The objective of the present study was to assess the biocompatibility and regenerative potential of decellularized bovine pericardial scaffold in comparison with glutaraldehyde-treated and fresh bovine pericardial implants using short-term intramuscular implantation testing in a rat model. The inflammatory and immune responses were assessed using histopathological examination, special stains for connective tissue, histomorphometric evaluation, and immunohistochemistry. The decellularized pericardium showed an active tissue remodeling response with complete cellular invasion, minimum connective tissue encapsulation, extensive fibrovascular tissue formation, and collagen deposition. On the contrary, the glutaraldehyde-treated pericardial implants showed incomplete degradation and cellular invasion, while the fresh pericardial implants elicited a severe foreign body reaction. The results of immunohistochemical staining revealed a minimum T helper (CD4+) lymphocyte response in decellularized pericardial implants compared with its glutaraldehyde-treated and fresh counterparts. The decellularized bovine pericardium was better accepted as a prosthetic scaffold, which permitted maximum collagen deposition and active tissue remodeling by invading host cells and showed good tissue integration in vivo compared with glutaraldehyde-treated and fresh/untreated pericardium.

With the increasing use of animal-based biomaterials for regenerative medical applications, the need for their safety assessment is paramount. A porcine cholecyst-derived scaffold (CDS), intended as a muscle repair graft, prepared by a nondetergent/enzymatic method was engrafted in a rat abdominal wall defect model. Host tissue-scaffold interface samples were collected 2, 8, and 16 weeks postimplantation and evaluated by histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. The nature of the tissue reaction was compared with those induced by a jejunum-derived scaffold (JDS) prepared by the same method and a commercial-grade small intestinal submucosa (CSIS) scaffold. A study of the immunopathological response in major lymphoid tissues and immunophenotyping for M1 and M2 macrophages was performed at the host tissue-scaffold interface. Further, "irritancy scores" for CDS and JDS were determined using CSIS as the reference material. Both CDS and JDS appeared to be potential biomaterials for muscle grafts, but the former stimulated a skeletal muscle tissue remodeling response predominated by M2 macrophages. The data support the notion that biomaterials with similar biocompatibility, based on local tissue response on implantation, may cause differential immunogenicity. Additionally, CDS compared to JDS and CSIS was found to be less immunotoxic.

Six dogs each with open and closed-cervix pyometra (Group I and II) were medically managed with mifepristone @ 2.5mg/kg body weight orally twice daily for five days, followed by cloprostenol @ 5?g/kg body weight subcutaneously on every alternate day after ensuring cervical patency, till complete evacuation of uterus was assessed by ultrasonography. Haematological and serum biochemical values were estimated on the day of presentation. The treatment response was assessed by reviewing both haematological and serum biochemical values further on days 3, 7, 14 and 21 of treatment. The mean total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin concentration and volume of packed red cells (VPRC) were significantly lower and mean total leucocyte count (TLC) was significantly higher in all animals of both groups during the day of presentation. The values significantly improved after initiation of treatment. Total thrombocyte count, serum total protein, albumin, BUN and serum creatinine levels were within the normal range. TEC, TLC, Hb concentration, VPRC could be used for prognostic markers of treatment evaluation in canine pyometra.

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Cataract is one of the main reasons interfering with examination of the eye in many species of animals. As the opaque lens obscures visualization of the posterior segment of the eye, evaluation of the structures in the posterior segment becomes impossible. B-mode ultrasonography of the eye plays a major role in such conditions to evaluate the posterior segment and to evaluate the biometry of the intraocular structures. In the current study, dogs with cataracts of various stages were subjected to ocular ultrasonographic evaluation and biometry of ocular structures. Biometry for ocular parameters like axial length of the eye (D1), vitreous chamber depth (D2), lens diameter (D3) and lens depth (D4) were recorded in all the dogs with cataractous lens. The ultrasonographic appearance of the lens varied in echogenicity with the stage of the cataract. The changes in the cortex and nucleus part of the lens were also imaged and recorded. B-mode ultrasonography was useful in ruling out structural pathologies related to the vitreous and retina prior to cataract surgery

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Feline idiopathic cystitis is similar to human interstitial cystitis as the occurrence of both diseases is characterised by the involvement of stress, severe abdominal pain and a reduction in the protective glycosaminoglycan layer of the bladder. The present case report involves the occurrence of feline idiopathic cystitis in a tomcat. The animal was presented with the signs ofanorexia, vomiting, haematuria, dysuria, pollakiuria, periuria and urethral obstruction. Based on the results of haematology, serum biochemistry, imaging techniques, urinalysis and culture results, the case was diagnosed. Urethral patency was re-established by urethral catheterisation and the casewas managed with a combination of medical, dietary and multi-model environmental enrichment therapy.