Seroprevalence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in dogs in Bahia, Brazil

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in dogs living in the urban area of the city of Ilheus, Bahia, Brazil using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) to investigate 24 serovars. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to dog owners to collect data about demography, husbandry and environmental factors. The prevalence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in the population of 282 dogs was 7.1% (95% confidence interval: 4.4-10.7%). Serovar Copenhageni was the most prevalent, followed by serovars Bratislava, Canicola and Gryppotyphosa. No risk factor was detected with regard to demography (age, gender and breed), husbandry (Leptospira vaccinations, food and water exposure through their environment, hunting habits, contact with other animals and contact with rats) and environmental factors (sewage network, garbage collection, history of flooding, river proximity and wastelands). Despite the low prevalence found in this study, the seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. in healthy dogs in Ilheus indicates the presence of this agent in the environment, which may be a source of human infection. Knowledge of the serovars present in this environment is important for understanding the epidemiology of leptospirosis and establishing public health policies aimed at its control. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Avaliação clínica da analgesia pós-operatória proporcionada pelo cetoprofeno associado à morfina pela via intravenosa ou epidural em cadelas submetidas à ovariosalpingohisterectomia

Multimodal analgesia refers to the practice of combining multiple analgesic drug classes or techniques to target different points along the pain pathway. The objective of this work was to evaluate clinically if ketoprofen associated or not with intravenous or epidural morphine provided adequate postoperative analgesia in bitches undergoing ovariosalpingohysterectomy (OSH). Forty healthy female dogs, weighing 10.7±6.0 kg, sedated with acepromazine (0.05mg kg –1.iv), induced with propofol (5 mg.kg-1. iv) and maintained with isoflurane anesthesia, were distributed into four groups of 10 animals each. After stabilization of inhalation anesthesia, the bitches in Miv and CMiv groups received 0.2 mg.kg-1 of morphine intravenously diluted in 10ml of saline; whereas Mep and CMep groups received 0.1mg.kg-1 of epidural morphine. Thirty minutes after premedication, 2.0mg.kg-1.im of ketoprofen was administered in groups CMiv and CMep. Heart and respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, and rectal temperature were measured. The degree of analgesia was assessed by a blind study in the following 6 hours after surgery, using a descriptive scale and a scale composed by physiologic and behavioral parameters. An statistical analysis was performed using the Tukey-Kramer test and nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test, with statistical significance of 5%. There was no important difference between the four groups regarding postoperative analgesia, heart and respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure and rectal temperature. According to the results it can be concluded that the use of ketoprofen associated with intravenous or epidural morphine provided adequate and safe analgesia in the first six hours of postoperative in bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomy, suggesting that there was no analgesic potentiation when both agents were combined.A analgesia multimodal refere-se à prática de associar várias classes de analgésicos ou técnicas para atuar em diferentes pontos ao longo da via da dor. Objetivou-se avaliar clinicamente a qualidade da analgesia pós-operatória promovida pelo cetoprofeno, associado ou não à morfina pela via intravenosa ou epidural, em cadelas submetidas à ovariosalpingohisterectomia (OSH). Quarenta cadelas hígidas, pesando 10,7±6,0kg, tranquilizadas com acepromazina (0,05mg.kg-1.iv), induzidas com propofol (5mg. kg-1.iv) e mantidas sob anestesia inalatória com isoflurano, foram distribuídas em quatro grupos de 10 animais cada. Em Miv e CMiv as cadelas receberam após estabilização da anestesia inalatória, 0,2mg. kg-1 de morfina pela via intravenosa, diluídos em 10ml de salina; enquanto que os animais de Mep e CMep receberam 0,1mg.kg-1 de morfina pela via epidural. O cetoprofeno foi administrado na dose 2,0mg.kg-1.im, nos grupos CMiv e CMep, 30 minutos após a medicação pré-anestésica. Mensuraram-se as frequências cardíaca (FC) e respiratória (f), pressão arterial sistólica (PAS), e temperatura retal (T). O grau de analgesia foi avaliado pelo método cego nas primeiras seis horas após a cirurgia, através de escalas de dor descritivas e escalas compostas por parâmetros fisiológicos e comportamentais. A estatística foi realizada mediante teste de Tukey-Kramer e análise não paramétrica de Kruskal-Wallis, com nível de significância de 5%. Não houve diferença estatística entre os quatro grupos estudados, em relação à analgesia pós-operatória, FC, f, PAS e T. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, pode-se concluir que o emprego do cetoprofeno, associado à morfina pela via intravenosa ou epidural proporcionou analgesia adequada e segura nas primeiras seis horas de analgesia pós-operatória em cadelas submetidas à OSH, sugerindo não haver potencialização analgésica quando da associação de ambos os agentes

Hematological and biochemical aspects of cats naturally infected with feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia

Considering the importance and severity of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infections, information on laboratory abnormalities can determine the prognosis of infected cats. This study aimed to determine the laboratory alterations of domiciled asymptomatics cats naturally infected by FIV and/or FeLV in Northeastern Brazil. Blood samples from 200 cats were evaluated by nested-PCR and commercial immunochromatographic test for diagnosis of these infections. Complete blood count (CBC) and serum biochemistry analyses were performed to evaluate laboratory abnormalities. CBC and biochemical values of cats tested positive for FIV and/or FeLV were tabulated for the presence or absence of changes and analyzed using the chi-square test with Yates correction or Fisher’s exact test for each variable, with a confidence interval of 95%. The total frequency was 6% (12/200) and 3% (6/200) for FIV and FeLV, respectively. The presence of hyperbilirubinemia (total, direct, and indirect) was the only change observed in cats positive for FIV compared to FIV-negative controls (p<0.05). We believe that laboratory changes compatible with immunosuppressive conditions should be more frequent in FIV/FeLV positive cats that already present clinical signs of the disease

Cardiopulmonary and analgesics effects of epidural morphine, fentanyl or tramadol in female dog undergoing a ovariohysterectomy

ABSTRACT. Oliveira Neta O.D., Caires L.P., Clark R.M.O, Ferreira M.L., Said R.A., Munhoz A.D. & Tarazi R. [Cardiopulmonary and analgesics effects of epidural morphine, fentanyl or tramadol in female dog undergoing a ovariohysterectomy.] Efeitos cardiorrespiratórios e analgésicos da morfina, fentanil ou tramadol pela via epidural em cadelas submetidas à ovariosalpingohisterectomia. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 36(3):281-288, 2014. Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, Salobrinho, Ilhéus, BA 45662-900, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected] The objective was to evaluate the cardiorespiratory and analgesic effects provided by epidural morphine, tramadol and fentanyl in female dog submitted to ovariohysterectomy. Eighteen healthy female dogs, aged 3.4±2.2 years old, weithing 31.0±8.0Kg, were premedicated with chlorpromazine (0,5mg/kg), with subsequent propofol (5mg/Kg) anesthetic induction by intravenous route and maintenance with isoflurane anesthesia. The animals were distributed in three groups and received: 1,25mg/kg of lignocaine 2% diluted in 0,26ml/kg of saline solution with0,1 mg/kg of morphine (GM group), 5μg/kg of fentanyl (GF group) or 2mg/kg of tramadol (GT group) epidurally.. Heart rate, arterial blood pressure, respiratory rate, end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2 ), oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2 ) and body temperature were evaluated before premedication (M0), 15 minutes after premedication (M1), 10 minutes after epidural opioids administration during maintenance and during postoperative period. Postoperative analgesia was evaluated using the by University of Melbourne pain scale (UMPS) and a simple descriptive scale every hour during six hours (M3 – M8). In M2 time, the arterial blood pressure was significantly lower for all treatments and ETCO2 was higher in GM e GT when compared to GF. Pain scores were lower in GM with a UMPS. In the last three times evaluation (M6, M7 e M8), GF group showed significantly higher pain scores compared to other groups. It can be concluded that epidural morphine, fentanyl or tramadol in female dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy, produced adequate analgesia with minimal side effects, but analgesia was more effective with epidural morphine than other groups. Hypotension and hypercapnia reported during anesthesia may be a result of isoflurane effects

Transitional Meningioma in a Dog

Background: Dogs and cats are the most common domestic animal species diagnosed with primary neoplasms of the central nervous system. Of these, meningioma is the brain tumor most commonly reported in dogs and is associated with several neurological changes, such as seizures. The ante mortem diagnosis is difficult to make because the use of computerized tomography, the gold standard for the presumptive diagnosis of brain tumors, is still a limited and expensive exam in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study is to report the case of a grade II transitional meningioma in a female dog attended and necropsied at the Veterinary Hospital of the Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (HV-UESC).Case: A 13-year-old female poodle was examined at HV-UESC with a clinical history of prostration, apathy, anorexia, partial vision loss, and neurological abnormalities, including seizures. The dog was being treated with phenobarbital (2 mg/kg three times a day) for seizures and doxycycline (5 mg/kg twice a day) for anaplasmosis diagnosed prior to clinical care at HV-UESC. On physical examination, the dog was observed to be mentally altered, with increased aggression, walking in large circles to the left, tremors and spasticity of the thoracic limbs. Laboratory analysis revealed a normal complete blood count. Biochemical analysis revealed an increase in alanine aminotransferase (296 U/mL), alkaline phosphatase (286 U/mL) and urea (121 mg/dL) levels. Based on the clinical and laboratory abnormalities, the suspicion of cerebral degenerative neuropathy or neoplasia was established. The dog was examined again approximately two months after initial presentation and no improvement in the dog’s neurological condition was noted; in fact, the dog´s condition had deteriorated, which was evidenced by worsening seizures, tetraparesis and bedsores. Due to the severity of the neurological changes, euthanasia was performed. After authorization from the owner, the dog was referred to the HV-UESC Necropsy Department, where the dog was necropsied. The primary macroscopic finding was a well-defined mass measuring approximately 2.5x1.5x1.5 cm in the frontal cortex of the left cerebral hemisphere. The lesion was firm and white with an irregular surface and was adhered to the dura mater. The mass compressed the adjacent brain tissue. Histopathological analysis demonstrated a non-encapsuled, expansive, and partially delimited neoplasm characterized by sheets of meningoendothelial cells arranged primarily in mantles, though sometimes in lobes, in two distinct patterns: meningoendothelial and fibrous. In addition, a moderate amount of psammomatous bodies were observed. These microscopic characteristics led to the diagnosis of a grade II transitional meningioma.Discussion: This report describes a case of meningioma in a female dog, which is the most common type of brain tumor diagnosed in dogs according to the literature. The affected animal was advanced in age, a factor that is associated with an increased risk of developing this neoplasm. The neurological alterations noted in this report were associated with the neoplastic process. The macroscopic finding of a cerebral neoformation was suggestive of neoplasm; this was confirmed by microscopic evaluation of the mass. As has been previously reported, the clinical neurological signs of most cases of suspected brain tumors occur late in the disease process, at which point the neoplasm is already in an advanced stage of development. Thus, the prognosis of the affected animal is poor, as it was in this case, which leads to euthanasia. In summary, this is a report of a case of intracranial transitional meningioma accompanied by progressive neurological alterations, in which an ante mortem diagnosis is difficult due to the limited use of computerized tomography in routine veterinary practice.Background: Dogs and cats are the most common domestic animal species diagnosed with primary neoplasms of the central nervous system. Of these, meningioma is the brain tumor most commonly reported in dogs and is associated with several neurological changes, such as seizures. The ante mortem diagnosis is difficult to make because the use of computerized tomography, the gold standard for the presumptive diagnosis of brain tumors, is still a limited and expensive exam in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study is to report the case of a grade II transitional meningioma in a female dog attended and necropsied at the Veterinary Hospital of the Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (HV-UESC). Case: A 13-year-old female poodle was examined at HV-UESC with a clinical history of prostration, apathy, anorexia, partial vision loss, and neurological abnormalities, including seizures. The dog was being treated with phenobarbital (2 mg/kg three times a day) for seizures and doxycycline (5 mg/kg twice a day) for anaplasmosis diagnosed prior to clinical care at HV-UESC. On physical examination, the dog was observed to be mentally altered, with increased aggression, walking in large circlesto the left, tremors and spasticity of the thoracic limbs. Laboratory analysis revealed a normal complete blood count. Biochemical analysis revealed an increase in alanine aminotransferase (296 U/mL), alkaline phosphatase (286 U/mL) and urea (121 mg/dL) levels. Based on the clinical and laboratory abnormalities, the suspicion of cerebral degenerative neuropathy or neoplasia was established. The dog was examined again approximately two months after initial presentation and no improvement in the dog’s neurological condition was noted; in fact, the dog´s condition had deteriorated, which was evidenced by worsening seizures, tetraparesis and bedsores. Due to the severity of the neurological changes, euthanasia was performed. After authorization from the owner, the dog was referred to the HV-UESC Necropsy Department, where the dog was necropsied. The primary macroscopic finding was a well-defined mass measuring approximately 2.5x1.5x1.5 cm in the frontal cortex of the left cerebral hemisphere. The lesion was firm and white with an irregular surface and was adhered to the dura mater. The mass compressed the adjacent brain tissue. Histopathological analysis demonstrated a non-encapsuled, expansive, and partially delimited neoplasm characterized by sheets of meningoendothelial cells arranged primarily in mantles, though sometimes in lobes, in two distinct patterns: meningoendothelial and fibrous. In addition, a moderate amount of psammomatous bodies were observed. These microscopic characteristics led to the diagnosis of a grade II transitional meningioma. Discussion: This report describes a case of meningioma in a female dog, which is the most common type of brain tumor diagnosed in dogs according to the literature. The affected animal was advanced in age, a factor that is associated with an increased risk of developing this neoplasm. The neurological alterations noted in this report were associated with the neoplastic process. The macroscopic finding of a cerebral neoformation was suggestive of neoplasm; this was confirmed by microscopic evaluation of the mass. As has been previously reported, the clinical neurological signs of most cases of suspected brain tumors occur late in the disease process, at which point the neoplasm is already in an advanced stage of development. Thus, the prognosis of the affected animal is poor, as it was in this case, which leads to euthanasia.In summary, this is a report of a case of intracranial transitional meningioma accompanied by progressive neurological alterations, in which an ante mortem diagnosis is difficult due to the limited use of computerized tomography in routine veterinary practice

Hemotropic mycoplasmas in naturally infected cats in Northeastern Brazil

Abstract This study aimed to determine the prevalence, factors associated, laboratory findings (with and without coinfection by retroviruses) among naturally infected cats by hemoplasmas in northeastern Brazil. For convenience, 200 domesticated and healthy cats were selected. Blood samples were taken to perform complete blood counts, serum biochemical, immunochromatography tests and nPCR for FIV and FeLV, and PCR for hemoplasma recognition. An interview was conducted to determine the factors associated with hemoplasmas. A total of 71/200 (35.5%) cats were positive for at least one hemoplasma species. Isolated infections were observed in 12,5% for 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', 12% for Mycoplasma haemofelis and 3% for 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis'. Regarding copositivity, 2% of the animals were positive for M. haemofelis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', 1.5% for M. haemofelis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis', and 4.5% for ' Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis'. No clinical and laboratory changes were observed in the animals that were concomitantly positive for retroviruses and hemoplasmas. Periurban region cats were more likely to be infected by M. haemofelis, while contact with other cats and infection by ' Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' were associated with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum'. This study indicates that infection by hemoplasmas is a common find in cats from northeastern Brazil

Clinical and Ultrasonographic Aspects of Benign and Malignant Mammary Tumors in Female Dogs

Background: Mammary neoplasms in dogs are commonly observed in veterinary clinical routine, most of which being malignant. Hormonal stimulation, endogenous or exogenous, may possibly influence its development. In addition to clinical evaluation, ultrasound analysis can provide information about the characteristics of breast lumps. The association between clinical-epidemiological and pathological data is important for diagnosis. Therefore, given the importance of this pathology for the health of affected dogs, we aimed to evaluate the clinical and ultrasound alterations, along with the factors associated with the development of benign and malignant mammary neoplasms in female dogs. Materials, Methods &amp; Results: We examined 47 samples from the mammary tumors of 35 female dogs at the Small Animal Clinic of the Veterinary Hospital (HV) of the Santa Cruz State University (UESC). The dogs underwent a complete clinical examination, with clinical staging, via TNM classification, followed by hematological, biochemical, radiological and ultrasound, abdominal, and breast exams. Breast ultrasound examination was used to evaluate the shape parameters such as, limits, margins or contour, ecotexture, echogenicity, hyperechoic halo, posterior acoustic shading, surrounding changes, and nodule components. These criteria were associated with the histopathological classification of neoplasms. Epidemiological data was studied through an adapted questionnaire containing information on risk factors associated with breast cancer. The same questionnaire was applied to tutors of 19, age-matched, female dogs with no history of breast cancer. The results revealed that most female dogs with neoplasia were over eight years of age, with no specific breed and were not castrated, and 31.4% of them had already been administered with contraceptives during the reproductive period. Ovariohysterectomy acted as a protective factor (OR 0.06) to the development of breast tumors, while contraceptive use was considered as a risk factor (OR 6.99). The average time reported between tumor perception and clinical care was 13.2 months. The caudal and inguinal abdominal breasts were the most affected. Among the samples evaluated, 76.6% were malignant, with mixed tumor carcinoma being the most frequent type and 69.4% graded in grade I. Nodules classified as malignant showed the largest diameter (P &lt; 0.05). Breast ultrasound results revealed that tumors with heterogeneous echotextures and mixed components were associated with malignancy (P &lt; 0.05). Discussion: The fact that the average age of female dogs with breast cancer was over eight years of age corroborates the literature. Considering that a greater age would mean a longer exposure to the carcinogenic initiators responsible for mutations, and to promoters, such as hormonal changes. Contraceptives increase the risk of breast lumps, while reduce that of ovariohysterectomy, in female dogs, even when performed after the second heat. The size of the nodules and ultrasound criteria related to echotexture and the type of component of the neoplasia may be used as prognostic parameters of female breast nodules. Additionally, most nodules evaluated in this study were malignant (mixed tumor carcinoma was the most common subtype), possibly due to the owners' delay in seeking veterinary care after tumor observation. Although malignant, most nodules presented with a low histopathological grading.Background: Mammary neoplasms in dogs are commonly observed in veterinary clinicalroutine, most of which being malignant. Hormonal stimulation, endogenous or exogenous,may possibly influence its development. In addition to clinical evaluation, ultrasound analysiscan provide information about the characteristics of breast lumps. The association betweenclinical-epidemiological and pathological data is important for diagnosis. Therefore, given theimportance of this pathology for the health of affected dogs, we aimed to evaluate the clinicaland ultrasound alterations, along with the factors associated with the development of benignand malignant mammary neoplasms in female dogs.Materials, Methods &amp;amp; Results: We examined 4