Brachycephalic dogs are usually affected by primary and secondary anatomical changes in the airways that contribute to the brachycephalic syndrome. Chronically, these changes contribute to an increase in pulmonary arterial pressure and right cardiac overload (cor pulmonale). The right cardiac function in 17 dogs with brachycephalic syndrome was assessed using echocardiography before, and at 30 and 60 days after rhinoplasty. The maximum pulmonary systolic flow velocity, the pressure gradient between the AP and RV (GrFP), the right ventricular systolic function (tricuspid ring systolic excursion (TAPSE), the variation of the right ventricular area (FAC), the velocity of the systolic displacement of the right ventricular myocardium (S') by tissue Doppler) and right ventricular diastolic function (transtricuspid flow and the relationship between the E and A waves, evaluation of the E' and A' waves using tissue Doppler of the free wall of the right ventricle) were evaluated. The right ventricular fractional area, velocity, and pressure gradient of pulmonary arterial flow showed the best sensitivity in these analyses. The present study reinforces the concept that obstructions in the anterior airways contribute to pulmonary hypoxia. However, the correction of these obstructions proved to be beneficial in the reduction of right heart overload.
Background: Brachycephalic dogs have several abnormalities in the airways, which generate clinical manifestations that impair the quality of life of these animals. Primary alterations promote airflow obstruction and increase intraluminal negative pressure, causing secondary alterations due to a cycle of inflammation with consequent obstruction. With the onset of inflammation and other alterations in the airways, clinical manifestations can be observed, such as snoring, reverse sneezing, coughing, dyspnea, cyanosis, syncope, and vomiting. Endoscopic examination of the airways allows visualization and diagnosis of morphological changes in these animals. This study aimed to evaluate the endoscopic findings of the airways and determine the quantitative and qualitative assessment of the severity of clinical manifestations in 14 dogs with brachycephalic syndrome (BS). Materials, Methods & Results: Historical and anamnesis data and clinical, respiratory, and digestive manifestations were collected from the owners’ reports. The clinical manifestations were classified as mild, moderate, or severe. All animals were subjected to endoscopy of the airways, and image findings were grouped according to the anatomical site where they were observed, then the abnormalities were correlated with the severity of the clinical manifestations. When comparing the frequency of endoscopic abnormalities with the severity of clinical manifestations, it is interesting to observe that animals with severe disease more frequently presented the following alterations: prolongation and thickening of the soft palate, laryngeal changes, presence of hyperemia, lymphoid hyperplasia and polyps in the nasopharynx, hypoplasia and presence of tracheal secretion and thickening of the dorsal tracheal muscle; bronchial collapse, hypoplasia of the main bronchi and bronchial hyperemia and the presence of aberrant nasal turbinates. Comparison between the means of nonparametric variables was performed using the Mann-Whitney test, with a 5% significance level. Discussion: A higher frequency of French Bulldog dogs included in the study was observed, probably due to their greater popularity, although any brachycephalic dog may be affected by BS. Considering that nostril stenosis is a congenital alteration, which is usually diagnosed early, and since the animals included in the study were dogs referred for the rhinoplasty procedure the higher frequency of young dogs in the study was not surprising. The results revealed a significant difference in the endoscopic findings with the severity of the clinical manifestations in different variables, such as prolongation and thickening of the soft palate, eversion of the laryngeal saccules, presence of laryngeal inflammation and collapse, presence of polyps or lymphoid hyperplasia in the nasopharynx, thickening of the dorsal muscle of the trachea, polyps in the trachea and hypoplasia in addition to bronchial hyperemia. The larynx was the most affected anatomical site, with alterations present in 92.8% of the evaluated dogs. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that airway obstruction caused by primary alterations can cause secondary alterations, with consequent clinical manifestations in brachycephalic dogs it is possible to suggest that dogs with this syndrome may present severe manifestations of the disease, regardless of age. Furthermore, it can be concluded that in this study, dogs with BS had frequent laryngeal alterations and that alterations in the main bronchi were present in all animals with severe manifestations of the disease. Keywords: airway obstruction, bronchial collapse, endoscopy, larynx.
Brachycephalic breeds possess higher vasovagal tone than do nonbrachycephalic breeds. Upper airway obstruction impairs the inspiratory effort by reducing the normal parasympathetic inhibition that occurs during this phase of the respiratory cycle. Sixteen dogs with nasal stenosis were included in this study, and an analytical and progressive analysis of the evolution of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) was performed at various time points: before the surgical procedure (day 0), and after the procedure on days 30 and 60. Surgical correction was performed using the vestibuloplasty technique, and HRV analysis was recorded via prolonged electrocardiography. Further, an analysis of the time domain indices was performed. Regarding clinical findings, an improvement in the average heart and respiratory rates after rhinoplasty, as well as a reduction in parasympathetic tone and resultant bradyarrhythmias were noted in all patients. Regarding the time domain HRV indices, Root-Mean of square sucessive NN interval difference (rMSSD) and Standard Deviation of all normal NN interval (SDNN) associated with the average heart rate, compared at different time points, strongly suggested that the reduction in parasympathetic stimulation was related to the reduction in HRV in these animals. The findings related to a reduction in the frequency of bradyarrhythmias corroborate the interpretative analysis of Lorenz graph indices, where there is a reduction in the cardiovagal index, without a significant alteration in the cardiosympathetic indices throughout the study period. The rMSSD index is the early-altered time-domain HRV index that can be used as an indicator of increase in parasympathetic activity caused by brachycephalic syndrome. The present study aimed to evaluate HRV through prolonged electrocardiographic examination, observing the excess of parasympathetic stimulation and the resultant bradyarrhythmias. In addition, evaluation of the clinical consequences of increased parasympathetic tone and the possibility of an improvement in autonomic balance following surgery, resulting in an improved quality of life and overall life expectancy in these patients, was performed.
Cardiac neoplasms are uncommon, but secondary or metastatic neoplasms are relatively frequent, with an incidence 60 times higher than the primary ones. A particularly high frequency of metastatic cardiac involvement has been observed in lung squamous cell carcinomas, urinary tract tumors, and melanomas. However, the incidence is lowbecause of breast tumors in dogs. Cardiac tumors may be symptomatic or, more commonly, an incidental finding observed during the investigation of unrelated problems. The clinical presentation is associated with that of a disseminated neoplasm, and cardiac metastases are generally asymptomatic, but should be considered in patients with a history of neoplasia who present with impaired conduction, breathlessness, cardiomegaly, or arrhythmias. The present report aimed to describe a clinical case of cardiac metastasis of breast neoplasia in a dog in which we focusedon conservative clinical treatment and the importance of investigating the incidental clinical findings.
A bronquite crônica é uma doença de alta ocorrência em cães. Sua etiologia é associada a causas alérgicas e/ou infecciosas, levando a irritação das vias aéreas, acúmulo de muco e sinais clínicos como a tosse produtiva. O diagnóstico baseia-se nos achados clínicos e radiográficos. Para descartar processo infeccioso, é indicado lavado brônquio-alveolar, com realização de citologia e cultura microbiológica. O protocolo terapêutico já estabelecido na clínica de pequenos animais, associado ao manejo complementar se tronam ferramentas imprescindíveis para resolução de casos mais complicados. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estabelecer uma revisão bibliográfica sobre a bronquite crônica canina, baseando-se nos achados clínicos e estudo epidemiológico para o correto diagnóstico, tratamento e manejo.
Afecções do aparelho respiratório inferior são rotineiras na clínica de pequenos animais e possuem diversas etiologias sendo necessária, portanto, precisão no momento da identificação dos agentes envolvidos, que acarretará em intervenções adequadas caso a caso. O lavado broncoalveolar (LBA) constitui-se como importante meio diagnóstico que pode ser utilizado em animais com broncopneumonia que não respondem a terapia padrão. Apesar do LBA ser uma técnica simples, o mesmo não é rotineiramente utilizado na medicina veterinária. Desta forma, o presente trabalho vem destacar não somente a importância da realização do LBA na identificação dos microrganismos envolvidos e suas respectivas sensibilidades e resistências aos antibióticos, como também demonstrar a importância do diálogo com os tutores quanto a administração, conservação dos fármacos e até mesmo sobre a interrupção do tratamento sem recomendação veterinária.
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a role in the regulation of the cardiovascular system through sympathetic and parasympathetic modulations, which act in an associated way in the regulation of homeostasis. This regulation exercised by the ANS is determined by numerous factors including breathing, stress, temperature, blood pressure and physical activity. Cardiac nerve regulation is influenced by obesity, but the autonomic response present in this disorder has not yet been elucidated. It is known that a 10% increase in body fat is able to lead to a decrease in parasympathetic action and an increase in heart rate. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) allows the evaluation of autonomic heart modulation through the ventricular depolarization intervals to the electrocardiogram (ECG), and provides information on the relationship and contribution of the ANS to the neural influence of heart rate control. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the HRV by means of an electrocardiographic examination in obese dogs with Body Condition Score (BCS) 8/9 and 9/9, comparing with HRV of the same animals, after therapy with therapeutic ration in the period of 6 months, as well as the comparison with control group with lean animals. With the results obtained in the present study, it can be inferred that probably the imbalance in the autonomic activity due to obesity in dogs is not the same as in humans and that a greater understanding of this regulation in these animals is necessary, especially considering their vagotonia. The diet program based on low-calorie ration reached approximately 10% and 20% of weight reduction after two and six months, respectively. Obesity raises HRV by increasing parasympathetic activity in the autonomic regulation of the heart in dogs.
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