral Slot Technique Meaning

Week 4: Gingi continued to gain strength at home and was now strong enough to potty on her own outside and no longer needed assistance with bladder expression. Another step in a positive direction that Gingi made at this time was that she was now able to stand on her own from a sit or down position with little to no assistance. She still tired rather quickly, so we would exercise in small increments. Therapies included; massage, laser, underwater treadmill and other exercises to promote strength, balance and proprioception, such as cavaletti rails, figure 8’s and assisted sit to stands.

Week 5: During this week, Gingi had a re-check appointment with the neurologist and she was very happy with Gingi’s progress. During her sessions, Gingi was able to walk around without any assistance and even walked over the 2 inch cavaletti rails on her own. Therapies included; massage, laser, underwater treadmill, assisted sit to stands, cavaletti rails and figure 8’s. Her owners continued to diligently work with her at home.

Weeks 6 and 7: Gingi developed another UTI, so she was not able to go in the underwater treadmill. Her owners felt she was a bit weaker in the rear legs, but overall, was walking well. Gingi had an ataxic gait, but was able to walk around without any assistance. Gingi’s conscious proprioception was slightly delayed, but she was able to “right” all of her paws. Therapies included; massage, laser, sit to stands and started the wobble board and balancing on proprio discs.

Weeks 8 and 9: Gingi continued to do well. She would occasionally knuckle on her left front leg, but this had always appeared to be her weakest leg. This week, Gingi decided she no longer cared for the underwater treadmill and refused to walk in it. During this time, she became able to retrieve treats off of the floor without stumbling or falling. Therapies included; massage, laser and exercises to promote strength, stamina and balance. Her rehab sessions were decreased to once weekly.

Weeks 10 and 11: Gingi continued to recover her strength and was beginning to gain muscle mass. Her gait was less ataxic and she was now able to trot. Gingi’s conscious proprioception continued to improve. Therapies included; massage, laser and exercises to promote strength, stamina and balance. She was doing well her sessions were decreased to every other week.

Gingi comes twice a month for rehab therapy. She is doing well and our work is to continue building on her strength and stamina. Gingi has gained in energy, but still tires after 15 minutes of work. She has been an absolute joy to work with. Gingi has a strong will and was quite determined to walk again. Her owners are also lovely people and were dedicated to her recovery.

Laura Martino-Calfo, RVT,CCRP,CCMP Dr. Faith Lotsikas, CCRT
Skylos Sports Medicine

• Korean J Vet Res 2020, 60(3), 105-108.
• A study on the needs to improve Korea abattoir's critical control point of HACCP system
• Seongjoon Kim, Kwanghoon Choi, Donghoon Myung, Hangsung Chung, Sukwon Kim, Nonghoon Choe
• These days abattoirs' hygiene of Korea is regulated by Hazzard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP). Although 20 years have been left since first HACCP was adjusted in Korea, 12% of abattoirs got inconsistence on evaluations. Food poisoning caused by bacteria feces like pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella has not decreased. These bacteria on meat crosscontaminate at the abattoir. Therefore, field verification of abattoir's critical control point (CCP) and experiments to find alternative ways of the CCP were conducted. The aerobic bacteria were measured before and after high-pressure water based washing process set as CCP in most abattoirs. Four parts of cattle carcasses were selected to apply sponge-swab method. The effects were < 1 log reduction which is not significant. Lactic acid (LC), chlorine dioxide (ClO2) and slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) were used to measure the effect of reducing bacteria on beef by the different time. LC has 1.24–2.02 log reduction for aerobic bacteria. ClO2 has 1.44–1.96 log reduction for aerobic bacteria. SAEW has 1.1–1.91 log reduction for aerobic bacteria. There was significant difference according to concentrations (p < 0.05). This study presents legitimacy for hygiene improvement of CCP by field verification. In addition, chemical disinfectants that can be mechanically applied have better reduction effects of high-pressure washing.

• Korean J Vet Res 2020, 60(3), 109-116.
• Development and evaluation of semi-nested PCR for detection of the variable lipoprotein haemagglutinin (vlhA) gene of Mycoplasma Synoviae in chicken
• Tawatchai Pohuang, Patchara Phuektes, Sucheeva Junnu
• This study aimed to develop a semi-nested polymerase chain reaction assay for the direct detection of Mycoplasma synoviae (M. synoviae) from clinical samples using three newly designed oligonucleotide primers specific to the variable lipoprotein haemagglutinin (vlhA) gene and differentiate M. synoviae field strains based on a nucleotide deletion or the insertion of the prolinerich repeat (PRR) region of the vlhA gene. The developed semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay revealed positive results in 12 out of 100 clinical samples collected from chickens showing lameness and joint swelling. Six positive samples were selected randomly for sequencing, and sequence analysis revealed 96.3-100% nucleotide identities compared to the reference sequences. Phylogenetic analysis showed that sequences of the strains in this study were closely related to WVU1853 (Spain), CK.MS.UDL.PK.2014.2 (Pakistan), and F10-2AS (USA) strains, but they were distinct from the M. synoviae-H vaccine strain sequence. M. synoviae obtained from these samples were identified as types A and C with a length of 38 and 32 amino acids, respectively. These results indicated that the specific and sensitive semi-nested PCR could be a useful diagnostic tool for the direct identification of clinical samples, and the sequence analysis of the partial vlhA gene can be useful for typing M. Synoviae.

• Korean J Vet Res 2020, 60(3), 117-122.
• Comparative analysis of serological tests and fecal detection in the diagnosis of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection
• Hong-Tae Park, Seungmin Ha, Hyun-Eui Park, Soojin Shim, Tai Young Hur, Han Sang Yoo
• Johne's disease (JD) caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is a chronic, wasting infectious disease in ruminants that causes enormous economic losses to the dairy and beef cattle industries. The most effective way to eradicate JD is to detect infected individuals as early as possible and remove them from the herd. However, it is difficult to detect infected individuals early with the currently using diagnostic methods. Two serological diagnostic kits commercially used worldwide and a fecal detection test were compared using 298 serum samples and feces of cattle in this study to present an efficient diagnostic method. Although there was a high correlation between the 2 serological diagnostic kits (R2 = 0.7473), kit A showed a higher serological positive rate. However, the correlation between fecal tests and serological diagnosis was very low. MAP was also detected in fecal tests in many serologically negative individuals. In the periodical diagnosis of JD, MAP was detected in the feces of only cows with the higher antibody titer to MAP. These results suggest that for effective eradication of JD, early detection of infected individuals by fecal tests together with the serological tests currently in use and by removal of infected individuals are needed.

• Korean J Vet Res 2020, 60(3), 123-131.
• Evaluation of the clinical accuracy of six portable blood glucose meters in dogs
• Min-Keun Shin, Hakhyun Kim, Taesik Yun, Ji-Houn Kang, Byeong-Teck Kang
• Portable blood glucose meters (PBGMs) are widely used because of their practicality. However, the accuracy of PBGMs has frequently been questioned. The objectives of this study were to evaluate factors that might interfere with measurements made using PBGMs, and to assess the clinical utility of 6 PBGMs. The glucose concentrations measured using the PBGMs were compared with those obtained using a reference method. The agreement between the measured values was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis, Passing-Bablok regression analysis, Bland-Altman plots, and consensus error grid analysis. Mann-Whitney and KruskalWallis tests were performed to identify the parameters affecting glucose measurement. The results indicated that all of the PBGMs tested perform adequately for use in veterinary practice. In most cases, measurements made using PBGM corresponded well with the blood glucose values obtained using the reference method. Error grid analysis revealed that most of the PBGM values fell within zones A and B. However, some measurements of blood glucose concentrations < 80 mg/dL fell into zone C. PCV, and triglyceride and total protein concentration, significantly affected the output of some of the PBGMs. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of the characteristics of the PBGM that they use.

• Korean J Vet Res 2020, 60(3), 133-137.
• Electrolyte and acid-base imbalance in native calves with enteropathogenic diarrhea
• Seongwoo Kang, Jinho Park, Kyoung-Seong Choi, Kwang-Man Park, Jin-Hee Kang, Dong-In Jung, Dohyeon Yu
• Diarrhea is the most common cause of death in calves, and remains a major health challenge. Although there are many studies on the related pathogens, the understanding of the clinicopathological changes is limited. This study aimed to identify the pathogens and observe the clinicopathological changes in electrolytes and acute phase proteins (APPs) associated with diarrhea. Blood samples and fecal samples were collected from 141 calves for the determination of APPs, electrolyte and acid-base status and identification of enteropathogens, respectively. Single or co-infections with enteropathogens, including virus (bovine viral diarrhea virus, coronavirus, and rotavirus), Eimeria, Cryptosporidium, and Escherichia coli K99 were detected in both non-diarrheic and diarrheic calves. Levels of APPs such as serum amyloid A, haptoglobin and fibrinogen were comparable between diarrheic and nondiarrheic calves. Hypoglycemia, high blood urea, electrolytes and acid-base imbalance (hyponatremia, hypochloremia, and decreased bicarbonate), and strong ion difference (SID) acidosis showed a significant association in diarrheic calves (p < 0.01). Particularly, significant hyponatremia, bicarbonate loss, SID acidosis, hypoglycemia, and elevated blood urea nitrogen were found in rotavirusinfected calves. Monitoring the clinicopathological parameters of APPs and electrolyte levels could be vital in the clinical management of diarrheic calves.

Ventral Slot Technique Definition

• Korean J Vet Res 2020, 60(3), 139-144.
• Comparison of access window created by cervical ventral slot and modified slanted ventral slot in canine cadaver
• Ho Young Kang, Jinsu Kang, Haebeom Lee, Namsoo Kim, Suyoung Heo
• Ten cadavers were studied to compare the accessibility of cervical vertebral canal with conventional standard ventral slot and modified slanted ventral slot. One group performed standard ventral slot procedures at the C3-4, C5-6. The other group performed modified slanted ventral slot with inverted cone technique procedures at the C3-4, C5-6 computed tomography was performed before and after surgery. The accessibility of cervical vertebral canal with conventional standard ventral slot and modified slanted ventral slot using computed tomography in C3-4 and C5-6 intervertebral space was compared. Although smaller ostectomy was performed in the modified slanted ventral slot, some lesions were more accessible but limitations were obvious in C3-4 and C5-6 intervertebral disk space. After the disc material has been identified through accurate preoperative diagnostic imaging, less morbidity and complications can be expected if the appropriate surgical method is selected based on the lesion of compression.

• Korean J Vet Res 2020, 60(3), 145-153.
• Effects of poly (ethylene glycol-propylene glycol) copolymer on hemostasis and osteogenesis in a rat calvarial defect model
• Ha-Eun Kim, Hun-Young Yoon, Eun-Jin Kim, Sun-Jong Kim
• This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a bioabsorbable bone hemostatic agent comprising poly (ethylene glycolpropylene glycol) copolymers (PEG-PPG) on hemostasis and osteogenesis. Bilateral 3 mm diameter calvarial defects were created in 99 male Sprague-Dawley rats. The defects were filled with PEG-PPG or bone wax. The defects of control group were left unfilled. Virtual autopsy was performed to evaluate bioabsorption. The calvaria were subjected to x-ray microtomography (microCT) and histological examination. Bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured using microCT; furthermore, white blood cell count and histological examination were performed. After application of PEG-PPG and bone wax, immediate hemostasis was achieved. Autopsy revealed that PEG-PPG disappeared within 48 h at the application site; in contrast, bone wax remained until 12 weeks. The PEG-PPG and control groups showed significantly more osteogenesis than the bone wax group with respect to BV/TV and BMD at 3, 6, and 12 weeks (p < 0.05). Histology revealed that the bone wax group exhibited little bone formation with inflammation. In contrast, PEG-PPG and control groups showed significantly more qualitative osteogenesis than the bone wax group (p < 0.01). In conclusion, PEG-PPG showed immediate hemostasis and was absorbed to allow progressive osteogenesis.

• Korean J Vet Res 2020, 60(3), 155-161.
• Pathological characteristics on porcine enteritis associated with porcine circovirus type 2 in Jeju
• Seong-Hwan Mun, Hyoung-Seok Yang, Jae-Hoon Kim
• From 2006 to 2009, 50 pigs suspected of enteritis associated with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) (EAPC) were collected. Gross and histopathologic examinations and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed on the small intestine of 50 pigs. The pigs with EAPC were concentrated in grower pigs (68%), and diarrhea (84%) was the most common clinical sign. Grossly, the walls of the small intestine were thickened, and mesenteric lymph nodes were enlarged. The histopathologic features in the small intestine with EAPC were characterized by lymphoid depletion, histiocytic infiltration, and formation of basophilic grape-like inclusion bodies and multinucleated giant cells in gut-associated lymphatic tissue (GALT) and lamina propria. According to IHC, PCV-2 antigens were more intense and distributed widely in GALT (98%) than lamina propria (82%) of the small intestine. Coinfection with other enteric pathogens was detected in 26 pigs (52%). Twenty-four pigs (48%) were confirmed to be a PCV-2 single infection. Collectively, infected PCV-2 in the small intestine may induce an immunosuppressive status of individuals and then allow secondary co-infections in the digestive system. This study shows that PCV-2 can induce diarrhea and enteric lesions in pigs without a co-infection of other enteric pathogens.

• Korean J Vet Res 2020, 60(3), 163-171.
• Virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes of pathogenic Escherichia coli from piglets showing diarrhea before and after ban on antibiotic growth promoters in feed
• Kyung-Hyo Do, Jae-Won Byun, Wan-Kyu Lee
• This study examined the prevalence of adherence factors, toxin genes, antimicrobial resistance phenotypes, and resistance genes in Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from piglets with diarrhea before and after the ban on antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in Korea from 2007 to 2018. In this period, pathogenic 474 E. coli isolates were obtained from diarrheic piglets. The virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance genes were assayed using a polymerase chain reaction, and the susceptibility to antibiotics was tested according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. After the ban on AGPs, the frequency of F4 (12.5% to 32.7%) increased significantly, and LT (31.9% to 20.3%) and EAST-I (46.5% to 35.2%) decreased significantly. In addition, the resistance to streptomycin (45.8% to 67.9%), cephalothin (34.0% to 59.4%), and cefazlin (10.4% to 28.8%) increased significantly. Colistin resistance plasmid-mediated genes, mcr-1 and mcr-3, were detected after the ban on AGPs. The results of this study can provide useful data for analyzing the impact of the ban on AGPs on the virulence profiles and antimicrobial resistance of E. coli isolated from piglets with diarrhea in Korea.

• Korean J Vet Res 2020, 60(3), 173-177.
• Genotypic characterization of fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli isolates from edible offal
• Se Hyun Son, Kwang Won Seo, Yeong Bin Kim, Eun Bi Noh, Keun-Woo Lee, Tae-Ho Oh, Seung-Joon Kim, Jae-Chan Song, Tae-Wan Kim, Young Ju Lee
• Edible offal is easily contaminated by Escherichia coli (E. coli) and fluoroquinolone (FQ)-resistant E. coli is considered a serious public health problem, thus, this study investigated the genetic characteristics of FQ-resistant E. coli from edible offal. A total of 22 FQ-resistant E. coli isolates were tested. A double mutation in each gyrA and parC led the highest MIC. Four (18.2%) isolates carried plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes. The fimH, eaeA, escV, astA, and iucC genes were confirmed. Seventeen isolates (77.3%) were positive for plasmid replicons. The isolates showed high genetic heterogeneity based on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns.

• Korean J Vet Res 2020, 60(3), 179-182.
• Uterine leiomyosarcoma in a cat
• Hyemin Na, Donghak Choi, Woo-Chan Son, Kija Lee
• A 16-year-old cat presented with a 2-week history of anorexia and lethargy. Radiography revealed a soft-tissue opacity, heart-shaped mass between the descending colon and urinary bladder. Ultrasonography showed a large uterine body with a heterogeneously hypoechoic, thickened wall and hypoechoic intraluminal fluid. Computed tomography revealed a large, fluid-filled uterine mass with contrast enhancement, without evidence of regional lymph node or pulmonary metastasis. Ovariohysterectomy was performed and leiomyosarcoma was confirmed by histology. No notable abnormalities were observed during the 1-year postoperative follow-up periods. This report describes the diagnostic imaging and treatment of a rare case of feline uterine leiomyosarcoma.

• Korean J Vet Res 2020, 60(3), 183-186.
• Klebsiella pneumoniae infection secondary to bovine viral diarrhea in two prematurely born calves
• Kyunghyun Lee, Ha-Young Kim, Eun-Jin Choi, Kyoung-Ki Lee, ByungJae So, Ji-Youl Jung
• This paper describes the development of neurological signs of two prematurely born calves four days after birth. The pathological examination results indicated fibrinopurulent polyserositis, including meningoencephalitis with suppurative bronchopneumonia. Bovine viral diarrhea virus subtype 2a was detected in most of the internal organs, and the bacterial colonies cultured from the samples were identified as Klebsiella (K.) pneumoniae. Molecular analysis via multilocus sequence typing identified a different K. pneumoniae isolate in each calf-type 14 in calf A and type 65 in calf B. This is the first report identifying K. pneumoniae sequence types 14 and 65 in cattle.