Sinonasal Osteosarcoma in a Horse

Background: Osteosarcomas are common malignant bone tumors described in dogs, humans and cats. However, there are rare reports in horses. The tumor etiology has not been fully elucidated. Clinical signs are associated to the tumor size, location and growth characteristics. When located on the face, the most common findings are facial distortion, nasal discharge and inspiratory dyspnea. The aim of this study was to report an osteoblastic osteosarcoma in a horse, located on the right maxillary region with projections into the corresponding nostril.Case: A 6-year-old mixbreed saddle gelding, presenting bay coat was admitted to a University Hospital with a chronic sinusitis history. The animal was previously examined and treated by other veterinarians, who suspected of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis, and therefore a repulsion of the fourth premolar from the right maxilla hemiarcade was performed. However, an improvement of the clinical signs was not observed and subsequently the gelding was referred to a Veterinary Hospital. During physical examination the patient presented dyspnea, tachypnea and tachycardia. An increase on the face size was observed, together with a fetid and purulent nasal discharge. During oral cavity inspection, a diagonal wear was detected at the occlusal surface of the right hemiarcade; food accumulation was seen at the dental extraction site, and a communication with the rostral maxillary sinus was evidenced, from where a purulent fetid discharge was draining. At the radiographic exam, well defined margins of a tumor were observed, with adjacent bone lysis and the presence of a central nucleus showing a gross granular mineral radiopacity, distorting the frontal and nasal bones. During the endoscopic exam, a mass was partially occluding the right nasal cavity close to the nasal opening, which was blocking the progression of the endoscopy. However, during the left cavity inspection, at the end of the nasal septum a mass with irregular surface was detected emerging from the border of the right choana, which extended up to the nasopharynx region. The diagnosis was established based on clinical evaluation and histopathological findings of the tumor, which confirmed osteoblastic osteosarcoma. The animal was euthanized due to poor clinical conditions and prognosis. There was no evidence of metastasis to other organs during necropsy.Discussion: The majority of reported osteosarcoma cases in horses do not define the tumor histopathological subtype. The occurrence of metastasis in equine osteosarcoma is not well established, however it seems to be uncommon. It is important to emphasize the relevance of performing a necropsy in patients presenting osteosarcoma, in order to establish a pattern concerning the metastasis incidence in the species. The predominant osteosarcoma location is the mandible, although there are few reports in the paranasal sinuses and appendicular skeleton. The tumor usual location makes the treatment difficult because of the impossibility of performing a complete surgical resection, which leads to a euthanasia decision. Although osteosarcoma has been little reported in horses, it should be a differential diagnosis for facial alterations and paranasal sinuses abnormalities, which would contribute to an early diagnosis and increase the chances of a favorable prognostic

Uso de placa de polimetilmetacrilato (pmma) no tratamento de craniosquise associada à meningocele em uma bezerra girolando: relato de caso

A maioria das doenças genéticas acometem animais de raça pura e herdados como genes recessivos. A craniosquise refere-se à disrafia, que acontece na linha média do crânio pelo não fechamento da sínfise craniana, podendo levar a herniação das meninges repletas de líquido cefalorraquidiano (meningocele), onde geralmente existe projeção do tecido meningeal. O diagnóstico é realizado a partir do exame clínico, dados anatomopatológicos característicos e através da realização de exames complementares de imagem. Como solução terapêutica, a abordagem cirúrgica para correção das craniosquises é a única descrita, e é indicada em casos em que o defeito de síntese craniana não permita a protrusão encefálica e exista a ocorrência apenas da meningocele, além da inexistência de sinais graves de alteração neurológica. O artigo relata um caso de uso de placa de polimetilmetacrilato (PMMA) no tratamento de craniosquise associada à meningocele em uma bezerra Girolando. Instituiu-se a abertura cirúrgica da saculação fronto-nasal, permitindo a drenagem de conteúdo líquido total de 488 mL, inspeção e rafia de membrana envoltória. Para recobrimento da abertura óssea fronto-nasal evidenciada, utilizou-se uma placa de polimetilmetacrilato (PMMA), moldada à superfície óssea e ancorada em tecido mole adjacente. Concluiu-se que, apesar do prognóstico desfavorável da enfermidade, a cirurgia de cranioplastia para tratamento de craniosquise associada à meningocele, com a utilização de placa de PMMA, neste caso, obteve resultados satisfatórios em relação a qualidade e manutenção da vida deste animal, avaliando-se em 19 meses pós-operatório. Palavras-chave: cimento ósseo; defeito congênito; malformação; ruminantes

Indução experimental de polioencefalomalacia em ovinos confinados ingerindo dieta com alto teor de enxofre

Em ovinos o excesso de enxofre na dieta é apontado como uma das principais causas de polioencefalomalacia (PEM). Na literatura nacional relatos de PEM induzida por enxofre em ovinos são escassos. O objetivo desta dissertação foi induzir PEM em ovinos fornecendo uma dieta rica em carboidratos e com diferentes níveis de enxofre e realizar avaliações clínicas e laboratoriais. Foram utilizados 18 ovinos divididos em três grupos (G1, G2 e G3) que receberam diferentes níveis de enxofre na dieta 0,2%, 0,9% e 1,2% respectivamente. Exames clínicos (frequência cardíaca, frequência respiratória, temperatura retal e motricidade ruminal) e laboratoriais (concentração de sulfeto de hidrogênio ruminal, hemogasometria venosa, pH do fluído ruminal, concentração de cobre sérico e hepático, tomografia computadorizada, necropsia e histopatológico) foram realizados em diferentes momentos. A temperatura retal, hemogasometria venosa e pH do fluido ruminal estavam dentro dos valores de referência para a espécie. Taquicardia e taquipnéia foram observadas nos três grupos. A motricidade ruminal estava diminuída nos grupos G2 e G3 em relação ao G1. Quanto maior a ingestão de enxofre, menor foram os níveis de cobre sérico e hepático detectados nos ovinos. Elevados valores de sulfeto de hidrogênio foram detectados nos grupos G2 e G3. Nenhum animal apresentou sinais clínicos de PEM. Na tomografia computadorizada, necropsia e exame histopatológico do sistema nervoso central, nenhuma alteração compatível com PEM foi observada. É provável que algum outro fator pode estar associado ao excesso de enxofre na dieta para que os ovinos desenvolvam PEMThe excess sulfur intake in sheep is described as major cause of polioencephalomalacia (PEM). In the national literature are scarce reports of sulfur induced PEM in sheep. This work aimed to feed sheep using a rich carbohydrate diet supplemented with different levels of sulfur in order to induce PEM, and to perform clinical and laboratory tests. Eighteen sheep were divided into three groups (G1, G2, and G3) and supplemented with 0.2%, 0.9% and 1.2% sulfur in diet, respectively. Clinical evaluation (i.e., heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature and rumen motility) and laboratory exams (i.e., ruminal hydrogen sulfide concentration, venous gas analysis, ruminal pH, serum and liver copper concentration, computed axial tomography, necropsy, and histopathological examination) were performed. Rectal temperature, venous gas and ruminal pH were within normal limits. Tachycardia and tachypnea were observed in the three groups. Rumen motility was decreased in groups G2 and G3 when compared with G1. The higher the sulfur intake, the lower the serum and liver levels of copper. Increased ruminal hydrogen sulfide concentration was detected in G2 and G3. None of the animals had clinical signs of PEM. Computed axial tomography, necropsy, and histopathological examination of the central nervous system showed no evidence of PEM. It is thought that other factors are associated with excessive sulfur consumption for a PEM outbreak to occur in sheepFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Prevalência de equinos quarto de milha portadores das mutações causadoras da miopatia por acúmulo de polissacarídeo tipo 1, paralisia periódica hipercalêmica e hipertermia maligna no Brasil

Type 1 polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM1), hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) and malignant hyperthermia (MH) are considered major genetic diseases identified in Quarter Horses (QH). In Brazil, the molecular test for PSSM1 and MH is not available and the prevalence of both diseases is not known. Regarding HYPP, information about the disease prevalence is limited, although a molecular test is available in the country. The aim of this study was to standardize a molecular test for PSSM1, HYPP and MH, as well as to evaluate the diseases’ prevalence in Brazilian QM. Blood DNA from 741 horses were used and genetic tests for the three diseases were standardized. Samples were sequenced to identify the mutation on GYS1 gene, responsible for the PSSM; on SCN4A gene, responsible for HYPP; and on RYR1 gene, responsible for MH. The prevalence obtained was 6.7% for PSSM1, 4.2% for HYPP and no positive results were found for MH. The results indicate the importance of PSSM1 and HYPP in QM in Brazil. Tests standardization would be useful for the diagnosis of PSSM1 and MH. The identification of positive animals for PSSM1, HYPP and MH would assist on the mating selections and thus reduce the occurrence of these diseasesEntre as principais enfermidades genéticas identificadas nos equinos da raça Quarto de Milha (QM) estão a miopatia por acúmulo de polissacarídeo 1 (PSSM1), a paralisia periódica hipercalêmica (HYPP) e a hipertermia maligna (HM). No Brasil o teste molecular para a PSSM1 e para HM não está disponível e tampouco se conhece sobre a prevalência destas enfermidades, enquanto que, para HYPP apesar do teste estar disponível no país, informações sobre sua prevalência são escassos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi padronizar o teste para PSSM1, HYPP e HM e estudar a prevalência destas enfermidades em cavalos da raça QM no Brasil. Foram utilizados DNA sanguíneo de 741 cavalos. O teste genético para as três enfermidades foi padronizado e as amostras sequenciadas para identificação da mutação no gene GYS1 responsável pela PSSM1, no gene SCN4A responsável pela HYPP e no gene RYR1 responsável pela HM. A prevalência da PSSM1 foi de 6,7%, da HYPP de 4,2% e não foram encontrados animais com a mutação responsável pela HM. Os resultados alertam para a importância da PSSM1 e da HYPP nos cavalos QM no Brasil. A padronização dos testes será útil para o diagnóstico da PSSM1 e da HM. Identificar os animais positivos para PSSM1, HYPP e HM irá auxiliar na escolha dos acasalamentos e será importante para minimizar a ocorrência destas enfermidadesFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Modified technique for lateral resection of the ear canal in six horses with auricular stenosis

The external ear extends from the pinna to the tympanic membrane, where it is supported and shaped by an arrangement of cartilages including the conchal, annular, scutiform, and external acoustic meatus. Environmental exposure can often lead to diseases of the external ear canal in animals. In horses, otitis primarily occurs due to infestation by ectoparasites, promoting local inflammation and infection. Chronic conditions can result in ear deformation, including auricular canal stenosis. While operative techniques for treating auricular stenosis are known, they are limited to companion animals, with few reports on horses. This study aimed to describe the modified lateral resection technique of the ear canal, which is commonly performed in small animals, for treating auricular canal stenosis in six horses. As a methodology, the intertragic notch was used as a reference for the incision due to species disparity. The ear canal cartilage was dissected, followed by resection of the lateral wall and the cartilaginous flap adhered to the skin. Excess skin was removed, and the ear canal was sutured to the skin with nylon thread. Our results indicated a significant improvement in the treatment of otitis in the treated horses, demonstrating a favorable evolution in the healing process and resolution of bacterial infections in all cases. In conclusion, the use of the modified lateral resection technique of the ear canal was successful in all six treated horses, providing access to clinical treatment of the canal without any occurrences of recurrence or postoperative complications

Neuropatia periférica em ruminantes: estudo retrospectivo

Peripheral neuropathies consist of injury or loss of peripheral nerves function, observed by conscious proprioceptive deficits, hypoalgesia or analgesia and hyporeflexia or areflexia of the affected limb. The nerve damage can be of three types: neuropraxia, axonotmesis or neurotmesis, and can be caused by trauma, inflammation, compression, stretch and rupture of muscle fibers. The type of injury determines if recovery will be total or parcial; however, treatment is expensive and slow, making euthanasia necessary in many times. This retrospective study selected 14 animals with peripheral injury, being eight bovine, six sheep and any goat, from 562 ruminants submitted to the Large Animal Internal Medicine. Race, age, sex, evolution time, clinical signs, probable cause, treatment and recovery were evaluated. The radial nerve injury and brachial plexus was observed in 9 of the 14 animals evaluated, resulting in a morbidity rate of 64.3% in ruminants, being 42.85% in cattle and 21.43% in sheep. The other 5 (35,7%) animals had obturator and sciatic nerve damage. The incidence rate for the group of sheep was 50% and 75% for the group of cattle. The efficacy of recommended treatment using analgesia, vitamin E (tocopherol) and B1 (thiamine), suspension aided by lifting system, massage and electrotherapy was evidenced by the recovery rate of 71.43%

Neuropatia periférica em ruminantes: estudo retrospectivo

Peripheral neuropathies consist of injury or loss of peripheral nerves function, observed by conscious proprioceptive deficits, hypoalgesia or analgesia and hyporeflexia or areflexia of the affected limb. The nerve damage can be of three types: neuropraxia, axonotmesis or neurotmesis, and can be caused by trauma, inflammation, compression, stretch and rupture of muscle fibers. The type of injury determines if recovery will be total or parcial; however, treatment is expensive and slow, making euthanasia necessary in many times. This retrospective study selected 14 animals with peripheral injury, being eight bovine, six sheep and any goat, from 562 ruminants submitted to the Large Animal Internal Medicine. Race, age, sex, evolution time, clinical signs, probable cause, treatment and recovery were evaluated. The radial nerve injury and brachial plexus was observed in 9 of the 14 animals evaluated, resulting in a morbidity rate of 64.3% in ruminants, being 42.85% in cattle and 21.43% in sheep. The other 5 (35,7%) animals had obturator and sciatic nerve damage. The incidence rate for the group of sheep was 50% and 75% for the group of cattle. The efficacy of recommended treatment using analgesia, vitamin E (tocopherol) and B1 (thiamine), suspension aided by lifting system, massage and electrotherapy was evidenced by the recovery rate of 71.43%