Red blood cells morphology and morphometry in adult, senior, and geriatricians dogs by optical and scanning electron microscopy.

Red blood cells (RBC) morphologic evaluation through microscopy optical (OM) and SEM, provides information to forecast, evaluate, and monitor the functioning of many organs. Factors, such aging and diseases affect RBC morphology in both, human and animals. SEM is useful to evaluate RBC morphology, although its use in diagnosis and evaluation in dogs is limited, due to the availability and cost. The aim of this research was to assess the normal RBC morphology in adult, senior and geriatrician dogs, clinically healthy by OM and SEM. In addition to evaluating the age effect, sex, body size, and their interaction on erythrocyte morphometry. To carry out the research 152 blood samples were evaluated from dogs of different sexes and body sizes (small, medium, and large). Three groups were made based on dogs age: group I adults (1-7.9 years old), group II senior (8-11.9 years old), and group III geriatricians (>12 years old). Erythrocyte parameters were evaluated by OM (diameter, height, and axial ratio). Per each dog, the parameters of 20 erythrocytes were measured. A total of 2,600 cells were scanned with the AmScope™ Software scale. In addition, the RBC morphology was evaluated by SEM. Statistical analyses used analysis of variance and a general linear model, which allows the comparison of multiple factors at two or more levels (p < 0.05). The results of this study showed that diameter and height were lower in adult dogs than in senior and geriatrician dogs (p < 0.05). Whereas, sex, body size, and the interaction did not show a significant effect (p > 0.05). Additionally, some images of anisocytosis, polychromasia, and poikilocytosis (echinocytes, acanthocytes, codocytes, spherocytes, stomatocytes, dacryocytes quatrefoil, and elliptocytes) were obtained by OM and SEM. Our study provides information about the morphological and morphometry alterations of adult, senior, and geriatrician dogs RBC. This work contributes to future investigations and the diagnosing diseases, where it is necessary to evaluate the morphology of RBC.

Enteritis caused by type 2c canine parvovirus in a 5-year-old dog

Background: Canine parvovirosis, caused by canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), emerged in the 1970s as an important disease affecting dogs, causing severe hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and death. It can occur in any breed, gender, and age; however, puppies of 4 to 12 weeks of age are most commonly afflicted. In 2000 a new variant of the virus, called CPV- 2c, was discovered, and has been related to hemorrhagic gastroenteritis in dogs with up to 2 years of age, although some cases have been described in older animals with a full vaccination history. This paper reports a case of enteritis by canine parvovirus type 2c (CPV-2c) in a 5-year-old dog. Case: At necropsy a pallid oral and conjunctival mucosae were observed. The small intestine showed a very reddish and wrinkled serosa, the wall was thickened, the mucosae was diffusely wrinkled and yellowed with evidenced Peyer plaques and there was no content in the final portion of the intestine. The mesenteric lymph nodes were enlarged and reddish. Multiple suffusions on the serosa of the stomach, and petechiae and subepicardial suffusions in the heart were observed. The histological findings were, collapse of the lamina propria of the small intestine, and fusion of the villi, necrosis of enterocytes, atrophy and the disappearance of crypts, with dilation of remaining crypts showing large rounded nuclei with one or two evident nucleoli...(AU)

In vivo absorption of didanosine formulated in pellets composed of chitosan microspheres.

The in vivo absorption of didanosine was studied, focusing on the performance of a novel pharmaceutical formulation for didanosine, composed of chitosan granules containing didanosine incorporated in chitosan microspheres. This novel formulation is aimed at oral administration in AIDS therapy. The experimental results in male adult dogs showed controlled delivery of didanosine along 36 h, with a 2-fold increase in the absorption time of didanosine compared to the commercial granules, gastro-resistant didanosine and tablets. The higher absorption is due to adhesion to the intestinal membrane, improving absorption through increase of residence time, permeation and release. Furthermore, the novel formulation facilitates handling and deglutition, especially in the elderly and children, as well as enhances the taste and reduces the frequency of doses and collateral effects associated with a high concentration of the buffer agents usually used in other formulations.

Enteritis caused by type 2c canine parvovirus in a 5-year-old dog

Background: Canine parvovirosis, caused by canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), emerged in the 1970s as an important disease affecting dogs, causing severe hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and death. It can occur in any breed, gender, and age; however, puppies of 4 to 12 weeks of age are most commonly afflicted. In 2000 a new variant of the virus, called CPV- 2c, was discovered, and has been related to hemorrhagic gastroenteritis in dogs with up to 2 years of age, although some cases have been described in older animals with a full vaccination history. This paper reports a case of enteritis by canine parvovirus type 2c (CPV-2c) in a 5-year-old dog. Case: At necropsy a pallid oral and conjunctival mucosae were observed. The small intestine showed a very reddish and wrinkled serosa, the wall was thickened, the mucosae was diffusely wrinkled and yellowed with evidenced Peyer plaques and there was no content in the final portion of the intestine. The mesenteric lymph nodes were enlarged and reddish. Multiple suffusions on the serosa of the stomach, and petechiae and subepicardial suffusions in the heart were observed. The histological findings were, collapse of the lamina propria of the small intestine, and fusion of the villi, necrosis of enterocytes, atrophy and the disappearance of crypts, with dilation of remaining crypts showing large rounded nuclei with one or two evident nucleoli...