Design, fabrication, and evaluation of 3-D-printed cystotomy spoons as a retrieval method in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: Current cystotomy methods often implement the use of off-label devices, resulting in urocystolith extraction difficulty and potentially leading to postoperative complications and discomfort for the patient. The objective of this study was to create 3 novel 3-D printed cystotomy spoons that offer a dedicated solution for removing urocystoliths from a patient's urinary bladder. ANIMALS: Clinical use of the 3 novel 3-D printed cystotomy spoons were ultimately evaluated in 4 dogs and 1 cat that presented for urocystotlith removal at 3 different veterinary hospitals in northwest Arkansas. METHODS: The novel cystotomy spoons were designed using SolidWorks, 3-D printed with a Dental Surgical Guide resin, and underwent prototype testing that included chlorhexidine soaking, autoclave sterilization, 3-point bend testing, and Finite Element Analysis. The efficiency of the spoons was then evaluated through a limited proof-of-concept study utilizing a postoperative questionnaire for the participating clinicians. RESULTS: Practitioner feedback indicated positive experiences using 1 or more of the novel 3-D printed cystotomy spoons while performing a cystotomy surgery. However, successful use of the spoons was ultimately limited to dogs in the 23 to 34 kg weight range. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Novel 3-D printed cystotomy spoons have the potential to mediate urocystolith extraction difficulty and reduce postoperative complications. Additionally, this research demonstrates how veterinarians might develop custom 3-D models and prints to meet patient-specific needs. As such, further development could impact the standard of healthcare and the veterinary industry by promoting the use of additive manufacturing in veterinary medicine.

A Survey on the Rationale Usage of Antimicrobial Agents in Small Animal Clinics and Farms in Trinidad and Jamaica.

The extensive and indiscriminate use of antibiotics is known to contribute to antimicrobial resistance. Unfortunately, there are no public records of antimicrobial use (frequency or dosage) administered to animals in two major CARICOM (Caribbean Community) countries: Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica. Surveillance would promote amendments and discussion on a Caribbean antimicrobial-use protocol. In this study, an online survey was conducted using cross-sectional qualitative interviews via email, targeting veterinary clinicians working in clinics and farms in Trinidad and Jamaica, to identify how antimicrobials are used in the two countries. Out of the thirty-two (32) clinicians interviewed in Trinidad, 22 (68.75%) were small animal practitioners, and 10 (45.45%) were mixed practitioners. While in Jamaica, a total of Twenty six (26) clinicians responded, of which 17 of them (65.38%) were small animal practitioners and nine (34.62%) were mixed practitioners. A total of 95.2% of clinics and farms in Jamaica and 87.1% in Trinidad did not use standard antimicrobial protocols, which could be due to the limited availability of resources. The broad-spectrum antibiotic, amoxicillin, and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid were the most commonly used drugs in small animal practices in both countries (71.9% and 53.8% in dogs), (78.1% and 65.9% in cats); amoxicillin is also used frequently in mixed animal practice in Jamaica (44.4% in goats, 33.3% in cattle and 22.2% in sheep and pigs), while procaine penicillin and streptomycin was the most frequently used in mixed practice in Trinidad (60% in cattle and goats, 50% in sheep), which could explain the potentially increased risk of antimicrobial resistance.

Chronic expanding hematoma secondary to excision of recurrent myxomas in a bitch

Background: Expanding chronic hematoma is a relatively common postoperative complication in humans, not in dogs, nevertheless, is important understand this condition because it may affect the animal's health. A hematoma could be formed within hours and usually stabilizes spontaneously with the reabsorption of its content. However, occasionally the hematoma slowly expands, becomes encapsulated and forms a mass, causing a chronic expanding hematoma. Possibly skin and adipose tissue are displaced secondary to trauma, causing the formation of blood-filled cysts surrounded by a fibrous capsule. The aim of this document is to present the first report of a postsurgical chronic expanding hematoma in dog. Case: A case of chronic expanding hematoma secondary to excision of recurrent myxoma in a bitch was described. Physical examination showed a hard, firm, non-mobile mass enclosed within the deep muscular layers. This mass was between the sternum and the cranial abdomen, similar to previous lesions excised by another veterinarian. Fine needle aspiration indicated the presence of blood. Radiology demonstrated that the bone-cartilage tissue was not involved. Due to the size of the mass, a skin stretching pre-suturing technique using self-adhesive tape was applied around the mass 48 h before surgery. The mass was removed with wide excision margins and portions of the affected muscles, but a large wound with great tension was created; consequently, a parallel to the wound incision and the thoraco-lumbar vertebrae was made. Six months after surgery, the animal presented recurrence of the same lesion, which was also removed. The bleeding times were within the normal range, but the animal was diagnosed with hyperadrenocorticism. After both surgeries histopathological exam revealed a hematoma, that had thrombosis and granulation tissue with fibrosis and severe panniculitis, in addition of multifocal, chronic, moderate lymphohistiocytic myositis; all these changes were compatible with a chronic expanding hematoma. Discussion: Chronic expanding hematoma is a mass that grows slowly secondary to hemorrhage and does not exhibit elements of malignancy. However, it can occasionally be confused for a soft-tissue neoplasm. It has been reported frequently in humans but not in small animals. The first case was reported in 2002: 5 puppies with a cervical hematoma classified as a chronic expanding hematoma was described. In addition, 3 cases were reported: 1 cat with perirenal chronic expanding hematoma; 1 bitch with intra-abdominal presentation, and 1 cat with this pathology on the right pelvic limb after an intramuscular injection. The etiology of chronic expansive hematoma is unidentified in dogs, nevertheless, it is stipulated that is not an inflammatory process as previously assumed, but rather a neoplastic process. As in other cases, it was difficult to determine the origin of the chronic expanding hematoma. The coagulation times and platelets count were within ranges. Similarly, it is very complicated to relate hyperadrenocorticism with chronic expanding hematoma because dogs with Cushing's disease generally present hypercoagulopathies. Myxomas are associated with endocrinopathies in humans and dogs, therefore, hyperadrenocorticism is possibly related with this neoplasia. Myxomas have an expansive growth pattern, contrasting with myxosarcomas, which are infiltrating; Although in the present case the skin mass appeared to be invasive, both macroscopical and histopathological appearance of it corresponded to a well-shaped capsule compatible with chronic expanding hematoma. In summary, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a post-surgical chronic expanding hematoma in a dog.

Importance of the study of reproduction in small animals and preservation of species / Importancia del estudio de la reproducción en animales pequeños y la preservación de especies / Importância do estudo da reprodução em pequenos animais e preservação das espécies

Although reproduction in small animals is relatively current, its objectives are very varied. Initially they were used as a study model in physiology and various pathologies. In the same way, many small animals are produced as food and finally, in the last 20 years, the importance of pets and the intensification in the selection of canine and feline breeds, has caused an important impulse in the development of new scientific information. Although currently technical resources have advanced substantially, there are still many basic and important issues that have not yet been elucidated by formal science. Global threats facing wild species include the consequences of climate change, population growth, urbanization, air and water pollution, and the release of chemicals into the environment, causing, on average, 25% of animals are in danger of extinction. Wild animal populations are small and dispersed in their habitat with little or no opportunity for genetic exchange, which has generated in recent years many programs to preserve wild species and design appropriate strategies that lead to sustainable populations. Fortunately, recent and inspiring advances in the science of wildlife reproduction have been reported that will set directions for future research and will surely lead to further successes in conservation biology.(AU)

Integrating X-ray kV millimetric field dosimetry with a synthetic diamond detector into the treatment planning system commissioning of a preclinical irradiator.

PURPOSE: Small animal irradiators are equipped with x-ray beams and cone collimators with millimeter dimensions to be used in preclinical research. The use of small fields in the kV energy range may require the application of energy-dependent, field size-dependent, or depth-dependent correction factors to the dosimetric data acquired for treatment planning system (TPS) commissioning purposes to obtain accurate dose values. Considering that these corrections are also detector dependent, the suitability of a synthetic single-crystal diamond detector for small-field relative dosimetry in a preclinical irradiator (220-kVp) was evaluated to avoid the necessity of applying correction factors during TPS commissioning. METHODS: The detector response was assessed during the transition for field sizes ranging from 20 × 20 mm2 to 3 × 3 mm2 , using the small animal radiation research platform (SARRP). The percentage depth dose distributions (PDDs), lateral profiles and output factors (OFs) were measured. The PDDs for the synthetic diamond detector were compared to the distributions acquired using a small-volume microchamber (0.016 cm3 ) and with Monte Carlo calculations using the MC3D in-house software package. The profiles and OFs were compared to the data from a silicon solid-state detector and to radiochromic film data provided by the manufacturer; for the OF determination, measurements made using a microchamber were added for comparison. The performance of several detectors used as references was previously validated for relative dosimetry in preclinical irradiators. A commercial TPS was commissioned for the factor-based algorithm, using the data acquired with the diamond detector, and no additional correction factors were applied. To verify the performance of the TPS and the accuracy of the dosimetric methodology, radiochromic film irradiation in water was conducted, and two-dimensional (2D) dose distributions in the coronal and axial planes were compared under different gamma criteria. RESULTS: Compared with the microchamber and MC3D distributions, the agreement of the PDDs using the synthetic diamond detector was better than 2%. The profile data exhibited very good agreement compared with the data from the silicon detector, with an average and a maximum difference of 0.31 and 0.39 mm in the penumbras, respectively. Compared with the data from the radiochromic film, the average and maximum differences were equal to 0.77 and 0.89 mm, respectively. Very good agreement, within 1%, was obtained between the OFs measured with the synthetic diamond detector and the radiochromic film, compared only for the cone collimators. The validation of the TPS commissioning using gamma criteria compared to film showed an average passing rate of 100% and 93.2% with a global gamma criterion of 1 mm/3% for the coronal and axial planes, respectively, including the 3 × 3 mm2 field size and penumbra regions. CONCLUSIONS: Synthetic diamond is a suitable detector for the complete relative dosimetry of small x-ray fields. The commissioning of the TPS with its own beam dosimetric data exhibited encouraging results even in a 3 × 3 mm2 field and penumbra region. This methodology allows for the prediction of 2D dose distributions with an accuracy in water ranging from 3 to 5% compared to the 2D distribution from film dosimetry.

Evaluation of biomechanical traction of incisional gastropexy and scarification gastropexy techniques in dogs

Background: Gastropexy is used to correct gastric dilatation volvulus, a disease that usually affects large and giant dogsand leads to death in 23.4 - 43% of patients. This study aimed to evaluate the biomechanical traction of 2 gastropexytechniques, incisional gastropexy and scarified gastropexy, in 10 dog cadavers. Incisional gastropexy comprises a singleincision in the abdominal wall and another incision in the stomach wall in the pyloric region followed by simple continuous sutures. The scarification technique creates scarification along the stomach borders of the pexy. Thereby, knowing thatboth techniques are successful, the biomechanical traction of each technique was compared.Materials, Methods & Results: A total of 10 animals without defined breed weighing from 6.4 - 43.0 kg were allocatedinto 2 equal groups (GE [scarified gastropexy] and GI [incisional gastropexy]). Incisional gastropexy was performed witha simple continuous suture pattern in the GI group and scarified gastropexy with an interrupted simple suture pattern wasperformed in the GE group. Absorbable 2-0 monofilament yarn (polygllecaprone 25) was used for sutures in both groups.Rectangular segments of the gastric antrum were collected from the right abdominal wall and from the bottom of thestomach at the left abdominal wall, which were subjected to a traction test. The scarification technique was easier, faster,and used less surgical sutures than the incisional technique. Both techniques were effective regardless of the site applied,with no significant differences. There was a difference in stretching depending on location.Discussion: The pathogenesis of gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) is unknown. However, gas accumulation inside thegastric chamber may lead to organ dilation and consequently cause torsion of the cardia region and pyloric antrum, resulting in strangulation of blood vessels and nerves. This torsion could cause stomach ischemia followed by organ necrosis if...(AU)

Evaluation of biomechanical traction of incisional gastropexy and scarification gastropexy techniques in dogs

Background: Gastropexy is used to correct gastric dilatation volvulus, a disease that usually affects large and giant dogsand leads to death in 23.4 - 43% of patients. This study aimed to evaluate the biomechanical traction of 2 gastropexytechniques, incisional gastropexy and scarified gastropexy, in 10 dog cadavers. Incisional gastropexy comprises a singleincision in the abdominal wall and another incision in the stomach wall in the pyloric region followed by simple continuous sutures. The scarification technique creates scarification along the stomach borders of the pexy. Thereby, knowing thatboth techniques are successful, the biomechanical traction of each technique was compared.Materials, Methods & Results: A total of 10 animals without defined breed weighing from 6.4 - 43.0 kg were allocatedinto 2 equal groups (GE [scarified gastropexy] and GI [incisional gastropexy]). Incisional gastropexy was performed witha simple continuous suture pattern in the GI group and scarified gastropexy with an interrupted simple suture pattern wasperformed in the GE group. Absorbable 2-0 monofilament yarn (polygllecaprone 25) was used for sutures in both groups.Rectangular segments of the gastric antrum were collected from the right abdominal wall and from the bottom of thestomach at the left abdominal wall, which were subjected to a traction test. The scarification technique was easier, faster,and used less surgical sutures than the incisional technique. Both techniques were effective regardless of the site applied,with no significant differences. There was a difference in stretching depending on location.Discussion: The pathogenesis of gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) is unknown. However, gas accumulation inside thegastric chamber may lead to organ dilation and consequently cause torsion of the cardia region and pyloric antrum, resulting in strangulation of blood vessels and nerves. This torsion could cause stomach ischemia followed by organ necrosis if...

Echocardiographic features of pre- and postcapillary pulmonary hypertension with a focus on the right ventricle in dogs / Características ecocardiográficas da hipertensão pulmonar pré e pós-capilar em cães com foco no ventrículo direito

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in dogs is a syndrome that can occur secondary to several causes, including left heart disease (postcapillary) and chronic respiratory disease (precapillary). This study evaluates morphological and functional consequences in the right ventricle (RV) of dogs with pre- and postcapillary PH through echocardiography, and also considers the severity of PH (mild, moderate or severe). Echocardiography was performed on 66 dogs of various breeds and weights (age >3 years old) which were assigned to three groups: postcapillary PH, which included mitral valve disease/endocardiosis, precapillary PH, which included chronic respiratory diseases (bronchitis, collapse of the trachea and primary lung cancer or metastasis), and finally, a healthy group of controls. The parameters for RV morphology were RV1, RV2, and RV3 for systole and diastole. The following measurements were used to assess RV systolic function: tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), TAPSE:Ao (aorta), maximum velocity of the tricuspid systolic wave obtained by tissue Doppler (S'), S':Ao, right ventricle end-diastolic area (RVEDA); RVEDA:BSA (body surface area); flow velocity integral (FVI) and FVI:Ao. The variables were assessed using ANOVA. The results showed that RV3d, RV1s, S':Ao, S', and FVI were able to distinguish cases of pre- and postcapillary PH in this study. Remodeling of the RV of dogs with PH was observed, which can be influenced by the pre- or postcapillary origin of the PH, with dilation in dogs with postcapillary PH and severe PH. The results for RV systolic function were similar, with FVI and FVI:Ao showing that RV ejection function is reduced in dogs with postcapillary PH and with severe PH.(AU)

A hipertensão pulmonar (HP) em cães é uma síndrome que pode ocorrer secundária às diversas causas, dentre elas, a doença cardíaca esquerda (pós-capilar) e a doença respiratória crônica (pré-capilar). Essa é uma condição importante que motivou os objetivos do estudo: avaliar ecocardiograficamente as consequências morfológicas e funcionais no ventrículo direito (VD) dos cães acometidos com HP pré- e pós-capilar, considerando também o estágio de severidade da HP (leve, moderada ou severa). A ecocardiografia foi realizada em 66 cães de diversas raças e pesos, com pelo menos quatro anos de idade, que compuseram um grupo com doença valvar mitral, ou endocardiose, outro com doença respiratória crônica (bronquite, colapso de traqueia e neoplasia pulmonar primária ou metástase), e por último, um grupo saudável. Os parâmetros para a morfologia do VD foram RV1, RV2 e RV3 na sístole e na diástole. Para a avaliação da função sistólica do VD foram mensurados: excursão sistólica do plano anular tricúspide (TAPSE), TAPSE:Ao (aorta), velocidade máxima da onda sistólica da tricúspide obtida pelo doppler tecidual (S'), S':Ao, área do ventrículo direito no final da diástole (RVEDA); RVEDA:BSA (body superficie area); integral tempo velocidade (FVI) e FVI:Ao. As variáveis foram avaliadas por meio da ANOVA. Os resultados mostraram que RV3d, RV1s, S':Ao, S' e FVI foram capazes de distinguir casos de HP pré e pós-capilar neste estudo. Observou-se que há remodelamento do VD de cães com HP e este pode ser influenciado pela origem pré ou pós-capilar da HP, encontrando-se dilatado em cães com HP pós capilar e com HP severa. Os resultados para a função sistólica do VD foram similares, uma vez que o FVI e FVI:Ao mostraram que a capacidade de ejeção do VD está reduzida nos cães com HP pós-capilar e com HP severa.(AU)

Echocardiographic features of pre- and postcapillary pulmonary hypertension with a focus on the right ventricle in dogs

ABSTRACT: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in dogs is a syndrome that can occur secondary to several causes, including left heart disease (postcapillary) and chronic respiratory disease (precapillary). This study evaluates morphological and functional consequences in the right ventricle (RV) of dogs with pre- and postcapillary PH through echocardiography, and also considers the severity of PH (mild, moderate or severe). Echocardiography was performed on 66 dogs of various breeds and weights (age >3 years old) which were assigned to three groups: postcapillary PH, which included mitral valve disease/endocardiosis, precapillary PH, which included chronic respiratory diseases (bronchitis, collapse of the trachea and primary lung cancer or metastasis), and finally, a healthy group of controls. The parameters for RV morphology were RV1, RV2, and RV3 for systole and diastole. The following measurements were used to assess RV systolic function: tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), TAPSE:Ao (aorta), maximum velocity of the tricuspid systolic wave obtained by tissue Doppler (S), S:Ao, right ventricle end-diastolic area (RVEDA); RVEDA:BSA (body surface area); flow velocity integral (FVI) and FVI:Ao. The variables were assessed using ANOVA. The results showed that RV3d, RV1s, S:Ao, S, and FVI were able to distinguish cases of pre- and postcapillary PH in this study. Remodeling of the RV of dogs with PH was observed, which can be influenced by the pre- or postcapillary origin of the PH, with dilation in dogs with postcapillary PH and severe PH. The results for RV systolic function were similar, with FVI and FVI:Ao showing that RV ejection function is reduced in dogs with postcapillary PH and with severe PH.

RESUMO: A hipertensão pulmonar (HP) em cães é uma síndrome que pode ocorrer secundária às diversas causas, dentre elas, a doença cardíaca esquerda (pós-capilar) e a doença respiratória crônica (pré-capilar). Essa é uma condição importante que motivou os objetivos do estudo: avaliar ecocardiograficamente as consequências morfológicas e funcionais no ventrículo direito (VD) dos cães acometidos com HP pré- e pós-capilar, considerando também o estágio de severidade da HP (leve, moderada ou severa). A ecocardiografia foi realizada em 66 cães de diversas raças e pesos, com pelo menos quatro anos de idade, que compuseram um grupo com doença valvar mitral, ou endocardiose, outro com doença respiratória crônica (bronquite, colapso de traqueia e neoplasia pulmonar primária ou metástase), e por último, um grupo saudável. Os parâmetros para a morfologia do VD foram RV1, RV2 e RV3 na sístole e na diástole. Para a avaliação da função sistólica do VD foram mensurados: excursão sistólica do plano anular tricúspide (TAPSE), TAPSE:Ao (aorta), velocidade máxima da onda sistólica da tricúspide obtida pelo doppler tecidual (S), S:Ao, área do ventrículo direito no final da diástole (RVEDA); RVEDA:BSA (body superficie area); integral tempo velocidade (FVI) e FVI:Ao. As variáveis foram avaliadas por meio da ANOVA. Os resultados mostraram que RV3d, RV1s, S:Ao, S e FVI foram capazes de distinguir casos de HP pré e pós-capilar neste estudo. Observou-se que há remodelamento do VD de cães com HP e este pode ser influenciado pela origem pré ou pós-capilar da HP, encontrando-se dilatado em cães com HP pós capilar e com HP severa. Os resultados para a função sistólica do VD foram similares, uma vez que o FVI e FVI:Ao mostraram que a capacidade de ejeção do VD está reduzida nos cães com HP pós-capilar e com HP severa.

Echocardiographic features of pre- and postcapillary pulmonary hypertension with a focus on the right ventricle in dogs / Características ecocardiográficas da hipertensão pulmonar pré e pós-capilar em cães com foco no ventrículo direito

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in dogs is a syndrome that can occur secondary to several causes, including left heart disease (postcapillary) and chronic respiratory disease (precapillary). This study evaluates morphological and functional consequences in the right ventricle (RV) of dogs with pre- and postcapillary PH through echocardiography, and also considers the severity of PH (mild, moderate or severe). Echocardiography was performed on 66 dogs of various breeds and weights (age >3 years old) which were assigned to three groups: postcapillary PH, which included mitral valve disease/endocardiosis, precapillary PH, which included chronic respiratory diseases (bronchitis, collapse of the trachea and primary lung cancer or metastasis), and finally, a healthy group of controls. The parameters for RV morphology were RV1, RV2, and RV3 for systole and diastole. The following measurements were used to assess RV systolic function: tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), TAPSE:Ao (aorta), maximum velocity of the tricuspid systolic wave obtained by tissue Doppler (S'), S':Ao, right ventricle end-diastolic area (RVEDA); RVEDA:BSA (body surface area); flow velocity integral (FVI) and FVI:Ao. The variables were assessed using ANOVA. The results showed that RV3d, RV1s, S':Ao, S', and FVI were able to distinguish cases of pre- and postcapillary PH in this study. Remodeling of the RV of dogs with PH was observed, which can be influenced by the pre- or postcapillary origin of the PH, with dilation in dogs with postcapillary PH and severe PH. The results for RV systolic function were similar, with FVI and FVI:Ao showing that RV ejection function is reduced in dogs with postcapillary PH and with severe PH.(AU)

A hipertensão pulmonar (HP) em cães é uma síndrome que pode ocorrer secundária às diversas causas, dentre elas, a doença cardíaca esquerda (pós-capilar) e a doença respiratória crônica (pré-capilar). Essa é uma condição importante que motivou os objetivos do estudo: avaliar ecocardiograficamente as consequências morfológicas e funcionais no ventrículo direito (VD) dos cães acometidos com HP pré- e pós-capilar, considerando também o estágio de severidade da HP (leve, moderada ou severa). A ecocardiografia foi realizada em 66 cães de diversas raças e pesos, com pelo menos quatro anos de idade, que compuseram um grupo com doença valvar mitral, ou endocardiose, outro com doença respiratória crônica (bronquite, colapso de traqueia e neoplasia pulmonar primária ou metástase), e por último, um grupo saudável. Os parâmetros para a morfologia do VD foram RV1, RV2 e RV3 na sístole e na diástole. Para a avaliação da função sistólica do VD foram mensurados: excursão sistólica do plano anular tricúspide (TAPSE), TAPSE:Ao (aorta), velocidade máxima da onda sistólica da tricúspide obtida pelo doppler tecidual (S'), S':Ao, área do ventrículo direito no final da diástole (RVEDA); RVEDA:BSA (body superficie area); integral tempo velocidade (FVI) e FVI:Ao. As variáveis foram avaliadas por meio da ANOVA. Os resultados mostraram que RV3d, RV1s, S':Ao, S' e FVI foram capazes de distinguir casos de HP pré e pós-capilar neste estudo. Observou-se que há remodelamento do VD de cães com HP e este pode ser influenciado pela origem pré ou pós-capilar da HP, encontrando-se dilatado em cães com HP pós capilar e com HP severa. Os resultados para a função sistólica do VD foram similares, uma vez que o FVI e FVI:Ao mostraram que a capacidade de ejeção do VD está reduzida nos cães com HP pós-capilar e com HP severa.(AU)

Avaliação ultrassonográfica de cães com ruptura do ligamento cruzado cranial submetidos a artrotomia / Ultrasonographic evaluation of dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture undergoing to arthrotomy

Background: The cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CrCLR) is the most common disease of the stifle joint in dogs. Oneof the major concerns in the assessment of these animals is diagnosing the presence of a medial meniscus tears, which isa frequent consequence due to the instability of the joint. Ultrasonography is indicated in the evaluation of the meniscifrom human and canine patients, and the results are similar to magnetic resonance imaging. The aim of this study was tocompare the ultrasonography and the arthrotomy in the evaluation of the cranial cruciate ligament and medial meniscusof dogs with CrCLR undergoing surgery for stifle stabilization.Materials, Methods & Results: Ultrasonographic examination was performed prior to arthrotomy in 23 dogs with diagnosis of complete CrCLR and five with suspected partial CrCLR undergoing for stifle joint stabilization surgery. Theultrasonography identified the complete rupture in 82.6% and the arthrotomy in 100% of the joints with this diagnosis. Inthe joints with suspected CrCLR during the clinical exam, arthrotomy and ultrasonography identified respectively threeand four joints with partial CrCLR, and two and one with healthy ligaments. There was no difference between the twotechniques in the assessment of the cranial cruciate ligament (P = 0.20). The ultrasonography identified medial meniscaltears in 39.3%, while arthrotomy was found in 21.4% (P = 0.0006) of the joints. The most frequent meniscal tear type observed in the arthrotomy was folded caudal horn. The ultrasonography was able only in differentiate presence and absenceof meniscal injury. Besides the real tear that affects the meniscus morphology, the ultrasound also identified echogenicityand echotexture changes in the medial (5/28) and lateral (8/28) menisci. Other changes observed in all joints evaluated byultrasound were the presence of effusion and synovial membrane thickening...(AU)

Is Stem Cell Commerce in Small Animal Therapies Scientifically and Morally Justified?

The lack of clear regulations for the use of veterinary stem cells has triggered the commercialization of unproven experimental therapies for companion animal diseases. Adult stem cells have complex biological characteristics that are directly related to the therapeutic application, but several questions remain to be answered. In order to regulate the use of these cells, well-conducted, controlled scientific studies that generate high-quality data should be performed, in order to assess the efficacy and safety of the intended treatment. This paper discusses the scientific challenges of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in veterinary regenerative medicine, and reviews published trials of adipose-tissue-derived stem cells in companion animal diseases that spontaneously occur.

Avaliação ultrassonográfica de cães com ruptura do ligamento cruzado cranial submetidos a artrotomia / Ultrasonographic evaluation of dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture undergoing to arthrotomy

Background: The cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CrCLR) is the most common disease of the stifle joint in dogs. Oneof the major concerns in the assessment of these animals is diagnosing the presence of a medial meniscus tears, which isa frequent consequence due to the instability of the joint. Ultrasonography is indicated in the evaluation of the meniscifrom human and canine patients, and the results are similar to magnetic resonance imaging. The aim of this study was tocompare the ultrasonography and the arthrotomy in the evaluation of the cranial cruciate ligament and medial meniscusof dogs with CrCLR undergoing surgery for stifle stabilization.Materials, Methods & Results: Ultrasonographic examination was performed prior to arthrotomy in 23 dogs with diagnosis of complete CrCLR and five with suspected partial CrCLR undergoing for stifle joint stabilization surgery. Theultrasonography identified the complete rupture in 82.6% and the arthrotomy in 100% of the joints with this diagnosis. Inthe joints with suspected CrCLR during the clinical exam, arthrotomy and ultrasonography identified respectively threeand four joints with partial CrCLR, and two and one with healthy ligaments. There was no difference between the twotechniques in the assessment of the cranial cruciate ligament (P = 0.20). The ultrasonography identified medial meniscaltears in 39.3%, while arthrotomy was found in 21.4% (P = 0.0006) of the joints. The most frequent meniscal tear type observed in the arthrotomy was folded caudal horn. The ultrasonography was able only in differentiate presence and absenceof meniscal injury. Besides the real tear that affects the meniscus morphology, the ultrasound also identified echogenicityand echotexture changes in the medial (5/28) and lateral (8/28) menisci. Other changes observed in all joints evaluated byultrasound were the presence of effusion and synovial membrane thickening...

A novel approach for accelerating mouse abdominal MRI by combining respiratory gating and compressed sensing.

PURPOSE: To combine the technique of respiratory gating and compressed sensing (CS) with the objective of accelerating mouse abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: To obtain the maximum acceleration, phase-encoding data from a phantom and mouse were obtained on a 4.7 Tesla scanner using the respiratory gating technique. The fully sampled data (FSD) were used to construct reference images and to provide samples to simulate retrospective undersampled data (UD) acquisition using respiratory gating. The UD and 95% of the UD on acceleration 2-5 rates were acquired and used for image reconstruction by CS. Quantitative assessment of reconstructed images was performed by structural similarity index (SSIM), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and root mean square error (RMSE). RESULTS: The proposed method can accelerate phantom and mouse abdominal MRI acquisition between 2 and 4 rates by reducing the amount of FSD. For phantom UD acquisition, the mean time was reduced in 45.9% and for the acquisition of 95% of UD in 67.8%. For mouse abdominal image UD acquisition, the mean time was reduced in 44.6% and for the acquisition of 95% of UD in 62.5%. The metrics results show that the reconstructed image from UD and 95% of UD by using CS maintains an optimal agreement with their reference images (similarity above 0.88 for phantom and 0.93 for mouse). CONCLUSION: This study presents a novel approach to accelerate mouse abdominal MRI combining respiratory gating technique and CS without the use of expensive hardware and capable of achieving up to 4 acceleration rate without image degradation.

La práctica del tratamiento en na leishmaniosis visceral canina (LVC) en clínicas veterinárias, cuidados y protocolos / A prática do tratamento na leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC) em clínicas veterinárias, cuidados e protocolos / Treatment practice in canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in veterinary clinics, care and protocols

La leishmaniasis son un grupo de enfermedades infecciosas que afectan a los seres humanos, animales domésticos (perros y gatos) y salvajes causadas por protozoos del género Leishmania. La transmisión se produce a través de la picadura del mosquito género Phlebotomus en el Viejo Mundo, y Lutzomyia en el Nuevo Mundo. La Leishmaniasis Visceral Canina (LVC), es la causa más agresiva, y más frecuente de la enfermedad clínica en perros, y gatos de vez en cuando. Sus depósitos varían según la región y pueden ser animales domésticos o salvajes. Leishmania (leishmania) infantum está presente en el sur de México hasta América del Sur. En el caso de la LVC, la recomendación del Consejo Federal de Medicina Veterinaria es la eutanasia y el tratamiento se consideraba ilegal hasta 2013, cuando se produjo la autorización del tratamiento por el Tribunal Regional 3ª Región Federal en todo el país, desde que no se utilizan fármacos para el tratamiento de la leishmaniasis humana. Tratar o no, indicar o no la eutanasia es tema polémico para los veterinarios porque el tratamiento no elimina totalmente la carga parasitaria de los animales, y es una zoonosis. En Brasilia, la leishmaniasis visceral se considera endémica, teniendo en cuenta el comportamiento epidemiológico y la confirmación de los casos humanos autóctonos. En este estudio, se aplicó un cuestionario para evaluar la práctica del tratamiento de esta enfermedad en nueve clínicas veterinarias para pequeños animales en Brasilia. Cinco clínicas realizán el tratamiento de LVC. Todas recomiendan alopurinol, cuatro miltefosina, tres marbofloxacinam, dos anfotericina B y antimonio pentavalente. Dos clínicas se negaron a contestar el cuestionario, y dos no realizaron el tratamiento, recomendando la eutanasia.(AU)

The leishmaniasis are a group of infectious diseases that affect humans, dogs, cats and wild animals worldwide. It is caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. The infection is transmitted by sandflies of the genus Phlebotomus in the Old World and Lutzomyia in the New World. The Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL), the most severe disease form, is a frequent cause of clinical illness in dogs depending on the region, being less common in cats. The Brazilian Federal Counsel of Veterinary Medicine recommendation for the CVL illness is euthanasia, being illegal to treat until 2013, when the Third Region Federal Court authorized it all over the Country, as long as the medication isnt the same used in humans. Whether to treat or not and sacrifice the animal is a polemic veterinary issue, since the treatment does not eliminate the entire parasite load, and it is a zoonosis. In Brasilia, Visceral Leishmaniasis is endemic, considering its epidemiological behavior and the confirmation of autochthony of human cases. In this study, small animal veterinarians were questioned about the treatment of Canine Visceral Leishmaniosis in Brasilia, DF, Brazil to evaluate the treatment practice of the CVL. Five out of nine do the treatment. All of the clinicians use alupurinol, four use miltefosin, three of them use marbofloxacin, two use pentavalents antimonial and anfotericin B. However, two veterinary clinics do not treat and recommend euthanasia, two clinics didn't want to discuss their protocol.(AU)

As leishmanioses são um grupo de doenças infecciosas que afetam humanos, animais domésticos (cães e gatos) e silvestres, causadas por protozoários do gênero Leishmania. A transmissão ocorre pela picada do mosquito do gênero Phlebotomus no Velho Mundo e Lutzomyia no Novo Mundo. A Leishmaniose Visceral Canina (LVC), a forma mais agressiva, é causa frequente de doença clínica em cães e, ocasionalmente em gatos. Seus reservatórios variam de acordo com a região, podendo ser animais domésticos ou silvestres. Leishmania infantum está presente do sul do México até a América do Sul. No caso da LVC, a recomendação do Conselho Federal de Medicina Veterinária é a eutanásia. O tratamento era considerado ilegal até 2013, quando houve autorização do tratamento pelo Tribunal Regional Federal da 3ª Região em todo País, desde que não se utilizassem medicamentos para o tratamento da leishmaniose humana. Tratar ou não, indicar ou não eutanásia é questão polêmica para os clínicos veterinários, pois o tratamento não elimina totalmente a carga parasitária dos animais, e trata-se de uma zoonose. Em Brasília, a leishmaniose visceral é considerada endêmica, considerando o comportamento epidemiológico e a confirmação da autoctonia dos casos humanos. No presente estudo, foi aplicado questionário para se avaliar a prática do tratamento dessa enfermidade, em clínicas veterinárias de pequenos animais de Brasília. Cinco delas realizam o tratamento da LVC. Todas recomendam o alopurinol, quatro a miltefosina, três a marbofloxacina e duas a anfotericina B e antimoniais pentavalentes. Duas clínicas se recusaram a responder o questionário, e outras duas não realizam o tratamento, recomendando eutanásia.(AU)

La práctica del tratamiento en na leishmaniosis visceral canina (LVC) en clínicas veterinárias, cuidados y protocolos / A prática do tratamento na leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC) em clínicas veterinárias, cuidados e protocolos / Treatment practice in canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in veterinary clinics, care and protocols

La leishmaniasis son un grupo de enfermedades infecciosas que afectan a los seres humanos, animales domésticos (perros y gatos) y salvajes causadas por protozoos del género Leishmania. La transmisión se produce a través de la picadura del mosquito género Phlebotomus en el Viejo Mundo, y Lutzomyia en el Nuevo Mundo. La Leishmaniasis Visceral Canina (LVC), es la causa más agresiva, y más frecuente de la enfermedad clínica en perros, y gatos de vez en cuando. Sus depósitos varían según la región y pueden ser animales domésticos o salvajes. Leishmania (leishmania) infantum está presente en el sur de México hasta América del Sur. En el caso de la LVC, la recomendación del Consejo Federal de Medicina Veterinaria es la eutanasia y el tratamiento se consideraba ilegal hasta 2013, cuando se produjo la autorización del tratamiento por el Tribunal Regional 3ª Región Federal en todo el país, desde que no se utilizan fármacos para el tratamiento de la leishmaniasis humana. Tratar o no, indicar o no la eutanasia es tema polémico para los veterinarios porque el tratamiento no elimina totalmente la carga parasitaria de los animales, y es una zoonosis. En Brasilia, la leishmaniasis visceral se considera endémica, teniendo en cuenta el comportamiento epidemiológico y la confirmación de los casos humanos autóctonos. En este estudio, se aplicó un cuestionario para evaluar la práctica del tratamiento de esta enfermedad en nueve clínicas veterinarias para pequeños animales en Brasilia. Cinco clínicas realizán el tratamiento de LVC. Todas recomiendan alopurinol, cuatro miltefosina, tres marbofloxacinam, dos anfotericina B y antimonio pentavalente. Dos clínicas se negaron a contestar el cuestionario, y dos no realizaron el tratamiento, recomendando la eutanasia.

The leishmaniasis are a group of infectious diseases that affect humans, dogs, cats and wild animals worldwide. It is caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. The infection is transmitted by sandflies of the genus Phlebotomus in the Old World and Lutzomyia in the New World. The Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL), the most severe disease form, is a frequent cause of clinical illness in dogs depending on the region, being less common in cats. The Brazilian Federal Counsel of Veterinary Medicine recommendation for the CVL illness is euthanasia, being illegal to treat until 2013, when the Third Region Federal Court authorized it all over the Country, as long as the medication isn’t the same used in humans. Whether to treat or not and sacrifice the animal is a polemic veterinary issue, since the treatment does not eliminate the entire parasite load, and it is a zoonosis. In Brasilia, Visceral Leishmaniasis is endemic, considering its epidemiological behavior and the confirmation of autochthony of human cases. In this study, small animal veterinarians were questioned about the treatment of Canine Visceral Leishmaniosis in Brasilia, DF, Brazil to evaluate the treatment practice of the CVL. Five out of nine do the treatment. All of the clinicians use alupurinol, four use miltefosin, three of them use marbofloxacin, two use pentavalents antimonial and anfotericin B. However, two veterinary clinics do not treat and recommend euthanasia, two clinics didn't want to discuss their protocol.

As leishmanioses são um grupo de doenças infecciosas que afetam humanos, animais domésticos (cães e gatos) e silvestres, causadas por protozoários do gênero Leishmania. A transmissão ocorre pela picada do mosquito do gênero Phlebotomus no Velho Mundo e Lutzomyia no Novo Mundo. A Leishmaniose Visceral Canina (LVC), a forma mais agressiva, é causa frequente de doença clínica em cães e, ocasionalmente em gatos. Seus reservatórios variam de acordo com a região, podendo ser animais domésticos ou silvestres. Leishmania infantum está presente do sul do México até a América do Sul. No caso da LVC, a recomendação do Conselho Federal de Medicina Veterinária é a eutanásia. O tratamento era considerado ilegal até 2013, quando houve autorização do tratamento pelo Tribunal Regional Federal da 3ª Região em todo País, desde que não se utilizassem medicamentos para o tratamento da leishmaniose humana. Tratar ou não, indicar ou não eutanásia é questão polêmica para os clínicos veterinários, pois o tratamento não elimina totalmente a carga parasitária dos animais, e trata-se de uma zoonose. Em Brasília, a leishmaniose visceral é considerada endêmica, considerando o comportamento epidemiológico e a confirmação da autoctonia dos casos humanos. No presente estudo, foi aplicado questionário para se avaliar a prática do tratamento dessa enfermidade, em clínicas veterinárias de pequenos animais de Brasília. Cinco delas realizam o tratamento da LVC. Todas recomendam o alopurinol, quatro a miltefosina, três a marbofloxacina e duas a anfotericina B e antimoniais pentavalentes. Duas clínicas se recusaram a responder o questionário, e outras duas não realizam o tratamento, recomendando eutanásia.

18F-Fluoride PET/CT and 99mTc-MDP SPECT/CT can detect bone cancer at early stage in rodents

Noninvasive imaging using positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) are considered revolutionized approaches to detect bone cancer. Both PET/CT and SPECT/CT technologies have advanced to permit miniaturization, which has provided the advantage of including animals as their own controls in longitudinal studies. The present study was designed to evaluate the potential of PET/CT and SPECT/CT as research tools to detect bone cancer in rats. We used a rat model of bone cancer induced by injecting Walker 256 tumor cells into the femoral cavity. Computed tomography demonstrated that rats presented a solid tumor at 15 days post injection (dpi). However, CT was not an effective method for identifying tumors at an earlier time point (8 dpi), when mechanical hyperalgesia (the most common symptom during bone cancer progression) had already initiated. At this early stage, PET/CT and SPECT/CT analysis detected higher uptake in the injected femur of the tracers F-18-Fluoride and Tc-99m-Methyl diphosphonate (Tc-99m-MDP), respectively. These findings demonstrated for the first time that both F-18-Fluoride PET/CT and Tc-99m-MDP SPECT/CT can detect cancer at early stages in rats and advocates for the PET/SPECT/CT as research tools to evaluate bone cancer in further longitudinal studies involving small animals.

Hepato and Cardiotoxicity of Chemotherapeutic Treatment Evaluated by Means of Small Animal Imaging.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy is one of the most common approaches for cancer treatment. Particularly Doxorubicin has been proven to be effective in the treatment of many soft and solid tumors for locally advanced and metastatic cancer. It is not easy to clinically evaluate the chemotoxic or chemoprotective effect of some drugs, even more when there is a subclinical toxicity. OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of the hepatobiliary, colloid and cardiac scintigraphies, employing99mTcdisida, 99mTc-phytate and 99mTc-sestamibi respectively, in the evaluation of the hepato and cardiotoxicity of two chemotherapeutic treatments assessed in rats. METHOD: Two groups were submitted to doxorubicin (DOX) treatment and one was co-administered with histamine (DOX+HIS). Static 99mTc-phytate and 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphies as well as a dynamic 99mTc-disida study were performed in a small field of view gamma camera at: 0 weeks (control), 1 week and 2 weeks of treatment. Imagenological parameters were calculated: Liver/Bone Marrow ratio (L/BM), Heart/Background ratio (H/B) and time to the maximum (Tmax) for 99mTc-phytate, 99mTc-sestamibi and 99mTc-disida extraction, respectively. RESULTS: Control (L/BM= 98±3; H/B=2.3±0.4; Tmax=8±3), DOX (L/BM: 85±3, 80±3; H/B, 3.5±0.5, 3.3±0.5 and Tmax 6±1, 4±1) for 1 and 2 weeks respectively and DOX+HIS (L/BM: 99±0.3, 98±1; H/B 2.9±0.5, 2.9±0.5 and Tmax, 8±2, 9±2) for 1 and 2 weeks, respectively. Histological analysis showed cardio and hepatotoxicity induced by doxorubicin. CONCLUSION: Imagenological parameters showed differences among treated and control groups and between both chemotherapy treatments. Thus, these radiopharmaceutical functional approaches were able to reflect heart and liver toxicity produced by doxorubicin.

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor in dogs with soft tissue sarcomas.

This work aimed to evaluate serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in 25 dogs with soft tissue sarcoma, and in 30 healthy dogs. Blood was collected once time from the control animals and three times, in the same way, from animals with sarcoma. Blood count was performed in the blood collected, and serum VEGF was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay quantitative method. Serum VEGF in control animals was similar to patients with soft tissue sarcoma. There was a reduction in serum VEGF after the sarcoma resection. There was positive correlation between serum VEGF and neutrophil counts, and negative between VEGF and hemoglobin content in animals with sarcoma. Animals with hemangiopericytoma showed higher serum VEGF levels compared to the patients with malignant peripheral nerve sheath. Circulating blood cells can contribute to elevate VEGF serum concentrations in dogs with soft tissue sarcomas and a possible role of VEGF in the angiogenesis of these tumors.