Evaluation of post-operative pain and stress in dogs after elective ovariohysterectomy under hospitalization / Avaliação da dor e estresse pós-operatórios em cadelas mantidas em ambiente hospitalar submetidas à ovariohisterectomia eletiva

Surgical procedures in pet animals are usually associated with some degree of stress and pain. Hospitalization is one stress-triggering factor. The present study aimed to evaluate the degree of stress and pain during hospitalization of female dogs submitted to elective ovariohysterectomy (OVH) and to investigate the influence of hospitalization on the stress of these animals. Fifteen young adult crossbreed female dogs were divided into two groups: eight animals without surgery (Group 1 - control) and seven animals submitted to surgery (Group 2 - OVH). Pain and stress were evaluated. Visual analogue scale (VAS), simple descriptive pain scale (SDS) and modified Glasgow pain scale (MGPS) were used. Serum cortisol (µg/dL) and glucose (mg/dl) were also measured. No statistical difference was observed for cortisol (µg/dL) between the two groups. Despite the absence of statistical difference between groups and times, mean serum cortisol (µg/dL) values exceeded the normal values for the canine species at various times evaluated. Hyperglycemia was only observed at T4 in the OVH group. It was concluded that the hospitalization of animals was more relevant in the establishment of stress than the surgical procedure and associated pain. The influence of stress was a relevant factor in the results of assessments carried out using the MGPS.(AU)

Os procedimentos cirúrgicos em animais de companhia são geralmente associados a algum grau de dor e estresse e a hospitalização é um dos fatores que predispõem ao estresse. O presente estudo teve o objetivo de avaliar o grau de estresse e dor durante a internação de cadelas submetidas à ovariohisterectomia eletiva (OVH) e investigar a influência da hospitalização sobre o estresse nestes animais. Quinze cadelas adultas jovens e mestiças foram divididas em dois grupos: oito animais não submetidos à cirurgia (Grupo 1 - controle) e sete animais submetidos à OVH (Grupo 2 - OVH). Dor e estresse foram avaliados. Foram utilizadas a escala visual analógica (EVA), escala descritiva simples (EDS) e escala de dor de Glasgow modificada (EDGM). A glicose (mg/dL) e o cortisol (µg/dL) séricos foram mensurados. Não houve diferença estatística do cortisol (µg/dL) entre os grupos. Entretanto, os valores médios de cortisol (µg/dL) excederam àqueles considerados normais para a espécie canina em vários períodos avaliados. A hiperglicemia foi observada em T4 no grupo OVH. Concluiu-se que a hospitalização dos animais foi mais relevante na ocorrência do estresse do que o procedimento cirúrgico e a dor associada a ele. Desta forma, a influência do estresse foi um fator relevante nos resultados das avaliações realizadas com a escala de dor de Glasgow modificada.(AU)

Effects of excess maternal thyroxin on the bones of rat offspring from birth to the post-weaning period

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate, in rat offspring, bone changes induced by excess maternal thyroxin during pregnancy and lactation, and to assess the reversibility of these changes after weaning. Material and methods Twenty Wistar rats were distributed in two groups, hyperthyroid and control, that were treated daily with L-thyroxin (50 mcg/animal) and placebo, respectively. The treatment was initiated seven days before mating and continued throughout pregnancy and lactation. From every female of each of the two groups, two offspring were euthanized after birth, two at 21 days of age (weaning), and two at 42 days of age (21 days after weaning). In newborns, the length of pelvic and thoracic limbs were measured, and in the other animals, the length and width of the femur and humerus were measured. Bones were dissected, decalcified, embedded in paraffin, and analyzed histomorphometrically. Results Excess maternal thyroxin significantly reduced the length of the pelvic limb in neonates. In 21-day-old individuals, excess maternal thyroxine reduced the length and the width of the femur and the humerus. It also increased thickness of the epiphyseal plate and the percentage of trabecular bone tissue. In 42-day-old individuals, there were no significant differences between groups in relation to the parameters evaluated in the previous periods. Conclusion Excess maternal thyroxine reduced growth in suckling rats both at birth and at weaning, and it also increased the percentage of trabecular bone tissue in 21-day-old animals. These changes, however, were reversible at 42 days, i.e., 21 days after weaning. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2016;60(2):130-7.