Laterally applied single bone plate option for fixation of complete diaphyseal fracture of a third metatarsal bone in a circus work pony.

BACKGROUND: Complete fractures of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bones (Mc/t3) are not common, but can occur in various situations and all types of horses, contributing for approximately one third of all long bone fractures in the horse, mostly related to external trauma or to high energy injuries. To stabilize Mc/t3 fractures in the horse, conservative management with walking casts and/or open reduction and internal fixation techniques are referred in the scientific literature, these last one generally by double platting application to bone surface in 90 degrees. In the present case will be described a Mt3 complete diaphyseal fracture stabilization on an adult pony from a circus by applying only one bone plate. This work pony could return to its previous activity fully recovered 3 months after fracture stabilization. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 7-year-old, male, Shetland pony (103 kg), used for performance work at a circus was admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of University of Tras-os-Montes and Alto Douro, presenting on lateral recumbency after being struck by a truck. On physical examination, a penetrating wound of small dimension was detected at the medial aspect of the right hindlimb. After radiographic examination, a complete diaphyseal fracture with slight obliquity of the right Mt3 was confirmed. The owner opted for surgical repair thus fracture stabilization was achieved by the placement of just a single 8-hole 4.5 mm broad dynamic compression plate applied to the lateral face of Mt3 in compression function with 7 cortical screws (4.5 mm). Post-operatively a full limb cast was performed and maintained for 4 weeks, while the animal was kept under movement limitation at the hospital facilities for this period of time although the animal stayed until his full recovery 3 months' post-surgery. CONCLUSION: A complete recovery was achieved and the animal returned to the previous level of exercise without any significant postoperative complications or degree of lameness. In the authors knowledge, this is the first case report where stabilization of a complete Mt3 diaphyseal fracture was attain using a single compression plate contoured to the lateral face of the bone, instead of double plating, on an adult work pony from a circus subjected to a very demanding and intense physical activity.

First report of straelensiosis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes).

BACKGROUND: Straelensia cynotis, a trombidioid larval mite, was identified as a cause of nodular dermatitis in dogs in Southern Europe. It has been suggested that red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a natural host for S. cynotis. However, no case has been reported in this species. OBJECTIVE: To describe three suspected cases of straelensiosis in red foxes. ANIMALS: Three juvenile wild red foxes from Portugal. RESULTS: Erythematous papules and nodules were found in the head, neck and limbs of these foxes with no associated pruritus. In skin biopsies, well-preserved larval mites were found within dilated hair follicles. These follicular lesions were multifocal and consisted of a degenerative and necrotic area nearby the parasite's mouthparts with marked pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia and perifollicular mucinosis. These features are considered pathognomonic in S. cynotis infestations in dogs. Treatment and outcome are outlined. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: To the best of the authors' knowledge, the present case series documents the first known occurrence of nodular dermatitis by Straelensia spp. in red foxes. This new evidence may corroborate participation of the red fox in the life cycle of S. cynotis.

Evaluation of postoperative pain and toxicological aspects of the use of dipyrone and tramadol in cats.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dipyrone and tramadol, used for 5 days, on postoperative pain, hematological and biochemical parameters, and oxidative markers on erythrocytes. METHODS: Twenty-eight healthy cats underwent ovariohysterectomy and were randomly allocated to four groups (each n = 7), according to the postoperative treatment administered intravenously: control (saline 1 ml q8h), DIP1 (dipyrone 25 mg/kg q24h), DIP2 (dipyrone 25 mg/kg q12h) and DIP3 (dipyrone 25 mg/kg q8h). All animals received tramadol (2 mg/kg q8h). Pain was assessed by visual analog (VAS), multidimensional UNESP and Glasgow pain scales for cats preoperatively and at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h after extubation. Venous blood was collected daily for 5 days, and on day 10, to perform a complete blood count (CBC) and determine the percentage of Heinz bodies (HBs). Serum biochemistry was evaluated preoperatively and on days 5 and 10; superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and lipoperoxidation were evaluated preoperatively and on days 3, 5 and 10. RESULTS: Control cats had higher pain scores than DIP3 cats by UNESP (P = 0.0065), and DIP2 (P = 0.0035) and DIP3 cats (P = 0.0108) by VAS 3 h postoperatively. Rescue analgesia was required by two animals in the control group and one each in the DIP1 and DIP2 groups. There was no difference in SOD or CAT among groups. On day 5, MPO was more active in DIP2 than in DIP3 cats (P = 0.0274). No difference in lipoperoxidation among treatment and control cats was found. CBC remained constant and without statistical difference among groups. Control, DIP2 and DIP3 cats presented a similar percentage of HBs on day 10. Biochemical variables were similar among groups and times. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The administration of dipyrone in cats, when used in combination with tramadol, did not ensure better analgesia than tramadol alone. Dipyrone did not significantly affect biochemical variables and oxidative markers, despite minimal, clinically irrelevant, hematological differences between groups.

Treatment of a forelimb fracture and rehabilitation of a free-ranging iberian wolf (canis lupus signatus) / Osteossíntese de fratura localizada no membro torácico num lobo ibérico (canis lupus signatus) selvagem e sua reabilitação

The surgical treatment of an exposed compounded comminuted fracture of the right radius and ulna in a free-ranging adult female Iberian Wolf (Canis lupus signatus) with an osteosynthesis plate and screws and subsequent post-operative care are described. The evolution of the fracture healing was very similar to those expected in a dog of the same size. The prompt surgical intervention and a proper housing, feeding and wound management adapted to a free-ranging wolf, in view to reduce manipulation and post-operative complications, allowed the subsequent rehabilitation and release of the animal. After 10th post-operative weeks the wolf was fitted with a Global Positioning System (GPS) for wildlife tracking collar and released in the same area where it has been caught. GPS telemetry data showed that the animal covered increasingly large distances confirming a complete functionality of the right thoracic limb and its successfully return to the wild. This report could constitute the first detailed report of a long bone fracture treatment in a free-ranging wolf and its successfully rehabilitation, release and adaptation to the wild.

O objetivo do presente artigo é a descrição da realização da estabilização de uma fratura cominutiva exposta do rádio e ulna do membro torácico direito em Lobo Ibérico selvagem por meio de osteossíntese com placa e parafusos ósseos bem como o manejo pós-operatório. A evolução da cicatrização da fratura óssea foi similar à esperada num canídeo doméstico de porte idêntico. A intervenção cirúrgica realizada rapidamente, bem como o alojamento adequado, alimentação e manejo adaptado a um lobo selvagem, visando minimizar a manipulação e o aparecimento de possíveis complicações pós-operatórias permitiram o sucesso na reabilitação e posterior libertação do animal. Na 10ª semana pós-operatória foi colocado um colar GPS no animal para deteção permanente da sua localização, tendo sido o animal libertado na mesma área onde havia sido capturado. Os dados obtidos por telemetria GPS demostraram que o lobo percorreu distâncias consideráveis, confirmando a completa recuperação do membro torácico direito e o sucesso da sua reintrodução na natureza. Este artigo poderá constituir a primeira descrição pormenorizada sobre a estabilização de fratura de ossos longos em um lobo selvagem com a sua posterior reintrodução na vida selvagem com sucesso.

Flow cells as quasi-ideal systems for biofouling simulation of industrial piping systems.

Semi-circular flow cells are often used to simulate the formation of biofilms in industrial pipes with circular section because their planar surface allows easy sampling using coupons. Computational fluid dynamics was used to assess whether the flow in pipe systems can be emulated by the semi-circular flow cells that are used to study biofilm formation. The results show that this is the case for Reynolds numbers (Re) ranging from 10 to 1000 and 3500 to 10,000. A correspondence involving the friction factor was obtained in order to correlate any semi-circular flow cell to any circular pipe for Re between 10 and 100,000. The semi-circular flow cell was then used to assess experimentally the effect of Reynolds number (Re = 4350 and 6720) on planktonic cell concentration and biofilm formation using Escherichia coli JM109 (DE3). Lower planktonic cell concentrations and thicker biofilms (>1.2 mm) were obtained with the lower Re.