Dopamine-induced bradycardia in two dogs under isoflurane anaesthesia.

Dopamine is a commonly used positive inotropic agent for the treatment of hypotension in small animals. Two dogs that had undergone surgery, under isoflurane anaesthesia, developed a sudden and profound bradycardia when a dopamine infusion was administered. Bradycardia was attributed to the activation of the Bezold-Jarisch reflex, an inhibitory reflex, characterised by bradycardia and hypotension.

Evaluation of aqueous tear production in dogs after general anaesthesia with medetomidine-propofol-carprofen-halothane.

The influence of an anaesthetic protocol, which included medetomidine, propofol, carprofen and halothane on tear production in the dog. There are no previous studies on the effects of this combination on tear production in dogs or in any other species. The present study included 39 dogs, which underwent non-ophthalmic surgery in our clinic. Preanaesthetically, all dogs had normal tear production (18.62±3.65 mm/minute) as this was recorded with Schirmer tear test I (STT I) and the ophthalmologic examination did not reveal anything abnormal. Tear production readings were recorded before the administration of premedication, at the end of anaesthesia, one hour and two hours postanaesthesia. No reverse agent was administrated. At the end of anaesthesia (right eye (oculus dexter, OD) P<0.0005, left eye (oculus sinister, OS) P<0.0005), as well as one hour postanaesthesia (OD P=0.020, OS P=0.001) there was a statistically significant reduction in tear production, which returned to normal values two hours postanaesthesia, regardless of the duration of the operation. This anaesthetic combination resulted in a decrease in tear production and, therefore, the use of tear substitute treatment in dogs undergoing anaesthesia with this protocol (combination) from the time the sedative is given until at least two hours after the end of anaesthesia is highly recommended.

Periodontal disease as a potential factor for systemic inflammatory response in the dog.

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease that has numerous consequences both locally and systemically The aim of this study was to assess whether periodontal disease causes systemic inflammatory response in otherwise healthy, adult dogs. We estimated the total mouth periodontal score (TMPS), measured the concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP), hematocrit, and albumin, and determined the white blood cell (WBC) and polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) counts in client-owned dogs. There was a statistically significant relationship between the gingival bleeding index (TMPS-G) and CRP concentration, and WBC and PMN counts, possibly during the active periods of periodontal tissue destruction. No correlation was found between the periodontal destruction index (TMPS-P) and the measured blood parameters. We conclude that chronic periodontal disease does not cause anemia or a reduction in serum albumin. However, active periods of periodontal inflammation may be associated with laboratory values suggestive of a systemic inflammatory response.

The lymph drainage pattern of the mammary glands in the cat: a lymphographic and computerized tomography lymphographic study.

Seventy-three clinically normal, lactating cats were used to investigate the lymph drainage of 73 mammary glands. In 50 cats of the first group, the number of lymphatic vessels emerging from the examined mammary gland, their course and the lymph nodes into which they are drained were studied by indirect lymphography (IL) after intramammary injection of an oily contrast medium. In 23 cats of the second group, the lymph drainage of the mammary glands was studied by computerized tomography indirect lymphography (CT-IL) after intramammary injection of a water soluble contrast medium. The following day, the lymph drainage of the mammary gland examined by CT-IL was studied by IL, as it was described in the first group, for comparison purposes. The main conclusions drawn after this study were as follows: lymph drains from the first and second mammary glands with one or rarely two or three lymphatic vessels to the accessory axillary lymph nodes. Lymph drains from the third mammary gland with one or two and rarely three lymphatic vessels usually to the accessory inguinal lymph nodes or to the accessory axillary lymph nodes. In some cases, it drains to both lymph nodes simultaneously or it may rarely drain only to the medial iliac lymph nodes. The fourth mammary gland with one or two and rarely three lymphatic vessels usually drains to the accessory inguinal lymph nodes. It may rarely drain only to the medial iliac lymph nodes. Mammary lymphatic vessels that cross the midline and lymphatic connection between the mammary glands were not demonstrated. No differences in the mammary lymph drainage pattern between IL and CT-IL were found.

Effects of meloxicam on the haemostatic profile of dogs undergoing orthopaedic surgery.

The buccal mucosal bleeding time (BMBT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and intraoperative bleeding score (IBS) of 38 dogs that underwent orthopaedic surgical procedures and received meloxicam orally and/or parenterally were measured. Fourteen of the dogs (group A) received a single subcutaneous dose of 0.2 mg/kg meloxicam at premedication, 18 dogs (group B) received 0.1 mg/kg meloxicam orally daily for five days followed by a single subcutaneous dose of 0.2 mg/kg meloxicam preoperatively, and six dogs (group C) received 0.5 ml of normal saline subcutaneously at premedication. No statistically significant differences among the groups were detected in relation to the mean (SD) values of BMBT, PT and IBS before and after the surgery, or in the values of APTT in group A. In group B there was a small but significant increase in APTT after the surgery, but all the measurements were within the normal range for dogs.

Ultrasonographic findings of intestinal intussusception in seven cats.

The medical records of seven cats with intestinal intussusception that were diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography and exploratory laparotomy were reviewed. In transverse ultrasonographic sections the intussusception appeared as a target-like mass consisting of one, two or more hyperechoic and hypoechoic concentric rings surrounding a C-shaped, circular or non-specific shaped hyperechoic centre. Part of the intestine representing the inner intussusceptum, located close to the hyperechoic centre and surrounded by concentric rings, was also detected. In longitudinal sections the intussusception appeared as multiple hyperechoic and hypoechoic parallel lines in four cases and as an ovoid mass in three cases. In one case the ovoid mass had a 'kidney' configuration. Additional ultrasonographic findings associated with intestinal intussusception included an intestinal neoplasm in one cat. The results of the present study demonstrate that the ultrasonographic findings of intestinal intussusception in cats bear some similarities to those described in dogs and humans, are relatively consistent, and facilitate a specific diagnosis.

Gingival response to subgingival placement of monolithic tetracycline-impregnated fibers: microscopic observations.

This study examines and characterizes the soft tissue wall of periodontal pockets after a 10-day in vivo exposure to monolithic tetracycline-impregnated fibers, with and without root planing. Four teeth from each of eight patients were randomly assigned to (1) nontreatment (controls), (2) treatment by root planing only, (3) treatment by tetracycline fiber only, or (4) treatment by scaling and root planing and tetracycline fibers. Ten days after initial therapy, all teeth were extracted with associated soft tissue pocket walls intact. Three specimens were obtained from each tooth for examination by scanning microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and light microscopy. Results indicated that use of tetracycline-impregnated fibers over a 10-day period did not adversely affect the epithelial lining and had no significant effect on the density or character of the inflammatory response present in adjacent soft tissue and confirmed the antimicrobial effects of the fibers.

Root surface characteristics associated with subgingival placement of monolithic tetracycline-impregnated fibers.

The purpose of this investigation was to inspect and characterize the subgingival root surface after a 10-day exposure in vivo to 25% tetracycline hydrochloride by weight in an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer fiber matrix with and without root planing therapy. The root surfaces were examined by fluorescent-light microscopy (FLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Thirty-two teeth were selected for study, 4 from each of 8 patients. The teeth of each patient were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: non-treated control (C), scaling and root planing only (RP), tetracycline-impregnated fiber only (F), and scaling and root planing with tetracycline-impregnated fiber application (RP/F). SEM revealed a visible reduction in the subgingival microbial flora in both the F and RP/F treatment groups in comparison with the C group specimens. Many of the residual bacteria observed in F and RP/F specimens appeared non-viable, exhibiting obvious loss of membrane integrity. In contrast, the RP specimens exhibited randomly distributed areas of residual subgingival plaque and calculus with newly developing plaque fronts; the plaque fronts undoubtedly having formed during the 10 days post-therapy. All RP/F specimens exhibited an incomplete removal of adsorbed root surface pellicle and demineralization of the subsequently exposed root surface. EDS analysis of large crystals adhering to root surfaces of F and RP/F specimens revealed high chloride peaks, suggesting the presence of residual tetracycline. FLM examination of F and RP/F treated specimens showed a superficial penetration of tetracycline into the root surface of about 10 microns. Areas of demineralized root showed slight tetracycline penetration into exposed dentinal tubules.