AN ANATOMICAL STUDY OF THE THORACIC LIMB OF THE GIANT ANTEATER (MYRMECOPHAGA TRIDACTYLA) COMPARED WITH THE DOMESTIC DOG TO GUIDE SURGICAL APPROACHES TO THE HUMERUS AND RADIUS.

The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is a neotropical mammal considered to be vulnerable to extinction. Recent increased interest in veterinary care in the giant anteater has prompted renewed interest in anatomical descriptions in this species. The terrestrial habits and slow movements of the giant anteater contribute to its susceptibility to vehicular trauma on highways, which is a significant cause of mortality in the species. This study describes the muscular anatomy of the thoracic limb and variations of the long bones with emphasis on the structures surrounding the humerus and radius. It also describes the possible surgical approaches for the management of fractures of humerus and radius, comparing these with the surgical approaches described in dogs (Canis lupus familiaris). Three giant anteater and three domestic dog cadavers, from deaths not related to this project, were used. The medial approach to the humeral diaphysis of the giant anteater resulted in the least tissue trauma, and provided access to the flattest surface for implant attachment. The lateral approach to the radius proved challenging, requiring total detachment of the extensor carpi radialis muscle and incision of the very robust abductor digitorum longus muscle to access the distal diaphysis. Although the giant anteater shares many similarities of the thoracic limb anatomy with the domestic dog, important differences exist. This comparative knowledge will allow veterinary practitioners to directly apply the principles of fracture repair in these species. Safe access to these bones for possible osteosynthesis is essential to allow implant placement and minimize postoperative complications in this species.

Use of Copaifera multijuga for acute corneal repair after chemical injury: A clinical, histopathological and toxicogenetic study.

Copaiba oil is widely used in medicine, but there are no reports regarding its application in ophthalmology. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical, histopathological and toxicogenetic effects of eye drops containing 0.1 and 0.5% of Copaifera multijuga Hayne oil on superficial corneal ulcers induced with alkali in the left eye of rats. For histological analysis, the percent reduction in ulcers and thickness of the corneal epithelium and stroma were evaluated 48 and 72 h after ulcer induction. Additionally, neovascularization and polymorphonuclear infiltration were classified in the stroma. The bone marrow micronucleus test was used for toxicogenetic assessment. None of the animals exhibited clinical signs of immediate ocular discomfort after instillation and the eye drops were harmless to the ocular surface. There was a significant difference in percent ulcer reduction and corneal stroma thickness between animals treated with the C. multijuga eye drops and untreated animals with corneal injury and the negative control, respectively, suggesting a healing effect of the oleoresin. Analysis of the thickness of the corneal epithelium at the two time points showed that the eye drops formulated did not significantly reduce the damage caused by alkali. The same was observed for the treatments with the reference drugs. No difference in stromal neovascularization or inflammatory infiltration was observed between the treated groups. The toxicogenetic results revealed the absence of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the treatments. In conclusion, the C. multijuga eye drops did not cause damage to the ocular surface under the present experimental conditions and corneal epithelization was similar to the conventional treatments. These results indicate that eye drops containing C. multijuga oleoresin are a promising option for the treatment of superficial keratitis.

The effects of 2 levels of the inspired oxygen fraction on blood gas variables in propofol-anesthetized dogs with high intracranial pressure.

The influence of 2 different levels of the inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2) on blood gas variables was evaluated in dogs with high intracranial pressure (ICP) during propofol anesthesia (induction followed by a continuous rate infusion [CRI] of 0.6 mg/kg/min) and intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV). Eight adult mongrel dogs were anesthetized on 2 occasions, 21 d apart, and received oxygen at an FiO2 of 1.0 (G100) or 0.6 (G60) in a randomized crossover fashion. A fiberoptic catheter was implanted on the surface of the right cerebral cortex for assessment of the ICP. An increase in the ICP was induced by temporary ligation of the jugular vein 50 min after induction of anesthesia and immediately after baseline measurement of the ICP. Blood gas measurements were taken 20 min later and then at 15-min intervals for 1 h. Numerical data were submitted to Morrison's multivariate statistical methods. The ICP, the cerebral perfusion pressure and the mean arterial pressure did not differ significantly between FiO2 levels or measurement times after jugular ligation. The only blood gas values that differed significantly (P < 0.05) were the arterial oxygen partial pressure, which was greater with G100 than with G60 throughout the procedure, and the venous haemoglobin saturation, that was greater with G100 than with G60 at M0. There were no significant differences between FiO2 levels or measurement times in the following blood gas variables: arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure, arterial hemoglobin saturation, base deficit, bicarbonate concentration, pH, venous oxygen partial pressure, venous carbon dioxide partial pressure and the arterial-to-end-tidal carbon dioxide difference.