Clean Run - November 2010 - 34

Looking for New Agility Titles?
You can buy them from us!
Tug More Learn More By Kay Laurence You thought you knew how to play tug with your dog, but do you know how to keep the game going with a quitter? Stop/start/stop with an overeager player? Turn this big-time reinforcer into a big-time shaping tool? 27-page book comes with 28-minute DVD. $21.95 Chase! Managing Your Dog’s Predatory Instincts By Clarissa von Reinhardt How do you deal with unwanted predatory behavior? In this fascinating and inspiring book, the author takes readers step by step through her training methods, inviting them to learn about a dog’s complex spectrum of behavior and how to maintain as much control as possible over the urge to chase prey. 136 pages. $16.95 How Many Dogs?! By Debby McMullen Would you like to live in harmony in a house with multiple dogs? Harmony can be achieved when positive reinforcement training techniques are used, along with proper living-space management. You’ll learn how to do this along with techniques for adding new dogs, group training & exercise, and more. 204 pages. $19.95

the upper portion of the tibia with a biradial saw blade. The articular or joint component of the tibia is then rotated to achieve a lower angle of the tibial plateau relative to the long axis of the tibia (5°-8° is ideal). The amount of rotation is based on measurements made of the preoperative tibial plateau angle on radiographs. After the tibial plateau has been rotated, a metal plate and screws are applied to hold it in place. The procedure alters the biomechanics of the stifle, placing additional reliance on the caudal cruciate ligament and active muscle stabilizers of the knee. Advantages to this procedure are that it can be used in any size dog with any tibial plateau angle, it has a highly reproducible outcome, and because it relies on bone healing, it is easily assessed on radiographs. Therefore, once the bone is healed on radiographs, it provides a documentable permanent “fix.” Limitations of this procedure include the highest learning curve for the surgeon of any of the procedures, the potential for serious complications exist (although not common), and it may not be suitable in geriatric patients or patients with poor bone quality. TTA The TTA technique is a newer corrective osteotomy that was developed in Europe shortly after the TPLO began gaining popularity in the U.S. The procedure involves making a linear cut behind the tibial tuberosity (top front portion of the tibia). The tibial tuberosity is then advanced so that the patellar tendon is perpendicular to the tibial plateau. The advanced portion of bone is held in place with a titanium cage (that acts as a spacer between the two bones) and a titanium plate. Once anchored, a bone graft is applied to the space between the bones to promote bone healing. The procedure relies on neutralizing tibial thrust by changing the force through the knee to be parallel to the patellar tendon, which gives a biomechanical advantage to the quadriceps muscles and subsequently stabilizes the stifle. Biomechanical studies would suggest that the TTA, if perClean Run | November 10

www.cleanrun.com
34

http://www.cleanrun.com

Clean Run - November 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - November 2010