Electrocardiographic Aspects of Singleton Pregnancy and Neonatal Period in American Miniature Horse Breed

Background: During pregnancy, cardiovascular adaptations occur in order to meet maternal demands and adequate support for fetal development, but they are still unclear in the equine species, especially in the American Miniature horse breed. The main hemodynamic changes that occur during pregnancy are increased heart rate, cardiac output, and blood volume. It is necessary to use the reference values for the miniature breeds, in addition to the age range and reproductive condition, so the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of pregnancy on electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters in mares and also of age in newborns foals of American Miniature horse breed. Materials, Methods & Results: Ten American Miniature Horse mares, between 7 and 19 years old (12.14 ± 4.05 years), 116.85 ± 24.09 kg of body weight were used in the experiment. All these mares were pluriparous, with 5.9 ± 3.5 of births, minimum of 2, and maximum of 12 foaling times. They were maintained in common social group in an indoor house stable with straw bed, with access to an outdoor paddock for several h per day. Twice a day they were fed with hay. Mineral supplements and water were available ad libitum. The ECG were obtained in 10 pregnant mares and in 10 neonates. All females were examined at a representative time of each trimester of pregnancy, at 30, 210, 300 days before and 21 days after delivery. Neonates were examined on different times: first 24 h after delivery, weekly on the 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th and 35th days of age. The ECG parameters considered were the heart rate and rhythm, duration and intervals (P, PR, QRS, QT, T) and amplitude (P, R, S, T) of ECG waves. The mean of pregnancy duration was 319.4 ± 4.97 days. Heart Rate (HR) varied between 51 to 59 bpm during pregnancy and 56 bpm on the 21st day after delivery. Comparing the clinical parameters of pregnant mares, non-pregnant mares and foal a difference was found for HR, Respiration Rate (RR) and Temperature (P = 0.001). All ECG parameters of pregnant, non-pregnant and foal mares showed a significant difference (P = 0.0001), except for the amplitude of the P1, P2 and R waves, which was similar for the 3 groups. The mean values of HR and amplitude of the positive T wave were higher in foals when compared to pregnant and non-pregnant mares, which in turn did not differ from each other. The mean duration of the P wave, PR segment, QRS complex, QT segment and T wave were the same among mares and greater than in foals. Comparing pregnant and non-pregnant mares, there was a difference in only 3 parameters: duration of the QTc segment, amplitude of the S wave and negative T wave. The non-pregnant mares had a longer duration of the QTc segment and a greater amplitude of the negative T wave, while the foals had a greater amplitude of the S wave.Discussion: Although this study did not measure HR at delivery time, it is worth to consider the action of the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system close to delivery, which reduces the HR of mares. This is because at delivery, sympathetic-adrenal activation should be avoided since the increase in sympathetic tone can cause uterine atony via B2 receptors. For this reason, it has been shown that, during physiological birth, horses are under parasympathetic control, and stress response mechanisms are not activated. It was conclude that the morphometry of the waves, intervals and ECG complexes, during the evolution of the reproductive state, the electrocardiographic aspects were generally associated with heart rate (PR and QT intervals). As for neonates, there was a discrepancy among the most of ECG parameters when compared to the adult female, regardless of reproductive status, clarifying the importance of ECG patterns not only for the breed, but also for the age group

Deslocamento de abomaso em vacas leiteiras

The genetic selection and the nutritional management to improve milk production make the dairy cattle more susceptible to the development of diseases, such as the abomasal displacement. It is the most frequently detected abomasal problem and it is the main cause of abdominal surgeries in dairy cattle. It is a multifactorial disease that occurs mainly in dairy cattle of high production during the puerperium. The abomasal displacement can occur to the right (DAD) or to the left (DAE), being the former more frequent than the latter. It is related to feeding management and occurs in animals that also have other diseases such as hypocalcaemia, ketosis and retained placenta. The disease causes economical losses in dairy cattle because of the costs with treatment, reduction of production, increase of the interval between the parturition, loss of body weight, early discard of the matrix and mortality. The most usual clinical signs are apathy, dehydration, low to serious ruminal timpanismo (gas accumulation in the abomasum) with reduction or lack of motility, liquid splash sound during the ballottement of the right flank, metallic sound to percussion, presence of a structure similar to distended viscera in the thorax or in the paralombar cavity on the side corresponding to the displacement, and liquefied, dark, scarce and fetid feces. The treatment is surgical, and the most used technique is the omentopexy on the left flank. The hidroelectrolytic correction must be performed and the concomitant diseases must be treated. The prophylaxis consists of adequate nutrition and pre-parturition management, besides reduction of stress and other diseases of the puerperiumA seleção genética e o manejo nutricional para melhorar a produção leiteira tornam as vacas mais suscetíveis ao desenvolvimento de doenças, como o deslocamento de abomaso. É o distúrbio abomasal mais frequentemente detectado e é a principal causa de cirurgia abdominal em bovinos leiteiros. Trata-se de uma doença multifatorial, que acomete principalmente vacas leiteiras de alta produção durante o período pós-parto. O deslocamento do abomaso pode ocorrer para a direita (DAD) ou esquerda (DAE), sendo o primeiro mais freqüente que último. Relaciona-se com o manejo alimentar e ocorre em animais que manifestam outras doenças tais como hipocalcemia, cetose e retenção de placenta. A doença acarreta perdas econômicas em rebanhos leiteiros pelos custos com tratamento, diminuição da produção, aumento do intervalo entre partos, perda de peso corporal, descarte prematuro da matriz e mortalidade. Os sinais clínicos mais frequentes são apatia, desidratação, timpanismo ruminal leve a severo com motilidade ausente ou diminuída, som de líquido ao balotamento do flanco direito, som metálico à percussão, presença de uma estrutura similar a uma víscera distendida no gradil costal ou na fossa paralombar do lado correspondente ao deslocamento, fezes liquefeitas, enegrecidas, escassas e de odor fétido. O tratamento é cirúrgico, sendo a técnica de omentopexia no flanco direito a mais utilizada. Deve-se proceder a correção hidroeletrolítica do animal e tratar doenças concomitantes. A profilaxia consiste em nutrição e manejo pré-parto adequados, além de reduzir estresse e outras doenças no puerpéri

Avaliação clínica, laboratorial e anatopatológica do sistema urinário de ovinos confinados com e sem suplementação de cloreto de amônio

The incidence of urolithiasis is high in sheep raising, especially in males raised under intensive management. The urinary acidification with ammonium chloride is an effective method to prevent this disease. The objectives of this study with feedlot lambs getting concentrated diet with high protein content, supplemented or not with ammonium chloride, were to verify the effect of diet fed in confinement, rich in concentrated on the formation of uroliths and development of urolithiasis; analyzing the macroscopic and histopathological characteristics of the urinary system; relate the clinical findings, laboratory tests of renal function (urea and creatinine) and necropsy in the presence of uroliths. It was used 60 male sheep, crossbred Ile de France X White Dorper, three to four months old, randomly divided into two groups: Group I (n=40) received 400 mg/kg of ammonium chroride/animal/day orally, for 42 consecutive days; Group II (n=20) was not treated with ammonium chloride. The diet consisted of 85% concentrate, 15% hay, mineral salt and water ad libitum. Moments (M) for clinical evaluation and collection of blood for measurement of serum urea and creatinine were determined as M0, immediately prior to the beginning of the experiment and at intervals of seven days in moments M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 and M6, totaling 56 days of confinement. After the confinement period, the animals were sacrificed, necropsy was performed and their urinary systems were collected for macroscopic and microscopic examination. The animals were observed daily throughout the experimental period, but no animal showed symptoms of obstructive urolithiasis. The values of serum creatinine concentration were below the standard of normality and the values of urea remained above it. Microcalculus were found in the renal pelvis of five animals in both groups. In addition, other changes were found, such as congestion of the renal medullary region and hydronephrosis. The ...Na ovinocultura, a incidência da urolitíase é elevada, principalmente em machos criados sob manejo intensivo. A acidificação urinária com cloreto de amônio é um método eficiente para prevenção dessa doença. Os objetivos deste estudo com ovinos confinados recebendo dieta concentrada com elevado teor proteico, suplementados ou não com cloreto de amônio, foram: verificar o efeito da dieta fornecida no confinamento, rica em concentrado, sobre a formação de urólitos e desenvolvimento de urolitíase obstrutiva; analisar as características macroscópicas e histopatológicas do sistema urinário; relacionar os achados clínicos, os exames laboratoriais de função renal (ureia e creatinina) e necroscópicos com a presença de urólitos. Utilizaram-se 60 ovinos machos, mestiços Ile de France X White Dorper, com três a quatro meses de idade, distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: Grupo I (n=40), que recebeu 400mg/kg de cloreto de amônio/animal/dia, por via oral, por 42 dias consecutivos; Grupo II (n=20), não tratado com cloreto de amônio. A alimentação constituiu-se de 85% de concentrado, 15% de feno, sal mineral e água à vontade. Momentos (M) de avaliação clínica e colheita de sangue para dosagem sérica de ureia e creatinina foram determinados como: M0, imediatamente antes do início do experimento e em intervalos de sete dias nos momentos M1; M2; M3; M4; M5 e M6, totalizando 56 dias de confinamento. Após o período de confinamento, os animais foram sacrificados, realizou-se necropsia e o sistema urinário foi colhido para exame macro e microscópico. Os animais foram observados diariamente para verificar a incidência de urolitíase nos dois grupos, durante todo o período experimental, porém nenhum animal apresentou sintomatologia de urolitíase obstrutiva. Os valores da concentração sérica de creatinina estiveram abaixo e os valores de ureia ficaram acima do padrão de normalidade para a espécie. Encontram-se..

Hydrocolloid Use in the Treatment of Thermal Injury in a Dog

Background: Thermal injury is one of the most common type of skin damage found in clinical care, which results in a chronic wound. The treatment of chronic wounds should be specific, because it has a greater vulnerability of the organism to the external agents input. So,  the treatment can be performed with covers to keep the lesion clean and free of contamination and also promote healing. Considering the amount of products available for the treatment, as well as the scarcity of studies in the literature proving the effectiveness of hydrocolloid in dogs, the aim of this case report was to describe a third degree burn wound in the sternal region of a dog treated with this material.Case: A 2-year-old non-castraded German Spitz dog, was attended in a private veterinary clinic located in Ribeirão Preto city, São Paulo state. The animal was submitted to general anesthesia for microneedling session to treat alopecia "X", and after the procedure, it showed a burn focus due to the resting time on the thermal mattress, affecting the entire sternal region. The choice treatment was a surgical debridement followed by second intention healing. The superficial crust of the wound was removed and the debridement of almost all the tissue that was not fit for healing was continued, resulting in a wide wound, with healthy tissue and only a small portion of devitalized musculature. On the same day, the daily dressing phase with crystal sugar was started, in order to promote the debridement of the remaining devitalized tissue and enable the appearance of granulation tissue, together with the asepsis provided by the chlorhexidine ointment (0.7 g/100mL). After five days, the wound presented with ascending granulation, with no signs of contamination and minimal residue of devitalized tissue. Then, the treatment with the hydrocolloid plate was chosen, which was cut and molded to the wound to allow the debridement with crystal sugar to continue in the devitalized muscle region. At this stage of treatment, the wound region where crystal sugar was used was cleaned and given a new dressing to be changed the next day, while the rest of the wound that had the hydrocolloid plate remained unmanaged for an average of five days, in order to improve animal welfare. After six days of dressing, the wound showed significant contraction, however the growth of the granulation tissue was exuberant. Four days after the first dressing change, the contraction of the wound proceeded at an accelerated rate, as well as the proliferation of granulation tissue, and on the 15th day of treatment with the hydrocolloid plaque, the wound was already quite reduced, with the maintenance of the tissue with healthy granulation, without contamination and with signs of good evolution. On the 27th day, the wound was practically healed, leaving a small central portion of the lesion. The scar tissue that involved the burn contributed to its retraction and accelerated the reepithelialization process. Finally, after 42 days, when the treatment finished, it was possible to notice hair growth and poor visibility of scar tissue.Discussion: The application of this type of dressing in the micro-needling burn injury suggested a better healing due the increase of keratinocyte proliferation and cell proliferation, since when used in the inflammation process, it accelerated the cleaning of purulent and necrotic tissues, stimulating the repair of clean wounds leading to good results and greater patient comfort. This study demonstrated that good healing could be achieved in alternative treatment using hydrocolloid dressing. In this method, healing proved to be more effective than conventional treatment, considering wound resolution and wound healing time

Intravenous Application of Metronidazole, Ceftriaxone and Enrofloxacin in Dogs Anesthetized with Isoflurane: Impact of Hemodynamic and Cardiorespiratory Parameters

Background: The prophylactic use of antimicrobials in patients undergoing surgery is widely performed due to its power to reduce and control infections in the surgical site. Metronidazole, ceftriaxone and enrofloxacin are drugs widely used in veterinary medicine, even during anesthesia, either in healthy patients or under critical conditions. Despite several reports on hemodynamic reactions after intravenous application of antimicrobials in dogs, there are few studies on these effects in dogs undergoing anesthesia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic and cardiorespiratory effects of metronidazole, ceftriaxone and enrofloxacin in dogs anesthetized with isoflurane.Materials, Methods & Results: Forty healthy bitches were used, equally divided into four experimental groups of 10 animals each: placebo group (PG), metronidazole group (MG), ceftriaxone group (CG) and enrofloxacin group (EG). After the experimental phase of data collection, all animals were submitted to ovariohysterectomy using the minimally invasive approach. A catheter was placed in the dorsal metatarsal artery for direct blood pressure monitoring, with systolic (SBP), mean (MBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were continuously monitored by means of a transducer connected to a multiparametric monitor. The others measured data were heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), body temperature (T°C), carbon dioxide expired fraction (ETCO2), oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SpO2) in T0 (time immediately before performing the treatment), 5 (T5), 10 (T10), 15 (T15), 20 (T20) and 30 (T30) minutes after administration of the antimicrobial. Anesthetic induction was performed with propofol and anesthetic maintenance was performed with isoflurane. After reaching anesthesia with a surgical plan, all parameters were measured before treatments were performed (T0). Then the sodium chloride solution (0.9% NaCl), 25 mg/kg of metronidazole, 30 mg/kg of ceftriaxone or 5 mg/kg of enrofloxacin was administered in cefalic vein. No complications were observed during anesthesia and surgery in all groups. The animals were monitored for three h after the end of the surgery, and then dispensed without prescription of antimicrobials in the recovery period. The HR showed a significant reduction in T5 and T30 compared to the baseline in EG. The RR had a significant increase in T30 in relation to T0 after the administration of 0.9% NaCl in PG. There were no statistically significant changes in HR for groups PG, MG and CG, and RR for groups EG, MG and CG. SBP and MBP had a significant decrease after 30 min of ceftriaxone application. There was a significant decrease in MBP at T5, T10 and T15 compared to baseline in EG. No changes in blood pressure were detected in PG and MG. The ToC showed a significant reduction from T10 to T30 in the GP, from T5 to T30 in the SG, in the T30 in the GM from T20 to T30 in the GC. For all groups, there were no changes in SpO2, ETCO2 and PAD during the study.Discussion: It was concluded that all studied antimicrobials can be used in prophylactic therapy in dogs, in doses recommended by the literature, as the observed changes are subject to correction and can be easily controlled by a qualified anesthetist. The antimicrobial that did not show cardiorespiratory and hemodynamic changes after intravenous application in bitches anesthetized with isoflurane was metronidazole, so its administration was considered safer when compared to enrofloxacin and ceftriaxone, under the conditions of this study, however its indication is punctual, being restricted to cases of infections by anaerobic agents.

EFFECT OF WEANING MANAGEMENT ON HEMATOLOGICAL AND INNATE IMMUNITY PARAMETERS IN HOLSTEIN CALVES

<p>Weaning involves the transition from a liquid diet (based on milk or milk replacer) to one that is composed of solid feed. Further, the transition from the isolated environment and social behavior to a newly grouped living space is usually stressful for calves. All these events have negative impacts on the immune responses in the calf.  Stress and immune function dampening appear to contribute to reducing weight gain through weaning.  Total calorie intake, due to a period of learning to eat dry matter, is also a factor. Consequently, the calves become more susceptible to infection. The weaning period is one of higher morbidity caused by multiple disease agents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of weaning on the dynamics of hematological parameters, some biochemical variables, and the phagocytic activity of neutrophils. Holstein calves (n=188) were selected to be subjected to a time-based analysis over the following time windows: 69-85 days of life (pre-weaning calves - PWC); at six (D-6), four (D-4), and two (D-2) days before, and on the weaning day (D0), with 47 calves at each time point. The calves were fed with 8L of milk/day split into two feedings ending at weaning. At weaning, the calves were fed 5L/day (D-6), then the volume was reduced by 1L of milk every 3 days until only 3L per day was achieved. At this point, all milk was terminated (D0). Blood samples were harvested to allow measurement of haptoglobin (Hp); red blood count (RBC) and white blood count (WBC). Blood samples provided a source of neutrophils (PMN) for a phagocytosis assay (both rate of uptake and mean fluorescent intensity [MFI]) and to measure the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), after stimulating with <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and <i>Mannhemia haemolytica</i>. The Hp concentration decreased from D-6 to D0. The total WBC values were stable, but the absolute values of neutrophils, monocytes, and basophils oscillated over the measurement period. At D-2, there was an increase in neutrophils and a decrease in monocytes. This corresponded with a reduced lobularity index (LI). Myeloperoxidase intracellular index (MPXI) values were similar across the weaning period. Phagocytic capacity for <i>S. aureus</i> decreased on D0, but there was an increase in phagocytic avidity on D-2. The <i>E. coli</i> phagocytosis rate and MFI dropped on D-2. There was an increase in the response ratio (<i>RR = stimulated/unstimulated cells</i>) for ROS production in response to <i>E. coli </i>and <i>M. haemolytica </i>stepwise to D0. However, in response to <i>S. aureus, </i>there was a decrease from the initial measurement to the day of weaning. These measurements indicated that innate immune response was dampened by the weaning process relative to exposure to these common pathogenic bacteria of dairy calves. Phagocytosis, and the corresponding indicator of intracellular killing activities used here -ROS production and myeloperoxidase system products, represent the most accepted core mechanisms for the early elimination of pathogenic microorganisms by the calf. We concluded that the innate immune response was dampened during the period of weaning in calves submitted to the intensive milk program even in the face of the use of a slow, gradual weaning management system to minimize stress. Therefore, we postulate that measures must be taken to minimize the consequences of weaning management to avoid reducing calf health and physiological development. Among different practices to reduce stress, it is essential to adopt a nutritional plan to stimulate a gradual starter intake, reducing calves' stress at weaning.</p&gt

Segurança e eficácia da técnica de biopsia pulmonar transtorácica percutânea para avaliação histopatológica do parênquima pulmonar de ovinos clinicamente sadios

Foram analisados os resultados e complicações decorrentes do emprego da técnica de biopsia pulmonar transtorácica percutânea em 20 ovinos clinicamente sadios. Os animais foram submetidos ao exame clínico seguido da biopsia com agulha semi-automática no 7º espaço intercostal direito, 5cm acima do olécrano. Foram analisados o número de tentativas para a execução do procedimento e o tamanho dos fragmentos. As amostras obtidas foram avaliadas histologicamente. Posteriormente ao abate, foi realizado o exame pos mortem para avaliação de complicações da técnica e das eventuais lesões provocadas. Entre todos os animais submetidos à biopsia apenas dois demonstraram resistência a técnica, sendo obtidos fragmentos pulmonares de 4-7mm de comprimento, com média de 1,8±1 tentativas por fragmento. As principais alterações relacionadas à técnica foram tosse, dispnéia inspiratória, elevação das freqüências cardíaca e respiratória e aumento do ruído broncobronquiolar. Ao exame post mortem observou-se hemorragia dos músculos intercostais e pleura visceral em todos os animais. Das 20 tentativas de execução da técnica, 18 obtiveram sucesso, enquanto que em duas o fígado foi equivocadamente puncionado. As amostras de tecido pulmonar foram consideradas representativas, pois foi possível a visualização de estruturas íntegras, incluindo bronquíolos e alvéolos. Podemos concluir que a biopsia pulmonar é segura e eficaz para obtenção de amostras pulmonares com fins de diagnóstico histológico.The results and complications arising from use of the percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy technique in 20 clinically healthy sheep were analyzed. The animals were subjected to clinical examination followed by lung biopsy with a semi-automatic needle in the 7th right intercostal space, 5cm above the olecranon. The number of attempts to implement the procedure and size of the fragments were evaluated. The samples were evaluated histologically. After the slaughter, a postmortem examination assessed the technical complications and possible injuries. Among all animals which underwent biopsy only two did not tolerate the technique. Lung fragments measuring 4-7mm were obtained by an average of 1.8 attempts per fragment. The main changes related to the procedure were cough, labored breathing, increased heart and breathing rate, and increased bronco-bronchiolar sound. The postmortem examination revealed bleeding of the intercostal muscles and visceral pleura of various extend in all lambs, and a wound up to 14mm length in the lung of two animals that did not tolerate the procedure. From 20 attempts to implement the technique, 18 were successful, while in two of them the liver was mistakenly punctured. Samples of lung tissue were representative. It was possible to visualize intact structures, including bronchioles and alveoli. It could be concluded that lung biopsy is a safe and effective procedure to obtain lung samples for histological diagnosis.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP