Lameness on Brazilian pasture based dairies - Part 2: Conversations with farmers and dairy consultants.

A farmer or a dairy consultant's ability to identify and properly treat lame dairy cows is key to managing lameness on farms. However, this ability is dependent on their knowledge and perceptions regarding lameness. To date these topics are poorly understood in all dairy systems. To our knowledge, this is the first study that uses a qualitative approach to describe the perception of lameness in Brazilian pasture-based dairy farms. The aim of this study was firstly, to contextualize farmers and dairy consultants' culture and knowledge on the topic of lameness and, secondly, to understand how these factors may influence lameness management on the farms. In-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews were done with participating farm owners (n = 21) and dairy consultants (n = 13). Thematic analyses of the interview content provided evidence that the dairy community's overarching culture around lameness acts as a barrier preventing positive actions targeting lameness control and prevention. The emerging themes identified indicate that lameness is a vague, ill-defined concept among both farmers and dairy consultants working in this region. There was a shared belief that pasture-based systems have a low risk for lameness. Furthermore, the prevailing culture for tackling lameness was reactive, particularly in the case of lame cows affected by physical trauma or environmental factors. Treatment was frequently delayed and the misuse of antibiotics was evident. Described community culture was rationalised via the cognitive dissonance and health belief models. We suggest that increased dialogue, including educational efforts within the community, may lead to increased sensitivity of risk perception of lameness within the community and in turn trigger appropriate diagnosis and treatment of lame cows.

Tratamento conservativo e integrativo com ozonioterapia e fisioterapia em lesão ligamentar parcial de um canino: relato de um caso

As lesões do tipo ruptura parcial do ligamento cruzado cranial (RPLCC) são comuns em caninos. O principal sinal da patologia é a claudicação, geralmente causada pela frouxidão ligamentar, resultado de distúrbios biomecânicos, vasculares e/ou proprioceptivos. A permanência desse ligamento parcial serve de proteção articular para auxílio no período da cicatrização (Temponi, 2015), e dependendo do nível da lesão (grau 1 ou 2) é comum indicar o tratamento conservativo associado a reabilitação. O presente relato trata-se de um cão com RPLCC submetido ao tratamento conservativo com ozonioterapia e fisioterapia visando a melhora clínica do quadro ortopédico do animal.

Tratamento conservativo e integrativo com ozonioterapia e fisioterapia em lesão ligamentar parcial de um canino: relato de um caso

As lesões do tipo ruptura parcial do ligamento cruzado cranial (RPLCC) são comuns em caninos. O principal sinal da patologia é a claudicação, geralmente causada pela frouxidão ligamentar, resultado de distúrbios biomecânicos, vasculares e/ou proprioceptivos. A permanência desse ligamento parcial serve de proteção articular para auxílio no período da cicatrização (Temponi, 2015), e dependendo do nível da lesão (grau 1 ou 2) é comum indicar o tratamento conservativo associado a reabilitação. O presente relato trata-se de um cão com RPLCC submetido ao tratamento conservativo com ozonioterapia e fisioterapia visando a melhora clínica do quadro ortopédico do animal.(AU)

Physical exercise down-regulated locomotor side effects induced by haloperidol treatment in Wistar rats.

Extra-pyramidal symptoms (EPS) such as akinesia, dystonia, gait alteration and tremors are observed when dopamine D2-receptors are blocked by pharmacological agents such as haloperidol. These alterations produce a Parkinson disease-like state (PLS). Physical exercise has been proven to improve gait and locomotor symptoms in Parkinson's disease; we sought to elucidate the effects of physical exercise on PLS induced by chronic administration of haloperidol in rats. We used 48 rats distributed into four groups: Control, Exercise, Haloperidol, and Hal+Exe. All the animals received a daily injection of saline or haloperidol for 30 days, and the exercise groups underwent a daily 30-minute exercise protocol for 20 days. The animals were subjected to the ink-paw test, bar test and open-field test throughout the training period. The haloperidol-induced akinesia increased throughout the days of injections, but exercise was shown to alleviate it. The assessment showed shortened stride length and increased stance width with the use of haloperidol, which were significantly alleviated by exercise. These results indicate that exercise could be an interesting approach towards reducing unwanted EPS caused by haloperidol.

Quiste subcondral a nivel de la articulación interfalángicaproximal en una potranca criolla colombiana: reporte de caso / Subchondral cyst in the proximal interphalangeal joint in a paso fino colombian horse: a case report / Cisto subcondral na articulação proximal interfalângicaem um potro crioulo colombiano: relato de caso

Se reporta el caso de una paciente equina, evaluada por Especial•Vet práctica privada, la cual presentaba alexamen clínico ortopédico un grado de claudicación II/V en ambos miembros posteriores (según clasificaciónde la AAEP), la cual no presento mejoría después de realizar un tratamiento médico de tipo parenteral confenilbutazona. Posteriormente se realizó un nuevo examen clínico ortopédico en el cual se realizó bloqueoanestésico perineural abaxial en ambos miembros posteriores encontrando una mejoría del 90% con respectoal grado de claudicación inicial. Se realizó evaluación radiológica digital, con las siguientes proyecciones:dorso plantar y lateromedial en las cuales se evidenció un área radiolúcida circunscrita a nivel del terciodistal de la primera falange, con comunicación a la articulación interfalángica proximal en ambos miembros posteriores, seguidamente se realizó evaluación ultrasonográfica en la cual se observa un área anecóica y lafalta de continuidad de la superficie ósea a nivel de la articulación interfalángica proximal de ambos miembrosposteriores. Estableciendo de esta forma como diagnóstico definitivo quiste subcondral a nivel del tercio distalde la primera falange, con comunicación a la articulación interfalángica proximal. Se realizó infiltración conacetato de triamcinolona, betametasona y ácido hialurónico a nivel intrarticular; antibioterapia de maneraprofiláctica al procedimiento, descanso en pesebrera por 4 semanas y reincorporación al ejercicio de maneraprogresiva, suministro de complementos condroprotectores de manera enteral (Flexequin® 40 gr/día VO yCortaflex® 20 ml/día VO). Al momento de la publicación de este artículo, la paciente no presenta ningún gradode claudicación y se encuentra realizando un trabajo físico y atlético normal.

We report the case of an equine patient, assessed by Especial Vet private practice, whose orthopedic clinicalexamination showed a degree of lameness II / V in both hind limbs (according to AAEP classification), whichdemonstrated no improvement after medical treatment with parenteral phenylbutazone. Subsequently a neworthopedic clinical examination was performed in which an abaxial, perineural anesthetic block was applied to both hind legs, which produced 90% improvement compared to the initial degree of lameness. Digital radiographicevaluation was performed with the following results: dorsal-plantar and lateral-medial images which showeda circumscribed, radiolucent area at the level of the distal third of the first phalanx, with communication to theproximal interphalangeal joint on both hind limbs. Following, an ultrasound evaluation was carried out in whichthere was an anechoic area and lack of continuity of the bone surface at the proximal interphalangeal joint of bothhind limbs. These findings established a definitive diagnosis of a subchondral bone cyst at the distal third of the firstphalanx, with communication to the proximal interphalangeal joint. Intra-articular infiltration was performed with triamcinolone acetonide, betamethasone and hyaluronic acid; antibiotics as prophylaxis, rest in a stable for 4 weekswith a gradual return to exercise, and provision of enteral, chondroprotective supplements (p.o. Flexequin ® 40 gr/day and p.o. Cortaflex ® 20ml/day). At the time of publication of this article, the patient does not present any degreeof lameness and is performing normal athletic and physical activity.

Relatamos um caso de um paciente eqüino, avaliado pela prática privada Especial Vet, cujo exame clínicoortopédico mostrou um grau de claudicação II / V em ambos os membros posteriores (de acordo com aclassificação do AAEP), o qual não demonstrou melhora após o tratamento médico com fenilbutazona parenteral.Após a aplicação de um bloqueio anestésico perineural abaxial em ambas as pernas traseiras, foi realizadoum novo exame clínico ortopédico, mostrando uma melhora de 90% em comparação com o grau inicial declaudicação. Realizou-se também uma avaliação radiográfica digital obtendo-se os seguintes resultados: imagensdorso-plantar e latero-medial que mostrou uma área radiolúcida circunscrita ao nível do terço distal da primeirafalange, com comunicação para a articulação interfalângica proximal em ambos os membros posteriores. E após,a realização de um ultra-som, verificou-se que houve uma área anecóica e falta de continuidade da superfície óssea ao nível da articulação interfalângica proximal dos dois membros posteriores. Desta forma estabeleceu umdiagnóstico definitivo de um cisto ósseo subcondral no terço distal da primeira falange, com comunicação para aarticulação interfalângica proximal. Uma infiltração intra-articular foi realizada com acetato de triamcinolona,betametasona e ácido hialurônico; antibióticos como profilaxia, um descanso em estábulo durante 4 semanas, com um retorno gradual aos exercícios, e administração de suplementos condroprotetores de maneira enteral(Flexequin® 40 gr/día VO e Cortaflex® 20 ml/día VO). No momento da publicação deste artigo, o paciente nãoapresenta qualquer grau de claudicação e está realizando atividades atléticas e físicas normais.

A new treadmill-type motorized walking belt machine for video recording of the rat's gait and sciatic functional index measurement. A comparative study with other methods.

The sciatic functional index (SFI) is a remarkable tool to assess dysfunction and functional recovery of the sciatic nerve of rats. Usually measured on hind foot imprints on paper, a new method is now being proposed, by direct analysis of video recorded foot sole images obtained with a treadmill-type walking belt machine functioning with gait speed control (G1). Results were compared with the SFI measured on imprints on paper (G2) and on video recorded foot sole images obtained with a static see-through runway (G3). The right sciatic nerve of 19 adult female Wistar rats was crushed by the application of a controlled load. Impressions/images obtained both preoperatively and at weekly intervals for eight consecutive postoperative weeks were digitized, stored and analyzed in a computer loaded with specific software, the SFI being automatically calculated after measuring the appropriate parameters. SFI differed significantly between G1 and G2 and G1 and G3 (p<0.05), but not between G2 and G3 (p>0.05) during the first and second postoperative weeks, nonsignificant differences (p>0.05) being observed for any comparison between groups during the third through eighth postoperative weeks. We conclude that the three methods yielded equivalent results from the third week onward, but both video recording methods (G2 and G3) permitted a more adequate early evaluation (first and second weeks), since the SFI parameters were more easily identifiable. Images obtained with the walking belt machine are more uniform and sharper, thus contributing to reduce the influence of biases observed with imprints on paper.

Endurance and resistance exercise training programs elicit specific effects on sciatic nerve regeneration after experimental traumatic lesion in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of endurance, resistance, and a combination of both types of exercise training on hindlimb motor function recovery and nerve regeneration after experimental sciatic nerve lesion in rats. METHODS: Sciatic nerve crush was performed on adult male rats, and after 2 weeks of the nerve lesion, the animals were submitted to endurance, resistance, and a combination of endurance-resistance training programs for 5 weeks. Over the training period, functional recovery was monitored weekly using the Sciatic Functional Index (SFI) and histological and morphometric nerve analyses were used to assess the nerve regeneration at the end of the trainings. RESULTS: The SFI values of the endurance-trained group reached the control values from the first posttraining week and were significantly better than both the resistance-trained group at the first, second, and third posttraining weeks and the concurrent training group at the first posttraining week. At the distal portion of the regenerating sciatic nerve, the endurance-trained group showed a greater degree of the myelinated fiber maturation than the sedentary, resistance-trained, and concurrent training groups. Furthermore, the endurance-trained group showed a smaller percentage area of endoneurial connective tissue and a greater percentage area of myelinated fibers than the sedentary group. CONCLUSION: These data provide evidence that endurance training improves sciatic nerve regeneration after an experimental traumatic injury and that resistance training or the combination of 2 strategies may delay functional recovery and do not alter sciatic nerve fiber regeneration.