How does Dirofilaria immitis infection impact the health of dogs referred to cardiology care.

Dirofilaria immitis is a nematode that can cause a disease that may present clinical signs from severe to absent. When dogs are symptomatic, the clinical signs are cardiorespiratory and nonspecific, which may be misleading. This study aimed to demonstrate the clinical presentations to cardiac care by evaluating 26 dogs subjected to clinical examination, complete blood count (CBC), specific tests for D. immitis infection, chest radiography, and echocardiography. Among them, 11 (42.3%) dogs were infected and 15 (57.7%) were non-infected. Most dogs presented with coughing (65.4%) and abnormal lung sounds (81%) independent of infection. Murmur at the tricuspid focus was present in 26.9% of the dogs, of which 57.1% were infected. Echocardiography revealed tricuspid regurgitation in 30.8% of the dogs and pulmonary regurgitation in 46.1%, of which 37.5% and 50% were infected, respectively. Worms were detected by echocardiography in 45.5% of the infected dogs. The x-rays showed that the bronchial pattern was present in 45.5% of the infected dogs and in 46.7% of the non-infected dogs. The interstitial pattern was present in 18.2% of the infected animals, in contrast to 6.7% of the non-infected dogs. The CBC results for all dogs were within the reference range, except for platelets. Although similar, the percentage of dogs with thrombocytopenia was higher among infected dogs (36.4%) than among the non-infected (6.7%). These results reinforce that due to the non-specific signs of infection, it is mandatory to perform parasitological assays when evaluating dogs presenting with cardiopulmonary signs.

Dirofilaria immitis, é um nematoide que pode causar sinais clínicos de graves a ausentes. Quando os cães são sintomáticos, os sinais clínicos são cardiorrespiratórios e inespecíficos, o que pode confundir com outras doenças. Com o objetivo de descrever a apresentação clínica de cães atendidos em um serviço de cardiologia e doenças respiratórias, após consentimento dos tutores, 26 pacientes foram submetidos a exame clínico, hemograma, exames específicos para infecção por D. immitis, radiografia de tórax e ecocardiografia. Entre esses cães, 11 estavam infectados (42,3%) e 15 não infectados (57,7%). A maioria dos cães apresentou tosse (65,4%) e sons pulmonares anormais (81%) independentemente da infecção. O sopro no foco tricúspide estava presente em 26,9% dos cães, sendo 57,1% infectados. A ecocardiografia mostrou insuficiência tricúspide em 30,8% dos cães e insuficiência pulmonar em 46,1%, sendo 37,5% e 50% infectados, respectivamente. Parasitos foram detectados pela ecocardiografia em 45,5% dos cães infectados. As radiografias mostraram que o padrão brônquico estava presente em 45,5% dos cães infectados e em 46,7% dos não infectados. O padrão intersticial esteve presente em 18,2% dos infectados e em 6,7% dos não infectados. Os resultados do hemograma de todos os cães estavam dentro do intervalo de referência para todas as células, exceto plaquetas. Embora semelhante, a porcentagem de cães com trombocitopenia foi maior entre os cães infectados (36,4%), do que entre os livres de infecção (6,7%). Esses resultados reforçam que, devido aos sinais inespecíficos da infecção, é obrigatória a realização de ensaios parasitológicos na avaliação de cães que apresentem sinais cardiopulmonares.

Comparison of the sedative effects of three nalbuphine doses, alone or combined with acepromazine, in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare sedative, cardiopulmonary, and adverse effects of 3 nalbuphine doses, administered alone or in combination with acepromazine, in dogs. ANIMALS: 6 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES: Dogs were administered nalbuphine (1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 mg/kg, intravenously [IV]) combined with physiologic saline solution (1 mL, IV; treatments SN1.0, SN1.5, and SN2.0, respectively) or acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg, IV; treatments AN1.0, AN1.5, and AN2.0, respectively) in random order, with a 1-week washout interval between treatments. Sedation scores, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were recorded before and 20 minutes after administration of saline solution or acepromazine (T0), and nalbuphine was administered at T0. Measurements were repeated 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after nalbuphine administration. RESULTS: Treatments SN and AN resulted in at least 120 minutes of mild sedation and 60 minutes of moderate sedation, respectively. Sedation scores were greater for treatments AN1.0, AN1.5, and AN2.0 at various times, compared with scores for treatments SN1.0, SN1.5, and SN2.0, respectively. Administration of nalbuphine alone resulted in salivation and panting in some dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: All nalbuphine doses promoted mild sedation when administered alone, and moderate sedation when combined with acepromazine. Greater doses of nalbuphine did not increase sedation scores. All treatments resulted in minimal changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, and mean arterial pressure. Nalbuphine alone resulted in few adverse effects.

Evaluation of anaesthetic depth and cardiopulmonary effects of propofol infusion rate in Sapajus apella previously chemically contained with dextroketamine-midazolam.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the cardiopulmonary effects and anaesthetic depth induced by a propofol infusion rate of 0.8 mg/kg/min in monkeys (Sapajus apella). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five capuchin monkeys received dextroketamine-midazolam intramuscularly. After a maximum duration of 5 min, the values of the physiological parameters were recorded, and a venous catheter was placed. After recovery from chemical restraint, the animals were anaesthetized with propofol intravenously, which was maintained for 1 h. Physiological parameters, anaesthetic depth, the time and quality of anaesthetic recovery were evaluated. RESULTS: Heart and respiratory rates, systolic blood pressure and rectal temperature during propofol infusion were lower than those during anaesthesia induction with dextroketamine-midazolam. Unconsciousness, muscle relaxation and lack of response to tail clamping were observed during propofol infusion. No animals showed excitement or vocalization during anaesthetic recovery. CONCLUSION: Propofol infusion rate of 0.8 mg/kg/min promoted surgical general anaesthesia, with transient hypotension, which showed excellent anaesthetic recovery.