Preliminary evaluation of a non-invasive device for monitoring intracranial pressure waveforms in dogs.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare waveforms obtained with a new device for the non-invasive monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) in dogs with and without neurological disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted on both neurologically normal dogs and dogs with neurological diseases. First, non-invasive ICP waveforms were recorded in normal dogs using the Braincare® BcMM 2000 monitor while the dogs were under general anaesthesia induced for procedures unrelated to this study. The dogs were positioned in lateral recumbency, and the sensor was placed over the skin of the parietal region. Secondly, non-invasive ICP waveforms were monitored in dogs with brain and spinal disease until waveforms with characteristic peaks were acquired. All the recorded signals were amplified, filtered and digitalized, by the device, and then transferred to a computer for analysis. RESULTS: Normal pulse waveforms indicating normal brain complacency were observed in eight neurologically normal dogs. In six dogs with brain disease, abnormal pulse waveforms were observed suggesting increased ICP and decreased brain complacency. Four dogs with spinal disease undergoing myelography, had normal waveforms before contrast medium injection and abnormal pulse waveforms during contrast medium injection, indicating a potential increase in ICP. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Based on these preliminary observations, this method was capable of detecting abnormal pulse waveforms that suggested increased ICP.

Use of infrared thermography to evaluate the inflammatory reaction in cat testis after intratesticular injection of 0. 9% NaCl or 20% CaCl2 with 1% lidocaine / O uso da termografia infravermelha para avaliar a reação inflamatória após a injeção intratesticular de NaCL 0, 9 % e cloreto de cálcio 20% com lidocaína 1%

Due to the doubts and questions about the inflammatory reaction caused by chemical castration, this study aimed to use infrared thermography to detect, evaluate and monitor the inflammatory reaction caused by the intratesticular injection of calcium chloride (CaCl2) 20% with lidocaine 1%. For this, thermographic measurements were taken before (M0), 10 minutes (M1), 1 and 6 hours (M2 and M3), for 7 consecutive days (M4 to M10), at 15 (M11), 30 (M12) and 60 (M13) days after intratesticular injection. Additionally, changes to testicular tissue and effects over spermatogenesis were evaluated by andrological exam before (M0) and 60 days (M13) after intratesticular injection. All cats were orchiectomized at M13, and testicles were submitted to histological analysis. CaCl2 (20%) with lidocaine (1%) administration produced testicular tissue damage and interfered with the spermatogenesis in 70% of treated cats without exacerbating the inflammatory reaction or impairing the cat's welfare. It was concluded that thermographic evaluation is a useful, efficient, easy and quick method to diagnose and monitor cat testicular inflammatory reactions.(AU)

Devido a constantes dúvidas e questionamentos sobre a reação inflamatória ocasionada pela castração química, este estudo objetivou o uso da termografia infravermelha para detectar, avaliar e monitorar a reação inflamatória causada pela injeção intratesticular de cloreto de cálcio (CaCl 2 ) 20% associada à lidocaína 1%. Para isso, medidas termográficas foram aferidas antes (M0), 10 minutos (M1), uma e seis horas (M2 e M3), por sete dias consecutivos (M4 a M10), aos 15 (M11), 30 (M12), e 60 (M13) dias após injeção intratesticular, nos grupos tratado e controle. Todos os gatos foram orquiectomizados no M13, e os testículos submetidos à análise histológica. A injeção CaCl 2 a 20% associada com lidocaína a 1% produziu lesão testicular e interferiu na espermatogênese de 70% dos gatos tratados, sem exacerbar a reação inflamatória ou prejudicar o bem-estar do animal. Foi concluído que a avaliação termográfica é uma ferramenta útil, eficiente, rápida e fácil para o diagnóstico e o monitoramento da reação inflamatória em gatos.(AU)

Alterações fisiológicas e comportamentais de bovinos de corte após o manejo de castração / Physiological and behavioral changes of beef cattle after castration management

Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho, parâmetros fisiológicos e temperamentais de bovinos de corte não castrados ou submetidos à castração cirúrgica ou à imunocastração. O período experimental foi dividido em dois subperíodos de observações: primeiros 15 dias pós-castração (período de cicatrização) e os 25 dias seguintes à cicatrização. Nos primeiros 15 dias de avaliação, os animais não castrados obtiveram maior ganho médio diário de peso em relação aos castrados cirurgicamente. A frequência cardíaca foi maior para os animais castrados cirurgicamente, com 126,51 batimentos/minuto, em relação aos demais tratamentos. A distância de fuga foi superior para os novilhos castrados cirurgicamente, com valor de 12,22 metros. Nos 25 dias seguintes à castração cirúrgica, o ganho médio diário de peso foi superior nos bovinos castrados cirurgicamente em relação aos bovinos não castrados ou imunocastrados. A velocidade de fuga, no segundo subperíodo de avaliação, foi superior nos bovinos castrados em relação aos não castrados. O período imediato à castração, os primeiros 15 dias, prejudicou o ganho médio diário e o ganho de peso total, o que causou maior reatividade, com alterações nos parâmetros fisiológicos e temperamentais de bovinos castrados cirurgicamente em comparação com bovinos não castrados, entretanto, transcorrido o período de cicatrização, essas diferenças diminuíram ou desapareceram.(AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance, physiological and temperamental parameters of uncastrated beef cattle or those submitted to surgical castration or immunocastration, in the post-castration period. The experimental period was divided into two subperiods of observations: the first 15 days post-castration (healing period) and the 25 days following healing. In the first 15 days of evaluation, the non-castrated animals obtained a greater average daily gain of weight in relation to surgically castrated. The heart rate was higher for surgically castrated animals with 126,51 beats/minute, compared to the other treatments. The distance of escape was higher for the surgically castrated steers, with a value of 12,22 meters, when compared to the other groups studied. During the next 25 days of surgical castration, the mean daily gain of weight was higher in surgically castrated cattle than in non-castrated or immunocastrated cattle. The escape velocity, in the second evaluation subperiod, was superior in the castrated cattle, in relation to the not castrated. The immediate castration period, the first 15 days, altered the mean daily gain and the total weight gain, the physiological and temperamental parameters of surgically castrated cattle, however, after the healing period, these differences diminish or disappear.(AU)

Progesterone (PR), oestrogen (ER-α and ER-ß) and oxytocin (OTR) gene expression in the oviduct and uterus of pregnant and non-pregnant bitches.

The aim was to assess hormone receptor gene expression in the oviduct and uterus during canine pregnancy. Nineteen pregnant bitches divided into four groups were ovariohysterectomized (OVH) at either day 8, 12, 21 or 60 of pregnancy, and five non-pregnant females underwent OVH 12 days after the pre-ovulatory Luteinizant Hormone (LH) surge and served as controls. RT-qPCR for progesterone (PR), oestrogen (ER-α and ER-ß) and oxytocin (OTR) receptors was performed on the oviduct and uterine tissue. The mRNA PR expression in the uterus during early stages of pregnancy and the luteal phase was higher than at other times. The mRNA ER-ß expression in the oviduct during early pregnancy was less than in non-pregnant bitches. In the uterus, the mRNA ER-ß expression was higher in the initial stages of pregnancy. The ER-α expression was higher in the oviduct and uterus in advanced stages of pregnancy. The mRNA OTR expression in the oviduct was lower than in the uterus in control group. The expression of this receptor in oviduct and the uterus was higher in the final stages of pregnancy, when compared with other phases. These data suggested that the serum progesterone concentrations probably exert a direct control on the PR and ER (α and ß) expression and indirectly on OTR expression in the bitch oviduct and uterus.