Clinical Approach to the Orthopedic Patient
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Polytrauma
Introduction to Musculoskeletal Injuries
The Surgical Patient
Orthopedic Materials, Instruments, Implants and Techniques
Treatment of Selected Surgical Diseases and Injuries
Foreword
Over the years many books have been published regarding the
surgical and medical care of the dog and cat - some of the dog
alone, few of the cat alone. One of the earliest of the latter was
Feline Medicine and Surgery, edited by Dr. EJ Catcott in 1964. A
second edition of that text was published in 1975, in which I had a
small contribution. Since that date fortunately the paucity of
scientific texts regarding the treatment of many conditions of cats
has gradually been reduced. There are now a number of texts solely
dedicated to the care of specific systems of the domesticated
feline species.
The new text before you is confined to feline orthopedics and
traumatology. Using the word 'confined' in the context of this text
is really an enigma: the term in itself is correct but is contrary
to fact, an antithesis of what is to be found in the book, which
very competently covers the subjects that come under its title.
More so, one ventures to suggest that there are many more 'pearls
of wisdom' than one might anticipate. Within, the reader will find
new information regarding the diagnosis of conditions, including
digital radiography and magnetic resonance imaging, and the
essential supportive subjects of anesthesia and analgesia - the
foreword to the latter two subjects has been written by Dr. William
Muir, an eminent colleague in those areas. The reader will also
find current information regarding arthroscopy, postoperative care,
and rehabilitation. These subjects are described in detail, along
with those covering the core subjects of traumatology and
orthopedics. The whole is a veritable cornucopia of new and
exciting instructive chapters to salve the enquiring mind of
practitioners in the art of feline care.
Dr. Pierre Montavon and his co-editors have elected to divide the
text into different parts, each with a varying number of
conjunctional chapters. The apparent contradiction is solved when
one observes that each part has been allocated a separate color for
the title page; the same colors have been used as 'thumb marks' in
the edges of the relevant pages, the marks moving down the page to
a new position for the chapters following. The system thus readily
aids the reader who, after consulting the list of contents at the
beginning of the book, is then readily able to follow the 'thumb
marks' and rapidly arrives at the material desired. The more one
uses the text the more readily one is able to go straight to the
material sought.
At this point I should like to pay tribute to the staff at the
publishers who were responsible for the layout and printing of the
text. The fonts employed are very readable due to their size and
spacing, according to what is required by the relevant text. I am
also pleased to see the excellent quality of the figures. The
reproduction of the radiographs is excellent, as are the colored
photographs. The diagrams are simple - clear and colored with two,
or sometimes three, pastel tints. The artist has been asked for
clarity - not for works of art, as is required in major anatomical
texts - and has succeeded handsomely. The diagrams add considerably
to the interpretation of the neighboring text. One could comment
upon each individual chapter, but I am not going to do so,
believing it not within the remit of an individual asked to write
the foreword, but being in the realm of a reviewer.
The reader may be either a 'tearer' or a 'saver' when it comes to
professional journals. If one color-codes articles and gives them a
page number, relevant to a condition described within this book,
then one can - dare one say - write the reference number in the
margin of the relevant material in the text. In this way, a
cross-reference system will grow on its own, with or without a
computer.
Herein, the triumvirate of editors has assembled much that is new
in the literature, as well as some material that has originally
been published in journals. Nevertheless, it is all brought
together - for the cat. New procedures and techniques are
described, as well as old techniques that have been melded to fit
the necessity of the feline traumatized patient. Neophytes to
veterinary orthopedics, to trauma in general and the cat in
particular, would do well to engage themselves deeply in all that
has been written by the cadre of accomplished authors, garnered by
the editors, to produce a text that may be used by newcomers to the
field who would do well to absorb the material between these
covers. To the veterinarian experienced in trauma and orthopedics,
I respectfully suggest that you too will find useful ideas and
information within. I did!
Learning is but an adjunct to ourself (Shakespeare, Love's Labour's
Lost).
Finally .looking back over the nearly 60 years of my professional
life, I believe that it is mandatory for me to presume to pass on
some of that experience by making what one considers some cogent
and, one hopes, sagacious advice. I believe that it is mandatory
that before attempting to employ a new technique it should be
practiced on a cadaver or the clinician should receive instruction
alongside someone already vested with experienced in its use. Know
your own limitations and do not be afraid to refer the patient to a
specialist. In so doing the neophyte to the endeavor will become
better advised as to the progress that has been made in the
treatment of particular problems. That having been said, in a
genuine and dire emergency any method to resolve a critical
situation is eminently defendable.
Sometimes the limitations of the owners' ability to fund a
procedure may negate its use. In this text, in some instances, you
will see different methods for the treatment of the same problem -
some more expensive than others. After reading the results of the
different techniques available for your choice, some more expensive
than others, only one's conscience remains to decide what is to be
done.
This new addition to the veterinary literature should be
exceedingly helpful to all clinicians finding themselves with a
traumatized cat on their examination table.
Geoff. Sumner-Smith DVSc(Liv) MSc FRCVS University Professor
Emeritus of the University of Guelph
Ontario, Canada
This, the first edition of the text Feline Orthopedic Surgery and
Musculoskeletal Disease is a work long overdue. The nuances of
feline anatomy, physiology, and behavior in conjunction with the
cat's unique responses to disease, surgery, and medications deserve
special attention. The aforementioned distinctive characteristics
create special challenges when designing and implementing adequate
and effective anesthesia and analgesia protocols for cats. Compared
to dogs, for example, cats are more easily stressed, oftentimes
difficult to restrain, even for minor medical procedures
(intravenous catheter placement), harder to intubate orotracheally,
easily overdosed or overanesthetized, and more frequently found to
be hypotensive and hypothermic. Their size and temperament alone
predispose them to accidental drug-related side-effects.
The importance of vigilance, dosing accuracy, and familiarity with
species differences in relationship to the anesthetic and analgesic
drugs and techniques used in cats cannot be overemphasized. Recent
data assessing anesthetic-related mortality suggest that
approximately 1:400 (0.24%) anesthetized cats die and that age,
weight, procedural urgency, endotracheal intubation, and fluid
therapy increase risk. The mortality rate associated with
anesthesia in cats is much greater than in dogs and argues for
greater vigilance and improved methods for detection of deleterious
changes in the cat's physical status during anesthesia.
Importantly, the routine use of monitoring devices including, but
not limited to, an electrocardiogram, pulse oximeter, and indirect
arterial blood pressure decrease anesthetic risk.
Most cats that have suffered an orthopedic injury are stressed, in
pain, and dehydrated. Those that have incurred significant injuries
secondary to trauma often sustain extensive soft-tissue damage,
blood loss, and infection. Those that have experienced severe head
or chest wall trauma in addition to appendicular injuries may
exhibit signs of central nervous system (stupor, depression),
respiratory (labored breathing), or cardiovascular (arrhythmias)
problems.
The feline orthopedic surgical candidate presents special
anesthetic risks, requires intense analgesic care and provides
ample opportunity for the utilization of specialized monitoring
equipment and techniques. Towards this end Dr. Kaestner has written
two chapters devoted to the anesthetic and analgesic care of the
feline orthopedic patient. These chapters provide detailed and
clinically applicable information regarding the clinical
pharmacology, monitoring, and analgesic care of cats. Figures,
tables, and boxes provide key background information. Anesthetic
techniques, monitoring equipment, and common anesthetic problems
and their therapy are discussed. A comprehensive list of analgesic
drugs, drug dosages and analgesic techniques including local and
regional analgesia are described and illustrated. Dr. Kaestner has
provided the necessary basic applied information required to
produce safe and effective anesthesia and analgesia in cats.
William Muir DVM, PhD, ACVA, ACVECC This hardcover book is the work
of an international group of specialists with wide experience in
the field of feline orthopaedics. These authors are to be
congratulated on achieving all their stated objectives and
producing a book that it is not only beautiful, but also useful.
P.M Montavon January 2010
"This is a beautifully illustrated book witha wealyh of information
on aspects of all feline Orthopaedics, musculoskeletal and
neurological diseases." Orthopaedics in cats
April 2010
"This is a beautifully illustrated book, with a wealth of
information on all aspects of feline orthopaedic, musculoskeletal
and neurological disease. Given the increase in cat ownership in
the UK, and the emerging awareness of their orthopaedic diseases,
it provides a useful reference for general practitioners and
orthopaedic specialists." Veterinary Record, April 2010
"The illustrations and clear writing make it a pleasure to drop
into."
Veterinary Record, April 2010
"This excellent book should really be considered an essential
textbook of feline orthopaedics and traumatology. In its more than
500 pages, all aspects of feline orthopaedics are discussed, which
provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of the
subject...Each chapter is supported by references as well as the
authors' own experience with novel techniques and original
material...This textbook is highly recommended for recent grauates,
practitioners, residents as well as orthopaedic surgeons."
EJCAP, December 2011
"With the expansion of knowledge in this field and the rise
of the cat, not just as a pet, but as a valued member of the
household, any comprehensive work on feline orthopedics has to be a
welcome addition to the practice bookshelf...If you are new to the
world of orthopedics and cats form your primary caseload, this
probably the book for you."
Vet Record, July 2012
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