Lesão facial grave em um gambá-de-orelha-branca (Didelphis albiventris) - tratamento com ozonioterapia / Severe facial wound in a white-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris) - treatment with ozone therapy

Background: Ozone therapy (OT) is a type of treatment that uses ozone gas, which has high oxidizing power. OT has been utilized for various diseases and to accelerate the wound healing process and reduce inflammation. Additionally, OT is a low-cost treatment recommended for patients that can be easily restrained. There are several methods of ozone administration, including topical use through bagging, cupping, or rectal insufflation, in addition to ozonated autohemotherapy. Based on the benefits of OT and the scarcity of reports describing its effects on white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris), we report on the use of ozone in the treatment of a severe facial wound in a white-eared opossum. Case: An adult female white-eared opossum weighing 1.6 kg was rescued from a fire. The patient was pregnant, dehydrated, hypothermic and had an extensive burn wound in the facial region. Due to the stress of captivity and its aggressive behavior, the animal needed to be chemically restrained with dexmedetomidine and butorphanol. Following sedation, the cephalic vein was catheterized and intravenous fluid therapy with ringer lactate was started to treat dehydration. Next, enrofloxacin, meloxicam, and tramadol hydrochloride were administered. Body rewarming was performed with thermal bags. The microbial load of the wound was reduced with chlorhexidine degerming solution followed by washing with saline solution. A thin layer of silver sulfadiazine cream was applied to the wound area. Over the following days the patient was treated with OT using the cupping technique combined with ozonated sunflower oil. After the first applications there was an improvement in the appearance of the wound, which initially had a purulent aspect. After 20 days of treatment the wound showed good granulation and there were no signs of infection, and at 45 days of treatment it was completely healed. The patient was then released with her baby. Discussion: Ozone therapy was included in the patient's treatment plan to enhance the tissue repair process in order to reintroduce the animal to the wild in the shortest possible time. The strategy was successful in improving healing and reducing tissue inflammation and infection. Ozone is known to cause the inactivation of microorganisms as a result of the oxidation of phospholipids and lipoproteins present in the cell membrane of bacteria and to interrupt viral replication. Ozone helps in the perfusion of injured tissues, contributing to the entry of humoral components, which control inflammation. Moreover, ozone contributes to increase supply of oxygen and nutrients to tissues and to stimulate increased production of fibrinogen and formation of granulation tissue. Ozone increases the enzymatic antioxidant response, while also playing a role in immunoregulation. Ozone can be used in several ways and via various methods with potential routes including intravenous, urethral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intra-articular, in addition to rectal and intramammary insufflation. Immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antiseptic effects can be achieved with different doses and concentrations, which enables its application in different types of pathologies. Because of the aggressive behavior of the animal, in the current case we opted for the cupping technique combined with ozonated oil, both techniques which can be administered easily with only physical restraint of the patient. Cupping allows for the provision of a higher concentration of ozone gas locally whereas the ozonated oil maintains the effect of the gas for slightly longer, enhancing its effect and promoting tissue repair. The present report showed that OT is an effective alternative for the treatment of burn wounds in opossums, without causing adverse effects to the patient or her baby.

Pneumotórax secundário a bolha pulmonar em cão / Pneumothorax secondary to a pulmonary bullae in a dog

Background: Pulmonary bullae are thin-walled cavitary lesions within the subpleural parenchyma. They are a result of thedestruction, dilatation and coalescence of bordering alveoli and their rupture is the most common cause of pneumothoraxin dogs. Radiographic and CT imaging are excellent tools for identifying and quantifying pneumothorax. Surgical treatment is considered standard for treatment of pneumothorax consequential to pulmonary bullae. The aim of this report wasto describe a case of pneumothorax secondary to pulmonary bullae in a dog.Case: A 5-year-old male crossbreed dog, weighing 11.5 kg, was presented to the Uberaba’s Veterinary Hospital due to becoming easily tired in the previous 3 weeks, and its worsening in the last 2 days by presenting panting. The dog’s guardiandid not witness any traumas, but informed that the animal resided with other 14 dogs and also that it frequently collidedthe thorax against the door when it came down from the bed. Physical examination showed diaphragmatic breathing,inspiratory dyspnea and stridor lung sound. Thoracocentesis revealed presence of air in the pleural cavity and pneumothorax. Radiographic images confirmed this condition. The dog stayed in the hospital and chest drains were placed. Sincethe amount of sucked air did not reduce with time and due to the emergence of subcutaneous emphysema, the dog wentthrough exploratory thoracotomy that revealed impairment of the right caudal lung lobe, proceeding to lobectomy. Thedog stayed in the hospital with chest drains until the contents of the suctions reduced significantly. With the removal ofthe drains, the dog was sent home and had a full recovery. Histopathology of the impaired lung revealed pulmonary bullae.Discussion: The dog from this report presented clinical signs consistent with pneumothorax, such as dyspnea, diaphragmaticbreathing and exercise intolerance. Radiography of the chest region revealed...

Hip dislocation in a calf - treatment with iliofemoral suture

Background: Coxofemoral dislocation is uncommon in large animals, due to anatomical particularities that provide greater stability to this joint. The most common causes of hip dislocation in large animals are related to hypocalcemia, mount trauma, sudden falls on hard surfaces or dystocia. Treatment can be performed by closed reduction, but the reported results are not satisfactory with complications. Several surgical techniques have already been described and successfully used in small animals in the treatment of hip dislocation. The present work aims to describe the technique and the result of the iliofemoral suture in the treatment of hip dislocation in a Girolando heifer. Case: A heifer was attended with a history of difficulty in getting up. According to the owner, the clinical manifestation was sudden, after remaining in a paddock with other animals of different age groups. The calf had reduced skin sensitivity on the croup, and it was impossible to remain in the quadrupedal position, often remaining in sternal recumbency with the left pelvic limb in extension. From the clinical examination, spinal cord injury was suspected and clinical treatment was instituted with dexamethasone, vitamins B1, B12 and dimethylsulfoxide. At the end of the clinical treatment, the animal did not show a favorable evolution, so radiographic examination of the coxofemoral region was performed, revealing dislocation of the left femoral head, indicating surgical correction. Xylazine was administered as pre-anesthetic medication, followed by anesthetic induction with midazolam associated with ketamine, followed by orotracheal intubation. Anesthetic maintenance was instituted with isoflurane and monitoring was performed with a multiparameter monitor. An epidural block was performed with bupivacaine and morphine. A craniolateral approach to the left hip joint was performed. After the dislocation was reduced, sutures were used to better stabilize the joint in question. Following the evolution of the surgical procedure, it was possible to confirm that the femoral head remained in place. After 15 days, the skin stitches were removed and the animal was discharged from the hospital and returned to its original property. The calf was asked to remain in the stall for at least 60 days, gradually releasing it into larger spaces and only after 120 days could it remain in the paddock with other animals. During three months, the tutor was consulted about the evolution of the condition, reporting that the animal was clinically well, being able to get up and walk without difficulty and with a mild degree of lameness, thus suggesting the success of the surgical procedure. Discussion: There are few studies of successful surgical treatments of hip dislocation in large animals, and that number is even smaller when considering cattle alone. It is believed that this is due to difficulties related to the surgical technique and to postoperative handling, given the animal's weight. The iliofemoral suture technique performed on the animal in the present study is commonly employed in small animals, and excellent results have been observed. However, reports on the use of this technique in large animals have not been found. The iliofemoral suture technique has advantages over other reported surgical techniques in cattle. When compared to the femoral head and neck resection, the iliofemoral suture has several advantages, as it allows preservation of the joint and achievement of superior biomechanical results. When compared to the technique of reinforcement of the joint capsule with synthetic material, also reported in cattle, the iliofemoral suture appears to be faster, simpler and more economic, and provides similar stability. We conclude that the iliofemoral suture proved to be a satisfactory alternative for the treatment of hip dislocations in young cattle.

Prótese de rinoteca em carcará (Caracara plancus) / Rhinotheca prosthesis in a carcará (Caracara plancus)

Background: The bird's beak is a structure in constant growth, covered by keratinized epidermal sheaths called rhamphotheca. When subjected to certain degrees of injury, birds can suffer from lesions and fractures in different parts of the body, including the beak. One can treat simple ranch lesions by antisepsis and covering it with resin while the keratin is replaced; yet in complete fractures, with segment avulsion, they need complex prostheses to restore the functions of the nozzle. The main goal of this study was to report a case of a synthetic rhinotheca prosthesis placement in a wild carcará (Caracara plancus). Case: The carcará was referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the UNIUBE, at the end of May 2018, by Uberaba's Environmental Police, with a history of having been run over. On the physical examination, the animal showed aggressive behavior, low body weight, increased heart and respiratory rates, mild dehydration and complete fracture of the rhinotheca, with avulsion of the mid-distal portion and presence of necrosis in the remaining proximal remnant, the last one seen after debridement and complete cleansing of the lesion. In the following days, complementary exams were performed aiming a complete evaluation of the animal, these revealed the following: oral cavity swab, positive for Candida sp.; radiography of thoracic and pelvic limbs, without any changes; research of hemoparasites, with a negative result; and complete blood count showing marked leukocytosis. The animal was kept in the hospital's wild animal ward, with a daily handling of 400 g of chicken neck and heart, processed on a blender and was also supplemented with a variety of minerals. After the wild animal was managed for eleven months, evolving to the ideal weight set for the species, the process for making the prosthesis started. At first, the prosthesis was made manually with epoxy resin and polyamide, being molded on the animal's rhinotheca, before that, the carcará was sedated with intranasal midazolam, and then modeled in the ideal shape for the beak. Then, the definitive prosthesis was made with acrylic resin, using the previous mold as a base. The surgical procedure was performed in April 2019, with an anesthetic protocol composed of midazolam, dexmedetomidine, ketamine and morphine for sedation, and maintenance in sevoflurane. Prosthesis and rhinotheca were both fixated by bilateral perforation with a 1.0 mm drill, and later on 2 titanium screws were inserted for dental use, these measuring 1.5 mm. After being correctly threated, the screws received a thin layer of acrylic resin on top, for better fixation. Immediately after the operation, the animal was able to use the prosthesis to feed itself. After the surgical procedure, the bird was destined for a sanctuary, and months later the prosthesis eventually fell. Since then, the bird has remained without it. Discussion: Because the beak did not grow due to trauma and consequent necrosis, and the animal did not adapt well with the remnant still present, the manufacture of the prosthesis was the solution so that it could return to its natural habits and behaviors. For greater adherence and fixation, we opted for the use of 2 titanium screws for dental use with the deposition of a thin layer of acrylic resin on top of both. Prostheses can be successful in fixing, but there are no studies indicating how long they will remain viable. Therefore, even with the success of the procedure, allowing the bird to return to its natural habits and behaviors, until after the fall of the prosthesis, it is an animal that needs to be kept in captivity suitable for daily observation.