Monitoramento da atividade física com acelerômetro em cães submetidos à correção cirúrgica de luxação de patela medial grau II e III

A luxação de patela é uma doença frequente na clínica de pequenos animais, especialmente em cães de porte pequeno. Embora existam muitas publicações acerca do assunto, não está bem elucidada a relação entre a melhora clínica e o aumento da atividade física voluntária do paciente no pós-operatório. O presente estudo teve por objetivo analisar de forma quantitativa, através do uso do acelerômetro, a atividade física voluntária de cães com luxação medial de patela grau II e III submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico. Foram utilizados 11 animais, e os dados foram coletados em três momentos diferentes: antes, quinze e sessenta dias após a correção cirúrgica. O tipo e a intensidade da atividade física mensurada não sofreram variação significativa ao longo dos diferentes períodos de monitoramento. Não houve alteração na atividade física dos cães submetidos a diferentes técnicas cirúrgicas nos períodos de avaliação. Além disso, houve correlações positivas entre idade/grau e idade/atividade física; ou seja, o grau pareceu ser mais grave em pacientes mais velhos. Estes últimos apresentam níveis menores de atividade física vigorosa, com predomínio de atividade sedentária. Segundo os resultados referidos, pode-se concluir que cães com luxação patelar medial grau II e III, submetidos à correção cirúrgica, independente do procedimento realizado, não apresentam diferença na atividade física entre o período pré-operatório e 60 dias de pós-operatório.Patellar luxation is a common disease in small animal medicine, particularly in small-breed dogs. Although many publications on the subject are available, the relationship between clinical improvement and patient increase in spontaneous postoperative physical activity remains unclear. This study aimed to quantitatively analyze, using an accelerometer, the spontaneous physical activity of dogs affected by medial patellar luxation grade II and III which were submitted to surgical correction. Eleven animals were used and data were collected at three different times: before surgery, and then fifteen days and sixty days after surgical correction. Type and intensity of physical activity measurements did not change significantly through different monitoring periods. At the same surveillance periods, no changes were detected in the physical activity of dogs submitted to different surgical techniques. Additionally, there were positive correlations between age and disease grade and between age and physical activity, meaning that patellar luxation grade were more severe in older patients. The latter also showed reduced levels of vigorous physical activity, exhibiting predominantly sedentary behavior. According to our results, we conclude that dogs with medial patellar luxation grade II and III which were submitted to surgical correction, regardless of the employed technique, do not show any significant difference in physical activity between preoperative and 60 days postoperative periods

Mandibular symphysis stabilization after traumatic disjunction in a crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous)

Background: Fractures and dislocations are common orthopedic conditions arising from traumas from anthropic interaction on wild species, such as those caused by road trampling, being the mandibular separation with great frequency of occurrence in dogs and cats. The procedures for mandibular symphysis stabilization are described as of low complexity in the literature, however no reports of this procedure in wild canids were found. The purpose of this study is to report a surgical procedure of mandibular symphysis disjunction stabilization in an individual of the species Cerdocyon thous (crab-eating fox) through the technique of cerclage fixation using stainless steel wire. Case: An adult male individual of the free-living specie weighing 5.6 kg was referred to veterinary care after having been run-over. General physical examination showed abrasions in the ventral region of the jaw, discreet bleeding in the oral cavity, and mandibular instability. Subsequently, the patient underwent radiographic examination that revealed mandibular disjunction. The patient was therefore referred to the surgical unit for stabilization. During surgical anesthesia, two 12-gauge hypodermic needles (40x12 mm) were inserted percutaneously through the ventral region of the mandible, protruding into the oral cavity immediately caudal to the canine teeth. Next, both extremities of a 0.5 mm stainless steel wire were introduced into the interior of the needles and, when both ends extruded through the other end of the needles, the latter were removed, leaving only the steel wire uniting both rostral rami of the mandible Using a twisting apparatus, the steel wire was twisted until the disjunction was completely stabilized and mandibular occlusion was deemed appropriate. Lastly, the surplus steel wire was sectioned, leaving a small segment that remained exposed to surface in the ventral region of the mandible. During the patient’s recovery period no complications or recurrence were observed, signifying a successful stabilization procedure by the chosen technique. Thirty-four days postoperatively, the metallic implant was removed under radiographic guidance, and the patient discharged after confirming adequate oral occlusion. After recuperation, the animal was referred to the responsible environmental agencies to be released back into the wild, 55 days postoperatively. Discussion: Among the several techniques described for mandibular symphysis stabilization, success was obtained in this case using the technique of cerclage fixation using stainless steel wire. The procedure in question was chosen for its easy implantation, low cost, and short time of permanence of the implant, which led to a reduction in the patient’s stay in captivity, favoring his rehabilitation and aiming at an early return of the individual to its habitat There is no consensus of mean healing time of the mandibular symphysis or the period the implant should stay in situ, with reported periods varying from three to four weeks to six to eight weeks. Several factors may influence the formation of the bone callus, including proper stabilization of the hemimandible, occlusal alignment, preservation of hard and soft tissues, and preservation of the dentition, which can lead to quicker return of mandibular function. During the hospitalization period, no surgical complications were observed on periodic clinical evaluations. Thus, we conclude that this stabilization of mandibular symphysis in an individual of the species Cerdocyon thous with cerclage using steel wire, with adequate preoperative and postoperative management, was successful in the treatment of traumatic disjunction

Mandibular symphysis stabilization after traumatic disjunction in a crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous)

Background: Fractures and dislocations are common orthopedic conditions arising from traumas from anthropic interaction on wild species, such as those caused by road trampling, being the mandibular separation with great frequency of occurrence in dogs and cats. The procedures for mandibular symphysis stabilization are described as of low complexity in the literature, however no reports of this procedure in wild canids were found. The purpose of this study is to report a surgical procedure of mandibular symphysis disjunction stabilization in an individual of the species Cerdocyon thous (crab-eating fox) through the technique of cerclage fixation using stainless steel wire. Case: An adult male individual of the free-living specie weighing 5.6 kg was referred to veterinary care after having been run-over. General physical examination showed abrasions in the ventral region of the jaw, discreet bleeding in the oral cavity, and mandibular instability. Subsequently, the patient underwent radiographic examination that revealed mandibular disjunction. The patient was therefore referred to the surgical unit for stabilization. During surgical anesthesia, two 12-gauge hypodermic needles (40x12 mm) were inserted percutaneously through the ventral region of the mandible, protruding into the oral cavity immediately caudal to the canine teeth. Next, both extremities of a 0.5 mm stainless steel wire were introduced into the interior of the needles and, when both ends extruded through the other end of the needles, the latter were removed, leaving only the steel wire uniting both rostral rami of the mandible Using a twisting apparatus, the steel wire was twisted until the disjunction was completely stabilized and mandibular occlusion was deemed appropriate. Lastly, the surplus steel wire was sectioned, leaving a small segment that remained exposed to surface in the ventral region of the mandible. During the patient’s recovery period no complications or recurrence were observed, signifying a successful stabilization procedure by the chosen technique. Thirty-four days postoperatively, the metallic implant was removed under radiographic guidance, and the patient discharged after confirming adequate oral occlusion. After recuperation, the animal was referred to the responsible environmental agencies to be released back into the wild, 55 days postoperatively. Discussion: Among the several techniques described for mandibular symphysis stabilization, success was obtained in this case using the technique of cerclage fixation using stainless steel wire. The procedure in question was chosen for its easy implantation, low cost, and short time of permanence of the implant, which led to a reduction in the patient’s stay in captivity, favoring his rehabilitation and aiming at an early return of the individual to its habitat There is no consensus of mean healing time of the mandibular symphysis or the period the implant should stay in situ, with reported periods varying from three to four weeks to six to eight weeks. Several factors may influence the formation of the bone callus, including proper stabilization of the hemimandible, occlusal alignment, preservation of hard and soft tissues, and preservation of the dentition, which can lead to quicker return of mandibular function. During the hospitalization period, no surgical complications were observed on periodic clinical evaluations. Thus, we conclude that this stabilization of mandibular symphysis in an individual of the species Cerdocyon thous with cerclage using steel wire, with adequate preoperative and postoperative management, was successful in the treatment of traumatic disjunction