Objectives To determine the concentrations of total protein (TP), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1) and hyaluronic acid (HA) in amniotic membranes (AMs) harvested from placentas of bitches of different ages and cryopreserved for different time points. The outcomes of complicated corneal defects of dogs repaired with AMs stored for the same time points were also evaluated. Procedures Ten cryopreserved canine AMs were stored for short term (2–50 days), middle term (92–210 days), or long term (256–357 days). TP was quantified by Bradford’s test, whereas TIMP‐1 and HA were quantified by ELISA. Twenty‐one dogs that had an AM transplantation to restore deep or perforating corneal wounds were selected. Results TIMP‐1 levels were lower in AMs cryopreserved for middle term (p = .02) and long term (p = .0009), when compared to AMs stored for short term. TP (p = .39) and HA (p = .18) concentrations in AMs did not differ among the storage time. TIMP‐1 concentration in AMs correlated with storage time (R = −.65, p < .0001), while TP (R = −.33, p = .07) and HA concentrations did not (R = −.15, p = .41). The age of donors did not correlate with the components evaluated in the AMs. Corneal defects repaired with AMs stored for short term healed sooner than the ones repaired with AMs stored for middle (p < .01) and long term (p = .02). Additionally, TIMP‐1 levels in AMs correlated negatively with the epithelization time (R = −.62, p = .002). Graft opacity was severe in 55% of cases. However, the HA levels in AMs correlated negatively with the opacification score (R = −.47, p = .03). Vision was observed in more patients who presented deep ulcers and descemetoceles, than in the ones with perforations (p = .004). Conclusions TIMP‐1 concentration in canine AMs significantly decreased over a year storage time, while TP and HA concentrations did not change during the same period. The age of donors did not correlate with the components evaluated in the AMs. Complicated corneal defects repaired with AMs cryopreserved for short term healed sooner and tended to be less opaque; however, satisfactory to optimal outcomes were achieved even in the eyes repaired with AMs stored for up to a year.

RESUMO: Objetivou-se identificar microrganismos isolados de diferentes tipos de ceratite ulcerativa em cães, juntamente com a sua susceptibilidade a antimicrobianos. O resultado do tratamento médico e cirúrgico também foi correlacionado com o tipo de isolado. Amostras para microbiologia foram obtidas com auxílio de swab estéril em 104 olhos de 72 pacientes sem histórico prévio de tratamento com antibióticos tópicos, atendidos no período de maio de 2012 a março de 2015. Os antibióticos testados foram: neomicina, gentamicina, tobramicina, cloranfenicol, polimixina B, ciprofloxacino, ofloxacino e moxifloxacina. No total, 131 bactérias foram isoladas de 96/104 olhos estudados, sendo o gênero Staphylococcus (48,09%) predominante, seguido por Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16,01%). O Shih Tzu foi a raça mais prevalente (33,33%) e o número de isolados gram-negativos foi significativamente maior nessa raça, comparativamente aos Pinschers (p=0,003), aos Filas, aos Poodles e aos sem raça definida (p=0,046). As bactérias isoladas neste estudo apresentaram maior susceptibilidade ao ofloxacino (84,55%), que foi significativamente mais eficaz em relação a neomicina e a polimixina B (p<0,0001), ao cloranfenicol (p=0,0001), a tobramicina (p=0,0007), a gentamicina (p=0,0021) e as outras fluorquinolonas, ciprofloxacino (p=0,0004) e moxifloxacino (p<0,0001). Os organismos gram-positivos foram isolados de um número significativamente maior de olhos que apresentavam ceratite ulcerativa não complicada, comparativamente àqueles com olhos acometidos por ceratite ulcerativa complicada (p=0,011). Igualmente, o número de bactérias gram-positivas foi maior que o de gram-negativas, tanto nos casos que receberam tratamento médico, como nos que foram operados, sem significativa estatística (p=0,745). Na presente pesquisa, Staphylococcus sp. foi a bactéria mais encontrada nas ceratites ulcerativas não complicadas. Já nos olhos com ceratites complicadas, embora a Pseudomonas aeruginosa tenha sido a bactéria mais predominante, o tratamento clínico foi suficiente para cura da afecção corneal na maior parte dos casos. O ofloxacino e a gentamicina foram os agentes mais eficazes contra a maioria dos isolados, com exceção do Streptococcus sp., onde o cloranfenicol se mostrou o mais eficaz. Ceratites ulcerativas sem complicações que apresentem culturas negativas podem evoluir para ceratites ulcerativas complicadas, salientando a necessidade de tratamento anti-colagenolítico em todos os casos.

RESUMO O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar os resultados de 34 olhos submetidos ao enxerto conjuntival pediculado (ECP) em ceratites ulcerativas profundas (n=5), em ceratites ulcerativas com colagenólise (n=2), descemetocele (n=7), perfuração corneal (n=15) e prolapso de íris (n=5). Os impactos do grau de uveíte e da integridade da córnea foram correlacionados com presença e ausência de visão por tabelas de contingência. Raças braquicefálicas foram acometidas em 91,11% dos casos. O número de córneas consideradas perfuradas [20/34 (58,82%)] foi maior que o de córneas íntegras [14/34 (41,17%)]. Ao 50º dia de pós-operatório, o número de olhos visuais que apresentavam córneas íntegras previamente às cirurgias (n=13) não diferiu significativamente dos olhos com córneas perfuradas (n=12) (P=0,05). Avaliações relativas ao grau de uveíte, revelaram que a metade dos casos foi considerada severa [17/34 (50%)] e na outra metade as uveítes foram consideradas discretas. Dos 17 casos que apresentaram uveíte severa, oito recuperaram a visão. Já nos 17 olhos onde a uveíte foi considerada leve, 15 mantiveram a visão ao final do período de avaliação. Apesar de a integridade da córnea não se correlacionar com a severidade da uveíte (P=0,48), constatou-se que o número de olhos visuais com uveíte discreta foi significativamente maior que os olhos com uveíte severa (P=0,006). Neste estudo, a taxa geral de sucesso visual após ECP foi de 73,52% e a integridade da córnea não exerceu impacto significativo sobre a manutenção da visão. Todavia, olhos acometidos por uveítes severas apresentaram menor chance de recuperar a visão.

Background: Osteosarcoma (OSA) is a malignant neoplasm of mesenchymal tissue that exhibits various histological features and a differentiated biological clinical behavior. The combination of clinical, radiological, and histopathological features is important for diagnosis. Surgical treatment of neoplasms with pelvic involvement is a challenge. Primary bone tumors are rare in cats and are mostly reported in older animals. The objective of this paper was to report the case of a feline subjected to total hemipelvectomy as primary treatment of pelvic OSA; the surgical technique and histological analysis of the tumor are described. No signs of recurrence were seen during seven months of follow-up.Case: A 4-year-old female mixed breed cat weighing 3 kg was presented with a one year history of increased volume on the hip joint region. Palpation of the increased volume on the hip showed a firm, adhered, and painful mass. Radiographic examination of the pelvis in the dorso ventral projection exhibited a severe osteoblastic bone reaction on the proximal femur, as well as marked periosteal reaction of the hip joint with involvement of the acetabulum. A ventral approach total hemipelvectomy technique was adopted for excision of the tumor. The animal was placed on a lateral position and a circumferential skin incision was performed on the ipsilateral limb of the affected hemipelvis, on the medial portion of the femur, and was extended cranially up to the thoracolumbar region. The pubic symphysis was exposed with a periosteal elevator and a pubic symphysiotomy was performed on the midline using a Liston bone cutter; next, the sacroiliac junction was resected. No drain was used after surgery, only compressive bandages. The patient was hospitalized for post-operative monitoring which included opioids for pain management and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and a cephalosporin class antibiotic. The wound was cleaned with saline, rifamycin spray (Rifocina Spray®) was applied, and dressing was changed every 12 h. The excised bone was submitted for pathological analysis. Gross examination revealed a 4.2 cm hardened increase in volume on the area of the femoral head and acetabulum, with irregular surface; cut surface was hard and white with black and red spots. Histology revealed osteoblastic OSA with intense and solid fusiform and stellate cells distributed in a solid pattern with no capsular border, with marked infiltration of the bone tissue, marked osteolysis, moderate proliferation of osteoclasts, and moderate anisocytosis and anisokaryosis.Discussion: Bone tumors in cats are rare and develop spontaneously. They exhibit aggressive behavior and promote local bone destruction. Firm consistency and local swelling usually occur in more advanced cases when there is a delay between the onset of clinical signs and the veterinary consultation. Radiological findings such as bone destruction and bone formation are commonly seen in this type of tumor. Hemipelvectomy is considered an aggressive surgical technique, but necessary in many cases, especially when tumors are located in the pelvis and nearby tissues. In the case presented here, this surgery was the most viable and advised therapeutic option because of tumor location. No incidents (i.e. hemorrhage) occurred during the perioperative period. After surgery, the patient continued to perform all custom functions. The hind limb, which was affected in this case, is commonly reported to be affected in the literature; however, it is unusual to have involvement of both bones (pelvis and femur) since vascularization of these bones are independent. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology in which a characteristic malignant mesenchymal tumor of primitive bone cells was present, with production of osteoid of variable shapes and quantity with the presence of osteoclastic giant cells.

The intracameral injection of 0.2 mL of 1:100 000 epinephrine and 0.3 mL of 2% lidocaine can be used as an alternative to tropicamide in healthy cats. Both treatments produced satisfactory and long-lasting mydriasis without adverse effects on IOP, HR, and MAP.

PURPOSE:To evaluate the maximal intraluminal pressure (MIP) supported by canine cadaveric urinary bladders that underwent cystotomy followed by cystorraphy, with and without serosal patching-supplementation. METHODS:Two groups (n=8 each) were formed, and in one (conventional) the cystotomy was closed with cushing pattern. In the other group (serosal), the same procedure was performed, and a piece of jejunum was used for the construction of the serosal patching over the cystorraphy. MIP was measured by means of an invasive blood pressure transducer with closed stopcock attached to a multiparameter monitor. At the end of each measurement, the bladder body circumference was assessed. RESULTS:Mean±SD MIP sustained for the conventional and serosal groups were 28.88±5.08 and 65.38±10.99 mmHg, respectively (p<0.0001). Bladder circumference did not change significantly between groups (p=0.35) and did not correlate with MIP assessed in conventional (p=0.27; r=0.4379) and serosal groups (p=0.37; r=-0.3637). CONCLUSION:Serosal patch-supplemented cystorraphies were able to sustain intraluminal pressures 55.8% higher, than nonsupplemented cystorraphies in specimens from canine cadavers.

Background: Dioctophimosis is a parasitic disease caused by Dioctophyma renale, more commonly known as "giant Kidney worm," and can be found in other organs or free in the abdominal cavity, which is related to the patient's eating habits. Most of the animals affected are asymptomatic. The diagnosis is made through ultrasonography, finding eggs of the parasite in the urine, or necropsy. The treatment of choice is nephrectomy of the affected kidney. We aimed to report the accidental diagnosis of parasitism by D. renale in an 8-year-old dog, which was surgically treated by nephrectomy of the right kidney after evident destruction of the renal parenchyma on ultrasonography.Case: An 8-year-old Boxer female dog underwent a physical examination and showed a mass in the region of the left caudal thoracic breast, bilateral alopecia on flanks, and purulent ocular secretions. Laboratory tests of complete blood count (CBC) and serum biochemical profile, X-ray examination, and ultrasonography were requested. Anemia was observed on the erythrogram, and enzymes (creatinine, urea, alanine aminotransferase [ALT], and albumin) were within normal limits. There were no abnormalities on X-ray examination, and abdominal ultrasonography showed slight splenomegaly, enlarged left kidney, reduced corticomedullary region, measuring approximately 7.63 cm longitudinally. In the right kidney, loss of the renal parenchyma, measuring approximately 5.49 cm in diameter and the presence of a cylindrical and rounded structure, typical of D. renale infection. After this, a urinalysis was suggested, which revealed the presence of the helminthic eggs, confirming the diagnosis. The owner was informed about the need for nephrectomy of the affected kidney as treatment. The kidney showed destruction of the renal parenchyma. A single parasite was removed, measuring approximately 46 cm in length. The patient was successfully treated and was hospitalized for 4 days for observation and evaluation of function of the contralateral kidney.Discussion: The parasitic infection of the animal was due to the ingestion of fish contaminated by the aquatic anelid Lumbriculus variegatus, and the reported patient had access to home-cooked food and ingested water near the farm. D. renale is the largest nematode capable of parasitizing the kidney, reaching up to 100 cm in length, and was 46 cm long in the present case. Usually, when there is unilateral involvement, the vast majority of parasitized animals do not present clinical signs or show nonspecific signs such as hematuria and apathy, or as observed in the present case, the patient is asymptomatic. The diagnosis often occurs through ultrasonography and urine tests, which are considered essential to diagnose the parasite, but the diagnosis is often made on necropsy. Due to its proximity to the duodenum, the parasite is usually found in the right kidney, and it may be found in other organs as well. In the present case, the parasite was found in the right kidney of the patient. Usually, hypertrophy of the contralateral kidney (7.86 cm in this case) is observed on ultrasonography, which is a compensatory mechanism for the lack of normal function of the affected kidney of the affected kidney. The case occurred in the state of Mato Grosso, where there are no records of parasitism by D. renale in domestic dogs, compared with other states. Since the parasite usually affects the kidney, the treatment of choice is nephrectomy, especially if the other kidney can compensate for the absence of the other kidney, a technique that proved to be effective with excellent prognosis in the patient described.

RESUMO São poucos os dados publicados sobre a aplicabilidade ou a confiabilidade dos métodos digitais para mensuração do ângulo do platô tibial (APT) em comparação à mensuração manual. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o APT obtido pelo cálculo manual padrão, em filmes radiográficos, com os valores obtidos por cálculos em imagens digitais, por meio do software do computador. Foram analisadas radiografias digitais do membro pélvico, direito e esquerdo, em perfil verdadeiro, de 20 cães saudáveis, com idade superior a um ano. Três observadores com graus de experiência semelhantes em cálculo do APT realizaram as mensurações em cada radiografia. Primeiramente, foram calculados os ângulos dos platôs tibiais manualmente nas películas radiográficas e, posteriormente, os cálculos foram realizados na imagem digital, por meio do software para medicina veterinária do sistema de raios X digital. Os resultados do presente estudo demonstraram diferenças significativas entre os métodos, com valor das médias do cálculo digital 20,48±3.71 e do cálculo manual 23.90±4.02. Valor de P foi < 0,01 na comparação entre médias dos dois grupos. Na avaliação interobservadores, houve diferença significativa no cálculo manual no perfil direito, o que sugere maior variação no cálculo manual quando comparado ao digital. O cálculo realizado pelo software apresentou menor variação nos valores interobservadores. Acredita-se que a menor variação obtida nos resultados aqui apresentados se dê em razão das facilidades proporcionadas pelo software. Conclui-se que houve diferença entre os valores obtidos por meio dos métodos convencional e digital no cálculo do ângulo do platô tibial, sendo os valores digitais menores entre os observadores, e que o método digital no cálculo do ângulo do platô tibial levou à menor variação quando comparado ao método manual.