Use of ozone-based eye drops. A series of cases in veterinary and human spontaneous ocular pathologies

Conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis, and corneal ulcers are common eye disorders frequently diagnosed in both humans and animals, and are currently treated by topical administration of eye drops containing anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents. The current molecules often lack efficacy because infections in hypoxic tissue contain methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; thus, new products for the treatment of ocular pain and inflammation are needed. The use of ozone, a molecule stabilized for topical use as an ozonide, could be providential due to its anti-inflammatory and bactericidal activity in certain anterior segment pathologies, in addition to promoting tissue repair properties. Ozonated oils have the same properties as gaseous ozone and are well tolerated by tissues. In the present study the repair and regeneration effect of ozonated oil in liposomes plus hypromellose (Ozodrop®, FB Vision, Ascoli Piceno, Italy) instilled 3–4 times a day in external ocular spontaneous pathologies both in animals and humans are reported

Current Applications and Future Perspectives of Fluorescence Light Energy Biomodulation in Veterinary Medicine

The purpose of this review is to determine the state of the art of the mode of action and potential applications of fluorescence photobiomodulation in veterinary medicine. After a summary of the assets that have led the translation of such light-based therapies from bench side into clinical use, recent advances in canine dermatology using this brand-new approach are presented, and future scenarios where this type of care may provide benefits over the current standard care are highlighte

Genetic variability of the Braque Français Type Pyrénées dog breed assessed by pedigree data

The Braques français are hunting dogs, from a very old type of gun dog used for pointing the location of game birds for a hunter. There are two breeds of Braque français, both from the South of France, the Braque français type Gascogne (larger size) and the Braque français type Pyrénées (smaller size). The original Braque français type of pointing dog has existed since the fifteenth century. The first breed club was formed in 1850, and the standards for both breeds were written in 1880. Both types belong to group 7 of ENCI classification. The complete electronic record of the Braque français type Pyrénées was downloaded from the ENCI database with the aim to estimate the genetic variability of the breed. In Italy 921 puppies (479 males and 442 females) were registered from 2003 to 2014 (average value: 76.6±40.24 dogs per year). Pedigree records of all registered animals (Reference Population=RP) were considered. The whole population (WP =RP and its genealogy) included 1,250 dogs (826 males and 622 females). 783 dogs were inbred. Up to 89% of the individuals had registered parents and 83% registered grand-parents. To explain 50% of the genetic variability, a total of 9 and 7 ancestors were enough, respectively in the WP and RP. The average inbreeding coefficient in the RP resulted 4.3%, while the average inbreeding of the inbred was 5.19%. The inbreeding coefficient was 0.20 in only 13 dogs (1.66% of inbred). Inbreeding coefficient per year ranged from 0.98% for dogs born in 2003 (27 dogs) to 7.05% in 204 dogs born in 2009. Puppies born in 2014 had an average inbreeding coefficient of 1.78%. Ten traced generations were highlighted; the maximum average inbreeding value (6.62%) was observed in the dogs with 10 traced generations (inbred: 93.15% with an inbreeding average value of 7.11%) while Ne for RP computed via individual increase in inbreeding was 42.42. A regular monitoring of genetic variability of the breed is important and must be adopted, in order to avoid the danger of an excessive increase of inbreeding in the future, which would result in significant inbreeding depression and in significant loss of genetic variation

Fluorescence Biomodulation for Canine Interdigital Furunculosis: Updates for Once-Weekly Schedule

Interdigital furunculosis is a common multifactorial, inflammatory disease of the canine interdigital skin in which lesions commonly become secondarily infected. Fluorescence biomodulation (FBM) administered twice weekly has shown to effectively control clinical manifestation as adjunct therapy to systemic antibiotic. Since twice weekly regimen could be unaffordable for some pet owners, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of once weekly application of FBM in combination with systemic antibiotic on clinical manifestations of canine interdigital pyoderma, comparing the results to those present in literature. Twelve dogs diagnosed with interdigital pyoderma received antibiotic plus once weekly FBM application. Dogs were scored until complete healing based on global lesion score and neutrophil engulfing bacterial score. The results obtained demonstrated that once weekly application of FBM exerts the same beneficial effect on interdigital furunculosis healing as per twice weekly, indicating that once weekly regimen is well tolerated and is yielding similar results to twice weekly applications

Transrectal ultrasonography of the adrenal glands in donkeys (Equus asinus)

Little information is available for medical imaging in donkeys and no report about adrenal glands ultrasonography can be found in scientific literature. The feasibility of transrectal ultrasonography of the adrenal glands was tested on 30 healthy donkeys using a 10 MHz linear transducer. Mean age of animals was 10.7 ±4.8 years, mean weight 275.0 ±62.9 Kg and mean height 126.7 ±7.1 cm. The left adrenal gland was visualized in all donkeys. The right gland ultrasonography was not feasible in seven animals with a height less than 116 cm. The left gland was visualized as a linear or slightly curved structure, the right gland was most often S-shaped. In both glands, an hypechoic peripheral zone was identified as the cortex with an inner, hyperechoic medulla. The length was 5.49 ±1.90 cm and 5.15 ±1.10 cm for right and left gland, respectively. Right gland whole and medullary thickness were 0.71 ±0.11 cm and 0.24 ±0.09 cm, 0.65 ±0.13 cm and 0.21 ±0.07 cm, 0.56 ±0.17 cm and 0.25 ±0.07 cm for cranial pole, middle point and caudal pole respectively. Left gland whole and medullary thickness were 0.69 ±0.13 cm and 0.25 ±0.09 cm, 0.66 ±0.13 cm and 0.23 ±0.09 cm, 0.57 ±0.15 cm and 0.26 ±0.09 cm for cranial pole, middle point and caudal pole respectively. There was a significant correlation between height and the entire length of the left gland. Ultrasonography of the adrenal glands is a suitable tool for evaluation of both adrenal glands in most of the donkey. The size is a limiting factor for proper visualization of the right gland

Effects of Single-Dose Prucalopride on Intestinal Hypomotility in Horses: Preliminary Observations

Abnormalities of gastrointestinal motility are often a challenge in horses; however, the use of prokinetic drugs in such conditions must be firmly established yet. For this reason we carried out a preliminary study on the effects of prucalopride on intestinal motor activity of horses with gut hypomotility. The effect of prucalopride per os by oral dose syringe (2 mg/100 kg body weight) was assessed by abdominal ultrasound (evaluating duodenal, cecal, and colonic motor activity) in six horses with gut hypomotility. After administration of prucalopride, a significant increase of contractile activity was found in the duodenum at 30 minutes (p = 0.0005), 60 minutes (p = 0.01) and 90 minutes (p = 0.01), whereas in the cecum and in the left colon the increase was only present at 60 minutes (p = 0.03, and p = 0.02, respectively). No changes from baseline heart and respiratory rate or behavior side effects were observed after administration of the drug and throughout the observation period. Prucalopride may be a useful adjunct to the therapeutic armamentary for treating hypomotile upper gut conditions of horses. Dosing information is however needed to establish its actual clinical efficacy and its proper effects on the large bowel in these animals

Blue-green endoscopy in a dog presenting chronic vomiting-regurgitation

A 2-year-old male Maremma sheepdog presenting with chronic vomiting-regurgitation was examined at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Camerino University. An oesophagogastroscopy with a single blue + green (BG) filter restricting wavelengths from 400 to 550 nm was carried out. A conventional white light endoscopy showed a dilated oesophagus with mildly diffuse erythematous mucosa (more accentuated proximal to the cardia); some portions of the gastric mucosa were covered with fluids and appeared only slightly erythematous. A blue green endoscopy highlighted the oesophageal lesions in dark blue, which made them appear more clearly defined from the remaining mucosa. In the gastric antrum, a small, slightly darker blue roundish area was visible. This area did not show up under the white light endoscopy. A histopathological assessment of biopsy specimens from the distal oesophagus, antrum (including the area highlighted only by BG endoscopy) and gastric body showed chronic-active hyperplastic esophagitis and superficial squamous epithelial dysplasia, while gastric samples showed severe diffuse hyperaemic gastritis of the antrum and superficial diffuse atrophy of the gastric body. The authors believe that the use of a BG endoscopy could be useful in veterinary medicine to increase the diagnostic potential of endoscopic assessment in animals

Demographic approach on the study of genetic parameters in the dog Braque Français type Pyrénées Italian population

The complete electronic record of the Braque Franc¸ais type Pyrénées reared in Italy was downloaded from the ENCI database in order to estimate the genetic variability of the breed. Pedigree records of all active registered animals (reference population¼RP) were considered. The whole population (WP¼RP and its genealogy) included 1250 dogs (628 males and 622 females). Seven hundred eighty-three dogs were inbred. To explain 50% of the genetic variability, a total of seven ancestors were sufficient in the RP. The average inbreeding coefficient (F) in the RP was 4.3%, while the average inbreeding of the inbred was 5.19%. F was<0.05 in 511 dogs (65.3% of inbred), whereas it was>0.20 in only 13 dogs (1.66% of inbred). F per year ranged from 0.98% for dogs born in 2003 (27 dogs) to 7.05% in 204 dogs born in 2009. Ten traced generations were highlighted. A maximum average inbreeding value (6.62%) was observed in the dogs with 10 traced generations. This research highlighted the good genetic variability of the breed obtained through the efficient management by the Italian Club of Braque Franc¸ais Type Pyrenees (CIBF), in collaboration with the member breeders and the active cooperation of the French Club. The CIBF has made arrangements with our genetic centre to constantly monitor the genetic variability of the breed in order to prevent excessive increases in inbreeding in the future. © 2016 The Author(s)