INDICADORES BIOQUÍMICOS SÉRICOS E DO LÍQUIDO PERITONEAL DE EQUINOS SUBMETIDOS À OBSTRUÇÃO INTESTINAL

Twenty-four horses were distributed into four different groups, instrumented control (GI), duodenum obstruction (GII), ileum obstruction (GIII) and large colon obstruction (GIV). Serum and peritoneal fluid analysis of aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, inorganic phosphorus and lactate were measured. Samples were collected one hour before the surgical procedure (T0); 3 hours after the obstruction (T3ob), 1, 3, 12, 24, 120 and 168 hours after the beginning of reperfusion/deobstruction. Duodenal (GII) and ileum (GIII) obstructions changed serum and peritoneal fluid biochemical analysis. However, only lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and inorganic phosphorus concentrations were abnormal in peritoneal fluid three hours after the obstruction. The biochemical analysis of peritoneal fluid allowed a faster diagnostic of intestinal alterations than the serum analysis; hence it should be prioritized when pre-operatory colic assessment is carried out

AVALIAÇÃO CLÍNICA E ERITROLEUCOGRAMA DE EQÜINOS COM CÓLICA SUBMETIDOS À LAPAROTOMIA, SOBREVIVENTES E NÃO SOBREVIVENTES

Utilizaram-se setenta equinos, vinte sadios (GI) e cinquenta com cólica, submetidos à laparotomia, sobreviventes (GII, n=25) e não sobreviventes (GIII, n=25). O exame clínico e a colheita das amostras de sangue foram realizados antes da laparotomia (T0) e diariamente, a partir da cirurgia, até o décimo dia após a intervenção (T24h - T10o dia). No T0, observou-se aumento dos valores da frequência cardíaca e respiratória, do tempo de perfusão tecidual, do número de hemácias, do volume globular e do número de leucócitos nos equinos dos grupos GII e GIII, que ainda se mantiveram até o décimo dia pós-operatório nos animais do grupo GIII. Nesses mesmos momentos e animais verificou-se diminuição na concentração das proteínas plasmáticas totais. A intensidade e a persistência das alterações relacionaram-se negativamente com a recuperação dos animais e foram atribuídas ao tempo, à localização e à gravidade do processo obstrutivo. A avaliação seriada dos parâmetros clinicolaboratoriais analisados pode ser útil na definição do prognóstico dos animais com cólica submetidos à laparotomia.  PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Abdômen agudo, equinos, hemograma

PERFIL ELETROFORÉTICO DAS PROTEÍNAS SÉRICAS E DO LÍQUIDO PERITONEAL DE EQUINOS SUBMETIDOS À OBSTRUÇÃO EXPERIMENTAL DO DUODENO, ÍLEO E CÓLON MAIOR

Aiming at evaluating the electrophoresis profile of serum and peritoneal protein in horses submitted to an experimental model of intestinal obstruction, 24 animals were divided into four groups: instrumented control (GI), duodenum obstruction (GII), ileum obstruction (GIII) and large colon obstruction (GIV). Blood and peritoneal fluid samples were collected before the surgical procedures (T0), 3h after the obstruction (Ti) and 1, 3, 12, 24, 72, 120 and 168h after reperfusion (Tr). After sample centrifuging and fractioning, total protein were determined by biuret method, and the proteic fractions were separated by electrophoresis in agarose gel. Alterations were observed in serum and peritoneal concentrations of α, β and γ globulins on the studied animals. The changes occurred due to the intestinal inflammatory process caused by the obstruction model and the surgical trauma, associated to laparotomy. Animals submitted to duodenum and ileum obstruction showed higher serum and peritoneal concentrations of acute phase proteins. The electrophoretic separation of proteins included in the peritoneal liquid is more sensible when compared to the serum concentration to the diagnosis of abdominal inflammatory process. KEYWORDS: Acute phase protein, colic, horse

Topical Treatment Using Amphotericin B and DMSO for an Atypically Located Equine Cutaneous Pythiosis

Background: Cutaneous lesions by Pythium insidiosum infection are commonly observed in horses, especially in those living at flooded environments. Equine pythiosis is characterized by the development of tumoral masses that are frequently located at distal limbs, ventral abdomen, thorax, breast and face. The lesions are usually granulomatous, serosanguineous and ulcerated, most often destroyed by self-mutilation due to the intense pruritus. The proposed treatment includes surgical excision followed by antifungal drugs administration, which can be done systemically or topically. Amphotericin B and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in association has been successfully used for cutaneous pythiosis topical treatment due to the DMSO property to carry any substance through plasmatic membranes. Case: The present report concerns a 12-year-old mixed breed gelding presenting with self-mutilation of a tumoral mass located at the left flank. The owners reported that the horse had initially presented a small wound that had evolved to a 20-cm in diameter mass in 4 weeks. Tissue samples were collected, processed and stained by the Gomori's methenamine silver (GMS) method. The histopathological analysis revealed Pythium insidiosum hyphae in a granulomatous tissue, especially located at peripheral region, where kunkers were present. Surgical excision of the mass followed by cauterization was indicated as initial treatment, and due to financial reasons, the owners elected only the topical antifungal therapy to control the fungus infection after surgery. Flunixin meglumine was also administrated for five days aiming the control of pain and inflammation. The wound was cleaned with povidone-iodine solution and rinsed with a solution containing, 50 mg, of amphotericin B in 10 mL of sterile water and 10 mL of DMSO. This procedure was carried Out twice a day. The wound healed fast due to an excellent centripetal epithelialization. and the horse was discharged after 64 days showing only 5% of the initial wound area. The owner reported by telephone the complete healing and hair growth 10 days after discharge. Discussion: Despite the atypical location of the tumoral lesion described at the present report, the history and clinical manifestations, especially the intense pruritus, showed similarity with other characteristic reports of equine cutaneous pythiosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by the histopathological examination showing hyphae structures, as described to be evidences of the presence of Pythium insidiosum in the tissue. The surgical procedure was the first step to provide remission of clinical signs, and one day after surgery the pruritus desapeared. After excision of the granulomatous tissue and cauterization, daily topical administration of amphotericin B associated with DMSO was effective in destroying the infectious agent, as observed by the excellent epithelization. A pink granulation tissue grew up providing an ideal surface for epithelial migration and the healing process progressed quickly. Centripetal epithelialization reduced the wound area until 3% of the initial area in 64 days of treatment, when the remaining wound was found almost completely healed and covered with hair. At the present report, the horse presenting pythiosis was only topically treated. The recommended therapy using amphotericin B and DMSO solution was effective, economically viable and low risk, considering that the systemic antifungal therapy usually suggested is expensive and extremely nephrotoxic. The atypical location of the lesion on the left flank shows that any anatomical region can be affected by the fungus, since the conditions for its development were present

ANESTESIA TOTAL INTRAVENOSA (TIVA) ASSOCIADA AO BLOQUEIO DO PLEXO BRAQUIAL EM UM OVINO SUBMETIDO À OSTEOSSÍNTESE DE RÁDIO E ULNA - RELATO DE CASO

A anestesia total intravenosa (TIVA) é uma técnica que vem sendo utilizada na prática anestésica veterinária, principalmente em pequenos animais. Seu emprego se popularizou na última década, devido aos novos estudos utilizando fármacos mais adequados, com menores efeitos cumulativos e menor tempo de recuperação anestésica. Objetivou-se avaliar a infusão de propofol juntamente com o bloqueio do plexo braquial em um ovino submetido a osteossíntese de rádio e ulna. A pré-medicação anestésica foi realizada com cetamina 10% na dose de 2 mg/Kg, a indução com propofol 1% na dose de 5 mg/Kg e a manutenção anestésica com propofol na dose de 0,25mg/Kg/min. O bloqueio do plexo braquial foi realizado com a associação de lidocaína 2% e bupivacaína 0,5%, ambas na dose de 0,12ml/Kg, com um volume final de 20 ml. Foram avaliados durante todo o procedimento: frequência cardíaca (FC), frequência respiratória (ƒ), saturação periférica de oxigênio na hemoglobina (SpO2) pressão arterial sistólica (PAS), pressão arterial diastólica (PAD), pressão arterial média (PAM), temperatura retal (T), reflexo palpebral, reflexo corneal e a profundidade anestésica. Os parâmetros foram anotados antes da medicação pré-anestésica (T0), imediatamente após a indução anestésica (T10), e depois, a cada 10 minutos, até o final da infusão (T90). Todos os parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios avaliados limitaram-se ao fisiológico para a espécie. Conclui-se que o protocolo de TIVA utilizado no ovino promoveu anestesia para realização da osteossíntese, juntamente ao bloqueio do plexo braquial, que foi essencial para a analgesia e para manutenção anestésica adequada

Effects of 48-hour feed deprivation on acute-phase response in horses

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feed restriction on acute-phase response in horses. Twenty horses were deprived of food for 48 h and others 12 animals (control) had free access to water and hay. They were closely monitored and examined, and blood samples were taken at the beginning (0) of the study and 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 hours afterward. Data were submitted to two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures and statistical significance was P ≤ 0.05. The horses tolerated feed restriction without serious clinical complications. Feed restriction induced an increase in the acute-phase response by elevating serum concentrations of α2-macroglobulin (24-38 h), ceruloplasmin (36-48 h), α1-antitrypsin (30-48 h), α1-acid glycoprotein (42-48 h) and haptoglobin (42-48 h). Nutrient deprivation raised the levels of circulating cortisol, which acts on the innate immune system, which then induces the acute-phase response. In conclusion, food restriction is a physical stressor for horses, capable of inducing an acute-phase protein reaction, characterized by increased production of α2-macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin, α1-antitrypsin, α1-acid glycoprotein and haptoglobin. Keywords: Equine; Feed restriction; Inflammation; Immune response; Proteins; Stress.The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feed restriction on acute-phase response in horses. Twenty horses were deprived of food for 48 h and others 12 animals (control) had free access to water and hay. They were closely monitored and examined, and blood samples were taken at the beginning (0) of the study and 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 hours afterward. Data were submitted to two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures and statistical significance was P ≤ 0.05. The horses tolerated feed restriction without serious clinical complications. Feed restriction induced an increase in the acute-phase response by elevating serum concentrations of α2-macroglobulin (24-38 h), ceruloplasmin (36-48 h), α1-antitrypsin (30-48 h), α1-acid glycoprotein (42-48 h) and haptoglobin (42-48 h). Nutrient deprivation raised the levels of circulating cortisol, which acts on the innate immune system, which then induces the acute-phase response. In conclusion, food restriction is a physical stressor for horses, capable of inducing an acute-phase protein reaction, characterized by increased production of α2-macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin, α1-antitrypsin, α1-acid glycoprotein and haptoglobin. Keywords: Equine; Feed restriction; Inflammation; Immune response; Proteins; Stress