Equine Sarcoids - Treatment with a Combination of Acyclovir and Surgical Excision

Background: Sarcoids are the most frequent skin tumors among horses, causing serious lesions due to their different shapes, sizes, degree of invasiveness and distribution on the body. The pathogenesis of sarcoids is multifactorial, with genetic, viral and environmental involvement, making their treatment complex. The aggressiveness and high rate of recurrence of sarcoids makes it difficult to use an effective treatment, which is why there are several therapeutic routes described in the literature. Aiming to describe and expand sarcoid treatments, this paper reports on the use of acyclovir in the treatment of this type of tumor. Cases: Four horses sent to the Large Animal Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Lavras - UFLA were diagnosed and treated for sarcoids. Case 1. Lesions on the right ear, region of the masseter muscle of the right side of the face, neck, vulva and medial aspect of the left pelvic limb. Case 2. Lesion in the left groin region. Case 3. Lesions on the face, masseter muscle region on the left side, mandibular region and right ear pinna. Case 4. Lesion in the lateral region of the left pelvic limb, close to the tarsometatarsal joint. All horses had a diagnosis of sarcoid, which was confirmed by histopathological examination of material collected after surgical excision. Macroscopically, the neoplastic lesions were classified as fibroblastic, verrucous and nodular. The tumors exhibited irregular surfaces, keratinization, and a firm consistency. Their surfaces were alopecic, slightly rough, some of them were ulcerated, and their color ranged from greyish to rosy and reddish. All the tumor masses were surgically excised from the 4 horses, and one sarcoid was treated by thermal cauterization with liquid nitrogen due to the lesion’s depth and size.  In most cases, the sarcoid removal sites were closed with sutures. Only 2 lesions were not sutured due to the impossibility of bringing the edges of tissue close together, or due to proximity to the tarsometatarsal joint. The surgical wounds were cleaned twice a day with sterile saline solution followed by the topical application of Acyclovir. One of the animals received complementary therapy with Cimetidine. Discussion: The equines recovered completely from their sarcoid treatment, and no recurrences were reported a year later. Thus, the combination of treatments employed for the extirpation of sarcoids proved to have greater chances of success. First, all the tumors were surgically removed with the largest possible margins of safety in order to ensure the elimination of neoplastic cells. In the postoperative period, all the animals received topical treatment of the lesions with acyclovir after surgical resection of the tumors. The drug aided the complete healing of post-surgical wounds, and healing time varied according to the size and depth of the lesion. One tumor was treated with liquid nitrogen after surgical excision of the sarcoid. Another horse was treated with cimetidine over a 3-month period after surgical excision of the neoplasm in order to reduce the sarcoid and prevent its evolution. Surgical excision of the sarcoid associated with topical application of acyclovir ointment showed satisfactory results. Moreover, the combination of surgical excision and administration of liquid nitrogen on the lesion and topical application of acyclovir ointment in the postoperative period also provided good results. Given the complexity of sarcoid treatment and the high recurrence rate of these tumors, the use of combined treatments should be taken into account. Keywords: horses, skin tumor, cutaneous neoplasm, therapy. Título: Sarcoide em equinos - tratamento com associação de Aciclovir e excição cirúrgica Descritores: equinos, tumor de pele, neoplasia cutânea, terapia

Vascularization of the cloacal bursa in Gallus gallus domesticus (master gris cou plumé lineage)

Estudou-se a vascularização da bolsa cloacal em aves da linhagem Master Gris Cou Plumé, quanto a sua origem, número e distribuição dos vasos. Procedeu-se a dissecação dos vasos por meio de duas incisões paramedianas na base do pigóstilo, em 20 exemplares de seis semanas de idade após fixação em solução aquosa de formol a 10%. Anteriormente à fixação, a artéria isquiádica direita foi canulada para perfusão do sistema arterial com solução aquosa a 50% de Neoprene Látex “450”, corado com pigmento vermelho. A bolsa cloacal foi irrigada pelas artérias: bursocloacal direita, presente em 19 exemplares (95%) apresentando de um a cinco ramos arteriais; bursocloacal esquerda, presente em todos os casos (100%), apresentando de um a cinco ramos arteriais; cloacal direita, observada em 13 aves (65%), exibindo de um a quatro ramos arteriais; cloacal esquerda, presente em 13 aves (65%), emitindo de dois a três ramos arteriais; e ilíacas internas direita e esquerda, observadas uma única vez (5%), que enviaram dois ramos arteriais. Quanto à distribuição, pode-se afirmar que os quadrantes caudais da bolsa cloacal, de ambos antímeros, foram os que mais receberam ramos arteriais, sendo que o esquerdo recebeu ramos da A. bursocloacal, A. cloacal e A. ilíaca interna em 19 casos (95%), 13 (65%) e um (5%), respectivamente. Os quadrantes craniais direito e esquerdo foram irrigados por ramos da A. bursocloacal em cinco (25%) e quatro casos (20%), respectivamente. Foram observadas grandes variações no aporte sanguíneo da bolsa cloacal da linhagem estudada em relação às demais da espécie Gallus gallus domesticus, concluindo-se que estas diferenças podem estar associadas à maior ou menor funcionalidade do órgão, ou mesmo das características morfofuncionais da linhagem empregada. Estatisticamente não foram observadas diferenças em relação às artérias responsáveis pelo suprimento sanguíneo, quando considerado o antímero e o número de ramos arteriais enviados à bolsa cloacal. _________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThe vascularization of the cloacal bursa in fowls from Master Gris Cou Plumé lineage was studied in relation to origin, number and distribution of vessels. After cannulation of the right sciatic artery in 20 specimens of six-week-old, the arterial system was perfused with a 50% aqueous solution of Neoprene Latex "450" colored with red pigment. Subsequently the specimens were fixated in aqueous 10% formaldehyde. Vessels were dissected through two paramedian incisions at the base of the pygostyle. The cloacal bursa showed to be irrigated by the arteries: right bursocloacal, present in 19 specimens (95%) with one to five arterial branches; left bursocloacal, present in all cases (100%) and showing one to five arterial branches; right cloacal, observed in 13 birds (65%) with one to four arterial branches; left cloacal, also present in 13 birds, sending two to three arterial branches; and right and left internal iliac arteries, observed only in a single individual (5%), which sent two arterial branches. As for distribution, it can be stated that the caudal quadrants of both sides of cloacal bursa were the ones that most received arterial branches. The left one received branches from the bursocloacal, cloacal and internal iliac arteries in 19 (95%), 13 (65%) and one (5%) cases, respectively. The right and the left cranial quadrants were irrigated, respectively, by branches of the bursocloacal artery in five cases (25%) and in four cases (20%). Great variations in blood supply of cloacal bursa were observed in the lineage studied in relation to others lineages of the species Gallus gallus domesticus, concluding that these differences may be associated with greater or lesser functionality of this organ, or even the morphofunctional characteristics of the tested lineage. Statistically were not found significant differences in relation to the arteries responsible by blood supply when considered antimere and number of arterial branches sent to the cloacal bursa

Formação da veia jugular externa no veado catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira)

http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/2175-7925.2012v25n4p289 O veado catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira) é um ruminante silvestre de pelagem curta, marrom-acizentada,que vive nas Américas Central e do Sul. Objetivou-se descrever a formação da veia jugular externa em um exemplar macho que foi a óbito por atropelamento. As regiões da face e cervical foram dissecadas de modo a possibilitar a visualização da veia jugular externa e suas tributárias. Esta se formou a partir da união das veias maxilar e linguofacial. A primeira originou-se das veias temporal superficial e transversa da face, que em seu percurso recebeu as veias angular do olho, dorsal e lateral do nariz e labial superior. A segunda formou-se após a anastomose das veias lingual e facial. A veia facial originou-se da união das veias labial inferior e profunda da face, no terço médio da face, rostralmente ao músculo masseter. Esse arranjo vascular difere daquele comumente observado em ruminantes domésticos, nos quais a veia transversa da face se mostra pouco desenvolvida e a facial recebe as veias angular do olho, dorsais e lateral do nariz, além da labial superior. A veia jugular externa do veado catingueiro apresentou as mesmas tributárias que os ruminantes domésticos, porém, com arranjo vascular das veias facial e transversa da face de forma diferente

Formation of the external jugular vein in the brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira)

The brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) is a brown-greyish short-haired wild ruminant living in Central and South Americas. This paper aimed at describing the formation of the external jugular vein in a male specimen which died due to run-over. The facial and cervical regions were dissected so as to allow the visualization of the external jugular vein and its tributaries. This vein was formed by the union of the maxillary and linguofacial veins. The first originated from the superficial and transverse facial temporal veins, and it received along its length the angular vein of the eye, as well as the dorsal and lateral veins of the nose and upper lip. The second was formed after the anastomosis of the lingual and facial veins. The facial vein was originated by the union of the lower lip and deep facial veins, in the middle third of the face, rostral to the masseter muscle. This vascular arrangement differs from that usually observed in domestic ruminants, in which the transverse facial vein is underdeveloped and the facial vein receives the angular vein of the eye, the dorsal and lateral veins of the nose, besides the upper lip vein. The external jugular vein in the brown brocket deer presented the same tributaries than domestic ruminants, however, with a different vessel arrangement of the facial and facial transverse veins

Formação da veia jugular externa no veado catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira)

http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/2175-7925.2012v25n4p289O veado catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira) é um ruminante silvestre de pelagem curta, marrom-acizentada,que vive nas Américas Central e do Sul. Objetivou-se descrever a formação da veia jugular externa em um exemplar macho que foi a óbito por atropelamento. As regiões da face e cervical foram dissecadas de modo a possibilitar a visualização da veia jugular externa e suas tributárias. Esta se formou a partir da união das veias maxilar e linguofacial. A primeira originou-se das veias temporal superficial e transversa da face, que em seu percurso recebeu as veias angular do olho, dorsal e lateral do nariz e labial superior. A segunda formou-se após a anastomose das veias lingual e facial. A veia facial originou-se da união das veias labial inferior e profunda da face, no terço médio da face, rostralmente ao músculo masseter. Esse arranjo vascular difere daquele comumente observado em ruminantes domésticos, nos quais a veia transversa da face se mostra pouco desenvolvida e a facial recebe as veias angular do olho, dorsais e lateral do nariz, além da labial superior. A veia jugular externa do veado catingueiro apresentou as mesmas tributárias que os ruminantes domésticos, porém, com arranjo vascular das veias facial e transversa da face de forma diferente

Equine Sarcoids - Treatment with a Combination of Acyclovir and Surgical Excision

Background: Sarcoids are the most frequent skin tumors among horses, causing serious lesions due to their different shapes, sizes, degree of invasiveness and distribution on the body. The pathogenesis of sarcoids is multifactorial, with genetic, viral and environmental involvement, making their treatment complex. The aggressiveness and high rate of recurrence of sarcoids makes it difficult to use an effective treatment, which is why there are several therapeutic routes described in the literature. Aiming to describe and expand sarcoid treatments, this paper reports on the use of acyclovir in the treatment of this type of tumor. Cases: Four horses sent to the Large Animal Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Lavras - UFLA were diagnosed and treated for sarcoids. Case 1. Lesions on the right ear, region of the masseter muscle of the right side of the face, neck, vulva and medial aspect of the left pelvic limb. Case 2. Lesion in the left groin region. Case 3. Lesions on the face, masseter muscle region on the left side, mandibular region and right ear pinna. Case 4. Lesion in the lateral region of the left pelvic limb, close to the tarsometatarsal joint. All horses had a diagnosis of sarcoid, which was confirmed by histopathological examination of material collected after surgical excision. Macroscopically, the neoplastic lesions were classified as fibroblastic, verrucous and nodular. The tumors exhibited irregular surfaces, keratinization, and a firm consistency. Their surfaces were alopecic, slightly rough, some of them were ulcerated, and their color ranged from greyish to rosy and reddish. All the tumor masses were surgically excised from the 4 horses, and one sarcoid was treated by thermal cauterization with liquid nitrogen due to the lesion’s depth and size.  In most cases, the sarcoid removal sites were closed with sutures. Only 2 lesions were not sutured due to the impossibility of bringing the edges of tissue close together, or due to proximity to the tarsometatarsal joint. The surgical wounds were cleaned twice a day with sterile saline solution followed by the topical application of Acyclovir. One of the animals received complementary therapy with Cimetidine. Discussion: The equines recovered completely from their sarcoid treatment, and no recurrences were reported a year later. Thus, the combination of treatments employed for the extirpation of sarcoids proved to have greater chances of success. First, all the tumors were surgically removed with the largest possible margins of safety in order to ensure the elimination of neoplastic cells. In the postoperative period, all the animals received topical treatment of the lesions with acyclovir after surgical resection of the tumors. The drug aided the complete healing of post-surgical wounds, and healing time varied according to the size and depth of the lesion. One tumor was treated with liquid nitrogen after surgical excision of the sarcoid. Another horse was treated with cimetidine over a 3-month period after surgical excision of the neoplasm in order to reduce the sarcoid and prevent its evolution. Surgical excision of the sarcoid associated with topical application of acyclovir ointment showed satisfactory results. Moreover, the combination of surgical excision and administration of liquid nitrogen on the lesion and topical application of acyclovir ointment in the postoperative period also provided good results. Given the complexity of sarcoid treatment and the high recurrence rate of these tumors, the use of combined treatments should be taken into account. Keywords: horses, skin tumor, cutaneous neoplasm, therapy. Título: Sarcoide em equinos - tratamento com associação de Aciclovir e excição cirúrgica Descritores: equinos, tumor de pele, neoplasia cutânea, terapia

Morphology of the thoracic limb bones in the giant anteater

The giant anteater has a grayish-brown pelage with white and black tones, its skull is elongated, cylindrical, and there are no teeth. Its tail is long, with thick and long bristles, resembling a flag. This is an endangered species, due to the constant degradation of its habitat, in addition to deaths caused by fires and roadkills. Thus, this paper aimed to describe the morphology of the thoracic limb bones in Myrmecophaga tridactyla, focusing on its main bone accidents. We used two specimens of giant anteater collected on highways in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, after death due to being run over. The scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, and the hand bones showed particular characteristics adapted to the species’ lifestyle and habits. In general, the scapula resembles that in human beings and the humerus is similar to that in armadillo, the radius and ulna exhibit articular surfaces which enable a wide range of rotational movements in the forearm, the carpal bones are also similar in number and shape to those in human beings, and the fingers are well developed in the giant anteater, having long, strong and sharp claws, especially in the third finger. Thus, the anatomical description of the thoracic limb bones in the giant anteater showed to be important, providing a deeper understanding both of the functional aspects of the thoracic limb and the comparative anatomy of wild animals

Morfologia dos ossos do membro torácico do tamanduá-bandeira

http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/2175-7925.2013v26n4p141O tamanduá-bandeira possui uma pelagem cinza acastanhada com tons brancos e negros, seu crânio é alongado, cilíndrico e com ausência de dentes. Sua cauda é longa, com pelos grossos e compridos, assemelhando-se a uma bandeira. Trata-se de uma espécie ameaçada, devido à constante degradação do seu hábitat, além de mortes causadas por queimadas e atropelamentos. Assim, o objetivo deste artigo foi descrever a morfologia dos ossos do membro torácico do Myrmecophaga tridactyla, enfocando seus principais acidentes ósseos. Foram utilizados dois espécimes de tamanduá-bandeira coletados em rodovias no estado de Minas Gerais, mortos após atropelamento. A escápula, o úmero, o rádio, a ulna e os ossos da mão apresentaram características próprias adaptadas ao estilo de vida e aos hábitos da espécie. No geral, a escápula se assemelha à dos seres humanos e o úmero é semelhante ao do tatu, o rádio e a ulna exibem superfícies articulares que possibilitam amplos movimentos de rotação no antebraço, os ossos do carpo também se assemelham em número e forma aos dos seres humanos e os dedos são bem desenvolvidos no tamanduá-bandeira, dotados de garras longas, fortes e cortantes, principalmente a do terceiro dedo. Assim, a descrição anatômica dos ossos do membro torácico do tamanduá-bandeira mostrou-se importante, aprofundando tanto o entendimento dos aspectos funcionais do membro torácico como da anatomia comparada de animais silvestres