Pathological findings in low-field magnetic resonance imaging of the canine spine - a study of 112 patients.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a method of choice in diagnosing nervous system disorders. This paper presents the results of a study where selected segments of the canine spine were examined by low-field MRI in 112 patients. Images of pathological changes were obtained in spin echo (SE), fast spin echo (FSE) and hybrid contrast enhancement (3D HYCE) sequences. The cervical region of the spinal cord (C1-C5) was examined in 32 patients, the cervicothoracic region (C6-Th2)- in 14 patients, the thoracolumbar region (Th3-L3) - in 23 patients, and the lumbosacral region (L4-S3) - in 43 patients. The results were used to determine the incidence of pathological changes in different sections of the canine spine, such as intervertebral disc disease (IDD), disc desiccation, syringomyelia and changes characterized by higher uptake of the contrast medium. Intervertebral disc disease was diagnosed in 52.7% of patients and it was the most common abnormality. Disc dehydratation without protrusion or extrusion was noted in 23.2% of animals. Pathological changes with increased uptake of the contrast medium and indicative of neoplastic growth were observed in 13.4% of patients and syringomyelia was diagnosed in 9.82% of the examined animals. The proposed sequences revealed the presence of above abnormalities.

Thromboelastographic profile of goat blood after the experimental injury of the femoral artery and use of QuikClot gauze and Celox gauze dressings.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of thromboelastometry for the analysis of blood test results in goats after the use of hemostatic dressings to control massive bleeding. The study was carried out on 12 goats, 6 animals in each of two subgroups. In all experimental animals incision of the femoral artery was performed, and bleeding was controlled with QuikClot gauze in the first group and Celox gauze in the second group. Dressings were applied for 60 minutes. Blood samples for thromboelastometry were collected from the jugular vein before the incision and 60 min after the application of a dressing. Clotting time (CT), clot formation time (CFT), maximum clot firmness (MCF) and α angle (°) were measured in three standard ROTEM assays (system with generation of reaction curve, numerical parameters and size of the blood clot): intrinsic coagulation pathway (INTEM), extrinsic coagulation pathway (EXTEM) and functional fibrinogen (FIBTEM). Complete hemostasis of the injured femoral artery was found in all goats. No significant differences between pre- and post-incision thromboelastometric parameters were found in any tests in any of the groups, which indicates that the use of dressings was not associated with blood coagulation disorders. This study is the first to describe the use of thromboelastometry in goats for the assessment of clot formation and hemostatic disorders.

The Effectiveness of Modified Seton and Modified Combat Gauze in Controlling Severe Hemorrhaging during Operations of Uniformed Services.

Hemorrhaging from large vessels poses a serious problem in emergency situations when blood loss needs to be immediately controlled. The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of two hemostatic dressings in controlling bleeding from a surgically punctured femoral artery. The study was performed on thirteen pigs divided into two groups, of six and seven pigs, respectively. Combat gauze covered with ChitoClear hqg 95 chitosan and Protanal LF10/60 FT sodium alginate was used in the first group, seton covered with identical substances was uses in the second group. Selected hemostatic dressing was applied to the wound 20 seconds after incision and then removed at regular time intervals to evaluate hemostasis. Modified seton was characterized by a shorter time to hemostasis than combat gauze. The result of this experiment indicate that modified seton proved to be a more effective dressing than modified combat gauze.

Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy and pyloroplasty in dogs.

This article describes clinical experiments involving laparoscopic pyloromyotomy and pyloroplasty in six dogs diagnosed with hypertrophy of the pyloric sphincter. Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy was performed in three dogs, and pyloroplasty was carried out in the remaining three animals. The patients were operated on based on the authors' previous experiences with experimental pyloromyotomy and pyloroplasty in pigs. Pyloromyotomy and pyloroplasty resulted in full recovery and complete subsidence of symptoms in all patients.

Experimental laparoscopic pyloromyotomy in pigs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare laparoscopic pyloromyotomy methods involving the laparoscopic scalpel and the harmonic scalpel in pigs. The experiment was conducted on 4 subgroups of 12 animals subjected to laparoscopic-assisted pyloromyotomy with a surgical scalpel and the harmonic scalpel, as well as laparoscopic pyloromyotomy with Berci's laparoscopic scalpel and the harmonic scalpel. No postsurgical complications were observed. Four weeks after the surgery, the animals were sacrificed and autopsy was performed. In one animal peritoneal adhesions between the intestines and the mini-laparotomy incision were found. Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy and laparoscopic-assisted pyloromyotomy performed in pigs enabled the selection of laparoscopic entry sites, instruments for pyloromyotomy and evaluation of the applied surgical procedures in animals. The results of this study indicate that the methods applied can be safely used in clinical practice in dogs and cats due to minimal post-operative complications and fast healing of laparoscopic incisions in comparison with classical surgical wounds, and that the harmonic scalpel is a safe surgical instru- ment.

The effect of isotonic multiple electrolyte infusions during anesthesia on blood gas and enzymatic values in horses.

General equine anesthesia is accompanied by the risk of complications and even death. The majority of general anesthetics used in veterinary practice lead to arterial hypotension, decreased capillary perfusion and ventilatory depression leading to pathological changes referred to as postanesthetic myopathy. In this study an attempt was made to analyze changes in the perioperative and postoperative acid-base equilibrium and blood enzymatic activity in horses, subject to the intensity of the applied fluid therapy. The horses were divided into two groups: I--administered Ringer's solution during surgery at a dose of 6-10 ml/kg BW/h, II--Ringer's solution administered at a dose of 12-15 ml/kg BW/h. The results of the study indicate that use of hydrating fluid infusions during general anesthesia, including infusions without hypertensive substances, minimizes the risk of myocyte damage due to disturbances in local and general blood circulation.

Laparoscopy-guided prostate biopsy in dogs--a study of 13 cases.

This paper describes laparoscopy-guided prostate biopsy experiments in 13 dogs. Biopsy material was evaluated histopathologically to diagnose causes of prostatic gland enlargement. Laparoscopic biopsy was performed in male dogs diagnosed with prostatic gland enlargement, based on clinical symptoms and results of rectal examinations.

Thoracoscopic creation of a pericardial window in dogs.

A window in the pericardial sac was created by thoracoscopy in two dogs with diagnosed idiopathic haemorrhagic pericardial effusion (IHPE). Thoracoscopic access to the pericardial sac facilitated surgery and minimised the risk of complications associated with conventional thoracotomy.

Laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy in dogs --report of 15 cases.

The study aimed at determining the usability of laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy in treating cases of simple cryptorchidism and neoplastic testes in dogs. The presence of one or both testes inside the peritoneal cavity was confirmed in this study by an ultrasonographic examination employing the use of a 6.5 MHz convex head. The surgeries were conducted on a group of 15 dogs. In 12 subjects a one-sided cryptorchidism was found, 9 of which had right-sided cryptorchidism. In 3 dogs, both-sided cryptorchidism was observed. In 3 cases, an increase in the size of the abdominal testes with the symptoms of hyperestrogenism and feminisation raised a suspicion of neoplastic changes (SCT) taking place, which was confirmed by a histopathological examination. A laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy with intracorporal ligation was performed in all the subjects. The spermatic cord and ductus deferens were occluded with a ligature of an absorbable material, and a manually applied knot.

Laparoscopic removal of gastric foreign bodies in dogs--comparison of manual suturing and stapling viscerosynthesis.

This study was an attempt to evaluate the application of various laparoscopic techniques of removing foreign bodies from the stomach in dogs in comparison to conventional laparotomy. The research was conducted on two groups of 10 dogs each with clinically confirmed foreign bodies in the stomach. In case of all patients, a laparoscopic instrument, EndoBag, was used for the removal of the foreign body from the stomach and the abdominal cavity. Manual suturing with the use of Szabo-Berci suturing kit was used for the gastrotomy wound closure in group I. In group II, linear staplers were used for viscerosynthesis. All patients were subjected to radiological assessment of tightness of anastomosis. No significant differences between the quality of the performed stomach anastomosis were shown. Therefore, the competitiveness of an economical manual suturing in comparison with the very expensive mechanical suturing preferred in human surgery was confirmed. The described procedures of laparoscopic gastrotomy seem to be applicable for removing foreign bodies from the stomach in a clinical veterinary practice.