Christina Malm

Ovário-histerectomia: estudo experimental comparativo entre as abordagens laparoscópica e aberta na espécie canina. Intra-operatório-I

The goal of this study was to compare the laparoscopic procedure for ovariohysterectomy (OVH) with the conventional approach. Parameters such as duration of the surgery, complications (hemorrhages, visceral and vascular lesions), technical difficulties and the extending incision required for removing internal organs were evaluated during the intra-operative phase. The costs of both approaches were compared as well. A total of thirty non-defined breed bitches weighting between 6,5 and 19,0kg were randomly distributed into two groups of 15 animals each. Group I was subjected to laparoscopic OVH and group II to the conventional approach. The duration of the surgery was longer and the degree of bleeding was lesser in the laparoscopy than in the conventional approach. Splenic lesions were observed in three animals due to the use of Veress needle or trocar. Extension of the original incision was required in both groups to remove uterus and ovaries. Conversion of the technique was not indicated. In conclusion, both approaches are safe and efficient for OVH in bitches. The surgical time was larger and the occurrence of hemorrhage was less intense with the laparoscopic procedure. Surgical costs were higher with the laparoscopy.

Site of Intrauterine Artificial Insemination in the Bitch does not Affect Sperm Distribution within the Uterus

The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of frozen-thawed spermatozoa within the uterine lumen and oviducts following intrauterine laparoscopic deposition at two sites. Twelve bitches of unknown reproductive history were randomly distributed into two groups. Semen (3 ml containing 300 × 10(6) frozen-thawed spermatozoa) was infused at the uterine body (UB group) or at the cranial tip of the left uterine horn. A 22-G catheter was used to access the uterine lumen. Sperm cell distribution was evaluated after ovariohysterectomy performed 3 h after artificial insemination (AI). There was no difference between groups in mean time to perform AI. Spermatozoa were detected in all uterine segments, including the tip of both horns, but none was detected in the oviduct. The 22-G catheter facilitated deposition of semen in the uterine lumen, particularly at the UB site. Sperm cell distribution occurred evenly along both horns, independent of the site of semen deposition.

Ovário-histerectomia: estudo experimental comparativo entre as abordagens laparoscópica e aberta na espécie canina- III. estresse pela análise do cortisol plasmático

Post-operative stress, as indicated by changes in plasma cortisol concentration, was monitored for seven days in 30 bitches, half of whom were subjected to conventional (group I) and half to laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy (group II). No increases on plasmatic cortisol concentration were observed in the pre-surgery phase (time 1) and when animals were under anaesthesia just before surgery (time 2). Cortisol concentration increased in both groups only during the intra-operative period (time 3) and one hour after recovery from anesthesia (time 4). Cortisol levels were higher in the bitches submitted to laparoscopy than in those experiencing conventional surgery. For both surgical approaches, cortisol concentrations in the post-operative phase returned to values characteristic of the pre-operative phase. Response to stress, assessed from changes in plasma cortisol concentration, was similar for both groups.

Ovário-histerectomia: estudo experimental comparativo entre as abordagens laparoscópica e aberta na espécie canina. II- Evolução clínica pós-operatória

It was compared the post-operative phase (seven days) of 30 bitches, randomly divided in two groups of 15 animals and submitted to laparoscopic (group I) and conventional ovariohisterectomy (group II). Both groups were compared by behavioral and physiological parameters, as well as post-operative complications of the surgical site. A descriptive scale was used to evaluate the behavioral and post operative complications. No statistical differences were observed between the groups when the locomotion, posture, surgical wound interference, abdominal tension, vocalization, appetite, cardiac and respiratory rates, body temperature and evacuation were individually analyzed. When the behavioral and physiological parameters were evaluated together (score 1), there was evidence of major post-operative pain only in the second day in bitches submitted to conventional surgery. When surgical wound complications were analyzed as a whole (score 2), they were more frequent in group I. The total score (score 1 + score 2) showed similarity to post-operative recovery between the two surgical approaches.

Sulfato de condroitina e hialuronato de sódio no tratamento da doença articular degenerativa em cães: estudo histológico da cartilagem articular e membrana sinovial

Fifteen mongrel dogs, both genders, weighting from 18 to 25kg were used and Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) was induced through cranial cruciate ligament (CCrL) artroscopical section. After three weeks, CCrL was reconstructed by Schawalders (1989) technique. Then, dogs were distributed in three groups and the following protocols were used: group I, control, no other treatment but the CCrL reconstruction; group II received chondroitin sulfate 24mg per animal every five days, intramuscularly, in a total of six injections; and group III received sodium hyaluronate 20mg per animal every five days, intravenously, in a total of three injections. Clinical observation was done until 90 days after treatments. By that time, the articular cartilage and synovium were collected and their morphology was evaluated. In group I, the degenerative alterations of the DJD were the most intense. Thus, decrease of chondrocytes number, pannus, fibrillations, grooves, erosion, and irregular articular surface were observed on the cartilage. In group II, raise of chondrocytes number was observed, with increase of synthesis activity of matrix and decrease of lesions on the articular surface. There was an increase of chondrocytes in group III, but the cells were morphologically unviable. All the groups showed proliferation of the synovial membrane, with limpho-plasma cells infiltrated in subintim and perivascular. In groups I and III, the proliferation of synovium was abundant, with formation of pannus, flattened synoviocytes or synovium absent with granulation tissue. Those results suggest that the chondroitin sulfate stimulated the articular cartilage; decreasing or delaying the alterations of DJD, as well as, the sodium hyaluronate did not interfere on degenerative process in articular cartilage. No favorable action of these drugs in the synovial membrane was verified.

Avaliação de técnicas de biópsia hepática em ovinos

Due to lack of information about the subject and lack of studies that confront the techniques of liver biopsy in sheep, a comparative study between eight biopsy techniques in this species was developed. In this study, eight crossbred (Santa Ines) ewe lambs (17.95 kg ± 2.71) were used in serial procedures for eight consecutive weeks. Liver samples obtained through six percutaneous techniques and two videolaparoscopic techniques were analyzed. The clinical aspects, clinical pathological findings, hepatic sample weights, histology quality, number of centrilobular veins and portal spaces, and the presence of artifacts in the histology slices were recorded. For the percutaneous techniques, two types of needles were used, modified Menghini (M) and semi-automatic tru-cut (T). They were used in combinations with blind biopsies, guided by ultrasound (US) and monitored by video laparoscopy (VL) biopsies. In the videolaparoscopy procedures, Blakesley biopsy forceps and the method of liver fragment resection by VL were used. No relevant hematological or biochemical alterations were found and the clinical manifestations were slight and transitory. In a general way, the use of US and VL in percutaneous biopsies did not yield a significant improvement in weight and histology quality of the liver samples; however, the videolaparoscopic techniques allowed a wider access to the liver than the percutaneous techniques. The quality of the samples obtained through both VL techniques were equivalent; however, the resection technique enabled the collection of heavier samples, but determined the formation of perihepatic adherences. More difficulty in fragment retrieval, more fluctuation in weight and less quality were found in samples obtained with M needles when compared to T needles.

Mammary carcinosarcoma in cat: a case report

A case of mammary carcinosarcoma is reported in a 13-year-old, mixed breed female cat, which was not spayed and had not received contraceptives. The patient presented extensive and coalescent nodules in all mammary glands. Based on the histological and immunohistochemical findings, the diagnosis of mammary carcinosarcoma was confirmed.

Endoscopic transcervical intrauterine artificial insemination in Labrador Retriever bitches

Besides post-thawing reduced semen quality, there are some difficulties in the execution of the endoscopic transcervical intrauterine artificial insemination (AI) with frozen-thawed semen in bitches. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to evaluate behavioral and reproductive parameters (i.e., vaginal cytology and serum progesterone level) to determine time of insemination and to investigate the particularities and difficulties of this technique in bitches using fresh semen. Ten Labrador Retriever bitches were submitted to three endoscopic transcervical intrauterine AIs (with 48 h intervals). Oestrus and ovulation period were established by behaviour evaluation, progesterone assays and vaginal cytology, enabling optimal timing for AI during oestrus. During AI, the following aspects were evaluated: cervical os catheterization difficulty, semen deposition resistance, occurrence of semen backflow, and time required to perform the AI. In this study, it was possible to catheterize the cervical os in all bitches, with different degrees of difficulty, by manipulating the equipment to allow cervical visualization and catheter introduction in the cervical canal. Serial serum progesterone assays enabled estimation of LH surge day, and thus of ovulation. The pregnancy rate was 90%, with a litter size of 5.0 ± 2.6 puppies per bitch. It was concluded that the difficulties in the execution of the endoscopic transcervical intrauterine AI technique in Labrador Retriever bitches were minimized by the equipment manipulation and practical experience.

Aspectos clínicos e radiográficos do pericárdio bovino como substituto do ligamento cruzado cranial de cães

Avaliaram-se os aspectos clinicos e radiograficos do enxerto de pericardio bovino, preservado em glicerina, como substituto do ligamento cruzado cranial. Quinze caes machos, sem raca definida, pesando entre 17,4 e 31,6 kg, foram submetidos a ruptura experimental do ligamento cruzado cranial e a substituicao por pericardio, via videoartroscopia. Os caes foram divididos em tres grupos de cinco e avaliados aos 30, 90 e 120 dias. O membro operado foi imobilizado por duas semanas e procederam-se avaliacoes clinicas semanais. Radiografias foram feitas mensalmente e foram realizadas colheita de liquido sinovial nos tempos descritos. Clinicamente, os caes mostraram claudicacao acentuada a moderada, hipotrofia muscular no membro operado e acentuado deslocamento cranial da tibia em relacao ao femur. As alteracoes degenerativas foram observadas nas radiografias. Observou-se instabilidade acentuada em todos os animais. O liquido sinovial tinha caracteristicas de inflamacao. Concluiu-se que o enxerto rompeu precocemente, provocou reacao inflamatoria persistente e fenomenos de rejeicao, nao sendo, portanto, recomendado para substituicao do ligamento cruzado cranial de caes.

Arthroscopical treatment of elbow joint disease

Elbow arthroscopy was performed in 30 dogs of different breeds. The procedure was performed bilaterally in 20 of these dogs, yielding a total of 50 joints. Different lesions were found, varying from cartilage fissures (8) to fragmentation (42) of medial coronoid process (FCP) of the ulna. Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the humerus medial condyle was associated in four of them. All of these cases displayed varying degrees of synovitis. Osteoarthrosis (OA) in varying intensity was observed in 44 joints. The majority of cases were treated two to four months after the manifestation of clinical signs. Good clinical recovery occurred in dogs with minimal joint lesions, where these were diagnosed and treated within four weeks of the onset of clinical symptoms. Early diagnosis and arthroscopic treatment prevent osteoarthrosis and preserve locomotor function.