Canine Neonatal Assessment by Vitality Score, Amniotic Fluid, Urine, and Umbilical Cord Blood Analysis of Glucose, Lactate, and Cortisol: Possible Influence of Parturition Type?

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of parturition type on vitality in newborn puppies, their weight gains, and survival in the first week postpartum. One hundred and twenty-three puppies were divided in three groups: vaginal parturition (VP), emergency (EM-CS), and elective cesarean section (EL-CS). Apgar scores were assessed 5, 15, and 60 min postpartum. Lactate and glucose concentrations were measured in amniotic fluid and umbilical blood; cortisol concentrations were measured in amniotic fluid and puppy urine. Puppies' weight gain was tracked daily for 7 days postpartum. Apgar score at 5 and 15 min was significantly better in the VP group. EL-CS puppies had significantly lower umbilical blood and amniotic fluid lactate concentrations compared to the VP group, which also had higher umbilical blood lactate concentration than EM-CS puppies. The cortisol concentration in the amniotic fluid and in urine differed significantly between the groups, with the highest concentration in the EM-CS, followed by the VP group. Glucose concentration in amniotic fluid was higher in the VP group than EM-CS group. The type of parturition had no impact on puppies' weight gain or their survival at birth; however, supportive treatment was provided for non-vital puppies. Non-invasive analysis of puppies' fluids could help in the assessment of the neonatal vitality.

Complete skin regeneration with medical honey after skin loss on the entire circumference of a leg in a cat.

Second-intention healing of wounds on distal extremities in cats can be considered for superficial wounds involving less than 30% of the circumference of the limb. In our case the wound was characterized by complete loss of skin on 100% of the circumference of the limb from the elbow to the paw with contemporary ulnar fracture. Advanced reconstructive surgery or amputation of the leg was not acceptable for the owner; therefore, healing with medical honey was selected. In 49 days, an 80% reduction of the wound was observed. The wound healed completely by second intention with regrowth of hair and minimal scarring. Complete function was restored in the affected leg. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first written report of such extensive complete loss of skin on a leg in a cat healed by second intention with the use of medical honey.

Bioavailability of water-soluble CoQ10 in beagle dogs.

The bioavailability of a novel water-soluble inclusion complex of CoQ10, prepared in our laboratory was determined and compared with the bioavailability of commercially available oil-based form of CoQ10. Experimental work consisted of single dose comparative bioavailability study on seven beagle dogs, with a 14-day washout period between treatments. Identification and quantification of CoQ10 was done with HPLC-MS method using positive APCI ionization and SIM mode, M+ m/z 863.4. The bioavailability results confirm that the water-soluble formulation has nearly three times higher AUC(0-48 h), two times higher Cmax, and Tmax is shortened from 6 to 4 h.