Caption This!

Brittany Dash from North Carolina State University submitted this adorable photo of her pups for the caption contest in the last Issue. The winning caption is....

“Dude, what was in those Greenies?”

The winning caption was submitted by Tina Batek from University of Illinois! Thanks for all who participated and be sure to look on the call for submissions page to see the next Issue's photo to be captioned!

Trivia Answer!

In the previous issue, you were all asked: "What is the only animal that has an incomplete mediastinum, allowing both of its lungs to share a single cavity?" There were a lot of great guesses and a few of you got it right! The answer is....

The American Bison! It is believed that this is how the Native Americans were able to so effectively hunt them as one arrow to the chest would incapacitate them. It is very unfortunate anatomy!

Sarah Myers from Kansas State University was the student to answer it first. Congratulations!

An Externship Unlike Any Other

By Nikki Dowgos, SAVMA Editor in Chief

How do you describe an externship that had such a profound impact on your life and career trajectory? It’s hard to put into words the amazing experience I had during the month of April at the American Veterinary Medical Association Government Relations Division. As expected, I learned so much about legislative process as a whole and about what veterinarians can do to make an impact. What I valued most about this externship, though, is how much I learned about myself and the many veterinarians in Washington D.C.

I was very quickly immersed in the AVMA GRD agenda when I arrived. There was a sense of urgency to everything I was working on as Congress was quickly approaching Easter recess and there were many things that needed to be started before the two-week hiatus. I began working with one of the Assistant Directors, Alex Sands, on her project concerning the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act (VMLRP EA). The bill was introduced in the 115^th Congress, but it did not make it to the final stages. The goal of this project was to do research on specific states across the United States to evaluate how many designated shortages were filled in previous years and how many shortages there are for this current application cycle. By doing this, we were able to demonstrate the need to recruit and retain veterinarians in rural communities and garner support from members of Congress from many states! I found myself very passionate about this research and it was very fulfilling to work on a project that can ultimately improve the lives of rural veterinarians and their communities.

My time in Washington D.C. was a good balance of work and play. The peak cherry blossom bloom was occurring simultaneously with my first few days there, so I was able to walk around the Tidal Basin and see the beautiful Dr. Seuss-esque foliage after I completed some meetings on Capitol Hill one afternoon. I visited the United States Botanic Garden Conservatory and took a tour where I learned about medicinal plants as well as many plants endemic to different regions around the world. I explored the Library of Congress where I learned about the history of baseball and Central America through some of their temporary exhibits. One of my favorite places that I was able to go was the National Portrait Gallery and the Hall of Presidents. It was so incredible to observe such beautiful art as well as the portraits of all the presidents up to now. Many of them were so realistic that it appeared the subject could walk right out of the portrait! I really enjoyed being able to see some of the historic sites in Washington D.C. while on my externship.

One of the most exciting things about the AVMA GRD Externship is the fact that, as an extern, you have the flexibility to truly choose what you want to get out of the experience. Due to the two-week Congressional recess during my four-week externship, I decided to front load my experience with congressional hearings, meetings, and briefings. I spent the final two weeks meeting with as many veterinarians in D.C. that I possibly could. I met with veterinarians in a variety places throughout the executive branch like the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, Defense Health Agency, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). I also met with veterinarians from the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), the Animal Health Institute, Merck Animal Health, and a professor from George-Washington University. They all had unique and interesting stories to share about how they came into their current position; I am looking forward to one day working in government and calling them my colleagues!

The AVMA GRD Externship was the highlight of my clinical year thus far. I thoroughly enjoyed taking a step back from the clinical side of veterinary medicine to see how decision-making and policies enacted at the governmental level can affect the everyday lives of veterinarians and pet owners. Coming into this externship, I knew that I would seek out ways to be involved in organized veterinary medicine upon graduation whether that be at the local level with my state Veterinary Medical Association or the national level like the American Veterinary Medical Association. This externship allowed me to fully explore the many different avenues I may be able to pursue to stay involved and I am truly grateful for the opportunity that the AVMA Government Relations Division provided. I highly encourage anyone with any interest in the nuances of policy and organized veterinary medicine to apply for this invaluable externship opportunity!

If you are interested in applying for this externship experience, applications are now being accepted for the 2020 AVMA Government Relations Externship Program. More information is available on the AVMA Website!

Rehabilitation Following a Femoral Head Ostectomy and Total Hip Replacement on a Bengal Cat

Blair Hooser, Purdue University

Introduction
The patient was a 1 year old, male, neutered, Bengal cat. Within 1 year the patient sustained a capital physeal fracture of the right and left hip. This resulted in a femoral head ostectomy (FHO) of the right hip and a later total hip replacement (THR) of the left hip (1) (2) both performed at the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (PUVTH). Physical rehabilitation exercises performed following both procedures at PUVTH included: assisted standing and weight shifting, warm pack, massage, stretching, passive range of motion, controlled walking, cavaletti rails, dancing, and the underwater treadmill. These exercises were also prescribed for the owners to continue at home. The patient was given Onsior and buprenorphine for pain management. Following completion of post-op physical rehabilitation, the patient had almost normal range of motion in both hips with some bilateral atrophy of the hip musculature.

FHO

Clinical Findings/Assessment
The patient presented to the PUVTH with a history of limping in the right pelvic limb. Radiographs had been taken at an emergency clinic and revealed a possible right femoral head fracture just prior to referral (Figure 1). Upon physical examination, a right hindlimb lameness and pain upon manipulation of the right hip were observed. The remainder of the physical exam was within normal limits. Blood was drawn for a complete blood count (CBC)/chemistry panel and no significant abnormalities were seen. Figure 1 Additional radiographs were obtained which confirmed the diagnosis of a capital physeal fracture of the right femoral head.

Treatments/Modalities
An FHO was performed at PUVTH. No surgical complications were encountered and the patient was discharged the following day on Onsior at home for pain relief. Postoperative radiographs were taken (Figure 2). The patient returned 2 weeks post-surgery for the beginning of physical rehabilitation. At this time, the incision had healed and the patient no longer required medications for pain. Gait analysis was normal and the Colorado State Pain Scale Assessment was 0/4. Assessment of the right hip showed decreased range of motion. Goniometry of the right hip in extension was 100 degrees and the limb girth of the right hind limb was 19.5cm at the mid-femur region. While walking and standing there was mild to moderate weight shifting off of the right pelvic limb, but the patient still used that limb with each step. The rehabilitation plan for the patient included improving functional walking, improving hip extension, and strengthening the muscles of the right pelvic limb. Pain management was also a major consideration for rehabilitation, since pain affects how the animal wants to use an affected limb, and thus would be counterintuitive to rehabilitation (3). Injuries to the musculoskeletal system can affect an animal’s proprioception and specific exercises are needed to help regain it (4). While at the PUVTH, several exercises were carried out with the patient. Assisted standing and weight shifting were performed on the Dino-disc to help with Figure 2 proprioception, muscle strength, and balance. The patient’s thoracic limbs were placed on the Dino-disc to add an element of instability and his back end was gently pushed from side to side and forward to back to encourage weight shifting from one leg to another. Warm packing and massage was done to increase blood flow and loosen the muscles (5). Passive range of motion and stretching of the pelvic limbs was performed to work on increasing flexibility, increasing synovial fluid flow, and decreasing muscle contracture. To work on strengthening, the patient did controlled walking for 10 minutes on flat, as well as uneven surfaces. This encourages the patient to use their leg as a whole unit; performing both extension and flexion. An element of unevenness can be added, such as a wobble board or short incline to add more proprioception to the exercise and encourage the patient to put more weight on the affected leg. To also promote coordination and increased flexion, the patient went over 10 caveletti rails (Figure 3). The owners were given instructions to continue exercises at home. Warm packing of the affected limb and massage were recommended for 10 minutes once per day. They were also instructed to perform 10-15 repetitions of passive range of motion (PROM) for each joint of the affected limb, 3 times a day, including stretching the right hip in extension for 10-15 seconds 10 times per session, for 3 sessions per day. To promote muscle strength and maintain movement, controlled walking was prescribed. The speed for controlled walking should be slow to encourage the use and placement of the right pelvic limb. To work on coordination as well as strength, in place of one of the daily walks, walking the patient through an obstacle course was recommended. To encourage coordination as well as joint motion, the owners were encouraged Figure 3 to make caveletti rails at home. Lastly, dancing 30 seconds 1-2 times per day was recommended to improve strength, coordination, and hip extension. A follow-up rehabilitation appointment was made approximately one month later. At that time, the patient’s flexion and extension of the right hip were normal and he had mild weight shifting lameness when standing, although he was ambulating very well. These exercises were performed the same as the previous visit: warm packing and massage, passive range of motion, controlled walking (decreased to 5 minutes), assisted standing and weight-shifting (on a Physioball). An underwater treadmill session was added to this visit (Figure 4). Underwater treadmills provide a vast number of advantages to rehabilitation (6). It was recommended to the owners that they continue all of the exercises previously mentioned, with the addition of assisted standing and weight-shifting. At this point, no further rehabilitation appointments were deemed to be necessary provided the owners continued the at-home exercises.

Outcomes/Results
With the rehabilitation exercises, the patient recovered almost normal range of motion in the right pelvic limb with only a mild decrease at maximal extension.

THR

Clinical Findings/Assessment
Eight months following the right FHO surgery, the owners reported that the patient tried to make a jump, missed his landing, and fell. The patient was referred to PUVTH for assessment of a suspected left capital physeal fracture. A CBC, chemistry and urinalysis revealed no significant findings. Orthopedic evaluation revealed crepitus on left hip palpation. Additional hip radiographs were obtained (Figure 5) confirming a capital physeal fracture of the left femoral head.

Treatments/Modalities
Surgical options of a FHO vs. THR were proposed to the owners. The owners elected to have a THR performed. The implant was placed without complications and postoperative radiographs were taken (Figure 6). The patient was later discharged on buprenorphine. The patient returned in approximately a month and a half post-op surgical repair for physical rehabilitation. On assessment, the patient had normal range of motion in his knees and tarsi. There was a slight reduction in hip extension bilaterally. His pain was a 0/4 on the Colorado State Pain Scale Assessment. In-house exercises performed included: warm packing and massage of the left hip and femur, assisted standing and weight-shifting, cavaletti rails at the lowest setting, and the underwater treadmill. Cold packing was also added to help reduce inflammation and pain at the end of the session. The exercises to be continued at home were controlled walking for 10 minutes a day and assisted standing and weight-shifting. They were also instructed to apply cold packing after each exercise session to reduce inflammation and pain.

Outcomes/Results
Figure 6 Approximately 9 weeks following left THR, the patient showed no signs of pain. Radiographs revealed a healing left THR. He was fully weight-bearing on all four limbs. There was some bilateral muscle atrophy in the pelvic limbs. Both pelvic limbs could be extended without difficulty and there was good range of motion. It was determined that the patient did not need to return for a follow-up appointment unless any there were any concerns.

Summary
While rehabilitation with dogs is a growing field, rehabilitation in cats is still relatively uncommon. Part of this may be the perceived difficulty of working with cats, however, if done properly, successful rehabilitation is still possible (7). This patient not only had successful rehabilitation, but also demonstrated that feline rehabilitation is possible. The overall goal of rehabilitation for both hips in this patient was to improve gait and stride, improve hip extension bilaterally, increase muscle mass and hip proprioception. Without the support of the implant, FHO’s require more postoperative rehabilitation than THR’s for the patient to regain as much function as possible (8). The patient would have to rely more heavily upon the muscles to hold the joint together, muscles that would have recently undergone atrophy from disuse (9). This is why he worked more heavily upon correct gait and range of motion with the FHO, with the idea that muscle mass would follow with increased exercise. However, with THR’s there is a concern with implant failure (10). Thus, rehabilitation was started later after surgery and cage rest was more strictly adhered to. Successful physical rehabilitation of this patient was accomplished with a combination of manual and modality therapies at home and also in hospital.

References
1. Johnson AL, Dunning D. Chapter 17 - Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy with Joint Capsule Interpolation. In: Johnson AL, Dunning DBT-A of OSP of the D and C, editors. Saint Louis: W.B. Saunders; 2005. p. 46–7. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978072169381150020X
2. Schiller TD. BioMedtrix Total Hip Replacement Systems: An Overview. Vet Clin North Am - Small Anim Pract [Internet]. 2017;47(4):899–916. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2017.03.005
3. Ortel S. Physical Rehabilitation and the Veterinary Technician [Internet]. Pain Management for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses. 2017. (Wiley Online Books). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119421436.ch16
4. Millis DL, Levine D. Exercises for Proprioception and Balance [Internet]. Second Edition. Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy: Second Edition. Elsevier Inc.; 2013. 484-494 p. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-4377-0309-2.00028-4
5. Formenton MR, Pereira MAA, Fantoni DT. Small Animal Massage Therapy: A Brief Review and Relevant Observations. Top Companion Anim Med [Internet]. 2017;32(4):139–45. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.tcam.2017.10.001
6. Jurek C, McCauley L. Underwater treadmill therapy in veterinary practice. Vet Med [Internet]. 2009;104(4):182–90. Available from: https://liverpool.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=tru e&db=a9h&AN=37469261&site=eds-live&scope=site
7. Drum MG, Bockstahler B, Levine D, Marcellin-Little DJ. Feline Rehabilitation. Vet Clin North Am - Small Anim Pract [Internet]. 2015;45(1):185–201. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2014.09.010
8. Witte PG, Scott HW, Tonzing MA. Preliminary results of five feline total hip replacements. J Small Anim Pract. 2010;51(7):397–402.
9. Millis DL, Ciuperca IA. Evidence for Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy. Vet Clin North Am - Small Anim Pract. 2015;45(1):1–27.
10. Davidson JR, Kerwin SC, Millis DL. Rehabilitation for the Orthopedic Patient. Vet Clin Small Anim Pract [Internet]. 2005 Nov 1 [cited 2018 Sep 28];35(6):1357–88. Available from: https://www.vetsmall.theclinics.com/article/S0195-5616(05)00109- 9/abstract#.W623x5tEv4E.mendeley

Into the Woods

These creative works were submitted by Samantha Crist from Illinois! The first is an Etch-a-Sketch drawing that is spin on the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood. In this tale, Little Red Riding Hood is not nearly so helpless. How many wolves can you spot?

The second two are leather pieces she has completed:

This one is an instrument pouch she made for quick access to common veterinary necessities. The front of the pack is shown with the veterinary caduceus and animals carved into the leather and surrounded by a decorative stitch that looks braided from the side. The inside of the pouch (not shown) has a calf detailed next to a molded penlight holder and the side of the pouch (not shown) displays attractive subtle western patterning, and the back of the pouch (also not shown) reads the famous quotation “All Creatures Great and Small…”  above a rose carved like the animals. She designed, stitched,and carved the pouch!

This one is a keychain that she made for her mom's birthday as she had hogs growing up. It is of carved leather like the pouch and displays a piglet!