Evaluation of antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve degeneration stage B1

Myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (MMVD) is the most common naturally occurring heart disease in dogs. There is a lack of data on antioxidant status and oxidative damage in dogs with MMVD stage B1 according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM B1). The aim of this study was to investigate antioxidant status (plasma vitamin E, lipid-standardized vitamin E (LS-VitE), antioxidant capacity of lipid-(ACL) and water-soluble antioxidants, whole blood glutathione peroxidase and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase), and lipid peroxidation [malondialdehyde (MDA)] in dogs with MMVD ACVIM B1. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were measured to calculate LS-VitE. Fourteen dogs with MMVD ACVIM B1 and 12 control dogs were included in the study. Dogs with MMVD had significantly higher vitamin E, ACL, MDA, and cholesterol concentrations and significantly higher LS-VitE values than control dogs. No significant correlations between MDA and antioxidant parameters were determined in either group. In conclusion, oxidative damage to lipids is already present and the antioxidant status is altered but not depleted in dogs with MMVD ACVIM B1. The antioxidant response to increased oxidative damage consists mainly of the activation of fat-soluble antioxidants. Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy and targets of early antioxidant supplementation to prevent or ameliorate oxidative stress and mitigate disease progression in dogs with early-stage MMVD

The pharmacokinetics of levobupivacaine 0.5% after infraorbital or inferior alveolar block in anesthetized dogs

IntroductionData are lacking on the pharmacokinetic profile and safety of levobupivacaine (LB) used for regional anesthesia of the maxilla and mandibles in dogs.MethodsInfraorbital block (n = 10), inferior alveolar block (n = 10) or both infraorbital and inferior alveolar blocks (n = 10) were administered to dogs undergoing dental surgery under isoflurane anesthesia. The dose of LB was calculated as 0.11 ml/kg2/3 for the infraorbital block and 0.18 ml/kg2/3 for the inferior alveolar block. Blood samples were collected before and immediately after administration of the oral blocks, and 3, 4, 7, 12, 17, 32, 47, 62, 92, and 122 min thereafter. Quantification of LB in plasma was performed by LC-MS/MS.Results and discussionThe results are presented as median and interquartile range. In dogs in which all four quadrants of the oral cavity were desensitized with LB, the Cmax was 1,335 (1,030–1,929) ng/ml, the Tmax was 7 (4–9.5) min, and the AUC(0 → 120) was 57,976 (44,954–96,224) ng min/ml. Plasma concentrations of LB were several times lower than the reported toxic concentrations, and no signs of cardiovascular depression or neurotoxicity were observed in any of the dogs, suggesting that the occurrence of severe adverse effects after administration of LB at the doses used in this study is unlikely

IN SITUIN EX SITU OHRANJANJE NARAVNIH IZVOROV ZDRAVILNIH IN AROMATIČNIH RASTLIN v V SLOVENIJI

ln Slovenia, medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) were identified as minor crops that could be of national interest within sight of their cultivation as well as of marketing of their alternative products. Being aware of degradation of natural ecosystems and of loosing plant biodiversity, which is essential for selection and breeding work Slovenian Fund for Nature has recently ratified the Resolution on conservation of biological diversity and permanent landscape development, with special reference of in situ conservation of MAP. National collection (Genebank) of MAP was officially recognised and supported by Slovenian government in 1995 and 1996. At present, this genebank holds 650 accessions of MAP, some of which have been evaluated chemically and/or biologically. In the frame of MAP Genebank, in situ and ex situ conservation strategy is planned to be achieved by inventarization of natural resources, their conservation in situ, by sustainable use of natural resources limited on exploitation of germplasm for ex situ genebank and by prevention of massive exploration. Because of high morphologic and chemical variability of MAP species, current horticulture technique for vegetative propagation - tissue culture has been introduced as one of genebank technologies with the aim of obtaining rapid and economical propagation method, which will ensure homogeneity of interesting accessions in future. ln globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus L) micropropagation method using shoot apices was applied, but in oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.) and in St. John\u27s-wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) nodal segments were used for establishing of tissue culture. Sterilisation of plant material was one of the most problematic stages in micropropagation procedure because accessions of the same plant species specifically responded to the concentration of sterilisation solution as well as to the time of sterilisation.Zdravilne in aromatične rastline so v Sloveniji postale zanimive tako z vidika njihovega pridelovanja kot z vidika trženia proizvodov na njihovi osnovi. Zavedajoč se problematike degradacije ekosistemov in nevarnosti izgubljanja biološke raznovrstnosti, ki je osnova selekcijskega in žlahtniteljskega dela v prihodnosti, je Slovenski sklad za naravo nedavno ratificiral Resolucijo o trajnostnem razvoju podeželja in ohranjanju biološke raznovrstnosti v Sloveniji, v kateri je poudarjena tudi skrb za varstuo zdravilnih in aromatičnih rastlin in situ. V letu 1995 in 1996 je bila uradno priznana Nacionalna zbirka (genska banka) zdravilnih in aromatičnih rastlin, v kateri vzdržujemo okoli 650 akcesij. lzmed teh so bile nekatere kemijsko in/ali biološko ovrednotene. ln situ in ex situ strategija ohranjanja naravnih izvorov v okviru genske banke zdravilnih in aromatičnih rastlin je predvidena v 4 stopnjah: inventarizacija naravnih izvorov, aktivno ohranjanje, zmerna in smotma raba ter preprečevanje masovnega izkorišćanja naravnih izvorov. Da bi omogočili hitro ter ekonomično razmnoževanje in v prihodnosti pridobili klonski material zanimivih akcesij zdravilnih in aromatičnih rastlin, smo zaradi njihove velike variabilnosti v morfoloških in kemotaksonomskih lastnostih uvedli v okviru genske banke tehniko tkivnega razmnoževanja. Pri artičoki (Cynara scolymus L.) je bila uporabljena metoda mikropropagacije prek rastnih vršičkov, pri dobri misli (Origanum vulgare L.), materini dušici (Thymus vulgaris L.), žajblju (Salvia officinalis L.) in šentjanževki (Hypericum perforatum L.) pa nodalno segmentiranje aksilarnih poganjkov. Sterilizacija rastlinskega materiala se je izkazala za eno najtežavnejših stopenj mikropropagacije proučevanih zdravilnih in aromatičnih rastlin, saj se akcesije znotraj rastlinske vrste individualno odzivajo na jakost dezinficiensa in na čas razkuževanja

Slovenian pet owners\u27 experience, attitudes, and predictors regarding cannabinoid use in dogs and cats

The aim of this study was to assess the personal experience and attitudes of Slovenian pet owners regarding cannabinoid (CBD) use and to identify the predictors of the first use and reuse of CBDs in dogs and cats. We hypothesized that positive attitudes toward CBDs, postmodern health values, and personal experience would be significant predictors of CBD use in animals. An open online survey targeted randomly selected Slovenian dog and cat owners, regardless of their experience with cannabis products. The questionnaire consisted of six sections related to demographic data and personal experience with CBD use, information about the participant’s animal, experience with CBD use in the participant’s animal, reasons for not using CBDs in their animal, attitudes toward CBD use in dogs and cats, and postmodern health values. Descriptive statistics were performed to analyze demographics, personal experience with CBD use, and experience with CBD use in dogs and cats. Hierarchical multiple regression using the enter method was performed to analyze the important predictors of CBD use. A total of 408 completed questionnaires were included in the statistical analysis. A substantial proportion (38.5%) of owners had already used CBDs to treat their animal. Positive attitudes and previous personal experience were significant (p < 0.05) predictors of first use and reuse of CBDs in pets, while postmodern health values were not. In conclusion, the decision to use CBDs for medicinal purposes is based on acquired information and personal experience. Veterinarians should be informed and familiar with CBDs as a treatment option. However, further research is essential to establish the use of CBDs in veterinary medicine. Improved laws and regulations are also needed to ensure that only high-quality medications are prescribed to dogs and cats

A survey study on the recognition and treatment of pain in dogs and cats by Slovenian veterinarians

Objective To obtain information on pain management in dogs and cats by Slovenian veterinarians, and to compare it with reports from other countries. Study design Prospective online survey. Methods The questions were uploaded using open source survey software and pertained to demographic data, self-evaluation of acquired and current knowledge, attitude towards pain and evaluation of actual knowledge, assessment of chronic and acute pain and pain due to surgery or medical conditions, and the use of analgesics. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize frequency distribution. Wilcoxon signed rank test, Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman’s rho were applied where appropriate. Results The response rate was 11%. From 680 registered members of the Veterinary Chamber of Slovenia, 73 veterinarians completed the survey. Most of the respondents were women (71.2%) working in small (60.3%) or mixed (21.9%) animal practices. A more recent year of graduation was positively correlated to the self-reporting of knowledge acquired during undergraduate studies (rs = 0.339, p = 0.003) and to current knowledge about the topic (rs = 0.293, p = 0.012). Cats were assigned higher scores than dogs for signs of acute (p < 0.001) pain. Female respondents assigned higher scores than male respondents for chronic pain in dogs. Dogs were assigned higher pain scores than cats for surgical procedures and medical conditions. The most frequently used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in dogs and cats were meloxicam and carprofen, and butorphanol was the most commonly used opioid. The choice of NSAID was influenced by perceived effectiveness, experience with use and anti-inflammatory effect. Opioid use was influenced by experience with use and perceived effectiveness. Conclusions and clinical relevance Slovenian veterinarians acknowledged the importance of pain management as reported for other European countries. However, the use of multimodal analgesia is limited, and inadequacies remain in the pain management of cats

Pulmonary circulation transvascular fluid fluxes do not change during general anesthesia in dogs

General anesthesia (GA) can cause abnormal lung fluid redistribution. Pulmonary circulation transvascular fluid fluxes (JVA) are attributed to changes in hydrostatic forces and erythrocyte volume (EV) regulation. Despite the very low hydraulic conductance of pulmonary microvasculature it is possible that GA may affect hydrostatic forces through changes in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and EV through alteration of erythrocyte transmembrane ion fluxes (ionJVA). Furosemide (Fur) was also used because of its potential to affect pulmonary hydrostatic forces and ionJVA. A hypothesis was tested that JVA, with or without furosemide treatment, will not change with time during GA. Twenty dogs that underwent castration/ovariectomy were randomly assigned to Fur (n = 10) (4 mg/kg IV) or placebo treated group (Con, n = 10). Baseline arterial (BL) and mixed venous blood were sampled during GA just before treatment with Fur or placebo and then at 15, 30 and 45 min post-treatment. Cardiac output (Q) and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) were measured. JVA and ionJVA were calculated from changes in plasma protein, hemoglobin, hematocrit, plasma and whole blood ions, and Q. Variables were analyzed using random intercept mixed model (P < 0.05). Data are expressed as means ± SE. Furosemide caused a significant volume depletion as evident from changes in plasma protein and hematocrit (P < 0.001). HoweverQ, PAP, and JVA were not affected by time or Fur, whereas erythrocyte fluid flux was affected by Fur (P = 0.03). Furosemide also affected erythrocyte transmembrane K+ and Cl−, and transvascular Cl− metabolism (P ≤ 0.05). No other erythrocyte transmembrane or transvascular ion fluxes were affected by time of GA or Fur. Our hypothesis was verified as JVA was not affected by GA or ion metabolism changes due to Fur treatment. Furosemide and 45 min of GA did not cause significant hydrostatic changes based on Q and PAP. Inhibition of Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransport caused by Fur treatment, which can alter EV regulation and JVA, was offset by the Jacobs Stewart cycle. The results of this study indicate that the Jacobs Stewart cycle/erythrocyte Cl− metabolism can also act as a safety factor for the stability of lung fluid redistribution preserving optimal diffusion distance across the blood gas barrier

Clinical and histologic tissue responses of skin incisions closed with glycomer 631 and lactomer 9-1 using a subcuticular technique in pigs

Background: Glycomer 631 and lactomer 9–1 are absorbable suture materials indicated for soft tissue approximation in non-infected wounds. Pigs are often used as surgical models in translational researchhowever, reports of tissue reactions to both suture materials in pigs are limited. The aim of this study was to assess clinical and histologic responses of skin incisions closed with a subcuticular technique using glycomer 631 and lactomer 9–1 in pigs. Results: Skin incisions on 17 pigs were closed with glycomer 631 and lactomer 9–1, and a clinical reactive score (CRS) including erythema, swelling, discharge and dehiscence was calculated on postoperative days 7 and 14. Subcuticular tissue reaction was assessed histologically on postoperative day 14 (the presence of extravascular neutrophils, macrophages, multinucleated giant cells, lymphocytes, fibroblasts, bacterial colonies and the overall severity of the inflammatory response to the suture material), and the cumulative score of the variables was calculated as an aggregate tissue irritation score (ATIS). Tissue samples were examined for suture extrusion and evaluated microbiologically. The clinical reactive score did not differ between the suture materials. Only one ATIS variable, namely the overall severity of the inflammatory response, was lower (p = 0.029) when glycomer 631 was used. Suture extrusion was found in 10/17 of the incisions closed by glycomer 631 and in 7/13 of the incisions closed by lactomer 9–1. Trueperella pyogenes was isolated from the skin and from the area of tissue reaction in six pigs. Conclusions: No difference in CRS between the suture materials was observed, and thus both materials may be used for the subcuticular technique in pigs. Glycomer 631 induced less tissue reaction only in terms of the overall severity of the inflammatory response. Suture extrusion was observed in more than 50% of incisions regardless of the suture material, possibly due to a large amount of suture material in the wound. Trueperella pyogenes was the only pathogen isolated from the tissue surrounding the suture material

Antioxidant capacity of lipid- and water-soluble antioxidants in dogs with subclinical myxomatous mitral valve degeneration anaesthetised with propofol or sevoflurane

Background:Antioxidants located in both the hydrophilic and lipophilic compartments of plasma act as a defencesystem against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excessive production of ROS during anaesthesia affects theantioxidant capacity of plasma and may result in oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate theantioxidant capacity of lipid- (ACL) and water-soluble (ACW) antioxidants in client-owned dogs diagnosed withperiodontal disease and early-stage myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (MMVD) and anaesthetised for a dentalprocedure with propofol and sevoflurane or with propofol only.Results:Dogs with MMVD were anaesthetised with propofol and sevoflurane (MMVD/PS,n= 8) or with propofolonly (MMVD/P,n= 10). Dogs with no evidence of MMVD (PS,n= 12) were anaesthetised with propofol andsevoflurane. Blood samples for determination of ACL and ACW were collected before and 5 min, 60 min and 6 hafter induction to anaesthesia. In MMVD/PS dogs, ACL was significantly higher at all sampling times whencompared to PS dogs. Compared to basal values, only anaesthesia maintained with propofol significantly increasedACL at 60 min in dogs with MMVD. In MMVD/P dogs, ACW increased after induction to anaesthesia and remainedelevated up to 6 h after anaesthesia. Compared to basal values, anaesthesia maintained with sevofluranesignificantly increased ACW only at 60 min in both dogs with and without MMVD. The only difference betweenpropofol and propofol/sevoflurane anaesthesia in dogs with MMVD was significantly higher ACW at 60 min afterinduction to anaesthesia in the propofol group.Conclusions:Regarding antioxidant capacity, propofol could be a better choice than sevoflurane for anaesthesia ofdogs with early-stage MMVD, although further studies are necessary to clarify the advantage of this antioxidantcapacity