Blue-green endoscopy in canine digestive neoplastic conditions – two cases

Two dogs - one presenting with soft stools for one year and the other vomiting for about a week - were examined at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Camerino University. After clinical evaluations and laboratory tests, both dogs underwent firstly an abdominal ultrasonography, and subsequently a digestive endoscopy (colonoscopy and esophago-gastroscopy, respectively). In case 1, the ultrasonography revealed the presence of markedly enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes and an abnormal colon, presenting irregular mucosa, wall thickening, and in some points, loss of wall layering, while in case 2, a thickening of the gastric body wall and a loss of wall layering. Endoscopically (performed using an endoscope provided with a single blue + green (BG) filter, restraining wavelengths from 400 to 550 nm), in case 1 (using a white light endoscopy) the mucosa of the whole descending colon appeared irregular, in some tracts even nodular, and hyperemic; many diffusely interspersed erosions were also present; in case 2 (using a white light endoscopy), many ulcers were found at the level of the passage between the gastric body and the antrum. In both cases, with the BG endoscopy, lesions of the mucosa and bleeding areas were visible in dark blue and the lesions appeared to be more clearly defined from the remaining mucosa compared to when using a white light endoscopy. Histopathology revealed in case 1 (samples from lymphnodes and colon) a B associate high-grade lymphoma – large cells – B form (transmural type), while in case 2 (samples from the stomach) pathologic ulcers associated with a non-signet type, intestinal type, gastric adenocarcinoma. To the author’s knowledge, information regarding this endoscopic technique in veterinary medicine literature is absent; nevertheless, even if in our cases the lesions appeared to be more clearly defined with a BG endoscopy, many further studies are needed in order to determine the clinical, endoscopic and pathological significance in canine colonic and gastric neoplastic infiltrates, of this technique

Suitability of artisanal fishery discards as feed for juvenile tub gurnard (chelidonichthys lucerna L.) reared in sea bottom cages in the mid Adriatic Sea

The suitability of using discards from artisanal fisheries as feed for wild-caught Chelidonichthys lucerna (L.) reared in submerged cages in the Adriatic Sea was investigated. Three-hundred juvenile tub gurnard (72.9 ± 11 g, 18 ± 1 cm) were captured and separated into four circular 35.3 m3 submerged cages. Two stocking densities were used: two cages contained 60 fish each (1.7 fish m-3; CG-L) and two cages contained 90 fish each (2.55 fish m-3; CG-H). Growth performance and survival rates were recorded over a 240 day period during which tub gurnard were fed with a variety non-target fishery discards, including common crab, sardine, Atlantic chub mackerel, anchovy, and salema. The survival rate was approximately 90% in both groups (CG-L = 91% and CG-H = 90%), with final stocking densities of 0.32 kg m-3 and 0.49 kg m-3 for the CG-L and CG-H groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in final mean body weight or length between the CG-L group (206 ± 23 g, 24.6 ± 2 cm) and the CG-H group (215.5 ± 32 g, 24.8 ± 2 cm). The condition index was similar between the two groups (1.38 and 1.42 for CG-L and CG-H, respectively). The feed conversion ratio was high in both the CG-H (2.39) and CG-L (2.32) cages. These results demonstrate that viable growth rates of tub gurnard may be obtained by feeding recycled fishery discards and rearing in cages placed on the seabed, which allows for the natural benthic behavior of this species

Clinical investigation on Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in Italian donkeys

Background: Interest in the welfare and diseases of donkeys is constantly increasing in several countries. Despite this, clinical research into donkeys needs to be in continual development since they show different reactions compared to horses in many conditions, including infectious diseases, and need specific clinical and therapeutic approaches. No reports are currently available on clinical and clinical pathology data regarding donkeys with natural piroplasms infection. Results: Venous blood samples were taken from one hundred and thirty eight donkeys and underwent indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) to detect IgG antibodies against Theileria equi and Babesia caballi and real-time polimerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.. Clinical examinations, haematological analyses and serum bilirubin evaluation were also performed and compared with positive or negative status. A seroprevalence of 40.6% and 47.8% was found for T. equi and B. caballi, respectively; double positivity was detected in 19.6% of the animals. PCR results showed that 17.4% of the animals tested positive for T.equi and 3.6% for B. caballi with no double positivity. Twelve donkeys (8.7%) had clinical signs consistent with chronic forms of the disease and no acute forms were detected. Fifty-eight donkeys had haematological and serum bilirubin alterations and 56 (96.6%) of them were IFAT and/or PCR positive. Changes in erythrocyte number, packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, platelets number and total bilirubin were significantly associated with positive and symptomatic animals. Conclusion: Nonspecific clinical presentation seems to be very common in donkeys and several clinical pathology alterations persist after natural infection. Therefore, apparently healthy donkeys can have masked but severe clinical pathology alterations. Acute forms are very seldom observed in donkeys. Clinical monitoring of chronically infected donkeys is recommended since such animals represent a risk both for transmission to other animals and for their own health; furthermore, their production performances could be reduced. The study should also be intended as a contribution for veterinary practitioners because it describes the most usual clinical presentations and laboratory findings of equine piroplasmosis in naturally infected donkeys in endemic areas

Guaiphenesin-ketamine-xylazine infusion to maintain anesthesia in mules undergoing field castration.

Abstract Background: In order to determine whether a combination of guaiphenesin, ketamine and xylazine can induce safe and satisfactory anaesthesia in mules undergoing field castration, eight healthy adult intact male mules were employed. They were premedicated with intravenous (IV) xylazine (1.3 mg/kg); an additional dose of xylazine (0.3 mg/ kg IV) was administered in case of inadequate depth of sedation. Anaesthesia was induced with IV thiopental (6 mg/ kg). The quality of sedation and induction was recorded. Anaesthesia was maintained with an infusion of guaiphenesin (50 mg/mL), ketamine (2 mg/mL) and xylazine (1 mg/mL) (GKX). The spermatic cord of each testis was infiltrated with 5 mL of 2% lidocaine. During anaesthesia heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT) and haemoglobin oxygen saturation ( SpO2) were measured every 5 min. The data were analysed with simple one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Time of anesthesia, time of surgery and time of recovery were recorded. Results: Only one mule required an additional dose of xylazine to achieve a satisfactory depth of sedation. Thiopental at the dose of 6 mg/kg IV resulted in smooth induction and lateral recumbency in all animals. GKX provided adequate anaesthesia to perform castration in all mules. Muscle relaxation was deemed adequate and physiological variables remained stable and within references values during the anaesthesia and did not change in response to surgical stimulation. Time (mean ± standard deviation) from the end of the infusion to sternal recumbency and time from sternal recumbency to standing were 27.7 ± 4.6 and 30.1 ± 7.7 min, respectively. Conclusions: The combination of xylazine, thiopental and GKX provides satisfactory short-term anaesthesia in mules undergoing field castration

Pharmacokinetics of tramadol and its major metabolite after intramuscular administration in piglets

Tramadol (T) is a centrally acting atypical opioid used for treatment of dogs. Piglets might experience pain following castration, tooth clipping and tail docking and experimental procedures. The aim of this study was to assess the pharmacokinetics of T and its active metabolite M1 in male piglets after a single intramuscular injection. Six healthy male piglets were administered T (5 mg/kg) intramuscularly. Blood was sampled at scheduled time intervals and drug plasma concentrations evaluated by a validated HPLC method. T plasma concentration was quantitatively detectable from 0.083 to 8 h. M1 was quantified over a shorter time period (0.083–6 h) with a Tmax at 0.821 h. The study demonstrated that piglets produce a larger amount of M1 compared with dogs, horses and goats. The human minimum effective concentration of M1 (40 ng/mL) was exceeded for over 3 h in piglets. If it is assumed to also apply to piglets, it could be speculated that the drug efficacy might exert its action over 3 h or longer. This assumption has to be confirmed by further specific pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies

Anesthetic Management during Cesarean Section in English Bulldogs

The authors describe their experience with the management of the perioperative period, general anesthesia and the postoperative period in English bulldogs undergoing elective cesarean section and its effect on the neonates. The anesthetist for animals undergoing cesarean operation must be aware of any special needs, not only of the patient undergoing surgery, but also of the neonates. Anesthetic drugs administered to the pregnant patient will readily cross the placenta and affect them, with the exception of local anesthetics. Pregnant female patients are at increased anesthetic risk due to pregnancy-associated physiological alterations, such as altered pulmonary function. The anesthetist is often called to perform anesthesia on brachycephalic dogs for an elective cesarean section. Due to their conformation, these animals may have one or more anatomical abnormalities of the upper airways, which compromise the ability to ventilate adequately. The induction and recovery phases of anesthesia can be extremely dangerous in these patients, but the maintenance phase is generally fairly straightforward because the airways are controlled during maintenance. In addition, vagal tone is frequently high and this can contribute towards significant bradycardia and further airway narrowing. All these reasons make general anesthesia in brachycephalic dogs undergoing cesarean section rather complicated

Guaifenesin-Ketamine-Xylazine Infusion to Maintain Anesthesia in Mules Undergoing Field Castration

Many minor and surgical procedures can be performed in the field under sedation or general anaesthesia. Numerous drug combinations have been used for sedation, induction and maintenance. The purpose of this study was to determine if the combination of guaifenesin, ketamine and xylazine, commonly referred to as “triple drip”, produce safe and satisfactory total intravenous anaesthesia in mules undergoing field castration, premedicated with xylazine and induced with thiopental. Eight healthy adult intact male mules, aged 4 to 6 years and weighing 380 to 490, were anesthetized to performe field castration. Before anaesthesia a 14-gauge, 13–cm catheter was placed percutaneously in the external jugular vein. Mules were premedicated with 1.3 mg/kg xylazine IV and anaesthesia was then inducted with 6 mg/kg IV thiopental within 10 min after premedication, when the animals were at least moderately sedated. Additional xylazine was administered when the mules were inadequately sedated. Sedation was considered good when lowering of the head, drooping of the lower lip and drooping of the ears were present using a 4-point sedation score. Once the mules were recumbent, the infusion of guaifenesin (50 mg/ml) - ketamine (20 mg/ml) - xylazine (0.5 mg/ml) (GKX) was started to maintain general anaesthesia, approximately 1ml/kg/hr (based on monitoring eye signs, muscle relaxation of the neck, respiratory rate and pattern, and the responses to surgical stimulation. The spermatic cord of each testis was infiltrated with 5 ml of lidocaine to achieve local anaesthesia before the scrotum skin incision. The open technique of castration was applied to all mules for postoperative drainage. During anaesthesia heart rate (HR), respiratory rate RR), rectal temperature (RT) and hemoglobin saturation with oxygen (SpO2) were measured every 5 minutes. Times to sternal recumbency, lateral recumbency and standing were recorded. The data recorded were statistically analysed using simple one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a pvalue&gt;0.05 was considered significant. The qualities of anaesthesia were evaluated using induction, maintenance and recovery scores. The resultes suggest that the premedication using 1.3 mg/kg IV xylazine for mules undergoing thiopental anaesthesia was satisfactory and only one animal needed a supplemental dose of xylazine (0.3 mg/kg IV) to induce better sedation. The total IV amount of thiopental for induction was sufficient to achieve lateral recumbency in all animals. Furthermore, GKX provided adequate surgical plane of general anaesthesia to performe castration in all mules, without responses to the manuality or significant modification of HH, RR, RT, and SpO2 in comparison with the basal values and to maintain a satisfactory muscle relaxation. Recovery from anaesthesia was uneventful, smooth and clinically acceptable in all mules

Use of Nanohydroxyapatite in Regenerative Therapy in Dogs Affected by Periodontopathy: Preliminary Results

Background: The present study aims to analyse the in vivo behaviour of nanohydroxyapatite and to assess its regenerative capacity in dogs affected by periodontal disease. Methods and findings: The dogs employed in the study were randomly subdivided into a control group and an experimental group. After clinical, instrumental and radiological examinations, all the subjects underwent dental prophylaxis and a bioptic sample was taken. A histopathological examination of the periodontal tissues, in correspondence to teeth with periodontopathy ranging between stages 2 and 3, followed. Regenerative therapy with applications of nanohydroxyapatite was administered only to the dogs of the experimental group. After a period of between 35 and 40 days, a further clinical, instrumental and radiological examination was carried out and a bioptic sample taken solely on the dogs whose histological examinations showed changes ascribable to periodontal disease. The results of the histopathological examination demonstrated that only the dogs in the experimental group, who underwent dental prophylaxis together with the administration of nanohydroxyapatite, showed clear signs of improvement with respect to their initial condition. Conclusions: In conclusion the study demonstrated that the nanohydroxyapatite represents a valid osteoconductive and osteoinductive graft product and confirmed its regenerative potential in periodontal therapy in dogs

Use of Nanohydroxyapatite in regenerative therapy in dogs affected by periodontopathy: preliminary results

Nanosized ceramics may represent a promising class of bone graft substitutes due to their improved osseointegrative and osseoinductive properties. Nanohydroxyapatite binds itself to the bone and favours bone healing by stimulation of osteoblast activity (Singh et al., 2012). The present study aims to analyse the in vivo behaviour of nanohydroxyapatite and to assess its regenerative capacity in dogs affected by periodontal disease. Twenty-eight dogs of different breeds, aged between 5 and 15 years, were employed in the study and were randomly subdivided into a control group and an experimental group. After clinical, instrumental and radiological examinations to estimate the severity of the disease, all the subjects underwent dental prophylaxis and a bioptic sample was taken. A histopathological examination of the periodontal tissues, in correspondence with teeth with periodontopathy ranging between grades II and III, followed. Regenerative therapy with applications of nanohydroxyapatite was administered only to the dogs of the experimental group. After a period of between 30 and 42 days, a further clinical, instrumental and radiological examination was carried out and a bioptic sample taken solely on the dogs whose histological examinations showed changes ascribable to periodontal disease. The results of the histopathological examination demonstrated that the subjects belonging to the control group, who only underwent the dental prophylaxis, in no case showed any histopathological improvement. In 6 out of 14 cases, the situation remained stationary and in the remaining 8 there was a clear deterioration. On the contrary, all the dogs in the experimental group, who underwent dental prophylaxis together with the administration of nanohydroxyapatite, showed clear signs of improvement with respect to their initial condition. Furthermore, there was no sign of any inflammatory reaction in the areas which had been treated with nanohydroxyapatite. In conclusion the study demonstrated the regenerative potential of nanohydroxyapatite in periodontal therapy. In fact, its use as a graft material has produced very satisfactory results, which have been supported without doubt by the histopathological examinations. Thus, nanohydroxyapatite represents a valid osteoconductive and osteoinductive graft product in dogs. However, more research is needed and it is, therefore, imperative to extend the case histories and further standardize diagnostic methods. Singh VP, Nayak DG, Uppoor AS, Shah D: Clinical and radiographic evaluation of Nano-crystalline hydroxyapatite bone graft (Sybograf) in combination with bioresorbable collagen membrane (Periocol) in periodontal intrabony defects. Dental Research Journal, 2012; 9: 60-67